Gothic Theatre
Hometown Hero
Home Town Hero heralds the arrival of a positively valiant rock ‘n’ roll band. The group’s self- titled debut album is a dynamic and diverse 12-song collection fueled by Aaron Bruno’s urgent vocals and guitar, Drew Stewart’s sprawling six-string assaults, and the brute-force rhythms of bassist Todd Burnes and drummer Ray Blanco. But while the band’s members are barely into their 20s, Home Town Hero’s music possesses a craft and maturity that belies their youth. Tracks like “Questions,” “Eighteen” and “Bleeds in Blue” are infused with the pugnacious spirits of power-pop, garage rock and punk, while moodier tunes like “Everything Out of Water” and “Bed of Dreams” deftly toe the line between hallucinogenic alternative pop and impressionistic balladry. In all, Home Town Hero is much like life itself—unpredictable, uncompromising and interrupted by welcome fits of humor, romance and transcendent grace.
Home Town Hero’s debut disc is the result of an ever-evolving musical vision. Hailing from the same far-flung L.A. suburbs that hatched Linkin Park, Incubus, Hoobastank and Onesidezero, the band first won exposure as part of the 2000 and 2001 Vans Warped Tours, where their powerful performances and songwriting-prowess attracted major label interest. But long before those tours transformed the band from a hard working club band to global rock contenders, they worked diligently to formulate the fiery chemistry that animates their music.
