As we write to you Shockya readers, we are listening to the tunes of Abused Romance. Isn’t that ironic since this post is about the alternative rock band and their debut album, ‘Shine’. Don’t get whisked away with this paradox because it is not what it seems. Even if we were not discussing Abused Romance, in all honesty, the 12-track album, which was produced by Justin Gray (Joss Stone, INXS) and mixed by Randy Staub (Metallica and U2), would still be playing through our headphones as we speak. We just cannot shut this album off. Other than being fans of darker and edgier music, we credit our addictiveness to the genuineness of Abused Romance’s overall sound no matter the pace of the track, the lack of vocals or the heavy beat of the instrumentals. Abused Romance isn’t a band that specializes in a specific style of music. The group has got those musical chops, where you play a track or two and you just know that the group has more to deliver than those tunes that currently dominate the radio waves.
The Los Angeles based band treats each track off their album, ‘Shine’, with the utmost care and you can undeniably feel this fervor radiate from their souls and seep into yours. We know that that is a pretty deep remark to make, but after one click through the entire album it is as if you feel like you’re the fifth member of Abused Romance. The group, which consists of vocalist and guitarist, Meir Yaniv, bassist, Aetam Jakob, guitarist, Amit Ofir and drummer, Roy Chen, has allowed you fans to download ‘Shine’ for free at by clicking here. The group will also be dropping an expanded version of the album, ‘Shine – Special Addition’, which will include 9 live tracks from their show on April 3rd at the Viper Room, on June 14th.
We only met Abused Romance when we heard the songs off of ‘Shine’, so getting the chance to interview Meir Yaniv really took our “relationship” with the band to the next level. Now, we would like to bring your Abused Romance connection to that step. Check out our interview below. We advise you that as you read long with this post to listen to ‘Shine’ because the complimentary link enhances the passion behind Yaniv’s answers and the band’s sound on ‘Shine’. We are not saying either of the two needs this improvement, but why not make your Abused Romance initial and beginning experience as intensely groundbreaking as possible?
By Lonnie Nemiroff
Can you give me a little background information on the band?
We actually all met in Israel and started playing about 4 years ago. After a few shows in Israel, we felt we are ready to move to Los Angeles so we packed our clothes and guitars and hopped on a plane.
Why did you name the band Abused Romance?
We were hanging out in my living room, listening to our first few songs and thinking about names. The sound was really heavy but also melodic. The name came up and we just felt it represents the vibe of our sound and it had the right ring to it.
What inspired the title of your debut album, ‘Shine’, and the title track?
When we wrote the song “Shine”, we had the music for it, without lyrics. I was staying in a hotel in Manhattan, listening to the song over and over trying to find the lyrics to complete the picture, and the word “Shine” was perfect at the chorus. So we called the song “Shine”. After the album was done, our bass player Aetam designed the album cover and the tunnel picture with the light just screamed “Shine” to us. So we named the album after the song.
What was it like working with Justin Gray and Randy Staub on ‘Shine’?
Justin is a true top-notch songwriter. For us, it was very important to have a deep songwriting understanding with our producer since we are all about the songs. Working with Randy Staub was closing a cycle for us. We grew up on his work and the Black Album by Metallica is my personal all time favorite album. Randy mixed that album so we were stoked to have him work on “Shine.” Our drummer Roy and I flew to Canada to meet Randy and it was an awesome experience. Our album came out exactly like we wanted.
‘Shine’ was such a refreshing album to hear due to its diversity consistently throughout the album. Do you guys find yourselves enjoying playing up-tempo rock tracks like “Sound of Violence” or slower tunes like “Shades of Grey?”
We love diversity, but we never try to achieve it. We have an “open door” policy when it comes to song vibe so it all depends on the day. Today I am on a bus outside a venue in Johnson City, TN 30 min before our show and all I wanna play is “Sound of Violence!”
Congrats on the success of “Overcome.” The track and the video are really great. Can you tell me about the meaning of the tune? I know, in the video, you were escaping an evil version of yourself, but can you elaborate on what those specific demons were?
Thank you. The song was originally written about me going against what I was always told to do and what is expected of people to do. I wrote about the fact that the path is very clear and everyone is expected to follow it, when for me it was not the right play. Overcome is about letting the “Evil” version of myself to take over and do what I really feel I want to do.
The instrumentals in “Room 2238” add a nice touch to the album. What does the title mean? And why did you choose to put this tune in the middle of the album?
Room 2238 is the name of a hotel room in Brazil where the song was written. We love playing and love writing instrumental tunes. We thought it would be a cool and fresh piece on the album. I would like to do that again on the next one.
Can you tell me about the track, “Amberlin?” What does “Amberlin” refer to ?
Amberlin is about an imaginary, dream girl. The one you fantasize about.
What’s the next single and music video off ‘Shine’ going to be?
We are not sure yet. We just wrote a few new songs that we really like so we are not sure if the next single will be off of “Shine” or a new album.
You guys are also releasing an expanded version called ‘Shine –Special Addition’. Can you tell me why you chose to do that and what your April 3rd show at the Viper Room was like?
We wanted people to hear our band live. Abused Romance live is naturally different from the album. Live is a lot more aggressive and powerful. We decided to record the Viper Room show in order to provide our fans with the complete thought: studio album and live album in one. The Viper Room show was packed and was the perfect show to release because of how legendary the venue is and how awesome that night’s performance was.
What has it been like touring and playing tracks off your debut album? Are you enjoying the audience’s feedback?
The thing we like most about being Abused Romance is the crowd. It’s a dream come true to play songs we wrote by ourselves to so many people across the world and have them sing it with us. It’s the best feeling on earth for us.
What’s next for Abused Romance?
We are on tour with Egypt Central until early July and then we will head back home to Los Angeles to record some new ideas for songs, then probably go on another tour again in August or September.
