Advocate (band)

Advocate was a Christian metalcore band from Mason City, Illinois. (Not to be confused with the Providence, Rhode Island based "Advocate", who released a full length record on the Indiana label "Happy Couples Never Last" and were active from 1999 to 2003) Playing with such acts as War of Ages, Spirit of the Stairway, Sleeping Alone, For Today, and many more. Advocate was a core band in the movement of metal/hardcore in central Illinois.

History (2004 - late 2005)

Advocate spawned in the 8th year of school from Sean Deener, Logan Ramos, Alex Hull, and JJ Blankenship as a Four-Piece band under a more mainstream rock influence. After playing their first show, the band went in another direction, and became heavier influenced by bands such as Haste the Day, As I Lay Dying, and Norma Jean. In the summer of 2004 they recruited Misty Bowersock as their full-time manager, and were able to play shows every weekend at the local Civic Center with other Local Bands. The band went on to play multiple gigs, talent shows, and even winning the best new band in the Abe Awards from Springfield, IL. Advocate then decided to help out the kids of the community by opening up the Civic Center for concerts, events, festivals, and even lock-ins leading the band towards a mark of 200+ shows and events. Trying to keep kids off the streets, and abstaining from drugs and alcohol was one of Advocate's main goals as a band. The band had a more speedy sound; Vocalist, JJ Blankenship was using high screams. Guitarist and Bassist, Sean Deener and Logan Ramos were writing material with fast speeds. Drummer, Alex Hull was mainly influenced by Morbid Angel and Mudvayne. Thus giving Advocate a pure speed/thrash metal sound.

Midwestern Success (2006 to 2007)

In February 2006, Advocate recorded their demo entitled Farewell. Dialogue (still under their Trash influences) at D/C Records in Mason City, IL, thus spawning a huge success within the Midwest for Advocate. In March 2006, Advocate focused on improving their sound. Advocate then began evolving into a band with very Melodic and Skill written music, while Vocalist JJ, evolved his scream into a lower and more guttural sound. Advocate begun a 10-month tour, playing close to 250+ shows without stopping, getting notice from independent labels such as Media Murder Records and Turkey-Vulture Records. In July/August 2006, problems rose within the band, due to the constant flow of concerts and lack of able to focus on their friendships, Advocate played a hiatus show. In November 2006, after reconciling, Advocate recruited good friend, Tyler Yentes as their second Guitarist and played their reunion show along with Red At Night, Estrus, Justify the Means, and other local bands. Advocate began playing shows as a Five-Piece band, once again, gaining support and notoriety for their complex songs, energetic performances, and such a dedication to always bringing professionalism and an all-around good time to any venue they walked into. In summer of 2007, Facedown Records approached Advocate with an interest in bringing them to their Family. Shortly, before Facedown were to return to talk and negotiate terms with the band, more problems arose and this time, unable to be resolved.

Breaking Up

In June 2007, Sean Deener left Advocate due to personal reasons but Advocate still decided to push on, once again as a Four-Piece band. But as time progressed, repairing the band and regaining momentum seemed impossible, so Advocate decided to call it quits and began planning their Farewell show at The Cell in their hometown of Mason City, IL. On September 8, of 2007; after playing an approximate close to 500 shows in just 3½ years, Advocate played their finale show entitled "The We Killed Rock and Roll Finale" with good friends/tour mates Estrus, Red at Night, and Grim. Calling it quits, the band went onto to finish their schooling and some of the members are reported to be working on bands of their own.

Band members

Final Members

• Sean Deener - Guitar & Vocals(since 2004)
• Alex Hull - Drums (since 2004)
• JJ Blankenship - Vocals (since 2004)
• Tyler Yentes - Guitar (since 2006)
• Logan Ramos - Bass Guitar (since 2004)

Former Members

• Justin DeCanter - Guitar (2004)
• Nick Urish - Bass (2004)

Discography

Albums

Date of Release	Title	Label
August 2005	A Diagram of Silence	D/C Records
February 2006	Farewell. Dialogue	D/C Records