San Bernardino Valley trio Brainstory released a new single, “Cover It Up” today – listen + share – announcing an upcoming run of live dates, including the Big Crown showcase, November 16 at the Geffen Contemporary at MOCA + support shows with Lee Fields & THe Expressions, Holy Hives (all dates below). Led by brothers Kevin and Tony Martin, with drummer Eric Hagstrom, the guys have been releasing a series of singles leading up to their debut album Buck’s arrival, November 15 on Big Crown Records.
Discussing “Cover It Up”, the band stated, “Cover It Up is a rally cry for all the cultures and peoples who have built this country, yet continuously get mistreated and scapegoated. This song was born out of anger and the helplessness that we felt when hatred and supremacy found a new face and place in our society. Today, we can’t be silent nor covered up, because we are alive and well, and stronger than ever.”
After releasing two EPs on Chicano Batman’s El Relleno Records, Brainstory caught the attention of Big Crown’s Danny Akalepse and Leon Michels. Travelling to Queens, NY to record at The Legendary Diamond Mine with Michels at the helm, the musical chemistry was instant, with the guys knocking out 10 songs in 10 days.
Kevin, Tony and Eric’s story began in the twilight zone known as Rialto, California – an arid wasteland of boredom and empty lots. Through punk rock and skateboarding they found temporary liberation from the local monotony. However, it wouldn’t be long before a hunger for more led them to explore musical realms beyond that of the hardcore punk they admired. After stints at music school and steady disappointment trying to navigate their local jazz scene, they moved to Los Angeles and Brainstory was born.
The musical growth displayed on Buck from Brainstory’s earlier material is undeniable. Taking the band’s California sunshine vibes and mixing them with Michele’s NYC aesthetic, proves to be an amazing combination, with Brainstory pulling influences seamlessly from a wide breath of genres. Buck is a state of mind, a way of life, a demeanor that gets you through the good times and the bad. It is also the energy that permeates the album.