ABOUT
DSTRESSR's sound constantly involves between releases and tracks. Never being ones to accept stagnation, this evolution explores the thoughts and emotions felt in each song; hoping their introspection can provide a guiding light.
The Full Story
DSTRESSR informally began in 2018 as Destresser, the brain-child of Guitarist Max Hentosh. Coming off the release of Dynamite Thunderpunch’s Post Apocalyptic Spaghetti Western Rock Opera ‘COYOTE GUNFIGHT’, Max found himself trapped in a world of music inspired by 70’s western themes. Max had recently moved from Cincinnati to pursue his Masters’ in Architecture and Urban Design at Kent State University. As a new transplant to the area, the few musical pursuits he attempted were fruitless, resolving in Max beginning to work as a solo song writer. During a “self-induced life altering experience,” Max recorded and produced DSTRESSR’s first album ‘Evolve’ in a matter of 14 hours. ​The project was placed on hold in 2020 after Max joined Cleveland-based Prog Punk band Zero-Sum, which lasted until a job offer brought Max to Columbus in 2022.
After settling in over the next year, the need to write, play, and perform grew unbearable. It was by a winding path that a friend of Max’s introduced him to Joe at a local art gallery. Max and Joe became fast friends and a guy’s trip took the two of them to a weekend-getaway where Daniel attended, bringing along his amp and guitar. Within a month, Max and Daniel were at a party at Daniel’s home where Max suggested the two of them start a band. Daniel was relatively new to guitar at this point, and hesitantly agreed. Jess Vonderau, a long time highschool friend of Max’s was asked to provide her vocal chords, wanting a feminine voice leading the project. Her experience in jazz and choral arrangements would lend itself well to the mixed-genre musical elements DSTRESSR would become known for.
Joe, classically trained on cello was propositioned to learn the bass for this project, and Cello! Its a Bass! Through Daniel, Nick Aleshin was recruited to provide his high-energy, technical proficency, and deep connection to the Columbus Music scene. Daryl was the final and most important piece to rounding out DSTRESSR’s sound providing the elegant and focused keys and synth. Max and Daryl happened to meet at in architect’s mentorship program where, thanks to Max’s mildly inebriated self, he approached Daryl and almost immediately asked her to join the band once she mentioned she was classically trained on piano.
DSTRESSR dropped the first vowel to reinforce the plurality of the destress and distress felt in their music. In 2023, DSTRESSR began writing songs as a full ensemble with the goal of releasing music into the ether. The early songs were written as individual works and later arranged into the two first EP’s, Quiet Words and Loud Thoughts. The band’s focus was always about highlighting intospection, evolution, contradiction, and the challenges that eminate through the human condition. They hope that we can all grow together through expressing and discussing our thoughts and feelings.