JET TANK is the management company that represents:
TEN COUNT FALL (Youngstown, OH)
Ten Count Fall - that's us. We’re loud. We’re obnoxious. We’re often air-born. We play in-your-face, fist-pumping anthems with sugar-coated harmonies and random yelling here and there . . . so turn the volume up! Who are we? Four kids from Youngstown, Ohio who got sick and tired of working our day jobs as pizza-makers and sandwich artists and decided to take this show on the road. Besides, we’d like to think that we make better music than we do pizza. How did Ten Count Fall form? Well, we all met at school (except for the two of us that met at birth because we have the same parents). Our sound is a mix of our personalities; RJ HATES down-tempo sissy-rock, Pat LOVES down-tempo sissy-rock, [note that this discrepancy between the brothers Rishel often leads to both knock-down drag-outs and interesting songwriting] Kotheimer is the voice of reason, and Jay “the force†Iorio has actually met Yoda (need we say more . . . if you don’t believe us, ask him). You might have seen us live with Billy Talent, Bowling for Soup, Plain White T's, The Matches, Roses are Red, Alli with an I, Count The Stars, Shindig, The Fold . . . or maybe just playing a D.I.Y. show at the local grange hall or skate-park. We consider duct-tape to be an actual part of our gear, thus disqualifying us from being picky about where we play. We just spent winter 2007 at Sonica Recording Studios [Atlanta, GA] with producer John Briglevich [Chuck D, Goo Goo Dolls, Red Letter Agent] tightening up our current songs and working on unreleased new material. We think you’re going to dig it . . . but then again, Billy Ray Cyrus was sure you were going to love “Achy Breaky Heart†so we’ll have to get your opinion.
Ten Count Fall...what in the hell?
"It's the last ten seconds before victory or defeat - the final moments where you determine just how badly you want something," says front-man RJ Rishel. "You either have to dig deep and give it everything you have, or surrender, waste away to nothing, and face a life of ridicule."
That's touching. How does it apply to music?
Simple: Most bands form for the ladies and booze. The members are self-loathing and need a quick ego boost. The music is trash, and when it comes to crunch time, these bands don't have the heart to move forward. Instead, the take the little bit of self-worth they originally set out to collect, and move on with their lives, forever reminiscing about the four months they were in a "Rock 'N Roll" band. With these individuals, those days will forever be referenced to as "the glory days."
Things are a little different, however, with Ten Count Fall. The band actually cares about the product.
Now I'm interested. Tell me more.
In early 2005, four self-proclaimed "unlucky" guys from Youngstown, Ohio decided to fight for the music they believe in, thus blessing us with their delicious sounds.
Unlucky? Isn't that a bit cliche?
Yes. But the "unlucky" title hasn't been conjured up to invoke emotions in the unsuspecting music fan. It simply is a basic, yet illustrative way to portray the life the band has led. Food has been scarce, money is nil, pets are always running away, and days on end are spent schlepping sandwiches and greasy pizza for unappreciative customers. Turning to music as an outlet for the built-up aggression is a perfect alternative to living a life of con-artistry and murder.
Okay, no more cynicism, no more interruptions. Continue on.
Shortly after winning Peabody's "Battle of the Bands" in the fall of 2005, Ten Count Fall realized that they might actually be on to something with their music. With confidence high, work on the debut album began.
The guys holed themselves up at Ringside Studios in Detroit with producer and Suicide Machines bassist, Royce P. Nunley, and created their self-titled album, Ten Count Fall. After facing what they hope to be a final run of bad luck, complete with a slew of busted amps, broken down tour vehicles and near death experiences while chasing their manager's run-away dog down an inner-city highway in Atlanta, the band finally saw the release of the album on March 7, 2006.
Now comes the technical review of the CD that is really just a bunch of fancy words strewn together:
Ten Count Fall's independently released effort is a roller-coaster ride of power-packed anthems about teen ambition and apathy.
In other words, it's good.
The witty "Art of Poisoning" is a modern day Romeo and Juliet story with a sugar-coated twist, while "Cut Harder" calls out an apathetic generation for having everything and finding joy in nothing.
In "TFFL" the band urges young listeners to quit being followers and to find their own identity by contemplating who their friends are, and why they need them, when all they do is bring them down.
"We have a lot of young fans and we just want to let them know that whatever they're going through, there are others out there going through the same thing. We're all in it together," says front-man/guitarist Pat Rishel.
With an average age of 19, the quartet decided to forgo college and hit the road this year to spread their message. Their high-energy live show and tireless work ethic have gained them stage time alongside Bowling for Soup, Billy Talent, The Matches, Plain White T's, and Roses are Red. In true punk spirit, dueling front-men Pat and RJ Rishel look for any opportunity to be heard. "We have played some of the biggest music halls in the country, but we've also played a library, a pottery shop, and a Chinese restaurant where we were paid in Wonton soup."
Ten Count Fall is Pat Rishel (vocals/bass), RJ Rishel (vocals/guitar), Jason Kotheimer (guitar/backing vocals), and Jay Iorio (drums).
BAIN MATTOX (Athens, GA)
Bain Mattox is what Alternative Addiction calls, "hands down, the most talented unsigned artist in the country." Mattox sprung onto the Atlanta music scene in 2003 after winning Smith's Open Mic Madness. The twenty-one year old troubadour instantly became a favorite among locals and critics alike, with his every-man persona and an array of oddly tuned pawn-shop instruments. With the addition of a permanent backing band, a self-titled release under his belt, and a steady year and a half out on the road, he has developed gracefully into what Ernie Ball says, "is a highly innovative artist who is a "can't miss" in 2006.
Mattox has seen national success on MTV's Real World, Turner Network Television's NASCAR, Storyline on TBS, Delta Airline's Campus Movie Fest, "Good Morning Atlanta" on CBS, and has performed live on FOX Charlotte, Q100's "The Bert Show", and Music Midtown 2004 alongside the Foo Fighters and Switchfoot. His last two Atlanta performances at The Roxy Theatre had over 1,000 in attendance and he has most recently shared the stage with Ediwn McCain, 3 Doors Down, OAR and The Violent Femmes. Mattox is endorsed by Ernie Ball.
Mattox currently reigns as an award-winning artist for:
"Best Rock Band" and "Best Singer-Songwriter"
Flagpole Music Awards (Athens, Ga.)
"Best Front-Man"
Atlanta Music Guide Music Awards
"Best Singer-Songwriter" and "Best Instrumentalist"
Creative Loafing's Best of Atlanta
Number 1 on The Best Unsigned Band List
Alternative Addiction
Creative Loafing says, "As long as Bain Mattox keeps writing simple, stunning, sad songs, he'll maintain both mainstream and indie cred."
JIL STATION (Atlanta, GA)
Watch the video to Jil Station's single Vanguard from the new album, Still Love.
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