Rejuvenated Asleep ready to rock

By Guy D’Astolfo

When an iron is placed on the fire, what is not burned away emerges stronger than ever.

That analogy describes the current state of affairs of Youngstown-based rockers Asleep.

The band is coming off a tumultuous year that saw two members quit, a parting of ways with its management company and an unsuccessful flirtation with record labels.

Asleep replaced the two members in what guitarist Jon Dean called “a seamless transition.”

It also self-released its new album, “Between, Above and Below.” The band’s new lineup and new record will both be unveiled at a release party Saturday night at Jillian’s, which could draw close to 1,000 people.

“It’s been stressful,” said Dean, “but we are completely rejuvenated and have never been more excited to play music.”

Drummer Dave Ardale and bassist Jeremy Hanhold decided to leave the band. Nick Kloss has taken over on drums; a permanent replacement on bass has not yet been named, but Angelo Scordo will handle the job at Saturday’s show.

Dean said the band remains friends with the two departed members.

“Lives go in different directions, and this thing has gotten so serious that the people involved in this project just eat, sleep and live it every day,” said Dean. “I wish [Ardale and Hanhold] the best. They are very talented. ... They’re just not ready to do what we are going to do.”

What they are going to do is tour relentlessly in a grass-roots effort to build a fan base in as many markets as possible.

Dean said it’s a necessary step for progressive-sounding indie rockers that don’t adhere to radio trends.

Asleep played showcase performances with numerous label execs in the past year but was usually met with the same line. “The responses we’ve gotten have been, ‘This is great, we love it. ... What markets are you established in?’” said Dean. “We’re a developmental type of project, and [labels] don’t have a budget for this in the current state of things. They’ll say, ‘We love what you do, and we want to see what you can do. You’re on our radar.’”

In other words, come back when you’re bigger.

Asleep now knows what it has to do. The music is there; but it’s up to the band to spread it around.

Part of that process entails finding new management. Asleep recently cut ties with Wild Justice after three years with the company. Dean said Wild Justice’s current top project is radio-favorites Saving Abel, and the company didn’t seem to have the energy for a band such as Asleep, said Dean.

Asleep’s new album has actually been in the can for about a year. It was recorded last fall at Vudu Studio near New York City with producer Mike Watts, who has worked with Adelita’s Way (Virgin Records), As Tall As Lions (Triple Crown/Warner Bros.) and The Dear Hunter (Triple Crown/Warner Bros.). Dean said the record has a more focused sound that highlights the band’s strengths.

“It’s a slight departure from [debut CD] “All These Things We’ll Never Need,” said Dean. “It is definitely less experimental without being too ‘cookie cutter’ and centers upon mature songwriting.”

The record reflects the influence of indie-rock acts that can lure mainstream listeners, such as Muse, Modest Mouse, Radiohead, Deftones and Silversun Pick-Ups.