Artist description Common Heroes bring you heavy, melodic, alt-pop, that won't come out even after three washes.

Music Style Heavy, groovy alt-pop.

Musical Influences Elvis Costello, U2, The Police, Juliana Hatfield, Jeff Buckley, Richard Thompson, Sugar, Daisy Chainsaw, Guided By Voices, Beth Orton, Sheryl Crow, Kathleen Wilhoite, Jane's Addiction, Stone Temple Pilots, Jonatha Brooke, Sunny Day Real Estate, Led Zeppelin, The Dismemberment Plan, Crowded House.

Similar Artists Live, Radiohead, U2, Jeff Buckley, The Beatles, Elvis Costello, Juliana Hatfield, The Posies, Oasis.

Artist History Steve Gale (drums), Terry Matson (bass), Ira Merrill (vocals, guitar), and Leif Andersen (guitar) comprise the alt-rock band Common Heroes. The band has played together for nearly six years, save for the new addition of Terry Matson on bass. All of the members come from various musical backgrounds: Steve graduating with a music and percussion degree from Central Washington University, Terry gleaning his bass licks from spacey-etherial rock, Ira riding the indie-guitar rock train while taking voice lessons and penning lyrics, and Leif simply channeling the joy and pain of life through his PRS guitar and Rivera Suprema amp with wild abandon. Steve and Ira met in their college days, and have just been too determined (or stupid?) to stop rocking amidst the sham the music business can be. Being in Common Heroes keeps us all sane.

Group Members Steve Gale - Drums, Ira Merrill - Vocals & Guitar, Terry Matson - Bass, Leif Andersen - Guitar.

Instruments Guitars, Bass, Drums, Throat.

Albums The Robin Sings

Press Reviews "Coming out of the neo-funk-alterna-rock (a strange plague that hit the NW music scene for a while - I blame Fishbone) Some Few Oracles, Common Heroes will surprise you. Their new disc, The Robin Sings, is full of strong modern rock songs that escape modern rock malaise through the virtue of Ira Merrill's soulful, seasoned voice - that and some good song writing, trained musicianship, high production values, and tempered use of some phat psychedelic wammy riffs. In fact, their songs are not only good enough for the radio, a couple of them are too good for the radio. Way too informed, mature, and heartfelt for the miscreants. Oddly enough, they really have their own sound, and are obviously influenced by the history of rock, and not just the last five years like so many CHR hacks." - TB, HM Magazine, September / October, 2001 issue #91 ----- "The Robin Sings arrived in a marbled folder, and the letter inside said: "Greetings from NW alt-rock band Common Heroes!" So I was prepared for the worst. I was wrong. This is a terrific CD! Sure, it's pretty straight-ahead, Radiohead-meets-Queen modern rock, but it sounds great and the songs are melodic, well orchestrated and super catchy. Not only that, but the singer has a really wonderful, clear, sincere voice, and the lyrics are for the most part clever and honest. If all rock bands were this good, I wouldn't be so grumpy on CD review day! I hope these guys take off." - IB, Reviewer, Splendid Online Music Magazine ----- "Common Heroes is one of those few bands who actually plays original pop-rock music, consistent with the definition of "pop-rock". Their melodies are infectively catchy but their musicianship is arguably unparalleled amongst Seattle bands. Whether you're a discerning musician who has grown tired of the Seattle scene or a clueless club-goer looking for a great time, Common Heroes will save the day." - Chad Fondren, Booking Agent, The Central, Seattle, WA

Location Seattle-area, WA - USA

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