Zerobridge - Havre de Grace Review
Posted by Mitch Michaels on 10.04.2007
Sons of Kashmir pump out jangly pop/rock on their first EP…
My Story
U2 is an amazing, iconic band. It seems like a new band citing Bono and the gang as an influence pops up here in the United States everyday. But U2 is also a worldwide phenomenon, so it should come as no surprise that bands rooted in eastern culture could also draw on both the influence of U2 and the art of their countries and nations. Enter Zerobridge, whose founders are descendents of South Asian parents. What will their version of arena rock sound like?
Their Story
Zerobridge formed around 1999 in Potomac, Maryland, in the basement of the Mohi-ud-Din family, where brothers Mubashir (“Din”) and Mohsin (“Mo”) began playing together while still in high school. The brothers eventually relocated to New York City to pursue both college and a career in music.
While in NYC, Zerobridge completed their first self-released album, which was heavily influenced by their visit to their parents’ homeland of Kashmir. Unfortunately, the pair of brothers found the songs hard to reproduce in a live setting. Enter Greg Eckelman, who had played bass briefly with NY post-hardcore act Orange 9mm. The trio really gelled perfectly and by 2005 they were recording their second indie album with ex-David Bowie guitarist Earl Slick.
In 2007, Zerobridge reentered the studio to record an EP for Third Life Entertainment, which would include new songs and re-recorded versions of their earlier material.
The Album
On September 18, 2007, Third Life Entertainment released Havre de Grace, an EP by Zerobridge. The EP is the band’s first release for a label.
The Band: 7.5
Mubashir “Din” Mohi-ud-Din: vocals, guitars
Mohsin “Mo” Mohi-ud-Din: drums
Greg “The Quota” Eckelman: bass
For a band releasing their first work for a label, Zerobridge has a very professional sound. I guess you can thank their previous studio experience for that, and their work with Earl Slick, who even shows up here for a guitar track. Din is a great alt-rock vocalist, with an obvious nod to U2’s Bono. The harmonies on this disc, presumably by Din as well, are really gorgeous too.
The guitars on this album are clean and jangly and the rhythm is tight. Drummer Mo’s penchant for cymbal crashes grow especially endearing. With eight years of playing together under their belt, Zerobridge has brought a real vision to this EP and it shines through with each listen.
The Songs: 7.0
1. Havre de Grace
2. Late Bloomer
3. Suffering Moses
4. The Shake
5. This Is My Version
Havre de Grace is a tight set of rock tunes. The opener and title track is a soaring pop/rock song, as is “Late Bloomer”. “The Shake” is probably the album’s most intriguing number, an indictment of religious extremism that devolves into the suggestion of “Get on the dance floor!” and ends with the hilarious “Is she too sexy/For your big beard?/Ankles are sexy!”.
The EP ends with the rollicking “This Is My Version”, another fun rock tune. It’s a good ending to this short set that leaves you wanting more.
The 411: Anyone who enjoys rock music by the likes of U2, David Bowie or even modern bands like The Strokes should at least dig Havre de Grace and Zerobridge. The band pulls all the pop energy they can muster out of these five rock tunes, with highlights including the title track and the sweet “Suffering Moses”, an ode to their native Kashmir. It’ll be interesting to see if this band can make a name for themselves. They certainly have the right tools.
