Power Hammer: Tight trio livens up Fridays

Popular music lovers always have a soft spot for a good power trio: there’s a lot to be said for a band that can create a tight, memorable composition consisting of guitar, bass, and drums.
In such a trio, sloppiness can be a killer. Since there’s not a whole lot on stage to attract the audience’s attention, each member has to be tight. With all the power trios in existence out there, it’s difficult to stand out as unique. But, on the off occasion when a band has those elements locked down, they stand a good chance of making a name for themselves.   
Hailing from Spartanburg, South Carolina, Dezeray’s Hammer is one power trio with all the right combinations. Aaron Whisnant on guitar and vocal, Kenny Hogan on drums, and Chris Francisco on bass provide the musicianship necessary to create a tight performance.
When you combine that skill with Whisnant’s song writing, you see they have the discovered the right mix of pop and rock to make them a commodity on-air and on stage. 
If the press quotes on their website,  HYPERLINK "http://www.deserayshammer.com" dezerayshammer.com, are any indication of how well they have been received, the group is well on their way to significant notoriety. But if one-line testimonials from small local publications aren’t enough to spark your curiosity, then downloading any one of the many songs available on their site will. 
“What I Think,” a Creed-esque pop tune with a forget-me-not hook and driving guitar line, epitomizes what Dezeray’s Hammer has to offer. Also available are a few live recordings, “1 For Apologies” and “Shown The Way,” two songs with unlimited radio potential that feature Whisnant’s coarse, melodic vocals over heavy guitars and driving rhythm. 
The band cites Radiohead, the Beatles, the Police, and Faith No More as some of their strongest influences. One can definitely hear those elements in the way the group crafts their tunes.
If you like any of those bands, you’ll probably find yourself digging on this South Carolina trio. Even if you don’t catch them this time around, there’s a good chance you’ll be hearing from these guys again-– maybe the next time you tune in the radio.

Dezeray’s Hammer performs at Friday’s After Five at the Downtown Amphitheater on Friday, August 8.