By Mely Duong
Brosef Gordon-Levitt, a band name that initially started as a joke between friends one semester, was taken on as the official name for their cover band. However, when the band transitioned to writing serious original music, they retained the band name, deciding that the name alone would pique interest of listeners and would be unforgettable. This pop punk band manages to mesh together the sounds of newer groups such as Knuckle Puck, Seaway, and The Story So Far with the energy and feel of old school pop punk such as New Found Glory, Saves The Day, and Blink 182, although each band member has a contrasting musical influence.
Currently, the band consists of Tre Todd, drummer; Kevin Folk, guitarist and backing vocalist; Matt Troupe, bassist; Tim Balch, rhythm guitarist and backing vocalist; and Tyler Lamby, vocalist and lyricist. Other various duties are spread out amongst the independent and proactive members with Todd handling booking, Folk handling social media, and Troupe handling merch. While the lyrics are solely written by Lamby, it is important to note that not a single person writes the melody alone, rather it is a collective experience for the band writing together.
Brosef Gordon-Levitt progressed quickly from their humble start in May of 2013, with their first show on July 6, 2013 and their first full length album, Maybe We’ll Live Forever, released on July 25, 2014. The focus of this album was to provide the audience with high energy vivacious songs and also becoming a solid cohesive unit through not only song writing but personally as well. The album was received very fondly by the oversaturated local pop punk scene although the release and promotion was slightly lacking.
Reflecting back, the band comments, “Our strengths as a band would be our live show and how we connect when we’re playing together. Our weaknesses are definitely all agreeing on the same thing, and Tim can’t surf.”
Cheeky band aren’t they?
In terms of their strongest songs, it’s a hard pick but they personally recommend “East Summit” because it “reprises the whole EP and is a perfect bridge between that EP and what we’re righting now.” Moving forward, the band has shifted focus to writing songs that are just as powerful, but more intimate with the listeners, more emotionally compelling. Brosef Gordon-Levitt hopes to record this new material soon in addition to releasing their first music video, branching out to new areas around the north east, and strengthening their foundation at home. They hope to tour this summer, put on a small musical festival, and put out their new EP.
“We would like to thank you very much for giving us the time of day and for even supporting us in any way shape or form. We really can’s say thank you enough but thank you so much!”
To learn more about the band visit https://bglpa.bandcamp.com or https://www.facebook.com/BrosefGordonLevittPA.
Better yet, head out to support them at the Anthony Flick Benefit Show on February 13 at the Rock Cafe in Harleysville, starting at 5 pm!
Cover photo by Anna Curry. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Annas-Photography/616811665070033
