The Collegian

Issue date: 10/21/05 Section: No Limits

Media Credit: Photo taken by Christina Martinez 5606, a three-piece band from the bay. area

Home-based in San Jose, California, 5606 is not your average local band. This band consists of three members, Eric Ventimiglia on vocals and guitar, Kevin Bligh on drums and Dave Leventhal on bass. They conquered the Bay Area scene with their mix of pop rock fused with eclectic guitar riffs, and made a name for themselves when they won the chance to play on the Ernie Ball stage at this year's Vans Warped Tour.

5606's EP "Don't call it a Comeback" is reminiscent of Green Day's "Dookie." With titles that include "Boxcar Reality," "Eller," "Girls Just Don't Understand," "Rumor Has It," and "Dreaming," 5606's songs are quite catchy, if not relatable.

Ventimiglia describes their sound as "simplistic, edgy and moving." When it comes to writing the songs, there is no process, "the songs come as they do," he said.

When asked to tell the meanings behind the songs, Ventimiglia would not say, "I like people to listen to our music and interpret their own personal meaning. Music is personal and imaginative, so let it be what you want it to be". Listening to their music at home is one thing, but seeing them play live is another, which proved evident at this year's Warped Tour in San Francisco. 5606 drew a crowd of their own when they played at the same time as main-stager's My Chemical Romance. With their energy and enthusiasm, 5606 attracted fans young and old.

"Playing this year's Warped Tour was a dream for me," Ventimiglia said. "It was a way of saying that your band was real and legit." 5606 came along way since their first gig, in which they played in front of twenty people at a birthday party.

"We played on the front porch, all of our friends started fake mosh pits, it was hilarious," Ventimiglia reminisced.

As the memories stay in their minds, 5606 is looking toward the future, as they are in the process of recording a new record.

"The new record is coming along good," Ventimiglia said. "We really want all our music to be perfect. On our next CD, you will not find a dull track, I promise."

With that being said, Ventimiglia and his bandmates have no reason to complain. The best part of being in a band is obvious, "We get to play shows and watch people jumping and singing along to music we made in a garage," he said.

The massive support that 5606 are getting can make a person's head spin, but instead of hiding, the guys in 5606 embrace it.

"To be honest it's really out of control. Everywhere we go people are telling us how much they love us and play our music. It's really awesome. It makes me feel like we're doing something right," Ventimiglia said.

5606 owes their success to all of their fans. "Without the fans, we are just three dorks who play music in our sh***y garage," Ventimiglia said. "Without them we are nothing. We thank you from the bottoms of our hearts."

Touring is next for the guys in 5606. They just purchased a van and plan to tour later this year.

"We will be hitting the road," Ventimiglia exclaimed. "With bands that we're sure you all know of."

For more information on 5606, check out their website at www.5606live.com, or their Myspace page at www.myspace.com/5606.

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools