OUTDrejas

There is something to be said about rock and roll solo acts. Such a competitive genre presents a challenge for any group of four or more, and the endless possibilities are enough to overwhelm even the most studious songwriter. It takes an unmatched energy and passion to tackle the task alone, and then further build upon a foundation one’s heart and soul in a brand new band. This is the story of a one-man band that evolved into something far more boisterous.

Six years ago, Milwaukee, Wisconsin received a student that provided a whole new meaning to the word “loud.” The sixth story of the twelve-floor building at the corner of 11th and Wisconsin was his domain, and the corridors of this Marquette residence hall echoed back every power chord and growl that he profoundly bellowed. To file a noise complaint with him directly would require one to wade through a three-inch of pool of trash, over the pizza box bridge, and past the cables that were run to his “Rock Band” video game microphone. Only there would you find the bearded beast man responsible for, nay capable of creating such a sound. Such are the roots of singer/songwriter David Drejas (DRAY-jus). Eventually, he would clean up that dorm and go on to leave Marquette University with a Bachelor’s degree, a handful of acoustic/folk songs, and a fan base avidly supporting his musical endeavors. He returned to his native Chicago suburb with a new job and an insatiable desire to create a new form of rock and roll. Drejas’ sounds would now fill the various hotel rooms and “open mic” stages he occupied while working as a consultant at a computer engineering firm. True to his voracious nature, it did not take long for Dave to discover that he needed a band to round out his personally-developed sound. A phone call to a childhood friend would soon provide just that.

Stuart Graham is no stranger to the music staff. At a very young age, Stu began learning how to play piano, and quickly adapted a classical approach to the violin. A combination of a lifelong friendship and affinity for great music made Stu a shoo-in when David began searching for a drummer to round out his sound. What started as a simple summer jam session in their hometown resulted in “OUTDrejas” (OUT-DRAY-jus), a moniker designed for David’s passionate and enthusiastic stage show. Stu’s rhythmic intuition is a staple of the OUTDrejas sound, and his frenzied attack is as uniquely original as the way he sets up his drum kit. “Disco Stu” is the backbone to a breakneck live act, providing stability and sensibility that greatly influences the band’s chemistry as well as their stage show.

Bassist Will Richter proudly added OUTDrejas to his musical resume shortly after his exodus from the musical crucible of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. His songwriting experience has been forged by various stints as a guitarist and vocalist with several punk rock and ska acts, but he was forced to begin searching for a new endeavor when his ska band went on a brief hiatus. He answered OUTDrejas’ call for a low-end in October of 2014, taking the stage as the band opened for millennial fan-favorites, Puddle of Mudd, less than 48 hours after his first practice. Will’s blues tones, combined with his mental catalogue of punk rock basslines helps him to make OUTDrejas into a genre of their own. This technique helps him to mimic the presence of a rhythm guitarist during Dave’s chaotic guitar solos, combining with Stu to create a rhythm section capable of making even the most skeptical spectator nod along with the beat.

Together, they form “OUTDrejas,” an aptly-named group with an “outrageous” stage show and an energy to match. Citing influences ranging from Buddy Guy and Disturbed to Green Day and O.A.R., this rock trio truly has something to offer every fan of music. You can find them anywhere from your third cousin’s Bat Mitzvah to the dive bars of central Illinois. Who knows, maybe they will even melt your face off at more reputable venues and festival stages. Be sure to get your hopes up and keep your ears cleaned as they announce a brand new EP and a slew of supporting gigs.