Channel 43. Power Trio as the Power Trio was intended. Born and raised in Richmond, VA. Upper tier musicians who thrive in creating and executing robust, ultra-catchy songs. Songs that are well crafted, accessible, and highly stay-able. They are typically fast and brimming with energy, complete with hooks galore. They're about things that stir us up, get us to think, make us mad, break our hearts, confuse us, or otherwise inspire us. Songs about ex-girlfriends, friends, neighbors, loved ones, hated ones, warped trends of society, frustrations, moments of clarity, and who knows what else.
On a bed of Tony Big Dick's active, thunderous, energized, fat-ass bass lines reside Sorvino's thick, clever, sharp, instantly-digable guitar riffs. Together they are precisely driven by Sciub's big, loud, tasty drumming. Then, of course, there are the 3 beautiful men belting out well written thoughts and perspectives in infectious melodic form, with the drummer taking the lead. What it all adds up to is an immense wall of sound. Live shows are explosive and captivating, and there have been hundreds of them.
A year or so after we formed we made our first album, "False Sense Of Accomplishment". We built our basement out into a small, modest recording studio and tracked it ourselves on 8 tracks of ADAT tape. We mixed it, too before handing to grammy award winner Bill McElroy to master. He did a better job than we did, but it was our first try.
A couple of years after that we recorded our second album, "3160 Ellwood Ave.". Again, we tracked it ourselves. Only this time it was on 16 tracks of ADAT tape. Tim Barry of Avail sang back-ups on one of the tunes on this album. It was the last project to ever be recorded at our old house, so we named the album after it. We also smartened up and gave it to Richmond icon Mark Miley to mix on his big, gigantic, state-of-the-art board in his professional joint. Oddly enough, "3160" would also be the last project ever mixed in Mark's old Marshall St. studio in downtown Richmond. A short time later the building in which countless Richmond legends produced countless punk and rock records was leveled so that it could be a parking lot for the old-warehouse-turned-into-swanky-condos building. Bill McElroy mastered "3160" also. All in all, a vast sonic improvement from our first record. We never had the loot to get it pressed and packaged, so it has not yet been available on any real scale.
The next couple of years were riddled with personal and family issues and tragedies that slowed us down. Tony Big Dick quit the band in this time frame (he later returned) as well. Sorv and Sciub wrote most of the third album during these years of strife and discombobulation.
When it was time to record this third gem, we went to our friend Justin Bailey, who produced this one from the tracking on up. "Cold Day In Purgatory" was yet another bounding step forward in our sonic presentation, and also was a breakthrough album in our vocal development. We haven't pressed this one yet, either. Good thing the songs are so glaringly timeless.
We have a greater challenge being physically together for the moment, as our boy Sorv has gotten himself a little too good at being a stage tech for big-time, touring bands. We have had to adapt and take advantage of smaller bits of time. What has been questioned then proven back to us is that this juggernaut known as Channel 43 will survive and flourish no matter the landscape. Our camaraderie, musical cohesion, and friendships are indestructible. Therefore we are indestructible. Get caught up on C43, and look forward to what comes next.
