Meet the Band: Jeff Klemm (vocals, guitars), Greg Meisenberg (drums), Mario Tonathy (bass)
Straight Outta Akron: The indie rock/metal band first formed way back in 2007 when it released two EPs, but the line-ups have shifted constantly during that time. "We've been through so many different line-up changes," admits Klemm. "In December of 2012, I asked the guys in my band if they could drop everything and tour for six months, sleeping on floors and getting paid next to nothing. The answer was no. I fired my whole band because I knew I would go full-steam in 2013." Last year, Klemm self-booked a five-week tour and saw Meisenberg's band, the Fucking Elephant, along the way. He was so impressed, he asked Meisenberg to join Maid Myriad. "He lives in New Jersey so when it came time to record, I packed as much gear as I could into my Toyota Corolla and drove out there," Klemm says. "We made the record in six weeks in March of 2013."
They Love It Loud: Much like Incubus, the band plays a mix of atmospheric metal and hard-driving rock. As a result, the group fits on a variety of different bills. "We do really well on metal shows because we're heavy live but we're not a metal band," says Klemm. "We're just louder than most five-piece bands. We're versatile and we tailor our sets."
Why You Should Hear Them: The band goes for the esoteric and atmospheric on its new album, With Haste on Its Breath. Klemm wails on the album opener "Encircled." Elsewhere, the songs stay true to "kaleidoscope rock," the term the band has used to describe its neo-progressive rock. Heavily textured songs such as "Camera Eye" and "Dance by the Moonlight" have elements of Mars Volta. But the group slows things down for the simmering "Be Careful What You Wish For" and "Waiting for December," showing it can capably change gears. "I like lush sonic soundscapes, so there are lots of guitar overdubs and weird sounds that I threw in there so the album will sound good on headphones," Klemm says. "We were going for heavy and wanted that edge." For this weekend's CD release show at the Kent Stage, the band will play the album in its entirety. Klemm also says the band has started writing songs for its next album.
Where You Can Hear Them: facebook.com/maidmyriad
Where You Can See Them: Maid Myriad performs with Simeon Soul Charger at 8 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 4, at the Kent Stage.
