Fresh off of this summer’s Vans Warped Tour, alternative punk rock/reggae band Ballyhoo! will make a stop in Gainesville on Friday night to play at High Dive.
Ballyhoo! emerged in the mid- ’90s out of Aberdeen, Maryland, and is currently on its Dance ‘Til You Fall tour. The band is composed of four members: lead vocalist and guitarist Howi Spangler, drummer Donald “D” Spangler, bassist Nick Lucera and Scott Vandrey on the keys and turntables.
As brothers, Howi and D developed their love for music together when their father would take them to see bands like Motley Crew and Ratt and Poison in the late ’80s. The original band was formed while they were in high school, when they added Vandrey to the lineup. Some years later, during the group’s time in Florida, the band picked up its newest member, Lucera.
Howi said it was during the band’s first show in 1996 that he realized playing music was what he wanted to do with his life.
“I was a kid, and we played a local show at our high school … (I thought), ‘This is it,’” he said.
At that time, the band played mostly covers of big names like Green Day. To this day, Howi cites Green Day as one of the band’s greatest musical influences, alongside Sublime, 311, UB40, Incubus and others.
The band has garnered quite a following on its own and is now even helping new artists get on their feet through its own record label, Right Coast Records.
“(I am very excited) having the Bumpin Uglies out with us … seeing them go out in front of crowds and just kill it,” Howi said. The Bumpin Uglies, on tour with Ballyhoo!, will also perform Friday.
Howi said he remembers the excitement of hearing the band’s songs play on major radio stations, including a popular alternative station in his hometown of Aberdeen. Currently, Ballyhoo! is promoting its newest single, “Girls,” which was released this summer.
Even with the excitement of new music, working with new bands on the group’s label, touring and witnessing a growing fan base, Howi keeps an eye on the future.
“Since day one, I’ve wanted to be on Saturday Night Live … and Rolling Stone,” he said. Tickets for Friday’s show are available at ticketfly.com for $12 or at the door for $14. Doors open at 8 p.m. for the 8:30 p.m. show.
