The Psychedelic Band From Beaver Falls, PA You've Never Heard of: Closed For Chapel

If you were a student at Geneva College from around 2019-2023, you probably know all about this band. However, if you were not at the small Christian college in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania in that span of time, chances are you’ve never heard of the psychedelic band Closed for Chapel. That’s because the band, which was formed in 2019, only played shows on campus and only advertised to their close friends. They also ran into a bit of trouble throwing their own shows on campus. Despite the college’s best efforts to keep them off campus, the band had found success in the local music scene. They’ve since played at several clubs and bars in the area, and they’ve even released an EP.

The band’s music is a mix of psychedelic and old-school pop rock, and their lyrics are often critical of post-modern culture and focus on a revolutionary-type ideology of seeing beyond the "grey" and experiencing life with an optimistic view. If you’re looking for something new and different, then you should definitely check out Closed for Chapel.

Who is Closed For Chapel?

Closed for Chapel is composed of 3 Geneva College students and one who went to Grove City College: Camden Miller (lead vocals and keyboards), Lincoln Mimidis (guitar and vocals), Dan Townsend (drums), and Josh 'Wylde' Schubert (saxophone and wind synth). Lincoln, Camden, and Dan were connected by their shared passion for music and their college music theory class they all took the same semester. Josh joined later and was invited by Camden Miller who played in another band with Josh back in their teenage years.

The band began to practice in an old grungy campus building and soon started performing shows in that dank and dark old gym. Their original sound draws heavily on the rock genre, with a heavy influence of old and modern psychedelic rock and blues rock, while their lyrics often criticized the seemingly depressed and melancholy culture around them.

The band’s most recent project, their LP "Either Reality", was released in October 2020. The album features 12 original songs, not including their single “The World is a Drug”, which was released a week after the LP.

What Sets Them Apart From Other Bands?

What sets Closed for Chapel apart from other bands? The band stands out for three main reasons: their passion for their music, their courage to challenge social norms, and their unique sound that combines psychedelic rock and synth pop.

The band has also created a unique online presence to promote their music. They have built up a small cult online following on various media platforms such as YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook. Through these platforms, they also share updates and information about their upcoming gigs and new music releases.

Closed for Chapel has managed to make a mark in their local music scene. Their unique sound and passion make it easy to recognize their music, and their willingness to challenge the status quo sets them apart from other bands.

The Band's Unique Sound

The members of the band have a unique passion for their music which seems to be the cause for their blending in style. Their style blends traditional psychedelic rock with romantic era music but with a large synth-based sound and fuzzy swirling guitar tones. This gives them a sound that is both abrasive and palatable.

The psychedelic-synth pop sound has a raw, hypnotizing energy to it that captures the listener’s attention. The band’s lyrics are inspired by their own individual experiences and often comment on the issues of life.

The electric guitars and synths of the band often set the tone of their music and create an engaging, electric atmosphere. The blend of slow and fast-paced melodies often emphasizes the emotion of the lyrics and add excitement to the music.

The band also experiments with a variety of other instruments to create a diverse, full sound. This includes the addition of synths that give their songs a dreamy atmosphere and percussion instruments that add more layers to the songs.

The band has created a unique and powerful sound that has made them stand out from their peers and captivate their local audience. With the potential to reach beyond Geneva College and make an impact on a larger scale, Closed for Chapel proves that their unique sound is here to stay.

Article by Aaron Sims, Keeping Up With The Up and Coming

Feb 8, 2023