From left to right, Static Era is Emma G, Victor Pesch, Chris Yong and Dave Rhodes.
Static Era is an Auckland-based rock band (think Evanescence meets Stone Sour) that formed in late 2010 and features a stellar lineup of musicians. Since starting out, they have:
- released two EPs and five music videos independently
- featured on the NZ On Air Kiwi Hit Disc twice
- achieved airplay on C4, Juice TV and The Rock FM
- toured the north island of New Zealand twice
- headlined Music in Parks 2014
Member background
Double-platinum selling guitarist Chris Yong (Tadpole, Redline, Alt TV) has performed internationally and toured with Disturbed, P.O.D, Alter Bridge and Evanescence.
Vocalist Emma G is a New Zealander of the Year Local Hero award recipient, honoured in 2012 for inspiring others through her music. Despite living with a health condition that has challenged her through twenty three surgeries, including ten brain surgeries, she established a successful singing career at a young age and placed top ten in the Inaugural Play It Strange songwriting competition in 2004. Emma G also teaches tertiary level music and was a vocal coach for eight years.
Award winning drummer Dave Rhodes (Stylus, 29 Blackbirds) received a New Zealand Music Award for his work on the triple-platinum self-titled Blindspott album and has toured with Alien Ant Farm and Hoobastank.
Rounding out the lineup is bassist Victor Pesch, who has performed in numerous punk/metal bands in his hometown of Hamilton. He brings his solid rhythm and experience to help complete the Static Era sound.
Band background
Static Era originally formed as a backing band for Emma G’s solo shows in late 2010. Having recently moved from Hamilton to Auckland, Emma G met Chris and Dave at an open mic night where after some fast talking, they agreed to work together. The band started writing songs together and the sound evolved from Emma’s acoustic singer/songwriter style to a heavier rock sound. With the new sound came a more focused direction and the name change to Static Era in 2012.
The Rock FM featured So Sore on Off The Record in April 2012 and the debut EP The Start was released shortly after in May 2012.
Static Era’s performance highlights include headlining Music in Parks (Auckland’s largest free concert series) with The Datsuns, Kora, I Am Giant, Midge Marsden and Avalanche City, several north island tours, supporting I Am Giant and Sinclarity (USA), the RNZAF and an SPCA fundraiser to benefit abandoned animals.
Fire Away, the first single from the follow-up EP Dare To Fail, featured on NZ On Air Kiwi Disc 163 in September 2013.
Dare To Fail was released in October 2013 supported by a north island tour.
Static Era’s latest single Nobody’s Toy was produced by Dave Rhodes and mastered at Sterling Sound in New York City. It’s the second release from Dare To Fail, featured on the NZ On Air Kiwi Hit Disc 167, followed by another north island in February 2014.