She would not be my toyId be her human being (from Olympia) ONES & ZEROS: the building blocks of A.I. mixed with physical desire Why deny? The more we fight it, the more we lose control (from Logical Conclusion) ONES & ZEROS: the self-fulfilling prophecy Are you a she? Are you a hero? Stuck in a binary code (from Ones & Zeros) ONES & ZEROS simplified: on or off yes or no
These are the things on the mind of 3RDegree that make up its sixth album ONES & ZEROS: vol. 0 and the bookend to 2015s ONES & ZEROS: vol. 1-their first concept album(s)-now complete. All songs offer a unique take on the issues and ethics associated with the rapid progress of technology. Ray Kurzweil & others have been discussing futurism and transhumanism since the 1970s but only now are we seeing it impact our daily lives. Spearheaded by 1990s-era members California guitarist Patrick Kliesch & New Jersey lead vocalist/keyboardist George Dobbs, the rest of the band shortly pitched in different songs-all closely associated with the overall theme. As with previous albums, both fully-fledged and skeletal ideas were created and passed between band members via the Internet and worked on in the flesh soon after.
3RDegree circa 2018 continues to embody the musical direction envisioned by power trio Robert James Pashman, Patrick Kliesch & Robert Durham in 1991: to create interesting and engaging music that mixes accessible melodies and catchy hooks with the intelligence and complexity of Progressive Rock. Releasing a debut album (on cassette!) with THE WORLD IN WHICH WE LIVE in 1993 (w/Pashman on lead vocals), 3RDegree decided to step up their game in 1995, adding a world-class lead vocalist in George Dobbs and releasing their second album, 1996s HUMAN INTEREST STORY, which was re-released in 2013, remastered. After playing many live shows in the New York City area gaining little traction, the band hung it up, leaving much material sitting on the proverbial cutting room floor.
Dobbs would continue musical endeavors including solo albums, Pashman and Kliesch would work on projects together and a solo album each apartbut talk of 3RDegree was couched in the past tense until Pashman would make a video collection in 2005, putting together all the bands music videos and performances onto DVD and basement tapes onto CDs. Discussion of the songs left behind bubbled under throughout that year until the original trio met at a NYC bar where it was agreed upon that the band would record again in 06-with Dobbs soon located-and later, play reunion concerts at NJ Proghouse in 2007 with long time collaborator, guitarist Eric Pseja. 2008 saw the release of NARROW-CASTER (which included the aforementioned songs along with brand new ones) making a big splash in small progressive rock ponds worldwide with the Dutch Progressive Rock Page (DPRP.net) reveling: Its not often an album as refreshing as this comes along, and we should treasure it when it does...an album that demands repeated spins, and rewards every listen with some new revelation. In 2009, new drummer Aaron Nobel joined and the band played shows in Brooklyn (w/Phideaux) & North Carolinas ProgDay (w/Ozric Tentacles) later finding themselves working on some tracks with two different themes but with election year coming in 2012, the band decided that their political crop of songs would be particularly timely.
THE LONG DIVISION would be released ahead of election day followed by many 2013 mid-year shows culminating in a return visit to ProgDay 13s pre-show-all with new lead guitarist Bryan Zeigler. The albums single Youre Fooling Yourselves made the Top 10 Songs Of The Year at DPRPs yearly poll alongside many, much more established bands. In early 2014, the band made an appearance at Québec Citys Terra Incognita Festival (w/Glass Hammer) playing to an enthusiastic audience-3RDegrees first show outside the USA.
In August 2015, 3RDegree released a new album-ONES & ZEROS: vol. 1-on 10T Records (their last release) and performed live on their first world tour that not only hit the American northeast, but also France (Paris), Germany (Frankfurt), The Netherlands (Rotterdam), & U.K. (London, Leicester, Southampton & Wales) ending at The Summers End Festival (w/Pallas). Shows continued into 2016 (with original drummer Robert Durham back in tow) including an appearance at RoSfest in Gettysburg, PA (w/Spocks Beard). The band continued writing songs related to the ones & zeros theme in 16/17 with the goal of an equally compelling collection to accompany their career pinnacle. A late 2017 performance at New Jerseys ProgStock Festival featured the band debuting songs from this upcoming disk with video projection and stagecraft worthy of the concept.
Valdez is a four piece band of musicians from Philadelphia, USA with a passion for good songwriting and leaping the fences between genres. The group comprises of Shineback and ex-Tinyfish British frontman Simon Godfrey, Echolyn bassist Tom Hyatt, keyboard player Joe Cardillo and drummer Scott Miller.
Tom and Simon met one night by chance at a comedy club in Philladephia and got on so well, they decided to jam the following evening at an open mic night. The duo were an instant hit with the crowd and as they left the stage, they agreed to form the band that would become Valdez.
For us, the song comes before absolutely everything else. Says Simon. It doesnt matter if its short, long, happy, sad or just plain broken. As long as its good, well grab it with both hands and spin that sucker until were all dizzy.
Chemistry and humor play a big part in the bands identity. We take the music seriously, not ourselves. Says Tom. Weve spent years in other bands trying to look serious for photos but its not really who we are. Were naturally happy people and we love what we do as a musical unit. We put in 88% effort every time we hit the stage Says Tom, The remaining 12% goes to snacks, Netflix and internet porno just like everyone else.
The band released their debut album entitled This through maverick independent label Bad Elephant Music, headed up by one of the godfathers of the UK musical underground, David Elliott. The album was produced by Echolyn songwriter and Grey Eye Glances guitarist, Brett Kull, a legendary figure on the Philly music scene and the album artwork was created by world famous DC Comics artist, Mark Buckingham.
The band toured extensively throughout 2017, playing shows and festivals up and down the East Coast of North America and are due to return to the studio to record their follow up album in the fall of 2018.
Drummer Scott Miller sums up Valdez best as; Just four guys repaying our debt to society like the parole officer told us to.
Location
NJProghouse Presents @ Roxy and Dukes Roadhouse (View)
745 Bound Brook Road
Dunellen, NJ 08812
United States
