iRock: Orange Avenue

posted in: Features • Rock

There was a time when the rock genre adopted synthesized instruments, such as the infamous Moog synthesizer, and birthed a new genre child. Like all kids, the genre grows up  and begins to hang out with many different people thus creating new sounds for everyone to enjoy and love. Bands like Motion City Soundtrack, Ludo, The Get Up Kids, Reggie And The Full Effect, Thunderbirds Are Now! and HelloGoodbye crawled out of the woodwork, utilizing the synth sound in their own unique way. Today, solid synthesized rock genre is all grown up and making a comeback with a fresher look and new attitude after many years of tweaking.

Many of the pop rock groups emerging from pop punk/rock roots bring the keyboard/sample sound to the mix. Current releases by All Time Low, Boys Like Girls, We The Kings etc., share a common ground of applying a more not so joking around lyrically way of writing while also creating a fun sound with choppy guitar riffs, staccato drumming and polished vocals. This week’s iRock artist shares characteristics of both the old and new synth sound but hold their own: Orange Avenue. This Florida quintet comprised of Derek Anderson (vocals/rhythm guitar), Chris Yetter (lead guitar/vocals), Jamie Pohl (bass/vocals), Glenn Sedita (percussion/keyboards) and Sean Sedita (drums) are tapping into the radio waves and show a lot of promise outside the underground circuit. Along with their classic pop rock sound, OA adds their own twist with member Glenn Sedita on double duty with percussion and keyboards as well as solid delivery by Derek Anderson on vocals. Signed to indie label LoveLamp Records, OA has put out music and toured for the masses, bringing their fresh sound to many different markets. There’s no indication of this group ever slowing down, so be sure to grab onto them so you can tell your friends you heard them first.

Without further ado, Orange Avenue!