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Free show Saturday at Julia Davis Bandshell
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Boise-based band Exit 51 has toured extensively over the last four years, turned out two well-received CDs, and gone through several line-up changes before perfecting the Northwest rock sound listeners are treated to today.
The songs have grown from a Wilco-esque Americana to what lead vocalist and guitarist Johnny Liszak calls “sugar coated pop songs – a little angry, anthem-style.”
“I hear a lot of people say Sunny Day Real Estate,” lead guitarist and vocalist Josh McLeod said. “We’ve even gotten comparisons to the Pixies.”
Of the band’s gradual evolution, Liszak said, “Music changes when you get different people in the band.” When asked during a recent radio interview what original members were currently involved, he responded, “Me.”
Today’s line-up also consists of bassist Joel Putzier and drummer Joe Hensley, who has been key in the Boise music scene since as far back as the Crazy Horse days, performing with such notables as El Dopamine, 8 Ball Break, and Suffocation Keep with Brett from Built to Spill.
“The four of us come from such different genres of music,” Hensley said. “We take our influences and put them all together.”
This varied mix of musical sensibilities leaves ego aside, so the best of these genres can burst out into a resplendent sea of interesting and catchy combinations.
“The songs that we play now, people are saying that after they see a show, the songs get stuck in their heads for three or four days,” McLeod said.
After touring in early spring, Exit 51 realized they needed to get back into the studio. “We had all these new songs, and everybody wanted to buy a CD, but none of the songs were on the CD we had with us,” McLeod said.
Exit 51 is putting the final touches on their new album at Andy Agenbroad’s Project 7 Studio in Boise, with a CD release tentatively scheduled for Labor Day weekend at The Bouquet.
“A lot of the album is simple, two and a half minute, three chord songs,” Hensley said.
But, the simplicity has nothing to do with musical prowess. It’s all about “having the ability to overplay, but the brains not to,” said McLeod, which is a big part of what makes the music so instantly appealing.
“I scream a lot more, but I scream in key,” Liszak said.
According to Liszak, the band he wanted to emulate as far as making an album is The Cars. “I’m in no way comparing it to a Cars record, but it was an idealistic thing to shoot for,” Liszak said. “It’s listenable. They’re sad, but happy songs, if that makes any sense.”
Exit 51 will be hitting the studio hard during the coming weeks and do not plan on scheduling any shows until the release party . . . except for one. Make sure you catch them at the HIV Awareness Benefit with the PirQulators at the Julia Davis Park Bandshell this Saturday, June 25, at 7 p.m.
Micah Sullivan
Culture Writer
