Everest Never Disappoints

SoundDiego caught up with Everest's’ frontman before an upcoming Casbah show

Everest ar a band to follow -- they’ve got effortless alt-rock nailed and are only getting better.

The L.A. outfit is backed by some serious musical power and features former members of Sebadoh, the Folk Implosion, Earlimart and a handful of other indie standouts. The band formed in 2006 as a collaboration between Russell Pollard, Jason Soda and Joel Graves.

To kick-start their career, Everest were opened several tours for the legendary Neil Young. Pollard said the experience performing with Young and Crazy Horse shaped the band and amplified its stage presence.

“He’s somebody who influences all these great bands,” Pollard said. “Neil Young and Crazy Horse are so connected, and they have fun; they love what they’re doing. When you see that from the audience, you get swept away because its real. They’re not just going through the motions to get a paycheck and get a drink when they’re done.”

Everest underwent a label switch to release 2012's Ownerless. The record features a solid lineup of riffs and vocals but hints at a different vibe than Everest's previous work. Pollard said this changing sound is part of the band's identity.

“I like change and don’t want to be in the in the same place for too long,” Pollard said. “Everest’s sound is an example of that -- we don’t stay in one place for too long with our music, so we don’t feel like we’re tied to anything.”

Pollard said Ownerless is the first record the band made that featured a collaborative effort from the entire band.

“Even though we’re similar, there’s still a variance in everyone’s vision and the way we all think,” Pollard said. “This record is a compromise in a lot of ways, since we were working on stuff as a team rather than being just one guy with a band. The songs cover a lot of different sounds, and I think that’s good.”

Pollard said the San Diego audience has always been supportive of the band and that Everest are excited to return to the Casbah. Everest have played extensivley at the venue, giving fans a healthy dose of melodic rock.

“We would play Wednesdays at the Casbah and all those nights were great -- crowded and fun, and sweaty;  that’s when it’s the best,” Pollard said. “San Diego has been really good for us, and shows in San Diego are twice as fun and more packed than L.A.”

Head to the Casbah next Saturday to catch Everest with locals the Heavy Guilt and Flaggs, along with Nashville-based songwriter Aaron Lee Tasjan. 

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