Strata

Strata was a rock band from Campbell, California formed in 2001. They released two full-length albums with Wind-up Records, before disbanding^[1] after the departure of vocalist Eric Victorino on 19 January 2008.^[2][3]

History

In 2001, under the name Downside, the band released the nine-track EP Sleep. In 2003, after changing the band name to Strata, they released the seven-track EP Now the Industry is Outnumbered. Their Factories are Burning Down.^[4]

2004 self titled album

In 2004 they released their first full-length album on Wind-up Records. The album was featured on the Billboard "Top Heatseekers" chart, where it peaked at number forty-one.^[5] The album contained a lot of revised material from their previous internet only release When It's All Burning, and EP now the industry is outnumbered... their factories are burning down.^[4] The album spawned two singles, "The Panic" and "Never There (She stabs)", which were accompanied by music videos. Another song, "Piece By Piece", was featured on the soundtrack for the movie The Punisher, and the video game Madden NFL 2005.^[6] "Never There (She Stabs)" was featured on the soundtrack of the movie Elektra.^[7] During 2004 the band toured with Alien Ant Farm, dredg, Sno-Core, Smile Empty Soul, Finger Eleven, Nonpoint, and Skindred.^[4]

2007 The End of the World

On 17 July 2007, the band released their second full length album, titled Strata Presents The End of the World. The album spawned two singles, "Cocaine (We're All Going to Hell)"^[8] and "Stay Young". Critics noted a departure from the bands previous nu-metal grunge sound, into a more 'atmospheric' and 'epic' sound, similar to that of My Chemical Romance or the Mars Volta.^[9]

In September 2007, Strata toured with Kaddisfly.^[10] The tour was their first co-headlining tour and covered most of the United States West Coast. Between 29 November 2007 and 16 December 2007, Strata toured the West Coast of the U.S., beginning in Orangevale, California and finishing in San Francisco. The band lineup on this tour were Team Sleep, Monster in the Machine, and Sonny Moore, formerly of From First To Last.^{[citation needed]}

Hiatus and disbandment

On January 19, 2008, vocalist Eric Victorino announced that he was leaving the band, stating that he wanted to explore his creativity,^[1] and encouraging fans to "let this be a time of growth and evolution, a celebration of the past eight years and anticipation of what's to come." The band was subsequently disbanded, with Hernandez and Robison forming a new project titled Beta State.^[1] Victorino later started a new band named the Limousines, and also published two books; a short story and poetry compilation titled Coma Therapy, and Trading Shadows for Sunshine: A Loosely Chronicled Descent into the World of Exercise Bikes and Antidepressants.^[11]

Members

• Ryan Hernandez, Guitar, Vocals, Synthesizer
• Adrian Robison, Drums, Percussion, Programming
• Hrag Chanchanian, Bass
• Eric Victorino, Vocals
• Patrick Spain, Drums

Discography

Other independent releases:

"For testing purposes V1.0" (2000)
track list:
1. Sapphire
2. Flawless
3. Die Together
4. Champagne

"Falling Asleep" [2000]
1. Medicinal
2. Sleep

Breather Promo disc [2001]
1. Off Axis (Colour)
2. Recover

• Enhanced portion contains live "Sleep" video

Downside Demo [2002]
1. I Will Breathe Fire
2. She Stabs
3. The Panic

Klown Demos [2002]
1. The Panic
2. New Eternal
3. I Will Breathe Fire
4. In A Sweet Dream
5. She Stabs
6. Sleep
7. Just Like Silk

"When It's All Burning" (2003)
track list:
1. In/evolve
2. When It's All Burning
3. You Are Eternal
4. White Hot Light
5. I Will Breathe Fire
6. Piece By Piece
7. Trust Kill Trust
8. The Panic
9. Waiting
10. Never There
11. Just Like Silk
12. We've Changed
13. In A Sweet Dream
14. Out/slow To Home

Singles

References

1. ^ ^{a b c} "Former Strata in Beta Stage". http://www.cagerattle.com/2009/03/02/former-strata-in-beta-state/. Retrieved 29 October 2009. 
2. ^ "Writing Coma". http://www.metrosantacruz.com/metro/04.05.06/victorino-0614.html. Retrieved 29 October 2009. 
3. ^ "Eric Victorino Leaves Strata". http://redpillmusic.com/2008/01/21/eric-victorino-leaves-strata/. Retrieved 29 October 2009. 
4. ^ ^{a b c} Quelland,Sarah. "The buzz over Strata heats up, and the Campbell band fires up the fans". http://www.metroactive.com/papers/metro/08.25.04/strata-0435.html. Retrieved 29 October 2009. 
5. ^ allmusic
6. ^ Green Day Unveiling Song In 'Madden' Game - News Story | Music, Celebrity, Artist News | MTV News
7. ^ Diettinger, Cristina. "How A Breakup, Existential Angst And Acid Reflux Inspired Strata's New Single". http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1495882/20050113/strata.jhtml. Retrieved 29 October 2009. 
8. ^ "Interview With Eric Victorino of Strata". http://www.tunelab.com/interviews/interviewid20.php. Retrieved 29 October 2009. 
9. ^ "Strata - Strata Presents The End of The World". http://www.starpulse.com/Music/Strata/Discography/album/P667294/R1031426/. Retrieved 29 October 2009. 
10. ^ Hill, Ian (September 21, 2007). "La Circa kicks off 209Vibe launch". 209Vibe.com. http://www.recordnet.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070921/A_ENTERTAIN/709210307#STS=g1d8gtwx.11ek. Retrieved 29 October 2009. 
11. ^ "Eric Victorino: Songwriter, Singer, Author". June 24, 2008. http://myrevmag.com/Life_/Entries/2008/6/24_Eric_Victorino:_Songwriter,_Singer,_Author.html. Retrieved 29 October 2009. 

External links

• Official site