The Influence

On songs such as “Deep Diving” and “Nothing At All,” this band seems to be under the influence of a dangerous amount of Viagra. On the first tune, grungy vocalist Jay Jiovenale belts out such lines as I love to caress your flesh and You look so good to me when you’re down on your knees over a mildly funky backdrop that’s briefly interrupted by an ’80s metal-style guitar solo. On the equally randy second track, Jiovenale again tells the target of his desires that he’d like to bring her to her knees, but this time another influence is evident: Sublime. Jiovenale makes an admirable attempt to mimic the late Bradley Nowell’s soulful growl as the pseudo-ska backdrop offers a few interesting twists. The next tune, “Epiphany,” sounds like a lengthy jam session joined in progress and features a shouted chorus that’s safe to say has never before been used (Feel the epiphany!). This demo closes with a Bush/Stone Temple Pilots-style rocker that offers the best fit for Jiovenale’s voice. To use this track’s title, perhaps The Influence will “Figure It Out” that this type of song provides a better showcase for the band’s talents than its funkier endeavors.