Drenalin was formed in Akron, Ohio in 2005 by guitartist Dan Gutschmidt and bassist EJ Serdinak and second guitarist Brian Meyer. To further the vision and add new direction to their song writing, local acoustic singer/songwriter Josh Surgeon was recruited for lead vocals in early 2005. With a cohesive unit formed, the band found their direction quickly and began playing at local competitions in the Cleveland and Akron areas while gaining a loyal fan base. Iatonna left the band in 2006 to be replaced by ex Xibit-A drummer Bob Dye, and the band was complete. The gigs started coming fast, and the following continued to grow, leading to an apex with the release of their self-titled debut album, released in mid 2007.
Drenalin is a local favorite in northeast Ohio. Competing in multiple band competitions, Drenalin was a finalist in the 2006 Battle of Standing Rock (making it to the Top 6), and the winner of the 2007 Battle of Standing Rock (first out of 54 unsigned bands) in Kent, Ohio. This gave Drenalin an edge over their competition, and gaining the respect of Taproot, whom they opened for at Cleveland’s Peabody’s Down Under in spring 2006. In mid 2007, Drenalin released their first 11-track self-titled LP which has currently sold over 500 copies, and appeared and performed on the air on Cleveland’s 92.3 WXRK.
To commemorate their success, the band held a CD release party to thank their fans – which sold out Cleveland’s House of Blues Cambridge Room. The local media agrees as the Cleveland Plain Dealer said that, “Drenalin not only provides something different but could also be the band most likely to break out of Northeast Ohio.” Tim Webb of Cleveland’s Scene Magazine concurs on songs like “Your Savior” as it “is at once complex enough to marvel at the band’s musicianship and simple enough to sing along with.”
For Drenalin, this is only the beginning. With the debut album out and selling in abundance and a dedicated fan following at their shows, Drenalin knows how to make their music work, and work hard. |
