The Lemmings
If it were just for the sake of argument, it would be convenient to peg the Lemmings for being as docile and submissive as their rodent namesake. After all, the familiarity and comfort factor of the tunes that line "Follow" are a life lesson in pop chronicles.
Merseybeat janglism, Cheap Trick's high energy, REM's organic musicianship and figurative imagery, as well as an acoustic/electric trade-betweens that roots itself in Toad The Wet Sprocket are an ingenuous combination of sounds.
Yet, whether it's the anguished loneliness that surrounds the haunting "Desire" or the excitable pop zealotry that explodes during the striking choruses of "Alone" (the song I couldn't recall when I interviewed them, but now I can't shove out of my head), Lemmings succeed in that rare capacity to instantly connect with an audience.
Small crowd, large crowd, underground, or over-the-top, this Tampa quartet conveys complex, abstruse emotions of compassion and spirituality with a just few chords that make sense. Like the perplexing dark figure that pervades the hard rockin' "She Runs" ("You can't fight what's never real") or the wise, reassuring narrator of the title track, the lyrics seem to burst with secluded meanings.
Tell me about your history? How did you get where you are now?
Formed in the summer of 1998, The Lemmings can best be described as a Power Pop Rock quartet. Each of the members brings a creative and individual style to their art stemming from their eclectic personalities.
Lead singer and acoustic guitarist Eric Del Castillo and drummer Richard Belinc are childhood friends; a 16 year relationship comprising the foundation of the group’s music and attitude. Raised on Alternative radio in Tampa, Florida, Eric honed his skills wood shedding and emulating the lyrical stylings of his heroes. Richard followed a different path and became involved with the local music scene at an early age, playing with several well-known bands in the Bay area. He quickly developed a fluid and driving style that easily supports a wide range of music. After hooking Fish, a veteran of the music scene in New York City, to supply the low end, the group started working on material. Ideas developed quickly, but something was still missing. The new bass player turned to his former band mate, guitarist/vocalist Michael Kusheba. Halfway through the Texan’s first solo during the audition, the group recognized that the newly created chemistry was too good to be ignored and immediately asked Michael to join the band. The sound that has since evolved is unique and universal with smooth, rich tones and storytelling lyrics that hit close to home.
The Lemmings recently released their first full-length CD with a coinciding performance September 29th at Tahiti Joe's in Tampa's entertainment district, Ybor City. "Follow" was recorded over 8 months at AudioLab Studios with Greg Marchak (Mighty Joe Plum) behind the console and mastered by Mike Fuller (Rod Stewart,Eric Clapton, Tina Turner) at FullerSound in Miami. The band chose to take their time to make a CD you would be proud to have in your collection. The disc contains 10 songs displaying the diversity and direction of The Lemmings music.
