Alex Garcia-Rivera aka CHROME OVER BRASS has just premiered a new track called “‘Crush On The Derbyshire”, coming from his debut solo self-titled record, to be released on Deathwish Inc. on November 27th! Alex’ work is composed of drum-riffs, layered with guitars and serves a really interesting experience for all fans of instrumental metal, sludge and post hardcore. Alex is a drummer of AMERICAN NIGHTMARE, SHELTER, PIEBALD, GET HIGH and more. Listen to his new ideas for music, one complete drum performance with no digital editing, and scroll down to see where to catch him live.
Chrome Over Brass is the one man instrumental band of Alex Garcia-Rivera, drummer of American Nightmare (Give Up The Ghost). As a highly regarded drum technician he has helped meticulously craft memorable drum sounds on landmark releases from Converge, Coliseum, Beastmilk, and more. He has also served as touring drummer for Cold Cave, Saves The Day, Shelter, and many others.
After years of playing in traditional multi-member bands, Alex set out to do something that was 100% of his creation and control. Chrome Over Brass takes the traditional approach to songwriting and flips it upside down. Alex Garcia-Rivera’s thunderous drum-riffs serve as the epicenter of everything rather than typical guitar-riffing/melody. The end result is a proto prog-punk mix that combines a High On Fire toughness with Don Caballero-like proficiency and swagger, all propelled by an urge for late 60s / early 70s inspired artistic exploration.
In a live setting Chrome Over Brass is an impressive sight. Alex Garcia-Rivera performs all percussion alongside his pre-recorded instrumentation, without breaks, making Chrome Over Brass a one-man experience unlike anything else out there.
A true DIY project, the debut album from Chrome Over Brass was recorded in a 100% analog process on 2 inch tape at Alex Garcia-Rivera’s own Mystic Valley Studio, a fully analog studio he built with his own hands. Each song is comprised of one complete drum performance on a simple 5 piece drum set (made by Alex himself), with no digital editing. Even guitar and bass tracks were recorded in singular takes; a true rarity in today’s cut and paste music world.
Side-A opener “Elephants Never Forget” stomps out of the gate as a phased out exercise in post-everything heavy. While “Bear Attack”, “Crush On The Derbyshire”, and “Here Come The Stukas” all collectively pick up the pace, introducing technical speed and simple riffing with epic results. Side-B begins with even more impressive musicality in “Black Rainbow” and “Fighting With Tooth And Nailgun”. While synth drenched psychedelic jam “Moogs for Moderns” grants some moments of sonic serenity. That’s not all, “Jeeps On Safari” cleverly emerges from the haze with a hook laden bounce, leading to wild closer “One Night In St. Regis”. A hyper speed percussive blast that needs to be heard to be believed.
Tour Dates:
Friday, October 2nd: Ralph’s Diner, Worcester, Ma.
Saturday, October 3rd: Lava Space, Philadelphia, Pa.
Sunday, October 4th: Hardcore Sweet Cupcakes, Oakville, Ct.
Side A
Elephants Never Forget 0:00-2:27 (2:27)
Bear Attack 2:30-3:50 (1:20)
Crush On The Derbyshire 3:52-6:56 (3:04)
Here Come The Stukas 6:59-10:10 (3:11)Side B
Black Rainbow 0:00-1:42 (1:42)
Fighting With Tooth And Nailgun 1:45-3:32 (1:47)
Moogs For Moderns 3:34-5:38 (2:04)
Jeeps On Safari 5:40-8:10 (2:30)
One Night In St. Regis 8:13-9:49 (1:36)
