COMATOSE CALLING
Rock / Alternative
For years, brothers Shane and Matt Hanley have played music together in a number of different projects. They saw a short run of success with their bands Seneca and Butters and the Three Man Riot. In 2004 the guys were on different sides of the world and started playing in other projects and worked on their own solo material as well. After two years apart Shane and Matt have decided to continue working on music together. Despite thier geographic issues the guys are recording and producing songs as well as recreating some of their favorite songs from their previous projects.
Comatose Calling is the result of years of musical development. Their melodic music combined with lyrics often portraying morose views of society are the product of the internal struggles of the bands two brothers and also their struggles with the world.
"Music is the only part of me that voices my opinions in such a head on way," says Shane on his lyrical style. "It is my outlet and I want to use it to keep others away from ignorance and arrogance. I hope that people listen to our music and walk away asking 'What did that mean?' But in a good way."
Both Shane and Matt take roles in the group as lyricists. Matt's songwriting style is often the more introspective songs that the band plays. They reflect Matt's straight-forward mind.
"His songs are great to play and sing," Shane says of his brothers writing. "They are often the result of breakups and betrayal. I am not brave enough to put that much of my personal life out there for others to see."
Most of the music the band plays are written and composed by Shane. Each song portrays his heartfelt passion for the world and his dedication to make a difference in it. With his vivid imagery and artistic style the words of his songs beckon all listeners to look at the world around them in new ways.
"I used to be reluctant to play the kinds of songs I do now," says Shane. "I never wanted to alienate people. Eventually I realized that when I write I need to be honest to myself more than anyone else. I want to show the graphic detail of the world through my eyes. Not the inconsequential parts like my personal life and love life like so many other bands focus on, but rather my life in this society and culture dominated by self obsession and self glorification."
The band mostly chooses to play the heavy, drop tuned songs in the style of Tool and Chevelle. With Shane's deep, distorted guitar and Matt's drums that knock listeners to the ground Comatose Calling have developed their sound from their greatest musical influences and shaped them from their isolation on the small island of Kauai. They do not limit ther music to that sound, however.
"Back home we were playing more for the crowds and eventually that didn't feel right to me," says Shane on their past projects. "There were some songs that I felt were worth the effort but others that I always wanted to change or get rid of. It took some time on my own to really come up with the music I wanted to play with a band and now I have that chance."
While the band enjoys playing the simple, drop tuned rock music like "Suffering Mind" they create it does not limit their musical style. Often the band will work on Blues and Jazz songs that they play for themselves. "Wont Wait" is one of Shane's Jazz influenced songs that combines a bluesey rock riff in the bridge that goes back to the guys original desire to play heavy, overdriven songs. Sometimes, ususally jokingly, they will play fun, Pop styled songs such as "Dont Worry We Will" or "Too Bad." Rarely do these songs find their way into live shows but the band use them to loosen up in the practice room.
"There are so many sides to music that we want to explore," says Shane. "I dont ever want to be limited in what we play. So much influences us and we want to show that in our music."
