Press
Almost Famous, Sacramento News & Review, February 2013, by Aaron Carnes
Just a warning: Listening to Pomegranate’s cohesive, textured collection of alternative-rock songs as featured on the band’s latest EP, Ahead and Behind, might not be the best preparation for one of the band’s diverse, high-energy live shows. “We visit all of those different flavors in our live shows,” says drummer Michael Creason. “A punk song can sit next to a country song can sit next to a roots song can sit next to a jazzy-style song.” The songs on the EP, however, are spacious and moody, built around subtly complex arrangements, midtempo beats and raw guitar work—all with a ’90s vibe that falls somewhere between a polished Dinosaur Jr. album and the Lemonheads’ later work. Originally formed in 1993 in Oakland, Pomegranate watched as a majority of the acts around them broke up. Instead of following suit, the band stuck it out, grounded by its love of playing. . . . [read full article]
photo by Steven Chea
Ahead and BehindReview, Babysue, January 2012
Playing guitar driven pop/rock that lands somewhere in the territory where the moodier side of the Pixies meets Dinosaur Jr, the guys in Pomegranate have an instantly winning sound. This Oakland band is comprised of Gavin Canaan (guitar, vocals), Adam Twain (bass, guitar, vocals), and Michael Creason (drums). If you’re bored to tears by too many twenty-first century artists overdubbing and over tweaking their songs to death, Ahead and Behind will come as a welcome surprise. By keeping things simple, these guys manage to get their point across loud and clear. Our favorite cuts are “Set in Motion and “Corner of My Eye.”
Ahead and Behind Review, !earshot, December 2011. by Steve Marlow
Bay-area indie rock band Pomegranate have been an institution in California since 1995. It’s no wonder then why their latest EP sounds so polished. Their sound is immediately familiar to anyone who was into the alt-rock explosion during the 90s. The three-piece uses jangly, noisy guitars and moody (but not gloomy) lyrics, much like the Smashing Pumpkins or the Lemondheads output of the day. A song like “Corner of My Eye” would be a perfect Evan Dando single. “Dustbowl Dreams” has a touch of roots that reminds one of the later works of the Meat Puppets. While the band’s overall sound feels a bit dated, the band itself is tight and clearly enjoy what they do. I imagine the band, who tour tirelessly, would be more enjoyable in concert.
Pomegranate’s Music Not Always the Same, The State Hornet, March 2011, by Erin Rogers
For most, the word “pomegranate” conjures up the image of a somewhat normal-looking fruit, but how it looks on the outside has nothing to do with the inside. In short, appearances can be deceiving. Those who listen to Pomegranate’s music might agree. “People would describe our music as being somewhat bipolar &- we go from dark and moody to uplifting all within one set,” said Gavin Canaan, guitarist and vocalist for the band. [link to full article]
Outside of This Review, Sacramento News and Review by Christian Kiefer
Among the very best is Pomegranate’s Outside of This (Drainpipe Records) . . . the dreamy pop the band offers is quite compelling. . . . The best material consists of slower, moodier pieces, with some emotional loss occurring when the band reaches for faster rhythms, but it’s still good.
Larry Lane Review, Epitonic.com
Pomegranate offers up some of the most interesting hard rock around on their newest release, Larry Lane. It is rare to hear a band with the ability to deliver both solid musicianship and undeniable hooks. The trio uses its simple setup to deliver an incredible amount of power, channeling the spirit of Screaming Trees and the more sedate side of Stone Temple Pilots. Songs like the featured “Twilight” show just how dedicated this band is to keeping rock and roll alive. On Larry Lane Pomegranate presents rock songs along with slower, more sensitive efforts at expressing themselves. From loud distortion to quieter distortion, Pomegranate proves it should be taken seriously.
Larry Lane Review, Listen.com
“Oakland trio Pomegranate offers dusky Alt Rock gold. Singer Gavin Canaan’s drowsy voice and low-register anti-theatrics candyflip with his graceful, fluid guitar lines that sting with jolts of contained, melodic electricity. Waltz-metered acoustic pieces, augmented with spooky harmonies and dark shadings, complement full-on electric assaults driven by distorted guitar stuntwork that recalls J Mascis, albeit neater and less Hardcore-based. Backed by a propulsive rhythm section that charges and recedes with dynamic precision, Canaan’s weighty songs reveal their unusual beauty . . . crimsoned to the core with sleepy undertones, myseriously alluring riffs, and disguised, ingratiating rhythms.”
Larry Lane Review, Delusions of Adequacy, Adequacy.net (Larry Lane review) by Jeff Marsh
[Pomegranate’s] powerful, alternative rock is everything that radio show be playing. . . . This is cool stuff, catchy and powerful and often moody.
Larry Lane Review, East Bay Express
“I keep waiting for something really great to happen to Pomegranate. Guitarist Gavin Canaan has a strong indie-rock voice (not to mention a great rock-star name), a blase drawl, plaintive without sounding whiny. Pomegranate’s new album Larry Lane, on M-Theory Records, is a dark and delicate pool of bubbling octopus ink, marinating a lot of growling fuzzy guitar and a metaphor-strewn lyrics.”
Oakland’s Pomegranate Makes a Name in LA, Billboard Magazine, by Melinda Newman
Though based in Oakland, CA, Pomegranate’s reach extends as far south as the Los Angeles area. “We are definitely Pomegranate Central,” declares Chris Douridas, MD at Los Angeles’ influential noncommercial album alternative station KCRW. Douridas, who hosts the popular a.m. program “Morning Becomes Eclectic,” featured the band on his show this summer. Recordings of its live performance are still played on a regular basis throughout the station’s programming. “We’re constantly trying to generate excitement about them, because we’re so excited about them,” says Douridas. “There’s one song [from the live session] called ‘All Five Senses’ that has gotten the predominant airplay. We have people calling in and requesting it and asking how they can get it.”
Live Reviews
Alternating between their slower, growling, Neil Young-type ballads and their torrential, Dinosaur Jr.-ish rockers, the three players filled the little pub with a dark engrossing mood. Canaan’s wry delivery was irresistible as he cut loose with a desperate abandon. Although the band often relies more on lyrics than groove to make a point, they seem utterly at home with this plain foundation. Pomegranate’s poigmant material is definitely worth seeing out–it’s popular music at its most honest.
Sandi Salina Messana
LA Village View
Frontman Gavin Canaan possesses a unique charisma that comes across well when you see the band live…A synthesis of roots rock alternative and jazz create Pomegranate’s sound. Gavin’s moody vocals and guitar make the listener believe that he was probably a big Neil Young fan growing up.
Gordon’s Flash
