ROCK SPRINGS – Fans of local music have had a lot to get excited about lately as the scene has enjoyed a resurgence in the last couple of years. One local band is bringing a darker, heavier sound to the masses.
While several band members may look familiar, Miscreations of Man have only been bringing its driving low guttural sound to local music fans for a couple of years now.
While Dan Bernal and Doug McGill have been playing local in several bands, the band of Dan, Doug, Jeremy Domson and Andrew Harris have been bringing Miscreations to audiences. Although they are one of the newer bands, Miscreations of Man have done a lot in their short time.
As with any small city music scene bands and musicians know each other well and can always be seen at each others shows. A love of bands like Exodus and a heavier sound brought the four together. Jeremy said music has been a major part of his entire life and soon joined Doug and Dan. A short time later, Andrew Harris took over the bass playing for the band.
Not wasting any time, the band found its groove and began burning down different venues in the area. There are no covers in the band. Everything they play is original music. While the band was still building chemistry, they were also busy writing music for the band.
“It all starts with Doug’s (guitar) riffs,” Dan said of the music writing process.
Once the band builds the music around Doug’s dark and heavy riffs, they finish with the lyrics.
Not only did the band begin writing original sounds, they also have already experienced the recording process in their short time together. Like many local musicians, Miscreations of Man gave one of the best sound men in Sweetwater County, Eric Anderson, a call. Anderson has helped and recorded several local musicians while not busy rocking with Stones Throe.
Dan said the recording experience was a different experience for the band.
“We have never been in a real studio before,” Jeremy said. “Eric was cool. He talked us through everything and it went pretty smooth.”
The band cut six songs in eight hours with Anderson. The band hopes to spend more time in the studio to lay down some of its newer music for fans.
Even though involved in music, all four members of the band are music fans first and if you ask any one of them they will tell you live music is where it is at. While it is getting easier to catch bands live. there was still not a lot of heavier music like Miscreations. Dan said CoMay Studios have been setting up a lot of live music up locally and decided to take a page out of their book to bring heavier bands to the area.
Last year, Dan brought several of the harder acts to Rock Springs to perform at the Elks Club. The small metal festival was called Unleashed.
This year, the event is back and Miscreations of Man will be one of several acts which will hit the outdoor stage at Buddha Bob’s. This year’s festival kicks off at noon on June 20. Bands include local favorites Paralys and Salt Lake powerhouses Dethrone the Sovereign and Walking Corpse Syndrome.
Several local bands have been pushing more all-age shows. Both last year and this year the festival has been available to music fans of all ages.
“All-age shows are where its at,” Dan exclaimed.
Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 the day of the festival. Tickets can be purchased at Buddha Bob’s, The Pickin’ Palace, HighPlains Tattoo and Graffiti Records.
