Drawing inspiration from their nerd rock forebears in Coheed and Cambria, Weezer and Muse, Canada’s Double Experience have crafted a prog-rock concept album for the ADD generation; a voyage into real-world examples of morality and beliefs according to a certain alignment chart. The album was recorded, mixed and crafted with North Carolina’s Al Jacob and marks the band’s first release with Germany-based label Drakkar.
“Nerd Rock should be more than sweater vests and big glasses, it should be about celebrating what makes you different,” says Brock Tinsley, guitarist and founding member of DOUBLE EXPERIENCE. He and Ian Nichols (bass/vocals) form the nucleus of the band, with a drummer and guest collaborators added to the mix as needed for live performance. The concept behind the album - a brief summary: The categorization of the beliefs and morals of all characters is their ‘alignment’ according to and in the Dungeons and Dragons (D&D) universe. Fundamentally an alignment defines the character's views on "law" vs "chaos" and "good" vs "evil". The two axes allow for nine alignments in combination.
These nine alignments apply to all fantastical works including video games, comic books, film and TV shows (pop culture). Alignments also present a compelling connection between fantasy and reality. In reality, our obsession with pop culture has blurred the lines between our fantastical beliefs and our political, social and moral identity. Double Experience have channelled that obsession with their new concept album, exploring the themes, ideas and characters that embody all nine alignments. Good and evil, order and chaos. These concepts are not as easily-controlled as they are within tabletop gaming. In our world, thoughts and prayers are as disposable as the latest streamable series. While the lines between politics and humanity have blurred, the chasms that divide us have not. Double Experience aim to guide you through these troubling times with their new full-length record, Alignments. “Ian and I believe that rock music can still be vital and accessible, without being pastiche,” says Tinsley. “In fact, it’s more honest for our band to write about how passionate we feel about specific pop culture than it is to write about blanket, angry emotions. We don’t want to hold onto those emotions during the best years of our lives.” DOUBLE EXPERIENCE’s music is not just a medium for their ‘nerdy’ ideas – it is legitimate, credible rock & roll. Having played almost 750 shows in 18 countries over the last 5 years, the band has recently toured alongside Canadian hard rockers Danko Jones and genre crossing funk/rap/rock band Hed p.e. Staying true to their vision, the band has also headlined MAGFest, GuardianCon, Ottawa and Montreal ComicCon, YetiCon, and ThunderCon [as well as many local city cons across Canada]. Performing with other artists within the Nerd-Rock genre - MC Lars, Okilly Dokilly, Cybertronic Spree and Master Sword – the band has expanded their fanbase exponentially since their 2014 inception.
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