In a music scene where most of the bands pretty much share the same sound or variations of it, you might be hard-pressed to find a band that stands out. Well, I found one. They’re called Feeling of Hate, but are often referred to as FOH.

The members are all from Encinitas, although the singer is originally from Georgia and brings some of that southern soul to his singing. Their sound stays true to the 90s-rock era when bands like Alice In Chains put alternative hard rock on the map, though their influences range across the board.

The members of FOH are Chris Irick on vocals and guitar, Tim Nicholson on lead and rhythm guitar, Jason Ulak on bass and vocals and Buck Wade on drums. The current lineup came together in 2007. I got the chance to speak with the band over the phone and learned all about their fast rise on the San Diego music scene from starting out playing small shows to being played on San Diego’s biggest rock station, Rock 105.3.

“I like to run this band like a business,” Irick said. “I mean you’ve got to do it like that if you want to be successful at it.” Irick and his bandmates started out by recording a demo of two or three of their original songs and began a guerilla marketing campaign that included sending CDs to every radio station in San Diego. Even I received one of their press packets. Their campaign was successful in that not only did it get their name and music to a broad audience within the local media, but it also got them radio play on Rock 105.3’s Loud and Local segment, which airs every Sunday from 8 to 11 p.m. From the exposure they received with the airplay, more and more people got to hear their music and more people began turning up at shows. They also became one of the most requested local bands on Rock 105.3.

Recently the band was contacted by Emergenza to play a Battle of the Bands contest in San Diego. The first battle was held at O’Connell’s and was decided by an audience show of hands. After they beat eight other bands for the O’Connell’s win, the band moved on to the next battle, which was held at Brick by Brick, where they beat out the competition once again. The third battle is going to be held June 21 at 4th and B. There will be 14 bands to battle this time, but the winner of the show moves on to the finals, which will be held at the Key Club in L.A. From there, the winning band will win a trip to play in Germany.

The group is getting ready to head back into the studio to put some time into nine new tracks. They hope to have a new CD for their fans out soon but want to take the time to make sure the sound is perfect.

Even though their band name might make you think they play overly aggressive music, the guys in FOH want everyone to know they are more than just a name. “People hear the name and instantly think we’re death metal or something,” Irick said. “They don’t know that we have songs that have string sections and acoustic songs … So we’re trying to push the ‘FOH’ a little more so people won’t rush to judgment so much.”

FOH is definitely worth lending your ears to; their blend of hard rock and soulful singing stands out in a scene where screaming reigns king. “We know what we’re playing isn’t the ‘hot’ thing right now, but we don’t care,” Irick said. “We’re playing what we want to play; we play music that makes you want to get up and move, and if it doesn’t, then I don’t want to play it.”

Come out and support them June 21 at 4th and B and judge for yourself. If you’re a fan of music from Staind and Alice In Chains, then you’ll find comfort and a home with Feeling of Hate.

Visit www.feelingofhate.com or www.myspace.com/feelingofhate for more shows and merch and be sure to listen to my personal favorite track of theirs, “No Reason.”