Strong drum beats follow electric guitar twangs, creating a catchy beat. Light vocalizing complements the harmonies in the background. Two minutes and seven seconds later, “Man,” the lead song on the “Strother Field” extended play album comes to a close with a strong guitar riff that fades into distorted noises.
Strother Field, who released their first album, “Strother Field,” on Aug. 8, is comprised of Palo Alto High School senior and guitarist Max Rabbitt-Tomita and juniors Clay Cudahy, the lead singer and guitarist, drummer Dexter Cleveringa and their brand-new bassist, sophomore Casey St. Clair.
Cleveringa said the band met when he sat next to Cudahy in a seventh grade Frank S. Greene Middle School history class. While playing ‘two truths and a lie’ as a self-introduction activity, they discovered an unexpected shared interest.
“We both said we played drums, which we both assumed was a lie in the game, but it turned out that it was actually something we shared in common,” Cleveringa said.
We both said we played drums, which we both assumed was a lie in the game, but it turned out that it was actually something we shared in common.”
— Dexter Cleveringa, drummer
They became fast friends and decided to form a band. According to Cudahy, the name choice was random.
“One day I just zoomed into the Midwest on Google Maps looking for interesting names of places and I thought Strother field sounded cool,” Cudahy said.
Cudahy and Cleveringa are the original members of the band, taking inspiration from ‘80s and ‘90s alternative rock bands such as “My Bloody Valentine,” “The Pixies” and “Pavement.”
After rehearsing and editing their lyrics and rhythms for over a year, they were ready to record their debut album.
“We ended up going in June, to a studio called Tiny Telephone in Oakland,” Rabbitt-Tomita said. “We spent three days there recording and mixing all the tracks with those four songs.”
According to Rabbitt-Tomita, Cudahy was responsible for mixing the songs and adding in edits.
“Since we only [had] three days [in the studio], we did all the mixing on the third day which, for four songs, is kind of a lot,” Cudahy said. “At home [after the recording studio], I just like to add some vocal parts and stuff.”
Cudahy said the band plans to return to live shows now that their EP is out.
“Now that we have the EP out … more of our focus is going to be playing [for] more live shows,” Cudahy said.
Putting our own music out is something that we’ve all wanted to do and actually going through with that was a big deal for us.”
— Dexter Cleveringa, drummer
Other than planning to perform in live shows, the band has been practicing some new songs for future releases.
“We definitely plan on making a full-length album within the next year before Max graduates,” Cudahy said.
“We’ve been working on new songs and I think we will probably start recording next summer. After that the rest of us have another year before we graduate so hopefully we’ll continue to work on new music through that time as well.”
Being a part of the band has had a significant yet different impact on all the members. For Cudahy, the band provides motivation to continue practicing music.
“I struggle sometimes with being productive enough to record or perform by myself, so having other people to play with motivates me … letting me play the music I like in a live setting,” Cudahy said.
According to Rabbitt-Tomita, the communal aspect of the band has been especially rewarding.
“It’s just really enjoyable to do and way more fun than playing music on your own … I would also just say it’s a good outlet for frustrations,” Rabbitt-Tomita said.
Cleveringa explains the importance of the band and its significance to him.
“Putting our own music out is something that we’ve all wanted to do and actually going through with that was a big deal for us,” Cleveringa said. “I consider the band one of the most important things I do and I look forward to continuing to play and release music.”