An Eclectic Local Band leaves Its Mark on the Sacramento Music Scene
Words by Ashley Hassinger – Photo by Andre Jones/Eye Connoisseur Photography
With a multi-faceted sound, local band Iconoclast Robot brings something new and fresh to the Sacramento music scene.
Comprised of vocalist Charles Cash (nee Ryan Charles Gammad), Patrick Caden (bass and guitar), Russell Boucher (guitar), Jairus Beacham (drums) and Jamal Siurano (keys, beats and saxophone), Iconoclast Robot blends jazz, hip-hop and rock together to create a fusion all their own.
As I sat down with Cash and Siurano at the Eye Connoisseur Photography Studio in Midtown, I was intrigued to find out the band’s musical background and their undeniable love and talent for music.
Formed in April of last year, Iconoclast Robot came together with inspirations ranging from The Roots to Rage Against the Machine. An unexpected range of musical tastes brings out all the stops for this multi-genre band.
“We don’t all come from the same musical background. I studied jazz in school, Ryan likes hip-hop, Jairus played in church and Patrick used to play in a metal band,” Jamal explained.
Although different in backgrounds, each member was influenced by music at an early age, whether they were part of band or listened to their parent’s music.
“I’ve always had a knack for music. I remember listening to songs as a kid and being curious as to what instruments were being used. I wanted to know everything about the song,” Jamal said.
The special sound that Iconoclast Robot has is complemented with skillful lyrics. Ryan is the main contributor for the lyrics, and since he started writing back in 2008, he has had one main influence.
“Heartbreaks. As corny as that sounds, I’m most inspired when I’m sad,” Cash confided. “And a lot of my raps aren’t normal witty raps–more like storytelling. I look at the world a certain way, and the lyrics portray how I feel about it.”
Just like its sound, Iconoclast Robot’s lyrics aren’t what you would expect–and Cash writes what’s honest.
“It’s not political. It’s not stereotypical. It’s not what you expect,” explained the vocalist. “It’s sort of my unique perspective, which makes it real.”
The band hasn’t been signed to a label yet, which allows for more creativity and enables the band to grow and change as they see fit.
With no major deadlines or outside influences, Iconoclast Robot is able to focus on what they want as a band, not what a label wants them to do. “We are still new and trying to figure out what our sound is going to be like. It’s nice to have the freedom of not having someone else being an influence over us,” Jamal stated.
Along with the ability to be creative, being without a record label allowed the band to form more spontaneously.
“It wasn’t like someone was signed to a label and they were forced to find members. All of us came together in a way that was natural. I think it’s pretty rare for a band to come together with the backgrounds we have and be able to make it work,” Jamal said.
Without a record label, Iconoclast Robot is forced to jump around from place to place in order to record and practice on a weekly basis. Recently the band has had the opportunity to record at Pinnacle College in Rancho Cordova, but the band is open to any space that will allow them to better themselves.
“We don’t have a lot of money and resources right now,” explained Jamal. “So we practice and record wherever we can.”
Iconoclast Robot’s love and dedication for music is shown in their stage presence. It’s obvious in the energy that is seen, that the band loves what they do. For them, making music and performing isn’t work for them, it’s a release of their creativity.
“Music is all about communicating your ideas, like any art form,” Jamal said. “You’ve got an idea and you want to express that without words and music is the way to do that.”
Although they’ve played locally and in the Bay Area, Iconoclast Robot is hoping to go on tour soon.
“A tour is in the works, and I think we know where we’d like to go. Definitely a West Coast tour including California, Nevada and Arizona. Nothing is solid yet though,” said Jamal.
Even though they are busy working on their own music, I was curious to know what kind of music they were currently listening to.
“I’ve been listening to the artist, Gotye who wrote the song ‘Somebody I Used to Know.’ I checked out some of his other stuff, and he is like us,” Jamal said. “He is all over the map stylistically, so many styles and it’s very creative.”
As for Cash, “I’ve been listening to The Black Keys. One of my favorite bands though is City and Colour, an acoustic and emo sound. He has such a real passion in his voice.”
With a tour in the works, an untitled EP released and their debut album set to release in May, Iconoclast Robot has set goals for themselves, hoping to one day make what they love to do a full-time job.
“I think at the end of the day all of us would be happy to comfortably support ourselves playing music and not having to work 9-to-5 jobs,” said Jamal. “Tour, play music and pay the bills. I think we’d be happy.”
With music as their drive and passion, the band is looking to turn heads with their rare and intriguing sound.
“We want to blow their minds,” said Jamal. “I want them to walk away and be like, ‘What was that?’”
Collectively, the band wants their fans to be affected somehow by the music they make, and want them to come back for another show.
Music isn’t a gimmick or moneymaker for these five band members; it’s their passion. “Music is something I’m always going to do, whether I’m in a band or not,” Jamal explained. “It’s always going to be a part of my life, regardless of whether I’m making money.”
Iconoclast Robots have an upcoming performance at Ace of Spades on April 13. Go to http://aceofspadessac.com/ for tickets. For updated information on the album release date and upcoming shows like them on their Facebook page: Facebook.com/iconoclastrobot
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