Hydrovibe is one of those rare bands that revives your faith in a wounded (if not dying) genre. While mainstream rock and roll music is quickly becoming a watered down, generic and unimaginative version of what it used to be there are independent groups like Hydrovibe who still understand what makes good music and who genuinely give a damn about what they’re putting out there.
How do I describe the evolution of Hydrovibe’s live show? From the mere asthetics (they’re not afraid to move) to the updated, spit shined versions of the songs they’ve been playing non-stop the past two years, they’ve grown into an act too big for the small bars and venues they currently play. You can literally see their raw energy take over the stage and crowd. You wouldn’t be surprised if the roof were to separate from the building and disappear into the night sky when Heather unleashes a scream, while the chords from Mat’s guitar shred through the smokey bar room air, all while Eliot and Phil’s thunderous bass and drums stampede into the audience. It’s easy to forget you’re in a local bar instead of a sold out arena.
There’s something to be said about a band who can travel the country and play unreleased songs to a crowd singing along to every word as though they were already classics. Favorites from their “Killer Inside” EP have become bigger, stronger versions of themselves and deliver something new and exciting even to the most loyal of fans. They’ve also added two covers to their set list, which I won’t reveal here lest I spoil the surprise for those who intend to attend a show next year. Hydrovibe make each song their own without butchering them like many artists mistakingly do when trying to pay homage to an influential band in their life, and they’ve become seemless additions to their nightly sets.
Most people I ask to accompany me to a Hydrovibe show have their reasons for not coming. Whether it’s legit (like they have to work) or they’re just unwilling to make the trip, it’s a loss on their part. It’s hard to find a band you’d have to pay $25, $35, or even $50 per ticket to go see that would put as much heart and effort into what they do as Hydrovibe. An unsigned band found their way onto a major motion picture’s soundtrack and wound up shooting a video for it that was featured on the DVD release. An unsigned band is out-playing the larger touring acts night after night out on the road. An unsigned band earned their place on a booking roster along side major label acts like Papa Roach, Buckcherry and Drowning Pool.
With their first full length LP coming early 2009, you can only expect big things to happen for Hydrovibe. I hope more of you will join me next year when Hydrovibe hit the road again. I wouldn’t be suprised if it wasn’t too much longer before the illusion of a sold out arena becomes the reality of a sold out arena.
– KJ via MySpace
Now for hottest band of the night. Not only was their music hot but so was Heather, their front man…err…front woman.
Hailing all the way from L.A. Hydrovibe brings an incredible mix of Fly Leaf and Kittie but they are not your typical female led rock band though. With their great single “Killer Inside” (featured on the Saw 3 soundtrack), Hydrovibe really put the exclamation point on their set. The highlight was their cover of Rush’s “Tom Sawyer”. I’ve heard several covers of this song but Hydrovibe really nailed it.
Heather made a deal with us that the more we got into it, the more she’d get into it which wasn’t bad at all. I expect to see this band on a headlining very soon. Check them out at Hydrovibe.com and look for their new CD soon!
– Lil Nubi at Royal Flush Magazine
Hydrovibe is a band with solid bass and drums, intricate guitar work on top of solid power chords, surprising chord progressions and a surprisingly abrasive yet addictive lead voice. Heather St. Marie sounds like she could scream death metal for hours and not need lemon and horehound tea afterward. She reminds me of a female Lajon Witherspoon, lead singer of Sevendust. Note to Walls of Jericho: St. Marie shows how to sing rough and raw without resorting to Cookie-Monster vocals. ANYWAY… the lyrics she sings are relevant to guys and girls, unlike those other girl-fronted bands.
– Joe Hadsall at The Joplin Globe
