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.
OUR LOGO : THE COMPASS
The compass is a reminder of our humanity, of acceptance, of the limited time and paths we may choose, and the hope of our choices leading us to a better world.
The Compass represents many things to the members of DSTRESSR. The enlarged arrow pointing north metaphorically signifies the flow of energy that surrounds us similarly to the magnetic pull of our world. The outer ring drawn reflects on the passage of time, pausing at pairs of moments where paths ahead may deviate and lead to different outcomes. The middle ring is a thick, heavy line signifying the barrier we create between ourselves and the outside world out of fear and need for protection, the separation from our decisions and the way we interpolate our sensory feedback. The space between the heavy ring and inner ring is divided into 12 segments, our means of dividing time and the western scale dividing frequency into twelve-note octaves. The inner ring is our conciousness, within it, time and space flow with our core dualities of resistance and acceptance tidally locked like yin and yang. The arrows, 16 in total represent the multitude of directions our internal compass desires to go at any stage of growt and development. The compass is a reminder of our humanity, of acceptance, of the limited time and paths we may choose, and the hope of our choices leading us to a better world.
WHO WE ARE
JESS VONDERAU
Vocalist
​
Jess is an appreciator (& doer) of many things — from enjoying the outdoors & exploring new landscapes, to singing & humming her favorite melodies, to building meaningful relationships & fostering a sense of community, these are only a handful of the many things that are important to her. But above all the hobbies she takes on, her love for humanity & connection are what make her truly valuable to DSTRESSR.
​
INFLUENCES - PARAMORE, LAKE STREET DIVE, MUNA
MAX HENTOSH
Guitarist
​
Max provides the organizing framework that binds together the heart, soul, and mind of DSTRESSR. As a licensed architect, Max has developed a process for creative generation mixed with contemplative problem solving. He is extremely grateful for his upbringing and family that instilled the love of music in him. His desire to explore the state of being and other philosophical concepts in music including his Masters of Urban Design thesis, HARMONISCAPES which combines the study of the audible environment with public space design is what lays the foundation for DSTRESSR’s most introspective work
.
INFLUENCES - THE CONTORTIONIST, THE DEAR HUNTER, PINK FLOYD, KING GIZZ
DARYL DI IORIO
Keys & Synth
​
Daryl lends not only her infectious smile and precision-focused fingers to DSTRESSR, but is also an incredibly talented artist whose drawings are regularly featured in the band’s promotional material. You won’t find her anywhere without her sketchbook. Carefully balancing her love of music, architecture, and art, Daryl values all things creative. Her enigmatic personality makes her easy to get along with and is yet another bold but sweet personality in this band. She may be small, but is an undeniable highly proficient and high quality pianist.
​
INFLUENCES - SUSANNE SUNDFOR, ROBERT SCHUMANN, THE DOORS
DANIEL GREENE
Guitarist
​
Daniel would describe himself as a happy guy learning to be happy, a chill guy learning to relax, accomplished but learning how much more growth lies ahead. Daniel loves to savor the simple things in life, and that is reflected in his hobbies, especially cooking and music, choosing to elevate and build on simple but foundational ingredients. His greatest asset will always be his propensity for friendships; they are his greatest teachers, his most trusted advisors, his most inspiring muses. Daniel’s skills on the guitar help generate the full-forced rock that bleeds through on DSTRESSR’s heavier tracks
INFLUENCES - SILVERSUN PICKUPS, CHEVELLE, GOJIRA
JOE MACISCO
Bassist
​
Joe has two goals: explore and have fun. A penchant for asking questions, Joe loves to know how stuff works and ultimately how those things can help people. A public health professor and scientist by day, Joe teaches health communication classes and studies how games can be used to promote health equity. Music, games, hiking, and more make up Joe’s list of ever-expanding activities. While bass guitar wasn’t Joe’s first instrument - that luminary distinction goes to the cello - he has taken naturally to laying down the deep, groovy lines that build the rhythmic foundation that makes DSTRESSR’s music so special.
​
INFLUENCES - GLASS ANIMALS, THE HUSH SOUND, STARSET
NICK ALESHIN
Percussionist
Nick is a seasoned member of the Columbus music scene, spending the past 12 years playing in bands ranging from punk and doom, to psychedelic and prog. When not drumming he runs his own synthesizer company and tinkers away at whatever diy projects he can get his hands on, always learning and honing his skills used in both his profession and as a hobbiest. Nick’s friendly disposition and easy going attitude are a vital part of the DSTRESSR family.
​
INFLUENCES - PORCUPINE TREE, SUMAC, KVELERTAK, CHATPILE, RUSH
