Village of Dead Roads

There's M. Night Shyamalan's "The Village," which felt derivative, like a "Twilight Zone" episode you saw before.

Then there's Village of Dead Roads, an Erie band, which will remind you of no one you've heard before, at least not around here.

They not only play all originals but strive to create a sound uniquely their own. Those who like underground and indie music will be intrigued; those looking for the next Backstreet Boys should log onto www.theclickfive.com.

Village of Dead Roads favor heavy-groove songs, with down-tuned guitars, that can move like earthquakes. But, in addition to 10-minute or longer epics, they're just as likely to pump out faster, punky, quick-hitters.

Guitarist Eric Abt said one role model for Village of Dead Roads is the Melvins, a long-running band that refuses to commit to one narrow musical style. Abt talked about the band with Showcase.

BAND NAME
Village of Dead Roads.

HOMETOWN
Erie.

BAND MEMBERS
Eric Abt, guitar; Josh Makowski, bass; Chris Williams, drums; Doug Corey, vocals, guitar.

THE INSPIRATION
Abt and Corey started the band nearly six years ago under a different name, the Hollowed. Members have come and gone, but the current lineup has been together since last fall. Their sound has also evolved since the Hollowed.

INFLUENCES
Underground bands such as Isis, Cavity, Celtic Frost, Melvins.

WHAT ABOUT THAT NAME?
Corey was inspired by William S. Burroughs' "The Place of Dead Roads." Said Abt, "He pitched it to me, but said 'The City of Dead Roads.' I said let's make it more rural — Village of Dead Roads. You'd be hard-pressed to find another band with our name."

LAST GOOD CONCERT YOU SAW
"It's been a while for me. Probably the Stoner Hands of Doom Festival last summer in Youngstown. I got to see one my favorite bands, Sons of Otis."

FIRST CONCERT YOU SAW
"I've been going to local shows since I was 15 — mostly the early punk/hardcore scene. My 3 Scum was playing then. Mean Season. Outface was playing here, from Cleveland."

WEB SITE
Still to come.

CDS
Village of Dead Roads recently recorded three tracks in Sharon, but hasn't decided yet if it'll release them or keep recording.