Relapse

Grand Rapids-based rock band Relapse seemed to have already surpassed its hay day.

Brace yourself for hay day part deux.

After touring extensively between 2004 and 2008, the band called an indefinite hiatus after then-lead singer Tim Roy temporarily relocated to upstate New York. Not until late summer of last year did the act slowly start to reform, this time with new guitarist Kirk Maier jumping on board to join Nick Swain (drums), DVH (bass) and Tim and Jason Roy.

To mark the comeback, the band will release a self-titled EP on June 11 at The Pyramid Scheme in Grand Rapids. The album was recorded at River City Studios in Grand Rapids with Austin Ruhstorfer.

“We are hoping to put another EP out, possibly a full-length, at the end of the year or right at the beginning of 2012,” said Jason Roy, guitarist. “We’re hoping to tap back into what is going on in Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo and move from there. It feels like waiting for Christmas to come right now with the release show looming in the distance.”

The new album promises to put on display a wide range of the Relapse repertoire, from brit-rock to driving rock ‘n’ roll. With the addition of Maier both on guitar and back-up vocals, the band found a richer sound, working in vocal harmonies rather than just doubling up on leading vocals.

Roy said there are both advantages and setbacks to firing up an old band that has been out of sight for some time.

“I think there are certain elements that are both harder and easier,” he said. “On the one hand, it is a little bit harder to get back into doing the little promotional things to make sure you gain some name recognition back. But, on the other hand, when we played the first few shows back, it was very easy to get a lot of that core group of fans back out and really up for it.”

“It was definitely easy to record this EP,” Roy added. “It was by far the easiest recording we’ve ever done collectively. We absolutely loved working with Austin and wouldn’t blink an eye at doing it again.”

The album will be the first release the band has made available on iTunes, Amazon, etc. Outside of that, the band simply aims to road test their material and work hard this summer getting back in the live show fray.