Local Limelight: Getting to know Glen Street

gs3Glen Street is an alternative rock band from Utica, NY that have proved in music age is just a number. From gym class to the recording studio, these guys truly have something special. Nick Vanderwood, Adam Manion, Alex Verbickas, Dylan Crawford, and Will Gordon are wowing audiences across Upstate NY with their incredible talent. While playing a mix of originals and covering artists such as Nirvana, Sublime, and Pink Floyd the band looks like they have been performing for years. It is refreshing to see young artists not only appreciate the classics but to execute them perfectly. With these guys at the wheel we can rest easy about what the next generation of musicians will have to offer. Although most of the band is still in high school, Glen Street has already managed to make some big moves in their career. They recorded their first single “Blue” in July of 2014, and opened for national recording artist Nonpoint in December. I was lucky enough to attend this show and have been itching to know more ever since. Drummer Will Gordon recently sat down with to allow some insight on these young musicians.

Katrina Johnson: How did Glen Street get started?

Will Gordon: Glen Street started when I was looking for a band to play with. I contacted someone to play music with and he introduced me to 2 of the current members. The 4 of us played at one of our houses. The name of the Street the house is located is called Glen Street. We went through many lineup changes in the past 2 years.

KJ: Are you all still in high school?gs4

WG: 4 of the 5 of us are. 3 of the 4 seniors. The other, a junior.

KJ: Do you think the fact that your so young has helped you or hindered you?

WG: Locally, our age has both helped, and hurt us. First impressions are always important. Our appearance undermines our talent. We get looked at as kids most of the time. But when people hear us play, we often get told that we have something really special and we should definitely keep it going.

KJ: When did you guys learn to play?

WG: I learned the basics of rhythm and the layout of the drum set at age 3. Over the years I have built up my drumming. Adam our rhythm guitarist first learned around 8 or 9 years old. He taught Alex our lead guitarist the guitar and they used to jam around the age of 9. Nick, our singer, used to be in a cover band at age 13 with our bassist Dylan. So when the time came to find a new bassist in the summer of 2014, we asked him to join. Nick and I crossed paths in 2011 where we both participated in a talent show. We never really talked to eachother until late 2013. And now, they’re my brothers. So many good things have happened because of this band.

KJ: Who are some of Glen Streets influences?gs2

WG: Our influences include: Metallica, Avenged Sevenfold, Tool, Audioslave, Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Foo Fighters.

KJ: Your first single “Blue”, tell me about it. Did one of you write it?

WG: I believe Alex, Adam and Nick started the beginning riff after that drum intro I do. I added the drums to match up with the riff. Eventually, we decided to have myself start off with the drums so the song built up. In time, the song was finished and we were ready to record. We all wanted to record something. We just didn’t know what to record. We thought “Blue” was our strongest song since it had a very powerful riff and melody. It was recorded at Big Blue North recording studio in Utica. Jeff does a phenomenal job over there, and you will hear more from that studio in our upcoming single, where he actually produced it.

KJ: How did you end up opening for Nonpoint?

WG: To be honest, we were in a parking lot of a venue we were going to play. We were there hours early so I took out my phone and went on Facebook. I’m the booking guy of the band, so I love to look for opportunities for the band 24/7. I saw a post on Facebook about an entertainment company looking for opening bands. I didn’t really think anything of it, but something told me to comment our contact info on it. Next thing I know, I get a phone call asking me to have the band open for Nonpoint. I was shocked that they wanted us to perform.

KJ: What is in store for Glen Street in 2015? Album? New single?

WG: We have a new single coming in early 2015! We are in the final stages of production.

KJ: Very exciting. I look forward to hearing it. Where do you see yourselves in 5 years? What are some of your goals?

WG: We don’t really like to look to the future when it comes to the band, because everyone knows things never go as planned. One goal of ours is to play music together for a very long time.gs1new

Check Glen Street out on Facebook and Reverbnation!

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