“Hydrogyn is going to be big, very big...” – Michael
Wagener, Producer (Ozzy Osbourne, Skid Row, Alice Cooper)
IN THE BEGINNING…
In September 2003, West Virginia guitarists Jeff Boggs and Jeff
Westlake began work on a new experiment – a compelling modern
heavy rock tour de force like no other on the scene – an outfit
designed to destroy musical and industry barriers.
Jeff Westlake on the blueprints behind HYDROGYN, “We wanted
something a broad audience could love but also be something
special. Something that stood out."
Fortified with cutting edge riffs, intelligent lyrics and massive
hooks delivered by Julie (just “Julie”), a stunning front lady
with a multi-octave range, the result is a formula set to conquer
everything from Alternative Rock to Modern Hard Rock to Timeless
Metal without sacrificing credibility.
HYDROGYN is built to explode.
RUMBLES…
By the time the band’s self-produced debut hit the scene, the
industry was already putting their ears to the ground, picking up
on the rumble that is HYDROGYN. Best Served With Volume found the
band in favor with soft drink giant Pepsi, who not only sponsored
the fledgling outfit but hoisted them in front of tens of
thousands strong at NASCAR (Chevy Rocking 400 May 2005). The
audience response was nothing short of inspiring. It was clear,
even without prior exposure to the band, onlookers fell into the
hands of the fivesome’s massive, genre leaping sound and
mesmerizing front lady, making the case that Jeff Boggs, Jeff
Westlake, Julie, bassist Jason Fields and drummer Jerry Lawson
were onto something.
The audience affect was verified when HYDROGYN began packing clubs
in the Midwest and New England areas, selling out venues that
seated up to 1500 people. Smaller venues had them booked for
multiple nights. HYDROGYN was rapidly becoming a live band to be
reckoned with.
LIFT OFF
“In 7 years of editing a major hard rock webzine, I have never
seen an indie act with such a complete package – broad appeal,
great musicianship, a dynamic front lady and most important, they
are smart AND determined. They understand the big picture and are
quickly becoming part of it. “ – Brian Coles, Editor -
Electricbasement.com
Hot off the heals of Volume’s release, HYDROGYN issued a
professional video clip for the single “The Sand,” which was
featured at the world renowned Electricbasement.com. The response
to the bombastic music and sensual video was immediate, yielding
the band radio guest spots across the country including
www.Dailynoise.com and several Clear Channel stations including
WAMX 106.3. Dark Vission TV jumped to put it in rotation,
providing the band with massive exposure in Mexico and Latin
America. Traffic to the band’s website soared, with visits
eclipsing 25,000 per month, an astounding total for a new,
unsigned band.
Top-level affiliations began to pour in. Sponsorships with Pepsi,
Mountain Dew, Dr. Pepper, Off The Rim, Eagle Distributing, Pearl
Drums, Vic Firth Sticks and Loud City.net followed in rapid
succession. More recent sponsorships include Randall Amps and
Modules, Eden Bass and Custom Gemstones.
But it did not stop there. NOW Comics featured a HYDROGYN track,
“Vesper’s Song”, as a CD single included with their acclaimed
graphic novel release VESPERS® by veteran author/illustrator Tony
Caputo. The novel and band are currently nominated for an IPPY
Award, which is a top honor in the independent publishing
industry. Caputo also assisted in making the band’s new,
curvaceous logo, perfect for hot selling T-shirts and other
merchandise. Taking advantage of this, the band signed a licensing
deal with Crave Trendware, with custom HYDROGYN watches to see
store shelves in early 2006.
Julie’s visual and vocal appeal helped her gain notoriety with her
very own column at Electricbasement.com called Julie’s Jolts,
where visitors voted on which pics to include in her forthcoming
calendar. The idea was a no-brainer after the brisk internet sales
of Volume as well as a Julie poster that sold out a mere weeks
after being posted in the band’s online store. The band’s ability
to sell merchandise was another strong asset.
SOARING HIGH
In the Spring of 2005 the band received yet another jaw dropping
accolade. Legendary producer Michael Wagener (Ozzy Osbourne, Skid
Row, Alice Cooper) heard the band and was impressed to say the
least, deeming them the best band he has heard in years. He also
understood something else – the band could go over not just in
North America, but also in Asia, Europe and South America. Once
again, an indicator for the bands potential to cross borders, not
just in genre, but geographical as well. So optimistic about their
prospects, he agreed to produce the band’s next record.
(Wagener discography can be viewed here: http://www.michaelwagener.com/html/discography.html)
In June bassist Dave Moody replaced Fields. Moody’s talents and
experience are huge contributions to the band going forward.
The buzz was not in effect, having landed the band in MIX Magazine
(print), Metal Maniacs Online (net), This Is Rock (Spain, print),
Blabbermouth.net (net), Prosound News (print), Blistering.com
(net), Bravewords.com (net), New Herald Dispatch (print, net) and
the nationally syndicated Tour Bus Radio Show official site (net)
among others.
After leaving the studio In August, the band headlined the second
stage at the popular Xfest in West Virginia, put on by Clear
Channel station WAMX. Other bands on the bill include the Gold
selling Seether. Regional Clear Channel General Manager Judy
Jennings has backed the band by putting them in rotation on WAMX
(106.3) and WKEE (100.5). Jennings is notable for helping to
discover Billy Ray Cyrus and recent major label sign American
Minor.
The fall also saw the band finalize another piece of the puzzle,
with legendary photographer JOHN SCARPATI (Rolling Stones, Dixie
Chicks), handling their photo shoot and album cover.
EXPLOSION!
As of this writing, HYDROGYN’s first major CD, Bombshell, made its
official release on October 31st of 2006 through the bands own DA
RECORDS. The CD hit Billboard charts in 3 different areas in
November of 2006. Right on the heels of that Success the band
scheduled a 28 date tour to take them through the UK and France.
In July due to fan demand the band released Strip’em Blind Live
again on their DA Label. Again it was off to France, Belgium and
Italy for yet another tour in Europe in November of 2007.
During the European Tour in November the band was contacted and
signed by Indie Label out of the UK Demolition. In January of 2008
Hydrogyn entered the studio to record DEADLY PASSIONS. This is the
first of a three CD deal with Demolition that is due to hit the
streets In June 2008.
2008 is the year of the explosion. |