By Jen Clay
A&E Assistant
he Doors. Janis Joplin. Led Zeppelin. The Sindicate? The band with the misspelled name and Pepperdine connections may not seem to have a lot in common with these world-famous rock gods right now, but they soon might.
Made up of current Pepperdine senior Kevin Nerison and junior Dan Yoder along with Pepperdine alumnus Austin Trujillo, Sindicate has officially been a band, and a force to be reckoned with, for a year. Citing English uber-rockers Motorhead, the Marilyn Monroe-inspired Misfits and Ozzy Osbourne’s feisty Black Sabbath as primary influences, Sindicate stands to surf a dangerous and unmapped tide in today’s pop-dominated musical landscape.
As music fans wait with bated breath for the new Britney Spears album (dropping this Junior business major Dan Yoder lets his
Tuesday) and Jessica Simpson’s guitar wail at a gig with his band, Sindicate.
“Rolling Stone” cover article (pick
up your copy now), where do Sindicate bandmates place themselves in a musical climate saturated with undressed pop tarts and not-so-gangsta rap?
Nerison, a telecommunication major from Dana Point, near San Diego, as well as Sindicate’s energetic drummer, explained that the band embraces and encourages a unique sound that might not chart on the favorites’ list of cookie-cutter pop music fans.
“We just like to play kind of different from everything that’s around right now,” Nerison said.
Business major (and Sindicate guitarist) Yoder agreed. With tinges of funk, reggae, blues and heavy metal, among other influences, Sindicate’s music might just be of a new genre.
“Our style is kind of weird. I think it’s pretty cool because it’s different,” Yoder said.
In fact, the band’s misspelled name reflects its members’ rock‘n’roll attitudes.
“We just kinda did that just to make it different. Just because we thought it looked cool like that,” Nerison explained. And the effect is not lost on the public; the band will play its second gig at the historic Whisky A Go-Go in Hollywood Saturday night.
So how did three Southern California boys with college educations find themselves immersed in the often rebellious and fickle world of rock-band formation? The story is simple.
“Austin and I had been playing for a couple years before Dan joined the band,” Nerison said. “I knew Dan from high school. He went overseas and then when he came back it pretty much came together. It’s magical.”
Yoder, who is also from Dana Point, has been playing the guitar since he began high school.
“It’s an extension of my body at this point,” Yoder said.
A veteran band member, Yoder believes Sindicate’s talent pool blows his past bands out of the water.
“It’s just a lot better because everybody in this band just rips,” he said. “As far as the talent goes, the other guys in the band are just so good that it’s just a lot more fun to play with them.”
Trujillo’s music degree, which he obtained from Pepperdine when he graduated in 2003, enables him to function two-fold as Sindicate’s lead vocalist and bassist. Occasionally, Trujillo will even break out the violin for some really classic rock, as is the plan for Saturday’s show.
Nerison also appreciates that Trujillo can freestyle with the best of ‘em.
“Austin is pretty awesome at coming up with lyrics off the top of his head,” he said.
Although all three members are busy with extracurricular activities and job hunting, the guys make time to come together, write and practice as Sindicate.
“If you’re passionate about it, you’ll find time, and everyone in our band is really passionate about it.” Nerison said. And find time to practice they do, sometimes in the least soundproof of spaces, including Nerison’s home.
“We played a studio in West Hollywood, and then we also play in my roommate’s room, the bigger room in my house,” Nerison explained. “My roommates are nice enough to let us practice in my house.” Who said true rock ‘n’ roll was glamorous anyway?
Known for their high-energy and highly entertaining shows, Sindicate has released a CD of live material on their own label, available from any of the band members.
“We have a live recording of our first show which is kinda cool cause we got kicked out of the place for being rowdy,” Nerrison said. “And it’s all caught on the CD.” In the near future, the band plans to record their first studio album and launch the band’s Web site, but only time will tell exactly how the music gods will position Sindicate in their divine plan.
So does the band have a targeted communication strategy to ensure its success?
“We just invite all our friends, and hopefully they bring new people to come hear us,” Nerison said. “I don’t think we’re really too concerned about anything except showing the people that come to our shows a good time.”
And judging by the buzz, that just might work.
November 13, 2003