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The Underground Railroad

VIdeo-Time of the Season

Band Overview

Biography

Chocolate Rock: A Melodically Seductive Sweet Contradiction!

There is something profoundly right in the simplicity of THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD’S approach to music. In an age of technical grind, they have found freedom in one of mans most original forms of expression. This Long Beach trio’s second recording is a further refinement of their highly individual style, which melds catchy, hook- filled alternative rock with a slightly off-kilter, sometimes brooding intelligence. It is a style that has confused those looking for easy labels, but has won the hearts of their not so genre-specific growing legion of fans.

THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD’S self titled CD is more and then some. Choosing to find inspiration by "cuttin loose and jammin" the band moved into a Warehouse in a gritty industrial suburb of San Pedro and practiced and arranged THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD as its songs were being written. The result is a tightly arranged collection of varied-sounding material that was largely recorded live in the studio.

"Marc would bring a tune in " Ashley recalls, "I’d add a rhythm guitar part and Koko would kick out a beat. We’d work the piece every way we could until we knew it was right. Then just hit the record button! Jamming the songs in the warehouse kept the energy level up and meant the songs took shape a lot faster."

Further helping shape the sound of THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD was the friendship the members had before forming. The Ashley/Jones partnership was formed long before the band's inception. The threesome had been members of some of the same bands but at different times. This incarnation was the first time the trio worked a stage together. "It was refreshing to find musicians who were open and willing to share ideas," says Jones of his fellow band members. "It made for an honest record-the stuff that always got me off when I was a kid."

That’s precisely the feeling conjured up by THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD. It’s broad stylistic range--from the killer riff rock vibe of "Sign Your Name" to the pop power of "We got the time" to the urban rock blend of "Diamonds"-- is unified by their poignant way with lyric and melody. Their sound so impressed Tri-Star Columbia Motion Pictures, they licensed the music from "The Underground Railroad" for the television programs, Dawson’s Creek and Party of Five.

THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD’S Ashley, Jones and Powell honed their skills the old fashion way; slamming it out in the clubs. Their synergistic talents have taken them to stages in foreign lands where their music was the only translator. Their influences, some obvious and some not have provided them with the insight to understand the importance of the song. As you listen, you will understand. 

Press

Press Reviews

"The Underground Railroad offers an exotic, slick brand of pop-rock"  –Music Connection Magazine

Music Connection Review

"The Underground Railroad offers an exotic, slick brand of pop-rock that wouldn't be out of place beside someone's Hootie & the Blowfish CDs. This tallented band is skillful in their songwriting and crafty in their arrangements. The Underground have done their "old school" homework too, and infuse it into a modern rock context. The band put it all together with "Everybody Dies," instilling a bit of brooding danger into what is essentially an engaging pop-rock song." MC 

"MISH MASH Mandate: West Coast Cool "  –Mish Mash

 

"Another Smoking Show at the Joint"  –Sand Box

"As the title implies, the Underground Railroad once again rocked the house. They played several new songs at this performance, includeing one of my personal favorites, Daylight. They also thrilled us with a couple familiar songs...Sign your name, and Tired. As always, the boys played to thier fullest, and they were so hot, I swear I saw smoke coming off Reggie Ashley's fingers and heard a sizzileing sound as they got offstage!"