The Elms' merge Brit pop influences with bite size slices of classic American rock melodies on their debut release.THE BIG SURPRISE is an infectious offering with a modern voice relevant to the times, heavily inflected with distorted guitars chasing melodies like the 'power pop' of yesteryear.The Elms' merge Brit pop influences with bite size slices of classic American rock melodies on their debut release.THE BIG SURPRISE is an infectious offering with a modern voice relevant to the times, heavily inflected with distorted guitars chasing melodies like the 'power pop' of yesteryear.

With roots planted deep into the soils of classic pop and rock, The Elms stand tall among today's frequently shallow music scene. With the perfect balance of youth and experience (though only in their early twenties they already have over five years of mileage as a band,) Owen Thomas (vocals, guitars, keys, songwriter) brother Chris (drums,) childhood chum Thom Daugherty (guitar) and newcomer Keith Miller (bass) have all the pieces in place to become the next breakout rock and roll success story.
The Thomas brothers began playing acoustic based music under the name Just Visiting for their Seymour Indiana church in 1997 but quickly found their ministry demanding more than a casual commitment. "We did some limited touring in 1998," Owen remembers, "but by 1999 we were touring all the time," Sans any kind of record deal the boys teamed up with an additional guitarist and bass player, changed their name to The Elms (named after a restored coach house one of the Thomas' uncles owns in England) and recorded an independent project.
Another year of touring and over 6,000 units later they came to attention of Sparrow. "The Elms," says A&R rep Lynn Nichols, "are like all great guitar bands; two guitars, bass and drums or as I have often said, 'The way God intended it to be.' The simple beauty and power of their songs and their show absolutely knocked me out! Their fresh sound combined the shimmer of pop with the guts of rock and landed the boys in a sonic realm that is both fresh and classic." After signing the band to a multi-album contract the label quietly released a self-titled EP and sent them on yet another series of tour dates.
Along the way they also picked up a new guitarist who happened to have been a friend since grade-school. Thom Daugherty had spent some time as a "hired gun" for Myyrh act Miss Angie but had always known someday he'd be making music with his friends Owen and Chris. "Even going back to the age of nine or ten," Daugherty recalls, "I somehow just always 'knew' that Owen and I would be playing music together." As the band prepared to hit the studio their original guitarist left and Daugherty filled the gap perfectly. "It's amazing to me to step back sometimes and observe how God had a plan all along, and how He orchestrated this thing to come together like it has." Keith Miller was added on bass after the band played a New Years Eve show that he put together. "Chris and Thom auditioned him while I was in the studio," Owen explains, "But that was really more of a formality than anything. We knew he fit the band perfectly."
By the end of 2000 The Elms' musical chops were tighter than ever and along with Brent Milligan's production they were nearly finished with their inspired debut The Big Surprise. "They played their own parts, wrote these amazing songs and seemed to have a perfect vision of who they are as artists," Nichols remembers. Now the result of their efforts is here and The Elms are ready for their close-up.
With musical influences ranging from classic Christian rock like PFR, early Petra, Steve Taylor and Keith Green to mainstream alternative heavyweights Oasis and Pearl Jam, and a clear sense of purpose, the songs on The Big Surprise show amazing diversity. "Bands like The Who, The Verve, Elvis Costello, Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers and The Beatles inspired us to get into music," Owen reflects. When asked about recent discs that get their juices flowing the list is surprisingly diverse. "Johnny Cash, U2, Martin Sexton and Apples In Stereo are all in our CD changer," Chris adds. "As well as a lot of others." Despite the wide range of influences, or perhaps because of them, the songs hold together as a unit. When contemplating the band's overall sound Daugherty acquiesces to the classics. "We may be 'targeted' to the youth and college market," he explains, "but my dad - who cut my teeth on the greats like The Doors and The Stones - totally dug the sound." Owen adds, "We think we have refined a style that will appeal to young people and old-time classic rock fans- at least we hope so."
Lyrically The Big Surprise is far from typical either. Owen's deft touch with words gives the songs a sense of character and depth that belies the composer's age. He is a sensitive soul who sings about alienation, misplacement, and hope. Though certainly not shy about his passion for reaching his generation and beyond with the demonstrated love of Jesus and an unwavering message of truth, he manages to turn impressive phrases that match the compositions hook for hook. The title track takes a self-deprecating poke at the singer's own foibles, and allows the listener to read into it all they want. "It's all about those times when we feel like a big disappointment to others," Thomas explains. "I know I have been there, and I know others who have. It's universal." With music and arrangements that include stacks of strings, a romantic, yet menacing melody and an overall professionalism that would be most impressive in a band that had been playing twice as long as The Elms have, The Big Surprise is sure to impress.
The album's opening track and first single "Hey, Hey" casts all pretenses to the wind as it wallows in power pop bliss. The melody is catchy, the lyrics clever but simple, and the hook so solid it is certain to be a smash hit. "We're all suckers for a good three-minute touch-and-go pop tune," Daugherty confesses, "and 'Hey, Hey' is certainly one of those."
In another standout track the conviction of sin via the Holy Spirit's "still small voice" is likened to a "Buzzing" that won't stop until it's dealt with. Sung to a melancholy and softly psychedelic Beatlesque melody, the song takes on a lamenting tone and is instantly running rampant through the gray matter of the hearer.
On the other side of the musical spectrum is the plaintive but inspiring invocation "Here's My Hand," a beautifully arranged ballad of commitment to God. Owen calls the song the "String-driven epic I've always dreamed of capturing." Strains of Elton John can be heard as the band delivers this tune with conviction and aplomb. "When I hear that song I hear a smash hit" enthuses Lynn Nichols. "It's just one of many things that excites me about this young band."
Over the course of the album's ten tracks the band ranges from relentlessly catchy power pop like the previously mentioned "Hey, Hey," (Which may flash 70's rock fans back to gems like "Saturday Night" by Bay City Rollers and Badfinger) to the amped up arena rock of "Who Got The Meaning" and "A Minute To Ourselves." Warm guitars, buzzing amps, crystalline melodies and irresistibly catchy hooks run wild throughout this impressive debut. "Our mindset isn't necessarily to create some new style of music," Owen adds, "only to be great at what we do. And what we do is play rock n' roll songs."
With a full schedule of touring (the band is on Festival Con Dios with Newsboys, Audio Adrenaline and O.C. Supertones in 20 cities this spring) The Elms are sure to be on everyone's radar by the summer cruising season. The timing could not be better as nothing says summer like great tunes cranking from car windows. Odds are good some of those tunes will belong to a young band from Indiana.With roots planted deep into the soils of classic pop and rock, The Elms stand tall among today's frequently shallow music scene. With the perfect balance of youth and experience (though only in their early twenties they already have over five years of mileage as a band,) Owen Thomas (vocals, guitars, keys, songwriter) brother Chris (drums,) childhood chum Thom Daugherty (guitar) and newcomer Keith Miller (bass) have all the pieces in place to become the next breakout rock and roll success story.

The Thomas brothers began playing acoustic based music under the name Just Visiting for their Seymour Indiana church in 1997 but quickly found their ministry demanding more than a casual commitment. "We did some limited touring in 1998," Owen remembers, "but by 1999 we were touring all the time," Sans any kind of record deal the boys teamed up with an additional guitarist and bass player, changed their name to The Elms (named after a restored coach house one of the Thomas' uncles owns in England) and recorded an independent project.

Another year of touring and over 6,000 units later they came to attention of Sparrow. "The Elms," says A&R rep Lynn Nichols, "are like all great guitar bands; two guitars, bass and drums or as I have often said, 'The way God intended it to be.' The simple beauty and power of their songs and their show absolutely knocked me out! Their fresh sound combined the shimmer of pop with the guts of rock and landed the boys in a sonic realm that is both fresh and classic." After signing the band to a multi-album contract the label quietly released a self-titled EP and sent them on yet another series of tour dates.

Along the way they also picked up a new guitarist who happened to have been a friend since grade-school. Thom Daugherty had spent some time as a "hired gun" for Myyrh act Miss Angie but had always known someday he'd be making music with his friends Owen and Chris. "Even going back to the age of nine or ten," Daugherty recalls, "I somehow just always 'knew' that Owen and I would be playing music together." As the band prepared to hit the studio their original guitarist left and Daugherty filled the gap perfectly. "It's amazing to me to step back sometimes and observe how God had a plan all along, and how He orchestrated this thing to come together like it has." Keith Miller was added on bass after the band played a New Years Eve show that he put together. "Chris and Thom auditioned him while I was in the studio," Owen explains, "But that was really more of a formality than anything. We knew he fit the band perfectly."

By the end of 2000 The Elms' musical chops were tighter than ever and along with Brent Milligan's production they were nearly finished with their inspired debut The Big Surprise. "They played their own parts, wrote these amazing songs and seemed to have a perfect vision of who they are as artists," Nichols remembers. Now the result of their efforts is here and The Elms are ready for their close-up.

With musical influences ranging from classic Christian rock like PFR, early Petra, Steve Taylor and Keith Green to mainstream alternative heavyweights Oasis and Pearl Jam, and a clear sense of purpose, the songs on The Big Surprise show amazing diversity. "Bands like The Who, The Verve, Elvis Costello, Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers and The Beatles inspired us to get into music," Owen reflects. When asked about recent discs that get their juices flowing the list is surprisingly diverse. "Johnny Cash, U2, Martin Sexton and Apples In Stereo are all in our CD changer," Chris adds. "As well as a lot of others." Despite the wide range of influences, or perhaps because of them, the songs hold together as a unit. When contemplating the band's overall sound Daugherty acquiesces to the classics. "We may be 'targeted' to the youth and college market," he explains, "but my dad - who cut my teeth on the greats like The Doors and The Stones - totally dug the sound." Owen adds, "We think we have refined a style that will appeal to young people and old-time classic rock fans- at least we hope so."

Lyrically The Big Surprise is far from typical either. Owen's deft touch with words gives the songs a sense of character and depth that belies the composer's age. He is a sensitive soul who sings about alienation, misplacement, and hope. Though certainly not shy about his passion for reaching his generation and beyond with the demonstrated love of Jesus and an unwavering message of truth, he manages to turn impressive phrases that match the compositions hook for hook. The title track takes a self-deprecating poke at the singer's own foibles, and allows the listener to read into it all they want. "It's all about those times when we feel like a big disappointment to others," Thomas explains. "I know I have been there, and I know others who have. It's universal." With music and arrangements that include stacks of strings, a romantic, yet menacing melody and an overall professionalism that would be most impressive in a band that had been playing twice as long as The Elms have, The Big Surprise is sure to impress.

The album's opening track and first single "Hey, Hey" casts all pretenses to the wind as it wallows in power pop bliss. The melody is catchy, the lyrics clever but simple, and the hook so solid it is certain to be a smash hit. "We're all suckers for a good three-minute touch-and-go pop tune," Daugherty confesses, "and 'Hey, Hey' is certainly one of those."

In another standout track the conviction of sin via the Holy Spirit's "still small voice" is likened to a "Buzzing" that won't stop until it's dealt with. Sung to a melancholy and softly psychedelic Beatlesque melody, the song takes on a lamenting tone and is instantly running rampant through the gray matter of the hearer.

On the other side of the musical spectrum is the plaintive but inspiring invocation "Here's My Hand," a beautifully arranged ballad of commitment to God. Owen calls the song the "String-driven epic I've always dreamed of capturing." Strains of Elton John can be heard as the band delivers this tune with conviction and aplomb. "When I hear that song I hear a smash hit" enthuses Lynn Nichols. "It's just one of many things that excites me about this young band."

Over the course of the album's ten tracks the band ranges from relentlessly catchy power pop like the previously mentioned "Hey, Hey," (Which may flash 70's rock fans back to gems like "Saturday Night" by Bay City Rollers and Badfinger) to the amped up arena rock of "Who Got The Meaning" and "A Minute To Ourselves." Warm guitars, buzzing amps, crystalline melodies and irresistibly catchy hooks run wild throughout this impressive debut. "Our mindset isn't necessarily to create some new style of music," Owen adds, "only to be great at what we do. And what we do is play rock n' roll songs."

With a full schedule of touring (the band is on Festival Con Dios with Newsboys, Audio Adrenaline and O.C. Supertones in 20 cities this spring) The Elms are sure to be on everyone's radar by the summer cruising season. The timing could not be better as nothing says summer like great tunes cranking from car windows. Odds are good some of those tunes will belong to a young band from Indiana.