The Juliana Theory Biography
Last updated: 05/17/2010 12:00:00 PM
Brett Detar - vocals, guitars, programming
Chad Alan - bass, backing vocals
Joshua Fiedler - guitars
Joshua Kosker - guitars, backing vocals
Josh Walters - drums
Steel. In its raw state, it is nothing but magnetic rock. Unleashed, steel is power and strength. Under the hand of the steelworker, those raw materials are melted down to searing light: shaped, pounded, and twisted into the unlimited forms that are the very foundations of our modern world. This is the hardest kind of labor, and the work ethic of steelworkers has rightfully become legendary. While growing up in the shadows of the Pennsylvania steel mills, the members of The Juliana Theory have embraced this hard work mentality. With two full-length records, numerous EP's, and relentless touring behind them, they have mined music and twisted it into ever-evolving forms that keep their always growing fan base rapt with attention.
All five members of The Juliana Theory grew up in Southwestern Pennsylvania. Before they came together, their previous bands played a variety of music, ranging from punk to metal to pop. The musical environment in their hometown was supportive - all the bands knew each other. Members would play with each other's groups, and everyone would eventually find themselves jamming with friends. For The Juliana Theory, the band started as a lark, experimentation - a side project in every manner. But as time went on, something clicked.
Somehow the band was able to tap into their shared love of classic rock, imbue it with the sensibilities of modern rock bands like the Smashing Pumpkins, and then give the whole package their own unique twist. It was as if Rock music, with all of its history; from 50's pop, to 60's psychedelia, to the hard rock of the 70's, to 80's punk, to the 90's alternative rock, were a slow burning ember in the fire. The Juliana Theory found a way to hit that ember with a sense of the contemporary, causing it to flare up with a new spark of passion. Armed with a demo tape, The Juliana Theory took the first offer that came their way from Tooth & Nail Records.
On their first two albums, Understand This Is A Dream (1999) and Emotion is Dead (2000), The Juliana Theory came out kicking with emotive intensity, backed by the power and crunch of pure rock. The albums sold a combined 100,000 units and the songs "Into the Dark," and "Understand the Dream Is Over" generated considerable airplay on various Modern Rock radio stations nationwide- without the support of a major label. But perhaps the most inspiring thing about the two records was the remarkable rate of growth and experimentation within the band that took place between the two of them. While Understand rallied under the energy of post-punk, Emotion expanded upon the band's strengths by adding the use of a third guitar and more progressive layers, while delving into heavier and more personal subject matter on the lyrical front. With stylistic changes, a band can often alienate their audience. The Juliana Theory, however, managed the opposite. Somehow their ability to stay true to themselves and their fans was cle
ar, and their growth was enthusiastically welcomed.
Perhaps, the willingness of The Juliana Theory 's fans to accept change and growth is based on the fact that their fanbase is largely an organic creation that has grown out of their relentless touring schedule. On their first few runs through the country, The Juliana Theory played wherever they could find an audience. Whether it was the living room of a fan's house or the dingiest of clubs, the band played wherever they could. While criss-crossing the states over time, the venues they played grew larger as fans spread the word about the high-powered live shows they had been witnessing. Today, The Juliana Theory regularly sells out 1000-seat venues throughout the US. There is little doubt that a percentage of this audience is made up of fans that caught their first glimpse of the band in a basement on one of their earliest tours.
With their last release, the EP Music From Another Room (2001), the band developed their sound even further. Their triple guitar threat remained bedrock. Harmonizing abilities increased, and the inclusion of influences as varied as 80's new wave and English folk music, stretched boundaries. As an EP meant to showcase songs that the band had written during short breaks from touring, Music becomes both a document of a band in transition and the inspiring vision of a band excited to take a sonic gamble.
With growth and change being as much a characteristic of the band as hard work, The Juliana Theory decided to make a label change in 2001 by signing with Epic Records. While keeping up with their relentless touring schedule, the band has managed to continue writing new songs. With their plans for their next record, the band's love of transition becomes self-evident. In the words of lead singer Brett Detar,
"I hope our music can be like a doorway for our fans to open and find more challenging and even cerebral music. We are willing to expand on each album by not always doing the same thing. But, at the same time we don't want to alienate our audience. We want our audience to grow with us. We work so hard on our tours. Live, we bring a heaviness and energy to our music that most people who have only listened to our records might not expect. For our next album, we want to expand on and capture that live sound. We'd like to make music that offers a certain amount of hope to the people that hear it."
Like the supports that hold up and form the basis of the U.S. Steel Building in Pittsburgh, The Juliana Theory is a band that is heavy and grounded while also reaching out to expand to greater and greater heights. This ability to expand, while continuing to please even the most fickle fans, is the true definition of a band with a real foundation. With their steelworker ethics bracing them, The Juliana Theory will continue to grow and change, lifting up the audiences new and old.