Caught in the Carousel

Into The Presence

By Alex Green

Into The Presence

Roger Daltrey once said it was the way that Keith Moon played the drums that held The Who together. In fact, Daltrey said that bassist John Entwistle and guitarist Pete Townshend "were like needles... and Keith was the wool."

Keeping that analogy in mind, drummer Tim Alexander of Into The Presence is like cashmere.

But to say that Alexander—who made his mark with Primus and A Perfect Circle—is merely a great drummer falls far short of the mark. It would be like saying Antarctica is a bit chilly or outer space is pretty big. Alexander is a true wizard behind the kit, a virtuoso with such massive talent that, like Hemmingway or Jackson Pollack, he makes it all seem so easy.

Which means it's the exact opposite.

Into The Presence

Alexander is one of those rare drummers who's remarkable even when he's not playing. Sometimes he'll offer something rhythmic and complex and then he'll put his sticks down and let that combination resonate while he waits to strike again. No drummer can fill the silences like he can. In fact, his syncopations, his sturdy innovations and his discursive range have prompted members of the drumming intelligentsia to form caucuses to discuss his stupefying, often perplexing rhythms. Recently, Drum magazine flat out declared him to be one of "the most influential drummers of all-time."

Joined by singer/multi-instrumentalist Luis Carlos Maldonado—who has played with everyone from John Waite to UFO—the two men form Into The Presence, a hard rock duo that comes with elements of jazz, metal, prog rock and goth. Alexander may be an expert on the drums, but Maldonado's no slouch either. An accomplished musician, Maldonado comes armed with Freddie Mercury-like phrasing, his voice soaring in staccato-like bursts, the syllables rolling of his tongue with complete rock mastery.

Into The Presence

For the recording of the band's self-titled debut album (recently signed to Razor & Tie, they're currently at work on their second), not only did they bring in some pretty accomplished hired guns—cellist Ana Lenchantin (Brian Wilson, Trent Reznor, The Eels) and bassist Paz Lenchantin (A Perfect Circle, Entrance)—they shrugged off the temptation to employ modern technology and opted instead for an authentic analog experience, using tape machines and vintage outboard gear. The result is a striking ten-track collection: "End Game" summons Sheer Heart Attack-era Queen; "Lovers" boasts a muscular, memorable chorus and "Phone Call," which begins as an acoustic mediation, gives way to a driving hard rock lament, replete with Maldonado at his most vocally operatic. Elsewhere, "My Only Crime" is a spare, cello-powered number; "Coming Home" showcases the band's sheer power and the catchy "Radio" finds Maldonado imploring, "Turn it on, turn it on again."

Allow CITC to introduce you to the Rulers Of Rhythm: Into The Presence.

Into The Presence

TIM ALEXANDER
BAND NAME: Into The Presence

YOUR FULL NAME: Timothy Wayne Alexander

NICKNAME: "Herb"

YOUR ROLE IN THE BAND: Drummer/Co-Writer/Producer

BAND MEMBERS: Officially, Tim Alexander and Luis Carlos Maldonado

HOMETOWN: Oakland, CA

WEBSITE: http://www.myspace.com/intothepresence
http://www.intothepresence.com

RECORD LABEL: Razor & Tie

DESCRIBE YOUR SOUND IN ONE SENTENCE: Melodic, rhythmic and dark.

PROUDEST PROFESSIONAL MOMENT: Opening for Rush, a band that had a tremendous influence on my musical pursuits from a young age.

WEIRDEST PROFESSIONAL MOMENT: Playing in Japan while on tour with Primus. During the concert, there was a pin-drop silence throughout the arena. Cheering was allowed only at the end of each song. My understanding is that culturally it is disrespectful for fans to interrupt the band during the songs. It was a very unique experience.

THE SONG YOU WISH THAT YOU'D WRITTEN: "10 Years Gone"—Led Zeppelin

FIVE BEST BANDS TO EVER ROAM THE EARTH: Led Zeppelin, Bob Marley, Rush, Peter Gabriel, U2

WHAT WERE YOU LIKE AS A KID?: Young...but mostly quiet and easygoing.

WHAT KEEPS YOU UP AT NIGHT?: My girlfriend performing Broadway musicals.

LAST TWO BOOKS YOU'VE READ: Sugar Shock, Foundations of Electronics

FIVE THINGS WE'D FIND IN THE BACK OF YOUR TRUCK: 1 Girlfriend, 3 Pit-bulls, and 1 Chihuahua = 5

HARDEST PART ABOUT BEING A MUSICIAN: It's a rollercoaster ride that I never quite get used to.

FAVORITE LATE NIGHT TV SHOW: The Daily Show With John Stewart

IDEAL BREAKFAST: What I eat every morning: Egg white scramble mixed with tomatoes, mushrooms, onions, a side of veggie sausage, one waffle, real maple syrup and a small glass of OJ...all organic.

BEST ALBUM TO PLAY AFTER A BREAK-UP AND YOU'RE HOLDING A BOTTLE OF VODKA AND SOMETHING SHARP: Silent Night—Ethel Merman

INDULGENCE YOU REFUSE TO GIVE UP: My weakness...Häagen-Dazs - Flavor: Vanilla Swiss Almond

FAVORITE QUOTE OR SONG LYRIC: "Do it right, make it big and give it class" - MGM's motto in 1938

PERSONAL PHILOSOPHY: You are exactly where you are supposed to be.

Into The Presence

LUIS CARLOS MALDONADO
BAND NAME: Into The Presence

YOUR FULL NAME: Luis Carlos Maldonado

NICKNAME: None

YOUR ROLE IN THE BAND: Singer/Guitarist/Songwriter/Co-producer

BAND MEMBERS: Officially, Tim Alexander and Luis Carlos Maldonado

HOMETOWN: It's hard to say. I'll settle with San Francisco

WEBSITE: http://www.myspace.com/intothepresence
http://www.intothepresence.com

RECORD LABEL: Razor & Tie

DESCRIBE YOUR SOUND IN ONE SENTENCE: A creative and musical approach to rock music with hints of the past, present and future.

PROUDEST PROFESSIONAL MOMENT: At this moment, finishing the Into The Presence album and getting management, signed to a label and booking agent within a year as a result of our work. We did it totally on our own with only the help from the people that performed on it. This album is written, recorded, produced and funded entirely on our own. I know there will be more moments to come...

WEIRDEST PROFESSIONAL MOMENT: Are you kidding? It's ALL weird!

THE SONG YOU WISH THAT YOU'D WRITTEN: That's hard to answer. Hmm...It would be a tie between "How Deep Is Your Love" by the Bee Gees and "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" by Elton John

FIVE BEST BANDS TO EVER ROAM THE EARTH: UGH! Another tough one!! So much great music it's hard to limit it to five. Free, Gracious, Isley Brothers, Automatic Man, Argent and The Sensational Alex Harvey Band...I know that's six but WTF?!

WHAT WERE YOU LIKE AS A KID?: Paranoid, hyper, and moody

WHAT KEEPS YOU UP AT NIGHT?: It's one of three things: Creative thoughts, philosophical thoughts, or the end of the world.

LAST TWO BOOKS YOU'VE READ: The Astral Body by A.E. Powell, and Keepers of the Garden by Dolores Canon.

FIVE THINGS WE'D FIND IN THE TRUNK OF YOUR CAR: Shackles, body parts, candy, puppies and a kite.

HARDEST PART ABOUT BEING A MUSICIAN: Being a musician is not hard, nor is the business. BUT it's the impostors in the business that make it hard to deal with at times.

FAVORITE LATE NIGHT TV SHOW: Letterman...oh wait, Leno...wait, Conan...UGH! I suppose whoever breaks the band first is my favorite.

IDEAL BREAKFAST: Breakfast Burrito and a big fucking mug of coffee

BEST ALBUM TO PLAY AFTER A BREAK-UP AND YOU'RE HOLDING A BOTTLE OF VODKA AND SOMETHING SHARP: Free at Last—Free

INDULGENCE YOU REFUSE TO GIVE UP: I'm boring with this one. There aren't many indulgent things I partake of. I guess maybe masturbating? Oh wait, that's a necessity right?

FAVORITE QUOTE OR SONG LYRIC: "Youth is a mask and its not made to last"

PERSONAL PHILOSOPHY: "Respect yourself, others, the earth by being honest to yourself, others and the earth." You would be amazed how honest communication all the way around opens doors and closes the ones that need to be slammed. Also, laugh as hard as you can!!

Internet: www.myspace.com/intothepresence
www.intothepresence.com

Into The Presence

Into The Presence will be out in April.