Backstory:
Poised Material, an underground indie rock band from Dayton, Ohio, was formed in 2007 under the inspiration of small-town dreams, rebellion, and love for raw music. The band includes lead vocalist Billy Richards, guitarist James ‘Jimmy’ Davidson, bassist Jonathan ‘Jonny’ Brooks, and drummer Marcus ‘MJ’ Jones. They initially met in high school and bonded over their shared passion for grunge and indie rock. Armed with their parents’ garage as a practice space, they began their journey with a few homemade demos and local gigs, creating a unique sound that gradually set them apart in Dayton’s music scene.
The turning point in their music career came in 2010, when their demo tape landed in the hands of a local radio DJ who started playing their songs during his late-night mix. The exposure led to bigger gigs and wider recognition. They’ve since released three studio albums and tour nationwide, always making sure to drop by their hometown for a performance to honor their roots.
Genre: Indie Rock
Title: “Steel Town Blues”
Full song lyrics:
(Verse 1)
[Em] In the heart of a small steel town,
[G] Life spins round and round.
[Em] Dreams rusted and hopes buried deep,
[G] Secrets the old city keeps.
[A] We’re playing in the shadows of the factories,
[C] Making melodies in the silence of the industries.
(Chorus)
[G] Steel town blues, we [D] sing for you,
[Em] The song of the scarred and the [C] brave.
[G] Steel town blues, we [D] play it true,
[Em] Melodies from the [C] cradle to the grave.
(Verse 2)
[Em] We saw love in the smoke and the grind,
[G] Found solace in the hum of the assembly line.
[Em] We danced in the echoes of the siren’s wail,
[G] Wrote verses in the shadows of the steel rails.
[A] In every corner and streetlight’s glow,
[C] We found the rhythm, let the music flow.
(Repeat Chorus)
(Bridge)
[A] Underneath the rust and rubble,
[C] We found a tune worth every trouble.
[G] In the heartache, in the strife,
[D] We found the soundtrack of our life.
(Repeat Chorus)
Ends on [Em]
Fan’s Testimonial:
“My name is Sarah Thompson and I’ve been a dedicated fan of Poised Material since their garage band days. I love the emotions they bring out, their music resonates with my own small-town roots. Their song, ‘Steel Town Blues,’ particularly hits home. It’s more than just music for me, it’s the story of my life, and they tell it with such raw honesty. I’ve seen them perform on big stages but they’ve never lost their humble charm. Poised Material is my favorite band because when I listen to their songs, I feel seen and understood.”