band review: beyond conception

To survive in the music industry as an independent band is close to impossible, but somehow Beyond Connection is making it happen. They've dabbled in The Knitting Factory, The Coach House and Chain Reaction, while opening for names like Hellogoodbye, NOFX and Marcy's Playground. You might have heard a few of their songs on MTV and Nickelodeon.

With six years of being a band under their belt, they've managed to form a group that resembles Maroon 5, but one that isn't afraid of doing their own thing. Their lead singer (Justin Abrams) rocks out while playing the piano, with three other members. They sing of how this world will "make you into a man" and question deeper things like if there's "life after life."

There's a vulnerability to Beyond Conception's lyrics that make you want to listen to the ideals and how they wrestle with their own lives through their songs. Their latest album and the third for the band, "Stix & Stones" was released in September and has more of a rock and roll twang to it than their previous ones. "The Shoe Shiner" is the best song on the album with Abram's energy and passion with the rest of his posse's instruments blaring away like a modern jazz melody. He's not afraid to let his voice let loose and hits plenty of notes to impress almost anyone on the three albums. Sometimes his voice seems a bit strained, like on the song "Come Between Us," but the piano and drums make up for it and is refreshing to hear for a pop/rock/jazz band.

Beyond Conception is currently touring throughout California, but have jammed in China and have been in the studio with notable figures in the music industry, like Jack Douglas. Jim Wirt, producer to Fiona Apple, Incubus, and Jack's Mannequin calls them "...beautiful, raw, and elegant..." while Dean Deleo from Stone Temple Pilots says, "the music draws you in with it's melodies.

Although the music of Beyond Conception is self-produced and doesn't sound as professional at times, Beyond Conception could be one of the best independent bands out there. There are definitely hints that they're still trying to make it big, like they're PayPal donation button on their MySpace page or how you can find them doing self-promotion in So Cal, but in a lot of ways they're gaining more attention than signed artists. Their passion is unique and something hard to find, even in Hollywood.

For more info and tour dates, visit www.beyondconception.com.

Katie Cervantes

Live OC Magazine

www.LIVEOCMAG.com