STATE LINE EMPIRE – Octane (2011)

‘Guitar Center Presents Your Next Record’ is a first-of-its-kind unsigned band discovery program competition.
The objective is to bless a new unsigned artist with a career-altering opportunity that included a management development deal with “The Collective”; a $10,000 Guitar Center shopping spree, new gear, endorsement deals, an editorial feature in Guitar World Magazine, promotion on iTunes, and in this edition, a recording with ex – Guns ‘N Roses guitar-man Slash.

After sifting through more than 12,000 entries, Slash and iconic producer Mike Clink (Guns ‘N Roses, Motley Crue) handpicked STATE LINE EMPIRE, a young band from San Mateo, CA.
Slash: “Guitar Center and I were looking for a great new rock band that hasn’t been able to get a foot in the door otherwise.
With STATE LINE EMPIRE, we found that, I’ve recorded with them their song “Drive Me”, very representative of the band. It’s got a great hook. It’s catchy, simple, and not too long — and it just rocks.”

“I thought this was a great opportunity to give someone a leg up in the business.” said Clink.
“For this band to be managed by a great company, to have the support of Guitar Center, to have Slash play on the record, and to have my involvement as well — it’s as if you’re getting a major label deal.”

“Octane” includes 4 songs in the californian hard rock style, being “Drive Me” the most retro ’80s of all.
The band sounds compact and well assembled. Of course production is first rate and Slash has done a nice work on their single.
“Into Pieces” features a good guitar riff and a strong modern sleaze vibe in the style of Crashdiet and alikes.
On the other two tracks the band dangerously (to my ears) borders the modern melodic rock, let’s say, ala Nickelback. Not bad at all, just not my cup of tea.

The band sounds promising, I don’t know if they will break into the mainstream, but surely they can play and write a song.
Only available as digital download.

01 – Drive Me (feat. Slash)
02 – More Of You
03 – Cross That Line
04 – Into Pieces

Tyson Yen – Vocals
Cat – Guitars
Dave Pear – Bass
Jay Michaelis – Drums
Slash – guest Guitar

amazon.com/Octane/dp/B004QSF8UO
IF YOU LIKE IT, BUY IT!