"Big Rock," says Ron Scalzo, lead singer of the newly-formed Return To Earth's sound. "It's good to finally say it - and mean it. The three of us know what we're capable of, both as a group and as individual musicians. With RTE, we all recognize that we did it right this time around."
Captains of Industry, the new album by Return To Earth, is the aggressive hard rock debut from the Jersey-based trio of Scalzo, guitarist Brett Aveni, and former Dillinger Escape Plan drummer Chris Pennie (now on tour as the newest member of Coheed and Cambria). Highlighted by the awe-inspiring precision of Pennie's backbeat, Aveni's catchy rock hooks, and Scalzo's passionate, harmony-heavy vocals, Return To Earth promises not to disappoint when it comes to providing rock and metal fans with that trademark "Big Rock" that Scalzo refers to.
All three members of RTE sport impressive musical resumes - Pennie, in particular, hones his craft as one of the most heralded drummers working today. His groundbreaking drum style provides the backbone for RTE's aggressive brand of rock. Pennie also wrote a lot of the material and contributed in the form of synth and loop programming. "Brett and I have been itching to work with Chris for years," admits Scalzo. "He's one of those prodigies that make the rest of wonder why we even bother trying to make music."
Brooklyn native Scalzo is no slouch in the music-making department, having achieved moderate success as electro-rock singer/songwriter Q*Ball. With three self-released critically-acclaimed albums under his belt, Scalzo has purveyed that moderate success - and a lot of long hours - into an underground DIY label, Bald Freak Music. The upstart's growing roster includes Guns N' Roses guitarist Bumblefoot, who releases his impressive solo work on the label, and buzz-worthy pirate metal band Swashbuckle.
"You blink your eyes these days and the industry has already shifted another 30 degrees to the left," says Scalzo. "I was tired of playing 'the game' - trying to fashion an image, a look, a musical style that would impress all the wrong people. I wanted to make music that I wanted to make, and the only way I was going to do that on my own terms was to release it myself."
Taking his cues from one of his inspirations, ex-Faith No More frontman and Ipecac Recordings founder Mike Patton, Scalzo started the label in late 2005 to release his own material, as well as other acts who didn't fit the MTV/commercial radio mold. Things started to take shape when longtime friend and collaborator Bumblefoot agreed to release all his material thru Scalzo's label. "We have a very non-traditional working relationship, and it's been fruitful," explains Scalzo. "Bumblefoot engineers, mixes, and masters all of my projects - he brings out the best in my music. And in return, I mail out t-shirts to his fans. No contracts, no empty promises. We help each other out because we have a mutual respect and shared passion for what we do."
In late '06, with Aveni and Pennie both on a rare break from their respective musical ventures, Return To Earth was born, as the two got together repeatedly, bouncing off song ideas, jamming, and writing material that would become the vast majority of songs on Captains of Industry. Fast forward a few months later, when the two approached Scalzo about singing, and also about releasing the material on Bald Freak.
"It was a no-brainer," says Scalzo. "We knew we had some solid stuff, but some of the best music can be misrepresented. No one cares more about this than we do, so why not make sure it makes its way into capable, passionate hands - our own." Tracking was completed in mid-2007, and the mixes made their way into the able hands of Bumblefoot, whose highly underrated production skills put the finishing touches on 16 songs laced with catchy "big rock" choruses and energetic, cutting-edge hooks.
"I think we all just wanted to make a heavy rock record together," says Scalzo. "Personally, I was psyched to actually sing over heavy guitars and blast beats for once - it was a challenge and I'd like to think the quality of the music brought out the best in our performances." Scalzo's melodic style is reminiscent of Patton and Trent Reznor, and the layered, lush vocal lines in most of the RTE choruses recall bands like Muse and Queen.
Fans of Pennie's previous project, The Dillinger Escape Plan, shouldn't be disappointed by Return To Earth's "mainstream" style, either. The relentless "math rock" rhythm of DEP is evident in songs like "South 20th Street Riot" and the title track, while songs like "I'm Alive and Well" and "Get Your Knife" showcase the restrained ferocity of Aveni's guitar playing.
"We're all passionate about music, and have a shared affinity for bad 80s metal and newer rock with lush production - bands like Radiohead and The Mars Volta," Scalzo explains. "We're three guys with three different perspectives - but you can hear the influences in our own tunes, loud and clear." As with all great bands, when Return To Earth make music together, the disparate influences and personalities coalesce into a single vision.
Captains of Industry is that vision - a barrage of cutting-edge "Big Rock" sure to put Return To Earth on the map. "We're psyched," say Scalzo, "to put this out to the masses and start playing these songs live." Available now at Amazon.com, CD Baby, ITunes, and through Bald Freak Music online.
