Image courtesy Jacob's Ladder

Perchance to Dream
Still Rocking Miami, Jacob’s Ladder Releases New EP

By Frank MacBride III

It’s been a long and busy climb for Jacob’s Ladder, but all around Miami (and increasingly the nation) fans are thinking that the latest step may help take them to the cultural summit of their namesake.

The Old Testament tells of a tale where Jacob falls asleep, only to dream that he climbs a ladder to Paradise — eventually, his path to salvation is found through his work here on Earth. This Friday, the hometown purveyors of pop-punk anthems are taking this next step and getting set to release the newest and most anticipated effort of their career: a new EP entitled “Back To Life.”

Drummer Brian Hernandez and guitarist/lead singer Oren Maisner have known each other since their days in awkward elementary school physical education class. The relationship continued through middle school until they joined forces with bassist Sammy Gonzalez. In Miami Beach High School’s Rock Ensemble they all came together to quickly (and in hindsight, solidly) form an adolescent group of ‘kids’ just trying to make rock ’n’ roll. Starting with early gigs around the Beach and Miami’s Churchill’s Pub, the then-proving grounds of Miami’s music scene, the trio surpassed barriers with grace uncommon to most of their colleagues.

Recently on their touring schedule, they’ve taken their brand to the revered South By Southwest Festival in Austin. Billed next to big names didn’t seem to obscure their vision, however. As is true for their tenure, the band doesn’t seem to let any limelight get in the way of the vision of the pure rock ’n’ roll they started with so many years ago.

Over 10 years, the band has been riding what many would call the bench of the modern punk scene. They’ve played alongside some of the biggest and progressive names in the genre many times over, including multiple Warped Tour appearances. This band is now no one’s bridesmaid and, with their new record, is ready to take the oath. They’ve played things the right way, coming into their own under their own terms: building chops on the road and working with names such as Fall Out Boy, Relient K, The Ataris, and others.

“Back To Life” is reminiscent of so many post-hardcore/semi-emo albums of the ’90s. However, it adds a twist of experience that the creators of those albums perhaps didn’t take the time to acquire. Over their tenure, the band has grown in a way that not many bands can stake claim to. Having started out together so early, and taking things in such respectable stride, the band has a unique sound that comes from the fact that they simultaneously grew apart musically while remaining together. The new EP is four tracks that range the musical gamut while remaining catchy.

Jacob’s Ladder’s synergy is a testament to a conglomeration of Miami musicians working together toward a final unique sound. Now with different backgrounds, their latest effort combines post-hardcore, reggae, and pop into a more than satiable serving of musical statement.

Jacob’s Ladder will perform at 11:30 p.m. on Friday, April 8 at Churchill’s Pub, 5501 N.E. Second Ave., in Miami, at their “Back to Life” EP release party. Tickets are $8 in advance or $10 at the door. Doors open at 8 p.m. They are joined by Danse Macabre, Addax, Hit Play, Deaf Poets and more. Call 305-757-1807 or visit myspace.com/jacobsladder and churchillspub.com for more information.

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