Words: James Ferreira

Venturing off the beaten path is a daunting task, and more often than not a thankless endeavor. However, when thrust into times of unwanted change, there is no better cure for the insecurity and nearly crippling depression that tends to follow. The delicate nature of these situations has surely caused many to bury their heads in the sand while amazing things continue to happen around them. Discovering new music, and experiencing new things can literally bring a person back to life in times like these. One of the Tampa Bay area’s newest independent rock outfits, Tides of Man, is ready to shake things up in the local scene, and hopefully garner more attention for what has become a relevant local music culture once again. Combining elements of prog-rock with post-punk/hardcore soul and a dramatic vocal flair, Tides of Man are bringing something quite unique to the central Florida’s music community.

Upon first listen TOM sound like they have been playing together for years.

“We all knew each other and were working on our own music. Alan Jaye, bassist spontaneously booked a show in December 2006 and we decided to unite to fill the booked slot. In a week, we mixed our separate songs together and threw together a show. We didn't really even have a band name, but we worked well together so we decided to stay together,” guitar player Spencer Gill explained.

In just a little over a year, the band already has an acclaimed independent EP, as well as plans for a full-length release, Empire Theory, in the not so distant future. The five-song EP is filled with majestically ethereal prog overtures which offer inspiration and the promise of greatness to follow. When listening to these songs, it’s nearly impossible not to think of the Mars Volta’s brilliant debut  De-Loused in the Comatorium, as well as Philadelphia-based experimental math-rock outfit Circa Survive. I asked the guys their thoughts on the perception of arrogance that has been linked to the Mars Volta’s music, and the relationship between Mars Volta and the band that led to its conception, At the Drive-In.

“If it wasn't for the 'arrogance' of our musical predecessors, geniuses such as Bach, Beethoven or Hendrix, Gregorian chants — the ancient technology of power chords — would be today's pop standards,” said guitarist Adam Sene. “Classical composers were frequently criticized for their inharmonious diminished and augmented chords, they're standard practice in classical and jazz composition today. The Mars Volta are innovators. Some of their music is ugly and a bit out there, but it is intended that way. At the Drive-In was a great band, but the genre was limited.”

“I would say that it is more the aspect of innovation that influences Tides of Man. We, however, tend to prefer tastefulness over flashiness, and we keep that in mind while writing our music,” added singer and guitar player Tilian Pearson.

Despite their relatively short tenure as a band, TOM do have larger aspirations. With plans for a national tour currently in the works, as well as the eventual release of their full-length debut, it’s clear that the band isn’t content to rest on their impressive but limited laurels. I was curious about what (if any) national exposure the band has received, and if there were any hopes of a record deal with the release of the album.

“We haven’t had much national exposure as of yet. We've played with a couple national acts like RJ Apparatus and Automatic Loveletter,” Sene said. “We're getting a decent amount of attention from out-of-state, but we have yet to play outside Florida.”

“We're not opposed to being signed by a major label – assuming we get a decent deal out of it – but with the direction of the record industry we'd like to see how much we can accomplish on our own by then,” Gill added.

Tides of Man have been able to create a strong identity in their art. With such a dramatic personality already in place, I wondered if there were any plans for a direction change in the future and how the new album would relate to their debut EP.

“Absolutely,” confirmed Pearson. “Musicians who aren't able to expand their abilities and tastes don't last long. We're also working to evolve music. There's no point in remaking music that everyone has already heard. We're doing everything brand new. Hopefully we will have a lot more time and resources when we do the album.”

The introduction of a band like this into central Florida’s music scene is a large part of the reason we do what we do. It’s exciting when acts with talent, vision, and ambition are presented to us. The Tampa scene desperately needs bands of this caliber to thrive if the respect and stability we hope for are to follow.

“Honestly, we don't plan on being a 'Tampa band' for much longer,” Pearson said. “We'd be happy to be a band that hails from the Tampa area, and plays international tours. I have noticed, however, that we do run into a good number of local acts that we admire and respect musically, and some we don't. I honestly wasn't paying much attention to the local scene before, so it's hard to see how it's progressed. But better music is definitely on the rise. Mainstream is becoming less and less important. Intelligent, innovative musicians have more opportunity to succeed now than ever,” Pearson concluded.

myspace.com/tidesofman