Plagued by the fallout of his own actions, Shakespeare's Hamlet cleared his conscience for just a moment, declaring "there is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so." DEATH IN THE PARK is determined to prove that being in touch with your bad side isn't always such a bad thing. Driven by personal tales of tragedy and heartbreak, this pop-punk band, based in Birmingham, Alabama, has tapped into that yearning all of us experience; needing to see our bad decisions turn out for the better. This punk ensemble brings new light to the familiar genre, unafraid to take the next step, to stretch themselves musically even in the face of creative crisis. The heartfelt lyrics and infectious melodies set them apart from the gathering mediocrity of the airwaves. DEATH IN THE PARK consists of Andy Jackson (vocals & guitar), Jake Sloan (bass), Rachael Fitzgerald (keys), Russell D'Olimpio, Jr (drums), Jesse Johnson (guitar) and Adam Jessamine (guitar). Lead by vocalist Andy Jackson, DITP is capturing the ear of many an unsuspecting listener, hungry for an authentic sound that lures them in for more.
DEATH IN THE PARK came together shortly after the 2007 Warped Tour, where Jackson made a musical connection with crew from the alt-band Paramore, for whom he was opening. After the fall of Jackson's band, Hot Rod Circuit, he took the opportunity to focus on a new project.
Jackson recalled the name of a song from his favorite band as a youth, Archers of Loaf. DEATH IN THE PARK was born.
DITP went immediately into Mission Sound studios in Brooklyn, NY to record their full-length self-titled album with Oliver Strauss. During the recording process, the band was presented with a once in a lifetime opportunity: the chance to record a song with Paramore's lead vocalist, Hayley Williams. The resulting song "Fallen", their first single, was written by Jackson, the lyrics of which Jackson believes are, "some of the best lyrics I've ever written." On recording with a singer like Williams, Jackson remarked, "She knocked her stuff out like a pro." Jackson soon met with Tim O' Heir (Hot Rod Circuit, All American Rejects, Say Anything) who introduced and recommended him to John Kaplan (Hollywood Undead, Nevershoutnever, Maroon 5) who mixed and mastered their new track. Discussing the production experience, Jackson said, "I thought it was a chance to shine. They let us do everything we wanted to do. John is a really cool guy." After the completion of the 10-tracks, DITP teamed up with Austin indie label, End Sounds, which digitally distributed their first album, with full physical distribution later that year.
Although DEATH IN THE PARK may be difficult to classify into one genre, their unique sound and set-up has been compared to a mixture of Queens Club, Minus the Bear, Phoenix, and Panic at the Disco.
Regarding their music, DEATH IN THE PARK hopes to create a real "crime scene feel, very Dexter
meets CSI, and kind of gory, actually." Drawing from their quite varied list of inspirations and own
experiences, their second single "Pitifully Exposed," was written from an outsider's view of a tumultuous
relationship, and pays homage to awkward relationships, uncomfortable breakups and the decisions we make that keep us there.
DEATH IN THE PARK has already left their prints on the music scene, having already opened for
Paramore, Underoath, Saosin, Alkaline Trio and Saves the Day. With the upcoming release of their album, the band is ready to take their spot on the punk-pop stage, and good or bad, it will be their own musical decisions that will make them so.
