Artist description PARK is from Springfield, Illinois. They’ve been around the local scene in this form for only a short time but everyone has played music for as long as they can remember. PARK, coming from the American plains, has felt the changes of industry in a way similar to most people alive. They play music to save themselves, they try to escape a growing divide between the holders of new technology and those who must work with the Earth. PARK is a modern rock interpreter of the American Dream. Songs they play refuse to leave the head long after PARK is gone, they are catchy without being hooky. In Spring, 2001 LOBSTER RECORDS will release their debut CD/LP. Currently, in self-release, PARK has available a 4 song EP, “Random and Scattered”. PARK is currently touring somewhere because they need to.

Music Style Indie emo rock but very original

Musical Influences the Midwest Wind!

Similar Artists Braid, Boys life, Sunny day real estate, the cure, park, moneen, jimmy eat world, midtown, Hey mercades

Artist History Park was started by high school friends Justin Valenti and Jon Heupel. Justin met Jon in a class at high school while searching for another guitarist for his band, The Anti’s. The Anti’s played a number of shows but after a short while they broke up to persue different projects. Jon and Justin stuck pretty close and would frequently record songs onto tape in Jon’s basement. They soon recruited drummer Eric Lipe one day as luck would have it. After practicing a few times and seeing how well the three clicked Eric proposed to name the band Park for no particular reason. Thus Park was born At their second show they played with another local band called “Dirty Sarah”. After the show one of the members of Dirty Sarah asked Jon if they needed another guitarist/singer. Jon excitedly nodded and made arrangements for the four to practice. His name was Ladd Mitchell. The four quickly wrote an onslaught of songs and began to play whenever and wherever they could. After about 3 years and a couple tours Jon decided to call it quits and moved away to college. Ladd, Eric, and Justin continued playing for a short time as a three piece before Eric decided he was going away to college as well. So the three decided to end it there. About six months later Ladd was asked by a friend named Miles Logan if he would be interested in getting together sometime to jam. Ladd refused time and time again until he couldn’t take the annoying motherfucker anymore. Ladd invited his friend Timmy Costello, formerly of “The Timmy’s”, to come with him to Miles for a jam session. The three would get together twice a week and jam out and whatnot. But before long the three were interested in getting serious. Ladd contacted a California based Label, Lobster Records, who had previously been interested in Park before the breakup (due to a demo Justin had sent to them) and asked if they would be interested in hearing a new ex-park band. Lobster said they would love to hear the new stuff but were really interested in Park. Later on that night Ladd called his old bandmate Justin and asked him if he wanted to continue doing Park with Miles and Timmy. Justin agreed to it, as did Miles and Timmy. The four practiced ritually and in April of 2000 they drove out to audition for Lobster Records. To make a long ass story short, they got the contract and and released the album NO SIGNAL on October 9th. 2001. As of March 2002, Timmy Costello left the band and Gabe Looker filled the spot on bass.

Group Members Ladd Mitchell guitar and sqeeks! Justin Valenti guitar and shit...doonkie! Gabe Looker Bass and ass drops on ladds head! Miles Logan drums and food!

Instruments Drums, Bass, 2 guitars and 2 thoats!

Albums No Signal on Lobster Records

Press Reviews I love it when I happen to 'discover' a new band that is absolutely brilliant, when you are least expecting it. After the fantastic peeps at Lobster Records sent us some cds to review, I happened to stumble across Park, who were described as a fantastic little emo band. So, in the stereo it went, and to be honest, it's hardly come out since. 'No Signal' is just an absolutely fantastic must-have emo record. Reminiscent of the likes of early Saves The Day, it is an absolute gem of a record. Its ten tracks are little masterpieces in their own right, with the opening 'The Ghost You Are' a perfect example. With open and honest lyrics and vocals that tug at the heart-strings, Park produce the kind of quality that we expect from the likes of the Get Up Kids. Singer Ladd Mitchell certainly has some of the best emo vocals you'll hear this side of Matthew Pryor, and that is a huge compliment. But what this Springfield foursome do particularly well, is mix emotion with melody to create some belting tunes. 'Trivet' chugs along with a huge hook and 'S is for Susan' will break your heart as Ladd tells us all about his woe. "Goodbye Susan," he croons, and for four whole minutes you get sucked in to another tale of teenage heartbreak. 'At Breakneck Speed' is faster than the other tracks, but isn't going to rock your socks off. But its up-tempo nature is different to the previous offerings. Again the vocals standout, but it's the guitar fills in the background that add an extra dimension and quality to the track. 'Swell' has vocal harmonies at times which boost the sound and again the guitars are of the kick-ass variety. Thoughtful, moody and reflective, it's certainly more intellectual than your average Blink 182 record. Starting off with a slow drum and guitar riff, 'Know Your Enemy' sounds like a track from the new Saves The Day record. It slowly builds up throughout the track until it reaches the crescendo and a beautifully crafted chorus. Album standout 'Clue Me In' follows, with its heavy/slow intro and generally beautifully crafted structure. 'Wreck Simple' again emphasises Ladd's vocal qualities, and the general musicianship, which is again of a high standard. 'Here On And Out' sees him go to breaking point, with his vocals sounding utterly desperate. It's absolutely brilliant stuff. Album closer 'Cover Up' probably couldn't reach this point of brilliance, but it has a damn fine crack at it. With a haunting piano intro and a fine arpeggio guitar over-layed, it's yet another desperate Ladd vocal and carefully crafted musicianship. Fans of the likes of Midtown and Jimmy Eat World will almost certainly lap this up, and anyone with a penchant for emo should really check out this little lot, because one thing's for sure, with records like this, they won't be little for very much longer.

Location springfield, IL. - USA

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