13. The Soupbone Throne
“Cancer”
from “The Soupbone Throne”
Travis Barton–percussion
Adam Horr–bass
Cary Dodd–guitar
Coby Dodd–vocals
www.thesoupbonethrone.com

The Soupbone Throne lists both Leonard Cohen and Alice in Chains among their influences, but it makes sense—their dark, lyrical, acoustic sound is both sinister and inviting.

It’s tempting to classify them as a hard rock band, but there’s no thrashing or screaming here. Instead, Coby Dodd’s low, powerful voice (Scott Weiland meets Scott Stapp) is the centerpiece, and the band provides a disciplined and understated musical backdrop while maintaining a muscular sound that is indeed sure to please the hard rock crowd.

Based in Somersworth, The Soupbone Throne has been stalking the Seacoast scene for close to eight years, with hiatuses as two of the band’s members served in the military. It’s only been during the last two years that vocalist Coby Dodd, guitarist Carey Dodd, bassist Adam Horr and drummer Travis Barton have been playing together regularly. In December 2004 they released their first self-titled album, and in August 2005 they debuted a music video for their single “Scrape.” Now, in addition to the heavy local gigging schedule they keep, the band has started branching out, with dates in New York City and Somerville, Mass., among other locales.

Perhaps lead singer Coby Dodd describes the band’s music best on the track “On the Wall,” when he sings “itching creeping shadows on the wall / that’s my inside.” But for all the dark, uneasy moods that The Soupbone Throne stirs up, they’re still a pop band at heart, their songs so full of catchy hooks that you’ll keep humming along after the music ends.