Jasan Radford, Centershift’s vocalist/guitarist, formed Onesidezero in the mid-1990s. In the early 2000s, they played with System Of A Down, Static X, Incubus, and other post-grunge bands. Radford met Centershift drummer Mike Tarabotto and Bemus bassist Ted Wenri while touring with Dredg. In 2021, the band added Shuvel guitarist Ryan Shane Stuber. “We wrote songs together and always knew we wanted to play together. Centershift was created when the stars aligned”, says Radford. Despite a long history, this band is full of new ideas. “We wanted to call the band ONE, but it was too similar to Onesidezero. Time for something new.” Centershift communicates life’s nuances through hearty, distorted guitar, intricate, mournful riffs, and biting, contemplative vocal-driven verses. “We’ll play that song live because we all feel it.” Centershift represents hope for emotional unity in a divided world.
Centershift’s new EP ‘Of…’ was released on August 28 with Royalty Kult and Alphamega at Whisky A Go Go in Hollywood. The music video for Centershift’s new single “From Where We Are” was released on August 24. The band recorded new songs with Jim Wirt (Incubus, Hoobastank, OneSideZero) in 2022 at Superior Sound in Ohio. Centershift’s songs feature huge riffs, big vocal hooks, and a timeless alt/rock vibe. Jasan Radford, Centershift’s vocalist/guitarist, says this is the second of three EPs they’re releasing over the next year. Each song across 3 albums is a continuous story, and we’re excited to share the next chapter.
Radford, the vocalist and guitarist of Onesidezero, formed Centershift as a new project. Radford and Onesidezero led an Alternative Rock revolution that influenced a generation of music. This new band aims to deliver the thoughts and emotions of his life experience and wisdom through intelligent alternative rock. Ryan Shane Stuber (ex-Shuvel) plays guitar, Ted Wenri (ex-Bemus) bass, and Stefan Storace drums. Checkout their latest EP ‘Of…’ and the exclusive interview below:
1. Can you tell us a bit about where you all come from and how it all got started?
CENTERSHIFT: CENTERSHIFT hails from the Mighty SoCal, Los Angeles Are basically lol. In a way, CENTERSHIFT has been in the making for years. Ted and I met when I was in ONESIDEZERO, and Ted was in BEMUS. We took them on Tour with us as support, along with DREDGE, and TRAPT, that was An Amazing run, full of crazy! Over the Years Ted and I had tried to get something going, but maybe the Stars hadn’t aligned yet… Ryan and I had started a Band called, THE KNIFE OUTLINE played around a bit, but ONESIDE had called me back to action, so to speak. Stefan and I were in the Band, BLüPRNT, which eventually turned into ONESIDEZERO, so you can say we’ve all been ready for this to become CENTERSHIFT!
2. Did you guys have any formal training or are you self-taught?
CENTERSHIFT: For myself, aside from Vocal Strength training, I am self taught. As for the Dudes, in their younger years, some Theory, the basics you learn as a young’n knowing this is one’s passion
3. Who were your first and strongest musical influences and why the name ‘CENTERSHIFT’?
CENTERSHIFT: We all have a wide range of early influences, 70’s – 80’s Hardcore to Punk Rock, to Blues and Jazz. Id say for Ted, Hall and Oats was a huge Influence in his early Musical adventures. We came up with the Name, CENTERSHIFT pretty much right when Covid started, not that it influenced the creation of the name, but it definitely threw everything for a loop. The simple meaning, Think Different, we’re all in this together!!
4. What do you feel are the key elements in your music that should resonate with listeners, and how would you personally describe your sound?
CENTERSHIFT: Honesty, Life, Experience. For me, we have a strong hint’s of the Post Hardcore movement, with a ZEP backbeat, and a Jimi/ Stevie Ray Icing, while Ted brings amazing Melodic Bass Lines to tie it all in, must be The H&O’s
CENTERSHIFT:
As long as I can remember I was singing along with the Radio, or whatever my Parents had on, there was always Music playing in mine and the Dudes houses growing up. As I started as a Drummer, I always had more in me I felt. I began going to Open Mic Nights to “Learn chords” I would watch someone, and if a Chord struck me, I’d run home and learn it, and so on. I think for me being stubborn to teach myself, created how I wrote today.
6. What’s your view on the role and function of music as political, cultural, spiritual, and/or social vehicles – and do you try and affront any of these themes in your work, or are you purely interested in music as an expression of technical artistry, personal narrative and entertainment?
CENTERSHIFT:
As a Musician, I feel for myself there is a Responsibility to be “aware” of our climate, wether it be Political, cultural, etc.
That being said, I personally don’t push my views or opinions on others, but may express them in our Music. Art is a vein for expression and self interpretation.
7. Do you feel that your music is giving you back just as much fulfilment as the amount of work you are putting into it, or are you expecting something more, or different in the future?
CENTERSHIFT:
For me, I play with my Brother’s, there is always an incredible “high” and as its life, unbelievable “lows”, this is what fuels us as CENTERSHIFT
8. Could you describe your creative processes? How do usually start, and go about shaping ideas into a completed song? Do you usually start with a tune, a beat, or a narrative in your head? And do you collaborate with others in this process?
CENTERSHIFT:
We all bring ideas to the Table, sometimes more completed or sometimes, a Riff. We all respect each others Creativity and Minds, so its really all for one and one for all, its amazing having a group of Brothers be on the same page, most of the time hahaha
9. What has been the most difficult thing you’ve had to endure in your life or music career so far?
CENTERSHIFT: I have personally gone through a lot in this Journey, My Brother passing while mixing the First ONESIDEZERO Record, Touring for years, then not, signing to new Labels, to have the Industry change constantly, and Making life changes for myself, when for all of my Career, there was a “drink in hand”…
10. On the contrary, what would you consider a successful, proud or significant point in your life or music career so far?
CENTERSHIFT: For myself, I view success is the opportunity to give back. Along with my Partners Dionne Demo and Brian Lacy, we have built The Radford Media Group, the Label, Auspicious Recordings, and along with Ted Wenri, we are in the process of building a Rehearsal Space for the Next Gen of young Creators to expand their own Gift’s. And really, this opportunity to be here with you now, Thank you!
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Photo credits: Centershift
1 comment
I am lucky enough to live in So Cal and I go to as many Centershift shows as I can. Ive met the band and they are the coolest guys ever. Every song they release is amazing. These guys click so good together and you can see their chemistry on stage. I am so excited to keep hearing new music from them. If you have a change go see them live!