Drummer Spencer Eck and his Lion Avalanche bandmates thought they knew what they wanted to play. What they set out to create and what resulted were two different things, however.
"I originally wanted to start a band kind of like Paramore or Metric, but it's gone beyond that," Eck said, noting the band has found a more classic than modern feel. "We don't really sound like either of those groups now. I went into it with an expectation of a sound that we wanted to get, and we got something that's very different from that, and that's OK. If that's what we got, that's what we got. I like the music that we wrote."
The band recorded a six-song EP of original music this winter and plans to write more material for a full-length disc that could come out later this year. The originals span several genres, including alternative, soft rock, pop, punk and classic rock. Lion Avalanche, which formed in July, plans to keep playing several different musical styles until it figures out exactly what it wants to do.
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Jamestown-born band Lion Avalanche has experimented with several genres since its creation in July. The band has released an EP and plans to put out a full-length album in the future.
"We're still trying to find a sound," Eck said. "We're still experimenting with the things we want to do."
Eck and his bandmates, guitarists Andrew Stronz and Eli Wright, singer Hannah Wright, and bassist Christian Nugent, all graduated from Jamestown High School and currently attend college.
Nugent picked up a bass for the first time when the band started in July.
"We just gave him a bass guitar and told him we were going to teach him how to play it," Eck said. "It was a big learning experience for him, but he has come a long way really quickly."
With a few of the musicians attending college outside of the Jamestown area, getting the band together has been a difficult task in recent months. Lion Avalanche had to turn down an invitation to compete in Chautauqua's Got Talent due to scheduling conflicts.
"It's been difficult because of the distance right now," Eck said. "If we want to have a show, they all have to come back from Buffalo or Rochester. We can only do it every once in a while."
The band has played a half-dozen shows since its creation, the most successful of which was a December gig at the Labyrinth Press Company.
"We actually had the whole place filled up with people who basically came out to see us play," Eck said. "That was a really good feeling. Everyone got a really good vibe out of that."
Lion Avalanche recorded the EP while all five musicians were home for Christmas break but has had to resort to Skype to play together since school started up again.
The band doesn't always play originals, but it does break out several during shows. Cover songs are what Eck really enjoys playing, however.
"They're songs that people appreciate," he said. "It's something that they already know. Playing covers is a good way to get the audience involved. They can sing along or do whatever."
When it comes to originals, Lion Avalanche will keep crossing genres until it finds the best fit.
"I think music should be about experimenting," Eck said. "Everyone wants to put you into a genre. It kind of limits the things you feel like you can do."
"Backstage Pass'' is a feature of The Post-Journal showcasing local artists, their music and their accomplishments. Send recommendations for future "Backstage Pass'' subjects to Scott Shelters at sshelters@post-journal.com or call 487-1111, ext. 253.