Mission of Mesa's Braille easy to read

Megan Finnerty, The Rep

These Mormons are on a mission. But the Mesa rockers in Before Braille have picked up instruments instead of Bibles.

The five men recently released their debut, The Rumor, on Valley-based Aezra Records and will promote the nouveau-alternative album with an acoustic set at Tempe's Zia Record Exchange on Saturday.

This mission is one of musical creativity, artistic honesty and, if they get their way, a European tour, platinum records and a long career.

Before Braille has created a 15-track album full of visceral, hard-edged songs laced with tension and vulnerability. And local production virtuoso Bob Hoag, the former and primary songwriter of pop-punk band Pollen, has engineered The Rumor to be intensely radio-friendly.

But lead singer and guitarist David Jensen's pithy lyrics, coupled with drummer Kelly Reed's unexpected tempo changes, scream that there's more to this band than captured here.

Jensen, 26, writes vague and caustic lyrics glittering with clever turns of phrase and surprising subject shifts. The best moments come when the band experiments with screaming harmonies, subtle instrumentation and aggressive guitars.

The band signed with Aezra in February and has a distribution deal through BMG Records.

Aeztra partner Eric Cheroske, 35, read about the band in a local entertainment guide, which billed Before Braille as one of 10 Valley bands to watch.

"I loved them right away," he said. "They blew me away. I went to see them at Modified (Arts) and 200 kids were packed into this tiny, sweaty club that only holds 150."

Cheroske praises the band's music, saying that listening to Jensen's brutally honest lyrics is an emotional experience that comes with a sound that fits well into today's rock scene.

The bands, which also includes guitarist Hans Ringger, 26, bassist Brandon Smith, 24, and guitarist Rajiv Pate. 17, captivates its sound carefully, and members eschew drink and drugs.

"The whole rock star life is fake; it doesn't exist," Jensen said. "The things that are true and honest, those are the things that make your music relevant. No musician will be truly happy if they place all their energy on just sex, drugs and rock and roll. It's not about that."

This level-headed responsibility is also why the band choses to have Aezra invest in new equipment, touring and promotion rather than accept a lump-sum signing bonus.

Because of that, they've kept their day jobs.

"I still get up at seven in the morning and go spray bugs," said Reed, 24.

The biggest change in routine has been for the band's new member, Patel, a fan who joined after former guitarist Brayden McCall recorded the album and then left to pursue his education.

"I was supposed to start school the other week, but I didn't go," Patel said with a laugh. "I'm still getting a diploma, though."Patel, who looks more like a young Lenny Kravitz than a high school senior, is bringing experimental sounds to Before Braille. Reed said Patel's sound is not only "the future of rock," but also the future of the band's next album.

"I just sit and play until something totally unfamiliar comes out of the amplifier," Patel said. "It takes hours, trying out different styles, and alternate tunings, but it's worth it."

And from a band with this much potential, it should be worth the wait.