With technology today, it's easy to put together a competent set of music with a few twists of the knobs. Two things that can't be faked or jumbled together however are good songs and a great voice. After wading through a ton of bands that have product out due only to the fact that they have a pulse, it's always satisfying to hear a real honest to goodness band with both of those qualities.




Psycle is a Rhode Island-based band that plays solid, straight-ahead rock & roll the way it's meant to be played. Band members include Seth Salois (vocals/guitar), Jayson Spyne (drums), Joe Nicolazzo (lead guitar) and Mike Kaz (bass/vocals). Their debut EP Surfaces can be summed up by the well-worn phrase, all killer, no filler. The record contains just four songs but all are in the well-above good to excellent category.

"The Road I'm On" was my introduction to the band and a fine one it was. The song starts off with some jangly guitar and a tasty little bass line meandering about above a pounding beat, Then the amazing voice of Salois takes over and man, can this guy sing! The simple but effective chorus also shows the guys can construct a memorable song that will stay with you past the finish line. If they can write more stuff like this, they will have a long career.

There's some nice crunchy guitar to kick off "Face the Fire" and then, Salois' voice takes centre stage. Name a band today with a great vocalist and you could slot this guy in there with any of them --- he's that good.

"Long Way Down" slows things down with a slinky vibe that adds some color to the record --- nice controlled solo by Nicolazzo here. "Break" rounds out the record and shows the band can bring the fury but they do it in measured blasts. As with all the songs, you can hear the contribution from each of the band members yet they all hang together well.

Let's hope this is just the beginning for a band with a lot of potential.