Underneath the beautiful melodies and powerful voice, past the strong beats and breathing rhythms, there is a dark and desperate world to be found within Below the Waters Edge.
Founded in Cypress, Texas, in late 2006, Below has not only managed to record and release a fourteen track debut LP (Brutalized and Reviled) but have also found themselves on stage with national touring acts (Pearlene, The Vultures, Odd Toddler) and three singles on college radio (91.5 KNSU The Edge). Impressive for a band just short of a year old.
"We're all very dedicated to what we do and what we create. This music is our life and we're not willing to compromise it at all for anyone or anything."
Below has been able to define their sound so quickly because of the dedication, talent and chemistry between its members. Sunka Fernando (lead guitar), John Tynan (drums), Mike Demarse (bass) and Gabriel Elizondo (vocals/guitar) sync together to create some of the most powerful, melodic and honest music heard from today's bands.
"We're not like most of the bands our age. We've reached back to our influences, back to the classics. We're not afraid to go into a Texas blues set or wander into a Pink Floyd-esque instrumental jam session and then find a powerful rhythm in the likes of Tool and Ours."
Seeing Below the Waters Edge live is an experience more than just a show. The lead style guitar licks are fast and aggressive, as Sunka is not afraid to delve into the virtuosity of his influences (John Petrucci, Paul Gilbert and Van Halen), John, at the age of sixteen, displays a prodigy-like ability during the improv jams where Jon Boham like beats answer back to Mike D's groove. Gabriel's voice finds itself on top of all this, powerful and unafraid to bare it all, watching his delivery, the audience begins to realize, they're seeing someone completely vulnerable.
"When we perform, we're giving our lives out to the crowd. It's every single part of who we are not only as musicians but as people. If it's one thing we want our fans to see, it's that we're honest."
