Monthly Archives: March 2010

Soulful, fresh, genre-defying, these are only a few of the terms that immediately spark the mind when greeted with Anarbor’s gutsy and transcending debut full length, The Words You Don’t Swallow. Anarbor embody the heart of a classic rock band, and add an element of pop-rock to create a new and current sound that is their very own. While their peers grew up listening to bands that influenced today’s over-produced pop scene, Anarbor spent their time revering the rock idols of generations past. The result is an album that speaks to fans about life’s highs and lows, experiences, and people that cause them.

“We want to challenge kids to think outside of the norm, and really find themselves, rather than just following what the crowd is doing,” Kitlas said.  “We want to show our listeners that they are not alone, we all go through our struggles and everyone has their ups and downs in life.”

The Words You Don’t Swallow extends beyond the cut-and-paste albums being churned out, instead infusing dynamic guitars behind the soul-shaking howls and relatable melodies from frontman Slade Echeverria.  Crafted in Los Angeles by producer Mike Green (Paramore, Set Your Goals, The Spill Canvas) over a four-week span in Los Angeles, The Words You Don’t Swallow’s formation came from a desire to break out from the “fad band” chokehold and delve into what was real.

“The distinctive sound we are reaching for is rock and roll.  We don’t use any instruments in our songs that we don’t play live, we are going for a very raw and real sound,” Kitlas said.  The easy nature and chemistry of the band is more than just a cosmic luck for an emerging band.  Echeverria and Kitlas became friends in grade school, and experienced many life-changing events together, securing a bond that eventually extended to music, and a decision to make it their ultimate ambition.  The band signed to Hopeless Records (All Time Low, The Dangerous Summer) before the ink was barely dry on their diplomas.

More than just a sum of its parts, the writing process for Anarbor is as a group united, with each member adding input in acoustic jam sessions that allows everyone to collaborate and contribute creatively.  It’s a cohesion that allowed each member’s personal preferences and talents shine when it came to recording.  Anarbor is gaining steady recognition as the diverse band to watch among a sea of faux rock ‘n rollers.  This motivated and utterly gifted band will resonate with any listener who knows a thing or two about learning who you are and putting your ambitions into motion.