Esquire Gives High Praise for Local Band

The Mercers, behind the leadership of frontman Peter Wagner, formed at the beginning of 2006. Wagner and bass player Bryan Ray had previously played in local band Choking Ahogo, but they wanted to change the direction of their sound and lyrical content. Enter keyboardist Will Cornforth, guitarists Erik Ray and Nate De Lacretaz, and the most recent addition, drummer Ethan Herr. The group produces a sound reminiscent of the Doves, Psychedelic Furs and early R.E.M. As Wagner puts it: "This blended into what we have now - some kind of 80's British pop influenced indie rock with country tendencies."

Already heralded by the Flamingo Cantina as the best new rock band in Austin, the band recently received national recognition. In their July issue, Esquire magazine named The Mercers one of the top unsigned bands in America. The Mercers' debut album is slated for an August release.

[From Esquire piece]

"Myspace friends of Nada Surf and Dr. Dog, these Austin misfits claim to be influenced by "cheap beer, big dreams; sad sarcastic pop bursts." Who isn't? The band's best Myspace mp3, "Sexy Youth," sits at the shady crossroads of swagger and sensitivity; one day this one's gonna be an excellent soundtrack to a show-closing montage on Grey's Anatomy."