STONEBURNER is one of the mainstays of the Portland, Oregon underground scene. Formed in early 2008, the bands familial roots reach back twenty years. Drummer Jesse McKinnon (ex-Buried Blood) and guitarist Jason Depew (Buried At Sea) have rocked together in many incarnations. Their other bands had similarly earth-choked names (a stone burner is a subterranean weapon from the novel Dune), but it gets even more incestuous Jesse went to school with bassist Damon (Heathen Shrine) Kellys step-mother. Years later, Jesses father would be Damons high school government teacher. Today most of the band shares a house and a musical outlet for their worldly frustrations.
To describe Stoneburners music one need only look to the list of bands with whom theyve shared the stage: Yob, Sleep, EYEHATEGOD, Neurosis, Buzzov-en, Weedeater, Saint Vitus, Watain, Tragedy, Noothgrush, Graves At Sea, Lord Dying, Drop Dead, Whitehorse, Wind Hand, Bastard Noise and etc. Its all about domination through amplification and soul-cleansing catharsis. Stoneburner does not put on airs for anyone. The shows are not "rituals". According to guitarist Eli Boland, playing in Stoneburner &takes care of the thing inside us that would otherwise lead to serial murder. It cleanses my soul, eases my demons, and fills my heart in a way that keeps me high for a good long while.
Members
- Jason Depew
- Damon Kelly
- Elijah Boland
- Jesse McKinnon