By Andy Foltz
NKyTribune reporter
Saturday is a big night for the band Wilder. They are releasing their first EP, a self-titled album that features quality vocals, top-notch lyrics, and melodies both fast and slow to match all moods. Despite being together for right around a year, the meshing of talents, both on- and off-stage, has created a distinctive sound for the band.
The self-titled album will be launched at a show at Southgate House Revival, which will start at 9 p.m. Wilder will be joined by Danny Mecher and the Home Demos, Mad Anthony and by Arlo McKinley and the Lonesome Sound (which makes it an official CD release party).
Randy Steffen and Kelly Thomas, in addition to handling the majority of vocals for Wilder, also have done the bulk of the songwriting. Writing collaboratively has been a new experience for each of them, although they both wrote songs for their previous bands, Sleeping Dogs and the Pick-Ups, respectively.
“We were the primary songwriters in those groups,” said Steffen. “When Kelly and I started writing, it was different, but before you know it, you’ve got eight songs.”
“The things we’ve written together have been special,” said Thomas. “I’m always changing, getting into new things and learning new things.”
The songwriting is a strength of the band. “Perfect Storm,” is based on a real situation involving a tempestuous relationship between Thomas’ aunt and uncle. All of Wilder’s songs are geared toward story telling.
“They’re about everything,” Steffen said. “You’re telling people’s stories, talking about being happy when you’re a kid, anything.”
The song “Acts of God,” had its title taken from a line in an insurance policy, for example. “Bottom of the Barrel,” is a song “about the demons of drinking too much,” Steffen said.
The EP was recorded in the Revival Room at Southgate House Revival.
“We didn’t know what we were going to sound like,” Thomas said. “But the album definitely has our vibe.”
“I think it’s totally organic,” he said of the EP. “We’re not trying to be anybody else. Whatever Kelly’s feeling, whatever I’m feeling, we just go with it.”
The new project has refreshed batteries and rejuvenated creative juices, the songwriters said.
“With the Pick-Ups, I felt like I was going to be a parody of myself,” Thomas said.
“It’s almost like a marriage ending,” Steffen said. “It’s emotional.”
They are joined by Zach Rowe on guitar, John Schmidt on bass, and both Kevin Hogle and Christopher Alley on drums. Having two drummers gives the band leeway for shows, so that one is always available, but when both are available, both play.
“I’ve seen guitar players make each better, but never drummers before,” Steffen said. “They are having way too much fun.”
Rowe changed the band’s sound, as well. Originally Wilder was all acoustic, but his guitar playing changed that.
“For him to play acoustic all the time was handcuffing him,” Thomas said.
To purchase tickets for Saturday’s show, click here.