Hailing from Los Angeles California, the members of
DRIVE A come together to forge a killer mix of pounding drums, lethal
guitars, cascading bass lines and fierce vocals that converge to create a
sound that pays respect to the past, stands up to the present and will kick
down the door to the future. A switchblade to the soft, white underbelly of
today's watered-down state of music, DRIVE A are pure, raw energy - on stage
and in the studio - which is, after all, what Rock 'N' Roll has always been
about.
DRIVE A got its start when lead vocalist/guitarist Bruno Mascolo met rhythm
guitarist Jason Nott outside of the legendary Troubadour in Los Angeles in
the spring of 2007. After discovering they had similar tastes in music, the
two began formatting their ideas for a band, developing their own style and
a bond was formed. Once they honed their approach, the two of them hooked up
with Terry Stirling on drums, a couple of different bass players and began
writing songs that had a remarkably developed blend of killer riffs, punk
rock hooks, and a raw, Rock ‘N’ Roll gutter-snarl. Jumping in a van, the
band took their high-energy live show on the road, performing well over 100
shows in just over a year including various stops on the 2008 Warped Tour,
their own tour of the U.S., as well as sharing the stage with the likes of
Rise Against, Papa Roach, Stone Temple Pilots, Anti-Flag, Pennywise and
Billy Talent among others.
“It’s been amazing to go out and play with some of the bands that have
influenced us in one way or another,” says Bruno Mascolo adding, ”I grew up
listening to bands like Billy Talent, Anti-Flag, and Rise Against and now we
are on the same bill with them, hanging out and seeing everything from the
other side.”
Now, with the addition of their new bassist Chris Bowman, Drive A is set to
release their debut album, Loss Of Desire. Years removed from the blank
generation, generations X and Y, and even generation next, Loss Of Desire
picks up the flag for a new generation, their generation, which is being
pushed to the brink. Themes of disillusionment, frustration and, at times,
anger are perfectly captured on tracks such as “Everyone’s Alone,” “Can’t
Sleep It Off,” “Smiling With Hate,” and “It’s Getting Worse.”
“I think what sets us apart from a lot of bands out there right now is the
fact that we are experiencing the exact same things as our fans and that’s
what our songs are about, says guitarist Jason Nott. Bruno agrees, “The
songs on this album are about being frustrated with a lot of things, most of
the lyrics I write are personal, but I think anyone listening can relate to
them in their own way. I leave it up to them to interpret what they are
hearing.”
Produced by Drive A alongside Dennis Hill and Matt Sorum (Guns ‘N’ Roses,
Velvet Revolver), Loss Of Desire serves as a sonic testament to what is new,
what is now, and what is next, but it is their live show where Drive A will
make its stand and they will have plenty of opportunities as the band is
getting ready to get back in the van and hit the touring trail once again
and they are not looking back.
“Touring is the life’s blood of this band,” says Mascolo. “Recording and
everything else is cool, but we are a live band and that is the best way to
experience Drive A.”
Already slated to appear on both Bamboozle Right & Left, dates on the
Alternative Press Tour as well as slew of other live dates at home in the
U.S. and overseas as well, the next year will be a busy one for this band of
friends from Southern California. Something that seems to be no problem for
Bruno Mascolo:
“This is it, this what I have always wanted to do and its something I love
doing, what can be better than that.”