Making their way across state borders in North-Eastern territory, Atlas Soundtrack brings all-original music to the table, with something for everyone to get down to. Taking elements from many genres including Hip-Hop, Reggae music, and Rock and Roll, Atlas receives heavy support from both fans and critics in central PA. “A genre experiment gone right, cementing them as one of the best bands in State College”(WPSU.com), the five members bring a high-energy show that people have a hard time refusing.
Forming in the Fall of 2007, the group began writing, what is now, their catalog of over 50 original songs. At first the band preformed with two emcees, but in Spring of 2010 after a 9 month hiatus, emcee Kimani Kowen left the group and the band reformed with one emcee, original member Drew “Dubb” Jackson. Original bassist Kenny Heron also left the group after recently becoming a husband and father, and was replaced by bassist Mickey Klein. With original members Matt Savereno on guitar and vocals, Josh Parker on drums, and Kyle Dornich on percussion and turntables, the band has now formed a tight, unified sound, delivering an energy-packed show every time they hit the stage. Having shared the stage with the performers such as O.A.R., Lupe Fiasco, Afroman, Badfish: A tribute to Sublime, Toubab Krewe, Giant Panda Guerrilla Dub Squad, and Asher Roth, Atlas Soundtrack continues their mission to bring ALL ORIGINAL HIP-HOP/REGGAE/ROCK to crowds everywhere.
In a city dominated for years by cover bands, Atlas Soundtrack “works simultaneously with skill and enthusiasm to create one of the best shows in the State College circuit.”(State Theatre Online), and “defies the odds “as stated by Beth Anne Downey of The Daily Collegian. Already planning their sophomore album release for 2012, Atlas Soundtrack is a solid family-unit, determined to continue writing, performing, and moving crowds for years to come.
Raised on the wild streets of State College, Pa, Drew “Dubb” Jackson, Emcee for the group, attributes his narrative writing style to his fond appreciation for fantasy fiction and the stories of Jesus. His father a brilliant drummer and percussionist, would take Drew to band rehearsals and performances exposing his son to a diverse array of music since his birth. He was two years old when he fell from a one flight staircase into the back of an amplifier while listening to his father’s practice session in Joey DeFrancesco’s basement. He marks these experiences as the catalyst for his deep seeded passion for music and its creation.
“It is an honor and a blessing to make music and share these great adventures with my homeboys. We got the best fans anyone could ask for and we look forward to sharing these amazing moments with you every night!!. We do it for y’all!! Love and happiness!”
Influences: Sublime, Rage Against the Machine, Curtis Mayfield, Nas, Kanye West, Notorious B.I.G., Teddy Riley, Otis Redding, Sam Cooke, The Roots, Mos Def, Diplo
Pulling his influences from multiple directions, Matt Savereno has taught himself to both sing and play guitar, using the artists he has looked up to, and been effected by over the years, as his teachers. Growing up in State College, he started playing when he was 12 to songs on the radio, or ordering the tabbooks of his favorite albums. After some projects early on in his life, it wasn’t until he joined the quest to turn-out a live hip-hop band that his abilities and creative force were allowed to flourish. By combining elements of rock he had learned at a young age to love and desire to produce, with elements of reggae and “simple jazzyness”, his style began to form.
“I really feel like I have always acted as a sponge. I take in all that I have come to respect and love about music, and sort of let it reemerge in an organic, natural way. Which is really what everyone’s doing in this band, so it works well.”
Influences and favorite Artisit’s include: Barrington Levy, Common, Jeff Buckley, Nas, The Roots, RJD2, 311 (early sh*t), Smashing Pumpkins (early sh*t), Incubus (early sh*t), Sublime, Mos Def, A Tribe Called Quest, Bob Marley, Neil Young, RHCP, Talib kweli…
Kyle Dornich is the complimentary sound of Atlas, providing percussion for the reggae vibe and the turntables for the hip hop element. He also does live effects on Matt’s vocals and is beginning to add back up vocals to help create those harmonies that add that extra dimension to the songs.
a few favorites: DJ Shadow, DJ Krush, DangerMouse, Pretty Lights, Four Tet, Burial, Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad, Toubab Krewe, Thievery Corporation, Atmosphere, Knaan, Black Star, Immortal Technique, J Live, Adam Deitch, Dub Trio, Tool, Radiohead, Saul Williams, Nina Simone, The xx, The Weeknd, 10 ft. Ganja Plant, The Black Keys, Arcade Fire, Yeasayer, Tortoise
“I was born with music inside me. Music was one of my parts. Like my ribs, my kidneys, my liver, my heart. Like my blood. It was a force already within me when I arrived on the scene. It was a necessity for me-like food or water.” – Ray Charles
Josh Parker has been drumming since he was 8 yrs old and has developed a unique style all his own. He found himself performing at an early age, holding down the drums for the choir in his Church. His influences range from Jazz to Rock and Roll, and everywhere in between. With each new song the bands creates, Josh delves deeper into his own style, exploring and growing with each beat he arrives on.
“My favorite drummer has to be Questlove. Its important for every musician to have their “genius” they look up to and can draw inspiration from. And that’s the man right there.” .
– Shout out to The Roots “Ain’t no stopping us now”
Mickey Klein is a self taught bass player that had a lot of help along the way. Born and raised in State College PA, where many of the local musicians helped him mold his early style. After 20 years of Bass, Mickey has played in many bands, pit orchestras for local productions of Broadway plays, and assorted “hired-gun” gigs around State College Pa. He was excited to be asked to join Atlas Soundtrack full time.
“I have found a new energy and enthusiasm playing all original music with Atlas! It’s awesome. Anyone who plays bass, from beginner to professional, influences me. I just love music. Several talented musicians in local bands were and still are happy and willing to share tips and tricks of the trade with me. That’s what’s so cool about the local community.”
Earliest influences include: Cliff Burton, Steve Harris, Les Claypool, Mike Gordon, Geddy Lee, Flea, Stanley Clarke, Victor Wooten and Jaco Pastorious.
