REVIEW: Stroke 9, Nasty Little Thoughts (Universal)
- Linda Scott
Stroke 9 is a rock quartet based in San Francisco and preparing to belong to the world. Luke Esterkyn (vocals, guitar), John McDermott (guitar, backing vocals) and Greg Gueldner (bass) formed the band about ten years ago, and their tightness shows in their music. Drummer Eric Stock signed on a couple of years ago but has fit right in. The four have all graduated from college and are giving the music business a fulltime shot. In the past they've released a couple of other albums on their own, but when they signed their contract, they were able to put a professional smoothness on Nasty Little Thoughts.
The album was co-produced by Jerry Harrison, ex-Talking Heads and producer for Live, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, and by Rupert Hine (Howard Jones, The Fixx), They polished up the sound to commercial Readiness, and one single, "Little Black Backpack" is on its way already.
If you've seen the film "EdTV" directed by Ron Howard, you've seen the band! What was planned to be a punk band slot turned into Stroke 9's slot when the band showed off an aggressive song written for the film. Mostly the band is not an aggressive, in your face, rock band. Nasty Little Thoughts is full of pop-rock songs that have a positive spin. The harmony that characterizes their songs is only outdone by the lyrics and vocals themselves. Esterkyn has a natural range that may be the envy of other rock vocalists. Music and lyrics are all by Stroke 9, and they claim to have lots more up their sleeves.
This is a good debut album, and perhaps its only failing is that there may be range in the vocals but not so much in the songs themselves. More variation would be an improvement, but as a starter album, it's a hot one.
The band has toured its heart out in the past, mostly in the California area. For exact tour dates and information, check out their website at http://www.stroke9.com . In sorcery, the ninth stroke is used for casting spells. Their band name is well chosen.
