Posted on: February 7, 2008 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

Gran Ronde will unveil what lurks inside its SECRET ROOMS on April 8 when Filter Recordings (Magnet, Amusement Parks on Fire) releases the band’s debut full-length album. A glimpse into the Los Angeles foursome’s brooding rock will be made available February 5 on iTunes with the five-track introductory EP, ON AND ON.

Recorded in the band’s hometown with veteran producer/mixer Mark Needham (The Killers, Fleetwood Mac, Paul Simon) and James Bairian (Giant Drag, Dirty Little Secret), SECRET ROOMS and the ensuing EP (which only share title track “On and On”) are the end result of years of honing their singular vision. Over the course of the LP’s 10 tracks, the band covers diverse territory from radio ready romp “Say Say Say,” complete with a peanut butter-sticky chorus, to “Gold,” a slow psychedelic dirge that begins with an intriguing, ghostly keyboard line. “Wisdom,” on the other hand, is all jangly guitars and lovelorn sentiment. The album will also include “Fist Fight,” a track that received attention on London’s XFM radio station, subsequently leading to the band’s first shows overseas.

Gran Ronde’s music, described by URB.com as being filled with “strong, mesmerizing guitar riffs and terrifically solid hooks,” is as expansive as its name suggests. A variation of the French Grande Ronde or “fine large valley,” the dark, upbeat songs are informed by singer/guitarist Chris Pearson’s unique upbringing and his far-reaching travels. Raised in the backwoods of Oregon, Pearson’s curiosity and nomadic spirit drove him to the salmon plants of Alaska, the big rigs of the East Coast, the exotic world of Tokyo and the National Parks of Arizona where he led bus tours for Japanese tourists. Ultimately, he settled in L.A. where he formed Gran Ronde with fellow transplants Bryan Hobbs (New York City), Fernando Sanchez (Miami) and British National Neil Parek in the fall of 2004.

Disciples of the mood-laden U.K. guitar bands such as Echo and the Bunnymen, The Cure, The Jesus and Mary Chain and Oasis, Gran Ronde has gathered an impressive local following due to incessant gigging, including headlining shows at the Troubadour and Spaceland and performances alongside The Walkmen, Silversun Pickups, We Are Scientists, Cold War Kids, Stellastarr* and Mystery Jets. Most recently Gran Ronde were main support on Razorlight’s national fall tour. A short run of shows, coalescing in Austin at the South by Southwest Music Festival, will coincide with the EP release.

GRAN RONDE ON TOUR

February 5 – San Francsico, Calif. @ Red Devil Lounge

February 6 – Los Angeles, Calif. @ Bordello

February 7 – Costa Mesa, Calif. @ Detroit Bar

February 8 – Las Vegas, Calif. @ Beauty Bar

March 8 – Scottsdale, Ariz. @ Shake @ Rogue Bar

March 10 – Santa Fe, N.M. @ Santa Fe Brewery

March 11 – San Antonio, Texas @ Poparazzi @ Atomix

March 15 – Austin, Texas @ SXSW – Filter party

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