Slowly but surely, rock fans are getting plugged into Stereomud, and it still doesn’t get old for lead singer Erik Rogers.
“So far, it’s been overwhelming,” Rogers said recently of the response to the quintet’s Loud/Columbia debut album, “Perfect Self” (released May 22). “People are beginning to figure out who we are. Maybe kids don’t know us at first when we open up for someone else, but when we play ‘Pain’ (the first single), then they go ‘Yeah, I know that song!’ and they start singing along to it.
“Once we’ve got them hooked, they’re backstage asking for autographs. Before the album came out, we were handing out CD samplers of it and we ran out of them. We went through 100,000 copies.”
It doesn’t hurt to have a label firmly behind them, either. Stereomud was the first rock band signed to the hip-hop-based Loud.
“Bands complain about their labels,” Rogers said, “but I can’t complain at all. The owner came to Seattle to see us when we were recording part of the album there; we were having problems with the studio equipment and he wanted to know if there was anything he could do to help. I mean, c’mon, how many label owners would do that? For someone like that to do that, especially someone that high up, is amazing.”
Stereomud likely got the extra attention because of its pedigree. Bassist Corey Lowery, whose brother Clint is a member of Sevendust, played in Stuck Mojo and drummer Dan Richardson and guitarist Joey Z. logged many tour miles and studio time as members of Life of Agony. When they grew tired of their previous bands, the three combined their efforts as Stereomud and enlisted Rogers and guitarist John Fattoruso.
“When we got together, we clicked immediately, right off the bat,” Rogers said. “I’m a firm believer in two-part harmonies and lots of melodies. We wanted a rock band with a singer. I don’t rap, I sing.”
The band splits its time between Rogers’ hometown of Atlanta and New York, where Life of Agony had built its hard-core reputation.
“We were selling out in New York,” Rogers said, “and believe me, they’ve seen everything, so to win them over so quickly really says a lot about the music and the chemistry we have.
“I feel so very fortunate to be part of this. I thank the fans, the disc jockeys for playing ‘Pain,’ everyone behind us. Even if we got to Metallica or U2 status, I would still be thanking everyone.”
Stereomud has a busy summer ahead, hitting the road with Saliva and Systematic.
THE FIRST RECORD I EVER BOUGHT: “AC/DC’s ‘Back in Black’ on cassette. I used to play it every morning to get me ready for school. The first 45 I ever got was of Oingo Boingo’s ‘Weird Science.’ ”
THE FIRST CONCERT I EVER WENT TO: “It was Bon Jovi’s ‘Slippery When Wet’ tour, with Cinderella and the Bullet Boys opening up. From there, it was ‘Screw the ’80s hair bands! Give me the hard stuff from now on.’ I quickly got into Metallica and haven’t looked back since.”
STEREOMUD ON THE WEB: Get hooked @ www.stereomud.com.