In the recording studio

Chris Smith shows what we all wanted to do after 8 hours in the studio.
Lead guitarist Justin Graves (left) and rhythm guitarist Darby Antle (right) practice an echo riff for their song "Ashes to Ashes". Graves said the green tea is product placement. 

Lead singer Chris Smith lays down the main vocals for their song "The Dark Side" while the drummer and rhythm guitarist provide back-up screaming. 

Doomascus recording "Whiskey Drunk", their 4th time through because the metronome in the headphones wasn't loud enough. 

   A picture of band motivation.

All pictures taken by Shane Holtzman or Nathan Zangmeister.

People by day, people in a band by night. Well, sometimes they play shows in the day.

Doomascus 1.0

Doomascus 2.0

Doomascus 3.0

What started as 3 grew to 4, went back to 3 and is currently 4.  Doomascus began as a 3 piece band based in Caldwell, Ohio, the birthplace of numerous historic musical groups (too many to mention according to the bands drummer, Corey "Master" Bates).  They were and are friends first band mates second as is evident on their http://www.myspace.com/doomascustheband.  

The anatomy of a band usually includes some brooding, some black clothing and a temperamental lead singer, none of which Doomascus has.  Lead singer Chris Smith has a permanent smile, more Ledger than Joker, and hits a few notes while using some falsetto to punch out his "homemade" lyrics, as he refers to them.   "Lyrics are really important to me, " said Chris. "I like to see them as the backbone of any group."  

Lead Guitarist Justin Graves does nothing but "shred" the guitar.  He said he has no desire to do any sort of vocalizing, just write and play good riffs.

Drummer and wild man of the group, Corey "Master" Bates has been banging on the drums since he was 8 and says he has no intention of quitting.  The rest of the band holds him in high esteem.  Smith said that "Master" is the best musician in the band. 

Doomascus has influences that are scattered across the musical map, ranging from country to pop to metal to, of course, punk.  Smith said, "If the whole band had to pick an influence I guess it would be pop punk bands like Blink 182 and Green Day."

However, the whole band says country music has had a huge influence on them, not only as musicians but as people.  Graves said that the first music he remembers listening to was country music and he intends on that being the last music he ever hears.  According to Smith, one of his favorite songs of all time is Keith Whitley's I'm No Stranger to the Rain.

Enough said. 

My experience with Doomascus is intended to enlighten those who are not in a band that would like to know what the life of a local musician is like or what it takes to be in a band.  However, this is also an exercise in recognizing musical talent not in the mainstream like the Ripple Effect blog does.  Finding hidden gems is something Doomascus is hoping for because they see themselves as a diamond in the rough and hope that a place like Ripple would promote them.

Pictures taken from Doomascus website.