Album Notes

Looking for Portland’s Premiere Modern Rock Band?
Element57 Answers the Call

Sophomore release, Ripcord fuses modern rock radio-ready songs and a DIY demeanor into an album that finds the perfect musical duality
“It is some of the most memorable music you’ll run into. Element57 has forged a new rock sound for music fans who won’t be disappointed.”-Independent Weekly

In the land of indie, Element57 is the modern rock band Portland, OR has been missing. A 5-piece powerhouse that has been compared to the likes of Velvet Revolver and Audioslave, the band of veteran rockers shows it is up to the task on its sophomore release, Ripcord.
While one can immediately tell that the band’s sound is rooted in early 90’s rock, the songwriting, production and arrangements are clearly living in the here and now. Think Foo Fighters meet Peter Gabriel…on steroids.
Recorded with Sean Norton at his Portland, OR-based studio, Sean Norton Audio Production, Ripcord is one of those rare records filled with the perfect amount of duality. On the one hand, it is chalked full of modern rock radio-ready songs like “20 Minutes,” and “Spinning in All Directions,” and on the other, maintains a darker, DIY demeanor.
From the ever-climbing title track to the driving pulse of “Lifeline,” the band overflows with energy and still meticulously attends to melody and form. Guitar and saxophone rise and fall over a waterfall of sound and a pounding groove. All of this is led by Chris Galyon’s dynamic vocals, which somehow simultaneously conjure up both Peter Gabriel and Chris Cornell.
“We wanted to make a record that reflected exactly where we’ve come as a band without thinking about it too much,” says Galyon. “So we walked in and let it loose. I think it really worked for us.”
And while the record is their strongest yet, the live show has also risen to new heights. When members Chris Galyon (vox, guitar), Jason Wilbur (sax, midiwind), Joe Gardner (drums), Andy Kallenberger (bass), Justin DeFreece (guitar) take to the stage these days audiences are connecting like never before.
Galyon comments, “After a few years in this business, you learn that it takes more than just good music to get people excited. We’ve finally found that ingredient to connect to audiences on a grand scale. Every song we’re writing just seems to really click for us.”
And its no wonder, Element57 was born out of the ashes of nationally acclaimed DIY band- 4th Plane Jaiant, who built a 7 year legacy with two albums, Tideline (1998) and Bipolar (2001), airplay on over 70 college radio stations and several western U.S. tours.
The band is currently promoting Ripcord online and playing shows throughout the NW. Look for them at a venue near you. Learn more at www.myspace.com/element57 or contact us at 360.521.7565
More about Element57…. Element57 took home the Independent Music Award 2006 (2nd time) for best hard rock/rock song with “Woke Up Late”, the 1st track off Radiate. Judges for the award included Aerosmith’s Joe Perry, Melissa Ethridge, Bill Wyman, George Clinton and a host of other notable artists. In 2005 “Freedom” (Radiate) was featured by New Future Records, a New York label to be included on a sampler disc distributed throughout the music industry and reputable media outlets. In Jan. 2004, “Speak So Loud” landed on Indie-Music Vol. 1 nationally distributed by Arizona promotion wizards, Black Dog Productions.