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Arts & Entertainment

Local Band UNRB Marches to its Own Beat

Despite having been together for just one year, the local band UNRB has enjoyed rapid success throughout Florida thanks to their unique style and fun-loving approach to music.

One of the most original and unique bands currently playing in the area is the seven piece outfit UNRB. Playing a mixture of original tunes and revamped cover songs, this band mixes rock, jazz and punk to their ska stylings

The band was founded by lead vocalist and ukulele player Noel Rochford and have been together for just one year. Joining songwriter Rochford is bassist Nic Giordano and drummer Eric Allaire who provide the solid rhythm that is the backbone of the band. 

In addition to Rochford’s electric ukulele the band also features a four piece horn section. Two saxophone players, Jeff Phillips and Dan Smith line up alongside Ben Datin on trumpet and Andy Pilcher on Trombone. The overall blend of sounds produces a musical style unlike anything else you will hear in the Tampa area. 

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“We’d describe ourselves as a ska band with a heavy metal drummer,” said Rochford. 

The various members of the band come from all over the Bay area including Palm Harbor and New Port Richey. Although predominantly a ska band, the members have a diverse musical background and site influence from Billy Joel to Reel Big Fish, 1930’s big bands to heavy metal, reggae to jazz and Queen to Lady Gaga

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So how do seven musicians from such different backgrounds find common musical ground?  

“It just fell together,” said Smith, “We click.” 

Understandably, there was a period of adjustment, but the band soon found its groove and quickly set about stamping its mark on the local music scene. 

“The first two months were the hardest,” explained Giordano. 

The band's name was originally derived from "Untitled Noel Rochford Band", a working title for the project during its inception. Since then the band has kept the name but say the meaning can be anything people want it to be and they always welcome new suggestions.  

“You can make up your own acronym,” said Phillips. 

The band recently took to the stage at Undergrounds in Tarpon Springs where all seven members somehow squeezed onto the stage and thoroughly entertained the audience that had packed into the coffee house. 

On stage, the band clearly enjoy themselves and this passion for performing along with the fun they have doing it becomes infectious. Even in a relatively small venue like Undergrounds the energy from the stage captivated the crowd. 

Each member of the band seems utterly at ease both with their instrument and their performance. Being so comfortable and confident in what they do, the band seems totally relaxed when playing, and this gives their shows a fun element which quickly spreads to their audience. 

In just a year, the band has already accomplished a great deal. An EP was recorded earlier this year and they embarked on their first tour earlier this summer. They also took the grand prize at the South East Regional Pigfest Battle of the Bands held in Tallahasse as well as performing at some of the region's biggest festivals. 

So what does the future hold for this rapidly ascending seven-piece? 

“We’d like to shoot a music video,” said Allaire. 

“And record a full length album,” added Rochford. 

Having achieved so much in such a short space of time it seems likely that both the video and album will soon become a reality. 

For more details on the band visit www.unrbmusic.com

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