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Orlando Music News

Gunpowder Temple: Are they “among the best bands in Orlando?”

July 11, 2012
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Here is a fact that I have had to come to terms with: Orlando is kind of a weird “rock town.” Yeah, there are a whole lot of bands in our fair city who proclaim to be “rock” bands, but to me, it’s hard to hear anything that connects them to the blues-based sounds that have traditionally defined rock ‘n’ roll. Instead, they mostly sound like guys with musical taste that only goes as far back as Stone Temple Pilots and Alice in Chains. But hey, that’s just me. Maybe I just don’t get it.

So, when I got an email recently from someone representing Gunpowder Temple, and this person pointed out that not only was this band “currently 19th on the Orlando rock charts” (which charts? I do not know) but also “among the best bands in Orlando” … well, I was kinda shocked that I had never heard of them. I pride myself on knowing what’s going on in this city, I freaking love “rock” bands … but still, I never heard of Gunpowder Temple, who are “among the best bands in Orlando.” So, I checked out their EPK, which was conveniently included in the email. (You can download it out for yourself here.) Turns out these guys have played the Haven, Will’s, 57 West, and other venues in town, and they’ve also included a list of the gear they use. They also pointed out that they cover System of a Down, Foo Fighters, and Alice in Chains, in addition to playing their own originals like “Remember Tonight,” “Just to Breathe,” and about 10 more. I also watched a video of theirs, for “Catching Tears”:

Now, I’ve gotta be up front here. As you’ve probably figured out, this isn’t really my thing. But maybe I’m just way off-base and I just don’t get it.

So, I’ll put it to you, dear readers of this fine blog: Is Gunpowder Temple among the best bands in Orlando? And even if you don’t like them or think they are “among the best,” are they the sort of band that represents what the Orlando music scene is really about? I’m interested in what you’ve got to say about this.

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  • LJN

    It seems that only hard/heavy rock and hardcore/screamo music is the only thing that can thrive in Orlando. It irks me that bands like this call this straight up “rock”. To each his own, yeah, buts that’s a mislabel. I can look at Gunpowder Temples equipment list and know that there is nothing about them that is true “rock”. It just sucks because there are real rock bands in Orlando like The Majestys and Posterra, but no one ever gives them the time of day.

  • JB

    Orlando is very weird Jason. Rival genre factions struggle for dominance within the live music scene. Venues are operating with outdated booking models, forcing local bands to compete against each other for the most eye and ear holes in the room rather than having them collaborate on a united promotional effort. Even though our scene lacks cohesion, aren’t weÂ
    all  really working toward the same goal? What can we do to make people give a shit about live music?

    In an area with probably 100,000 bands, who can say which is the best? In fact, who even cares?

    The question we should really be asking is “Does Gunpowder Temple get it?” Are they agents of change in our city? Are they forming relationships with bands and venues to create the scene camaraderie that Orlando is missing? Are their shows a personal, memorable experience that leaves attendees craving more and makes those who missed it remorse? How are they different?

    I don’t know the answer. Do you?

  • SG

    if “among the best” really means par for the course, then yes they are among the best rock bands in Orlando. just another derivative yet earnest local band jamming in a garage hoping to be rock stars. those ridiculous catch phrases are just youthful optimism and why not think your band is the best, all the greats started somewhere.  how many times in the 90′s did bands call themselves “the next big thing” or the “the new Nirvana” in press releases?Â
       i’ve been in Orlando a long time and the music scene does have some amazing talent in it but ground breaking style is unfortunately not this cities strong suit. even the bands that have made it from here are re-treads, Creed, 7Mary3, Matchbox?  Primus they are not. spend a week seeing bands in Athens ,Ga or Austin, Tx and you’ll see what i mean. Â
      the eternal teenager in me says keep rocking , my adult self says, make sure you learn a trade. (o and my sarcastic self says, i loved the slow mo!)

  • NoCulture

    It sounds like something (lame) like people in Orlando would like, straight off the early part of the day for EDBD XXXI. But the problem is, they havent made the radio so the people who like that type of music and the reason something like Earthday Birthday would succeed with Buckcherry playing 4 years in a row, will never get a chance to hear them. They dont find their own music. They let the world determine it for them. Its why we have clubs downtown that should be packing people in for great bands that kill in NYC, DC and Boston, but we cant fill halfway and they dont make the turn down to Florida on their next tour.

    There is a good little indie scene here but the palates of the masses here in good ol O-town still prefer to enjoy bad rock from a decade ago.

  • Bob

    Definitely not my thing but local “rock” radio would play it. Whatever, at least they are playing guitars, that’s more exciting to me than the current trend of laptop “Artists” attempting to play music.

    -Bob

  • http://www.facebook.com/codeezie Cody A. Butler

    this is Cody from Gunpowder Temple.  I just wanted to say thank you to whoever wrote this article and giving our band the time of day.  Also thank you for posting our music and asking others to check it out.

    I appreciate every one’s opinions.  Our EPK, demo, and video are all very old recordings, both from a song and recording standpoint.  Our new EP will be coming out very soon and we hope that you guys will give us yet another chance to see what we are REALLY all about.  We’ve grown tremendously as a band, performers, and producers.

    If you want to see us,  and decide for yourself if you like what we do or not, we have shows at the Haven in Winter Park on July 20th, as well as one at the Social on August 16th.

    Thanks again everybody.