In 2003, the band Static Divide had just fired its singer. At the same time, it just so happened that singer Andy Paul was looking for a band.
When all of them came together — with Paul on vocals, Clay Cook on rhythm guitar, John Stemmle on drums and Brandon Sidebottom on lead guitar — (intheclear) was born.
About two months ago bassist Corey Heim joined the group for touring and ended up staying.
The band definitely has a good sound — one that is very much in sync with today’s mainstream rock radio.
In fact, the band is a regular fixture on Louisville station WLRS 105.1, where it is constantly played on the top five requested songs.

The sound can best be described as a cross between Taproot and A Perfect Circle. The vocal style of Paul is similar to that of Chad Gray of Mudvayne. The vocals range from a softer tone to a louder sound that still holds some melody, to an occasional yell — a range that Paul credits to a University of Louisville professor.
Paul said he thanks U of L music professor Daniel Weeks for helping him develop this vocal style and range.
“I’m flattered he would mention me,” Weeks said when he was told what Paul had said.
He said Paul was “a very serious-minded student, very focused on what he wanted to do.”
Although the band may sound similar to bands like Taproot, they say that is not where their musical influences lie.
According to Paul, the band members bring a wide variety of influences to the table, ranging from Bob Marley to U2.
Sidebottom grew up playing classical guitar, while Cook was a heavy metal fan.

The band recently released its first EP called “Dirty Cheese and Hoody Thieves.” The band scrapped together all their money and went to the small Missouri town of Portageville where producer Malcolm Springer (Full Devil Jacket) lives, and spent two weeks in preproduction for the album.
After that, it was two months in St. Louis during which time the band basically slept in the studio.
They recorded ten songs altogether but the band tracked six complete songs for the EP.
According to Paul, the reason behind the title “Dirty Cheese and Hoody Thieves” is that, “We’re goofy people, we’re in a van for a long time and things come out of our mouths.”

(intheclear) is known for its energetic live performances.

Paul said the reason the shows are so high-energy is that all the band members “like to come out and have a good time.” Paul described the concert as a time for them to cut loose and let it all hang out. “Music is about having fun,” Paul said.

To hear (intheclear), check out http://www.intheclear.net where the song “A Pulse and a Blindside” can be downloaded for free.

Three more songs can be found at http://www.myspace.com/intheclear (a MySpace account not required to view the bands’ page).

Also, the band’s site offers the video for the song “Drown” as a free download.

The band will be playing in Louisville at Phoenix Hill on Sept. 23 and Headliners on Sept. 28. The band plays again Oct. 8 at the Floyd Street Festival. Then, on Oct. 14, the band plays at the Kosair Children’s Hospital Benefit at Pheonix Hill Tavern.