VIDEO

Newest member Steve Schrimsher (from left), Emily Larimer, Chris June and Cody Hughes make up the band, which has released a five-song EP titled "You & Isolation." (Photo provided by Image Source Photographic)

Emily Larimer is no stranger to irony. The Purdue grad took a job in Indy partly because she "couldn't find a band" in Lafayette. Then the drummer found a post by Lafayette guitarist Chris June on Indianapolismusic.net, and in 2006, began commuting to Tippecanoe County every weekend.

Their band, Chemcoma, has been busy since then, spending more than a year writing material and rehearsing, releasing a five-song EP titled "You & Isolation" in December 2007 and scheduling club dates around the region almost every weekend.

Along with sharing vocal duties with June, Larimer and guitarist Cody Hughes programmed synthesizer tracks for the songs on the EP, evoking the melodramatic modern rock of Linkin Park.

June and Hughes add flair with leads written in harmonic thirds, a nod to more classic metal influences, such as Iron Maiden. Where most local rock bands achieve a thin, tinny sound, "You & Isolation" features compositions as tightly constructed as anything you'll hear on X103.

Chemcoma has been playing out for less than a year but has already gained traction statewide. "I don't know if we're just lucky or what, but I think it's hard work," June said.

"I think it's a combination of putting out an EP that we spent a lot of time on and took a lot of care with and keepin' the nose to the grindstone and finding people who will (book us)," Larimer said.

Inevitably, the band will face more questions about its name, which appears to be a reference to a chemically induced coma. According to June, though, the name was simply the first two letters of the first name of each original band member. It was a private joke among band members until bassist Steve Schrimsher joined the lineup.

"Now it would be Chemcost, but it's too much money to change the name," June said.

Chemcoma, Thrive

When: 9 p.m. Aug. 2.

Where: Locals Only, 2449 E. 56th St.

Tickets: $5.

Info: (317) 255-4013, www.localsonlyindy.com