Pan.a.ce.a

“WE THE BROKEN”
Written by Gina Tutko-Usalis / October 2009

Pan.a.ce.a – After re-releasing their debut album All or Nothing on February 17, 2009 under the management of Susquehanna Entertainment/Terry Selders, Pan.a.ce.a had proven to skeptics that they are indeed serious about their quest for success. The upcoming new release of a full length sophomore album titled We the Broken is due out October 20th followed by a release party on October 24th at Pepper’s Underground located at 1145 Warren St. in Berwick, PA. Pan.a.ce.a demonstrates that their goals are obvious – they are interested in getting to the next level. Whatever that level may be, national or international … they are looking for major success!!

L-R: Kevin Harry (drums), Matt Jaffin (bass), Tim Farley (lead vocals) and Paul Young (guitar).

Forming in December 2002, Pan.a.ce.a played the first show in Spring 2003 and recorded their first demo that year. Rooted in the Bloomsburg/Wilkes-Barre area, their EP Anodyne caused quite an intense buzz around the local music scene in NEPA. Early on the band trademarked the name Pan.a.ce.a, always keeping a business sense of their goals forthright along with the creative visions of the combined band members. Some changes have taken place since the early inception but the band has been continually anchored by the strong vocal leadership of Tim Farley and drummer Kevin Harry. Guitarist Paul(y) Young joined the band in late 2004 and Matt Jaffin, bassist, the end of 2008. Young tells me, “The band is very strong and the chemistry keeps us striving for great things. We are serious about our musicianship and the songs. On a lighter side, we are all jokesters and quote every movie ever made. Behind all the hard work, we always have a way of making each other laugh, which is a great thing!!”

Pan.a.ce.a consistently performs which makes their name very familiar in the music scene. Along with shows in Pennsylvania, they have also played Delaware, New York and Vermont. They have performed with other artists such as Alice in Chains, Breaking Benjamin, Rev Theory and Hinder to name a few. Planting the seeds of their hard rock ambitions, the band shows the diversity of Pan.a.ce.a music by doing acoustic shows which demonstrates the versatility of Farley’s vocals as well. “If you have a good, solid song it doesn’t matter if it’s a full rock orchestra or just a guitar and a voice. A good song is a good song,” he expressed. Although the band as a whole has an even hand in writing and arranging the music, Farley is the primary lyricist. When he commented on the rock orchestra it prompted me to touch on a song off the All or Nothing album “Additive” which was arranged for strings and recorded with a youth orchestra. Violinist Nyke Van Wyk, who performed on the song, was instrumental in making the orchestra concept come to fruition. Farley said, “We enjoyed it very much and have considered doing that or something like it, in the future.”

Of course, we always wonder who influences a band such as Pan.a.ce.a so when I asked Farley, he was quick to point out that the band has a very diverse list of influences and wanted to add this, “I find that question to be merely a tool for people to instantly classify something that they are unfamiliar with instead of allowing themselves to be vulnerable and open-minded to something new or different. I’d rather they listen and decide who we sound like to them.Personally, I think we sound nothing like our influences.Isn’t that the point of being an artist?”

Pan.a.ce.a is not a band with any pre-stage rituals and they have learned to enjoy the moment because when it’s gone you can’t get it back. They like to get comfortable, get into the groove and just make it all happen. When fans get into it, it definitely makes things a lot more interesting. Some crazy things happen at shows. “It is impossible to pick just one thing that has happened at our gigs, there are so many. Like this one time … there was this Chap Stick and I … never mind!!” Farley laughed. Turning to a bit more serious talk, the band has several close friends and some fans serving in the military which have relayed stories of Pan.a.ce.a music, in particular the song “Battle Cry” off their EP Anodyne, being played overseas. The band does not see that as a novelty on any level. They truly admire those serving our country for all their sacrifices and were appreciative to hear such comments. Young went on to say, “Our fans are the best! They are as loyal as anyone can ask for. They are extremely supportive with everything we do. They tend to travel many miles to see us. The fans motivate us because of all of these things.”

The band clarified the meaning of their music is not all about what a particular song means to them but more importantly what the music/songs mean to their listeners/fans. The songwriting is a combination of life experiences and creativity. They do not feel it is up to the band to decide which songs are their finest. That is for everyone else to decide. They are not about performing cover songs – they love writing and performing their own music. In these economic times, more bars and clubs are closing down for financial reasons. It gets harder everyday for bands to book shows especially if they are an original band. However, Pan.a.ce.a continues to draw a crowd at their performances and they accredit that to the fact that people still feel the need to find a release from the everyday hustle and bustle. Music has always played a role in life regardless of troubled times. People are having a tough time with job loss and just everyday struggles. So it is not like years ago when a band could play out during the week and draw hundreds of people. People are limiting entertainment to weekends but nonetheless they are still making time for music/entertainment as an escape from everyday pressures. With a new President and two active wars, we are experiencing history-making times. An album titled, We the Broken is bound to have multiple meanings to its listeners.

The plan from the onset between the band and new management was to remix, re-master and re-release All or Nothing which was a huge success. They started that path with the full intent of having a new release set for Fall 2009. Farley said, “In our marketing scheme this time of year is ideal for a new release and we had the album done.

We the Broken is more mature in every way. We took what we learned from All or Nothing and applied it to this album.

I think the music will speak for itself.” The first single off the album is also the first track “Too Little Too Late.” It has become a crowd favorite at Pan.a.ce.a shows. There is not one particular song that is favored on this new album as Farley commented, “That is like asking a parent who their favorite child is. They each have their own place in our hearts.” As their vocalist, Farley did not any more vocal coaching than any high school kid in chorus. He never engaged in private lessons however, Farley’s vocals are solid and energetic! We the Broken is layered with vocal versatility.

Recorded at Saturation Acres in Dupont, PA– We the Broken was produced by the illustrious Bret Alexander as were all of Pan.a.ce.a’s recordings. I was curious as to what makes Alexander so favored with the band and Farley commented, “Bret Alexander. He’s a singer, songwriter, producer, engineer, consummate professional and he consistently puts out fantastic work. If you want the best, you go to the best!! That and we really like chocolate cake and free coffee.” Young added, “The recording process with us is quite different than others. We actually spend a few months working on the songs in pre-production with our producer even before we step into a studio. It makes for better songs, better preparation and making the recording process a smooth one. We have 98% of the groundwork laid out. The rest is just the icing on the cake! It took us about a month or so to record due to personal/band schedules. We all work day jobs, plus we continue to perform as much as we can. So the gaps were then filled with recording time. Bret makes the experience just that, an experience! He is the man!! We work hard but we also have a lot of fun in the process. It is also great that Bret is a fabulous songwriter, one helluva guitar player, an all around great musician and foremost a great person.”

Aaron Fink (Breaking Benjamin guitarist) co-produced three of the songs on the new release – “Too Little Too Late,” “We the Broken,” and “The Yesterdays.” Pan.a.ce.a had a concept for the CD jacket in which they perfected by working closely with Dan Falkowski on the artwork.

So what can I say about the music of this quartet of eclectic musicians –We the Broken is a little piece of each of them, brilliantly put together so that there is something alluring for everyone. Jaffin on bass went from turbulent and dynamic to smooth and melodious. The hard, electrifying segments of guitar playing by both Young and Jaffin coincide with the drumming DNA of Kevin Harry. The frequency range and rhythm of Harry’s talent is concise. There is clarity in songs such as “Stay”, “Hold On” and my favorite “Now or Never” that showcases the contrast of the band’s abilities. The song “Everything Is Different (When I’m With Her)” has great storytelling quality and seems fitting for one of my favorite prime-time TV shows like Grey’s Anatomy. Grey’s fans – Imagine tagging this song to Alex and Izzie!! The various dynamic levels on this album flow and do not interfere with each other nor do they bury the multifaceted vocals of Farley. It is apparent that Pan.a.ce.a thinks about all aspects of their music and it certainly shows how the band has matured. We the Broken will be available in local record stores, iTunes, Amazon, Best Buy, etc. The band has a new website, www.PanaceaRock.com which has all the links to purchase their music.

To wrap it all up I asked, “Where is Pan.a.ce.a in its quest for success?” I think Farley and Young tell it best. “Touring, platinum albums, Grammys, MTV Cribs … you know”, Farley responds, “Pan.a.ce.a is beyond the beginning, but nowhere near the end.” Young affirms, “Our goals are to make it on our own terms; to take this as far as possible. If it means this is it, then so be it. We did it ‘our way’. If we sell millions of records, tour the world & live the dream, then so be it. The sky is the limit, as it always has been. We are all about the great songwriting, great stage performances and being prepared for just about anything. We don’t milk this. We work very hard and it all pays off in the end. We start working hard from the time we put our shoes on to go to a show and we don’t stop until we take them off … or pass out on the floor with them on!”