Biography
The members of Austin-based electronic rock outfit Von Roader started their musical journey together playing in local clubs and bars in another band, Professor Shark.
They say they felt disenchanted with traditional, organic music.
“It seems like most rock bands out there use the same formula. A drummer, bassist, guitarists and singer,” says Burney, “We were all kind of bored with starting from the same old ingredients.”
Experimenting together with drum machines, synths and computers, they wrote about a dozen songs and hit the Austin bar and houseparty scene in Summer 2010. After building a loyal following, they released their first, self-titled EP in November 2010.
“Playing one-man-band shows helped me to appreciate live, electronic acts like Daft Punk and Ghostland Observatory,” Gibson notes. “It’s amazing to know that we can do whatever we want. Using technology gives us the freedom we had never felt before as songwriters.”
Rios, frontman for the group, says he feels liberated.
“Songwriting-wise, it’s helped me to ‘think outside the box,’” he adds, “Live… I get to interact with the crowd more.”
The band also cite Depeche Mode, Gorillaz, Bjork, At the Drive-In, Outkast, Queen, Crystal Castles, Michael Jackson, Radiohead, Beastie Boys, Death from Above 1979, Prince and Pink Floyd as some of their influences.
They’ve continued to play Austin, and have begun to branch out to other parts of the state. In June 2011, they released another EP, Molecule.
Future plans for the band include playing nationally and releasing a full length album of new material.
Benyamin R.
July 2011
