Four college-aged kids take the stage.
Lights of all different colors flash rhythmically.
The lead singer says, “We are The Atlantic.”
And they begin to play.
The Atlantic, a band from Overland Park, drew a lot of attention in the past few months for its work.
Jeriney, from 96.5 The Buzz, named it one of the top five bands in Kansas City.
The Pitch wrote an article and did a Q&A with the band.
Performers in The Atlantic include Patrick Robinson on lead vocals and rhythm guitar, 2009 BV graduate Brandon Gardner on lead guitar, Matt Lane on bass and James Wooten on drums.
“Almost all of us played music our entire lives — I mean, at least for a significant amount of it,” Robinson said. “We found out we were kind of good at it and really liked it.”
The Buzz has a segment on Sundays called Homegrown Buzz that features local music. Show host Jeriney plays music that is
either sent in or requested by fans.
“How to Start a War” by The Atlantic made its way to Homegrown Buzz in the fall of 2009.
Jeriney said via email that the band immediately shouted out from their Facebook page, letting fans know they were on the radio.
“It’s so easy now [to get fans],” Gardner said. “Just playing shows and being personal with people is enough.”
Jeriney said the band’s sound is soulful while staying true to traditional rock roots. The band released 3 EPs within the last year.
“[Music] evolves like you change,” Robinson said. “With the newer stuff, destruction and rebuilding have been big themes.”
Jeriney said since the band members are all young, they have nowhere to go but up if they continue making and believing in music.
“We all hate jobs,” Robinson said. “Our goal is to play music and do our thing and hopefully make enough money to support ourselves.”
Back in early March, The Atlantic was set to play with Indie band Meg & Dia who, in 2006, made AP Magazine’s ‘100 bands you need to know’ list.
However, Meg & Dia cancelled the tour due to one member’s illness.
Robinson said part of the reason for the band’s success thus far is the connection among the members.
“We’re all like best friends, and we hang out all the time,” he said. “We argue and bicker like a couple would or whatever, but one of the things we’re really proud of and happy with is the chemistry between all of us.”
The band is set to record another EP this summer.
“It’s going to rock your brains out,” Gardner said. “It sounds like everything you’ve ever felt and everything you could have ever wanted to be.”
