The Langaleers Dig Deep With Catchy Hooks

Photo by Matt Basler

The Langaleers released its first studio album in July.

"I have to hold myself at the same standards I hold any other writer or musician to, or I'm just cheating myself, " says vocalist Kory Meyer, the songwriter behind the Langaleers. When Meyer hears a song, he can't help but analyze it and pick the pieces apart. He takes the common elements between his favorite bands and drives the Langaleers with memorable riffs -- the kind that get stuck to your inner ear.

Based in Festus, Meyer started several short-lived bands with his high school circle of friends, including Early Morning Fire -- a trio that played in and around St. Louis. After that band dissolved, Meyer formed the Langaleers as an outlet for his own songs that had sat unused. And the name? A reference to the Stephen King novella "The Langoliers."

"We asked our friend Kyle what we should name the band, and he remembered the name of this B-grade Stephen King movie. I was getting really impatient and wanted to start booking shows, so I was ready to pick a name and move on. We changed the spelling so people would be able to search for our band on the Internet and not just come up with this movie," Meyer remarks.

Fueled by lust for '60s rock, the band plays within the framework of its forefathers. Elements of Americana are present and given ample space to breathe by tasteful drumming. There are no boisterous fills here, only a solid rhythm section set to drive refined riffs. The guitars are made crunchy through a meager bit of distortion -- too much and the band would invoke a different feel altogether.

The Langaleers released its first studio effort this past July, a self-titled full-length album. Meyer was involved with organizing a festival around the same time, so the band rushed the record in order to beat the fest's deadline. Ultimately Meyer never sought label support for the album, but he remains humble, viewing the ordeal as learning experience.

"It was good way to learn what actually needs to be done to have a successful release. It's just a shame we couldn't have made this release a bigger deal," Meyer adds. He plans to support the album by touring, but first he wants to submit the music to as many radio stations as possible.

Follow through as Meyer and his bandmates talk influences, favorite bands and lamenting the loss of their favorite venue.