The local music scene flies mostly under the radar, but it’s actually a thriving community of at least 20 bands. Here are four of the most promising...
CAMBRIDGE STREET
Members:
• Junior Peter DeBarros plays bass. Been playing one and a half years.
• Junior Stephen Kolifrath plays guitar and sings. Been playing five years.
• Junior Kyle Stanley plays drums. Been playing a year.
Playing as a band:
Since October 2009
Band Starter(s):
Kyle Stanley
Who named it and why:
Stephen made the name. He wanted a name Burlington kids would appreciate and recognize.
Practices at:
Kyle Stanley’s basement
First gig:
Real School of Music with Nihility and Undertow
Best gig:
Playing at Real School with Nihility and Undertow with 100+ audience
Worst gig:
Playing the Tewksbury Methodist United Church at 2:00 in the afternoon
Writing music:
Collective writing
Inspiration:
High school life
Genre:
Punk Rock
Message:
Don’t waste your high school years.
Most Challenging part:
Getting everybody to agree on something. Songs don’t work unless everybody’s into it.
Recording:
They do their own recording in Kyle Stanley’s basement with Rock Band microphones
Logo:
No logo yet, but looking for an artist to create one
Advice for new bands:
Don’t be afraid to do what you want to do with your music for fear of being judged. You have to put yourself out there and live on the line.
Extras:
Kyle Sullivan is their #1 fan.
Visit their myspace at www.myspace.com/cambridgestreet00
HAVE YOU HEARD THESE GUYS?
Members:
• Stewart plays guitar. Been playing three and a half years.
• Senior Chris LaRocque plays guitar. Been playing four years.
• Freshman Sam Cote plays drums. Been playing two years.
• Senior David Murray does vocals. Been singing since early childhood.
• Eighth-grader Devin LaRocque plays bass. Been playing a year.
Playing as a band:
Since November 2009
Band Starter(s):
Nicholas and Sam
Who named it and why:
David came up with the name just hours before their first gig. “It just came to me,” he said, and they all agreed upon it.
Practices at:
Sam’s living room
First gig:
Kyla Candelino’s 16th birthday party
Best gig:
Second 7th period band recital here at BHS
Genre:
Rock
Writing music:
Band writes music collectively and David writes the song lyrics.
Inspiration:
Playing or writing what they feel, using heavy emotions and listening to music with clever word plays
Most Challenging part:
Getting the whole band together, and communication issues
Recording:
They recorded with Chris Laskey once in his Stoneham basement studio.
Logo:
Flaming cat created by Devon Doherty
Advice for new bands:
Practice a lot, but try to have fun with it. Loosen-up when you’re on stage because playing is something you should enjoy.
NIHILITY
Members:
• Freshman in college Mike Siraco plays drums. Been playing six years.
• Freshman in college Alex Pennachio plays guitar. Been playing seven years.
• Freshman in college JT Marchant does vocals. Been singing six years.
• High school Senior John Hesson plays bass and sings.
Playing as a band:
Two and a half years
Band Starter(s):
Alex Pennachio, JT Marchant, and Mike Siraco
Who named it and why:
Mike and Alex were chilling out flipping through a dictionary one day and found “Nihility.” They saw it and knew that was perfect. “Nihility” literally means “nothingness.”
Practices at:
Alex’s basement
First gig:
BHS Battle of the Bands
Best gig:
Real School and UMass Amherst
Worst gig:
BHS Battle of the Bands for their first song
Writing music:
John and Mike write the lyrics; the rest is collective.
Inspiration:
Video games, ice pops on breaks, or long absences from playing help to motivate
Genre:
Alternative/rock/punk
Most Challenging part:
Trying to focus and getting everybody together
Recording:
They record themselves. The band has its own mixing board.
Logo:
Two different logos, one with a snake under Nihility, one with Nihility in bricks. Both have reflections that allow you to read Nihility looking down or up.
Advice for new bands:
Don’t take yourself too seriously; have fun with it. The most important thing is to have fun, or else it feels like work. When you play for fun, things flow with ease.
UNDERTOW
Members:
• Sophomore Patrick Hanifan plays drums. Been playing since 6th grade.
• Sophomore Naseem Silver plays guitar. Been playing for six years.
• Junior Gabe Follettie plays bass. Been playing four years.
• Junior Amir Rivera-Lieberman plays guitar and sings. Been playing 14 years.
Playing as a band:
Since summer of 2008
Band Starter(s):
Patrick and Amir
Who named it and why:
They were having a cookout and trying to come up with a good band name when Naseem grabbed a glass of Hawaiian punch and they started running with nautical themes. When Naseem came up with the name Undertow they all knew that would be the name.
Practices at:
Patrick’s house
First gig:
Patrick’s brother’s graduation party
Best gig:
Playing the Palladium
Worst gig:
Truck day at the town common. Amir stepped on his overdrive pedal during a slow ballad and all the trucks were honking their horns while they were playing.
Writing music:
Amir and Naseem write most of the music, then it is a collective work piecing it all together.
Inspiration:
Listening to bands such as the Strokes, Muse, Red Hot Chili Peppers, the Kings of Leon, and Incubus
Genre:
Rock Alternative
Most Challenging part:
Working around everybody’s schedule, booking gigs and setting dates, as well as keeping everybody on the same page
Recording:
They have recorded two songs with Tim Bongiovanni.
Advice for new bands:
Practice your songs “over and over and over and over and over again,” and always leave time to just hang out as friends.
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