ION INDIE MAGAZINE October 2014, Volume 5 | Page 59

MOTÖRHEAD, ZZ TOP, GREEN DAY, ELP, MUSE,
CREAM, NIRVANA, THE JIMI HENDRIX EXPERIENCE,
THE POLICE, RUSH—vastly different bands with
equally varied styles…what do they all have in
common? They all represent powerhouse “trio” bands
that in spite of their small presence, make a BIG noise
that has resounded in music history. Enter UME
(pronounced ooo-may). This frenetically energetic and
deliciously undaunted Austin-based band is
apparently tossing their proverbial hat into the ring
and are poised to claim their place amongst these
heavy-hitters.
UME
is
‘shot-out-of-canon-and-stand-you-upstraight’ RAWK! They “throw down” with genrebending music that encompasses Pop, Punk, Rock,
Metal--and some yet-to-be-named category that
identifies the uniqueness that is UME. They are
currently one of the heaviest LIVE bands found on any
Indie Hard Rock roster--anywhere. Formed in 2002,
UME personifies the survivor pioneer spirit that beats
in the heart of the most resilient Independent artists.
Their “never-say-die” battle cry is born of years of a
nomadic existence on the road—buoyed by the roar of
their countless adoring audiences echoing in their
ears.
LAUREN LARSON (guitar/vocals), ERIC LARSON (bass), and AARON PEREZ (drums) meld into a mash-up of “take-noprisoners” music that grips their audience by the throat, throttles them and deposits them spent--and lying in a puddle of their
own sweat. Lauren’s waif-like looks belie what simmers beneath the seemingly serene surface. Her countenance is more
reminiscent of an ethereal moon goddess braiding daisy chains in a meadow. The reality of this “Princess of Perpetual Motion”
is a churning, hair-whipping, leg-flailing rock warrior--wielding a WMD emitting shrapnel of searing sound. Lauren leaves it
ALL on the stage—and with each exhilarating performance, her guitar spikes a fever that is stoked by her fiery vocals.
Self-taught guitarist Lauren’s roots were planted in the Punk movement. This diminutive Rock dynamo met Eric Larson when
she was 15 and performing in a Grind Core band on a skate park vert ramp. The skate park sweethearts eventually moved to
Pennsylvania where Lauren pursued a degree in Philosophy. This was eventually set aside in pursuit of her waking-dreamturned-reality UME.
Joined by Aaron Perez, today’s UME is a study in contradiction, boasting elegance and brutality; strength and fragility. These
dichotomies are evidenced in the UME offering of 2014, their CD “Monuments”. This CD serves as a canvas for UME’s
emotional investment in their music, while showcasing the devilish “wail and flail” ferocity that renders the listener slapped
to attention and asking for more of the same PLEASE. UME serves pure music with none of the “tricks of the trade” that are
often manipulated or manufactured in the studio. This CD emits all the punch and power that is fueled by a LIVE performance!