Alyria was an experimental post-hardcore band from Bristol, Tennessee, United States. From their Myspace: Boasting roaring vocals, searing guitars, and melodic keyboard riffs, Alyria (pronounced “uh-lee-ree-uh”) has already begun leaving its mark in Tennessee. However, it’s their obscure name that provokes the most questions from their fans. In fact, Google the word “Alyria” and you probably won’t see the link to a website for the up and coming post-hardcore band from Bristol, Tennessee. You’ll probably get lost in the forest of links to dermatological services and video game cheat codes. The group started as an indie band, and didn’t adopt their current name until after the acquisition of Dishman. They started playing together exactly one year before the decision to add scream and high-pitched vocals. In November 2007, the band slated its current lineup. “Alyria started when they decided they wanted to have a front man,” Dishman says. “They got in contact with me, and it all went from there.” Alyria now consists of Dishman singing screams and high vocals, Dan Fehr on guitar, Zac Worley singing and playing guitar, John Watson on bass, Chase Reach on drums, and Jake Hamill on keyboards and synthesizer. Although they call their sound “post-hardcore”, Alyria does something that most bands of the genre don’t do. By letting keyboardist Jake Hamill push their melodies through, Alyria has created a sound that is creative and catchy. Hamill’s riffs slide seamlessly into the band’s hardcore demeanor, but in no way distracts from the emotion of screaming vocals and guitar. If anything, it accentuates them. “Even though a lot of bands have keyboardists, most don’t have them where you can hear them,” Dishman says. “We take advantage of having one and try to make the keys as interesting and catchy as possible.” Although the guys of Alyria have been playing together for less than a year, they have already shot and released a video for their single “Quick to Move”. Even though they are currently unsigned, the band hopes to finish an EP sometime this summer. As for now, the band is selling its pre-production demo digitally through SnoCap. Alyria is riding the wave of MySpace music and has created an astounding fan base despite not releasing a full studio album yet. Touting a lineup of pre-production demos, the band has already created a niche for itself on the social networking site. Become MySpace friends with Alyria and you can be guaranteed a decent sprinkling of bulletins from the band’s members, a response to every comment or message, and a genuine feeling of being an appreciated fan. It’s something that the band takes great pride in. “We love our fans and talk to everyone that talks to us,” Dishman says. “People know that we can’t remember every single person that talks to us so they usually tend to message us occasionally to keep in contact.” Even though their sound is rough, quick paced, and loud, the guys of Alyria have a bright and happy future ahead of them. The band plans to tour relentlessly over the summer and thereafter. “We plan on touring our little brains out,” Dishman explains. “We want to bring our positive lifestyles to the massive. We are happy people, and we want other people to come hang with us and be happy as well.” Brittany McNeal Freelance Journalist From their Myspace: We are a band that plays real music. We have built ourselves up to the level we are now and we will always continue to push ourselves and our music. We want people to appreciate and understand real music. We want to expose the world to talent and effort. We want to expose the world to something real. We are not here to make, follow, or even adhere to trends. We are simply here to make good music with all of our heart and effort that we have. Thanks, ALYRIA. Members: Tyler Dishman - Vocals (AOL Instant Messenger - ylertylertylerty) Zach Worley - Lead Guitar/Vocals Dan Fehr - Rhythm Guitar/Vocals /Production Jake Hamill - Keys (AOL Instant Messenger: jaykeplzenter) Jacob Sejun Yoon - Bass (AOL Instant Messenger - AfterTheRushHour) Chase Reach - Drums (AOL Instant Messenger - Chaseinbed) Cody Ryan - Lead Guitar (Replaced Zac Worley in early summer of 2009) RJ Shankle - Drums (Replaced Chase Reach in the early fall of 2008) John Watson - Bass (Was replaced with Sejun Yoon in early summer of 2008) reverbnation.com/alyria myspace.com/alyriamusic