# 1

Local Shows ExplodingBands like THE 132 and Civil War Rust are filling bars and venues all over the Bay Area. A scene that once was filled with bands such as Operation Ivy, NOFX, Bad Religion, Green Day, Fugazi, Tiger Army, T.S.O.L., and many others. A new breed of punks has risen from the ashes and are coming out loud, and vocal as ever. Politics, relationships, drugs, sex, alcohol, even themselves are not safe from these lyrics. The scene is growing, and gaining attention a rapid pase. With venues such as the infamous Gilman and new venues like The Mutiny out in the East Bay, things are stirring up. It is just a matter of time before the pot is to hot and things start too boil over and spread.

15

24

Oakley, California, a small town located at the end of the East Bay Area, stirs a group of artists waiting for their moment. A moment that some have waited years for. One artist in particular that comes to mind that has experienced many obsticles. Singing about drugs, alcohol, heartbreak, loss of friends and family but he’s stayed true to himself and his purpose.

“THIS ROAD ENDS AT THE START, BUT DON’T BE AFRAID TO GO OUT AND REACH FOR THE STARS.”

Ryan Banks, a small town punk will be the first to tell you he grew up listening to country music, and has a soft spot for artists like Johnny Cash and Bob Dylan. The older he became, bands such as NOFX, Alkaline Trio, Operation Ivy, and Green Day started influencing the mind of a teenage aspiring artist. These bands influenced many bands in the local music scene and what become the home of many bands and a growing acoustic scene.

MR - You have a lyric that says “This road ends at the start, but don’t be afraid to go out and reach for the stars.” Can you explain what that means to us?Ryan - When you start something new, the people who you thought were your closest friends or your lover will doubt you and start saying you can’t

do it. However don’t be afraid to go after your dreams.MR - OK, you and your bandmate Sean both have acoustic sets, it that a gimick for the band or how did that come about?Ryan - Actually I met Sean while doing a few acoustic sets. Sean and I were both performing at the same venues, and noticed each other and were fans of each others lyrics. We decided to get together and create a pop punk band Teenage Exchange to collaborate our styles. However the band did not last very long, but my other band Civil War Rust had a few issues so we decided to rebuild and Sean joined us.MR - WOW, sounds like a lot of moving parts.Ryan - Ya, I guess so.MR - So the acoustic scene is fairly big in the Bay Area?Ryan - Not just the Bay, it seems that a lot of California is under the same flag. Bars and small venues are having acoustics sets nightly so we can increase customers.MR - Nice, is there any other locations you play?Ryan - Me and Sean both did a set at the local Hot Topic for the mall.

“I BROKE A CLOCK SO TIME WOULD STOP.”