[slideshow]
-All photos property of Alan Welding and Pittsburgh Music Magazine
When you see hundreds of bands play every year it is very easy to become jaded. Many times bands names and faces tend to blur. But, every once in awhile you come across a gem, a diamond in the rough, maybe even The Holy Grail. Last night was one of those nights. They have a memorable name, a great look, a true to their roots sound, a bone crushing live performance, and they will be HUGE: meet your new favorite band, Deception of a Ghost. Trust us.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nGZRpa6dB00&w=560&h=315]
I was lucky enough to run into vocalist Scott Cowan in the back alley of The Ironworks here in Pittsburgh, PA. We quickly struck up a conversation about one of the hazards of the road that unfortunately struck all the acts on the bill, a freeway accident (not any of the bands involved) that tied up traffic so bad that it took an hour to go just one mile. I later talked to Scott a bit about Deception of a Ghost and asked what they sounded like. I can tell you he had me at “Poison the Well”. But I can also tell you that they are so much more than that, they are something special on the very verge of being a huge hardcore metal act that will always stay true. Sitting down with Scott and guitarist/vocalist Buddy Dameron before and after the show showed me that Deception of a Ghost has the drive, spirit, and talent to make all their dreams realities. It’s just a matter of very short time. Looking forward to a three-week break, as this was the last night of the tour with Affiance, Modern Day Escape, and Picture Me Broken, the band heads right back out on the road on the West Coast after the short hiatus.
What I came to find out in the coming hours was that all the members of the band are not only humble and gracious dudes, but are also highly intelligent, well spoken, and very savvy when it comes to the music business and staying true to their art.
Buddy (whose brother Kyle also plays in the band) is one of the friendliest guys one could ever meet. He has just a hint of a southern accent, just enough to intrigue every girl in the joint. That southern charm will certainly get he and the band far because he has such a bright personality on and off the stage. What one will find when listening to their music is that Deception of a Ghost is a very positive band. Take for instance how they describe themselves on their Facebook, “We are not a band that approaches politics or a certain political stance on things. For the most part some of us have no such stance. We’re not a part of bullhorn preaching or religion. If you get a sense of spiritual inspiration from our songs then great. If you get a feeling of personal encouragement then we are all for that. But our goal is not to persuade you to think a certain way. Our goal isn’t to try and make you believe in a God or follow a particular way of life. You do not have to claim a certain group or affiliation to fit in. There are many messages concerning politics, Christianity, atheism, vegan, etc., and that’s great they are out there. These are the people doing exactly what we aim to tell others to do. We want you to follow your dreams and your heart excluding what others close to you may think or say. Your life is just that. It’s yours. Live it for you and no one else. Our goal is simply to let you know there is never any fitting mold and if this band does anything for you we hope that it encourages you to think for yourself and voice your ideas. With timeless efforts we will tell you to step outside of following mindless and careless lifestyles and be you. And to never let anything stand in your way of doing so. That we are all individuals and we need to embrace something so valuable. With that being said we are Deception Of A Ghost. We want you to be you, be proud and kill it! You are special, be special”.
We talked at length about the travails of the road, sacrificing everything for your passion, and how one warms up their throat for such guttural magnificence (apparently Green Day’s ‘Basket Case’ does the trick. Who knew?). When listening to their latest, ‘Life Right Now’, the lyrics are very striking, something Scott takes personal responsibility for. Scott has the look of a strawberry blonde Jim Morrison in his poet era meets Thor meets Aragorn from Lord of the Rings. He is smart, witty, and wholeheartedly honest. The twists and turns that songs like ‘American Terrorist’, ‘If Hearts Could Talk’, ‘Anonymous’, and ‘Source Flow’ will take you on a journey that makes you think and think hard. That’s not to say that the music is not in your face, soul wrenching, bone crushing, head slamming, devil horns in the air, hardcore metal at it’s finest; it most certainly is (that semi colon is just for you Scott!). It is in my humble opinion ‘beautiful’…I cannot even begin to tell you how hard it is to take pictures when your mind and body screams at you to just stop working and completely get lost in the music.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8pmzMFfRQoQ&w=560&h=315]
Do yourself a favor. First download ‘Life Right Now’. Then go over to Facebook and like the band. Then hit them up on Twitter. Then find out when they are coming to your town and assault them..in a kind way. For they will surely assault your ears, mind, body, and soul back. And that is no deception.
