Band releases first recording

Relief.

That is what members of a local band experienced after the release of their first self-titled recording, "The Parousia EP."  

"It was a sigh of relief," said Citrus College music major Joshua River, 22, of Glendora.  "It was like, ‘finally.'"

Brian Raczon, 20, a computer graphics major at Antelope Valley College, explained it as the "first step to something more."

Rivera plays the electric guitar and does backup vocals along with bassist and lead vocalist Keith Settles, 22, a Citrus music major from Glendora; electric guitarist and back-up vocals Chris Kemple, 20, a Citrus music major from Claremont; Citrus performing arts major Jordan Sandoval, 19, from Pomona who is the screamer; and drumming Raczon.    

The Parousia has been together since 2007 and has had its fair share of change.  Settles and Rivera have been friends since junior high and after playing with other bands, they came together to form The Parousia.                           

The band they are now has evolved since then.  One year before Raczon came on board, it was just Rivera and Settles.  When they were scheduled to play shows, they would get friends to fill in and play guitar and drums, Settles said.

Developing a fan base has been a struggle as well.

"People like our music but are not willing to go to the shows," Settles said.  

The Parousia admits it is a little discouraging seeing the "same people" coming to their shows.  

Because they are a Christian band, they play concerts at churches and are grateful for the exposure, as that gives them the opportunity to reach a broader audience.  

The Parousia just wants listeners to enjoy their music, which they say is "influenced by Thrice."  Their style is rock with a bit of screaming.  Their music is fast paced and energetic, often making listeners want to stop what they are doing and jump around.  

One song on the EP, "Cap'n Geech and The Shrimp Shack Shooters" is "based on claims that God is dead."  The reoccurring line in the song is "despite the rumors God's not dead."  

The band's main goal is to "spread the gospel through their music and their example" onstage and off by being good role models for fans, Settles said.  

While writing their music and lyrics, the band tries to follow a story line, but not to the point where listeners are having trouble keeping up.

Personal experiences play a key role, but are not specific to one person because the band wants everyone to have an input in the writing process, Settles said.  Rivera comes up with the music ideas and Settles comes up with the lyrics, then all the members contribute their ideas.  

Another difficult feat is finding time to practice together.  Because Raczon lives in Lancaster, the band is really only able to practice twice a month, if they are lucky.  They do try and make up for lost time at shows, since that gives them the opportunity to play together and perfect their skills and sound.     

When it came time to record their first EP, it took the band about a month.  They spent three days recording the instruments, and four days on the vocals.  The rest of the time was used for editing.  Jeff Darcy from Relic Recording did the editing for the EP.  

When the band heard their work for the first time, it was "surreal."  

"When the CD came out, I was excited and felt very accomplished," Raczon said.  "When people said they heard it and liked it, I was amazed."

Sandoval felt very "proud about what the band accomplished."  

For Settles, it was a long-awaited accomplishment.

The release of the CD made Kemple feel professional because the band is actually "striving for success."

The Parousia is currently working on a full-length CD and hopes that in the near future they will be able to go on tour.  

To purchase "The Parousia EP," which is only $4.99, log-on to iTunes and search "The Parousia."  

To find out when the band will be playing next visit their MySpace page at myspace.com/theparousiamusic, or become one of their friends on Facebook by searching "The Parousia."