Formed in January of 2001 under the name of Kaos, Sodder entered the Rock scene just as every other aspiring artist…broke with limited direction. With a business major and perfectionist as a lead singer, it didn’t take long for a plan to formulate with tributaries of duties asigned to each individual along with a model of operations in regards to equipment, transportation, and finance. From the beginning, Sodder was operated as a business with each individual band member putting their earnings back into the band which led to the purchase of a full PA, a van and trailer for transportation, and all fuel costs and merchandise costs to be fully covered by the band’s finances. Musical direction was sporatic in the first few years with such a gathering of musicians with vast musical influences. Influences that ranged from the blues to heavy metal weaved a web of eclectic songs that varied greatly from one another and at the same time kept Sodder from being confined into any specific genre.

Growth and experience ensued in the following years as direction began to enter the scene in the relm of writing. New members were added and in 2009 a more defined product was being birthed from the creative juices of Sodder that could finally put them in a mold created by the Rock forefathers. Entering into a steady concoction of writing in a specific direction led to being noticed by Glight A&R. In early 2010, Sodder entered into a one (1) year development deal with Glight and Fidelity Entertainment. This gathering spawned the release of a new single (“Last Day”) which propelled recognition of Sodder throughout Oklahoma. Sodder’s first EP was released January 1, 2011 and the full length album was released in September of 2011. With more than 10 years of hard work and a wealth of live experience, Sodder has been working the rock scene steadily over the years and has earned their place in the industry with a steadily growing and loyal fan base. With fans showing up to live gigs to show off their new tatoos of the Sodder symbol, the band can safely say that a good portion of their fans are just … freakin’ awesome. Sodder’s show has steadily built over the years and has propelled them across Oklahoma and Texas with a huge live sound and ever growing light show. Always entertaining, always Rockin’ … World domination is inevitable!

More About Sodder

Sodder actually first started out as a 4 piece band with a vocalist, one guitar, bass, and drums. The beginnings of Sodder in 2001 started with all original music in the genre of blues rock. After a couple of years of struggling to get gigs Sodder realized that an ALL Original band is just not what clubs want. They revamped with some covertunes and launched a much more successfull run at bookings. In 2004 the band released their first, self-titled, album. An album that is nearly impossile to get unless you ask for it specifically at a live show.

In 2009 Sodder picked up a new guitar player (Caylon Shaw) and branched off into a newer more modern ROCK sound. Caylon came on with a lot to pick up and pick it up quick as the band had a gig scheduled in just 3 weeks. He pumped out the effort rose to the occasion and played his first ever live gig at Bandits and Barbies in Woodward, Oklahoma.

In 2010 we picked up a second guitar player, Joe Chapin. Joe was pretty much under the same pressure to learn Sodder’s songs as Caylon was. Sodder’s sound was greatly increased with the addition of a second guitar player and allowed them to write on a larger scale. Joe’s first gig was also at Bandit and Barbies in Woodward, Oklahoma

Jud Vinyard came strollin’ into Sodder as their new Rhythm Guitarist after Joe had left the band in early 2011. Jud’s down to earth personality, swuave charm as well as his ability to play guitar landed him the gig and sent him into the relm of Sodder as he took to the road for the first time in August and got broke in at Rigg’s & Company Saloon in Langley, Oklahoma.

Earlier in 2010 Sodder was contacted by an A&R rep. for GLight and moved on to record a single with Josh Gillis, which secured a development deal with Fidelity Entertainment. The bands first 5 song EP was released in January of 2011, and the full length CD was released in September of 2011.

Jennifer Newton/Lead Vocals:

Jennifer Newton was born June 2, 1981 and raised in Woodward, Oklahoma. Early on you could tell that Jennifer had a passion for music. She began playing the piano at the age of 6 and was constantly singing (although many pleaded with her not too).

At the age of 19, Jennifer began writing music and discovered a much desired need to perform. With a little encouragement from her family, Jennifer put her desire to work with Sodder and has never looked back.

Caylon Shaw/Guitar:

Caylon Shaw was born September 24, 1988 in Seiling, Oklahoma and raised in Woodward, Oklahoma. At an early age, Caylon taught himself to read music and play the guitar.

His influences are Eric Clapton, Slash, Randy Rhoades, Eddie VanHalen and Metallica, just to mention a few.

Caylon’s passionate guitar riffs and energetic style quickly caught the eye of Sodder, and in 2009, Caylon joined forces with Sodder adding his own personal edge and style to the music.

Jud Vinyard/Guitar

Jud Vinyard or Judly V. was born October 27, 1987 in Shattuck, Oklahoma, and has lived in Vici, Ok for most of his life. Starting at an early age Jud had music theory pounded into his head by his music teacher Mr. Gerald Shaw. All through high school Jud was in Choir and Band, and thanks to his friend Steven and a little song called Smooth (Santana), he decided to pick up the guitar. Nothing suited him more than jamming with the blues hour on the radio. B.B. King, Santana, Buddy Guy, and SRV were a few of his favorites for a while, then came the metal. Slowly, but surely, his guitar skills started to mature into something ferocious from lightning fast riffs, to super hectic rythms. Along the way Jud started to look more towards the metal icons such as Zakk Wyllde, Dimebag Darrel, Randy Rhodes, and Joe Satriani (artist wise). Band influences included BLS, Trivium, Killswitch Engage, August Burns Red, Bullet For My Valentine, and Avenged Sevenfold ect..

Years of Practice had turned him into the local guitar hero for the village of Vici, but something happened… One day he just decided to turn his back to his beloved instrument. For 2 years the beautiful six strings were barely touched, then came opportunity. Opportunity in the form of trying out for a band he had previously seen, and loved, Sodder. ” I personally feel that  I instantly had a connection with the band the first time we met.” One thing led to another, and in the end, Jud joined the ranks of Sodder. Throwing a barrage of squealies whenever he gets the chance. I mean what better way to show true skills than to make that guitar squeal like Dime and Zakk? He has a variety of sayings, and most of which are inappropriate in almost ever circumstance, but the one he sticks with is ” Don’t worry so much. You’re not fixing anything by doing so, only hurting your cause. So just say F#!k it and have fun”.

Brad McGuire/Bass:

Brad McGuire is a well rounded kind of bloke. He enjoys the phrases “Megalomania” and “I don’t get paid enough for this.” As well as his devilish bass riffs, Brad also uses his skill as the sound tech for Sodder and, on occasion uses his angelic voice as backup vocals (but only if he has too!). Brad dislikes any drunken fan who spills their beverage (whatever it may be) onto his equipment and the not-so-friendly game known only as Tetris to Sodder but known as the Van Equipment Stack to the fans.

Brad one day dreams of having dependable roadies who will actually know what they are doing and not break, lose, or drop any of the gear.

Brian Newton/Drums:

Brian Newton…well, Brian suffers from controlled optimism. He is 5’9, sober, and 8′, after a few drinks. Brian enjoys hot chicks that are a little…dirty (as do most drummers), music and philosophy. Brian dislikes Al Gore, the Dixie Chicks (and refuses to play or listen to any form of country music) and tapioca pudding (who knew!). He also spaces-out quite often and has a terrible memory.

Brian was a “bandie” throughout Junior High and High School with musical emphasis on the saxophone. Brian began playing drums in 2001 and looks up to drummers such as John Bonham, Neil Peart, and Shannon Larkin. Brian says, “Drumming is like an ocean of emotion and riding the waves is a compilation of action that stems from give and take as a tapestry of subtleties are woven throughout the constructs of the song.

I just love to play because it’s like a form of meditation that hurls me toward a state of Nirvana.”