Strangeletter is a five-piece hard rock band based in Portland, Oregon. Its sound draws from genres of prog/rock, industrial synth-pop, psychedelic acid folk, and heavy percussive funk. The songs and sounds of Strangeletter range from frenzied crescendos of guitars, drums, and interstellar synths to more intimate compositions of layered strings, pianos, and computer loops, interwoven with crisp, melodic vocals.

Founded in 2006, Strangeletter was created by native Portlander Steve Bayless, who wrote and recorded the band's first self-titled album in his home studio. With the first album finished and released independently in 2009, Steve recruited the musical talents of longtime friends to help bring about a live incarnation of the music. Strangeletter's lineup is Phillip Ferrier on drums, Paul Carrigg (of The Supraphonics) on bass, Andy Manla (of Jippedo) on synths and backing vocals, Elina Niemelä on keyboards and piano, and Steve on guitar and lead vocals.

Strangeletter is currently booking shows in and around the Northwest.

Strangeletter’s stage included lights, drums, laptop and synth modules, electric piano, bass, and guitar. Steve Bayless, the frontman and head composer, was set apart from the rest of the group, on the far left corner of the stage, with a strand of red lights cascading from his mic stand. They opened with loud drums, droning synth and a technical, hard funk bassline mixed with smoke and shifting light.

They dropped a sample that sounded like wind blowing through radio static and looped into a glitched out beat, soon matched by drums and bass into a heavy stomp. The keys lifted the song up and Bayless’ vocals sang through emotive personal reflections. This mix continued to morph and traverse styles.

Strangeletter reminds me of everything I liked about heavy rock in the early nineties but rebuilt with a dose of glitch and industrial tech. They layer sounds, building up and breaking down arrangements to find every place they can take a song. It’s all tightly woven and keeps the audience engaged with the storied lyrics. - Oregon Music News