Such an honor to be invited into the studio as KBPI’s Denver’s Best Band (twice), No 1 Left Standing (N1LS), puts finishing touches on tracks laid for their upcoming EP Release The Gas Mask Society. Jimmy Belarde, lead singer and the founder and blood line to the 2005 No One Left Standing when the bands original members gathered after high school to combine their musical talents. In 2012, all band members have since changed, making the new release a completely new conglomeration of sound. In addition to Jimmy, band members Adam Gillespie, Nancy Hubanks, Josh Jacobsen, Kristopher Welsh, Bryce Carpenter, Nick Sourz contributed individually to put each’s creative stamp on the new songs and sounds.
Colorado Sound Studios is home to previous recording artists such as Brittney Spears, Justin Timberlake, D’Angelo, Eminem, and many other huge names in the industry. I can only imagine the honor to record with the presence in the shadows of such world renowned artists. The beautiful studio is equipped with a state of the art recording studio, including a Baby grand piano, a sick white couch perfect for chilling and interviewing, and great lighting setting the tone for the ultimate of cool and state of the art everything for aspiring new comers to be the best in the industry.
I have a seat on the sick white couch with Jimmy Belarde, a Denver kid who is “staying here no matter what”. Recently signed by 8th ElemEnt., a Colorado based, family owned, independent record label. Time to get behind the scenes for some intimate band details.
“How does the new album compare to the one prior?”, I ask.
“None of the original band member from N1LS remain. I am the only one. The sounds are completely different. Each individual contributed in their own way.”
“Adam Gillespie is responsible for the producing, song-writing, technical and live sound support, stage, engineering and recording. This guy puts in like 70 hrs a week!”
Adam Gillespie listens to a track and reflects
“Bryce is the 2nd guitarist, dual on stage, synthesizer guitar, writer, back up for the studio production side.”
“”Welsh is the bass player, all baselines, he the muscle; He is our physical dude.”
“Josh (DJ) is my right hand man. He was our missing piece of a square. He has taken the band to something else”.
“Nick is the newest addition to the team. He has rejoined from years prior. He is by far my favorite drummer that I have worked with technically.”
“As for myself,” says Jimmy “ I take care of the business end of things. I set up the shows, take care of booking, pay and all that side of things.”
“Up until joining the ranks of 8th ElemEnt. Entertainment we were self-organized, promoted and produced. 8th ElemEnt. Is a Colorado based, family owned independent record label. They have been amazing to us.”
Described as Hard Rock and Hip Hop, they are KBPI’s Denver’s Best Band two time winner. The guys at the station Willie B. and Uncle Nasty are helping to launch their career and are spreading the word of the talent that has been found right here in Denver. “The station has been amazing lining up incredible gigs for us. We just played Red Rocks for the Mass wedding. It was incredible playing at such an amazing venue. A complete dream come true.”
Winning the prestigious title comes with the opportunity to play events such as Mayhem, Birthday bash, and Mistletoe Jam, all wildly popular for the stations fans.
“The station has been a huge part of setting up shows and getting the music out there to fans.”
A huge accolade and a sign of the accomplishments the band has made since starting out playing bar and grills and taverns on any night of the week to now playing just about every major venue in Denver, such as The Ogden, The Bluebird, and the upcoming show where N1LS will be opening for world renowned act Korn, this February 27th at the Fillmore.
“I saw the posting on Facebook from Willie saying that he hoped we didn’t have plans on the 27th as we were the only local band in the country who had been invited to open for Korn… It was a match made in heaven.”
The perfect start to a week which will end with and EP release party on March 3rd at Summit Music Hall downtown Denver.
“The support from our fans, friends, and family has been amazing. Denver fans are hard to win over, but when you get them they’re there. If you can make it here, you can make it anywhere. Other local bands that have made it here like The Fray and Flobots have now moved to L.A.. My roots are settled here. Our fans believe in what we are doing.”
The music… what’s it like you ask? I have heard the older stuff, and the sound is hard, passionate and intense. The new sound had a different level of maturity, and a gentler approach to the same political stance. Not to say that they still don’t kick crazy ass and make you want to jump up and down and do some fist pumpin. Now only maybe with a broader appeal to more audiences, since you can hear a variety of genres meshed together with the same passion but with smoother edges and thought provoking lyrics. They clearly have a voice, and a message they want heard.
James Bellarde listens deeply to the revisions.
As the group gathered in the room where final touches were made, the tone is charged with excitement as their music is played over and over through the masterful sound system. It strikes me that everyone’s input is considered, and the vision is clear for exactly what they are listening for. And they don’t miss a beat. Adam Gillespie converses about falsettos, crescendos… his obviously well trained ear knows exactly what he is looking for.
“The baseline sounds great”.. says Bass guitarist Welsh… “but then again I might be biased”, he says with a grin.
Perfectionism… I would say great minds are at work to see the fine tuning and attention to detail for the arrangement and particular sound and vibe as each member adds input. Everyone is involved in making it sound just right. When the perfect notes are found, a resound “yeah!” and clapping ensues. Finally the geniuses are satisfied.
See this band as soon as you can. They will be huge soon, and you will wish you saw them when their tickets were still reasonable.
Some quotes from Jimmy, recently posted on Facebook.
“Proud to announce that the EP “The Gas Mask Society” is mastered and leaving the best studio in Denver Colorado Sound Studios and is on its way to be mass produced as we speak! We have been through a lot in the last couple years and we owe much of our success to our 8th ElemEnt. Entertainment Family, Willie B Hung, and 106.7 KBPI, G Eighthelement Ficca, Adam Gillespie, Hannah PockyMonster as well as to the rest of the SOCIETY- T.g. GamerLife, Rin GamerLife & YOU! OUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS.. We finally have found the recipe for success and we have surrounded ourselves with like minded and hard working individuals and we all worked together for the same goal. We gutted the drama and left those behind that couldn’t hack it and continue to push forward, and as you will see with this latest release we are here to stay and only get better each day. That being said I encourage you to join us in the celebration MARCH 3rd @ THE SUMMIT MUSIC HALL. TIX SELLING FAST!!!! “ James Belarde
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