MARY WISNIEWSKI
Assistant A&E Editor
The Sindicate, winner of last year’s Battle of the Bands competition, has come a long way since the day of its first gig. This three-member rock ‘n’ roll band was not allowed to enter its first venue due to trouble with the incident with the bouncer outside. Guitarist Dan Yoder said the bouncer did not deter the band from smuggling in its instruments and performing anyway. The Sindicate played for 20 minutes before the manager realized who they were and kicked them off stage by bringing in the police. Regardless, Yoder said the band made a great impression on the audience.
“We are bombarded with weird people,” Yoder said. “Sometimes it’s for the worse, sometimes the better. These things are part of the fun.”
Since their first performance, The Sindicate has become a well-known band at Pepperdine as the 2005 Battle of the Bands winners. The band, comprised of three Pepperdine alumni, has also made itself known by playing at various venues ranging from The Dume Room in Malibu to Whiskey A Go-Go in Hollywood.
The Sindicate includes Yoder, lead singer Austin Trujillo, and drummer Kevin Nerison. Each member introduces a unique sound to the band. Nerison’s background is primarily blues while Yoder and Trujillo’s focus has been classical.
Since their $500 winnings at 2005 Battle of the Bands, The Sindicate keeps plugging away at its music career.
“Some bands do it for the money. Our dream is to be playing for the next 50 years,” Yoder said. “Our primary purpose is stoking people out on music.”
Nerison said the band is taking it one day at a time.
“Whatever happens, happens,” he said. “To be honest, we’ve already accomplished what I wanted to accomplish. Now it’s icing on top of the cake.” Nersion said he is happy they are playing together as a group.
However, Nerison said the band does not pay all the bills and the members work various other jobs. He said his main job is working as a boat captain in Marina Del Ray. Truijillo too has taken another job besides the band at Paradise Cove. Yoder said he is continuing to try to break into the music industry by looking for jobs.
The band members all live in the Los Angeles area and practice at least once a week, in addition to playing gigs regularly.
Yoder said this is important.
“If we don’t play at least once a week, we go backward and lose some of our chemistry,” he said.
Nerison said they are all very passionate about the music and guarantees the band will stay together.
“We use our spare time to play together,” he said.
Yoder is the most recent college graduate of the band and said it’s a weird transition from school to the real world.
“You don’t know what to do,” he said. “Once you are out of school, you have to deal with external factors like finding an income. We’ve come to a happy equilibrium and are dedicated to the cause. I’m more dedicated to the band. I’m more into it mentally.”
The band has recorded a CD that features four songs, which were written by all members. These songs reflect the new dynamics the band has developed, Yoder said. The sonic range is explored while still maintaining the same familiarity of a heavy guitar, violin musings and guitar syncopation.
“We evolved and still are evolving,” Yoder said.
The Sindicate performance schedule is still in the works for February, but fans can check their Web site www.sindicaterocknroll.com for the latest information.
02-02-2006
