The Anatomy: Band On The Brink

By Brian “Angel” Simmons / VOX Staff

Literally and figuratively, The Anatomy is the band next door. It’s an unassuming foursome that — despite its heavy music — foregoes death metal gear and rock-and-roll glam for a come-as-you-are aesthetic. You’ll find them wearing T-shirts and jeans or other comfortable clothing at their gigs around Atlanta. They all grew up in the area, and attended middle and high school together. They get along with each other well, and are at as ease jamming out as they are joking around with each other and their audiences.

The band’s sound mixes a little bit of grunge musicianship with strong melodies and hard-edged lyrics, evoking comparisons to more famous bands such as Coheed and Cambria, System of a Down and People in Planes. Michael Friend, 25, rocks on lead vocals and guitar, and isn’t afraid to let you have it with his thought-provoking lyrics and sincere voice. Alan Castanuela, 27, jams on bass guitar and shares some of the vocal duties with frontman Michael. Colin Carey, 24, hammers the beat down hard on drums, and Adam Busch, 25, plays keyboards, adding melodies and depth to the band’s complex, hard-rocking sound.

The Anatomy has been touring around Atlanta for nearly eight years now, including previous incarnations under the names Remey and Lumus. Michael and Alan are cousins and have been making songs together since the fifth grade. Michael met Colin skateboarding, and he joined the crew in middle school. The trio knew Adam from high school, but he didn’t come aboard The Anatomy until about a year ago.

I caught up with the band on the cold night of Dec. 1 at The Trackside Tavern in Decatur where they were playing. Before the show, the band joked around with the crowd during sound check and got them pumped up for the performance. They were in a similar mood for this interview.

VOX: As far as the different names of the band go, how did they come about and what do they mean?

COLIN: Ummmm… The names actually don’t mean anything. That pretty much goes for the names of our songs as well. We kind of just go for it.

MICHAEL: For one, Lumus came from the name of the doctor of the “Halloween” movies.

VOX: Speaking of your songs, where do you guys find the inspiration for them both lyrically and musically?

MICHAEL: For me, I’d say [the lyrics] come from my personal experiences.

ALAN: I’d say personal experiences, too.

COLIN: [laughs] I don’t write songs for the band.

VOX: But what about the music? What other bands do you like and why have they influenced your own music?

ALAN: I’d say Alice in Chains because everything they’ve produced is classic.

COLIN: For me, I’d say the Deftones simply because I like their sound.

MICHAEL: I’d say Oasis, just because of the wall of sound they produce and the ways they arrange everything so beautifully.

VOX: [tape recorder starts to act up] My tape recorder’s going stupid. [bangs on tape recorder, followed by laughter from the group]. Sorry. So how are you guys working to get signed with a record label?

COLIN: Ahhhh… We’ve had countless producers and countless supposed record label reps come up to us saying that they have all types of crazy acts signed and that they hang out with all types of important people in the business, including celebrities. We’ve tried to talk to a few people, but it’s mostly been crap. You don’t realize that until you’ve spent about a week of your time getting together with them and getting your hopes up for nothing.

VOX: What are your hopes and dreams for The Anatomy. Where do you want it to go?

MICHAEL: We don’t have very set in stone dreams. We love to have fun and we love doing what we do.

ALAN: Of course if someone legit wanted to sign us we wouldn’t turn it down. But were not going to just pack everything up and move to California just to potentially get signed.

VOX: OK, equipment run-through. So what types of equipment do you guys use?

COLIN: I play a Sonor drum kit, and as far as the guitars go, the guys use anything from Ibanez to Ephiphone to Fender to Gibson. Over the years we’ve assembled this big mix-matched bundle of equipment.

VOX: So what would you say your dream equipment is? [continues banging on the tape recorder]

COLIN: I’d say a good set of batteries and a better tape recorder. [laughs] No, but seriously, I’d say our dream equip would be just what we have. I love my set of drums simply because of the sound, the mobility and overall quality.

VOX: The Anatomy isn’t your full time job. What else do you guys do to pay the bills? What’s it like juggling a job and being in the band?

COLIN: I work for a construction company. I’m mainly a Web page coordinator.

MICHAEL: I work in a couple coffee shops.

ALAN: I work at two different restaurant jobs.

ADAM: I’m a medical courier.

COLIN: It’s difficult juggling it all. Sometimes there’s just not enough time for the band, and we don’t get to practice as much as we want. But we live for the band. The drudgery of our everyday jobs is worth it because it lets us play.

Brian is a junior at Southwest DeKalb High.