trauma ray
About
Trauma Ray is a Fort Worth, Texas-based band that has emerged as a prominent figure in the modern shoegaze revival. Formed in 2018 by core songwriters Uriel Avila (vocals) and Jonathan Perez (guitar), the group expanded into a five-piece featuring Darren Baun (bass), Nicholas Bobotas (drums), and Coleman Pruitt (guitar). Known for their signature 'three-guitar attack,' the band's sound is a heavy, 'bulldozer' fusion of crushing riffs and ethereal, melodic vocals, drawing significant influence from 90s alternative stalwarts like Hum, Slowdive, and Failure. After building a following through early EPs and aggressive touring, they released their debut full-length album, 'Chameleon', in 2024 via Dais Records, followed by the 'Carnival' EP in 2026. Their music often explores themes of identity, guilt, and self-reflection, characterized by a dynamic loud-quiet-loud architecture.