The Storied Northwest
The Storied Northwest was given the gift of life in early 2000 in Kansas City, Missouri. Increasing dissatisfaction with an earlier project led to Nicolas Cline, (guitarist) and Justin Tricomi (drummer) breaking off to create something new, heavier and more aggressive. Bass player Jeff Stephens soon joined them.
The trio decided on the name A Storied Northwest, and immediately began writing songs. Within months of their inception they played their first show with The Hillary Step and Reflector, in the basement of Harry Anderson. The trio continued writing material, playing shows, and trying to craft their sound. The music was melodic, yet aggressive with some dissonance and a focus on rhythm. Some have described their sound as indie-rock or post hardcore. Both titles might fit, yet neither truly captures the intensity and craft of the band. By the middle of the year the trio felt they had enough material to head into the studio.
Latter 2000 saw the group head to Westend Studios in Kansas City, Kansas to track with Paul Malinowski of Shiner fame. During their stay at Westend it became evident that Stephens and the other two members began to have different ideas about the direction of their music. Midway through tracking Jeff Stephens and the band parted ways. A 4 – string replacement was found in the person of Esteban Carracialo. Six songs became the product of this endeavor.
Due to the lineup change, and other circumstances, the group decided to change their name to Sinatra. They played their first show under their new name at the grand opening of The Pyro room in Kansas City with Shiner and Houston. More shows ensued, as well as, seemingly perpetual confusion as to the band’s name. The trio continued to write songs and shared the stage with such bands as Traindodge, Lafayette, the Esoteric, The Hillary Step, Season to Risk, The Casket Lottery, Riddle of Steel, The Appleseed Cast, Shiner, Stella Link, Overstep, Theta, Dirtnap, Ring Cicada, Houston, and others. After about a year and much consideration, the band decided to change their name yet again. The Storied Northwest was to become the bands permanent name.
During much the same period the decision was also made to augment the band’s sound even more. While the prospect of a mandolin player seemed unrealistic at the time, a solid solution presented itself in the person of Michael Dulin. Dulin adds color, counter-melodies, textures, as well as, occasional vocals. Dulin’s strong musical background, accompanied by his savvy fashion sense, adds to the well-rounded “Northwest” sound.
Around the middle of 2003 the band and bass player Esteban Carracialo decided to part ways. A ‘low end’ replacement was found in Mr. Brandon Lott. Lott performed previously in Kansas City area bands Schooled in Victory along with The Blank Stares. The chemistry began to feel right again in the band. Much practicing ensued, along with writing, re-writing, and writing some more. The Storied Northwest sound continued to grow and change. A conscious work in progress, the band continued to write and record and write some more and buy equipment they couldn’t afford. The Storied Northwest proudly plays through vintage British amplifiers.
During their time, the band produced three separate recordings through various means. These recordings were available at their shows, through the mail, and through Stiff Slack Records based in Japan.
The Storied Northwest will release a compilation of songs from their recording endeavors, mastered for the first time by Carl Amburn of The Mousetrap, through Sun Sea Sky Productions in 2008.
