By Morgan Rousseau
After spending six weeks in a Los Angeles studio recording the follow-up to 2007's critically acclaimed release, “The Walking Wounded.” the members of the rock band Bayside are set to kick off their Involuntary Movement tour at the Beachland Ballroom in Cleveland, Ohio, on Oct. 7
Front man and founding member Anthony Raneri considers the new album, “Shudder,” released Sept. 30, to be their strongest yet.
“Everyone usually thinks their latest album is the best,” Raneri said, adding with little hesitation, “But I definitely think ['Shudder'] is our best album.”
But Raneri, who grew up in the Queens neighborhood that gives the band its name, backs up his confidence with a solid explanation: satisfaction with the coherence of his band's work.
“Every song on this one is how we visualized it. Ideas are very streamlined. It's the first of any of our records that gets through on the first listen,” he said.
Raneri isn't the only Bayside boy with warm feelings for “Shudder.” There is certain energy to the album, which is what bassist Nick Ghanbarian (a member since 2004) believes sets it apart from their three previous full-lengths.
“The songs are meant to be energetic, up-tempo punk songs. The CD has a good vibe to it,” Ghanbarian said.
Raneri, Ghanbarian, Jack O'Shea (lead guitar, member since 2003) and Chris Guglielmo (drums, member since 2006) experimented with different styles of music to capture the distinct sound on “Shudder,” venturing off into different territories like ska and other musical styles that each band member grew up on.
“We all have a common thread. We listen to mid-to-late '90s music, like Rancid, Green Day, Bad Religion and Bouncing Souls,” Ghanbarian said.
The foursome drew from a spectrum of influences to spark their creativity, mostly creating music that is aggressive but melodic. “Shudder” taps into a pool of influences that includes such seemingly disparate artists as Jimmy Eat World, Weezer, Johnny Cash and Rage Against The Machine, all wrapped up into one package of upbeat, emotional punk rock.
“Our producer David Schiffman got [the album] out of us, and the California weather opened our eyes and made us feel good,” Ghanbarian said. Schiffman is a producer, mixer and engineer who has worked with the likes of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Tom Petty and Weezer.
Raneri credits Schiffman for the smoothness of “Shudder's” recording process. “All the preparations that Dave had us do helped make the recording fun,” he said. “We finished two weeks ahead of schedule.”
Ghanbarian said studio recording is usually a tedious experience for him — though this time was enjoyable — and Raneri shares the feeling that the studio is not the best part of their experience as musicians. It may have been the California air that perked them up for the creation of “Shudder,” but these boys are happy to call the Big Apple home when they're not touring or recording, which is only a couple of months out of the year. The rest of their time is spent traveling to places like Japan, Australia, Thailand and the entire continental United States.
This time their Involuntary Movement tour will move through the Midwest and eventually work its way through California and the Southwest before heading back to New York's Irving Plaza on Nov. 14. Their tour ends at The Stone Pony in Asbury Park, N.J. on Nov. 16. Joining them will be The Matches, Valencia and The Status.
“Shudder” marks the end of the band's contract with indie label Victory Records. Eight years and a few lineup changes after starting out in the winter of 2000 playing small venues in Manhattan and on Long Island, Bayside is thrilled with how far they've come, and excited to keep going. Their motivation to spread their music to a wider audience is a driving force for Raneri and company, who are hoping “Shudder” will catapult them to a major label.
Bayside's previous releases include “Long Stories Short” (a six-song EP), “Sirens and Condolences,” “Bayside,” “Acoustic” (live recording) and “The Walking Wounded,” which was reissued along with a gold edition. “Live at the Bayside Social Club” was also issued Sept. 30 along with “Shudder.” “Live” was recorded at S.I.R. Studio in New York at a free show and features songs from “Sirens,” “Bayside” and “Wounded.”
Tickets for the Involunatary Movement tour are on sale at bayside.ducatking.com.
For more on Bayside, visit their Web site at www.baysideisacult.com.
