Powertrain

Powertrain is a melodic metal, classic rock and power pop band formed in 2008 by bassist Bobby Ferkovich, keyboard player Op Sakiya and guitarist Kendall Bechtel. The group emerges from a line of earlier collaborations involving members who play in or have played with Heir Apparent, Dead Prjct and The John Jaunese Group.

Formation and early line-up

The band traces its beginnings to Heir Apparent’s European tour in 2006, when Ferkovich, drummer Jeffrey McCormack and Sakiya are part of the touring line-up. After the tour, McCormack and Ferkovich join Dead Prjct, a solo project by Fifth Angel guitarist Kendall Bechtel. When that project ends, Ferkovich and Sakiya work with John Jaunese and record material that appears on shred guitar compilation CDs.

In 2008, Ferkovich and Sakiya have a set of demos they want to record and contact Bechtel, who joins the project. Bechtel writes the lyrics, vocal melodies and guitar parts, and the chemistry in the studio leads to the formation of Powertrain.

Releases

Powertrain’s first release is the Will To Power EP, which is reworked from the original demos and appears in 2009. It includes the track “I’m Alive”, which becomes a minor internet radio hit. The band then records and releases the full-length album Tracks in 2010. Its second full-length album, Off The Rails, follows in 2012 and features McCormack on drums.

Style

The band’s sound draws on classic guitar and Hammond-led hard rock, progressive rock, 1980s power metal and modern alternative metal influences. Its music is described as difficult to place in a single genre, with an emphasis on strong musicianship and melodic songwriting.