Tag Archives: Joshua Ostrander

Album Review: Eastern Conference Champions – ‘Speak-ahh’

Eastern Conference Champions: Speak-ahh Eastern Conference Champions
Speak-ahh
(RockHampton Records, 2011) 

Track list:
01. Attica
02. Hell Or High Water
03. Hurricane
04. Bull In The Wild
05. Patience
06. How Long
07. Offkilter
08. Sunshine
09. Atlas
10. Where From Here

I apologize for selfishly listening to Eastern Conference Champions’ ‘Speak-ahh’ since its release (April 26, 2011) and not once mentioning how amazing an album it is.  As a music lover I’m rather disappointed with myself.  If you’ll allow me, I would like a chance to make amends.

Eastern Conference Champions’ latest album ‘Speak-ahh’ is an amazing album and one that I would highly recommend to everyone.  First off, the creative power of Eastern Conference Champions (ECC) is unreal.  Joshua Ostrander’s voice has a hauntingly beautiful tone that brings a unique sound to the songs and nice guitar playing too.  Greg Lyons is outstanding on drums, need I say more.  Melissa Dougherty, third member of this rock-trio, is excellent on guitar.

Musically ‘Speak-ahh’ is brilliant and lyrically it’s just as impressive.  “Attica” is the opening track, coated in ECC-rock goodness, and holds these lyrics “spare me the death of a thousand stabs and just tell me what you hadn’t planned.” And that’s just a taste of ECC’s lyrical descriptiveness.  Oh my, that lingering percussive bass heard in “Hell Or High Water” is incredible.  “The boys we know of Illinois, your voices are still ringing in my ears.” Look at ECC, mentioning their friends in the band Illinois (another great band you should know) – cool!  “How Long” is another standout track for its engaging beat.  I love the heartfelt lyrics “if love is easy I’ll break your heart” on “Offkilter”.  “Atlas” is an intense and wonderful song recorded but hear it live and it’s phenomenal.  Check out ECC’s official video for “Atlas” and you might get a better understanding of what I mean.  What I’ve written here is only a sample of the album’s highlights.  There’s far more to ‘Speak-ahh’ that words can’t express and only the music can.

‘Speak-ahh’ by Eastern Conference Champions definitely deserves to be among the other great ECC albums (The Southampton Collection, Ameritown, Santa Fe, and Akustiks) and in your music collection.  If this blog was to adopt a 5-star rating system, ‘Speak-ahh’ would easily get 5 out of 5 stars.

[LISTEN] “Attica” from ‘Speak-ahh’ by Eastern Conference Champions

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Eastern Conference Champions: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Myspace


Upcoming Show:
Monday, June 20, 2011
EASTERN CONFERENCE CHAMPIONS
w/ Prowler, and Illinois
Johnny Brenda’s
1201 N. Frankford Ave
Philadelphia, PA 19125
Doors: 8:00 pm / Show: 9:00 pm
$10.00
More information
Eastern Conference Champions

Album Review: Eastern Conference Champions – Akustiks EP

ECC-Akustiks Eastern Conference Champions
Akustiks EP
(RockHampton Records, 2010)

Tracklist:
1. Middle Of The Night
2. Bristol Road
3. Summertime
4. Timeline
5. Silo (acoustic)
6. Single Sedative (acoustic)

Today we celebrate the release of Eastern Conference Champions’ (ECC) brand new EP, Akustiks.  It’s a 6 song EP featuring acoustic versions of some previously released tracks as well as new material.  Well, with music this good we’ll always keep an ear out for ECC even if they are an LA band now.

Akustiks is a well crafted EP that sparks just enough excitement and interest to hold you over until Eastern Conference Champions next full-length release “SPEAK-AHH” sometime Spring 2011. “Middle Of the Night” is the opening track and it is ECC rock at its finest.  “Bristol Road” will leave you speechless for it is the perfect song — don’t let the chipmunkesque voices in the beginning fool you.  Not only can you hear those precious lyrics, breathtaking harmonies, lonely lead guitar, and flawless fadeout  you can’t help but feel them too.  The acoustic version of “Silo” on this EP is far better than the version on Santa Fe but the acoustic version of “Single Sedative” falls short of the rock version found on Ameritown.  All in all, Eastern Conference Champions – Akustiks EP is terrific and well deserving of your attention – your ears will appreciate it.

Thank you Joshua Ostrander, Greg Lyons and Melissa Dougherty — your music means a lot to us.  And congrats on the new release!

[LISTEN] Eastern Conference Champions – “Middle Of the Night” from Akustiks EP

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Eastern Conference Champions: website | Facebook | Myspace | Twitter

Eastern Conference Champions ‘Akustiks’ EP Release show is Tuesday, December 7, 2010 at Hotel Cafe (Los Angeles, CA).  Show starts at 9:30pm. Admission: $8/$10. Age restrictions: No Minors.

Eastern Conference Champions – East Coast Return: NYC, Philly, Hatboro (dates)

Eastern Conference Champions (ECC)

Eastern Conference Champions back in Philly – I’m so excited!

Eastern Conference Champions (ECC) is an indie-rock trio with a unique style that is unreal.  Members include: Joshua Ostrander (vocals, guitar), Greg Lyons (drums), and newest member, Melissa Dougherty (guitar).  Ostrander’s voice is distinctive with an absolutely beautiful tone that sings truly heartfelt lyrics.  On any given day you might find me rockin’ out to an iTunes playlist of nothing but ECC’s music covering The Southampton Collection (EP), Ameritown, and Santa Fe (EP).  By the way, their upcoming album, Speak-ahh, might see a Fall 2010 release – get excited!

My first memory of Eastern Conference Champions was seeing them open for Black Rebel Motorcycle Club (BRMC) at the Theatre of Living Arts (TLA) in Philadelphia, PA back on February 19, 2006.  I was there to see BRMC but ECC’s opening set was incredible.  I immediately purchased The Southampton Collection (EP) after their set.  Since that wonderful night in 2006 I’ve been a fan of Eastern Conference Champions.  I’d seen them a few times in the past with the last time being their “Ameritown” CD Release Party at The Khyber on July 20, 2007.

Eastern Conference Champions relocated to the Los Angeles, CA so they don’t get to play the Philly area as frequently.   Well, I was SO EXCITED to find out that ECC will be back in the Philly area next week.  When it comes to amazing music and incredible live shows ECC is a must-see band and come highly recommended by me.  This is your chance to see them live so please don’t pass up the opportunity.

EASTERN CONFERENCE CHAMPIONS: East Coast Dates
Jul 20 2010 – Piano’s (New York, NY)
Jul 22 2010 – Johnny Brenda’s (Philadelphia, PA)
Jul 23 2010 – Big Heads Town & Country (Hatboro, PA)

[LISTEN] A favorite of mine, “Bloody Bells” from their most recent release Santa Fe (EP)

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Eastern Conference Champions: website | Facebook | MySpace | Twitter

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