Though each band member is still in their teens, pop rockers Kicking Daisies want to stress that they have musicianship, creativity and drive that should be taken very seriously.
"We try to express that we're not just kids with guitars," said Ben Spremulli, 16, lead guitarist and founder of the band. "We like for people to realize we know what we're doing, and we try to convey that in the best possible way live."
The band will show this to a local audience when they play at 5 p.m. tonight at the Masonic Hall in Altoona. Openers include Paper States, The Baby Grand, The Big Time, Lone Wolf and Guy The Walrus.
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Courtesy photo
Kicking Daisies is comprised of (from left) Ben Spremulli, Duran Visek, Richie Arthur and Jeff Maurer.
Kicking Daisies was founded in 2009 and built around Spremulli's superior guitar talent at the age of 12. The original lineup included current lead vocalist Duran Visek, 17, and two other members. Breakout success came for the band in 2010, when they won Radio Disney's Next Big Thing competition.
With a new lineup of Richie Arthur, 15, on vocals and guitar and Jeff Maurer, 18, on drums, Spremulli said the band has new tastes, experiences and goals.
"I'm excited to move forward with the new guys and see where it takes us, especially being at this for four years," he said,
Fact Box
If you go
What: Kicking Daisies with Paper States, The Baby Grand, The Big Time, Lone Wolf and Guy The Walrus
When: 5 p.m. tonight
Where: The Masonic Hall, 600 Jackson Ave., Altoona
Details: Tickets are $8
Arthur said he knew he wanted to get involved with the band because of how quickly they "clicked" and how well they all get along.
"After the first practice, it was like we'd been playing together for years," he said. "I could tell this would be a good project and a great band, for me at least."
Arthur and Spemulli agreed that the band's latest single, "Bows and Arrows," displays the new sound the band is going for with the current lineup.
"It is a cool rock ballad and has cool piano parts, which is definitely different for this band," Arthur said. "It's definitely more mature than what this band used to be."
With other young boy bands like The Wanted and One Direction putting out chart-topping hits, Kicking Daisies has high hopes for similar success while staying true to their own music and distinct sound.
To acheive this, Spemulli will carry out the same advice he would give to any young musician with big dreams.
"Don't quit, and don't give up," he said. "It's going to get tough and be hard, but the feeling of being able to go out on the road and make music you enjoy with people you like being with is so worth it."
Mirror Staff Writer Beth Ann Downey is at 946-7520.
