T H E B R I C K S

The Bricks are simple and complex, definitive yet unknown. They hail from the industrial wasteland that is northwest Indiana, recalling a flower in the desert or a fire in the ocean. They do not stand in front of the crowd, they stand amongst the crowd, observing, discerning, and knowing. Molded by the world, they do not set out to break the mold, only to report on it.
The Bricks started in the spring of 2007 in a park, on a bench. It was there that Michael Pantaleo and Mallory Thomas, with nothing better to do and with plenty of time to spare, wrote the first songs on a newly acquired acoustic guitar. With being a couple for three years they had shared many experiences together and those first minimal folk songs were the natural culmination of those times. The people they met and that drama that unfolded provide the foreground of the songs proving that nothing is off-limits for lyricist Mallory Thomas. The affects evoked are often cringe worthy in their honesty as she speaks bluntly of ex friends and traumatic events in her life. Mals pop sensibilities and Michael's blend of Mississippi delta blues with power chords made for an enitrely unique sound. Bassist Jason Melton was soon added with drummer Ryne Holmquist quick to follow.
A year and a half later and the band is still going strong despite the disintegration of Michael and Mallory's relationship. Having to overcome these obstacles has only tightened the bond of these four friends. With new songs written the bands sound has expanded into a darker more eclectic tone with the use of lushly abrasive string and percussion arrangements. Michael Pantaleo has also grown immensely as a producer. One could describe his methods as impressionistic in their delivery; up close all you see are indecipherable brush strokes, take a step back and you gain the full impression of reflected light as sound. Aural landscapes such as these will be fully represented on the upcoming self-produced Ep due out in the coming months. Until then, watch and listen as The Bricks come to the altar offering their relevant reflections on their environment.