Artist description A mood metal band; combining elements of alternative metal and blues.

Music Style Alternative Metal

Musical Influences Led Zeppelin, The Beatles, Tool, Nirvana, Metallica, Queen, Pearl Jam, Incubus, System of a Down, The Deftones, Neil Young, John Lennon, Rage Against the Machine, Pink Floyd, The Smashing Pumpkins, Soundgarden, The Misfits, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Radiohead, Pantera

Similar Artists Led Zeppelin, Incubus, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Soundgarden, Tool, Nirvana, The Deftones

Artist History “We’re a mood metal band,” says vocalist Gino Steffe. “It’s essentially a mix of rhythm & blues and alternative metal.” ABSYNTH, derived from the alcoholic beverage of the same name, means to represent a concentrated intensity which has the ability to alter one’s perception. Their self-titled EP, recorded during April 2002, contains four tracks of such stylistic diversity it is hard to pin these guys down. However, an overall thread of musical expression boils on the surface. Based out of Southern California, ABSYNTH is not only ready to present themselves to the world, but will also work hard for the sake of their art. “We’re not about overnight success, or Spin Magazine’s monthly “band that’s gonna save Rock & Roll” garbage. We’re about longevity. We’re about growing with our fans, and growing with the times that shape the understanding of our environments,” says guitarist Ara Nalbandian. Each member of ABSYNTH has spent the better part of their lives playing and creating music. What’s most interesting about their creative relationship is that each of them came from different parts of the U.S. “All of us bring a different set of experiences to the table when we create music,” says drummer Michael Cuellar. Gino grew up in Los Angeles’ San Fernando Valley, studying Communication at the University of Southern California, while Ara grew up in New Jersey, moving out to Southern California to study Creative Writing at USC. Drummer Michael Cuellar grew up in El Paso, Texas, and like Ara, moved out to sunny Southern California to study Philosophy and Comparative Literature at USC. It is here that ABSYNTH was born. Mike and Gino met while attending school together, and due to their similar tastes and deep connection to music’s inherent power to convey meaning and spirituality to people’s lives, decided to start a band. They both then met guitarist Ara, who perfectly matched their musical needs, applying the finishing touch instrumental to the band’s success. Gigging all around the Southern California area at venues like The Whisky-a-go-go, The Coconut Teaszer, The Opium Den, The Joint, The Rainbow Room, Space 6507, The Martini Lounge, and The Dragonfly, among others, this hard rocking trio has made quite a name for themselves, not only bringing with them a fanbase of individuals dedicated to their music, but also converting a new batch of Absynites who are ready to follow them along their journey. The rest is history, and if you don’t believe me, you haven’t seen them live…

Group Members Ara Nalbandian - Guitar/Bass Michael Cuellar - Drums Gino Steffe - Vocals

Instruments Guitar, Bass, Drums, Vocals

Albums Absynth - The Echo EP; Absynth (Self Titled) EP

Press Reviews It's been only a few weeks since we last checked out Absynth at the Whisky, but a lot has been going on in between. The band has recorded a demo, and tonight their confidence is higher. The band's synergy starts the energy full-on, and Absynth immediately shows that they have been playing together for a while now. Drums, guitar...singing range - they are all different. The band has found its own genre, and the genre is good. "I call our music mood metal," Gino tells me at one point. How appropriate. The music is a combination of hard rocking mediterranean sounds with classic rock and blues rock all blended into Gino's beautiful folk meets high pitched meets hard rock agression voice. When the band is on stage, so is their soul, and the combination of styles together with this passion [is reflected,] creating something beautiful in the air of the audience. The band plays their incredibly diverse range of styles from the hard rocking grooves behind "Horribly Disfigured" to the funky "Tenure." Drummer Michael Cuellar is at his best tonight, bringing out the best elements of hard rock and classic rock, sounding similar to Led Zeppelin's John Boham at times, and nailing every single beat on due time. Singer Gino Steffe is...not afraid to do anything, but he mostly shows his passion through his powerful singing, giving it all out without care...Meanwhile, guitarist Ara Nalbandian shows off his guitar skills, playing unique riff after unique riff, driving the music and amazing the audience with his finger skills. As a whole the show is exactly what one would expect from a band with such potential...oh boy, what a good start. Stay tuned for more Absynth, a promising young band from Los Angeles that is sure to bring forth a whole new sound into our local scene. By Arturo Perez Kludge Magazine http://www.kludgemagazine.com

Location Sherman Oaks, CA - USA

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