FLEDGLING LOCAL ROCK BAND CHANNELS CHRIS CORNELL, RELEASES 90'S-INFLUENCED RISING // FALLING
W
hile many people simply holed-
sound; in other words, he's smart enough
helmed by area musicians Freddie Bourne
up and buried their heads in the
to seek out players who can improve on
and Cynthia Murray. Just before heading
sand during the pandemic, Jaxon
his ideas. For the songs that comprised
out to make the hour drive to Dale, Indiana,
Fleming took full advantage of his free
Rising // Falling, this proved to be crucial
for the shoot, he was informed they'd be
time, spending days writing and playing
in taking the project to another level with
required to perform two songs. Problem
music with his drummer roommate. The
guitarist John Abbott, bassist AJ Walton,
was, only "Tear You Open" had been written
Henderson native - at just 22, one of the
keyboardist Adam Carey and drummer Zakk
at this stage, a song that ultimately failed
most promising young talents in the tri-state
Marks all making significant contributions
to make the cut for Rising // Falling. What
- further developed his guitar and vocal
- something that's immediately apparent
to do? Well, Fleming hunkered down in the
chops while waiting out COVID, dropping
upon hearing lead single "Depth," a bluesy,
backseat with the guitarist and came up with
an initial single last year that laid the
swampy rocker that's tailor-made for airplay
"Abort" on the spot as they traversed I-64 -
groundwork for a more expansive project
alongside Fleming's heroes such as the
and then debuted it live an hour later. That's
in the form of Rising // Falling. Greatly
aforementioned Soundgarden, Chevelle
as rock & roll as it gets.
influenced by Fleming's appreciation for
and Tool.
Chris Cornell, the seven-track collection
What's also pretty rock & roll, in the sense
has all the hallmarks of the grungy 90's era
Then there's "Barely Breathing," a deep
that it's completely unexpected, is the
that the late Soundgarden singer helped to
cut that truly highlights Fleming's vocal
hidden track that concludes the album.
pioneer; it's also well-recorded, a byproduct
prowess as he effortlessly shifts from a near-
Don't wish to ruin the surprise but suffice
of Fleming's past studio experience.
whisper to full-throated crooning/howling
it to say that Fleming shows off a totally
in an increasingly higher register as the
different side of himself with an ethereal,
In fact, as an 18-year-old, Fleming opened
band locks into a serious groove. Make no
haunting piece composed on classical
his own recording studio in Henderson -
mistake, this kid can sing - and yes, Chris
guitar. And wait till you hear the choral
Lokish Records - which was in operation
Cornell would be proud. Just like "Depth,"
vocals...
up until the pandemic spoiled the party.
this song is every bit as good as what you
But it still gave him plenty of opportunities
hear on any rock station in America today,
Finally, the name. It should come as no
to meet area musicians and hone his skills
including WGBF - right on par with all the
surprise that Fleming looked to his main
working with Logic, the software that
big name bands. (The likes of Breaking
influence once again for inspiration, simply
he uses to create fully-formed demos,
Benjamin might want to look in the rearview
putting a different spin on Temple of the
including the vocals, guitar, bass and
mirror because Atlas of the Dogs - more on
Dog, the 90's supergroup featuring Chris
drums. However, for the final versions,
that name shortly - may soon be nipping at
Cornell and Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder.
Fleming calls on friends to flesh out the
their heels.) While that's a direct reflection
No doubt it's going to look good up on a
of both the writing and the
marquee down the road when the band
performances, some of the
starts landing gigs in support of Rising
credit must go to Westley Rose
// Falling. Fleming hopes to play venues
who deftly mixed and mastered
in neighboring cities like Bowling Green,
the album, giving these well-
Louisville, Nashville and St. Louis rather than
constructed songs a professional
focus on Evansville where the opportunities
sheen worthy of radio exposure.
for rock bands are few and far between.
Another standout on the album,
But not to worry, you can check out the new
"Abort" easily takes the award
album now on Spotify and jump around like
for most compelling genesis.
you're right in front of the stage.
As Fleming tells it, the band had been invited to appear on
For more info, follow Atlas of the Dogs on
Lifestyles After Dark, a web-series
Instagram: @atlasofthedogs
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