Cookie Monster rock

Call it “screamo” or call it “post hardcore,” locals Focus in Frame say they have no intention of backing away from the guttural groans that identify many modern metal bands.

Detractors slag the incomprehensible singing as “Cookie Monster rock,” but Focus in Frame say they are keeping the foreboding vocal approach.

“Not everyone is going to like it,” rhythm guitarist Jon Iverson tells the Reader. “The general consensus is that it’s demonic, that it’s not actually music. But many people can see past that. To us the whole screaming [style] shows how strong, emotionally, you can be as a band.”

He admits it is harder for a screamo band to break into the mainstream. He says lead singer Freddy Padilla screams half their songs and sings the rest in a more traditional, “clean style. Having both gives you variety,” says Padilla.

All members have day jobs, except drummer David Schultz, who is a senior at La Jolla High. Iverson says the band members are all focused on making it in music. During their two years together they have followed the Soma plan, which means work hard to get people into your shows and get rewarded with opening slots for major touring bands. Padilla says Focus in Frame opened for Warner Bros. recording artists Echosmith and Australia band Hands Like Houses on Soma’s smaller stage, with each show drawing about 500. “We opened for Bring Me the Horizon on the mainstage and played to about 2000 [people],” says Padilla.

Schultz, 18, knows the local live-rock scene is not as compelling as it was a few years ago.

“The majority of kids now seem to be into EDM or solo pop artists. A lot of kids are staying away from rock. But once this generation realizes the passion you can get from a live show, they will get over the music they are used to hearing on the radio.”

Focus in Frame appears Wednesday, December 3, at Soma with Dance Gavin Dance, Secrets, Alive Like Me, and Defeat the Low.