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University of Massachusetts |
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| Bands |
 The Wolfman Conspiracy
The Wolfman Conspiracy is a recently established, all-male band composed of University of Massachusetts Amherst students. The group blends elements of funk, reggae, Mexicana and rock, drawing fans in with its syncopated rhythms, captivating beats and melodic vocals.
The boys met by chance at a party about one year back, when lead singer Dom Mazzoli shared several songs he had written with bassist Kyle Mooney, drummer Matt Deslauriers and keyboardist Nick Gingras, all of whom he had just met that night.
Soon the band brought saxophonist Richard McGuire onboard who, according to Mooney, added a “reggae, Mexicana feel” to the group. Once lead guitarist and friend Francesco Rowe was brought into the mix, The Wolfman Conspiracy was set in its current incarnation and is currently busy at work on its first album. -- Barbara Booras
 We, like explosions
We, like explosions have a “bang” you need to experience for yourself. With influences ranging from past legends like The Beach Boys to present-day rockers like The Blood Brothers, the group of Tom Naughton (vocals), Bill O’Brien (guitar), Brian Jones (bass), Ray Augusta (drums), Jordan Stein (keyboards/moog) and Matt Volpini (saxophone) give off an indie rock/post-punk vibe all its own.
The only thing these guys love more than playing music? Each other. Coordinated outfits and all, this group’s humorous brotherhood is a bond that won’t be shaken any time soon. -- Heather Waxman
 Leaving London
Leaving London is one of the newest young bands to hail from the campus of the University of Massachusetts Amherst, and the group is beginning to make some headway: the quartet of Sean Burns (guitar, lead vocals), Marty Legg (guitar, vocals), Mike Griffin (bass) and Mikey Scofield (drums) has already played as far away as New York City and as close as UMass fraternity Phi Sigma Kappa.
With influences ranging from Led Zeppelin to Prince, the band’s style is a self-described blend of “rock, funk and power pop,” which makes for an easy-listening, radio-ready sound in the same vein as John Mayer and Maroon 5.
Standout song “Leader” showcases the band’s propensity for mixing different styles, and though the track does have a pop sensibility, anyone accusing it of being too light needs only to wait for the fierce guitar solo to be disproved. -- Peter Rizzo
 Eric Greene
Eric Greene hails from Canton, Mass., but his new home base is at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. The sophomore singer/songwriter usually plays shows accompanied by his brother on electric violin.
Ranging from mellow acoustic jams to hilarious folk ditties, his songs are sure to please those looking for a solid musical experience. Songs like “One Final Time” and “Why I’m Still Alive” are reminiscent of the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Jack Johnson, and “Super Best Friends” is always a crowd favorite. -- Peter Rizzo
 Static & Messiah
The members of this hip-hop two-piece originally hail from Boston and have been rhyming together since high school. These young emcees know how to get a crowd pumped up and ready to dance. On stage, their chemistry is palpable. The two offer a fast and melodious flow and finish each others’ musical sentences.
Static & Messiah state that their biggest influences are “their family and the streets of Boston,” as well as early hip-hop. The two boast on their MySpace that “they’re writin’ rhymes that can’t be touched.” The group recently won UMass’ Battle of the Bands and will be opening this year’s spring concert, which features acts Fat Joe, Paramore and Jimmy Eat World. -- Peter Rizzo
 The ProblemAddicts
The ProblemAddicts of Massachusetts are a group of five hip-hop/rap artists who originally started as solo artists before uniting the summer of 2006. The group hopes its well-crafted beats and thought-provoking lyrics help bring some depth back to a style of music that’s become increasingly shallow.
The Problem Addicts’ first album, “The First Step,” features Planet Asia and Masta’ Ace. Last year, the group won “Best Hip-Hop of 2007” in a reader poll conducted by the Pioneer Valley’s the Valley Advocate. -- Stephanie McPherson
 Stephen Kellogg and the Sixers
“If you have a pulse, you’ll dig it,” says frontman Stephen Kellogg of Northampton-based band Stephen Kellogg and the Sixers with an easy laugh. The group’s music, which he describes as “rock and roll with words,” is earnest and wise beyond its years, yet seamless and easy in its construction. The band’s latest Everfine Records release, “GlassJaw Boxer,” holds 11 impassioned tracks that touch on themes such as abandonment, the fear of never finding love and raw rejection within the music industry.
What sets the Sixers apart is their honesty and up-front attitude about their experiences, contrary to the “cooler than thou” mindset of some of their contemporaries. “We’re not afraid to say we’ve failed,” Kellogg says. It’s clear that the serious tone of the band’s lyrics is not on point with Kelloggs’ view of life: When asked about the band’s homecoming for its tour stop in Northampton, he says he’s “so damn excited my toenails are going to fall off.”
Although the group members all attended the University of Massachusetts Amherst, they didn’t form a band until after college. “I think we all kind of thought, ‘There’s gotta be a better way to make money than what we’re doing now,’” Kellogg says of the band members’ post-graduation mindsets. From odd jobs to national recognition, the Sixers have come a long way since their days spent kicking around the Pioneer Valley. With beautiful melodies and uplifting and heartbreaking lyrics, this might be one of the best bands you’ve never heard of – if not for their music, for their pure likeability. -- Skye McIntyre
 Stronghold in Siam
Stronghold in Siam, the Massachusetts-based band, is bringing music back to the days of fun, sing-along tunes with its first official release, “Anticipation Heightens the Pleasure.”
Named from the four friends’ realization that the only way to win the popular board game Risk is to have a stronghold in Siam, the band consists of University of Massachusetts Amherst sophomore Nick Mathews (percussion, band manager), Andrew Gregory of Boston University (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), Peter Hunt of Cornell (lead guitar, harmony vocals), and Adam Fisher (bass guitar), also of UMass.
Although the group is heavily influenced by Third Eye Blind, its style draws from a multitude of musical genres and artists. “We try to diversify while still falling under line of ‘power-pop,’” Mathews says.
“Anticipation Heightens the Pleasure” is available on iTunes, which Matthews feels is a big step for any band. It signifies that the group is “evolving from a bunch of kids who play music to a real band,” he says. -- Stephanie McPherson
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This section's contents are produced entirely by student journalists, brought to Billboard.com by UWIRE, the leading provider of student-generated content. UWIRE aims to identify and promote the brightest young content creators and deliver their work to a larger audience via professional media partners such as Billboard.com. Visit UWIRE.com to learn more. |
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University of Massachusetts, Amherst
This town profile was produced entirely by student journalists from The Massachusetts Daily Collegian, the leading news source for the University of Massachusetts community. You can learn more about the individual student contributors by visiting their profiles on UWIRE.com:
Text: Barbara Booras, Ryan McAskill, Skye McIntyre, Stephanie McPherson, Andrea Murray, Ian Nelson, Derrick Perkins, Peter Rizzo, Allie Roth, Heather Waxman, Brian Wood
Photos: Brandon Clinton, Caitlin Coughlan, Stephanie McPherson, Andrea Murray, Michael Phillis, Keith Toffling, Toan Trihn, Michael Weintraub
Video: Directed by Stephanie McPherson; Produced by Rob Fournier; Filmographer, Amanda Lund
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