Merge Left
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History
Merge Left is a melodic punk rock band made up of three teenagers from Highland Park in St. Paul, Minnesota. Daniel Balogh (guitar, vocals), Will Lehman (drums, backing vocals), and Dylan Woodman (bass, backing vocals) play fast and sometimes furious songs with a strong progressive political message. Daniel and Will have played together since 2002, and Dylan joined them in 2004. Daniel does most of the song-writing, with heavy input from Will and Dylan in producing the final sound. Of their political bent, Daniel says, "My goal is to just get one person in the crowd to change the way they think and start thinking for themselves ... if I can make one person open their eyes to what I feel then I feel like our goal is accomplished."
Merge Left finished a 2-week summer tour around the midwest with buddies Redrum and released a new E.P. called Democrazy. The Democrazy E.P. has 3 new songs and 2 new versions of older Merge Left songs. It was recorded with Tony Thomas of Minneapoliscast and Anchorhead and Man Afraid fame. Tony Thomas also recorded a podcast showcasing the 3 new songs which can be found here: Merge Left Podcast
In 2007, Daniel of Merge Left said, "Merging Left is about finding ways to address and then combat sexism, racism, homophobia and classism within ourselves and within our communities. Through embracing diversity, equality and justice, we can build up our strength as a unified force and hopefully bring the rest of the world with us and maybe we'll find something we can honestly call freedom...".
In August and September of 2007, Merge Left was among the punk internet radio site HussieSkunk.com's top 50 most played artists. In the first week of October 2007, Merge Left was the third most played artist on HussieSkunk.com.
Members
- Daniel Balogh (guitar and vocals)
- Will Lehman (drums and backing vocals)
- Dylan Woodman (bass and backing vocals)
Discography
Divided Nation released July 14, 2006
"Merge Left’s debut full-length CD, Divided Nation, blends influences from bands such as Anti-Flag, Rise Against, and the Bouncing Souls into a remarkably catchy sound that will attract fans of these bands as well as anyone with an appreciation for tuneful, enthusiastic, and energetic political punk rock. The title track kicks off the CD, starting with some ominous guitar riffs before quickly dropping into a mosh-driving rage at the current state of the nation. “Millennium Challenge” follows, a call to progressive action framed by a rebel yell-inducing intro and a machine gun finish. Throughout the remaining 11 tracks, the band continues the blistering pace, raging politics, and insanely melodic song-craft that is Merge Left. Turn it up loud; no, louder; roll down the windows, sing along. Raw, intense, thought-provoking—Merge Left delivers a riotous celebration of youthful enthusiasm and idealism in an aural package full of energy and rage: Divided Nation."
This is catchy stuff, the lyrics are actually really good too, leaning more towards social commentary through observation. Which in my opinion is far more effective than the route bands like Anti-Flag take...
This band is tight...and not just for young people. In every sense of the word, these guys have a great chemistry as a band.
-Johnathon
MERGE LEFT'S DIVIDED NATION GIVEN A 9/10 RATING BY PUNK UNITED!
"Merge Left's DIvided Nation given 3.5/4 at Read Junk"
Read Junk Review
Maximum Rock&Roll (November 2006, #282) says Divided Nation is "brimming with suitably fiery lefty lyrical concerns married to a driving, melodic SoCal sound...bears more than a passing resemblance to the first BAD RELIGION LP, and that can only be a good thing, right!?"
"Democrazy" released July 1, 2007
Listen to and download Merge Left songs at Merge Left's PureVolume Site
Listen to and download Merge Left songs at Merge Left's Myspace
Listen to and download Merge Left songs at Merge Left's Mohawk Radio site
