Far and Few is Justin Galloway of Santa Barbara, California by way of Colorado Springs, Colorado. Galloway is a one-man musical maestro, of sorts. His brand of indie pop is as infectious as it is smart. But why go it the solo route? Well, as Galloway explains Colorado Springs musicians were “far and few between.” And just like the name, the solo, DIY mantra stuck.

For Fans Of: Angles & Airwaves, Owl City, The Rocket Summer
Social Sites: Facebook, Twitter

Please list all of your band members and their roles in the band.
Justin Galloway - vocals, guitar, bass guitar, drums, percussion, keyboards, synthesizers

What’s your hometown? 
Colorado Springs, Colorado - 2007-2010
Santa Barbara, California - 2010 - Present

How did the band come together? How long has it been?
It’s been 6 years this month. I started Far and Few in May 2007, demoing songs in my parents’ basement, looking for musicians to recruit into the band. Music always played a key role in my life; I grew up playing drums from an early age. I self-taught myself guitar (and subsequently bass guitar), before moving into piano and eventually finding my own singing voice. I played in bands in high school and my early college years, but could never find a group that could stay together for longer than a month or two. Eventually, it got to the point where I decided, “Ok, one way or the other, I’m going to do this.” From there, it just grew.

Why should people listen to your band?
If you enjoy upbeat melodies, sincere lyrics, and listening to life stories, you’ve come to the right place! Enthusiasts of pop-punk, indie, electronica, and alternative music should find a taste to their liking in my music!

How have you grown since you started?
Structurally speaking, the music is more focused. It’s more organized now. Early 
demos were kind of all over the place; some songs didn’t have bridges, other tracks were kind of “works-in-progress”, and some had transitions that (looking back now) just didn’t make sense. I think as a musician I’ve grown in all aspects between the many hats that I wear. My singing has definitely improved and developed over the years as well.

What sets you apart from other bands?
I think the DIY, one-man approach definitely puts me out in left field a little bit. Not to say there aren’t other musicians out there doing the same thing - there are. But traditional bands have their members, each serving as an integral part of their core, and Far and Few revolves around me alone. I have to constantly challenge myself to push the limits further than the last time, and it’s something I look forward to every time I sit down to write and record.

What’s the best part about being in your band?
The overall creative process. Starting with a mere guitar riff, a drum beat, a synthesizer; anything that gets the creative juices flowing and starts the foundation of a new song. Once a melody is fully developed, and then implemented into a song; there’s nothing quite like that feeling when the music starts to move you. Sharing that finished product with other people is definitely the best part.

More times than not, influences tend to bleed through. What bands are currently inspiring the music that you’re making?
I have severe ADHD when it comes to musical influences. I listen to everything; classic rock, jazz, alternative, punk rock, hardcore, electronica - you name it, it’s on my iPod. Currently, I’m into a mix of pop-punk and indie/electronica music. If you took The Ataris, The Postal Service, blink-182, Owl City, and a touch of 30 Seconds To Mars and threw all of them into a blender: that’s Far and Few.

What would you say the band has already accomplished and what do you have your eyes set on next?
2012 was a great year. I started writing and recording the Vows of Silence… EP in December 2011, and completed it in July 2012. I booked studio time with Tucker Bodine at Playback Recording here in Santa Barbara, and released the EP through iTunes on December 4th. That was the ultimate for me: seeing Far and Few in the iTunes store. It was a first. The first half of this year will be writing and recording, and at the end of 2013, I’ll be on the road playing shows.

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The versatility that alternative rock/pop outfit, Pioneer Fires, harbor lends their sound to maximum accessibility. With ease, Pioneer Fires’ ringleader, Palmer Dill, can transition from a solo, acoustic act to a minimalistic acoustic-pop duo (thanks to the addition of Carissa McKinney), and, if Pioneer Fires feel saucy, into a full-fledge, big-sound rock band. Versatility is the name of the game, but without the hooks, the kids will not come back (no matter what form your band takes). Do not fret, however, for Pioneer Fires have plenty of those as well. Go ahead…enjoy Pioneer Fires in any form they may appear. 

For Fans Of: The Morning Of, City and Colour, Good Old War
Social Sites: Facebook, Bandcamp

Please list all of your band members and their roles in the band.
Palmer Dill (lead vox, acoustic guitar, some percussion)
Carissa McKinney (lead vox, cello, piano, guitar)
Nate Cook (drums, and mustache wearing)
(Sometimes) Evan Andree (electric guitar)

What’s your hometown (or what are your hometowns)?
Palmer is from the small town of Central, South Carolina, and Carissa is from Seneca S.C.

How did the band come together? How long has it been?
The band was born out of a need for community. I did not want to do the whole singer-songwriter, man and a guitar thing so I asked Carissa to play with me. Music takes on such a different dynamic when it’s done together and when there are multiple people creating. Nate, Carissa, and Evan were all my dream musical choices and I’m just lucky they enjoyed the songs!

Why should people listen to your band?
Well, these are songs that can be lived to. They can really fit any mood of the day. On top of that, the songs are just honest and heartfelt. These songs can hopefully become like old friends to people!

How have you grown since you started?
Well the band is really only 4 months old so not a lot, but I do think we are just truly grateful for the support we have gotten so far!

What sets you apart from other bands?
Well, everyone in our band can play multiple different instruments and can lead songs on different instruments. Also the band can perform as a solo act, a duo with acoustic guitar and cello, a trio with adding in a stripped down drum kit, then full on Americana rock and roll 5-piece.

What’s the best part about being in your band?
We are laid back people who work hard for each other. We truly get along with each other which makes traveling, loading-in, selling merch, and all the non-stage time stuff fun. Also, we all wear a lot of denim which is fun, right?

More times than not, influences tend to bleed through. What bands are currently inspiring the music that you’re making? 
Dawes, Ryan Adams, City and Colour, The Lone Bellow, Band of Horses, and Lord Huron. Some older artists would be the Eagles, Crosby Stills Nash and Young.

What would you say the band has already accomplished and what do you have your eyes set on next?
Well, we just recently released our first EP which was a huge blessing. Kyle Schumacher really stepped up and did a great job recording, mixing, and mastering. We really just hope to steadily increase the shows we play and get to writing a full length as soon as we can.

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The guys in Cincinnati, Ohio quartet, Armslength, get their name from a Moving Mountain song. The pop-punk rock outfit is not idolaters, however. Armslength just appreciate the scene that has nurtured them to the point where they are at now (which is at the brink of breaking though). Armslength may not be flashy, but the guys make music that is honest and pointed; basically, everything you want from a pop-punk band. 

For Fans Of: Balance and Composure, Title Fight, Such Gold
Social Sites: Facebook, Twitter, Bandcamp

Please list all of your band members and their roles in the band.
Joe Trame – Vocals
Brendan Holmes – Guitar/Vocals
Dakota Carlyle – Guitar
Brad Kennedy – Bass
Tyler Hall- Drums

What’s your hometown (or what are your hometowns)?
Cincinnati, Ohio.

How did the band come together? How long has it been?
We came together in the summer of 2012 as a project between Brendan, Joe, and Dakota. Tyler was soon added when they decided to try to play as a full band. After trying to find a bass player for a few months, and no one really fitting in, we were lucky enough to find Brad right before heading to Popside Studios to record “Seeing Spots” and “Night Falls” in the Middle West.

Why should people listen to your band?
We hope people will listen to our band because they enjoy the music we make. We make music because we love it more than anything in the world, and we think people can pick up on that after seeing us play. 

How have you grown since you started?
Some of us have been able to correct past mistakes and learn better ways to go about being in a band, but overall we’ve all grown as friends and that’s what is the most important.

What sets you apart from other bands?
Everyone in our band brings an admittedly strange pool of influences to the table. I think these things have enabled us to write music (some of which is unreleased) which reflects our different backgrounds.

What’s the best part about being in your band?
There is no ego. Everyone in the band strives to make everything as inclusive as possible, and no one person tries to take the reins and take control. We all respect each other as players, and as friends, and it makes everything that much more fun. 

More times than not, influences tend to bleed through. What bands are currently inspiring the music that you’re making?
Tyler: Currently I’m super into Basement’s I Wish I Could Stay Here, Moving Mountains, The Story So Far new record, La Dispute, and a lot of different drummers.
Brendan: I’ve been listening to Balance and Composure, What You Don’t See by The Story So Far, and a lot of Taking Back Sunday.
Joe: Northstar, Verse, Saves the Day, Pianos Become the Teeth, Algernon Cadwallader.
Dakota: Dads, The Story So Far, Title Fight, Citizen, Turnover, Verse, and anything Evan Weiss is a part of.
Brad: Balance and Composure, Basement, Daylight, Touché Amore, Pianos Become the Teeth, Title Fight. 

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The guys in Fingers Crossed would rather you label them a “punk” band who play catchy tunes than a pop-punk band who raise a little bit of raucous here and there. The Houston area quartet call themselves the “Houston Assholes” with pride. Their brand of up-tempo, in-your-face punk is sticky sweet but deliver just enough of a kick to keep all you moshers happy. Enjoy without remorse! 

For Fans Of: Fall out Boy, Title Fight, The Story So Far
Social Sites: Facebook, Twitter, Bandcamp

Please list all of your band members and their roles in the band.
Andrew plays guitar and fixes all the equipment. Chad plays drums and loves his girlfriend.  Jacob is the looker of the band, and he happens to play bass.  Zach drives the van, lifts the heavy things, and plays guitar.  

What’s your hometown (or what are your hometowns)?
The band formed in Houston in 2009 and after a few years rise to local fame, Andrew and myself (Zach) moved to Austin for college.  We call ourselves the Houston Assholes because we formed there, but now we’re a Texas’ punk band because we’re split amongst the cities.  

How did the band come together? How long has it been?
We’ve been together since high school; we’re wrapping up our fourth year together.  We just kind of realized that we all like the same music and would see each other in the hallways wearing the same band shirts and it all just clicked. 

Why should people listen to your band?
We’re very different than your average ‘pop punk’ band.  We actually like being called JUST punk.  We play very fast and have the most punk songs that are simultaneously catchy.  The riffs and lyrics will hook you. Scouts honor. 

How have you grown since you started?
Well we’ve been through a couple line-up changes.  The original bassist and drummer decided after our first big tour that the road wasn’t something they wanted to be a part of. On top of member changes, our style has changed SIGNIFICANTLY.  If you listen to our entire catalogue from the first EP, We Fight Girls, to our latest record, Dedos Crusados, you can hear and appreciate the time we’ve taken to find our niche and develop our sound as musicians and as a punk band.  Our music literally grew up. 

What sets you apart from other bands?
It seems like a lot of bands when you first hear them, another band immediately comes to mind.  I feel like our band doesn’t have that first effect.  The first time you listen to Dedos Crusados, front to back, you scratch your head (with enjoyment) trying to put your fingers on all the things you like about it and appreciate that we draw from our influences without outright mimicking them.  Plus, a lot of bands lately seem to be playing very slow and sad… We play fast. Don’t get us wrong, we’re upset and pissed off, but we’re angry at a way higher tempo.  

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Kennesaw, Georgia alternative rock quartet, Microwave, do not know where their name comes from. But their sound can definitely be traced back to their heart. Microwave’s brand of passionate punk-rock is oddly comforting; in that everyone has hit lows in their lives. They may not be known throughout the scene quite yet…but that could change in the near future. 

For Fans Of: The Republic of Wolves, Seahaven, Balance and Composure
Social Sites: Facebook, Twitter, Bandcamp

Please list all of your band members and their roles in the band.
Nathan Hardy – guitar/vocals
Wesley Swanson – guitar
Timmy “Tito” Pittard – drums
Tyler Hill - bass

What’s your hometown (or what are your hometowns)?
We’re based out of Kennesaw, Georgia.

How did the band come together? How long has it been?
The band formed around November 2012. Nathan had moved out west for a few years and written a collection of songs. When he came back to Georgia, he and Tito started jamming and the rest fell into place over the period of a couple months.

Why should people listen to your band?
I guess people have different reasons for listening to music in general, but we try to make honest music and connect with people and we put our hearts into it.

How have you grown since you started?
We’ve gotten a lot of good advice from some friends who have been making music a little longer than we have. Shout out to Kory Gable and Travis Hill at The Looking Glass for giving us good advice while we were recording with them. 

What sets you apart from other bands?
Tito’s mustache.

What’s the best part about being in your band?
Everyone respects each other musically and there are no egos or band-Nazi’s trying to force their ideas on everyone. The beauty of compromise brings about a lot of great ideas.

More times than not, influences tend to bleed through. What bands are currently inspiring the music that you’re making?
Every time we play somewhere someone tells us a different band that they think we sound like. We’ve had everything from Curl Up and Die to Alien Ant Farm. We have a pretty wide variety of influences: Converge, Jimmy Eat World, Riff Raff, Roy Orbison …

What would you say the band has already accomplished and what do you have your eyes set on next?
We released a 6 song EP and a Single in the past couple months since we started up. We’ve been playing locally recently, but are planning to branch out regionally and string together some tours here and there.  Meanwhile, we are planning on releasing a three-part LP with the first segment released sometime this summer.

Thus far, what’s a favorite memory or something quirky that’s taken place with the band (in-studio, onstage, or elsewhere)?
We went and took promo pictures at the Goat Farm in Atlanta. We had like 100 pictures taken, but Tito only let the rest of us see four of them because he said the other ones made him look fat. 

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Joe Lengson decided to change his life a couple years ago. He ditched the east coast; electing for a move to sunny California. He ditched the metal guitars; electing for a more eclectic folk sound. He ditched the shackles; electing for freedom. Lengson’s new musical endeavor, The Woodman’s Babe, is just sprouting from the ground, but soon enough Babe could be a flowering bud. Give the Woodman’s Babe a listen and you might fall in love.  

For Fans Of: The Tallest Man on Earth, Tom Petty, Good Old War
Social Sites: Facebook, Twitter

Please list all of your band members and their roles in the band.
Joe Lengson – Singer, Songwriter, Everything.
(I have three other dudes, that say they are  in 100% as soon as I am hitting the road and would be needing full band, but that won’t be for a while, so for now, it’s just me).

What’s your hometown (or what are your hometowns)?
Beautiful Los Angeles, California

How did the band come together? How long has it been?
I started it when I was living in Massachusetts when my old band was recording out last album in November 2011. I had a self-realization experience where I knew that I was done playing heavy metal and needed to focus on creating something that’s more…me.

Why should people listen to your band?
People should listen to THWDSMNSBB because it shows contrast in art. I’d like to think that it proves that one can be as artistic and creative as they want without having restrictions. I grew up conditioned to think that I had to create music that catered to a particular audience and if I didn’t feel it was up to their standards, I would trash it and create something new. These days, I’m big on the idea that what I create, whatever it may be, is beautiful, because it came from my heart. I really don’t care if tons of people don’t like my new music, because I love it and it is who I am. I want people to know that whatever they create is awesome, because it is from their creative side of the brain that doesn’t correspond and report to the other side of logic. In my previous band, I felt as if I had to cater to the kids that were in a specific genre. I’m all about being free these days.

How have you grown since you started? 
Indeed. I have grown in so many freaking ways. It’s funny to think back on me a year ago, and to compare that person to me now. I feel as if part of my brain is now unlocked and I’m realizing how small of a person I was, when I thought I was bigger. When I quit my last band and moved back to L.A. I realized that there is so much music in this world, and so many different genres that my previous musical world was seriously so small. I’m learning that I’m just a small point in space and time, and realizing that has made me grow.

What sets you apart from other bands? 
The minor details behind the music, I think what sets me apart, is the factor that I come from a metal band and now I’m playing indie folk rock. The factor that I wrote, performed and recorded everything all by myself is kind of a cool detail about THWDSMNSBB.

What’s the best part about being in your band?
Freedom. I work one-two days a week in film and photo here in Los Angeles, and the rest of the week, I sit and funk around making music. I occasionally play shows in L.A. and New York City only for now; hopefully I’ll hit the road when the time is right.

More times than not, influences tend to bleed through. What bands are currently inspiring the music that you’re making?
Fleet Foxes, Fleetwood Mac, Tom Petty, The National, Crosby Stills & Nash are my biggest influences for my music. I listen to other music, but when I set out to write a song, it generally comes out sounding like one of those bands naturally.

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Mike Mains and the Branches have built their career on hard work. Noting their commitment to their craft, the Lansing, Michigan quartet has garnered themselves a bit of a following and they are turning heads. Their brand of alternative rock is endearing and catchy as hell. Mike Mains and the Branches are poised to make it sooner or later, but don’t tell them that…they are only thinking of working harder. 

For Fans Of: A Great Big Pile of Leaves, Aficionado, Vampire Weekend
Social Sites: Facebook, Twitter

Please list all of your band members and their roles in the band.
Mike Mains- Lead Vocals, guitar; Shannon Mains- Keys, Background Vocals; Nate Wethy- Bass;
Drew Porter- Drums

What’s your hometown (or what are your hometowns)?
Lansing, Michigan

How did the band come together? How long has it been?
We formed in 2009 down in the great state of Texas. However, since most of the members were from Michigan and were looking to relocate, we felt like it made sense to base ourselves out of our native land. Since then we’ve been touring almost nonstop.

Why should people listen to your band?
We feel like we create honest music that comes from our hearts. We aren’t trying to sell anything or be anything other than what we are. People aren’t stupid- they know when you’re not writing honest music. We try and just write what’s real to us and hope that other folks might relate.

How have you grown since you started?
It’s easy to be naive when you first start playing music. You feel so hopeful and just cross your fingers that you won’t hit any bumps in the road. However, we learned early on that that’s not the case at all. You hit plenty of bumps and mountains along the way. However, those are the things that help you grow and evolve as musicians and a band. If you’re not constantly learning and growing you’ll grow stagnant and get left behind.

What sets you apart from other bands?
Most of the bands we have come into contact with seem to have a sense of entitlement. We’ve always felt like this is a dangerous attitude to have because we believe hard work pays off. We are constantly working and making goals in our band. We (luckily) don’t need to have other jobs to do this, so it really only makes sense that we spend most of our days working and brainstorming together. We never wanted to be the kind of band who just waited for a handout. We have worked extremely hard for everything we’ve accomplished. We’ll never stop paying our dues. It’s all about hard work.

What’s the best part about being in your band?
You’d think that between spending every waking hour of the day touring together and living together at home you’d think we would get sick of one another. However, that’s definitely not the case. It’s crazy, we’ll come home from a two month-long tour and go to our rooms at home to be alone, but then about 30 minutes later we all find that we are hanging out and laughing and making jokes about “missing each other.” We’re very family oriented. We all genuinely get along and love each other.

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The guys in Eldersburg, Maryland alternative rock outfit, Playtime Revenue, have changed their sound numerous times since their inception some years ago. However, it seems like the quartet have finally settled on their sound: a brand of high-energy, hardcore-tinged pop-punk. Playtime Revenue’s bashing aural attack is not for the faint of heart, however. The guys are tuning up and going to play firm…blasting your ears with conviction and passion. 

For Fans Of: Seahaven, Balance & Composure, Fireworks
Social Sites: Facebook, Twitter, Bandcamp

Please list all of your band members and their roles in the band.
Shane Conard- Vocals/ Guitar
Aaron Shepherd- Guitar
Matt Campion- Bass
Dan Abzug- Drums

What’s your hometown (or what are your hometowns)?
We practice in Eldersburg, Maryland, so we’ll consider that our hometown.

How did the band come together? How long has it been?
The band started off as a project by me and our old drummer. We released an EP we don’t speak of, and formed a band after we had recorded that. Once we had a solid line-up composing of a bunch of friends who went to high school together (I was still in high school at the time), we changed up our style a bit and eventually formed the sound you hear today. We parted ways with our former drummer and found Dan, believe it or not, through his YouTube channel. Check out his drum covers, that’s how we found him.

Why should people listen to your band?
I feel we spend a lot of time on each song; really try to push the differences. Pop-punk/punk is a very broad genre, and, unfortunately, has been recycled time and time again. We’re trying to push away from what you would normally hear, and really make what we do our own.

How have you grown since you started?
Well, we started off as a pop-rockish band, and now have a pretty aggressive sound as far as pop-punk is concerned. I feel as a lyricist, I’ve grown a very large amount. What used to be poorly thrown together metaphors are now just direct quotes from my journal, which I feel makes for “realer” music. As musicians, I feel all of us are becoming much more competent at our instruments, and we are really trying to push the limits of what our instruments can do.

What sets you apart from other bands?
We may or may not have the shortest guitarist in the music industry, and for that, we’re proud.

What’s the best part about being in your band?
The best part about being in our band is probably the way the songs come together. They start off as one of our ideas, and watching them change and take shape is one of my favorite parts about us. I really love the fact that every member of our band has a large knowledge of music that they bring to the table.

More times than not, influences tend to bleed through. What bands are currently inspiring the music that you’re making?
We definitely take a lot from bands we listen to from all different genres of music. Stickup Kid’s Nothing About Me is a record we’ve been listening to a lot recently. Pianos Become the Teeth are another band that influence us musically in some of our new songs. Our friends in Distances are another band that influences us. They’re a hardcore band from our area, as well as good friends of ours, and they really bring some new light on a genre I believe was getting washed down. 

What would you say the band has already accomplished and what do you have your eyes set on next?
We’re proud to say we’ve accomplished two successful tours supporting our record Revolving… I think we’re personally most proud of the friends we’ve made while on the road for the short while that we’ve gone out. It makes the time we spent working our asses off writing our record really worth it.

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The guys in Of Fortune & Fame are big on keeping in touch with their roots. The Syracuse, New York quintet love playing cities they’ve been to and seeing old friends. When they shot their music video for their single, “Wembridge Drive,” Of Fortune & Fame brought their closest friends and family members together to take part in the celebration. And that is what Of Fortune & Fame’s music is all about: celebrating life. Get your happy on. 

For Fans Of: The Wonder Years, Fireworks, The Story So Far
Social Sites: Facebook, Twitter, Bandcamp

Please list all of your band members and their roles in the band.
Nick Burger - Vocals
Shane Conzone - Bass
Matt Travers  - Guitar/Vocals
Alex Gregory - Guitar/Vocals
Ian MacNeil - Drums

What’s your hometown (or what are your hometowns)?
Syracuse, New York

How did the band come together? How long has it been?
The lineup that you’ll see at a show today has taken about 3 years to come together and solidify. Riffs thrown around by Matt Travers and Shane Conzone in 2009 would eventually become the first OF&F songs. They met while attending Finger Lakes Community College in Canandaigua, New York. Before even playing a show, the band went through multiple member changes until our debut in January of 2011. So, I guess the idea of the band has been around for 4 years but officially alive and playing shows only half that. We’re just a group of friends doing what we love, playing music and having fun! 

Why should people listen to your band?
We’re always evolving. We’re not just musicians; we’re all fans of music, too. The sounds of our first EP are incomparable to our second and even more so is the music that we’re writing now. We’re not only after keeping the kids that dig us interested, but we have to stay interested in what we’re writing as well. We like to throw something different into what we’re doing, be it from record to record or even from track to track. 

How have you grown since you started?
When we started out, we had no idea what we were doing. So, I guess we’ve grown in every aspect of being a band. We’ve learned so much from touring and getting ourselves out there. We’ve also grown a lot as individuals throughout the last few years. We’re excited to take everything we’ve learned and grow further with our next release and future plans!

What sets you apart from other bands?
We keep an even ratio between the fresh and the familiar. 

What’s the best part about being in your band?
I think it’d be pretty unanimous to say that touring is the best part. There’s nothing better than hitting the road with your best friends, meeting new people in towns you’ve never been in, doing what you love every single night and hitting those towns you’ve played a few times before and seeing familiar faces. 

More times than not, influences tend to bleed through. What bands are currently inspiring the music that you’re making?
This is such a difficult question. Of course there are bands that we look up to and are inspired by but to pinpoint a few here would be impossible.

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The first thing you will notice about Center Jersey pop-punk outfit, Cross Town Train, is that the guys are humble and dedicated. Their brand of feel-good, organic punk is refreshing and endearing. No matter what mood you may find yourself in, Cross Town Train seems to fit the mold. Their sound has hints of indie rock, 21th century pop-punk, and just a bit of Weezer. Go and take a listen. 

For Fans Of: Into It. Over It. Weezer, Modern Baseball
Social Sites: Facebook, Twitter, Bandcamp

Please list all of your band members and their roles in the band.
Eoin Wenger- Vocals/guitar
Jake Newcomb- Guitar/vocals
Jack “Conch” Massaro- Bass
Nick Vallone- Drums

What’s your hometown (or what are your hometowns)?
We base ourselves out of Eatontown, New Jersey.

How did the band come together? How long has it been?
In early 2011, Jake and I (Eoin) started a little acoustic side project outside of our previous bands. Soon after, both of our bands fell through so we decided to go through with what would become Cross Town Train. 

Why should people listen to your band?
I think people should listen to us because we’re not a band that has any gimmicks. We play music that is pretty down to earth and relatable. 

How have you grown since you started?
We’ve grown a lot; individually as people and musically as a band. At first we were writing the simple four-chord pop punk songs we grew up on, but as we started playing shows and such, we found it all kinda boring. We all started listening to different kinds of music and it all kind of spiraled from there. 

What sets you apart from other bands?
We don’t try and add trendy things in our music that are popular at the time, and we have two redheads in the band.

What’s the best part about being in your band?
The best part about being in Cross Town Train is the shows. We have an amazing scene here in Central Jersey and honestly couldn’t ask for anything better than a local hometown show. 

More times than not, influences tend to bleed through. What bands are currently inspiring the music that you’re making?
Each one of us listens to completely different music, so we draw inspiration from multiple genres from bands like Misser, Senses Fail, Man Overboard, Jets to Brazil, Rise Against, Defeater, and Weezer.

What would you say the band has already accomplished and what do you have your eyes set on next?
This past winter we just made it through our first tour with our buddies in On Your Marks and The Stolen. That and we just finished recording our first full length with Jesse Cannon. As for what we have our eyes set on, we’re definitely going to be playing many shows out of state this summer and trying to get out there as much as we can.

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The guys in Long Island, New York alternative rock outfit, Persona, collectively suffer from split-personality disorder; their words, not ours. Perhaps “suffer” is not the ideal descriptor of their approach towards their eclectic sound. Rather “embrace” would be better. Persona balance a sound that jumps from pop-punk to atmospheric arena rock with a flick of a guitar pick. However, their overall vibe is contagious and surely worth a listen. Go on…be intrigued. 

For Fans Of: The Graduate, Rookie of the Year, Third Eye Blind
Social Sites: Facebook, Twitter, Bandcamp

Please list all of your band members and their roles in the band.
Tom Spartinos: Guitar/ Vocals
Costas Themistocleous: Guitar/ Programming
Sam Trestman; Drums
Will Suraci: Bass/ Backup Vocals

What’s your hometown (or what are your hometowns)?
We’re from Long Island, New York. Tom grew up in Queens and moved out to Bethpage in 2001 where we all practice. Sam is from Plainview. Costas and Will are from Hicksville and Will currently resides in Huntington Station.

How did the band come together? How long as it been?
The band formed in 2011 after The Vision (Tom & Sam’s old band) and Illinoise (Tom & Costas Last Project) met their respective demises. From the ashes Persona was born.

Why should people listen to your band?
We feel people should listen to our music because we write about topics that anybody can relate to their lives, feelings, and emotions. For us the music is about reviving emotion and feeling and we believe that gives our sound character.

How have your grown since you started?
The sound really has grown from years of experience and development with our old projects. The bright pop-rock side comes from our roots of pop-punk music and our darker, edgier, indie side comes from our last project where we started experimenting with different sounds and tonality and melodies to make new music. Persona has a split sound bi-polar personality that stems from elements from all our previous projects. As people, we are always changing and constantly growing and that, as well as life, is our biggest influence and where we could say our sound comes from.

What sets you apart from other bands?
A lot of bands mention a girl or a breakup in a song and can be complete replicas of their influences. We’re one of the few bands that talks about struggles within our lives that people can relate to… overcoming difficulties and certain feelings, or related metaphors and analogies. We don’t think we could make a song without it giving us a certain feeling or creating a certain vibe that’s in a melodic way. We have a two-sided sound that comes from two extremes.

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Their band name may be based off of a children’s book, but their game is anything but immature. You know…maturation where it counts. Philadelphia-area, banjo-wielding (!) punk quintet, the Hundred Acre Woods are making a name for themselves with their odd-ball take on indie rock. Taking the best of PropertyOfZack favorite, Evan Weiss, and adding a touch of punk-gloom with a  Modern Baseball glare, the Hundred Acre Woods is sure to make a believer out of you. 

For Fans Of: Into It. Over It., Modern Baseball, You, Me, and Everyone We Know
Social Sites: Facebook, Twitter, Bandcamp

Please list all of your band members and their roles in the band.
Winthrop Stevens - Vocals/Acoustic Guitar
Zack Reinhardt - Electric/Acoustic Guitar and Vocals
Pat Loundas - Bass
Will Davis - Banjo/Vocals
Brandon “Kooger” Harrison - Drums

What’s your hometown (or what are your hometowns)?
ZR: We all met and more or less started the band in Chester County, Pennsylvania, but have since made Philadelphia kind of our “home base,” as most of the band currently lives in the city.

How did the band come together? How long has it been?
WS: Zack and I started the band in the fall of 2009 when I was a junior in high school and he was a senior. It started as more of a collective, with lots of different members lending their styles, but has since become a full group.
PL: I played shows with the band on drums for over a year before I ever practiced with them. It all started at high school coffee houses and then ended up in Philly basements.
WS: Pat recorded our first ever demo, and he’s been our homie-for-life since. 

Why should people listen to your band?
WS: I think that we try to be as honest as possible in our songwriting. While I’m not sure if our music has a central theme, I hope that people can relate to the things that we say. For me I tend to focus on my own actions and how I can better myself as a person. I may not necessarily be saying anything that hasn’t been said before, but I hope that people can find a connection regardless. 
ZR: Yeah, I’d agree with Throp in saying that I try to write things that will hopefully connect with a listener. I think I’ve always used music as an outlet to kind of isolate a feeling or mood or experience and trap it in a song. Even if it’s a feeling you’d rather not remember or revisit, it’s good to have it there in a song rather than letting it eat away at you. 

How have you grown since you started?
WS: For me, we have grown a lot in terms of energy both on-stage and off. While I think our sound has always blended punk and folk, we have definitely drifted more towards the punk side of things in recent years. With earlier records we were at a sort of disposition in terms of our recorded material sounding different than our live show. We’ve always been a loud band, but our past records have been very stripped down. I think that our new record is going to display the punk aspect of who we are, which we have all wanted for a while.

What sets you apart from other bands?
PL: BANJO!
ZR: Will Davis
WD: Me?
BH: Beautiful facial hair.
WD: AWW, Guys.

What’s the best part about being in your band?
PL: Seeing a lot of new music for free. Shows rule.
BH: I second that.
ZR: For me I think it’s either playing live or just the process of taking something from its conception and building on it until we have a fully fleshed, finished song.
WD: For a while, I was the only one in the band who was 21, so when we would play shows at bars and whatnot, I would collect all of our beer tickets.  That was pretty cool.
WS: I get to make music with my best friends in the world, and I don’t think I could ask for anything more. I might be an only child but they are definitely my brothers!
PL: Thropdad killin’ it with the real answers.

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The guys in Set the Stage claim that they were once the “joke” of their high school. Well, it seems that the joke is now on their alma mater. The Ohio quartet are making music that is infectious and soulful, reminding the listener of the poppy-punk jangle of Artist vs. Poet or a glossier sounding A Loss for Words. Give them a listen and prepare to dance your night away.

For Fans Of: Artist vs. Poet, Fireworks, A Loss for Words
Social Sites: Facebook, Twitter

Please list all of your band members and their roles in the band.
Kramer Welker-Vocals/Rhythm guitar
Jonathan Hart- Lead guitar
Luke Vickroy-Bass guitar/Backing Vocals
Kyler Holland-Drums

What’s your hometown (or what are your hometowns)?
We claim our hometown as Piqua, Ohio, because Luke, Kyler, and I currently live there.
Jon is from Arcanum, Ohio and I (Kramer) grew up in Troy, Ohio

How did the band come together? How long has it been?
I’ve been writing songs and playing guitar since 2008, and in 2009 a group of friends and I started various projects. It wasn’t until 2010 that Set The Stage came to be. A year and a half, and five ex-members later, we solidified our current lineup.

Why should people listen to your band?
We write what we feel, and it’s relatable. Our debut LP was entitled Call It What You Want because no matter who picked up the record, they could find something to relate to. Whether it be changes in life or helping you escape from the real world for 3-4 minutes at a time: we set out to let our fans know they aren’t alone.

How have you grown since you started?
How haven’t we grown? (laughs) We started out practicing in my basement, barely holding it together through god-awful songs and being the joke of our high school. Since then we’ve matured in our musical tastes, matured in the way we write music, grown as musicians, and gotten tighter as a whole. We’ve found that with perseverance comes progress, and I feel as though we are all continuing to grow. We’re really excited to record our next EP because it showcases that so well. 

What sets you apart from other bands?
Our passion, for sure. I’ve never met a more dedicated group of individuals. Everything negative that could have been going on that day is dropped as soon as we get behind our instruments. We treat every practice like we’re performing in front of thousands of people, let alone every show. We’ve seen way too many bands drop dead after realizing that this is not a game and that in order to make your dreams reality, it takes hard work.

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Hamden, Connecticut alternative rock trio, Wolves at Bay, know that everyone goes through dark times. Hell, the guys have been there themselves. That is why Wolves at Bay is so important to them. The band acts as an outlet for their emotions. Singer Will Hayes divulges, “We write music because we have no other way to express how we feel about the struggles we deal with.” Sometimes that is exactly what a listener needs: music once can relate to. 

For Fans Of: The Menzingers, Seahaven, Make Do and Mend
Social Sites: Facebook, Twitter

Please list all of your band members and their roles in the band.
Will Hayes – Guitar/Vox
Mat Smith – Bass
Kevin Rodriguez – Guitar

What’s your hometown (or what are your hometowns)?
Hamden, Connecticut 

How did the band come together? How long has it been?
We started playing together around 2008 when I, (Will), started college and met our former drummer Chris while attending. We started playing together in my basement and I asked Mat and Kevin to come over to hang out and play. We all became really close and started taking it a lot more seriously in the following months.

Why should people listen to your band?
We play honest, emotional music; not fabricated or forced. We genuinely love what we write and what we do whether we are playing in front of one person or 200 people - we still play our hearts out.

How have you grown since you started?
I have grown a lot in the last few years having to deal with a lot of unfortunate events in my life and not knowing where to turn or what to do. I grew into accepting the fact that you can’t hide what you truly are. I can’t fake something else other than write down how I feel. It’s the only way I know how to get all these things that weigh me down with self-doubt and anxiety. If I couldn’t write I don’t know where I would be. 

What sets you apart from other bands?
I think our overall feel, compassion towards others, and what we do. I like to think I don’t come off fake through our songs. Every line that I write I sincerely mean. I don’t know how to fabricate or mask my emotions in certain ways other people can. I appreciate and respect every other hardworking, honest band I get to meet.

What’s the best part about being in your band?
I love the great friends I get to play shows with. If I ever have a problem or am feeling really low I know I can always call one of them up and they will help me through it or be over and attempt to cheer me up. It really means a lot to me that I’ve been able to meet some great and caring people while playing songs that I love.

More times than not, influences tend to bleed through. What bands are currently inspiring the music that you’re making?
The Casket Lottery, Able Baker Fox, Thursday, Smashing Pumpkins, Descendents , Cursive, Crime In Stereo, Bright Eyes, Small Brown Bike, The Jealous Sound, Call It Arson, Further Seems Forever, and Grade to name a few, but the list goes on forever. 

What would you say the band has already accomplished and what do you have your eyes set on next?
Getting to meet so many bands that we look up to and play with them has been our biggest accomplishment. We’ve gotten a lot better at crafting and constantly beating up our songs until we love them. Our new record, I Was The Devil Once, is my proudest accomplishment. We plan on playing and touring as much as we possibly can once the record comes out.

Thus far, what’s a favorite memory or something quirky that’s taken place with the band (in-studio, onstage, or elsewhere)?
The countless times our bassist, Mat, has locked his keys in our van or knocked over our entire merch table. He’s the best and I feel like sometimes I am his dad.

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There have been an unfortunate amount of breakups over the past few months - maybe even more than normal. It’s always a bummer when we are forced to say goodbye to our favorite bands, so we thought it’d be great to do a PropertyOfZack Friday Discussion on Bands Who Broke Up Too Soon (and released two or less albums), in the eyes of our staff members. Check out our list below and feel free to reblog with some of your most missed and beloved bands as well!

Tigers Jaw, by Zack Zarrillo
Tigers Jaw’s upcoming breakup is bittersweet. For years, both fans and people on the inside of the industry said, “This is their year.” We waited and waited, and in many ways their breakup will forever keep us waiting. The band put out two fantastic full-lengths, a great split with Balance & Composure, and numerous other releases over the years. They never quite took advantage of it though. College, life, and what appeared to be disorganization got in the way time after time. We’re currently watching bands like Balance & Composure and Touché Amoré quickly climb their own ranks, and Tigers Jaw should be right there with them - but they’re not. Watching a Tigers Jaw live set was and will always be a special experience. You get wrapped into the set, you feel young, and you feel light. It’s a shame we won’t get to continue that experience with the band after the coming summer.

The Format, by Erik van Rheenen
Oh, the bands we lost in the name of Fun. Jack Antonoff jumped off jangly indie-rock darlings Steel Train to tackle guitar for the project, and jack-of-all-trades Andrew Dost parted ways with experimental folk outfit Anathallo. But the loss that smarted the most for music fans was knowing that once singer Nate Ruess started the band, The Format was pretty much dead to rights.

As fantastic as Fun. has proven to be,  the band hasn’t quite bottled the spastic theatrics and romantics that became the calling card of The Format. Ruess cut his teeth as a bombastic frontman on the duo’s indie pop debut record Interventions + Lullabies in 2003, but 2006’s Dog Problems is a surefire masterpiece. Ruess and multi-instrumentaist Sam Means sounded synergistic on lush tracks like “Oceans” and “Inches and Falling,” and if you hear the early Queen-ish leanings from Some Nights on the title track, you’re probably not just hearing things.

Aim and Ignite and Some Nights are nearly-flawless cuts of Ruess’s flair for songwriting, but how could Means and Ruess have tag-teamed a follow-up to the sweet slice of crazy that was Dog Problems? Unfortunately, it looks like we’ll never find out.

Acceptance, by Erik van Rheenen
What the hell ever happened to Jason Vena? Besides a guest spot on an Ivoryline tune and a cameo on All Time Low’s “Outlines,” one of the most top-notch vocalists in the alternative rock scene up and disappeared with Acceptance. And it’s too bad, since Vena and company look to be doomed to one-album wonder status with just Phantoms to their name. But oh, what a one album it is.

Layered guitars and Aaron Sprinkle’s gentle producing touch abound on the record, which debuted on Columbia Records in 2005. That major label pressure is one that most bands cave under, but Acceptance rose to the challenge on Phantoms, a catchy, poppy album laden with massive hooks and moody attitudes. Vena’s vocals are the clear highlight, belting pristinely over ballad “Different” and killer “So Contagious.” It bottled the pop rock genre at its purest and finest.

It doesn’t look like Vena is too keen on the idea of taking up the Acceptance mantle for one more spin, but besides a couple EP’s, fans are at least left with one album that’s pitch-perfect for road trip sing-alongs.

Daytrader, by Adrienne Fisher
The major tell-all sign that Daytrader was on the rocks came in pretty surprising form, as halfway through a fall tour with The Jealous Sound, vocalist Tym announced that he was leaving the band due to personal and creative differences with the other members. An inevitable drop from the tour came next, followed by an official declaration of quits about a month afterwards. So why was it too soon? Bands and their members butt heads and break apart all the time, and Daytrader, while demonstrating some notoriety in the scene, weren’t necessarily pillars of support

The biggest disappointment in Daytrader’s breakup ultimately exists in the full-length record that was released only about six months before the end. Twelve Years, simply put, emphasized a big step in songwriting for the band, both in maturity and style. Pegged as somewhat of a pop-punk band in the early days with a demo 7” of basement punk songs, followed by the more refined Last Days of Rome EP that came out on Run For Cover, the band certainly demonstrated their capacity for writing a killer hook as well as songs with some serious melodic substance. Twelve Years, which was a Rise Records release, saw the band spinning all they had accomplished so far into a solidly cohesive full-length, executing flawlessly what I can only describe as the trademark forlorn Long Island/New York vibe (please reference the Brand New record of your liking). And it’s awesome.

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