The members of Seattle rock band Veritas met on Craigslist.com, but they have the good-natured rapport of five musicians who’ve been friends for years.
“We all chose each other. Any of us could have walked,” singer-guitarist Will Moore said at an informal band meeting this week at the Paragon on Queen Anne.
“It’s like a good marriage, with give and take,” drummer Chanel Summers added.
Moore started the band in Los Angeles with a whimsical posting on Craigslist: “Seeking a bassist that sucks.” Bassist Thai “Thaiphoon” Dao responded, and the two hit it off. Other Craigslist ads helped create the five-member band whose powerful, melodic rock seems destined for success.
The group blends many styles: alt-rock, synth-pop, electronica and hard rock. “Everyone has something to throw in,” Moore said. Check out footage of the band on YouTube.
The group has the honor of performing with VAST, as well as the Crying Spell, Endless Hallway and Calbrea at 7 p.m. Monday at Studio Seven. Tickets are $13 in advance, $15 at the door.
Veritas, which means “truth” in Latin, recently finished its debut album, “White Lies & Pretty Poisons,” featuring such powerful, guitar-heavy-songs as “Running Till Our Legs Burn,” “Cocktail Girl” and “Monsters.”
Collaborating with the band was Lee Hotrum, lead singer of Point One and the Crying Spell. Together, they created an album that reflects the diverse tastes of individual band members while keeping its focus on soaring, crowd-pleasing rock ‘n’ roll. Hotrum served as arranger and producer, and Kelly Grey (Queensryche, 3 Doors Down) handled the engineering.
Offering additional production help was Jules Hodgson of KMFDM fame. Emily Lazar and Joe LaPorto did the mastering at The Lodge.
“I just wanted to make a damn good album,” Moore, who grew up a military brat in Okinawa, said of the group’s debut CD. “It’s your baby. It’s your statement. So you don’t want to set the bar too low.”
The band’s strong work ethic means lengthy, disciplined practice sessions and vigorous self-promotion. Fiery drummer Summers said she got her drive from her parents, who pushed her as a child to work hard in school and take on additional study. Before joining the band, she worked as a developer of the Xbox game system.
An upcoming West Coast hop includes a dream gig: a June 9 show at the legendary Viper Room in Hollywood. “We always wanted to go and do that place right,” Moore said.
In addition to Moore, Summers and Dao, the band includes singer and keyboardist Jamie Rose and guitarist Andrea Jasek.
“We have the same goals,” Dao said. “We love each other.”