Take a musical walk

Take a musical walk ‘Among Them’
With a debut CD out and shows lined up; this band's still happiest mixing it up with the crowd

by Dan Land
photos: Jessica Chance
March 11, 2007

Poised on the brink of bursting into the regional and possibly national arena, local metal band Among Them have released their first EP, entitled Maybe Someday.

The band launched their inaugural collection at Pensacola’s The Handlebar club, February 24th, along with special guest band It Starts Today.

Over 200 local fans attended the show.

Afterwards, I sat down with the band to find out how it feels to be Among Them.

These guys have talent, and show it every time they play. When asked what he thought of Among Them’s future, drummer Keith Tallman said "the music or the gutter--that's how I think of it". Such intensity coming from this young man might surprise you, until you watch him perform his favorite song, Porkchop.

Anyone who has witnessed Among Them on stage will tell you that they are energetic and put on a great show.

In performance, band members try to convey the meaning behind their name.

Onstage or off, the guys say it’s all about the audience.

“We are a part of them and they are a part of us,” vocalist Ryan Whited remarks.

“We aren't different from anyone who listens to our music,” agrees rhythm guitarist Hunter Moore, "We might be on stage one minute and then we will be out in the crowd listening to the next band performing.”

The five-man band have been performing together for about a year and a half. The EP, which features five original tracks, was eight months in the making.

"It feels great to be able to finally release our music out for sale," Moore observes.

Playing live isn’t the only time Among Them are serious about their music. Lead guitarist Tony Johnson, Jr. told me that most of the time, even the music he listens to is chosen by how it will affect his playing ability.

“I like to listen to a lot of technical stuff,” he says, “stuff that will help me to be a better guitarist.”

“I got into jazz and started playing jazz bass,” adds bassist Paul Jernigan. “Jazz is like my secret love, it is just so captivating with everyone doing their own thing--but then I heard Primus, and Les Claypool turned me around: I was like, slap bass for life.”

So how do these guys take all of these wide ranging influences and put them together to form the unique sound of Among Them?

Well…if you missed the CD release show you missed the perfect opportunity to witness how they do it.

Opening with Porkchop and blasting away through to the end of the EP, the Among Them guys mixed melodic vocals and heavy guitar riffs, with hardcore drumming that tied it all together.

Their efforts left the crowd sweating and tired from the energy released.

After the show, the band walked into the crowd, thanking their fans and shaking hands.

I got a chance to talk to all of the members -- every one wanted to know if I enjoyed the show and I thought to myself, “they are acting like we did them a favor by listening!”

But this is the attitude they hold for all of their fans.

There are more chances coming up to see this incredible local group starting on March 3 at the Cellblock in Mobile and March 16 at The Break on Pensacola Beach.

In addition to live performances, band members are working on new material, and plan to return to the studio in coming months.

For more information on the band and to find out where to buy their EP visit their website at www.myspace.com/amongthem.

If you want to see a band that not only plays well and brings a lot of energy to the stage, but will appreciate you coming out to see them…then somewhere Among Them is a place you definitely need to find yourself!

Download Among Them's CD, Maybe Someday, from their myspace page; or pick up a copy at upcoming peformances.