This Theory Of Static
About This Theory Of Static from Auckland
It was an August day in 1998 that the “project” began.
“If they can do it, why can’t I” was the mantra. Singer/Guitarist Dean Young had just walked away from his band of some 5 years in Rotorua for the bright lights, big city of Auckland.
The Mantra that kept repeating in his head referred to the likes of Dave Grohl and Trent Reznor, two of alt rock’s leading lights who both managed to pull together successful “solo” careers in a band form, doing it on their own, and on their own terms.
“I wanted to set up a small studio and create this ‘band’ the idea being, I would write and record everything myself and eventually a live band would grow out of it.” says Young.
So with guitar, drum machine and Roland 8 track digital workstation in hand, ‘breathingunderwater’ was born.
December 2007. It is almost 10 years, 3 EP’s, 2 albums and one name-change later. Young, joined by guitarist Jerome Buckleigh, Bassist Matt Burling, Drummer Luke Hale and Guitarist/Keyboardist Adam Vink are holed up in a small Devonport recording studio cutting the drum tracks for the band’s 3rd album, “Electricity”. It’s the 2nd under the name “This Theory of Static” but the first to feature musicians other than Young himself.
It has been some 6 months, at the time of writing, since the first live rehearsal of the lineup, and the realisation of a dream that started almost 10 years earlier in a back bedroom of a Point Chevalier home.
In 2006 Young ran into old friend Jerome Buckleigh at the New Zealand Music Awards and started to put into motion ideas that the two had shared months and years earlier on similar meetings. From there the live band grew around the nucleus of Young and Buckleigh, and while Young was finishing up 2006’s “R[evolve]” album, he was already writing with an eye to the future.
“R[evolve] was very much me just feeling out a new way of recording, [with Pro Tools] it was also the end of breathingunderwater as I had known it and the start of something new. In more ways than one.“
It was some American emo band with the name “breathing underwater” who prompted Young to change the band’s moniker.
“I could have fought it, but I just felt like, ‘shit – can I be bothered’ Changing the name was I guess a way for me to shed some skin and start anew, especially with the live thing coming into play, it just felt like it was the right thing to do.”
Fast forward to June 2007, it is Young and his new band mates working through the 11 songs earmarked for what will be TTOS’ 3rd album. Although the bulk of the album’s tracks were penned by the front man, it also features songs co-written with Guitarist Jerome Buckleigh.
“Jerome brought a whole load of new ideas and inspiration to the project.” Young explains from his West Auckland studio. He would bring in verses, choruses, just tons of riffs. I would find a tempo home for them and record ‘em. Then Jerome would go home and I would fill in the gaps. A week or so later… another song!”
Electricity is the sound of everything falling into place. From the spacey electronica-infused intro of “Set The Controls” to the epic “Seven is Exploding” the somber yet powerful “In Absentia” and the dark brooding stomp of “Resurrection Song” the album explores themes of self awareness, deceit and conspiracy, relationships, loss and - perspectives.
“Perspectives is a thread that seems to weave itself lyrically through the record. I was not aware of it until recently” says Young. “These could be perspectives from a personal standpoint, from how you see things as apposed to others. How others see you. How I see the world situation and how others see it and interpret it.”
So why “Electricity”
“At a deeper level we are at our core, energy systems interacting with each other and our environment.” It is how we interact with, and react to each other that I find fascinating.”
“It’s all a matter of perspective.”
This Theory of Static - Electricity. 2008
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THIS THEORY OF STATIC
Electricity
Creepshow Productions
4.5 stars
One of the most electrifying (pun intended) new releases of the month comes from a little known Auckland – based act signed to a little known independent label.
This Theory Of Static started life as the solo project of singer Dean Young, but expanded to a full 4-piece band in recent times, resulting in Electricity, the first album made together but third album overall.
Starting off with the brilliant “Set The Controls”, Electricity is 12 tracks of some of the more innovative music you’ll hear from a Kiwi band this year, or any year for that matter.
While the group’s sound does touch on a wide range of influences, it never imitates, instead relying on the guitar work of Jerome Buckleigh and singer Dean Young, and a tight rhythm section, to really give the record personality.
Sure, there’s a guitar lick or a vocal line reminiscent of A Perfect Circle, Deftones or even U2 here and there, but it never gets stuck in that mold. The first single “In Absentia” is testament, with Young’s vocal work melting over a gentle, yet intense guitar riff before closing out with a powerful chorus.
Rock fans, this is one album you won’t want to miss.
-Chris Philpot Investigate Magazine March 2009
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THIS THEORY OF STATIC
Electricity
Creepshow Productions
****
Dean Young's one man project in the vain of Nine Inch Nails meets Tool comes to life with the addition of a full band on the band's third full length release. Auckland's Theory Of Static previously known as Breathingunderwater have come close to perfecting the sound of Kiwi experimental rock. The songs are spacious and dramatic.
Sonically the album comes off as a complete success with an international quality mix. In particular the drums are captured flawlessly and the guitars are huge. The ever building tension of Set The Controls is priceless and The Planets Align oozes energy with smooth melodies over a manic rhythm. Detuned guitars and dark and angry themes through the album set the tone for a menacing mood without losing direction for a moment. Songs such as To Ruin and Oceans Of Ashes can not avoid being taken seriously. Young's vocals are ambient, story telling and perfectly subtle. The only weak part of the product for me was the similarity between songs and continued theme which could easily suggest concept album. A great local release and a must listen for any Tool fan.
-Waikato Times
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THIS THEORY OF STATIC
Electricity
Creepshow Productions
***
"...an often dark, always epic album"
- The Sunday Star Times