College Rock 101: The Gamecocks Top 10

Death of Paris, Kingslyn, CherryCase among unsigned Columbia acts earning honors for musicianship, originality

1. Full Color Footage
From the first note on Full Color Footage’s EP, “Tough Luck, Kid,” one can’t help but stand up and take notice.

After only a year together, the band has managed to find a plethora of fans in the Columbia area, as well as in other areas of the state. The individual talent of every member is a huge part of what makes Full Color Footage deserving of the name “Best Local Band.” Guitarist Jeremiah Negron finds ways to use his guitar that set his riffs apart from the group while managing to meld perfectly into each and every song. Bassist Scott Smith and drummer Matt Crumpton provide the perfect accompanying rhythm to Mario McClean’s soaring vocals and challenging piano melodies, but not once does the sound of the bass or the drums get lost in the beat. With musical prowess, upbeat and energetic live shows and a down-to-earth attitude that Full Color Footage brings to Columbia’s music scene, they won’t be local for long.

2. Death of Paris
Death of Paris, born from the breakup of well-known Columbia band This Machine Is Me, worked since day one to build its grassroots fan base. Not many bands can say they’ve had as much success and coverage in 18 months as Death of Paris. The hard-working band is not short on talent either. One of the founding members and vocalist Jayna Doyle has an amazing voice, and when combined with second founding member and guitarist Blake Arambula’s musical genius, the result is nothing short of spectacular.

3. Kingslyn
Former Marry a Thief vocalist Erich Skelton brings both his passion and incredible voice into his newest project, Kingslyn. With extremely talented musicians Scooter Fowler and Matt Bundrick, paired with lyrics that manage to be both personal and relatable, Kingslyn has plenty of staying power. Skelton’s vocals sound so much like Nate Ruess’, formally of The Format and currently of fun., it’s uncanny. Fans of both bands can really get behind the indie pop rock of Kingslyn, whose sound is a complex and unforgettable blend of country and pop rock.

4. Sing Sing 76
Spartanburg-native band Sing Sing 76, while not originally from Columbia, has graced the capital with its sweet pop rock tunes many times since its formation in 2007. Lead vocalist and guitarist Thomas Keim, guitarist and backing vocalist Dylan Cobden, drummer Scott Kittel and bassist Devin Burnett work together to create the band’s self-titled and self-produced EP. From the first song, “Saint of Saints,” Keim’s vocals catch the listener’s attention and don’t let go throughout the entire record. With sing-along hooks and high energy, the unsigned band has carved out its own place in both the upstate and the rest of South Carolina’s music scene.

5. CherryCase
With the release of its largely-acoustic album, “Change,” in early November, CherryCase solidified its place in Columbia’s music scene. During a packed release show, lead singer Jake Etheridge proved that CherryCase deserves its extensive and loyal fan base. Etheridge’s heartfelt and honest lyrics add to the band’s smooth sound, leading to an obvious and accurate comparison to Chris Carrabba of Dashboard Confessional.

6. kemp ridley
USC-based kemp ridley has made a name for itself both on campus and in Columbia’s music scene since its formation, when the members – who are all currently juniors – were starting out their freshman year. Vocalist Cayla Fralick’s voice sets the group apart from the typical indie pop band. Her range alone puts many mainstream pop singers to shame, and despite the band’s insistence that they simply play music for fun, the fivesome’s pure talent indicates a bright future ahead.

7. Charming Hala
Charming Hala, featuring Columbia music scene veteran Don Russo, is an indie rock four-piece from the Blythewood area. The group’s new self-titled album, released in December of 2010, features an alternative rock sound that keeps fans wanting more. From the beginning, the mellow sound is somewhat akin to Cold play. But later in the record, with songs such as “How Is the Weather?” and “She Keeps Me Hanging On,” the band takes on a fast-paced and captivating tone that distinguishes it from similar groups.

8. Octopus Jones
Octopus Jones, while from Myrtle Beach, recently stole the show at New Brookland Tavern’s Battle of the Bands, which concluded in late November. The group took home the grand prize of $2,000, and rightfully so. Though the members originally met at Coastal Carolina, one member of the five, Chris Wilson, is a biology student at USC. The band’s experimental rock sound is a unique blend of instrumentals and melodic vocals that definitely keep listeners on their toes.

9. A Brighter Life
Though A Brighter Life has only been together since May of 2010, it has already formed a solid fan base in the Columbia area with catchy pop-punk tunes. With a little more pop than punk influence, A Brighter Life draws the vocal styles and song structures of bands like All Time Low, The Maine and Hit The Lights. In such a short period of time, vocalist Jordan Kirk, guitarists Byron Dooley and Alex Koss, bassist/vocalist Christopher Cousins and drummer Chris Sieferlein have created a memorable sound. A Brighter Life will release a self-titled EP on Jan. 19 at New Brookland Tavern.

10. Do Your Worst
Do Your Worst, a pop-punk foursome, including vocalist Kevin Winch, bassist Brett Pickert, drummer Colin Morrell and guitarist Cameron Morrell, released an EP in October entitled “Take the Current.” Winch is a secondary education graduate student, and Pickert is a fifth-year sports and entertainment management student at USC. The band’s classically punk sound, while a little rough to the ears at first, is an intense blend of heavily distorted guitar riffs and gang vocals reminiscent of pop-punk bands like Four Year Strong. Do Your Worst is one of Columbia’s most fun-loving and exciting bands.