“Too much of anything is bad, but too much of good whiskey is barely enough.” – Mark Twain
There is one other thing of which too much is never enough, and that is stripped down, pedal to the metal Rock & Roll. Scholars of both excesses, the members of FOSTERCHILD, have documented their mastery within the confines of their new album, INDEPENDENCE DAY.
FOSTERCHILD was truly born on the 4th of July 2005 upon the playing of their very first show. The band’s maturation process was accelerated by the members’ chemistry and their compatible musical histories. Quinn left his five year work with a local Philadelphia band to share the vision of drummer Kevin Miller who had recently relinquished his successful nine-year career with Platinum-selling recording artists, FUEL. Bassist Erik Leonhardt said goodbye to his group just before the trio met vocalist Danny Beissel who traded in his lucrative solo gig—all to join a band that would truly be the sum of its very distinct parts.
“Coming from different bands, we all knew what we didn’t want to become, but were uncertain of what direction we were headed in musically,” said guitar player Brian Quinn. “Our sound just sort of developed after months of writing and feeding off one another’s style and influences.” The music on their debut, INDEPENDENCE DAY, is influenced by the afore-mentioned blend of retro rock - artists ranging from 70’s and 80’s rock heroes Led Zeppelin, Motorhead, and AC/DC to 90’s torch bearers The Cult and Stone Temple Pilots. A product of true collaboration, tracks like “On My Own”, “Let Me Down,” “Rattlesnake” and the Queen-esque ballad “Don’t Let Go” all sweat bourbon and take up residence in your mind long after the last note is played.
FOSTERCHILDs sound and look are reminiscent of a time when rock n roll still had the swagger and bite, but was less consumed with being of-the-moment. The band’s classic feel “Coming from our previous bands, we were just sick of trying to be something that we’re not,” said Miller. “That’s why we chose our name. Were like the bastards of rock n roll. We belong to no one but ourselves.”
With Miller’s steadfast back beats, Quinn’s gritty blues-playing, Leonhardt’s thunderous bass riffs and Beissel’s melodic harmonies, it seems that FOSTERCHILD has finally found its family in eachother and home in good old fashioned rock n roll.
Danny Beissel - Vocals Brian Quinn - Guitar Bobby Pirylis Jr - Drums Mike Vlaanderen - Bass
