Pride Parade at The ‘Buff
Click here to view a slideshow of the event.
Athens, Ga. based band, Pride Parade plays a heavy metal sound with three guitarists, a bassist, and a drummer. The vocals screamed and the energy radiated off the stage.
The band played two sets starting at 11p.m. During the first set, the crowd dwindled, but the second set brought in more fans.
While having a different sound than them, Pride Parade’s influences include artists such as Neil Young, Bob Dylan, Billy Ocean and Chavez. The band also gains inspiration from the P-Funk genre.
Although Pride Parade has only played under this name for a year and a half, many of the band members have played together before.
Andrew Prater with the vocals and guitar, Bubba McDonald on the bass, and BJ Bracewell on the guitar, previously composed a hardcore band by the name of Brown Frown. McDonald also previously played with Bracewell in a band called Annaray.
Aaron Sims, drummer, was drawn into the band through Bracewell. They met when Bracewell was a bartender in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Bracewell called Sims over to the bar to have a drink, which led to a musical discussion.
The band claims itself to fall under the genres of rock, psychedelic and religious.
“Religious as in, we’re a religious experience,” said Prater.
Bracewell’s favorite song to play is Fortune Smiles, the first track on their CD.
From their start, Pride Parade has only released one record, “Descendants.” Cut in the spring of 2008, the album showcases 11 tracks.
“Since we started we’ve stayed loud,” said McDonald.
“We’re getting trippier and trippier as we go along,” said Owens.
Even though only months have passed from their first release, the band plans to start recording more originals toward the end of November or the beginning of December.
“Some of it will be more of a pop structure with shorter songs,” said Andrew. “We’re going to try to shake it up.”
“Dirty,” was Owens’ only word in reference to their prospective album.
Prater once wished that their band would build itself up in Athens and make it as big as R.E.M. did.
“R.E.M. ruined my life,” said Prater, with a smirk on his face.
The name Pride Parade keeps audiences wondering what kind of music will bust off the stage at their performances. While certain stigmas are placed with a name such as this, the artists admit the name has little meaning.
“A band’s name doesn’t matter. People will name their band anything,” said Prater.
In Athens the band typically adheres to the Caledonia Lounge and the 40 Watt as its venues.
This was the band’s first night in Milledgeville both personally and professionally.
“Buffington’s and everyone has treated us great so far,” said Owens.
To listen to Pride Parade or find out more about them, visit their website at www.myspace.com/prideparade69 or log onto iTunes. CD’s are also available at School Kids Records in Athens, Ga.
Posted by Colonnade Archives
on Oct 17 2008. Filed under Features.
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