Club Changes was ‘Friendzoned’ by Drop The Act

Drop the Act poses for the camera minutes before they begin their accoustic performance Sunday at Club Changes in New Castle.NEF
Drop The Act filmed the music video for their new single “Friendzoned” on Sept. 7 in New Castle, Pennsylvania. Drop The Act formed in 2012 and their new album is set to be released in early 2015. Photo By Alexis Rufener/The Jambar.

 

By Alexis Rufener

 

On Sept. 7, Drop The Act filmed their new single “Friendzoned” in front of friends, family and fans at Club Changes in New Castle, Pennsylvania.

Drop The Act is a band consisting of Matt Priscilla (vocalist), Adam Kaminski (bassist), and YSU students Adam Alfano (drummer), Josh Hoffman and Jacob Hoffman (guitarists).

The band started in 2012 when Jacob Hoffman, Josh Hoffman and Alfano were looking to get more serious with music and left their previous band, Fallen Avenue.

Later, Alfano, Josh Hoffman and Jacob Hoffman came across Priscilla and were blown away by his voice. They said there was no doubt in their mind  that they wanted Priscilla to be a part of DTA.

“When we found Matt, it was like the perfect piece of the puzzle,” Alfano said.

Kaminski became the bassist when he heard about the position opening up after one of the previous members left. He had grown to be friends with the group during past shows they went to together.

“These guys are my best friends, and I couldn’t ask for better bandmates. We’re all super close outside of just being in a band together, and they’re without a doubt the coolest, most down-to-earth people I’ve met,” Kaminski said.

The members of DTA are very focused on making the impossible possible when they record their new album — set to be released before summer of 2015.

The members say that music isn’t just a hobby, it’s a way of life — from growing up listening to pop-punk music to them getting on stage and doing it themselves.

“Recording was and is definitely one of the coolest experiences of my life,” Kaminski said. “It’s just always so exhilarating being able to clearly hear the music you’ve worked so hard on and watch as it all come together.”

Before every performance, Alfano tries his best to get his bandmates pumped up by having everyone put their hands in a circle and blurt out any random animal sound or a joke to lighten the mood.

“When I get off stage, I literally feel like a badass,” Alfano said.

For the music video, the band arrived around 9:30 a.m. and the director Marc Liscio of Envisioned Vision Studios, a photography and music video company, began the day by having them practice their new song while he tested the lighting and camera angles.

By 2 p.m., friends and fans began filing in to support the band with their colorful T-shirts and wristbands that were given to them as they walked in.

After Drop The Act completed the chorus and led into the bridge, the club echoed the sound of shouts, applause and the occasional cough.

They said this is not the final step for the band — they will continue to work with Liscio on different scenes and hope to have a final product for the fans by October. On Oct. 11, they will be performing in Pittsburgh, with Post Season and Firestarter.

The group said they want to one day make it big and get signed by a record label or perform at Warped Tour.

Priscilla said that all of this wouldn’t have been possible without the help of friends and family.

“Our future goals for this band are never ending. I say this because no matter how much we accomplish we are always going to be aiming for that step above the last,” Priscilla said. “I think I speak on behalf of all of the members when I say that this is something we want to be doing for the rest of ours lives — and we refuse to give up on something we want so desperately.”