NAME: Paper Tongues.
ORIGIN STORY: The members of Paper Tongues were part of an improvisational collective in Charlotte, N.C., for several years before the group officially formed in 2007.
BAND MEMBERS: Aswan North (lead vocals), Devin Forbes (guitar), Codey Blackler (keyboards), Joey Signa (guitar), Clayton Simon (keyboards), Jordan Hardee (drums) and Danny Santell (bass).
MUSICAL STYLE: High energy hip-hop rock embellished with elements of R&B, electronica and funk. Not so much Limp Bizkit as N.E.R.D.-meets-(Hed) PE.
STRANGE BEDFELLOWS: According to North, his primary vocal influences are Al Green and former Journey frontman Steve Perry.
CURRENT SINGLE: “Ride to California,” the group’s buoyant summertime anthem, was released by the label A&M/Octone Records on Jan. 12, and is just one more reason to look forward to warmer weather.
SAMPLE LYRIC: “I’ve been up but I ain’t down / I’ve been lost but now I’m found / I’ve been defeated for sure / And now I’ve got a chance / And the city better let me go.”
BOLD MOVE: Paper Tongues landed its major-label deal with the help of “American Idol” judge Randy Jackson, who was eating lunch in a Los Angeles restaurant when first approached by North.
CELEBRITY ENDORSEMENT: When Jackson first heard Paper Tongues he says: “I was like, ‘Whoa, this is great! This is something I haven’t heard in awhile.’ ... To me, in order to really, really win at anything you have to be original and different, and bring something different to the party. So, these guys were ready to carry it into the wind and say, ‘Hey, we’re standing up, we’re putting a stake in the ground, we’re going to make history.’ ”
ON THE ROAD: After wrapping up a stint opening for Flyleaf in late 2009, Paper Tongues is currently dividing its time between radio-sponsored, headlining club gigs and opening slots on Switchfoot’s “Hello Hurricane” arena tour.
FUTURE PLANS: The group’s full-length debut album is set for release on March 2 on A&M/Octone Records.
ARTIST INFO: www.papertongues.com.
How to go
Who: WXEG-FM presents Paper Tongues, with 8-Kount
When: 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 19. Doors open at 7 p.m.
Where: McGuffy’s House of Rock, 5418 Burkhardt Road, Dayton
Cost: $5
More info: (937) 256-3005 or www.mcguffys.net
Contact contributing arts and music writer Don Thrasher at donaldthrasher8@aol.com.
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