Serving Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk, and other towns of the North Carolina High Country
Founded 05-05-05
January 11, 2007 issue
Atlanta Rock Quartet Sun Domingo Earning Respect on the Road
Story by David Brewer
With the unfortunate passing of the “hardest working man in show business,” another Georgia-bred act is burning up the highways in hopes of inheriting James Brown’s most famous moniker. Infectious Atlanta rock quartet Sun Domingo has played more than 350 shows in their brief, two-year history.
Sun Domingo is out to prove that the only way to truly gain fans is to do it the old-fashioned way—play killer live shows in front of lots of people. This Friday, January 12, the band will return to the High Country for their second show at The Library.
Consisting of members Jason Pomar on lead vocals and bass guitar, Edgel Groves, Jr. on guitar and vocals, Aaron Simpson on lead guitar and vocals and Nathan Lathouse on drums and backing vocals, the seeds were sown for the band nearly five years ago when three of the four members met at a practice space in Athens, Georgia.
Sun Domingo deftly blends elements from musical touchstones including Big Star, XTC, Guster, The Beatles, Toad the Wet Sprocket and The Police for the type of upbeat and incredibly catchy pop rock sound that is instantly hummable. With tasteful, top-notch instrumental work by each member and strong three-part harmonies, the band’s ability to deliver their well-crafted original songs is becoming stronger with each show.
Though Pomar, Groves and Simpson penned tunes soon after their initial meeting, it would take a few years for other musical commitments to run their course. When the trio reunited, they went in search of a lead guitarist, approaching Simpson during a solo gig. Convincing him to join soon after, Sun Domingo was born.
Groves said that unlike the member’s previous acts, writing for and playing with Sun Domingo has been more about writing songs that people will enjoy instead of trying to constantly prove themselves. Groves describes the band’s sound as “smart” and “hooky.”
“All of us at one point were in progressive rock bands,” said Groves. “This band definitely has the most widely acceptable sound.”
Having recently released their second EP and currently working on a full-length CD, the band sees 2007 shaping up to be a year of relentless recording, touring and promoting.
Racking up thousands of miles on the road during their brief tenure as a band, Sun Domingo has graced the stages of venues from New York to Alabama and all in between. In the current age of spreading the word across the Internet, the band members are convinced that playing live will benefit them more than web marketing.
“We all agree that there’s no better way to get your music out there than setting up and playing live,” said Groves. “People are yelling for our songs which is pretty cool.”
A quick listen to Sun Domingo and it’s not hard to figure out why the band has received rave reviews. Soon after their initial release, the band started shopping their music to record labels with the hope of being picked up by a major label.
“We definitely want to go to the pros,” said Groves. “To get a real shot at being all over the world, you’ve got to let the pros do it.”
Still rehearsing one day a week in Atlanta as well as writing and practicing acoustically in their hotel rooms on the road, Sun Domingo is ready for the big time.
Want To Go?
Date: Friday, January 12
Time: 10:30 p.m.
Location: The Library
Cost: $5