Links:
Band:
James McMurtrie (Vocals)
Matt Starkes (Guitar)
Mark Moser (Bass)
Max Matthews (Drums)
Biography:
Over the Coals originally formed in the spring of 2004 in their hometown of Prince George, B.C., under the name of Burn Out West. The guys, who had all played in other local bands up to this point (including Disdain, Feedback and Fistfiller) had become friends through the local music scene, and it is wasn't long before they'd begun discussing the possibility of working on a side project together. The side project turned into a full time commitment when their own respective bands had broken up, and so began the group we now know as Over the Coals.
Vocalist James McMurtrie, guitarist Matt Starkes, bassist Mark Moser and drummer Max Matthews soon developed a repertoire of original material and premiered it in a short series of shows in the northern city. Having received a great response from the fans attending those shows and feeling a terrific songwriting chemistry between the four, they soon made the decision to move south to the musical mecca of Vancouver, where they could continue improving and writing as a band while reaching new fans.
After playing a plethora of shows throughout the lower mainland of B.C. in 2004 and 2005 the band felt it was time to record some of the songs they'd crafted since forming two years prior. After choosing the strongest 8 songs currently in their set, they entered the Factory studio in Vancouver with producer/engineer Chris 'Hollywood' Holmes in April of 2006. 4 days later the band emerged with their work complete and the full 8 songs tracked for the album, which was mixed and mastered throughout the summer and early fall of 2006. Titled 'Declaration', the LP was eventually released in December of '06, with songs such as Now I've Seen It All, Drown Me and Legion receiving airplay via independent radio in Canada and the United States.
The group continue to draw influences from metal kings Black Sabbath, Pantera, and Slayer as well as others, which is apparent in their gritty and unforgiving debut album and is further enforced through their crushing live show. Having amassed a large following in their home city of Vancouver, Over the Coals are now planning to take their devastating live show on the road to continue to gain exposure throughout Canada and the US.
