"So Nice to Meet You"



Left to Right- Chris Fafalios, Steve Soboslai, Paul Menotiades

 

   Punchline seems to be one of the most successful Pittsburgh based punk rock bands around. I only say this because last year they hit #1 on ITunes Rock charts passing the greats like Metallica for their album “So Nice to Meet You”. They formed in Belle Vernon and consist of lead vocals and guitarist, Steve Soboslai,  bassist, Chris Fafalios, back up vocals and guitarist, Paul Menotiades, and drummer, Cory Muro. Their independent record company, Modern Short Stories, which was founded by Steve and Chris, has signed many of the punk rock/pop bands that will be in my blog.

 

   I have seen Punchline in concert many times and every time their energy just projects onto the crowd. They tend to make you feel as if you’re a part of a huge family. On a personal level I have become friends with Steve, although I have never met him face to face, it doesn’t feel like it is just a business transaction when you buy their records or tip them on StageIt, they make sure you know they appreciate it.

 

   On a music level, these guys are great. Their music possesses passion and drive as they continue to go strong and create solid tracks. You can feel that they write from the heart and that all their songs have so much meaning to them. When you find a band with such passion it just draws you in more.

 

   Recently they haven’t released much but have done several shows around Pittsburgh. Steve has been working on his solo stuff with Blue of Colors, his other band. Paul and Cory have been doing more with the Composure, their side band. Cory also had a concert with the I Drive two days ago.

   You can find out more on their Facebook or at their website http://www.modernshortstories.bigcartel.com/.

   Recently they have also released a series of videos about their albums explaining where they came from, check those out here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4dfoisiUZAw.

I’d highly suggest you give them a listen and like them on Facebook!

-Dante

 

Sources-

The Bands Facebook's:

Punchline-https://www.facebook.com/punchlinemusic

The Composure-https://www.facebook.com/TheComposureRock

Picture- Me, taken at Punchline's Christmas Concert

 

Crash City

From left to right; Nate Hall, Jon Robbins, Andrew Stambaugh, Jeremy Olson, Justin Campbell

   The first band I would like to start with is Crash City. They are a rock band from Pittsburgh. The band consists of lead singer, Andrew Stambaugh, backup singer, Nate Hall, guitarist, Jeremy Olson, drummer, Jon Robbins, bassist, Justin Campbell. They have performed with Punchline, a major Pittsburgh band.
   I have seen them in concert twice, both times they were amazing. They have a high energy and you can feel their passion for their music. At one of the concerts I went to the guitarist actually cut his finger on one of his strings and continued to play while blood poured from the finger, it was pretty intense.
   The chemistry you feel between the band members feels like you are watching a group of brothers doing what they love. It's that type of passion I look for when I choose a band to see or listen too.
   This morning they released a new song called "Is This Thing Even On?" which has an upbeat tempo and the sound you'd expect from these guys. It is a great track which can be found here... http://crashcity.bandcamp.com/
   They also have a concert coming up on January 25th at The Smiling Moose in Pittsburgh, Pa.

 

Check them out!

-Dante

Sources-
The bands facebook https://www.facebook.com/CrashCityMusic?ref=ts&fref=ts
Photos also from bands facebook page

Introduction

     I would like to start this blog with a brief introduction, so any readers I may gain know what my blog is about because the description is fairly broad and what qualifies me to write such a blog. I will start with the latter of the two, I am writing this blog because I have become friends with many of the local bands in Pittsburgh and I feel they are worthy of a blog if one does not already exist. I am also a musician so I know that any publicity is great publicity, so this will do that as well.
     As far as what this blog is, it is first a graded project for school which I hope anyone commenting will take that into consideration but secondly it is just my way to get some education out there on these great local bands that don't blow up because they aren't a Wiz Khalifa or Mac Miller, these bands are in no way main stream and will belong to many different genres!

I look forward to educating you guys on these great artists!

Talk to you soon,
Dante