America’s Delusional Dream adds heavier elements
Written by Mighty Wyte (Matt Feher) | | mw@toledofreepress.comThe Toledo-based six-piece group America’s Delusional Dream (A.D.D.) is best described as a live Hip-Hop act, effortlessly blending live guitars, bass and drums with dual vocalists.
“We’re like The Roots meets Muse” said bassist Charles Foster. “Meets Meshuggah meets Wu-Tang,” added drummer David Kontak. “Meets Vanilla Ice,” laughed vocalist AJ.
According to half of A.D.D.’s guitar team John Fowler, A.D.D. is not a rap-rock group.
“An A.D.D. show has the vibe and energy of a rock show, but this isn’t a rap-rock band. We fit in more with the band feel and crowd, but the focus is on hip-hop music,” he said.
America's Delusional Dream
A.D.D. also has another fairly unusual feature, two frontmen. Vocalist AJ explained, “We’re opposite of the commercial side of Hip-Hop. Our music is about word play and content.”
“The majority of the Hip-Hop shows you go to these days are rehearsed karaoke,” said A.D.D.’s second vocalist, known as Brick. “We are much more organic, this isn’t just hip-hop over rock ‘n’ roll. We have found a way to mesh the two styles without either being on top of the other.”
A.D.D.’s rhythm section, composed of Foster and Kontak, sets the foundation for a very solid blend of Hip-Hop grooves and colorful guitar pieces.
“Chuck and I have a background in heavier rock” Kontak said. “The old rhythm section for A.D.D. was more jazzy, jam-band style. We certainly bring a heavier element to the band now.” A.D.D.’s other guitarist, Anthony Beck, said “AJ approached me about this hip-hop project. He had ideas already and he let me add to it, put melodies behind it. It turned out so much different than what anyone expected. It’s the most unique thing I’ve ever been a part of.”
While A.D.D. is still making concerted efforts to gain mainstream recognition, it has been hustling behind the scenes. Members are writing new material, performing live every chance they get and regularly hitting the recording studio.
A.D.D. is making noise and making a name for itself and doing it in traditional word-of-mouth fashion.
“We were nominated for best live performance at the Ohio Hip-Hop Awards again this year,” Foster said. “We didn’t win this year but we got to rock the awards show.”
A.D.D. continues to perform locally while working on new material and frontman AJ explained that an A.D.D. show is pure “Rage.”
“We ustream all of our practices,” Foster said. “Anyone who is interested in what we’re doing can check out americasdelusionaldream.com or search A.D.D. on Facebook for updates on shows and practices.”
