Tera Melos

Posted by Steven Robertshaw on 10-Mar-08 @ 04:33 PM

HQ: Roseville, CA
NOW PLAYING: Complex Full Of Phantoms split w/ By The End Of Tonight (TEMPORARY RESIDENCE; temporaryresidence.com)
THE STORY SO FAR: In 2004, guitarists Nick Reinhart, Jeff Worms and bassist Nate Latona decided to cut ties with the hardcore sound they helped establish in Sacramento, California, playing in now-legendary bands No Regard, the Hoods and Stabbed In The Throat, respectively. Hooking up with drummer Vince Rogers and eventually losing Worms, the three-piece Tera Melos (the surname is pronounced "mel-los", not "mee-los") fell headlong into a saucy affair with splatter-jazz. "It wasn't totally conscious, but we ended up writing what we hope will become a more accepted form of music," says bassist Latona. "We just knew we didn't want to play hardcore anymore. It got us here, I guess."
WHY YOU SHOULD KNOW 'EM: Because turning cartwheels (part of the Tera Melos repertoire) make any performance better. Pair that with their explosive, mathy, semi-instrumental extravaganzas and TM have quickly developed a reputation for putting on shows as aggro as Dillinger Escape Plan. "We've mellowed out a bit, not as many cartwheels these days, says Latona. "But we still go way off." While their shows might be a little less kinetic than they used to be, the sound-also derived from electronic and ambient influences-is moving into more accessible territory than similar-minded outfits like the Locust or Daughters. Listen for proof when Tera Melos release their next full-length early this year. -Casey Lynch
YOU LIKE? YOU'LL LIKE: THE FALL OF TROY / HELLA / DON CABELLERO