On July 15, 2005, Virginian-Pilot Music Reviewer Jeff Maisey declared the rock/pop band Pedestal a record label’s dream—and with good reason. Pedestal’s hot new sound, a blending of Trip Hop and Techno with a rock rhythm section and a topping of harmony-rich melodic vocals, is catching plenty of attention these days.
Lead guitarist, vocalist and songwriter John Conkle formed the band, which also features Jennifer Severo (vocals, keys), and Chidori Matsumoto (drums, back-up vocals).
While stirring lyrics and harmony-rich melodies are Pedestals hallmark, they are also recognized as dynamic live performers. An emotional intensity is present in each movement, expression, and nuance the band projects.
Pedestal’s first album, Replenishment, a fully collaborative effort, was released in July of 2005 to critical acclaim. “Replenishment is a sonic semblance of Rush (Blink of an Eye), Evanescence (Fade and Judas), and Smashing Pumpkins (Head in Your Clouds), Jeff Maisey, music reviewer for the Virginian-Pilot, said. “The 10 tracks have a totally “now sound, with a nod to retro 80s new wave but a clear, modern pop-rock drive. [Replenishment is] a ready-made product produced as well as any Billboard-charting album, Maisey added. And in a December 30 article, Maisey said that Pedestal was a band to watch in 2006. “Pedestal’s style is accessible enough to capture the interest of the music industry executives they’ll be shopping their product to," Maisey said.
On the merits of this first release, their impressive original repertoire, prolific songwriting skill, and their 2006 nomination for “best pop/rock band and “album of the year by Portfolio magazine, Pedestal now plans to expand to West and East Coast venues in support of their full-length follow up album, Human Race. Conkle and Severo, co-wrote the album, which was released in February of 2007. Human Race is more edgy and raw than the group’s debut album. Several of the songs, such as Police State, and State of the Union are lyrical essays on the human condition in the twenty-first century. The album offers up songs of hope as well; Beautiful World, Newborn and Human Race promote the message that the human spirit cannot be destroyed.
