Recess Theory
Pompano Beach, Florida12 reviews across 2 releases
Recess Theory was an emo and indie-rock band from Pompano Beach, Florida, active in the late 1990s. John Ralston's melodic yet raspy singing gave the group a clear focal point, while the music relied on jangly dual guitars and unusual chord changes. On the Recess side of the 1999 split From the 27th State, the songs sounded comparatively typical of the period, though some listeners heard a stronger indie-rock slant and catchy pop melodies. The full-length They Would Walk into the Picture, also released in 1999, presented a broader version of the same approach: simultaneous vocals added texture, guitar lines remained busy, and quieter songs sat beside the rock material. Its baseball-centered "Philadelphia or Reading" was an unusually concrete subject for an emo song.
In 2000, Recess Theory changed its name to Legends of Rodeo and moved away from the emo sound toward more conventional rock. The renamed band signed with Bieler Bros., a label affiliated with MCA Records, and released A Thousand Friday Nights in 2002. MCA's restructuring problems followed, and Legends of Rodeo went on hiatus soon afterward. Ralston began a solo career in 2004, later releasing records under his own name. The band therefore lasted only a few years under the Recess Theory name before continuing briefly with a new identity and a different musical direction.
