Seven Channels

Already infiltrating the airwaves with the single “Breathe” and touring with alternative rock favorite 3 Doors Down, Seven Channels is a hard rocking and musically passionate quartet. Lead singer Kevin Kirkwood’s vocals have a sense of urgency, focus, and depth that I haven’t heard since Eddie Vedder hit the scene. Released at the end of August, “Seven Channels” self-titled debut is a classic 10 song set that is perfectly wired for party play, or even better, in front of a live audience. Driven by guitarist Dallas Perry, drummer Ben Holt and bassist Dalton Humphreys, the band has an obvious power and synchronicity. The mixture of their unique vocals backed by the seminal driving drum, guitar, and bass sounds creates a pure sound that is unadulterated by modern techno-pop gadgets.

Every tune on this CD plays with a high energy level. The vocals are hypnotic and the rhythm is intermittently smooth and pounding. Beyond the musical voracity, Seven Channel’s lyrics are what make the intensity of the music rise above the norm. With a brooding undertone of the drama in life, the lyrics are ultimately about maintaining hope. Soul searching pervades the lively music. The opening tune, “Velcro Parade,” quickly introduces Perry’s screeching guitar then Kirkwood’s high intensity vocals with his words “welcome to the Velcro Parade” leading into a smooth and mysterious chorus. From the start, there is no mistaking the bands desire to grab your consciousness.

Though the fourth track “Breathe” is the first single to hit the waves, “Superconnected,” the third track is a classic mix of grand melody and emotion that is destined for continuous airplay. The name of the song itself is magical. It’s the type of title that - though not a real word in itself - could become a new way of expressing one’s feelings. And Kirkwood’s intonation of the title in the chorus is uplifting.

Listening to Seven Channels, you know they have that indefinable potential for mass appeal. Though the name may sound new, they have been around a few years. They released an indie EP, International Wonderful, four years ago, and were selected as one of the “Top Five Unsigned Bands in America” by VH1’s Rock Across America Tour in 1999. Also, in 1999, out of 3000 bands, Mars Music picked Seven Channels as the winner of it national band showcase called the “Quit Your Day Job!” Band Quest. The band recently passed through Central Connecticut for a show in August. You can find out more about their background and touring schedule through the Palm Pictures website (www.palmpictures.com). If you follow through, I think this will be one of those bands that you can say that you knew before they were famous.