Unsigned Spotlight: The Bronze Age
Raleigh, North Carolina trio The Bronze Age delivers an assertive brand of alternative rock. With elements ebbing in from post-hardcore and emo, the band cites Alexisonfire, Finch and Thursday as influences. The 00's vibe is evident, with the band's audible amalgam of cascading guitars, heart-rendering lyricism and soaring injections of melody.
Please list all of your band members and their roles in the band.
Jesse Puchalski- Lead vocals/Guitar
Casey Allen- Drums/Vocals
Mike Evans- Bass
For starters, what bands were you guys a part of prior to The Bronze Age? How long has the band been around?
Jesse- I’ve been in quite a few bands, growing up I played guitar in a band called Your Name In Vain for a bit, and a hardcore band called TakeHeart.
Casey- I was in Embracing Goodbye, Season & Snare, and I’m currently in HeartMouth.
Mike- I played with TakeHeart for a brief period as well and also played with a band called Abstract Manner.
Jesse- I started this band about 4 years ago and we’ve really been going hard for the last 2 years building a fan base and writing/recording a good bit of music and playing as many shows as possible.
What’s the origin of that name and have you changed the band’s name before?
Jesse- I wish there was a cooler story behind the name, but there isn’t. It was a name that was brought up and it seemed to stick and fit our style so we went with it. We’ve always been The Bronze Age since I started the project and we’ve never had a change of heart for the name of the band.
Who writes your songs? What are the main themes or topics for most of your songs and do you think these topics will change over time?
Jesse- musically the songs mostly start with either an intro riff or a chorus that I’ll track whenever I get an idea, from there we take it into Casey’s home studio and start building the song as a band while we demo it out. Once we’ve got a pretty good grip we take it to our producer Nik Bruzzese and fine detail it all, with lyrics I kind of write a few lines based on how the song makes me feel and we start building from there.
Our songs tend to lean into the battles that anyone can face on a daily basis and sometimes they’re written from my point of view with what I’ve been through in my life. We usually try to stick to happy outcomes and overcoming these defeats but sometimes it goes the other way. As far as topics changing, with what’s happening in todays climate I think we’ve got a lot left to say.
What bands are currently inspiring the music that you’re making?
Jesse- I think for me, Foo Fighters, Alexisonfire, and thrice would be the big 3. Those bands just captured me as a writer from a very young age. There’s just something about those bands that inspires me.
Casey- I honestly don’t listen to much rock, and I think that helps me write in a free and unbiased way when writing for The Bronze Age. I listen to a lot of Maggie Rogers, Dermot Kennedy, Noah Kahan, Matt Maeson, etc.
Mike- I listen to a lot of the same stuff I listened to when I was a kid in middle school and high school like Thrice, Taking Back Sunday, STP, KISS, Limp Bizkit etc.
Was there a particular band/artist or concert that inspired you to start a band?
Jesse- I saw Bruce Springsteen with my dad when I was about 15 and it changed my life, just seeing a Rock N Roll band play for 3 hours blew my mind. I knew it was something that was going to be a part of my life forever.
Casey- I grew up in a thriving local music scene…you could pack 800-1000 people in a venue for a random local show with no national acts or touring bands on any given weekend. Those bands and that scene taught me how to give my all into every performance, no matter how big or small.
Mike- KISS is a big one for sure. The Ramones also played a big part in me playing music growing up. There’s so many bands that have impacted me through the years to be inspired to play music and keep going but those two are massive for sure.
What do you do to prepare for a show? Any flexing, exercises, etc …
Jesse- I’m pretty sure I should do some stretches and vocal warmups but I don’t. I always get my mind right and have a beer, it seems to work out ok.
Casey- This is a recent thing, but I’m having to spend a lot more time stretching and working out before shows because of my stupid back/hip problems lol
Mike- I usually go to the bar and have a couple of drinks to get pretty loose and then I’ll stretch and try to laugh and joke around a little bit to lighten the mood. Just keep everything light and have some fun.
What has been the biggest highlight of the band’s career so far?
Jesse- I’d have to say the biggest highlight has been working with Nik. He’s such a natural part of the process and has been from day one working with him at The Gradwell House. He really becomes a part of what we’re doing and we know he cares about it just as much we do. That can be a little difficult to find sometimes but I’d say we’re pretty lucky to have The Big KAT to work with.
If you could tour with any bands, past or present, who would they be and why?
Jesse- Foo Fighters has always been the big dream for me, but also Alexisonfire cause they’re so sick!
Casey- Celine Dion, because are you kidding me
MIke- KISS, it’s the greatest show on earth. I would love to have been able to see what the Seattle scene was like in the 90’s and play some shows with those bands.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
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