The Appearance

Part of the fertile Southern California music scene, Alan Oakes and Chad Kulengosky both grew up with a love and fascination with 80's metal (Guns N' Roses, Metallica, AC/DC, etc.) and So Cal skater punk rock (NO/FX, Strung Out, Pennywise, etc…). Destiny called and fate brought their paths together via old school chum Michael Narlinger (executive producer and CEO of Read The Footnotes Productions). Narlinger approached Oakes to put together a "dream band," which would be given the time and necessities to make the ultimate great rock act. And so, the search began…..

Kulengosky, known for his fiery soaring guitar solos and hooky charts, joined forces as second guitarist, and vocalist, in addition to veteran Orange County drummer, Justin McCarthy, and bassist Jason Nelson. Together, the four members co-write all their songs as a collaborative unit, with Oakes contributing the lyrics, and the trio writing the powerful hooky arrangements.

"I come up with the lyrics, and Chad, Jason and Justin, join in with the music and somehow or another…it all becomes this amazing magical thing….everyone contributes and I guess that's what makes it so unique - it's a little bit of each of us in every song," says Oakes.

Bassist Jason Nelson agrees: "Chad and I have been playing music together for something like 7 years now, sometimes in the same band, sometimes not. In some weird way, this is the line up that was meant to be. All our paths have crossed before, and fate has brought us together." Nelson, a classically trained musician (cello, and traditional string bass) is one of the newest members of the band, signing on in May of 2006.

Rounding out the quartet is drummer Justin McCarthy, whose credits include moonlighting as the drummer for MTV's Laguna Beach cast member Alex M's band, and being one of the most "in demand" session drummers in Orange County, CA. Known for being a multi-instrumentalist (besides drums, McCarthy also plays guitars and most musical instruments within his reach), he's also known as the band's biggest video game fanatic.

"Video games are huge for me. I love Xbox Live, PS2 Online or PC Games. We're all heavily into 'World Of Warcraft.'"

McCarthy has some wise words of wisdom for those first starting out in the music business, "If I could give someone advice, it would be to live life to the fullest. You only live once and if you want something don't wait for it to be handed to you…go out there and get it!"

Cohesively as a unit, the band takes the best elements of emo/alternative/and pop-punk rock and they make it their own sound. Oakes' heartfelt vocals will remind you of Nirvana's Kurt Cobain, while Kulengosky's soaring guitar leads pay homage to greats like U2's The Edge, Steve Vai, and Eddie Van Halen. Add in the powerful rhythm section of McCarthy and Nelson, and you've got The Appearance.

The Appearance entered the studio (Stone Temple Pilot's Eric Kretz' Studio) to record their debut album with veteran producer/engineer Chris Fudurich (AFI, Jimmy Eat World, Nada Surf, Armor For Sleep, RX Bandits, Matthew Sweet, The Outline, Fielding, Finch, etc.), and executive producer Michael Narlinger. The end result is the amazing 12-track debut album, LOST IN AURORA, set for April 2007 release, via Adrenaline Music Group (ADA/WEA Distribution) and Read The Footnotes Productions. The first single, "Lost In Aurora" is available now via iTunes Music Store.