Finding homegrown
rock acts in Boone can be one of the more daunting tasks one would
undertake in a day. Unless, of course, one was searching for One
Year Later.
The band is poised to launch off into what they
hope will be a fruitful career, and they’re doing it one city
at a time.
Spread out over Boone, Sparta and Charlotte,
the band will be performing in Whitewater tonight at 9 p.m.
Coming up on nearly two years together, One Year Later has made
amazing headway in their popularity and sound.
With their EP “Next in Line,” One Year Later made a name
of itself in the North Carolina local scene, receiving airplay on
106.5 WEND and touring in neighboring states.
The band roster is comprised of Adam Locklear on vocals, J.T. Wyatt
on lead guitar, drummer Ryan Angell, rhythm guitarist and backup
vocalist Ruben Rodriguez, and Brad Maines on bass.
Although the band is proud of their work on “Next in Line,”
they have high hopes for their next, as of now untitled, release.
“This next album is the one that’s going to start getting
shopped out,” said Wyatt.
Right now, the new full-length album has entered pre-production
and is slated for a winter release.
Since the outset, One Year Later has drawn comparisons to acts such
as Weekend Excursion, whom they are known to play with often. The
band, however, is shooting for a new sound.
“I think before it was a little bit more pop,” said Wyatt
of their old sound. “But now it has more of an edge to it.
You can definitely tell the popiness is starting to go away.”
Their newest material drew more comparisons to Incubus.
“Think of Creed, Default and Nickleback with an R&B singer,”
said Wyatt.
Wyatt claims that partial credit for their maturing sound goes to
the latest addition to their band, drummer Ryan Angell.
“We got a new drummer, and he changed us a bit,” said
Wyatt. “He’s an amazing drummer, and he has made all of
us a lot better.”
One Year Later also boasts an impressive list of acts with whom
they have shared the stage. Bands they have opened for include Grammy
Nominees Five for Fighting, VH1’s “Bands on the Run”
winner Flickerstick, and the now defunct Far Too Jones.
Soon, the band will be able to add bands such as Default, Our Lady
Peace, and living legend Andrew W.K. to the list when they play
the 106.5 WEND annual summer Weenie Roast.
The band will be playing at 11:15 a.m. on the locals’ stage
while the aforementioned bands play the main stage not too far off.
They accredit their slot on the Weenie Roast to DJ Divakar, who
regularly spins their album on the locals only show, 90 Minutes.
“Divakar, who runs 90 Minutes really digs our stuff,”
said Wyatt. “I guess he just put in a good word for us. Plus
we play Charlotte a lot.”
As far as their shows in the Boone scene, Wyatt claims they have
a long way to go compared to other cities.
“It favors jam bands big time,” said Wyatt. “And
one of the reasons I don’t think it favors rock bands is because
jam bands and jam band culture is almost cult-like. Of course it’s
Boone, it’s going to be jam bands, but I’d like to see
a little more rock up here.” |
