Arts & Entertainment
Straight Outta Campbell
Mary Axe cites everyone from NWA to REM to fellow Orchard City Band, The Downside, as musical influences.
The members of Mary Axe say their band sounds like "the Smashing Pumpkins were beat up by Metallica."
That's a fairly accurate description: The trio of Orchard City natives mix heavy metal licks with more mellow strumming, at least in the studio, where the band is working on an album called Straight Outta Campbell, a nod to NWA's classic rap "Straight Outta Compton."
It's a different story when the band plays outside the studio.
Find out what's happening in Campbellfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
"We have a soft side we don't bring to our live shows," drummer Josh Joesten said just before a gig Friday at downtown San Jose's Caravan Lounge.
"You've gotta play for your audience," agreed guitarist Alex Pansoy. "If you're at a bar, they're not gonna sit still."
Find out what's happening in Campbellfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The third member of Mary Axe is Joesten's brother, Dan Joesten, on bass and vocals. The Joestens have known Pansoy since childhood—all three attended —and they say he's like family.
"When you see us play together, you can see the chemistry," Josh Joesten said. "What we do comes naturally."
"We are like brothers," Alex agreed, adding that being in the band is "kinda like having a baby, or as close as three guys can get to it."
Mary Axe first became a gleam in Pansoy's eye in 2003, when he and Dan Joesten were at an REM concert.
"It was more like an afterthought," Pansoy recalled.
Patrick Spain, the band's original drummer, also played with The Downside, another Campbell band that was arguably the darling of the local music scene in the earlier part of the decade. Josh Joesten joined Mary Axe in 2008.
Mary Axe plays out about once a month, but Pansoy is hoping for more gigs once the band finishes mixing "Straight Outta Campbell."
"The release of the album will be a test for us," he said.
When it comes to attracting new fans, Josh Joesten said he thinks the band's eclectic list of influences will work in its favor.
"I teach high school, and when I look at what's on my students' iPods, they have everything," Josh Joesten said. "I don't think any genre's gonna go away. There'll always be an audience for it."
To listen to its music or to learn more, visit its MySpace Page.
