Streetsounds

Sounds of the Philly music scene

The Anchor Boys

Starting off as friends in different bands and solo acts, four-piece rock band The Anchor Boys finally decided to come together and begin making music of their own. Taking a blend of rock and pop punk, the band still keeps things fast and loud. They want to get across a different message from the bands they played with before, members said.

“We are just trying to bring back the music of our youth,” drummer Joe Kearney said. “We want to make songs that remind of us of the music we grew up with.”

“It’s really all about having fun. We’re not trying to be tough or anything we just want to make it about having a good time,” added bassist Rob Marcial.

This message ultimately translates over to their music. Their song “Red, White, and Labatty Blue” carries a fast-paced upbeat tempo, making it lively and instantly catchy.

The Anchor Boys started off as a two-piece band, with Aaron Ditro and Colin James Shawcross making acoustic tunes with vocals and guitar. A few months later, the band grew to include Kearney on drums and vocals and Marcial on bass.

Right now, The Anchor Boys are doing small tours on the weekends in the Northeast. They will be playing at the Real Life Café in Bridesburg this Friday.

The band is not currently signed to a record label.

“We’re approaching labels now and putting ourselves out there,” Marcial said. With the band’s debut album expected to be released in early February and plans for a summer tour along the East Coast, the labels may find them.

This relatively young band is starting to reach their full potential. And if they stick to “having a good time,” The Anchor Boys could be an all-around fun addition to the growing music scene of the city.

Stephen Kimmerly can be reached at stephen.kimmerly@temple.edu.