From left to right: Zac Bogart (Vocals/Guitar), Mastin Kirksey (Drums), Shay Isdale (Lead Vocals/Guitar), Adam Keeling (Vocals/Bass)
Oak is Keeping is a band from the Austin, Texas music scene. The group derives from many late 80s, 90s alternative bands including Soundgarden, Alice in Chains, and Queens of the Stone Age. With three EPs and one studio album, the band doesn’t have much material out there, but don’t let that fool you. Their unique blend of grunge and indie elements is very refreshing and original. On their only album “Animal Style”, display complex songwriting, catchy melodies, and musical complexity. Well, at least after the first 4 tracks on the album. The first fours songs on the album all follow the same basic formula and sound: heavy, grungy, with lots of guitar riffs, Jerry Cantrell/Layne Staley (of Alice in Chains) like vocal harmonies, some dynamic texture, but thats about it. Loud, hard, and heavy. After track 4 however, its as if a musical light switch is turned on in the band members heads. Track 5, “Tempt”, breaks with the status quo with memorable guitar riffs, overlapping vocal layers, dynamic variance, and even a piano breakdown. Next, in “Book of Matches”, the band breaks out some acoustic guitars, which when combined with *’s voice sounds as though it would fit on Pink Floyd’s “Meddle” album. The peace however progresses into hard rock once again, but unlike the beginning of the album, it doesn’t sound the same, nor does it make your ears bleed. The next song, “Devil in the Truth”, combines those Alice in Chain elements with a melodically stunning Sonic Youth breakdown and an ending that conjures up memories of “Master of Puppets”. “Burn it all Down” combines guitar tones that would be more at home on a Strokes album with that familiar 90s alternative vibe. So far on the album a definite alt rock theme has been going on, but with “So Sweet”, the band experiments with piano. The result is a 60sish pop song. Weird, I know. The closer of the album returns to the alternative sound, with plenty of speed, energy, and overdriven guitars. Having since listened to their most recent EP, I think I can say with confidence that Oak is Keeping is more like the last 6 songs on their first album than their first 4. They are a group of incredibly gifted musicians, and definitely worth a look.