No pigeonholing Facing New York

Facing New York has a difficult time with the media's attempt to pigeonhole the band.

"With the emo/screamo styles running rampant, it's hard for us to do our own thing," bassist Brandon Canchola said by phone from Portland, Ore. "People try to lump us into those styles while we believe we are totally different."

Still, Canchola said that simply being in a band and playing music is worth the stress. "Playing live and seeing people react to what we're doing is something I never thought I'd be able to do. Not only are we playing, but we're traveling and meeting people who are totally supportive of what we're all about."

The band — Canchola, vocalist/guitarist Eric Frederic, guitarist Matt Fazzi, keyboardist Rene Carranza and drummer Omar Cuellar — does try to balance private lives with professional lives. "We are on tour, but we also have bills we have to pay. We aren't making enough in the band to cover our bills at the moment. So we have to find jobs during our down time, and then, when we go on tour, we have other demands and commitments.

"So our lives are a balancing act, and it is disappointing we're not able to support our-

selves solely on our music." In a sense, however, that aspect of their lives only makes the members of Facing New York more determined to make it.

The band recently released a six-song extended-play CD, "Swimming Not Treading." "We spent about a month and a half writing song for that EP," said Canchola. "Then we went into the studio and pounded out the six songs in one session. It was crazy, but it was the defining moment for the band.

"We had written the songs and got them ready. The studio was the place where we'd decide if we were going to continue being a band. We did the EP to see if we could do it and then we decided to keep going."

Facing New York is kind of a loner in the world of music, but it's not where it wants to be, said Canchola. "We'd like to get together with other like-minded bands and form a little community to tour with and record with. We could support each other and help each other accomplish success."

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If you go

What: Facing New York, Before Braille, Novi Split

Where: Kilby Court, 738 S. Kilby Court

When: Wednesday, 7:30 p.m.

How much: $8

Phone: 320-9887

Web: www.kilbycourt.com

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E-mail: scott@desnews.com