GRAN RONDE

Music:

Member Since: 10/7/2004
Sounds Like: LA Times says, "... layering angular guitar riffage onto British underpinnings with promising results."
NME says, "Gran Ronde gave LA, a city known for it's silicon content, a little substance at the Viper Room last Friday...."
LA Alternative Press says, "Gran Ronde rocks the house!" (real quote ha ha)
3hive says, "If you count yourself among the many fans of the current faux-British invasion, then get ready to surrender to another crusader."
URB.com says, "With strong, mesmerizing guitar riffs and terrifically solid hooks... Scheduled for release early this year, their debut album Secret Rooms is sure to have fans of British, faux-British or even non-British rock quite pleased."
Flavorpill LA says of the On and On EP, "a spark plug of a record that walks the path beaten by Kiss Me Kiss Me Kiss Me-era Cure, but with just the right amount of indie-rock modernity, romantic irony, and sass to keep the neo-emo goths at bay"
Little Radio says the On and On EP, "creates a dark atmospheric sound while still retaining some lightness in both melodies and vocals. On "Trouble (Hide)" and "The River", lead singer Chris Pearson eerily seems to transform vocally into Robert Smith, making connections to the Cure well warranted. However, tracks like "Retrace" really stand Gran Ronde on their own two feet, with catchy guitar hooks and a more modern feel to it. The epic quality to the later tracks on the EP make me yearn to hear how their full length LP will develop into (out in April). Overall, an enjoyable collection of songs from a genre that can sometimes feel a little cold, Gran Ronde takes on the current invasion of British sounding pop bands and gives them a good kick in the ass."
Las Vegas Weekly says "They’ve been opening for countrymen VHS or Beta and the Von Bondies recently, but this LA quartet sounds a lot more like UKers Bloc Party and Editors on debut LP Secret Rooms. In other words, it’s post-punky, angular and worships at the feet of U2."
CSUF's Titan Press says "Who would've thought that the birth of a new wave of spacey Britpop fueled by toe-tapping shoe gaze could be inspired by a river in Oregon? ... With edgy guitar lines and a hip rhythmic swagger, Gran Ronde has the style and sound of a lot of the bands that have emerged from the post punk indie scene - only better. Reverb choruses and foot stomping beats come together in their songs just the right way to make the average college radio fan stand up and take notice."
OC Weekly says "an L.A. based alt-rock band with snaps of synthesizer and Brit-pop swagger. Waves of layered guitar effects, thumping bass and rapidfire drum work on songs like “Run Me Over” nicely complimented the brooding lyrics of vocalist Chris Pearson."
Ragged Magazine 4 (click to read)

Flaunt Magazine Issue 92 (click to read)

Record Label: Filter U.S. Recordings
Type of Label: Indie