Esskyma's rock sound relies on melodies, not lyrics, to entice its audience.
The instrumental band wanted to create an unrepresented sound that people could relate to, said guitarist Chad Smith. Just like a work of art, the band's music is left to an individual's interpretation.
If there aren't any lyrics
it can mean whatever you want it to mean. It allows more people to connect with it because it is going to be different for every person said guitarist Marshall Lilly.
The band formed four years ago in Zanesville, Ohio, with Smith, Evan Lilly and Michael Harmon. Marshall Lilly was added to the band in 2005.
Friends and audience members continue to approach the band, stating how the music has impacted them. While the band never expected to get emotional responses, it uses this feedback as inspiration when writing new songs.
The band's set consists of four to five songs that each average 15 minutes in length. During the live shows, the band's songs usually flow together without distinction. The band wants the audience to enjoy the journey Smith said.
Sometimes people will be like
'We liked the fourth song
' and we only played three songs. There is a grey area
but as long as people enjoy it
that is what we're going for
Smith said.
The band has recorded one EP and plan to release their first CD, Your Deeds Were Evil, You Were Not, later this quarter.
While the music is based on instrumental movements, the band throws a few surprises into their live shows, just to make sure audiences are paying attention. One of the band's darker songs, Please Save Us
involves an interlude with 911 calls made during the Columbine shootings. The song is creepy as hell but tasteful
leaving audiences with more to contemplate and take away from the show, said Marshall Lilly.
Although the band is performing at Donkey this weekend, it promises to be the loudest rock band that has ever performed there, Lilly said.
Yeah
[the music] can get really loud. A few people at our last show remarked that they could feel the benches vibrating from us playing
