From their formation in 2003, this audacious alternative rock band is quickly putting their small town, Lancaster, California on the map. In 2004 they released their first single the following year titled “Street Nowhere.” The single created a buzz in the northeast region of Los Angeles County and spread like Chickenpox in an over populated kindergarten class. Their performances became just as infective; snowballing from each stage they played on. Hoodwink has stepped it up with the release of their debut album, “From Garbage Blooms a Rose.” The album proves that emotion and thought can exist in modern rock music today. “It’s okay to be angry at life, at the social system, or a girlfriend. That doesn’t mean you have to write a song that is depressing,” Ray says. “Write one that says ‘yeah, I’m pissed, but my life’s not over.’” This message is most evident in the song “Street Nowhere” with lyrics like: “You didn’t get enough love as a child, well I’m sorry… but I can’t help you with that;” which clearly lays it down as a leave me alone sort of song. The driving guitar riffs and gutty rhythmic styling underline the simplicity and strength in pure human emotion also unmistakably heard in songs like “Dizzy” and “Obvious.” Shifting gears to a song that subjects coming to terms with our mortality and ideas of death, “Letting Go” encourages unclenching our grip on those ideas to find peace and set aside fear. From Garbage Blooms a Rose also hammers out the upbeat Latin influenced love song “Spanish Girl.” The song is an attention getter at every show with Ray performing in a sombrero and the traditional Mexican Hat Dance at the end of the song. “Just like life presents us with a wide spectrum of emotion, so should art. It’s our birthright as artists to unveil in an entertaining way, those emotional spectrums.” Says Jason, whose drumming style has been compared to that of Stewart Copeland of The Police. The album delivers dynamic musical style mixed with a lyrical swagger of modern day era; injecting a new addiction to listeners. Born from solid friendship and the demise of two previous bands, Paul Graham, Ray Piloto, Jason Galbraith decided to add Isaiah Gonzales in early 2006 because of his obvious talent, but also to free Ray up on stage. “On stage Ray has oodles of energy and always looked like he was about to explode when he couldn’t move around because he’d be playing guitar and singing,” Paul recalled. Ray adds, “Adding Isaiah has lifted our show to new heights. We have found the perfect recipe to writing skintight songs and a vigorous live performance that stops any audience member from using the bathroom till the end of the show. They’re just hooked.” Hoodwink is often being compared to the likes of Incubus, The Police and Pearl Jam. With the shift of the industry towards digital sells, the group has hooked up with CD Baby for their worldwide digital distribution. Publicizing the release and availability on sites such as iTunes, MSNMusic, Yahoo Music, Rhapsody and a very long catalog of others. To support the release, Hoodwink will spend 2006 touring From Garbage Blooms a Rose and recruiting the audience all along the way. You may not know them when they bring their music to your city, but once they leave their hearts on the stage, you will never forget them.