Rich Howells

Scranton metal band Behind the Grey signs with Inner Light Agency, adds bassist Grant Williams

Scranton metal band Behind the Grey signs with Inner Light Agency, adds bassist Grant Williams
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After opening for Flaw in Duncannon near Harrisburg last week, Behind the Grey made some big announcements this week about the future of the Scranton metal band.

On their Facebook page, the band revealed that they just signed an exclusive management deal with Damon Moreno and Bruce Swink (former A&R at Roadrunner Records) of the Inner Light Agency, based out of Los Angeles. Several of Moreno’s artists have garnered Grammy nominations, Billboard chart success, and licensing deals for film, television, and video games.

As the Inner Light Agency explains:

The Inner Light Agency or iLA is a longstanding band management and artist development firm ran by Damon Moreno and Bruce Swink (Former Roadrunner Records) who are backed by an in-house team of educated and well-connected artist agents and industry insiders, including A&R, booking agents, talent buyers, graphic designers, career managers, publicists, and much more. All of our efforts are targeted at the creation and maintenance of long-term, mutually rewarding associations with both the artist and our industry contacts and partners. Because of this philosophy, it is absolutely essential that, prior to considering working with any artist, we establish that our thinking runs parallel with theirs.

We thrive on communication, honesty, and common sense and strive to be as flexible and responsive to artists’ needs as possible. That is perhaps the most pronounced advantage to a competent smaller agency: the artist’s confidence that, in their agent, they have a dedicated long-term consultant who will represent them as they wish to be represented.

“We feel Damon’s tireless work ethic and professionalism is a perfect fit for us, and we’re beyond excited to be partnering with his company as we continue to prepare for our next release,” Behind the Grey wrote.

The band also announced that longtime bassist Steve Saypack will be leaving their lineup, with solo bass player Grant Williams taking his place. Williams, who formerly played in Scranton hard rock band Graces Downfall, will have his first show with Behind the Grey on Friday, April 14 at The Other Side (119 S. Main St., Wilkes-Barre) with Toothless, Red Hymns, and Falling from Eden.

“Grant has been a friend/brother to the band since we started, and we’re stoked to have him as part of the BTG family,” they said.

Behind the Grey’s most difficult lineup change came last year when it became public that their original vocalist, Eric Katchmore, was battling late stage lymphatic cancer. With his blessing, the band continued on after holding a benefit concert for him with guest vocalists, including new singer Dom Vito, who is working with them now on the follow-up to their acclaimed 2015 debut album, “Through the Grip of Tyrants.”

Receiving radio play in the tri-state area and playing shows across the country during their four years as a group, including packed concerts back here in Northeastern Pennsylvania, Behind the Grey has a blue collar work ethic, explosive stage presence, and accessible hard rock sound that could take them far. 2017 may just be their year.

See NEPA Scene’s photos from Grant Williams’ CD release party with Behind the Grey last year here and see video and photos of BTG’s first-ever acoustic set that same night here. Read more about the band and stream some of their music in our You Should Be Listening To feature.

Photo by Ian Zuckerman