by L. Jeanette Strole

Unless you've been hiding under a rock the last fifteen years, you ought to know that rock groups sprout up in Seattle almost as often as a cup of Starbucks coffee is brewed. This is a town where rock music is made, and where rock legends are born. And Common Heroes is a rock band that has been nurtured in the tradition of Seattle's long and prolific history of music. On these fertile, rain-soaked soils of the Pacific Northwest, Common Heroes is making a name for themselves.

Much like the sprouting buds of a new plant growth, their musical career has begun to seriously take root in the last year. From their earlier beginnings in various local groups like Jimmy Miracle, Some Few Oracles, and The Buttermilk Five, the individual members of Common Heroes have been seasoned musicians bringing their own influences to the table. Ira Merrill, lead vocalist and songwriter, is finding musical symbiosis with his band members, and all their collective flavors. "Common Heroes definitely has become more of an energetic rock outfit due to our experiences jamming with other musicians and gleaning from other artists' songwriting techniques."

Their musical convergence might convey tastes and influences like Led Zeppelin, Ramones, Filter, Hey Mercedes, Elvis Costello, but their sound is uniquely theirs, in tight guitar riffs, percussive elements that don't quit, and emotive, melodic vocals.

The band has also converged personally, as if they're representing the quintessential band-member stereotypes. As Ira asserts, they each have their distinct personality traits that also help to color their music. "We are very laid back and friendly and relational. We don't demand much, and can adapt pretty well to most environments we play in. We really just try to be ourselves – that is the whole point. Steve is the administrative type, and can get a little stressy…but he also makes sure the i's are dotted and t's are crossed, and that is an asset to the other scatterbrained rock geeks in this band. I can be pretty introverted, but comes out of his shell onstage – he is the token band mediator/hack politician. Leif is a fiery ball of HELLO!!! - super social, and at times outspoken – a mover and a shaker. Kyle is the silent cornerstone of the band – very grounded, and has an amazing ability to see through a haze of problems, and address situations calmly (this of course, in between thrashing around and knocking over mic stands…um…and people…)"

Their personal tastes and differences color their interactions with each other, but at the same time, this brings an intense dynamic to the music. Amidst the typical creative differences, and arguments about stylistic elements, they eventually all come into agreement. "Everyone adds their own sauce to it amidst the tension. And most of the time - we kiss and make up, and realize we've just given birth to a great song. Now, to counter that – sometimes our songwriting processes are just pure magic and smiles and we all gel completely – that kind of inspiration is great, and of course, we wish that was the rule instead of the exception..."

With pen in hand, Ira writes poetic lines about love, loss, death, life, and all points in between, with such conviction, that only a robot would have difficulty relating to the emotions he conveys. Stanzas like the following, paint pictures of life's tribulations:

Playing into pleasure with the carnal cards
On an island of wasted youth killing truth
Aching for acceptance and alive for love
Ever dreaming of cherished eyes through the lies

The Puget Sound area has served as their proving grounds, in building up a devoted local fanbase. Common Heroes' dedicated and loyal fans make for an excellent volunteer brigade, setting up merch tables, putting up posters, helping the local buzz grow into a steady pitch. A live show that is electric, and fiery, along with their brand of tightly played rock-and-roll, is the ticket that keeps bringing the local fans back, time and time again. "On a musical level, we are not afraid to try things that sit right on the fence of what our "sound" is – in between the pop/punk anthems, we'll throw in a crazy rock epic with three or four separate sections, …and groove instead of blaze at hyper speed. We are all pretty seasoned live performers, and I think onstage the passion we have for what we do shows through. The whole idea is 'play every show as if it was your last,' and I think we all do. I think it shows! So many bands – at least so many bands I've seen – sometimes they just seem bored, or drunk, or like they'd rather be at home watching Matlock reruns."

As a band, they have worked steadily at infiltrating Seattle's trendiest night spots, being hosted by such venues as Chop Suey, Graceland, the EMP Liquid Lounge, Studio 7 and the Crocodile Café, sharing the stage with Emery, The Protocol, The Myriad, Post Stardom Depression, Pris, Loudermilk, New American Standard, and Tart. Not only that, but two of Seattle's most influential radio stations, KEXP 90.3 and 107.7 KNDD The End have played their music regularly.

Common Heroes are not content to just sit around and wait for things to happen. Their strong work-ethic, and drive to succeed pushes them forward in their pursuits.. It's in their blood to make rock music. "Music is a career choice – but, it is almost not a choice. Oh, how many times we've all tried to quit due to the frustration of the biz… It is a disease, and we can't cure it. We are supposed to do this. We have to. We all know it."