Merrill: Press

Merrill featured during Fox Sports broadcast of Cleveland Cavaliers vs Philadelphia 76ers game.

Finally if you’re into ‘Radio Rock’ you shouldn’t miss the CD release show of Merrill (the band) at the Ponderosa Lounge, on October 29. Baffled by the appeal I’ve been following Chris Merrill for some time and discussing my dumbfoundedness regards the genre. Merrill is a genuine and talented musician who at least doesn’t do the false posing. He does sound a bit Vedderish and he writes well structured anguished songs true to the genre. Now that his star’s rising (opening for Maroon 5, Counting Crows, and Augustana - having his music used for a Nascar ad) here’s the properly produced album "A Beautiful Disaster" which certainly fit’s the PR “record that isn’t afraid to be sensitive – but also isn’t afraid to rock.” - I just don’t ‘get’ this genre but millions of people love it and maybe you’re one of them.

Chris promoting his upcoming performance at The Bouquet Of Hope charity event.

Chris live on Good Day Oregon performing a promo for American Idol Season 9 premiere.

Merrill's high-energy rock presence has made them the perfect opening act for such bands as Maroon 5, Counting Crows, and Augustana. And, on "A Beautiful Disaster" they step up the game a notch, delivering a ten-track collection of songs that celebrate melody, hooks, and plenty of crunchy guitars, embodying a record that isn't afraid to be sensitive - but also isn't afraid to rock.

Album opener "Alive" is the perfect song for a late-night walk home down a
rainy street with a broken heart, while "The First Time" is a bouncy,
toe-tapping exploration of radio-ready rock, equal parts energy and
crunch. "Walk Alone" shows the band has a sensitive side as they tone it
down to give you time to take everything in for awhile.

Meanwhile, "Just Do" blends the band's two styles perfectly, offering up a
song that would find itself just as at home on a AAA radio station as it
would a modern rock one.

"Let Me Go" delivers more energy and sweat in a rock nugget, while "The
One Thing" will get you up and on the dance-floor with its melodies and
hooks.

Closing with "Save Me," the album goes out with an ethereal,
heart-wrenching twist, still embodying the pop hooks of the rest of the
album, while also toning it down a bit to really reach out and touch the
listener. But, as the song builds, it delivers enough rock to keep you
guessing before hitting the chorus and fully reeling you in.

Rockers' local free show at Boon's


When is the last time you went to a great, free rock show — and enjoyed some delicious McMenamins fries?

Even if your answer is "yesterday," there's really never a bad time to do such things.

Merrill, a Portland pop-rock outfit, is touring in support of its new album, "A Beautiful Disaster," and will be in Salem at Boon's Treasury on Friday.

The quintet — there's singer Chris Merrill, guitarist Eli Johnson, Robert Finn on bass, Jeremy Dan on keyboards and drummer Michael Johnson — plays infectiously energetic music, with driving, accessible progressions.

They've opened for bands including the Counting Crows and Maroon 5.

The show at Boon's will be an acoustic one, one of the only such stops on the band's tour, which has already stopped in Idaho, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona and California.

Oregon native Chris Merrill has been writing and producing songs all his life. Recently, his band rose to the top of Ourstage.com fan voting with their hook-laden track, "Intervention."