sandiegopunk.com

There has always been something compelling about rock bands. We love music’s unifying qualities, and the rock-star image that has become an American dream.

There’s the simplicity of guitars, drums, and vocals, the counter-culture, and the freedom of expression. But more than that, rock’s intrigue is fueled by exactly the things we wish to explain but can’t: the loud power cords and raised fists and “I don’t want to be anywhere but here” feeling that is pure rock and roll.

In recent years the music scene has gotten away from that purity with the onslaught of pre-packaged groups, performers driven by fame and fortune, and an increasingly corporate music industry. That’s why it is so refreshing to return to rock’s roots, explore the underground, and discover the groups that remind you just why exactly you fell in love with music in the first place.

Before Today is one of those bands. Their sound is anything but mainstream, and one finds it difficult to categorize. Even the members themselves, Victor (Vic) and Mike Fuentes (21 and 19, respectively), Mitch Ballatore (22), and Joe Tancil (21), can’t do it.

“I would say we are closest to melodic punk,” says Vic, the lead singer/guitarist of the group. Ballatore and Tancil agree, while the younger Fuentes remains quiet.

“I don’t agree with ‘melodic punk’ at all,” he says when asked for his take. “Melodic punk is simple. We’re more technical.” This leads to an interesting debate on the topic that ends when Tancil informs us that the members of the band Thrice label themselves as indie rock, and the four members agree that they are not really quite sure about all of the categories and labels in music. It’s all good-natured, fun talk.

“We create our own category,” quips Tancil jokingly in response to the conclusion.

“No, no, don’t print that,” Vic says quickly, but with an urgent note of seriousness in his voice that leads the other three to laugh. Vic is clearly the leader of the band, looking out for the way they will be perceived and taking care to create a positive image; in short, the responsible one. He tells me later that he believes it is important for bands to be humble and appreciative, to understand that the fans play an important role in the music and that a band should never be self-centered. Even now, it’s apparent that all joking aside, the band has bigger goals in their sights.

Whatever Before Today may eventually be labeled, they do play fast, loud, catchy music. Their sound is complex and multi-dimensional, yet incredibly clean and tight despite the obvious high level of difficulty that accompanies such a style. Before Today combines the screams of The Used (minus the bubblegum sing-a-long choruses), with lightning fast guitar riffs and scripted guitar solos. They’re original, and real. If music is to undergo another period of serious change and rebelliousness against the status quo as some have claimed is necessary, it is going to have to come from an honest source. Before Today gives a glimpse of what that source may look like.

As musicians, they are talented and open-minded, and list The Beatles and Joe Strummer right alongside current bands like Coheed and Cambria as influences. Mike Fuentes is a big fan of the mock eighties band The Darkness. Tancil and Ballatore profess a liking for rap. Vic Fuentes admires Queen, especially vocally, and has taken to playing eerie, melodic guitar intros to the first song at shows that reflect a jazz influence. Indeed, this is no stereotypical, angst-ridden punk band.

Instead, Before Today fills their songs with positive messages through upbeat lyrics. Their families are supportive; on show dates, the Fuentes family hosts a barbeque for the friends and members of the band.

But make no mistake. In the end, Before Today is just a good old fashioned rock and roll group set on making it in a hostile environment. Tancil was evicted from his apartment for creating a disturbance due to the noise from the place, and quit his job to focus on the band. Ballatore dropped out of school (“Hopefully I won’t have to go back,” he says with a smile), and Vic Fuentes is on a leave of absence from San Diego State University where he was studying graphic design that has since helped him produce Before Today’s merchandise and logos. There are no pretensions here, just four guys playing music as hard as they can, damn everything else. Before Today is a microcosm of rock’s Golden Age Part II – granted, it’s scaled down and barely a blip on the radar screen, but one can sense it nonetheless.

Before Today article by Paul Coover.
http://www.beforetoday.com
http://www.equalvision.com
Picture courtesy of beforetoday.net