The Daniels are a three-piece built on the bones of 1990s alternative rock, The Daniels channel sharp hooks and layered textures through a black-and-white lens—steady rhythm, raw edges, and bursts of color when it counts.
Led by Rob Daniels (guitar, vocals), with Aaron Daniels (bass, vocals) and Mark Daniels (drums, vocals), the band blends the psychedelic phase of The Beatles with the precision of Rush, the tension of Muse, and the grounded songwriting of Wilco. It’s loud when it needs to be, quiet when it matters.
Recorded primarily using Logic Pro and a wide range of vintage and modern gear - 335 guitars, vintage Ludwig drums, Music man basses, with a dash of Boss pedals, and some plugins—the Daniels aim for feel over polish. Songs stretch and build with open space and layered textures, pulling from Revolver and Chaos and Creation era influences both visually and musically.
For those who remember when rock felt wide open, slightly unstable, and absolutely essential.
The Latest from The Daniels: A 2025 Resurgence
2025 has marked a major turning point for The Daniels, who returned to the studio this year after a long hiatus with a renewed sense of purpose and momentum. Rehearsals have been electric, fueling a wave of creativity that led to several new recordings and a revitalized energy within the band. The break seems to have done them good—there’s a clarity and focus in their sessions that wasn’t there before, and it’s showing in the music.
The newest tracks—“Ted,” “Kid C,” “Barbie,” “A Last Day of Song,” and “Song 6”—introduce a sound that’s both familiar and forward-thinking. Influenced by the likes of Radiohead, Rush, and Muse, the band blends intricate arrangements with emotional weight, carving out a space that feels wholly their own. With Aaron’s textured basslines, Mark’s dynamic drumming, and Rob’s most compelling songwriting to date, The Daniels are once again proving why they matter—and 2025 may be their most exciting chapter yet.
The Daniels (1996): A DIY Origin Story
The Daniels' self-titled debut, released in 1996, marks the band’s first bold step into the world. Recorded at a makeshift space dubbed Ellenwood Studios, the album was the product of ingenuity, determination, and a deep belief in the power of doing it yourself. Rob and Mark, working with limited resources, invested in an Alesis ADAT and a Mackie 1604 mixing board to bring their vision to life. What began as a homegrown experiment quickly became something much more, a raw, inventive recording project that captured the creative spark at the heart of the band.
The sessions included a rotating cast of guest musicians, adding texture and spontaneity to the album’s 13 tracks, all written by Rob. One of those guests was Aaron, whose contributions during the recording process proved essential, so much so that he soon joined the band full-time, completing what would become the definitive Daniels lineup. From the start, Mark and Rob displayed a wide range of musical ideas and production instincts, using every ounce of their gear’s potential to shape a sound that was both intimate and expansive.
Armed with only a couple of AKG 535 mics, a pair of Alesis Quadraverb GT units, and a single ADAT machine (limited to just 8 tracks per song), the sessions pushed the boundaries of what a small setup could accomplish. But what the recordings may have lacked in polish, they more than made up for in heart and creativity. The Daniels’ debut stands as a testament to the power of constraint—and the belief that good songs, honest performances, and a little sonic alchemy can create something timeless. You can hear highlights from the album below.
The daniels 1996 Self Titled Debut
Saving 1973: Pop Hooks and Basement Tapes
Following the release of their self-titled debut, The Daniels, now officially made up of Rob, Aaron, and Mark—immediately set to work on their next project. What started as one follow-up quickly split into two distinct albums: Saving 1973 and Saving Daniel. Rob’s songwriting had grown more prolific, with enough material for two full-length records. The songs that leaned into melody, hooks, and a pop-rock sensibility were collected for Saving 1973, while the heavier, more aggressive material became Saving Daniel. This creative division not only highlighted the band’s stylistic range but also underscored their ability to thrive in multiple sonic spaces without losing their identity.
The tracks for Saving 1973 were recorded in Aaron’s basement studio (shoutout to Julie for the space), during a period when the band was actively gigging and writing in tandem. Between rehearsals and live shows, the songs began to take shape, infused with the energy of the stage and the intimacy of the home studio. By the end of 1998, all the songs were tracked—but life pulled the band in different directions, and the recordings were shelved. It wasn’t until 2020 that Rob and producer 01q revisited the archive, dusted off the sessions, and completed both albums. Now fully realized and restored, Saving 1973 and Saving Daniel offer a snapshot of a band at their creative peak—and both albums, in their entirety, are available below.
Saving Daniel
Hear the in depth interview with the daniels on the waterleftfrog podcast.
Saving 1973