Dave Matthews
Woodward News
Woodward, Okla. —
“God has worked in our lives in such amazing ways. And I give him all the glory for what we’re accomplishing,” Jordan Wilson, vocalist for local band The Pursuit, said during the band's recent release party.
In early 2008, the post hardcore/metal band was formed in Woodward by 3 friends Zach Jackson, Tyler Harris and Kenny Ruiz. After going through a couple of member changes the present lineup is Wilson performing vocals, Kenny Ruiz and Taylor Borth on guitar, Jake Murphy on bass, and Zach Jackson on drums.
Throughout the changes, The Pursuit has developed a loyal fan base in the Woodward area, and as well as online through their MySpace and Facebook pages.
RELEASE PARTY AND TOUR
About 50 of these loyal fans turned out for the band's release party Thursday night at the Nazarene Church to celebrate the release of "Authors," which is actually their second album. Their first album “Virtue and Violence” was released a year ago in July 2009.
In addition to selling their new CD, which should be available soon at Sam's CDs as well, The Pursuit also performed some of the songs off the new album.
But in a surprise appearance of the night, former lead singer Garrett Sauls returned to sing “Dagger Named Glory” from the “Virtue and Violence” album. Sauls also joined in for the encore song “Into the Light,” also from “Virtue and Violence.”
At the end of the night, Borth said, “My clothes are wet, my tummy is empty. I am already experiencing 'bangover,' but tonight's show was fun.”
Also performing at the release party was another local band Here Me Out, and Die to Yourself from Oklahoma City, which will be joining The Pursuit on tour.
Beyond introducing the new album, Thursday's release show also kicked off The Pursuit’s “Hoe down, bro down, thrown down tour” across Oklahoma, Texas and Arkansas. The tour includes a show in Oklahoma City at 7 p.m. on Aug. 8 at the Loony Bin Comedy Club.
While it is just a whirlwind 10-day tour across the 3 states, the band members said they are excited about the opportunity to get their sound out to a wider audience beyond Oklahoma.
THE NEW ALBUM
Jackson said the band had just as much fun recording “Authors” as they did introducing it Thursday.
His band-fellows laughed and said that traveling to Tulsa to record the album was “ridiculous.”
“It was crazy. Four guys in one motel room staying up until 4 - 5 a.m. then getting up at at 11 a.m. to go record for a full day,” Ruiz said.
The only member that did not attend the recording of “Authors” was the band's newest member Borth.
“I barely contributed to the new songs, because I joined right when they wrote them,” he said, jokingly adding, “Plus, I decided my wallet was empty and I didn’t want to make my mom give me money.”
Just like any other band, The Pursuit’s goal was to improve themselves on the “Authors” album.
“We have such a better sound now. We have learned so much more about music overall,” Wilson said. “The band learned to incorporate our heavy style and keep a melodic sound.”
Ruiz described “Authors” as a more mature sound, solid songwriting, lyrics with a purpose and a heavier, faster sound.
Although, Borth was not a member of The Pursuit when “Virtue and Violence” was released, he said, “Authors” is much heavier and complex, than the previous album.
"'Authors' is much crazier and it it just more grown up,” Borth said.
Murphy added, "our writing style has changed drastically and that's a good thing."
“Man, I don’t even know where to start we all improved so much in between albums.” Jackson said. “Our style changed a ton and it got a lot heavier."
THE FUTURE
“We want to continue to tour, get better overall with our sound and write, write, write,” Wilson said.
Ruiz said they are going to make a name for themselves and take life as it comes.
The future is looking very bright for The Pursuit, as all the members have high hopes for the band. They said their ultimate goal would be to get signed by an actual label.
While that is still be seen, the musicians said they are pleased with what they have been able to accomplish so far.
“I want to thank everyone for their support, friends, family and especially the fans. But most of all I want to thank God for blessing us with the opportunities to keep doing this,” Ruiz said.
