Exit 8

New York based band Exit 8 takes its name from the hard-driving pop-infused melodies their music evokes. A potent mixture of 80’s Pop Rock and 90’s Post-Punk Alternative, Exit 8 explodes onto the 21st Century music highway with a unique sound that’s guaranteed to get everyone listening.

Enter Exit 8 New York based band Exit 8 takes its name from the hard-driving pop-infused melodies their music evokes. A potent mixture of 80’s Pop Rock and 90’s Post-Punk Alternative, Exit 8 explodes onto the 21st Century music highway with a unique sound that’s guaranteed to get everyone listening. Formed in mid 2002 by Mark Stancato, who’s smooth, otherworldly, vocals reminds you at times of David Bowie, and even conjures up the ghost of Jeff Buckley with its mellifluous and high energy euphonies, Exit 8 is soon to set off the industry radar with a loud alarm. Stancato moved to New York in 2000, played the club scene as a solo artist for a couple years, and eventually caught the attention of music veteran Godfrey Diamond. Mr. Diamond, who’s worked with such legendary acts as Aerosmith, Billy Squire, and Lou Reed, among many others, immediately saw the potential in this raw new talent. The next step was to form a band that would accompany Stancato’s songwriting style, which ranged from Jimmy Eat World to The Cars to a toned down Foo Fighters. Quite a mix, and finding the right players was no easy task. “We auditioned dozens of guitarists, but none of them fit what we were looking for. I was getting frustrated when alluva’ suddenly this guy calling himself ‘Duke’ waltzes in. He didn’t have a last name, and I knew right away I was gonna like him.” Surname or no surname, Duke sure knew how to play and, more importantly, the chemistry clicked. Duke brought in his buddy, bassist Richard Abbodante to help round out the rhythm section, and the band was finally coming together. Unfortunately, as they were going into pre-production for their new EP, they found themselves at a crossroads, and had to release their original drummer. “Our styles just didn’t gel”, says Stancato. “And we had to make the tough decision to let him go”. Two weeks away from recording they were percussion-less. Luckily, the role was quickly filled when Duke, to the rescue again, called in drummer Ronen Barak to lay down the driving backbeat that could accompany the group’s supped-up soundscapes and high-octane harmonies. Engines running, the newly formed band set out to record their first EP on June 27th, 2003 at Bushwick Studios in Brooklyn. They settled on three songs: New Day, Back To You, and Tomorrow. Stancato remembers, “I wanted to showcase not only my ability as a songwriter, but the collaboration, energy and groove we had together as a band, and these three songs best represented that”. The first track, New Day, starts fast and furious with a catchy pop hook that can’t help but put you in a hopelessly hopeful mood. The song has a driving, hypnotic rhythm that’ll keep the listener humming long after the ride is over. In Back To You, the band switches gears, starting off slow with a bit of unplugged-like Elvis Costello, then taking a techno twist before accelerating into the pure punk sounds of Green Day. Adding to the eclecticism, the dual harmonic guitar leads toward the end of the song is reminiscent of a Marshall Tucker or Allman Brothers jam session. The third song on the EP, Tomorrow, is a Coldplayesque lament about the pain of love. At this stage in the trip, the band cruises into ballad mode, which slowly builds to a crescendo of emotion packed ecstasy. The song’s already a hit. Expertly produced and mixed by Diamond, Exit 8’s first EP has the energy of a live performance; a rare thing indeed in this age of prefab perfectionism. Now armed with brand new drummer, Darcy Macrae, Exit 8 is poised to breakthrough with their unique pop, punk, and rock sensibilities. Hitch a ride.

We're currently playing NYC clubs and venues.

It's pretty simple: Songs that give it to ya!

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