BIOGRAPHYChristian Atencio vocals / lyrics / acoustic guitar
Sean Payton: electronics / bass / percussion / production
Alejandro Parra: lead guitar
Terrance White: lead guitar (not active)
Charlie Zender: synthesizer (not active)
Gritch is a three piece indie/rock/electronic band featuring catchy vocal melodies and love sick lyrics that blend into pop-sensible, hook-filled music with well placed electronic elements that push the envelope, demanding the listener's attention. The lineup consists of Christian Atencio on acoustic guitar and vocals, Sean Payton on bass, synthesizers, and drum programming and Alejandro Parra on lead guitar.
Gritch began in the spring of 2006 when Atencio approached Payton for help on a few song ideas he had written. The result was a collaboration that blossomed into two songs, including the undeniably infectious "Sunday Morning Train". As the band continued to add more tracks to their lineup, they recruited White (2006) and Zender (2009) who added elements of musical sophistication.
In August 2008, Gritch released its first full length album entitled "the world was asleep..." A successful college radio campaign followed the release that saw seven of the album's thirteen songs receive airplay across 200 stations, as well as high praise from industry insiders. The band has also licensed music from the "the world was asleep..." for cable TV shows and five tracks were used on episodes of MTV’s The Real World during 2009 and 2010.
In April 2009, Gritch released a companion EP to “asleep…” called “Sunday Morning Train EP”. Its radio edit of “Distance” received radio airplay and the title track was named the unofficial theme song for Roo Radio’s “Sunday Morning Over Easy” internet radio show.
January 2010 saw White and Zender leave Denver and Gritch but only after completing their tracks for the band’s upcoming 9 track album, “Arrivals & Departures”, which will be released on October 16, 2010. The group added Venezuelan born Alejandro Parra to take over lead guitar duties in May 2010 and released “Waiting For You” the first single from “Arrivals & Departures” on July 11, 2010.