Stenosis, a hardcore punk rock band based in Athens, is building a name for themselves through local performances, sound and identity.
Stenosis is a two-piece band, featuring “Metal” Mike Lannan on vocals and guitar, and Shadd King on drums.
Lannan said he and King knew each other before the creation of Stenosis. While battling a long-term spinal injury, Lannan noticed King selling his drums on Facebook, and eventually the two started playing together.
Lannan said the name of the band stems from the idea of faulted systems and overcoming hardships.
“It’s not about me or the suffering," Lannan said. "There is a lot of multi-context ... the faulted system, the sad realities of the Medicare system within this country. It’s more about just surviving something that happens to you that’s detrimental or life changing and meant to take you down forever."
Lannan’s spinal injury resulted in physical therapy and seven months of paralysis, which he was told would be permanent. However, he is now able to make music with King and walk due to his spinal cord stimulator.
Lannan and King said the idea of pushing past limitations is not only reflected in the band name, but in their sound and approach to music production.
Stenosis’ sound is influenced by a mix of different genres, but rooted in '80s hardcore punk rock, with some influence from ‘90s sludge metal, a subgenre of heavy metal with a slow tempo.
Stenosis said they enjoy bringing back older rock and metal sounds they grew up with but also trying out new techniques and genres.
For the audience, Stenosis hopes to bring an intense metal sound to the stage. Cayden Anthony, a fifth-year electrical engineering student, heard Stenosis perform for the first time at a Cat Got The Mouse house show in March.
“They throw caution to the wind with their amps,” Anthony said. “They crank them to the maximum, and their drummer really plays his heart out. It fills the environment. It’s very aggressive, but in a beautiful way. It’s very much music for the people.”
Lannan said the Athens music scene had a “healthy resurgence,” in its desire for live music.
Stenosis loaded up their performance schedule, with both local and away shows. King said he is grateful Stenosis has opportunities to get the band name out there.
“I’m stoked,” King said. “It’s going to be busy, which kind of makes it fun, new experiences. This is my first experience going out of town even. It’s nerve-wracking at first, then usually when I get there and we start playing, the adrenaline kicks in and it’s some of the most fun that I’ve ever had in my entire life.”
Stenosis’ upcoming performances include shows in Kingsport, Tennessee on Sept. 5, Sylva, North Carolina on Sept. 6 and York, Pennsylvania on Sept. 18. The band’s next Athens show is Oct. 3 at The Side Bar, located at 24 E. State St.
“Stenosis brought a very old sound into the modern scene, and I love it,” Anthony said. “The first time I heard them really hit a proper breakdown, it was insane, I did the stank face.”
Anthony’s band, Donkey Punch, and Stenosis hit it off after Anthony attended their first show. The two bands continue to support each other in the local music scene.
For Lannan and King, the journey for Stenosis is more than making music. From finding their place in the Athens' music scene, to staying true to their beliefs, Stenosis continues to spread their sound.
“We love the music,” Lannan said. “We love what we do. We've been loving everyone's reaction and seeing the youth and the kids playing, it's just been really awesome.”
