Scarred Visions set sights on fame

RACHELLE LACROIX / photo editor (left to right) Senior Eric Mohring, senior Alex Perroy, junior Dorian Balis, senior Chris Parniello and senior Andrew Perroy make up Scarred Visions. The band is scheduled to perform at Mainstreet Bar and Grill Wednesday night.

In just a few days, the sleepy daytime hangout, Mainstreet Bar and Grill, will be transformed by the heart-thumping, adrenaline rush of rock music as local hard rock band, Scarred Visions, takes the stage Wednesday night.

Formerly known as "Scarred," the band was created in 2000 by seniors Alex Perroy, Eric Mohring, Andrew Perroy and Chris Parinello. Junior Dorian Balis joined Scarred in early 2002 as lead vocalist, and the band changed their name to "Scarred Visions," to lend the band "a more progressive feel," according to Alex Perroy.

"We really like what we do and I think it shows," Balis said.
Alex Perroy's bass, Mohring's lead guitar, Andrew Perroy's rhythm guitar, Parnello's drums and Dorian Balis's vocals lend Scarred Visions' music substance and power that is enough to set any venue pulsating with energy. The members attribute their synergy to their familiarity with music and their long history of performing together.

Each of the band members began his musical career in middle school. The Perroy brothers and Mohring attended Robinson High School in Fairfax where they were part of a metal band. Balis also went to Robinson — although none of the members got to know him until he came to JMU, according to the band members.

The twins and Mohring started writing songs during their sophomore year at JMU, which was also when they met Parinello, who hails from New York. Balis, Scarred Visions' sole vocalist, completed the group in February 2002, according to Alex Perroy.

Describing their music as a cross between hard rock bands Nevermore, Dream Theater, Megadeth and System of a Down, Scarred Visions derives an eclectic array of influences from each of its members. The Perroys and Mohring share their roots in metal, hard rock and classical music.

Parinello brought jazz and fusion, which is an experimental form of jazz rock, to the group with his drumming, while Balis introduced opera and a capella. Balis, a former member of Madison Project, recently played the role of Eisenstein in the JMU opera "die Fledermaus."

Since Balis joined forces with the other band members, Scarred Visions has worked nonstop to ensure its entrance into the professional music scene. The Perroys and Mohring write the rough drafts of the band's music and then pass them on to Parinello, who alters them as he sees fit and adds a drum track. Then, the four members record the music for Balis, who comes up with the lyrics to accompany each track.

The music is "extremely complicated with changing time signatures — from fast to slow and heavy to soft," Alex Perroy said, citing titles such as "Betrayal," "Walk Away" and "The Gunslinger."

Scarred Visions devotes weekends to honing its skills on a regular basis and sacrifices summers to record and edit its music. On a typical Friday, the Perroys and Mohring — the band's guitarists — write riffs and network. On Saturdays, the three produce their night's work to Parinello, which is followed by a practice jam session of the guitars and drums. The entire band convenes to run through the music with vocalist Balis Sundays.

"I want the band to be my life; this is the job I am striving for while in college," Alex Perroy said. "Making it big is the dream — we are pursuing the dream."

So far, Scarred Visions' fame has steadied at the local level. Their upcoming appearance Wednesday will be the band's fourth concert at Mainstreet Bar and Grill. The "metal for the masses" band's typical audience ranges in age from 18 to 35 years old and is predominantly male, Scarred Visions' live concerts are edgy and energetic.

Although the group does not yet have a CD out, they plan to release their first album in the summer, according to Alex Perroy. As of now, fans can find clips of the band's music on the official Web site, www.scarredband.com, as well as pictures of the band, its history and show dates and times.

"We are very talented at our individual instruments, as well as songwriting," Alex Perroy said, "The music is aggressive with clear and catchy lyrics and melodies."

"When we perform, it's 110 percent," Balis said. "My lyrics are pretty personal — they mean a lot to me and I hope they mean a lot to the people who hear them."

Scarred Visions is set to perform Wednesday night at Mainstreet Bar and Grill. Tickets are $5 and can be purchased online at www.mainstreetrocks.com/concerts.html or calling 432–9963.