2008 Woodie Awards
Attention to detail sets The Embassy apart
By Joseph Hannan
Issue date: 4/18/07 Section: Entertainment
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The Embassy's homegrown approach to rock won the band the opening slot for The Academy Is… and Copeland on April 16 in Kendall Hall. The Embassy's infectious guitar hooks, poignant lyrics and stage presence were enough to convince the judges at the College Union Board's (CUB) Battle of the Bands of the group's abilities and potential.
According to seniors Matt Morone, guitarist/vocalist, and Andrew Ferencevych, bassist, The Embassy draws inspiration from a wide gamut of bands and musicians ranging from Pearl Jam and the Foo Fighters to The Beatles and the Beach Boys.
Morone and Ferencevych attended high school together and in the process discovered the grunge acts characteristic of the 1990s "five years too late." These bands included Nirvana and Pearl Jam, both of which would inspire Morone and Ferencevych to write music together. It would be a few years until the missing components of the band, alumni Jason George, drummer/vocalist, and Mike Rabasca, guitarist/vocalist, would be found at the College in Spring 2005.
According to Ferencevych, each member of The Embassy takes a refined approach to his instrument, creating the band's original sound. The distinct musical styles of The Embassy's members emphasize each individual's importance in the band. The rock grit of Morone's voice and his captivating lyrics are complemented by Rabasca's searing leads, Ferencevych's complex bass lines and George's forceful drumming. "If someone else were playing in our band, who knows what we would sound like," Ferencevych said.
Aside from the canonical bands of rock, both Morone and Ferencevych acknowledge the influence of more recent groups. The melodic guitar riffs popularized by bands such as Thursday, Midtown and Taking Back Sunday can be heard in The Embassy's songs.
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