About Me
The Midwest's laid-back atmosphere helps create rock bands ranging from beer-guzzling punk to moody indie rock. Early Empire falls somewhere in between. With two guitars, sometimes screaming and occasionally meandering, the band produces a sound that's diverse and original, but not unfamiliar. This mix of styles brings comparisons to greats like At the Drive-In, Fugazi, Hot Water Music and Quicksand.
Originally joining forces in 2002 in Columbus, Ohio, but now dispersed across the country from Raleigh to Los Angeles, Early Empire includes former members of Superstar Rookie, DeadSea and Secret of Flight as well as current members of A Planet for Texas and The Handshake. After some time off, lineup changes (three bass players) and one song on the Cringe.com/pilation vol. 3, Early Empire released a new enhanced cd ep in 2006 and is currently finishing up a live cd/dvd.
REVIEWS:
"Early Empire are from Columbus, Ohio, but their sound is more in the vein of early 1990s D.C. with a hint of Chicago." - Slug and Lettuce, 2/06.
"Their combination of jerky rhythms and wrestling dual guitars...creates a claustrophobic din wired tight." - Columbus Alive, 4/06.
"I've long considered them a smart, classy, under appreciated band so, yeah, I'll miss 'em and look forward to what they do next." - Cringe.com, 7/06.
"Early Empire...play a version of two guitar rock with urgent vocals that has brought comparisons to Fugazi or At the Drive-In. There's an energetic and driven quality to it, while you're welcome to bang your head or even bang into the dude next to you, it's grittier and coarser (in a good way) than mere metal." - WeColumbus.com, 7/06.
"Early Empire set about creating post-hardcore indie rock...These days the band trades in heavy riffs and emotions, its raw but intricately arranged tunes reflecting in equal measure the Midwest's trademark work ethic and malaise." - Columbus Alive, 7/06.
VIDEOS:
Early Empire
"Goodwill"
In Blood
Directed by Trish Hadley
Early Empire
"Television Eyes"
Resolutions and a Gun
Directed by Jim Higgins
Edited by Lord Cycle and DMC
Here's a compilation of live clips. The audio is pretty bad, but the video footage is cool.
