“We are not trying to reinvent the
wheel with what we are doing, we are
just trying to stick to the values
and ideals of the bands that came
before us and create something
honest.”
Steve Jennings is trying to explain
the inspiration behind Last Of The
Believers, a searing new group that
have come together out of necessity
to communicate and further inspire
the community that they grew up in,
just like many of the punk and
hardcore legends that came before
them.
“Ultimately I just hope that some
kid embraces what we are doing,” the
exceedingly earnest front man
continues. “I think that we all want
to give back to the scene that we
have taken and learned so much
from.”
Of course, Last Of The Believers are
no strangers to the scene that
Jennings is describing. The five of
them have all logged years in punk
and hardcore acts such as Reach The
Sky and Spark Of Life, a short-lived
group in which Jennings first
collaborated with guitarist Nik
Piscitello. The two actually met
Last Of The Believers other
guitarist, Chris Chasse, a few years
back, when Spark Of Life toured with
the Chicago veteran’s last band,
Rise Against.
Early this year, however, Chasse
left that highly successful group
and Spark Of Life’s touring and
recording schedule screeched to a
halt. At that point, a plan was
hatched to form a new group with
bassist Brett Rasmussen, who
currently plays with So Cal punk
staples Ignite, and drummer Phillip
Lee, joining shortly thereafter. As
if this lineup couldn’t stand on its
own, they also recruited good friend
and Throwdown singer Dave Peters for
guest vocals.
Bringing this group of musicians
together resulted in a unique
mixture of high-octane punk anthems,
built around tried and true hardcore
arrangements. “The goal of this band
is to make music that all five of us
thoroughly enjoy playing,” Chasse
says. “We’re trying to blend all of
our own ‘roots,’ so to speak, and
put together songs that are not only
aggressive and catchy, but memorable
and heartfelt.”
That winning combination can be
heard throughout “Paper Ships Under
a Burning Bridge,” the Last of The
Believers’ impressive debut EP. The
work of five seasoned players coming
together at the top of their game,
“Paper Ships Under a Burning Bridge”
immediately comes out swinging with
hard-hitting tracks like “Dissent”
and soaring power ballads like
“Throwing Matches”.
“This is the first time ever that I
have attempted to sing any form of
‘lead’ vocal parts,” Chasse says.
“I’m embracing the opportunity, and
singing from the heart with as much
passion as possible.”
“Paper Ships Under a Burning Bridge”
hit stores on July 24th.
~Trevor Kelley
