Who on earth are Who On Earth? Armed with a manifesto of picking up the torch for hard rock and heavy metal with true grit and gusto and no gimmicks, the band deliver a one-two punch of hard-hitting hooks and airtight instrumentation bolted down by pummelling grooves and piercing riffs. With virtuoso guitarist and producer Mike Orlando [Adrenaline Mob, Noturnall, Her Chariot Awaits] in their corner, they pay homage to rock’s past while also helping to usher in its future on their debut album, ‘Blame’, a record that came about as the answer to a question….
“We wanted to fill in the blank of ‘who on earth is going to bring back good rock and metal?’” explains bassist and band co-founder Pete Rizzi. “We grew up on the new wave of British heavy metal and classic rock. We went through grunge and other great genres of metal. We wanted to resurrect the melodies, hooks and guitar solos. We went back to our roots, albeit upgrading everything with a modern production.”
Having paid their dues via countless covers gigs, Rizzi and vocalist Coosh formed Who On Earth and hunkered down to write an original album. They invited Joe D’Aqui, the versatile drummer of thrash band Pierced, to join the fold prior to hitting the studio with none other than Orlando behind the board as producer, engineer and guest guitarist.
Nodding to everyone from Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden and Metallica to Rush, Alice In Chains and Tool, ‘Blame' places storytelling in the spotlight. “Most of our songs are complete stories from start to finish. We’re talking about our lives,” notes Coosh, with Rizzi adding that “there is personal vulnerability in the lyrics, which are reflective and honest.” On a record packed with hard and heavy gems, Rizzi concludes: “we have just tried to write good songs. We have gone back to what we grew up on. It’s still valuable and relevant. It can’t die.”
WHO ON EARTH
Coosh – vocals
Pete Rizzi – bass
Joe D'Aqui – drums
Bruce Gatewood – guitar
Johnny James Barone – guitar
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Mike Orlando – studio guitarist on 'Blame'
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