There is no shortage of musical talent in Austin and
Oak is Keeping is the latest local outfit to grab our attention. This past April, the band dropped
Animal Style, an impressive collection of pummeling rock songs, chock-full of irresistible melodies, layered vocals, and standout guitar wizardry. Per founding member
Shay Isdale, “We have a very unique writing dynamic. I generate riff and melody ideas and present them to the band. At that time we literally pick apart the whole song idea and analyze it until everyone agrees on the finished product and puts their own touch on their respective part. It’s amazing how democratic we are, and we somehow never get into any arguments about writing. I think that sets us apart from most bands. We truly enjoy the whole process, even as collaborative as it is.” Comparisons to Queens of the Stone Age are inevitable, for even Isdale’s vocals harbor a hint of Josh Homme. Oak is Keeping nurtures a similar bludgeoning sound powered by ingenious licks. Sizzling six-strings mark “Tempt” and “Tell Me These Things” while our favorite “Burn It All Down” chugs along at a steady pace before blazing into a memorable chorus. Even gentler fare like “Book Of Matches” and “So Sweet” are not
sans moments of eruption. Recommended for fans of modern day hard-rock, the album ends with the thunderous “What We Live.”
Isdale (vocals and guitar) and Mastin Kirksey (drums) formed the band as Dead Leaves in 2006 but were forced to change the name after receiving a cease and desist order from another act with the same moniker. The duo was working with a number of other musicians at the time and decided it was best to reorganize as Oak is Keeping (taken from a Robert Frost poem). Zac Bogart (guitar) and Adam Keeling (bass) had honed their skills as session musicians in Seattle for the likes of Stone Gossard and The Shins and were recruited via Craigslist. After a couple of EP releases, the band recorded Animal Style with Jason Sewell (Nebulost Productions), also a Craigslist connection.
Oak is Keeping is in the running for a spot at SPIN’s shows at SXSW 2010 (Airwalk’s “Unsigned Hero: Road To Austin” contest) and they are currently second in the SPIN/MLB 2K10 competition where the winner’s song is included in the next edition of the game. Oak is Keeping is already working on material for a new EP; until then, rock out to Animal Style and catch them live tonight at Red Eyed Fly.
[Mike Truth & The Replacement Killers MySpace]
[Oak is Keeping MySpace]
[Beyond Gods & Empires MySpace]
[Faceblaster MySpace]
[The Stoics MySpace]
