Harbor Style Magazine
December 2005 Edition
By Bree Dillow

Photo by Dana Helstrom

"Cause when you're living in a small town, everyone knows everyone, and it's just so hard to start from scratch again. He's headed out to Hollywood like no ever though he could," sings Shades of Gray frontman Jason Brownie on "Story of a Small Town," the first track off the band's CD tilted "The Polysound Sessions."

Shades of Gray formed in the summer of 2001 when singer/guitarist Jason Brownie, lead guitarist Mike Laden, bass guitarist Rob Ziruolo and drummer Drew Helstrom decided it was time to start a serious band after kicking around the music scene for years. A band that formed in 2001 through online classified ads, and will definitely stand out among the newcomers in the area, Shades of Gray is something rare - a straight-ahead, riff-driven, alternative rock band. As singer Jason Brownie says, "We're just four guys who like to play". It's as simple as that.

The twenty-something-year-old singer/songwriter/guitarist, who has been making music since his early teens, may well be describing the exhilarating journey Shades of Gray has traveled since the release of its debut demo, "The Polysound Sessions". Native to Punta Gorda Jason's lyrics reflect the small town mindedness that previously emanated from the area. Like Punta Gorda, Shades of Gray has developed into a landmark and is quickly becoming a household name. They have played in venues all over from Orlando to Naples, but they made their debut here at home at Melon's in Port Charlotte.

"It's remarkable that we are getting to play in the area" says Jason. "We were getting so accustomed to traveling to places like Tampa, Orlando and Ft. Myers just to get a gig," he finishes with a heart melting grin. Currently the alternative foursome can be found at River City Grill, in Downtown Punta Gorda serenading locals at Gallery Walk, which takes place on the Third Thursday of every month.

Jason's Florida roots run deep, his grandfather (Al Johns) is an icon in the area, known for building Punta Gorda Isles. Generally noted as shy and reserved, Jason has superstar qualities in his personality. Having been raised in the area he knows Charlotte County is a tight knit community, who likes their music forward and strong, and when it comes to music there is nothing timid about him.

Recently the Band preformed a special up close and personal acoustic Concert Event not only to serve as the Kick-Off party for the Harbor Style Magazine, but also as a benefit concert to raise funds for the Rose Family and The Make A Wish foundation. "We are so grateful that we can use our talent to do things to assist our community and the people in it. We've come to appreciate every show more than we used to because we see how fortunate we are to be physically capable of doing things as simple as singing, drumming and playing the guitar…after doing several charity events we realize that at any moment it could all be taken away. So we don't want to waste even one day," Jason explained.

Their upcoming release (which is currently untitled) focuses on the frustrations, desires and hopes that have long fueled Jason's work, the new EP (overseen by Anthony Iannucci and Chad Zuchegno of Unity Gain Recording Studio) represents the group's coming of age. Songs like "The Burden" and "Cut My Losses" are evidence of their musical aptitude. Lyrics of being "Rock N' Roll Superstars" confirm their confidence that only success can prompt them to the next step, while the thriving guitar, bass and drums heard on the record authenticate the song to an even finer edge.

"Our lyrics and music are straight forward and emotional," Jason explains. "It's about moving forward. No name faces accepting their place where they are and trying to figure out how to get beyond that, but not really knowing how." For now they are perfectly content playing shows featuring original lyrics and doing cover songs wherever there's a crowd. 'This is our passion. It's what we know how to do, so we're just continuing to go forward, taking the good with the bad while we keep on moving," says lead guitarist and backing vocalist Mike Laden.

So what will the future hold for the group? "I'm a struggling musician, not a fortune teller. I'd have to look at the palm of your hand to tell you exactly," Jason says with a laugh. "Either the Lord will bless us with a big break one of these days and we'll get to live the real rock-n-roll lifestyle of sports cars and supermodels, or we'll still be playing the local bar scene 30 years from now when we're all old and gray. Either way, we'll still be having a blast and doing what we love!"

Jason's creative principles remain a cornerstone of Shades of Gray's material. "We know what to expect from him, and we know that Jason's self-assurance as a writer is evident throughout our songs and performances," said drummer Drew Helstrom

"Sometimes I feel myself wanting to dig up the past and go back to where I started," he confides. "It's difficult to move on from a certain place in your life, but it's the struggle to do it and to find yourself along the way that gets you to where you need to go."

The greatest feat along this frequently rocky path is to stand, climb, fall - and get back up again… like their lyrics say "were headed out to Hollywood like no one ever thought we could/we're running away, we're not looking back, were gonna be Rock N' Roll Super Stars." With two great voices and guitar driven songs filled with unrefined emotion, they are headed for more than just Hollywood, they're headed for stardom.