Radio Reset

By By Julie Garisto jgaristo@tampabay.com
Published May 31, 2007

The band: Andrew Arthur, lead vocals and lyrics; Andy Pardue, guitar and background vocals; Mark Allen, bass; Johnny Coryn, drums; and Jacob Flanders, background vocals, guitar and synths.

Formed: 2006, in Clearwater.

Their sound: A polished, radio-ready mix of styles - hints of '70s arena rock and U2. Current pop-punk influences creep in, especially since singer Arthur spent his adolescence listening to a lot of Blink-182.

Playing off each other: On guitars, Flanders plays raw riffs against Pardue's technical style. Bassist Allen praises drummer Coryn for staying with him "in the pocket" yet managing surprises. "He'll hit a cymbal instead of a snare, " Allen says. "He's really good like that."

EP: This Is Not a Test

Forthcoming CD: The band has recorded a few tracks for an upcoming full-length CD.

CROWD-PLEASER: "The (new) song we're getting the most feedback live is Where the Hell Are You, " Allen says.

Across the ages: Coryn is 18 and just graduated from Clearwater Central Catholic High School; Arthur is 20; Flanders, 22; Allen, 25; and Pardue, 27.

Rock star dad: Arthur's dad, Jeff, performed in the act Arthur, Hurley and Gottlieb, signed in the early '70s by Clive Davis of A&M and performers of the single Sunshine Ship. The act's second LP featured Bette Davis Eyes singer Kim Carnes on backup vocals. Jeff Arthur manages the band and records tracks in his ad production company's studio.

Selling an image: Jeff Arthur's media connections have led to unusually slick multimedia packaging, including a well-done video for This Dance and publicity material that makes the guys look more glamorous and trend-conscious than they really are. Allen said the band got an e-mail from a guy who said they stunk "because we had the 'emo comb-over.' That's how the stylist at the photo shoot did our hair. It has nothing to do with our sound."

Suburbia, miles apart: Arthur, Pardue and Coryn live in Feather Sound, and Allen and Flanders live in New Tampa. Coryn, the youngest of seven children, is a childhood friend of Arthur. "I've known him since he was born, " Arthur says.

Contestants: Radio Reset is competing on MySpace to get an opening slot for Fall Out Boy next month in Tampa. In October 2006, they were in the Global Battle of the Bands competition sponsored by ASCAP and won in the regional category.

Last one in: Flanders joined in October; they needed an extra guitarist for the battle of the bands; they weren't allowed to "track" extra guitar parts.

Legal weapon: While in Los Angeles, they caught the attention of lawyer Jordan Bromley from Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, the firm that now represents the band. The law firm also represents big-name artists, including the Rolling Stones and Neil Young.

Discover Radio Reset: At 7:30 tonight at Cafe Bohemia, 937 Central Ave., St. Petersburg ($6) and at 8 p.m. Saturday with She Screams Ambulance, Last Day Alive and Archer's New Rival, at Crowbar, 1812 N 17th St., Ybor City ($8). 18 and older admitted.

[Last modified May 31, 2007, 09:50:36]