Local band to begin accepting label offers

This past Saturday night, Close to Home’s vocalist Nick Stein couldn’t suppress a smile as he leaned into the cheering crowd at the Mad Hatter.  He was clearly pleased with the turnout; loyal fans were psyched to see the successful hardcore group perform again in their hometown.

The Cincinnati natives’ records are already being distributed in Japan, and their songs are frequently broadcast at a radio station in Venezuela. Close to Home has also played several cross-country tours, including Taste of Chaos and Warped Tour. Since the guys banded together in 2006, they’ve been able to gather quite a following.

“Their fans are, like, die-hard,” said Maddie Crusham, 23. She gestured to the cluster of particularly devout fans in the crowd jumping, shoving, waving and singing along with Stein’s every word.

The self-described “man-pop” group consists of Stein, John “JJ” James Cooper, Josh Wells and Travis Hartman. The band’s perfect blend of catchy choruses and full-on hardcore screams bridge a gap between genres that satisfies a diverse group of fans. 
When the band began “Promise,” a song about betrayal off their new album “Let it Be Known,” the entire crowd sang along. The movement in the audience reflected the pulse onstage — a result of their full, powerful sound, passionate performance and disarmingly personal songwriting.

“A lot of bands put words together that don’t mean a lot,” Wells said. “But a kid could ask me what a song means and I could sit and tell him a story.” 

Close to Home’s song topics cover music, love, death and even the Holocaust.  Not only are their lyrics meaningful and relatable to fans, but Stein’s chilling screams are as articulate as the lines he sings, a refreshing alternative to the slurred metal-core that frequents Cincinnati venues. 

The nationally renowned local band is making some pretty surprising changes.  Close to Home has been described as “one of the most recognized independent rock bands in the country,” but after nearly four years without a label, the band has finally decided to fold.
“We’re shopping around,” Wells said. “You can only go so far without a label.”

After years of paying for gas, food, a van and other tour expenses, financial backing from a label will be a relief.  While the members could not disclose specific labels they are considering, they assured that they will be signing in the near future.

Those who attended Saturday’s show also noticed another change for Close to Home: Longtime friend of the band Jeremiah Kramer filled in on bass for the performance. The screamo rockers have had trouble filling this spot in the lineup ever since their original bassist, Brad Andress, was lost unexpectedly to cancer in 2006.  The loss has put things in perspective for the young musicians.

“We’re driven for our own dreams and purposes, but it’s not just our dream.  It’s [Brad’s] as well,” explained Wells. 

After dealing with a revolving door of stand-ins on bass, the boys are happy to work with Kramer as a close friend and respected musician. The bassist seemed right at home onstage, grinning and head banging along with Cooper and Wells on their guitars.

He strummed each bass line as if he knew every song by heart.  If his performance continues, perhaps he will become a more permanent presence in the band.

The final surprise of the night didn’t disappoint. The band recently recorded a cover version of the popular hip-hop song, “Replay” by Sean Kingston and audience members at the Mad Hatter were one of the first crowds to hear it live.

The performance has all the elements of a flawless hip-hop turned hardcore-cover.  Recorded keyboards played on a stereo to supplement the heavy bass and drum beats that got the crowd dancing.  JJ screamed a harmony woven in with Stein’s rich vocals, putting a hard-hitting spin on Kingston’s original.  Like every Close to Home song performed that night, complementary vocals from the crowd echoed from just beyond the stage.

To listen to “Replay” and keep up with Close to Home events, visit myspace.com/cth.