Powderburn

Powderburn is an Austin, Texas-based metal band. They formed in 1998 and have released two full length CD’s under independent labels.

Style

Powderburn's style of music began as a mix of the controversial "nu metal" with 80's style composition under harmonized 3 part vocals. Their first CD, A New Sin, is a sub par recording characterized by guitar driven aggression and growling vocals. Their last full length CD simply called Powderburn, made a shift to more complex composition - leaning more towards the "80's style" and moving towards more drum-driven guitar riffs. That album also marked a change in the vocal style, where at various points all 4 members contributed to vocals.

In early 2006, Powderburn released a single entitled A Bloodstained Memory, which was the first recorded track with new drummer Patrick Swift. This track displays a return to the guitar-driven style that the band started out with. There is also a shift to more commercialized style, with less focus on aggression and more focus on groove and moderate tempo.

In January of 2007, Powderburn released their first CD in over three years, entitled "Echoed in Red". This record follows the songwriting trend begun with "A Bloodstained Memory", which indeed is included on the disc. It comes packaged with a DVD that contains three music videos and an interview with all four band members.

Discography

Full length CDs

  • A New Sin – 2000
  • Powderburn – 2003

EP

  • Mouse on a Harley – 1999
  • Echoed in Red (EP/DVD)- 2007

Newly Released

On January 13th, 2007, Powderburn released a new EP, titled Echoed in Red. The CD was released following several promotional appearances during the previous week, including an in-store performance at Encore Records, and a listening party the night before at The Yellow Rose Gentlemen's Club, both in Austin, TX. The EP was released officially at a live show at Antone's, perhaps the most well known live music establishment in the Live Music Capital of the World.

Awards

Powderburn has won numerous awards in the Central Texas region…

  • The Edge Magazine - San Antonio, TX - February 2006 Issue (Best of 2005 Readers Poll)
    • Best Austin Metal Band
    • Best Bassist (Greg Enkler)
  • The Edge Magazine - San Antonio, TX - February 2005 Issue (Best of 2004 Readers Poll)
    • Best Austin Group & Best Austin Metal Band
    • Best Male Singer (Ken Lockman)
  • The Edge Magazine - San Antonio, TX - February 2004 Issue (Best of 2003 Readers Poll)
    • Best Austin Metal Band
    • Best Austin CD Release Party
  • 2002-2003 Austin Music Awards
    • Best Metal/Industrial Band
  • 2001-2002 Austin Music Awards
    • Best Metal/Industrial Band
    • Best MP3

Band member information

Recent Departures and Additions

Joel Reyes left the band in September of 2004 for personal reasons. He was listed in a news report of his departure as the band’s “original drummer”. However, descriptions on the band’s website of the members who recorded on their CDs paint a different picture. Guitarist Josh Klayman is said to be the only original member left from a demo CD made in 1999. This description of the "demo cd" was up when Reyes was still in the band, so that would mean Reyes was not the original drummer.

Reyes was replaced by current drummer Patrick Swift, formerly of the NY based band Frail. The two shared a “handing over of the torch” style show for Reyes’ final performance in Austin, TX at the Backroom. Both Reyes and Swift played together for songs during the set. Though there are no direct reports, it’s believed that Reyes still maintains a working relationship with the band as well as a personal one.

Joel Reyes is the brother-in-law of Aben Eubanks. (Guitarist for Matt Nathanson, Graham Colton Band and Kelly Clarkson).

Other departures

Vocalist Kerry Jennings left the band in March of 2002. He was never formally replaced as the band went from having a single lead singer to the remaining band members sharing vocal duties. Kerry left the band during the production of an album called Staple. This put a halt to the release of the album so that all vocals could be re-recorded and the album renamed to the self-titled Powderburn release in 2003. Jennings went on to form a band called Furthest From the Star with other Austin musicians, but that project never materialized into anything productive.

Judging by album descriptions, there have been at least two other departures from the band. One resulting in Joel Reyes becoming their drummer and another resulting in Greg Enkler becoming their bassist. No other info is given on former members.

Current members

  • Ken Lockman: lead vocals, guitars
  • Josh Klayman: vocals, guitars
  • Greg Enkler: vocals, bass
  • Patrick Swift: drums

Former members

  • Joel Reyes: drums
  • Kerry Jennings: lead vocals

(info on other members not listed)

Sponsorships

Powderburn is currently sponsored by Jagermeister, Budweiser, Coffin Case, and Sam Ash.