American Grunge Quartet
I
Released Album
‘Volume 1‘
track-list:
Gun
Enemy
Numb
Away
Parade
Unheard
Try
Nothing
Simile
Circle
Los Angeles rock band I have released their long awaited debut album, ‘Volume 1‘, a record that brings together the band’s atmospheric approach to rock with a darker, more introspective lyrical perspective.
The album is led by the haunting single ‘Circle‘, a track that immediately establishes the thoughtful and unsettling character of the release.
At the center of ‘Circle‘ is an idea drawn from Plato’s Allegory of the Cave, exploring the fear that can keep people attached to illusion even when the possibility of truth exists beyond it.
Rather than presenting the concept in an abstract way, I turn it into a tense and increasingly confrontational musical experience.
Scarred verses build gradually toward a chorus charged with paranoia, while the repeated image of vultures circling creates a sense of being watched, surrounded and unable to escape.
The song becomes even more claustrophobic during its bridge, where the imagery of a golden cage suggests a particularly disturbing form of captivity.
What initially appears valuable or secure becomes a prison, reinforcing the central theme of the track, the human tendency to remain within familiar illusions even when freedom may be within reach.
‘Circle‘ is not simply a showcase for the album’s darker atmosphere, however.
It demonstrates i’s ability to combine conceptual songwriting with a direct rock approach, allowing the ideas behind the lyrics to remain accessible without sacrificing their depth.
The tension between vulnerability and confrontation gives the track much of its impact, while the increasingly intense arrangement mirrors the psychological pressure at the heart of the story.
Ultimately, ‘Volume 1‘ presents I as a Los Angeles rock band interested in more than simply delivering straightforward songs.
The release uses atmosphere, tension and conceptual storytelling to explore ideas surrounding fear, perception and the difficult relationship between illusion and truth.
With ‘Circle‘ serving as its haunting focal point, ‘Volume 1‘ marks an intriguing first chapter for a band clearly willing to look beneath the surface.
American Grunge Force
I
Released Single
‘Nothing‘
Los Angeles grunge rock outfit i return with a striking new video for ‘Nothing‘, a slow-burning, deeply affecting track that turns its gaze toward the overlooked corners of modern life.
Rooted in grunge, blues, and alternative rock, the song channels the emotional weight of the ‘90s without falling into imitation, instead carving out a voice that feels raw, immediate, and unmistakably their own.
Described by the band as
“a deconstructed blues song for a collapsing empire”,
‘Nothing‘ strips everything back to its emotional core.
Gritty guitar textures and a restrained, almost skeletal arrangement give the track a quiet intensity, allowing its message to unfold with unfiltered honesty rather than polished precision.
It’s a song that doesn’t demand attention, but gradually pulls you in and refuses to let go.
The accompanying video reinforces that impact, confronting themes of homelessness and social neglect with stark, unflinching imagery.
Rather than turning away from discomfort, the band leans into it, presenting a world where individuals drift unseen, unheard, and increasingly disconnected.
It’s a visual extension of the song’s central tension:
the fragile line between invisibility and shared humanity.
Lyrically, ‘Nothing‘ moves between observation and confession, dissolving the boundaries between self and stranger.
Lines like
“hey hey mister won’t you tell me your name
I have nothing and I’ll give you the same”
strip away identity and status, replacing them with something more universal.
The recurring sentiment,
“I am no one and I expect the same”,
shifts from emptiness into something almost philosophical.
A reflection of how easily people disappear within the noise of everyday life.
And yet, beneath that weight, there’s a quiet thread of connection.
The understated chorus
“you’re not alone… you’re not alone in the seeds you sow”
lands not as a declaration, but as a subtle offering of empathy.
It’s this balance between detachment and compassion that gives the track its lasting resonance.
Earlier in 2026, the band revealed a more intimate side with ‘Often‘, a deeply personal single that began as a poem written by vocalist Al for his wife.
What started as a private expression of love evolved into a full-band recording shaped by real-life hardship, including his wife’s battle with a rare form of cancer.
The result was a grunge-tinged ballad rooted in vulnerability, resilience, and devotion – proof of the band’s ability to translate lived experience into something universal.
Together, these releases highlight the emotional breadth of i’s songwriting.
Where ‘Often‘ leans into warmth and personal connection, ‘Nothing‘ confronts isolation and societal fracture.
Both, however, share the same core strength:
an unflinching honesty that refuses to hide behind convention.
With ‘Nothing‘, i continue to build a reputation for music that doesn’t just fill space, but demands reflection.
It’s not designed for passive listening.
It’s meant to be felt, questioned, and carried with you long after the final note fades.
American Grunge Rockers
I
Released Single
‘Away‘
‘Away‘ by i is the sonic embodiment of frustration turned art, a gritty, guitar-driven burst of alt-rock energy that channels the urge to push back against constant noise, manipulation, and unwanted voices.
Blending the raw edge of grunge with the emotional punch of modern alternative rock, i delivers a track that feels both timeless and current.
Fueled by sharp riffs, pounding drums, and vocals dripping with conviction, ‘Away‘ captures that universal moment where patience runs dry.
The band takes that sentiment and amplifies it, not with anger, but with clever wit and power.
The new video gives the message a twist of humor, showing a male and female trading lyrical jabs while the band plays on, only to end up performing alone when everyone finally storms off.
Filmed in a single, unbroken take, the video turns a relatable emotion into a brilliant piece of rock theater.
Whether you’ve had enough of the media’s endless noise or the people who just won’t quit talking, ‘Away‘ is your soundtrack to letting it all out, loud, unapologetic, and undeniably catchy.
American Grunge Act
I
Released Single
‘Parade‘
I are:
Al Granados – vocals
Paul Lerma – guitar
Paul Reyes – bass
David Contreras – drums
discography:
EP
Los Angeles grunge/alt band i returns with their hauntingly melodic new single ‘Parade‘, released via SODEH Records.
Blending the grit of grunge with indie rock sensibilities and a touch of surrealism, ‘Parade‘ is a twisted love letter wrapped in distortion and dark poetry.
Guitarist Paul calls it
“a song that plays like the love theme from a horror movie,”
while vocalist Al puts it more bluntly:
“If it was an 80s teen horror movie, ‘Parade’ would play during the mandatory make-out scene.”
It’s both absurd and deeply sincere – an emotional paradox that defines the band’s style.
Musically, ‘Parade‘ hits like a tank disguised as an ice cream truck:
massive, melodic, and just a little unhinged.
Imagine Godzilla going for a gentle stroll through Tokyo on a Sunday afternoon – chaotic but oddly soothing.
Lyrically, ‘Parade‘ is a visceral dive into guilt, longing, and transformation.
Lines like
‘I want to peel my skin away/Make you a handbag you can carry every day‘
make it clear this isn’t your typical love song.
It’s messy, raw, and disarmingly poetic – a confession that would rather bleed than beg.
For fans of early Smashing Pumpkins, Pixies, and Queens of the Stone Age, ‘Parade‘ is a darkly tender slice of alternative rock that refuses to look away.
Earlier on in 2025 i had released three more singles.
‘Try‘ is a raw, thunderous grunge-drenched rallying cry that doesn’t just ask for hope – it demands it.
Behind its distorted walls of sound lies a message both daring and sincere:
a plea for unity in fractured times.
“It’s definitely the most Pollyanna song I’ve ever written,”
admits vocalist Al.
“But it was what the muse gave me – and there’s no ignoring the muse.”
With verses that trade despair for direction and a chorus built for chanting in the dark, ‘Try’ isn’t afraid to wear its heart on its torn sleeve.
“A call for unity in times of division,”
says guitarist Paul – and it shows.
This isn’t just another rock song.
It’s a revolution in four chords.
‘Enemy‘ takes a haunting approach to the battle within, blending beautiful melodies with unsettling truths – a sonic embodiment of Tom Waits’ famous quote:
“I like beautiful melodies telling me terrible things.”
Paying homage to the Pixies’ signature melodic grunge, Enemy delivers what guitarist Paul calls ‘sonic methadone‘ – a raw yet hypnotic experience that soothes while exposing deep emotional wounds.
Lyrically, ‘Enemy‘ plunges into the unstable terrain of a bipolar mind, where self-doubt and self-destruction reign.
The chilling refrain – ‘My mind is my enemy‘ – is as isolating as it is revealing.
Vocalist and lyricist Al describes the condition in stark terms:
“Bipolarity is like breathing through a straw. You get enough oxygen to survive, but not enough to actually live.”
Visually, the music video manifests this internal battle, exposing the raw madness that lurks beneath the surface.
Through fragmented emotional expressions and a disorienting, non-linear narrative, ‘Enemy‘ forces the viewer to confront the loneliness of an untrustworthy mind.
It’s not just a song – it’s an unfiltered glimpse into the chaos within.
‘Simile‘ is their most intense, grunge-soaked track to date.
A relentless, grinding anthem with a driving cadence, ‘Simile‘ once again showcases the band’s eclectic influences.
According to the band, the song’s origins are as bizarre as they are intriguing.
It all started with a roach in a tuna salad – an experience that somehow sparked the raw, unfiltered energy behind the track.
But beneath the humor, ‘Simile‘ carries a much deeper weight.
Lyrically, the band’s singer describes it as a failed attempt to explain the chaos of a bipolar mind – always racing, always on fire.
“No one seems to understand what I mean when I say it’s like a burning fire, so I started making comparisons to things they might comprehend instead. Even though I knew it wasn’t close to what I was actually trying to explain, I learned that most people would rather hear something familiar than face the discomfort of the unknown.”
Before its official release, i tested ‘Simile‘ live, gauging fan reactions at each show.
The response?
Unmistakable.
The track hit hard, resonated deeply, and left no doubt – ‘Simile‘ had to be a single.
Formed in the early ’90s by Paul and Al, i is an LA-based rock band that has carved their own distinctive path in the music scene.
After a hiatus, the band experienced a revitalization in 2016 when David joined forces with Paul to complete the group’s lineup, injecting new energy and creativity into their sound.
The talented members of i include:
Al Granados:
A charismatic frontman whose vocals carry raw emotion and captivating storytelling.
Paul Lerma:
A skilled guitarist whose riffs and melodies intertwine seamlessly, adding depth and texture to the band’s music.
Paul Reyes:
A versatile bassist who lays down solid grooves, anchoring the songs with a powerful low end.
David Contreras:
A dynamic drummer who drives the band’s rhythm with precision and intensity, propelling their sound forward.
Drawing inspiration from a diverse range of artists such as Black Sabbath, Pink Floyd, and Marcel Duchamp, i has crafted a unique sonic identity that incorporates elements of grunge, a genre that dominated the ’90s music scene.
Their music carries a nostalgic essence reminiscent of the raw and introspective sound that characterized the era, combined with their own artistic sensibilities and contemporary influences.
i is known for their introspective and thought-provoking lyrics, exploring themes of personal struggle, introspection, and social commentary.
Their songs resonate with authenticity, capturing the essence of the human experience and inviting listeners to connect on a deeper level.
Driven by their unwavering passion for music, I continues to write, record, and perform their original compositions, pushing boundaries and evolving their sound with each new creation.
Their live performances are a testament to their dedication and musicianship, as they deliver powerful and engaging shows that leave audiences captivated and craving more.
In a world where music is constantly evolving, I stands out as a band that pays homage to the ’90s grunge era while infusing their own unique artistry, forging a path that is distinctly their own.
With their heartfelt lyrics, infectious melodies, and captivating performances, I has earned a devoted following and continues to leave a lasting impact on the rock music landscape.