Emerging from the Tulsa Oklahoma music scene, that has also produced such contemporaries asPhilmore, The Agony Scene, Ester Drang, and
even Hanson, Mourning September is definitely
the band to watch for in 2004.
Listeners are hard-pressed to label the Mourning
September’s music. With influences ranging from Pink
Floyd, to Jimmy Eat World to Pete Yorn to the Foo
Fighters, Mourning September’s music is at the same
time ethereal and aggressive.
According to drummer David Walker, the band came
together in the later months of 2001 when he and
singer/guitarist Tony Chavez discovered they had a
mutual love for the same bands. Although both were
in other bands at the time, David in ambient band
Antifany, and Tony in the hardcore band Plan B, the
two decided that it would be cool to start a side project.
Before long it became more than a project and Tony
decided to leave Plan B to focus all his attention on
Mourning September. Shortly thereafter, bassist Zack
Tietsort, late of Emo band Asplunda and Little Boy Envy
and David’s Antifany band mate Josh Tipton, playing
lead guitar, rounded out the line-up.
Fueled by word of mouth generated by the band’s frequent
shows and high-energy performances, demand for the
band’s music began to peak. Released in 2003, Mourning
September’s three song demo was immediately embraced
by fans and radio alike and eventually led to a deal with
California based Floodgate Records.
“We became fans of Mourning September the first time
we heard their music. They are just a solid rock band,
and we kept hearing their name from other artists that
had done shows with them,” states Floodgate president Tim
Taber. “We really became interested when we saw the
momentum the band had created on their own. Since we are
a small label, we need bands that are committed to working
hard and being on the road. Mourning September has more
than proven themselves with how much success they have
achieved around their local area.”
For the band’s anxiously awaited debut, the band enlisted
studio wizard James Paul Wisner to produce the effort.
Wisner is best known for his work with Dashboard
Confessional, Further Seems Forever and New Found Glory.
Additionally Wisner was the man behind the console on releases
by such artists as two-thirtyeight, Underoath, Glasseater and
Legends of Rodeo.
Wisner quickly states it was an easy decision to work with the band.
“There was just a vibe to the music, and really like the tone
of Tony’s voice” he says “there’s just a feeling sometimes
when I know that I can come together with a band and make
something great.”
Look out their release in early August of 2004.