Melodramus

MELODRAMUS By: Whitney Forslund

It is undeniable when four people whose blood runs thick with melodies and rhythm will have the compulsion to create. When this occurs, the definition of musicianship has been born. A Salt Lake City band has this type of blood circulating the depths of four musicians souls-making music a foundation of their lives.

Melodramus throughout the last four years, has gone through stages of experimenting, change, improvement, and all around renovation.

To this day, the four members that formed in early 2006 are still here in 2008. Zakkary Hale-lead singer/lead guitarist, Mikey Collard on bass, Andrew Hopkins on drums, and Ted Newsom akaThe Rose Phantom-keyboards/synths. Together they have formed a pact as a band and each have devoted excessive amounts of talent, energy, and dedication into the music.

In 2007, Melodramus emerged with their first full length, 14 song album, called “30 Silver Pieces” .Various songs featured on the album were written a few years ahead of time, and others began to grow from beneath the surface with years that followed. More than one genre of music can be found on the band’s first album such as, rock, metal, pop, and can also be heard between various age groups. The album was recorded between the months of January-May of 2007 and combines the effort of each band member inside the heart of each song.

Melodramus’ members through trial and triumph have inspired the band to begin the next album. With challenges that have reached skin deep, but energy still aiming high, the band’s focus is to work on something new that will combine those learning experiences into something more fresh and well balanced. They are currently working on their second album with many working tracks already written, and already in the process of pre-production. The release date hasn’t quite been said, but the goal is for Summer of 2008.

Melodramus is a band that has decided to take a different approach to their music. A different feeling and emotion towards music is what is hoped to be brought back on the scene, and a greater impact of songs on listeners lives is what to be expected. A drummer, bassist, keyboardist, and a singer/guitarist have compiled amounts of devotion into music that is progressive, challenging, and nonetheless-rock and roll. Most lyrics are written by Zakkary Hale, and all the music is written by each individual band member.