"This band kicks ass! It combines great melody with massive rock riffs. I see this band going places fast"
-Hugo Ferreira (Lead Singer of Tantric)
Just want to give all the fans an inside look at Stryck9. We recently played a show in which we opened for Tantric! Sitting at the merch booth and the most unexpected happens. Hugo Ferreira of Tantric pulls out his wallet and wants to buy a Stryck9 CD. Now were not saying we arent any good, but how awesome is it to have such a well respected musician come up and want to purchase the CD. To make a long story short, instead of purchasing the CD, Hugo and us exchanged CD's.
Thought you fans derserve to know that even Stryck9 is starstruck!
JUST WHEN YOU THINK THAT YOUR DOWN AND OUT! Thanks Tantric for putting on an awesome show at the Whiskey Venue
Local 'Hillbilly grunge' band Stryck9 signs to label
Bandmates are ready, say now the work begins
By KURT MOORE • The Marion Star • November 13, 2008
MARION - A local rock quartet is pushing what one member calls "hillbilly grunge" as the band prepares for the release of its new album.
Stryck9's "Return to Sender" will be released by Tate Music Group on Nov. 18. The band features rhythm guitarist Rob Rodabaugh, lead guitarist and vocalist Adam Tong, bass player Tony Ogg and drummer Brian Jester.
The band rehearses in Carey and recorded its album at Jester's Court Recording Studio in Marion, which is operated by Jester, a Marion resident who also hosts the program Local Mic 8-9 p.m. Wednesdays on 97.5 FM WDCM.
Stryck9 signed with the Oklahoma-based division of Tate Publishing, a Christian based, family owned, main-line publishing organization. While it deals largely with Christian music, Jester said the group also markets secular or non-Christian music from bands such as Stryck9.
Band members describe "Return to Sender" as "hard rock with a southern feeling." It's an album that deals with pain, loss and the search for ways to deal with it.
"Return to Sender" is the band's second album after the self-released "Limited Acceptance," released in 2006. Most of the material is based on the life of Tong, the band's songwriter.
"I use it as a way of release, to help cope with stuff," he said.
The album is a catharsis of sorts with songs like "Going Home," Fallin" and the title track "Return to Sender."
"Going Home" captures this loss with the lyrics, "She says she's going home, she's feeling so alone, love is gone. She said that I'm so low, same price but twice the cost, I live to roam. But I'm beggin', asking her to stay. Back into the street I go living so astray. Praying, what price that can I pay? Never fly away again."
"If they ever had a hard break-up or had anyone die, anything like that, they can relate to it," Tong said of the album's music.
The band signed with the label during the first half of 2008. While the record label makes and distributes the CD and covers some promotional costs such as posters and compact discs sent to radio stations, Jester said the band's money will be made off of royalties once the album sells.
"It's a misconception that once you are signed everything will be gravy," said Ogg, who said it is still left up to the band to promote its music and get it into the hands of listeners. The band's members still work other jobs and, rather than being in the trenches with the rock bands they idolize, Ogg said, "We are trying to get in the trenches."
Stryk9 is working on new material as it continues playing songs from "Return to Sender."
The band has had a chance to play with some of the members' own idols such as the band Black Stone Cherry.
"That was a kind of milestone for me to come to the realization that we can do this," said Rodabaugh. "We just rocked out with a nationally touring band and fit right into it."
Band members caution other local musicians that it is hard work, and that the hard work doesn't end once a band signs with a label. The only way to let people know who they are is to play as many places as possible and to play often.
Members also encourage other bands to stick it out.
"If you believe in what you are doing and are even half-way good you will find people who believe in you," said Ogg.
What Stryck9 members listen to:
# Rhythm guitarist Rob Rodabaugh: WhiteZombie, Slash and Sevendust
# Lead guitarist/vocalist Adam Tong: Metallica, Alice in Chains, Black Label Society, Jimi Hendrix, Lynyrd Skynrd, Pearl Jam, Black Sabbath, The Cranberries and Sevendust
# Bass player Tony Ogg: Metallica, Aerosmith, Shinedown, Black Stone Cherry, BobaFlex and Black Label Society.
To hear Stryck9:
# Stryck9's Web site at www.stryck9.com features tracks from its album "Return to Sender."
# Stryck9 will open for BobaFlex on Saturday, Nov. 15, at the Alrosa Villa at 5055 Sinclair Road in Columbus. Doors open at 6 p.m. Tickets cost $15.
To buy "Return to Sender":
# Tate Publishing, www.tatepublishing.com/bookstore/music.php
# The album is also available on www.Amazon.com
To hear local music:
# Stryck9 drummer Brian Jester, who operates Jester's Court Recording Studio in Marion, hosts Open Mic 8-9 p.m. Wednesdays on 97.5 FM WDCM. The program features music from local bands.
Hey Fans, How the hell are ya? Just want to give an update of whats going on with the band. The newest member Brian Jester is kicking ass, surpassing our expectations. Coming up we are playing some badass shows with
Battery (Metallica Tribute Band) in Lima, A
Headbangers Halloween Bash, and dont miss a hardcore rockfest down at
Alrosa Villa with
Bobaflex. Check the
tour. A recent photo shoot with Peace is Free Production is now available in the
Media/ Photo Gallery page. If your not signed up yet, join our mailing list and street team so your freinds, your freinds friends, and everyone in the world can hear STRYCK9!...Keep on Rockin!
So as you can see the website is being updated to better serve you as a fan. ROCK ON! We recently played a show at The Whiskey Venue where we opened for TANTRIC. Just want to say thanks to all the fans who came out and supported us! Hope to be playing there again soon. Keep checking the schedule, we are filling dates as we speak.....maybe at a spot near you
