Published in Daily Freeman!

By Ethan Barnett
Freeman intern

KINGSTON — Several young hardcore rock bands are throwing a benefit concert today to raise money for the American Cancer Society’s 2010 Relay For Life.

Performing bands are Taxi to Alaska of Pine Bush, Eurydice of Kingston, Our Only Reason of Clinton Corners, Through the Facade of Saugerties, Without Sanity, Through the Flood and Anthelia. The concert will begin at 3 p.m. today at The Basement, 744 Broadway.

All the bands are fairly new to the hardcore music scene — Eurydice formed in July; Taxi to Alaska formed at the end of August and Our Only Reason and Through the Facade have been together for just more than a year.

The bands interviewed said they enjoy the Kingston venue. “It’s local for us and we have big crowds ever show. And the owner (Robert Stango) is a very nice guy and fun to work with,” said Through the Facade’s Keith Bronson, 16, of Saugerties High School via e-mail. “We focus the most on the guitar because we are a three-piece (band), so it needs to sound full.

“Crowds at our shows are very intense,” Bronson said. “We have a lot of people at once constantly moving, and they know words to our songs and do chants with us.”

Through the Facade is a Saugerties hardcore and metal band. The band’s songs mainly focus on life and involve many breakdowns.Other band members are Josh Kirkpatrick, 17, of Saugerties on vocals and guitar; Keith Bronson Jr., 16, of Saugerties on vocals and drums; Mike Lang, 16 from Saugerties on bass.

“We’re playing with a bunch of really good local bands that we love sharing the stage with,” Eurydice said in a prepared statement. Eurydice is known for its energetic and crowd-pleasing performances. The band has performed at The Basement and the Crocodile Rock Café in Allentown, Pa.

Members of the band include Brandon Lane, 18, Port Ewen, on guitar; Victor Garcia, 20, of Kingston, on bass; Matthew Locke, 16, of Kingston High School, on drums; Justin Frangello, 20, of Kingston, on guitar; and Jo-Wee Mendock, 20, of Kingston, on vocals.

Our Only Reason drummer Andrew Kyle Bernard, 19, said in an e-mail that his band wanted to participate, “To support whatever the cause is and to see all my friends and favorite local bands.” Our Only Reason, from Dutchess County, is known for its a loud sound and energetic performances. Band members include Billy Rowan on bass; Russ McCabe on vocals; Joshua Muise on rhythm guitar; Robbie Rende on lead guitar; and Andrew Kyle Bernard on drums.

Tickets are $8. The event is open to all ages, so the bar will only serve non-alcoholic beverages.

Ethan Barnett is a student at Rondout Valley High School.

Link: http://dailyfreeman.com/articles/2010/04/10/life/doc4bbfd489edc58471917486.txt Labels: