Looking for something to do in Huntsville this Friday night? Come to the downtown square for some live music and see a band you are sure to hear more about in the near future. Silverleaf will be playing at the Fall Jam Block Party, a musical event put on by Obediah productions and sponsored by local Huntsville businesses. What makes the up and coming Houston band Silverleaf different from other bands? Bassist Matt Radliff says it’s the combination of “talent, style and dedication with an element of surprise,” that gives his band an edge above others. A modern rock band made up of four members from the Houston area, Silverleaf is the highly anticipated project from former successful regional bands. Consisting of lead singer Paul Gross, SHSU alum guitarist Rob Swonke, Radliff and drummer Bruce Rios, Silverleaf brings an abundance of talent to the stages it plays. Collectively Silverleaf has played over 1,000 shows at venues across Texas and beyond. Although Silverleaf is fairly new on the scene, having just been together for a year, the band has already established a loyal following and quickly adopts new fans while selling out venues wherever it plays. The band has become recog-nized in the Houston music scene and was nominated for “best new act” at the Houston Press Music Awards this summer. The Silverleaf sound is hard to categorize. “I think the most important thing is to just try and write great songs and not focus on a certain type of sounds,” Gross said. Their music creates a sound of “sweeping, catchy melodies, massive guitar and earnest lyrics,” Radliff said. With the maturity of the band – all the members are in their mid-twenties – there is a certain feeling of commitment towards the audience. “We don’t want to come across as a passing band, we want our listeners to know that we are planning on continuing with this journey and taking it as far as we can,” Swonke said.Recently, Silverleaf has signed on with Budweiser/EMI to be the Budweiser True Music Live band for Houston. The band’s first single “Reach Me,” off the debut E.P. as well as a clever remake of the Beastie Boy’s “Paul Revere” have received significant airplay on several radio stations, including 94.5 The Buzz. Silverleaf has been a part of several battles of the bands and has won several titles while performing. Currently, Silverleaf is getting ready to record its debut album at Sugar Hill Studios in Houston. The album will feature 11 tracks including new songs “Selfish”, “I am”, “Inside” and “Fall Down”. The band plans to release the album by the end of the year. Silverleaf has been able to capitalize on its local success, landing an opening spot at this year’s 104 KRBE Earthday Festival where the band shared the stage with national recording artists, Jewel, Bowling For Soup, Michelle Branch and Simple Plan to name a few. Silverleaf was also featured in the August issue of Rolling Stone magazine.Last month Silverleaf played at the Houston Texans kick-off and after an Astros game at Minute Maid Park. The members of the band are hoping for the opportunity to be a part of the Super Bowl XXXVIII celebration in Houston in February.Last March, Silverleaf had the opportunity to headline a venue during Austin’s annual music and film festival South by Southwest. “That was a big break for us,” Radliff said. “Executives from all over the industry were there to watch bands perform.”Silverleaf left an impression in Austin and has been asked to return on various occasions. The band has also played various venues in Dallas, San Antonio and New Orleans. “We’re looking forward to the rest of 2003 and the opportunity to bring music to fans across the country,” Rios said.Silverleaf’s home venue in Houston is the Sidecar Pub where the band plays about once a month and frequently packs the house. The next show at Sidecar is Sept. 20 and Silverleaf will give any SHSU student at the show a free CD . For directions to the venue and information about upcoming shows, check out sidecarpub.com. Silverleaf has already rocked Huntsville during the Summer Jam at Richmond Square. The show this Friday night begins at 9 p.m. with Silverleaf taking the stage at 11 p.m. Tickets are $9 at the door and the show is B.Y.O.B. No glass bottles are allowed. For more information about Silverleaf go to silverleafband.com.
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