This Columbia, South Carolina based Alternative Modern Rock group has been brewing for the passed few years and boiling over with fresh material that grips the listener while provoking personal reflection. This four member group has a collection of catchy tunes that range from slow and epic ballads to up-beat rock anthems for an audience starved for truth and substance.In the past, these guys have played large festivals such as Anderson South Carolina’s Weekend Aloft festival, the St. Patrick’s Day Celebration in Five Points, and they also opened for the modern super group Switchfoot on their “Beautiful Letdown†tour. Flashbulb Memories’ music fits in nicely with various pop and rock artists because of their diverse repertoire.Lead singer and songwriter Cory Plaugh, has a deep rooted past in music. Also equipped with the attentive and discriminating ear of a pop producer, he has produced, engineered, mixed, and worked with many talented independent, as well as a few major-label artists and producers.Josh Latham, this group’s rhythmic backbone, has been playing drums since childhood and has mastered backbeat driven rock grooves that hints at jazz, which contrasts his old school punk roots. He tastefully delivers his drum lines and does a great job at giving this band some extra dynamics with flare.Sharon Gnanasher, who was born in India, adds a nice flavor with his alternate guitar parts as well as beautifully played keyboard lines. He was raised on the piano as a child and became interested in guitars as he grew older. He enjoys personal favorites such as Ben Folds, John Mayer, and the Foo Fighters.Chris Parker rounds out this group’s tone on bass guitar. He plays wonderful lines that breathe life by occasionally stretching the melody, while remaining in harmony. He started playing the six-string guitar, but has discovered he has an undeniable knack and a natural ability to skillfully play the bass.When creating their songs, Plaugh usually brings an unpolished song sketch to the table and they throw their ideas back and forth until they have added dynamics, flow, and life to these beautiful rough outlines. They are all about having a good time while portraying, at moments, very serious and pertinent messages. We are sure to hear many more exceptional tunes that stick in your head for days from this young and ambitious force. A. Windley
REVIEWS www.kweevak.com Reviewer: Laura T. LynchFlashbulb Memories is a young, energetic band, wise beyond their intellectual and musical years. This dynamic duo has shaped a striking full band sound on their modern, progressive rock CD. As My Road Curves is Flashbulb Memories' debut release and it covers a gamut of moods from melodic to dark and edgy. Cory writes songs with substance and supports them with potent production and soundscapes. The CD starts off strong with one of two innovative instrumentals. 'What You See Is What You Get' has a fiery guitar and rhythm combination as Cory spouts out his reflective lyrics about time and change. 'Look At Me' has a hard, edgy groove that dances with an alternative beat as Plaugh laments love drifting apart. 'Nowhere To Go' has deep, dark chords melding with muffled instrumentation as Cory using the sea a metaphor sings about being lost. It is followed by the pain packed 'Stages of Addiction' executed with desperation and intensity. As My Road Curves is a deep, diverse debut and Flashbulb Memories is sure to leave a lasting impression!------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------www.performermag.com Flashbulb Memories - As My Road Curves Produced, recorded and mixed by Cory Plaugh Reviewer: Shawn M. Haney December 13, 2004As My Road Curves is a mesmerizing effort for this young group of intuitive, creative musicians. The album opens with a dazzling instrumental, only to be superseded by "What You See is What You Get," a fierce barrage of guitars and percussion, accompanied by a fresh new voice from the front man. The songs are full of texture and color, dynamics and introspective lyrics. The melodies are strong as well. The technique on lead guitars and percussion is sharp. It's hard to believe that the considerable force behind Flashbulb Memories is brought to you by the number two. Wow. You've got to give credit to both Cory Plaugh and Josh Latham for putting in countless hours tweaking each song, with each member working together on the recording, the mixing, the producing, and to top it all off, actually getting a satisfactory result. They have been rewarded for the efforts, and Plaugh is to be commended for his leadership. Just one look at the titles convinces the most skeptical of the unbridled creativity of this duo. Such song titles include "The Man in the Silver Suit," which seems like it's right out of a Jules Verne novel. "Legend in My Eyes" seems to convey Frodo's character of the Lord of the Rings" book and film series. The "Earthy Jam" is quite natural and earthy in its message, and speaking of messages, the dark "Stages of Addiction" etches in pain a highway map of the suffocating struggles felt by addicts of all types. Listening further, the immediacy and impact of the music and lyrics only increases. More is likely to be heard from Flashbulb Memories in the near future. This album is a gripping effort. (self-released)--------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------www.antiMUSIC.com To the Point Reviews November 14, 2004Flashbulb Memories – As My Road CurvesIt's impossible to become bored while listening to this CD. Whether you like all the music depends on your taste but I have to give Flashbulb Memories some major credit for not being restrained by genre labels. This is a band that has no fear of exploring different sides of their music personality whether it's modern rock, thrash, nu-metal, alternative or Coldplayish acoustic pop-rock. This is definitely a band that fans of various styles of rock music should check out and major labels should get the balls to sign.------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------www.columbiatunes.com by: Otis Taylor (the State-Record Newspaper) November 2004Flashbulb Memories Cory Plaugh is a DIY home recorder who has produced a nice rock disk in “As My Road Curves.†But Plaugh’s music extends beyond your basic mod rock albums because of the ambient qualities on a few songs.------------------------------------------------------ --------------------------Taxi's comments on the single "What You See Is What You Get" from FM's debut album "As My Road Curves." (The Worlds Leading Independent A&R Company) October 15, 2004"Cory-It's really impressive how solid and powerful this track sounds. The musicianship is top notch, the vocal delivery is confident and expressive, and the song feels very well constructed."----------------------------------------------- --------------------------------Campus Activities Magazine 100th issue! October 2004Every once in a while a talent comes along that is truly inspiring. We just happened to get Cory's new CD, Flashbulb Memories as press time was approaching and felt compelled to share his talent with you. Cory does it all. On this CD he not only wrote the lyrics and the music but recorded each track himself and layered it with his own vocals. We think you will be impressed.Amazingly, all instrument performances, excluding the full drum kit performances were recorded in his bedroom. The music ranges from raw rock to some of the most enchanting ballads you will ever hear. At 21, the kid has history ahead of him. Check him out at www.flashbulbmemories.com or better yet bring him in for a performance. Oh yeah, agencies- he is still self-represented. You might want to consider adding him to your roster.----------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------THE KWEEVAK COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT ARTIST! September 20, 2004FLASHBULB MEMORIES — The band project from South Carolina's Cory Plaugh, a self-described perfectionist, whose attention to detail has paid off on his debut CD, As My Road Curves. At the age of eleven he made a vow to himself that he would make a “great†contribution to music and the world around him in one way or another. The music on this debut goes along way in achieving this goal and Flashbulb Memories make a lasting impression. Check out the sound clips on the band's website.---------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------
