School of Athens
Alternative / Progressive / Rock Pittsburgh, PA |
Billboard
School of Athens are melodic rock band that has already garnered national attention in their short lifespan. Since forming in 2002 they have performed all over the country and have come close to perfecting a sound at once reminiscent not just of rock classics David Bowie and Queen, but contemporary favorites Coldplay and Radiohead. Following the lead of wunderkind drummer Mike Rush (who backed up the Temptations on national TV when he was just seventeen years old) the band uses complex orchestrations and syncopated rhythms to offset the stunning vocals and impassioned playing of McKees Rocks native, Drew Fogle, on the keyboard. Together with charismatic bassist Johnny Naples and the unconventional approach of lead guitarist Neal Rosenblat, the result is something fresh and musical in a way few, if any, of Pittsburgh's usual brand of garage/punk/funk/jam bands has achieved.
"They are one of those rare groups that you watch and can see elements of all their myriad influences - from glam rock to death metal to musical theater - but have somehow managed to achieve something truly unique and totally rocking, but really beautiful at the same time. Pittsburgh should enjoy them while they can, because they're not going to stay the well-kept secret they are much longer."
- Autumn Ayers
Press
Since 2003 School of Athens have been playing their own brand of hard-charging, infectious, piano-driven rock for their rapidly growing young fan base in Pittsburgh. The sound has been compared to hugely popular groups ranging in intensity from Ben Folds to Coldplay, all the way to System of a Down, to Bowie, to an indie-rock version of Queen.
They have been steadily winning people over by performing all their own original material, noteworthy considering Pittsburgh's penchant for shouted "Free Bird" requests and drunken audience apathy/psychopathy. What is even more noteworthy is the fact they were voted "Best Indie Rock Band" in the Pittsburgh City Paper's "Best Of 2006" issue, (Dec 14, 2006), and have a host of critical acclaim to back the title up.
They have accomplished all the goals a totally D.I.Y. band on a shoestring budget with 9-to-5's could realistically hope for, and then some: Played many out-of-state shows (on their own buck), including weekend slots at The Good Hurt in Los Angeles and Arlene's Grocery and Piano's in New York's Lower East Side; recorded, pressed and released two EP's (also on their own buck); managed to continue to write an average of two songs a month while performing three to five times a month.
They also maintain their own band website (schoolofathens.com), Myspace page (myspace.com/schoolofathens), host assorted blogs and promotional websites, pay their room rent on time (mostly), and mercilessly beat up their own vehicles loading and unloading their own gear.
These boys work hard. Check out some press:
" "Aftermath," the disc's most Ben Foldsy piano number, packs loads of genuine melodic pleasure, punctuated by good-vibrations guitar and sun-drenched '70s vocal harmonies."
"School of Athens has earned their place as one of the new "must see" bands in The Northeast. Their diverse and eclectic sound leaves many who see and hear School of Athens astonished by their original sonic identity."
"Where does one go to see a band so forward-thinking, so ambitious, so avant?"
"What it all amounts to is an ambitious attempt to blend the band's ... indie-rock tendencies with various radio-pop influences like System of a Down or Coldplay. And the resulting hybrid puts School of Athens at an interesting point on Pittsburgh's musical landscape."
"They are one of those rare groups that you watch and can see elements of all their myriad influences - from glam rock to death metal to musical theater - but have somehow managed to achieve something truly unique and totally rocking, but really beautiful at the same time. Pittsburgh should enjoy them while they can, because they're not going to stay the well-kept secret they are much longer."
"They dress like a bunch of school boys, but inside they're as dangerous
as a gang of hell's angels."
"Since forming in 2002 they have performed all over the country and have come close to perfecting a sound at once reminiscent not just of rock classics David Bowie and Queen, but contemporary favorites Coldplay and Radiohead.
"Everyone agrees there's no shortage of homegrown talent waiting to be discovered, either by more Pittsburghers or by a national audience. Rinaldo is quick to mention the Boogie Hustlers, Ennui, School of Athens, Like Summer and the Poogie Bell Band..."
"these guys are awesome"
"...really dynamic. It was a very good inter-mixing of genres."
Stats
plays today - 0
all-time plays - 751
profile views - 2636
Band Members - see all 4
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Mike Rush - Drums
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Drew Fogle - Singer, Piano
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Neal Rosenblat - Guitar
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Johnny Naples - Bass
Comments - see all 14
well if it isn't our rival band, school of athens. here's a quote for your blotchy, paint covered page. "school of athens? i'd rather mic my own dick!" ~ jake horwat
posted Aug 3
The sun really is a bomb you ignorant jackholes. It's a bunch of exploding gas - what the hell would you call that??? The sun is a giant molotov cocktail? Get real jerk.
posted Jul 17
me too. over and over is awesome.
posted Jul 9
"We all admire the spangled acrobat with classical grace meticulously walking his tight rope in the talcum light; but how much rarer art there is in the sagging rope expert wearing scarecrow clothes and impersonating a grotesque drunk! I should know." Thank you for your friendship! Musical greetings from Munich/Germany!
posted Jun 14
what day is the 8th. i need to see you guys live.
posted Jun 4
multimedia.... i just saw that a lot of the folks that went there can use a lot of programs i wanted to know how to use and now i can use them too, so i guess it paid off... i like to do my own designs and just cut out the middle man b/c i just don't need one. i mean, people have offered to do things for me but they seldom follow through and now that i've been getting the press i've been getting... i can actually make nice things... did you hear about the AP cover contest?? you might do well... and if you win you get to be in AP. it'd be a nice little exposure piece. i'm looking forward to participating for sure. the only drawback is that it's not based on how solid the band is... just how many people support them i guess... sorta. anyway, i'm still on the first copy of your disc but i've certainly worn it in. i'm a big fan. keep doing what you're doing. i'm sure it's all leading up to something.
posted May 30
i have two copies of your record because i know i'll play it that much.
posted May 9
Hey kids, I've seen a couple of your shows now, and I think you would be awesome if you'd just ditch your guitar player...he might be the worst ever. What's with that crazy bow-legged dance move that he does?
posted Mar 20
What's that puzzel?
posted Feb 20
i can't wait to see/hear your cd :)
posted Feb 20
You guys make me happy.
posted Feb 19
posted Feb 19
Desiree says:
hey boys! i haven't seen you in a while! i hope everything is going well for you!! miss you guys! xoxo
posted Nov 6