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Donpaul McAllister Singer, Guitarist & Composer |
Brad Willenberg Bass |
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Michael Fender Keyboards |
Mike Humphries Drums |
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Zara McAllister Additional vocals |
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Band Article Written by Joel Peter Simundich |
Song Article Written by Joel Peter Simundich |
Band article by: Joel Peter Simundich
In what darkness does the mind turn to in its terror? Sin Echo answers that call.
Composed of Gainesville musicians Donpaul McAllister, Michael Fender, Brad Willenberg, Mike Humphries and Zara McAllister, Sin Echo rocks with sinister machination. Converging harmonics, rich melodies, and menacing tones meet in an eclectic mix of rock, blues, and alternative, with inspirations ranging from Pink Floyd to Bauhaus and The Sisters of Mercy.
Forming in December of 2009, the band quickly found common ground in the spirit of atmospheric rock. Their sound is inviting and familiar, while quickly tearing all assumptions away: the sound is monolithic, haunting, and completely their own.
As lead vocalist and guitarist, McAllister brings a rich palette with varied inspirations: from hard-rock swagger to soulful hymn, McAllister moves through each track with emotional range and vocal bravado. The bass creates an ominous presence throughout each song, pushing forward onto rocky terrain as the drums guide the band with a steady beat through and through; Keys round the group out with multi-textured soundscapes fleshing out the band’s dynamic sound. Traces of Yes’s Fragile can be heard, as every note embroiders detailed scenes.
With mesmerizing, angular leads, tight syncopation, and moody, atmospheric psychedelia, Sin Echo makes their presence known, answering the call of darkness found deep within.
Back to topSong article by: Joel Peter Simundich
In “Android Men,” the mechanical hiss and static sweep of feedback saturate a world of cold, dead hearts; at once lush and ethereal, the vocals call from beyond the wall of sound. Dark washes of sound flood the black sonic landscape, desolate and quiet, before suddenly punctuated by a grand, sweeping chorus, inviting the listener into the safety of a world beyond man’s control. As McAllister here sings “somewhere out there / there’s a hero / come to save the world,” an inner beacon shines from the darkness, answering and echoing in a new abyss. Driven by rhythmic drums and the sprawling textures of keys, the track is reminiscent of early-Pink Floyd, as classic rock crescendos and contemplative ambience coalesce into a heady, engaging, and unreal journey.
“Burn Away” finds Sin Echo at their most intimate. McAllister, at once Robert Wyatt and Roger Waters, croons over the downtempo ballad; laden with melancholy and a curious optimism, the track steps in and out of Ziggy Stardust-era Bowie, searching for a cure to a life of idle miseries. Sparse vocals pair with the uplifting instrumentation, as delicate keys (think Rick Wakeman) immerse the listener in an after-hours sorrow, the lilting progression through each verse another wave of numbing relief. Bluesy phrasings and strident, smart lyrics match note-by-note the interplay of guitar and vocals – it’s a song to pull away from the world and its sorrows, if only for a moment.
Sin Echo takes a rock edge to a sordid affair in “Undone.” Beneath the surface, centering the song is a rootsy bassline, embellished by the hum of acoustic guitar. “I used to say / We could walk away,” McAllister sings, “But I always thought we'd stay / But these things happen every day.” Pulling into a sun-soaked chorus, the swell of strings reveals a triumphant self-revelation: “I'm becoming / Undone,” now facing a world cracked beyond repair. Slick guitar lines match perfectly with the steady rhythm, punctuating the grey clouds with moments of blissful recognition. On a downcast day, “Undone” revels in the harsh reality of love gone wrong.
Finding Sin Echo at their most resilient, “Crossroads of Love” is pure sin, as McAllister sings of becoming lost in a love beyond one’s means. Matching the steady reverb of guitar, the rich voice warns of a deal with a devilish temptress: “She wears angels wings / and she wears them well / but she stole those wings / from someone else.” Rolling from phrase to phrase, the song chronicles a road well-traveled by all lost souls, into the hands of a demonic drive.
Back to topDonpaul McAllister, Vocals/Guitar/Song-writer for Sin Echo, founded and played in many bands including several in Gainesville Florida such as: Alternative Factor, Audio Origami, Chien Bizarre and SoulFade. Besides vocals & guitar, Donpaul concentrates on lyrics and does programming for home recording projects. Classic rock from Pink Floyd to David Bowie and darker sounds from Bauhaus to The Sisters of Mercy have influenced his sound and style.
"I come into a song as a writer, I consider myself a song-writer, not a guitar player. I really want to hit the lyrics and emotion before I start thinking of the guitar parts. I think everyone in this band contributes in some way rather than just playing their main instrument, this creates a great energy in the band. What else can I say? I like gnomes... is that interesting? ~sHiNe oN"
Back to topComing Soon, This will be updated shortly
Back to topMichael Fender, Ever since I saw The Beatles as a kid on the Ed Sullivan show, I have been infatuated with music of all sorts. That was the genesis of my interest in performing music and the desire continues to this day. I try to keep an open mind to all forms of music and I open my mind in an attempt to create it. The latter half of my musicial endeavors has lead to song writing and recording, mostly with friends I played with back in those early Beatles days. Now my goal is to play some of the best science fiction music this planet has ever seen.
Back to top- Q - What are the three most difficult years in a drum player's life?
A - Second grade.
- Q - How do you get a drum player off your doorstep?
A - Pay for the pizza.
- Q - Did you hear about the time the drum player locked his keys in the car? It took two hours to get the bass player out!
Zara McAllister, How do you know there's a girl singer as a patient on the intensive care unit?
She's the only one that asks for more echo on the monitor.