FayetteNam Bombs explode onto Uniontown’s music scene
With a name as interesting as its band members, the FayetteNam Bombs, a southwestern Pennsylvania hardcore punk/ska band, recently exploded onto Union City’s (Uniontown’s) music scene. For anyone who isn’t familiar with the local teen music scene, Union City is the knick name that punk rock fans have given to Uniontown.
The FayetteNam Bombs practice in a garage owned by drummer Chris Wilson, 19, of New Salem. They’ve made the garage into a punk rock treasure cove, including everything a punk/ska band would need – minus air conditioning and a non-leaking roof.
“We were all shooting pool, and Chris and I were playing in a band before,” said bassist Mark Lincoln, 17, of Uniontown. “Then we started hanging out with these two guys (vocalist Paul Tate, 16, of Brownsville, and guitarist Justin Nelson, 17, of Uniontown.) It came out of nowhere really. I scheduled practice before I knew if we could do it or not, then we all just showed up down here (the garage) one day.”
Since the formation of the band about five to six months ago, Wilson said, “We’ve all become closer and more together – like brothers.”
Tate said, “About five years ago, I would never have suspected I’d be in a punk band.”
However, not everything has been pleasant for the band.
“There’s actually a funny story,” Nelson said, as he started to laugh. “With that microphone, we all have a constant flow of sickness. For about two months straight, we were all sick from using the same microphone.”
There was a unanimous answer as to whether the band plays covers, original songs or both. Everyone said that they try to equal things out.
“Our first show we had seven originals and three covers,” Nelson said. “A lot of bands just start out on their first night with all covers.”
The songs that the band members write reflect things taking place in their everyday lives.
“It’s all determined on what we see. Basically funny things that we can laugh about, we write a song about. Or stuff that we do, we write a song about,” Wilson said.
The band has recorded a five-song demo that is available on request. Band members are currently working on a CD.
“We’re in the process of making a CD. The guys put it up on the site (myspace) that we already have a CD available for $3, but I’d rather have more than just 14 songs on it. We’re actually in the process of making a very nice looking CD,” Wilson said.
Many people are excited for this new release, including Scapegoat Records, a Pittsburgh-based company.
“Right now, we’re talking to Scapegoat Records,” Wilson said. “They want us to play a show out in Blairsville. But since I’m the only one who drives in the band, it’s hard to get all the way out to Blairsville. They want us to come out there so they can check us out and possibly (offer us) a record deal.”
The goals of the band are clear. The band members all want to have as much fun as they can have.
Tate sums it up by saying, “(The goal is to) Live life to its fullest.”
“There are a lot of bands out there in it for the money right now, and we are definitely not in it for the money,” Wilson said.
“We got paid one time for a show, and we got paid $5 and that was it,” he added.
More information about the band and upcoming shows can be found on the myspace site at www.myspace.com/fayettenambombs.
The band will perform on Thursday, June 21, at the Brownsville Sportsman’s Club in Grindstone.
Additional shows are likely to be scheduled before then. More information can be found online.
With influences like Dead Kennedys, NOFX and Leftover Crack, these unique musicians have taken hold of punk rock and given it a new meaning.
The band members’ personalities definitely shine.
“We’re better than going to Burger King and getting a Whopper,” Lincoln said. “You don’t get French fries when you come to see us, but it all works out.”
(Editor’s note: Sarah Honsaker is a sophomore at Albert Gallatin Senior High School. She plans to pursue journalism and writing in college.)