Forget desert rock — Tucson may soon be known nationally for its hardcore music scene, thanks to local bands like Versus the Mirror.
The five-piece group penned a deal with Equal Vision Records last year, and Alternative Press Magazine later named it one of the "100 bands you need to know in 2006."
Versus the Mirror's first full-length album, "Home," was released Tuesday nationwide.
"I'm excited," guitarist Gabe Borquez said. "I think we're all excited. We're anxious to get the record out there and let people hear it."
The album was recorded in Phoenix with producer Bob Hoag, who also worked with Tucson hardcore band the Bled for its Vanguard Records debut, 2005's "Found in the Flood."
Versus the Mirror took a new — or old — approach when it came to recording its record. The band shunned computers and recording software, and instead used analog and vintage recording gear.
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"It's a lot more warm and live sounding," Borquez said. "It doesn't sound crystal-clear, picture-perfect. That's what we tried to avoid, so I'm glad we recorded the way we did. It feels better to us that we didn't have to use a computer to record our songs to get them perfect."
With analog, there's no pushing a button on a computer and polishing up a section of a song. Each band member had to play his part all the way through for the recordings. As a result, "Home" is a good representation of how the band will sound when it plays its CD release party in Tucson Tuesday.
"We're more of a raw live band, and we wanted to capture that," Borquez said.
The new album might be a bit of a surprise for fans familiar with the band's self-financed, five-song EP. The short album clocked in at 12 minutes and was fast and furious. The new full-length CD shows more sonic range, Borquez said.
"It's an eclectic mix," he said. "It's everything. If people didn't expect us to go a little bit slower with some songs, they're going to get it on this record. It's not going to be like, 'Oh my God, they're a country band now,' but it's definitely more mature and well-rounded."
After playing the CD release party, the Tucson band — Borquez, guitarist Kevin Ryan, bassist Brad Murray, vocalist David Siebold and new drummer Evan Vanderwall (who replaced Shane Ray) — will take their roaring hardcore music on the road. For their first national tour, they'll join hardcore labelmates Boy Sets Fire.
Borquez is looking forward to meeting new people and experiencing different parts of the country as he and his bandmates travel around in their 15-passenger van.
"We're really excited because it's the first time we're going to see the country," he said.
The Canyon del Oro High School alum has some words of advice for other local bands trying to make it.
"Don't quit playing music, because it's all about progression," he said. "Find a goal and work with it little by little. As long as kids focus and take it step by step, everything is going to be good for them. Believe in yourself."
Borquez does admit that sometimes it's hard to believe he's made it this far.
"Getting signed is the best thing that happened to us," he said. "Ninety-nine percent of the world do something other than travel and play music. It's an amazing feeling that I get to wake up every morning and be one of those people who gets to travel and play music and have a good time."
Quick take
Versus the Mirror CD release concert
With Gatrot, Sleeping Through Sirens, YouInSeries and the American Black Lung
When: 7 p.m. Saturday
Where: The Rock, 136 N. Park Ave.
Tickets: Free with purchase of Versus the Mirror's new album, "Home," from Zia Records — 3370 E. Speedway, 327-3340; or 3655 N. Oracle Road, 887-6898 — or $10 at the door
