"Hailing from northeast Connecticut, power trio White Rose Confession churns out an eclectic mix of hard rock infused with bluesy roots. Their songs have meaningful lyrics, strong melodies, diverse rhythms and dynamics that range from acoustic touches to full-on driving rock riffs! Their broad influences range from well-known acts like Van Halen, AC/DC, and Deep Purple, to the slightly more obscure, but musically sublime, artists like King's X, Primus, and the Dixie Dreggs. The group was formed in 2003 by guitarist ATO and vocalist Mike Lussier (both ex-Spyne). With the addition of drummer J-Shanks (ex-The Burning Spastics) in early 2005, the lineup was complete. Their original song, " Where Are You Now", sounds a bit like popular rock act Incubus, while the shades of Van Halen shine through in "White Sands." And quickly becoming a fan favorite at live shows, the rock powerhouse "Terror Anger Horror" is receiving airplay requests on local radio. The band has been recording and performing steadily and their first all-original album, "Dreams Of Flight & The Mystery Of Death", is available on itunes."
Mark Renburke of the "Killingly Villager"
"J-Shanks was looking for more freedom as a drummer than his former band was allowing him. Amid serious tension, he left (The Burning Spastics) with no idea where his musical career would take him. Lucky for him, he had recently filled in for White Rose Confession as a session drummer. The other members of WRC were so impressed with Shanks' percussion ability they quickly welcomed him when they heard he was available. "He's just got great perception and great feel for where a song is going", said White Rose Confession's guitarist, who goes by the name Ato. Shanks had basically three hours to learn the bands original material, and did so with ease. Ato, J-Shanks and lead vocalist/bassist Mike Lussier, all of whom are in their early 20's and from Brooklyn, have meshed well. In fact, they are even rewriting some of White Rose Confession's older songs. THE MUSIC JUST FLOWED: "The hardest part of the writing process was making Shanks comfortable exploring his full potential, since his old band told him what to play. But once he opened up, the music just flowed", Ato said. "When it comes to writing music, the three of us just can't turn it off," he said. Ato added all three have diverse musical interests and are willing to experiment with their sound, something their fans appreciate. "I think the band is spectacular, " Rob Hinkle, from the Baltimore area band ilyAIMY, said. He even compared White Rose Confession to legendary bands such as Nirvana and Alice In Chains in the way they compare passion with musical ability to on great live performances. "They're some of the tightest musicians in the area," added Chris Tsaunjoures, a student at the Hartt School of Music in Hartford. "They're not your average drunk bar band."
Michael Savino of the "Norwich Bulletin"
"Connecticut trio White Rose Confession marries a pop/alternative vocal sensibility with sophisticated musicianship and highly structured arrangements that elevate them above obvious influences like Nickleback. With echoes of Tool and Alice in Chains, they are intensely listenable, catchy and radio-ready rock ("Where Are You Now") peppered with auditory Easter eggs that differentiate the songs and appeal to the more astute listener: noteworthy drum fills, more than a few nimble-fingered guitar solos, and three-part harmonies not relegated solely to the studio ("Dogs of War").
And in an age of studio gloss, White Rose Confession delivers powerful, polished live performances (the result of an almost obsessive compulsive disorder when it comes to rehearsing) that reveal three perfectionists who prize complimenting one another more than elbowing their way to the sonic forefront. Frontman Mike can be a little self-deprecating about his straightforward bass lines, but they are the foundation that keep the arrangements from becoming too esoteric. His bandmates return the favor by not subscribing to the rock-equals-playing-as-hard-as-you-can philosophy and allowing Mike's voice to soar over the songs for audible lyrics on even the most unyielding sound systems and toughest room acoustics. They also make room for guitarist, Ato, and drummer, J-Shanks, to each have the focus without making it feel like a cliché requisite shift of the spotlight. White Rose Confession is a band. The definition of the word.
If their upcoming CD, currently underway in the studio, is half as good as their consistently spectacular live shows, Nickleback better watch its back."
(Heather Lloyd, ilyAIMY)
