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We Angelenos are very proud of our home-grown rock bands. After all, L A has produced such musical greats as The Deftones, Ozomatli, Rage Against the Machines,  Shiny Toy Guns, and Weezer, to name but a few. There is something about this strange metropolis of ours that seems to nurture artistic potentiality and allow genius to manifest. Our night clubs and other performance venues are nightly teeming with as yet “undiscovered” talent that may very well be the “next big thing.” One particularly promising band currently generating a lot of expectations and hype around town is the alt rock/New Wave group who call themselves Wall Street Crash. Photo by Yomin Jenkins Photography, LLC
WSC is comprised of guitarist Brandon “BT” Williams, bassist and backup vocals Mark Baylon, drummer Morgan Lawton, lead vocals Brandon Davis, and Neville Robateau on keyboards and backup vocals. Like many other bands, the exact story of the origins of WSC is a complicated and muddy one, with various members in harmony with each other one day, then quibbling the next. It took several fortuitous twists and turns for WSC to evolve into the solid band that it is today. One of these serendipitous events was the meeting of Williams and Davis on the set of the MTV hit show, “Undressed.” Williams recalls how Davis often bugged him during taping: “Davis kept trying to get me to join his old band, Manual Transitions, and then eventually WSC. His constant persistence and the DAW recordings of our songs were what caused me to cave.” With Williams on board, Davis and Baylon continued the search for other members to complete their ensemble, musicians who would be a good fit and would work together to realize the group’s artistic vision. He found the last piece of the puzzle, keyboardist Neville Robateau, six months ago, after going through what Williams refers to as “a couple of disaster keyboardists.” And thus Wall Street Crash was formed. As the last member to join the group, Robateau expresses that he is thrilled to find himself working with such extraordinary musicians. He also assures me that everyone in the band is very chill and easy to get along with. Robateau himself is very friendly and down-to-earth (and cute!); one of those people who is immediately likeable.
Since the finalized band started playing together, a mere six month ago, things have been happening for them and happening fast. They competed in this year’s “KROQ Battle for LA” and held their own against 40 other formidable local bands, finishing in second place. They have opened for Interscope artist Mickey Avalon, and so far they’ve headlined at some of the hippest spots in town, including the House of Blues, The Joint, The Knitting Factory, and several times at the Viper Room. Once you’ve heard their songs, it’ll be pretty self-evident why this band is generating so much excitement within the L A music scene. Theirs is an unmistakably 80’s-influenced sound, urbane and seductive; faintly reminiscent of The Cure. Other musical influences include The Killers and Bloc Party. Readers can sample tracks by WSC by logging on to www.reverbnation.com/WallStreetCrash. While you’re there, be sure to check for upcoming shows as well. The cool, chic new sensation on the music scene that is WSC is one to watch out for, and definitely one that must be experienced for yourself.
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