New Rock Music is Not Just in Hollywood. Los Angeles Suburbs Give Rise to Rock. New Alternative Band-to-Watch: "The Rift"

    LOS ANGELES, CA, June 28, 2014 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Southern California remains a center for the global rock scene. Orange County brought No Doubt and Gwen Stephanie, Sammy Hagar and Travis Parker came from the Inland Empire, Linkin Park hails from Agoura Hills. Now, The Rift is the newest breakout alternative rock band from neighboring Thousand Oaks.

Brothers John and Aris Anagnos grew up in "T.O." inland from the beach and up the freeway from Hollywood. Older brother, John, played sports at Thousand Oaks High School. Younger brother, Aris, picked up the guitar. Music would hook them both at a very young age. Aris studied Spanish classical guitar and blues. John followed alternative rock, metal, and meta grunge including reggae, classical, and world music from Asia and South America. They had started creating their own original work when they both faced their mother, Carol's, battle with cancer. Music would provide comfort and an escape. John fused himself to the rhythm of the drums. Aris, would lose himself in the guitar and personal lyrics. The family crisis would transform both of them and be the inspiration for creating The Rift.

John shared his take on what being a drummer means to him: "Drums are the heartbeat of life. I totally lose myself as soon as I get the sticks in my hands and make real beats come alive. It's like these sounds come out of me and I'm completely fused with the music. There is no separation."

Aris hones his craft as a guitarist and writer by diving into the themes of inner conflict, self-doubt, overcoming odds, romantic relationships, and facing one's demons. "Most people can identify with our songs, especially the things we try to push away and ignore," Aris said in a recent interview. "Our music is about the human experience right now, and that can be really crazy sometimes. Our fans relate and that's gratifying."

Max Pfisterer is the newest band member of The Rift playing bass guitar. The Utica, New York native has always had a gift for music. He started singing at the age of 4 then picked up the guitar to add an instrument to his songs. He moved to Los Angeles in 2013 where he met brothers, John and Aris. They bonded over their purist approach to play alternative rock with real instruments instead of the now increasingly popular computerized electronic beats. Influences have been rock legends KISS, Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Eagles, and Motley Crue. Max also says, he likes "keeping music simple."

Max says, "I put everything into my music and I know they do too. I have the freedom to express all my music skills, to collaborate with Aris and John, where we challenge and grow each other creatively. That's how we bring our best game to our audience."

The Rift released their first album with the band's title to very positive reviews. The band continues to build a following playing live shows in Hollywood and the greater Los Angeles area. John, Aris, and Max are currently working on their second studio album. "This is an evolution of our sound," John commented. "We're very excited about the direction our music is taking us." The Rift music can be purchased on iTunes. Share The Rift on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

# # #