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Variety of genres has influenced Valley Stream band
Rock, riffs, and raw energy make for quite a combination for Valley Stream band This Time Tuesday, winners of Strong Side Studios and Star Potential’s first annual Battle of the Bands competition on July 23.
The young, but serious teenagers push the limits of creative expression. Their distinct musical backgrounds, including ska, classic rock, metal and jazz, merge into an alternative and pop punk sound. That is their self-described genre, said lead guitarist Eric Kleinertz, 16, a soon-to-be senior at Valley Stream South High School.
The five-member group described everything from their musical tastes to their future goals. They laughed about food runs to Wendy’s during practices, one member’s confession of liking Kelly Clarkson, and if they wrote about being in love (just a playful joke) over shared plates of fries. Spontaneity abounds whenever the group practices, or just gets together, noted 17-year-old South High senior Michael Gallagher, the band’s drummer. “We just play somewhere, and then the trumpet comes out,” he said.
Both Gallagher and Kleinertz, the band’s originators, started searching for the perfect lineup five years ago. Several people had came and went, Kleinertz said, but now the chemistry is just right. He chalked it up to the compatibility of the band mates. “Musically, we are on the same page,” he said. “If we can’t get a part down, we work together until we get it down.”
Matt Eberhardt, 17, who will be a freshman at SUNY Cortland this fall, brings a jazz influence as the band’s bass guitarist. Rhythm guitarist and backup vocalist Will Milne, an 18-year-old sophomore at Cornell University, was discovered at a talent show. And their most recent addition, Terry Gagstetter, a 17-year-old Central High School senior, rounds out the group as the lead vocalist.
Each member has played their respective instruments, or used their talents, for several years. Gagstetter started singing when he could talk, Gallagher began in elementary school, and Milne, Eberhardt and Kleinertz started within the last few years. They have already performed at various Valley Stream spots including the Village Green bandshell, a block party, and South High’s talent show, since last summer.
The group pays homage to Rock greats like the Beatles. In fact, their warm-ups usually consist of playing cover songs. But that is perhaps where they veer off the road to blaze their own path. Some weeks, the group can play five times in a row during practices, and others may consist of them rocking out hard for a whole seven days. They can happily hang out, or playfully debate about their favorite songs. In fact, no two band members share a favorite song. Those experiences seem to draw them closer as not only band mates, but friends. It’s a part of the beauty of what makes the group work. “We don’t get mad at each other,” Gallagher said.
There is much enthusiasm among the group members, added Milne. “We have a lot of energy,” he said.
They try to have song-writing sessions regularly, but with their busy schedules, it can be a challenge. Most of their songs are untitled, with topics ranging from sardonic material to whatever may be on their minds. Usually, they work on the music first, then add words, Gagstetter said.
On the heels of their Battle of the Bands performance, the group members are thankful for their success. The contest was memorable, they said, and great because they were able to share the stage with other fantastic and talented bands. They are grateful to their band teacher, Dan Creegan, for his support at South High.
The group is working on songs for a demo. But more importantly, they are trying to stay close. “As individuals, I’m pretty sure we will play for the rest of our lives,” Gallagher said, “but we want to try to keep it together as a band forever.”
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