Bands to Watch

Label: Unsigned

Sounds Like: Fireworks, A Day to Remember, the Wonder Years, blink-182

Hailing from Chicago, Three Cent Cinema is made up of Tom Palage on lead vocals, Sonny Buzdugan and Zach Garza on guitar, Derrick Carino on bass, and Johnny Kalabokis playing drums.

“Personally I’m just some kid from Chicago playing in this pop-punk band, nothing real special,” says guitarist Sonny Buzdugan. Sonny told me that he, along with the other members of TCC, have been performing among various bands since about 2005. “Its not as much of a career to me as a pretty serious hobby, its something thats I’ve dreamed about and tried to pursue ever since I can remember.”

Three Cent Cinema’s music is filled with intense, heavy drum beats and strong guitar riffs. Their style is broad, covering a range varying from pop-ier punk similar to blink-182 in songs such as “Neon Killed the Underground” to heavier punk in songs such as “Home(sick) for Christmas.”

Besides booking shows with big bands such as The Story So Far and practicing religiously every Saturday, the boys juggle other aspects of their lives, including separate jobs and social lives. “Actually, Facebook has been our main means of communication through our super-secret cool private group,” says Sonny. They do all plan to take a break from work over the last few weeks of the year to finish their upcoming full-length album, though. On their Facebook page is a link to a Kickstarter page where fans can donate money to the production of the album.

When asked if they had anything to say to their fans, they replied, “thank you so much, it seems like it’s over said but really, we wouldn’t be able to write, play, and tour without people caring to listen or come out to shows. And if any of them ever felt like reaching out to us and talking to one of us to go ahead and do it.”

Away from the stage, the boys get along well. Guitarists Zach and Sonny actually live together, while the rest of the band live around the large city. They meet up on Saturdays and the days of shows to hang out or practice.

Myspace: myspace.com/threecentcinema
Facebook: facebook.com/threecentcinema
Twitter: twitter.com/threecentcinema
Tumblr: threecentcinema.tumblr.com
Merch: threecentcinema.bigcartel.com

Label: Pure Noise Ent.

Sounds Like: the Wonder Years, Set Your Goals, Fireworks, With the Punches

There’s a chance that you’ve heard of the Pennsylvania band Handguns in the past few months. If you haven’t, stop what you’re doing and download their last album. Vocalist Kevin Cale, guitarist Jake Langley, and bassist Nate Bobb are the epitome of pop-punk— just some dudes hanging out and playing music for the sake of the music.

“Music was always my first true love,” says guitarist Jake. “Music and touring and meeting people is my life.” Music is a number one priority for Handguns. It is their sole motivation to continue travelling and playing for crowds both small and large.

In the past few months, the Handguns have been struck by misfortune after misfortune. Between ex-lead singer Taylor Eby quitting mid-tour and multiple bus malfunctions, it seemed as if the only logical thing to do would be to take a break from the band. The Handguns, however, refused to let the fans down. “Things change, people change, vans break down, and sometimes it seems like going home might be okay; like maybe giving up isn’t so bad. But that feeling for me lasts about .5 seconds before I realize that no matter what hardships you as a person endure or us as a band endure, the facts are that anything worth having is worth working and suffering for!” Jake told me. “when you chase dreams and you legit go for it and refuse to give up, you will be happy.” With the help of guest singers and fundraising, the boys finished their summer tour with We Are the Union and I Call Fives.

The guys of Hanguns are humble, to say the least. They give all credit to those who have supported them throughout the years—the fans, fondly named the “Handguns Family.” “They are as important to this band as the drums and guitar are.” Jake Langley commented, “Without the Handguns Family we wouldn’t be able to do what we do. What makes us happy.”

When asked about the relationship between the members of the band, guitarist Jake said, “We are like brothers. Who fight as hard as they love each other. But we do love each other.”

The Handguns have toured with bands like I Call Fives and Hawthorne Heights, and performed with bands such as the Wonder Years and Man Overboard. They embark on their Split Release Tour with Forever Came Calling on November 4th.

Myspace: myspace.com/handxguns

Facebook: facebook.com/handgunspa

Twitter: twitter.com/handxguns

Label: Unsigned

Sounds Like: Motion City Soundtrack, All Time Low

Born in 2008 in King City, California, pop-punk group Leeds Avenue is comprised of Bobby Maratas singing lead vocals, Abel Luzanilla playing the bass and singing back-up, Gus “the Goose” Agulair on guitar, and Adrian Torres playing the drums.

Leeds Avenue is one of the rare bands that create such phenomenal music that it can be played on a loop for fifteen hours and it’ll still sound good. Songs such as “Autobiography” and “Playing for Keeps” have poppy, spotlight-stealing hooks that can immediately get anyone dancing along to the beat. Lyrics such as, “I’ve been working all night trying to get her attention; God, she’s got a smile that can break down a building. Oh, I think I just fell in love.” are catchy and fun to sing along with.

Not only do the boys of Leeds Avenue posess outrageous musical talents, but they’re also witty and funny. On the official Leeds Avenue Facebook page, the info section includes, “We love long walks on the beach, deep conversations, smooth talkers, and a good piece of cold Little Caesars pizza!” Silly LA. That’s not a dating profile.

Leeds Avenue is currently recovering from the loss of previous frontman Fabian Bucio by writing new music and preparing for a tour with fellow California band Our Hearts Alive.

myspace.com/taketheleed

twitter.com/leedsavenue

facebook.com/leedsavenuemusic

alanarawr asked: Thanks for the review(: you have a facebook?

No problem! You guys kick all kinds of ass. You deserve way more spotlight than you get. And, indeed I do! http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bands-to-Watch/186767601390920#!/pages/Bands-to-Watch/186767601390920?sk=wall

Label: ModHop Records

Sounds Like: Green Day, Alkaline Trio, the Adicts

Don’t let the serious expressions fool you—this band is filled with animation and energy. With Alana Anderson on drums, Walter Jerk on lead vocals and guitar, and Johnny Wyatt on bass guitar and backing vocals, Jacksonville pop-punk band the Pinz is impossible to ignore.

Influenced heavily by legends such as Green Day and the Rolling Stones, the Pinz’s melodies are attention-grabbing and compliment the catchy lyrics perfectly. I have had the opportunity to watch the Pinz perform live, and the amount of raw energy eminating from the stage was enough to energize the entire crowd. “What’s With That” and “No Way” are the kinds of songs you want to blast at maximum volume and jam along to on the air guitar. The lyrics, “You never return my stupid calls, let it rot, I wander these empty halls, and you always accuse me of the worst” are teeming with teen angst, and are easy for listeners to connect to.

The Pinz have toured with bands such as the Dead Kennedys and have opened for bands such as the Dollyrots and the Fleshtones. They have also shown their support for music programs in schools by performing on the “I Heart Music Tour”.

Myspace: myspace.com/thepinzrock

Twitter: twitter.com/thepinzrock

Facebook: facebook.com/thepinzrock

Official Website: thepinzrock.com