According to Dustin Schumacher his band, Inner Temple, is just hitting its stride.

The 22-year-old Benton native founded the Wilkes-Barre based band as a trio in 2014, and after a few lineup changes, he is still looking for a permanent bass player. But Inner Temple has a new EP to showcase, and Schumacher is excited about the direction in which the band is headed.

Inner Temple released an EP in its early stages, but Schumacher said the band’s sound has evolved since then.

“It wasn’t recorded with the quality we wanted,” Schumacher said. “It was something we put out so we could have something at shows.”

On that first EP, which was recorded with the band’s original drummer, Schumacher did all of the string work. Now Inner Temple has one fresh face and is looking to add another.

Kevin Schlosser has taken over as the full time drummer, and friend of the band, Ben Kline, is handling live performance duties on bass while Schumacher and Schlosser look for a permanent bass player to cement the power trio lineup.

The band’s new EP, “Captivity,” was released on Oct. 28.

“I think that EP encompasses the true sound of the band,” Schumacher said.

The guitarist and frontman said Inner Temple gets labeled in various ways, mostly as a grunge band, but he prefers the simple descriptor “alternative rock.”

“Grunge has that revival going on right now, but it was a word for that time, for that era,” Schumacher said of the ’90s rock movement. “We might be influenced, but that (label) dates us.”

Inner Temple’s sound is abundant with distortion, heavy progressions and varying tempos within the alternative rock spectrum.

“I like a very round, thick guitar tone,” Schumacher said. “Letting every instrument speak on its own is what Inner Temple is about. One instrument is never really hidden by another.”

Schumacher said “Captivity” has been drawing good responses from listeners.

“We’ve been getting nothing but great reviews, which is super humbling,” Schumacher said. “It’s been insane how much people have been talking it up, and it really means a lot.”

The frontman said the band tries to schedule at least two shows per week and is usually playing live most weekends. Upcoming performances include a Dec. 31 show in Shickshinny and several January gigs in Philadelphia and New Jersey. For more information, visit the band’s Facebook page at facebook.com/innertemplepa.

Guitarist and songwriter Dustin Schumacher said his latest EP, ‘Captivity,’ encompasses what his alternative rock band, Inner Temple, is all about.
http://www.theweekender.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/web1_InnerTemple1_resized.jpg.optimal.jpgGuitarist and songwriter Dustin Schumacher said his latest EP, ‘Captivity,’ encompasses what his alternative rock band, Inner Temple, is all about. Submitted photo

Founding member of Inner Temple Dustin Schumacher and new drummer Kevin Schlosser perform live together. The pair is currently searching for a full time bass player to cement the lineup of their power trio.
http://www.theweekender.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/web1_InnerTemple2_resized.jpg.optimal.jpgFounding member of Inner Temple Dustin Schumacher and new drummer Kevin Schlosser perform live together. The pair is currently searching for a full time bass player to cement the lineup of their power trio. Submitted photo
Alternative rock band finds its sound

By Matt Mattei

mmattei@timesleader.com

Reach Matt Mattei at 570-991-6651 or Twitter @TLArts