Hope In Anguish

Rock band East West released Hope in Anguish on Floodgate Records in 2003. The band, composed of members Mike Tubbs, Bob Vergura, James Jenkins, and Jon Druse, recorded the album with only two weeks of preparation. On their website, Tubbs shared the following: "Last time around we literally had years to write and pick out songs. This time we came off tour, built a studio at Bobby's house to record the demos and then had to write everything. Maybe it is just because we spend so much time together we know what each other is thinking, but it ended up being very relaxed and low-key. We wrote two-three songs a day, and at night called each other and left messages of ideas for the next day. It was a pretty incredible time." The heavy rock-oriented project is accurately reflected by its title, Hope in Anguish. It is a dark album, not for those who prefer the upbeat and uplifting. Tubbs explained on their website: "So much of being in a band is a sacrifice. Being away from our wives and families. Trials on the road. A lot of the lyrics deal with our band finally coming into itself, realizing the commitments of music and having the right attitudes. It also has a lot to do with us being so comfortable together that we were able to deal with issues that maybe we wouldn't of touched before." Songs include "Vacant" and "The Final Say."