We here at thePULSE are committed to giving local bands who are just under the radar, who haven’t quite broken through yet, a little push. There’s a catch, though ~ we’ll only feature a band if they first nominate a band for the next issue, and so on. So check out this section to read more about some talented musicians who might just be the next big thing!

Singuya
By Bobby Hankinson

“This is the year of Singuya, we’re taking over,” declares Singuya singer/guitarist Brian Bigtime Boomhowa (born Brian Bauer). Even with eight months to go, Bauer, along with his bandmates Joey Explosive and Mikey Hits, are off to a good start.

Formed in 2003 as a way to explore other genres outside the punk rock scene, the band is now making noise with their funk-infused alt. rock ~ reminiscent of Sublime ~ and their party-loving attitudes.

“We’re all a bunch of friggin’ clowns,” says Bauer. “Humor is a big part of the show.”

Filthy rap songs, love-making speeches and of course a few covers represent just a taste of the humor Singuya infuses into their shows. But it’s Bauer’s banter with the crowd that keeps the audience on its toes. “I really like to f—- with the audience; it’s my punk rock side coming out,” Bauer continues before adding, “It’s in a good sense of humor way.”

Singuya isn’t just about dirty jokes and cheap laughs, however. More bass-driven than solo-based, the band’s music mixes elements of funk, punk, hard blues and some Operation Ivy-esque ska. Their eclectic sound is sure to strike a chord in almost anyone. Bauer says they crowd always finds something they like within their set. “Everyone has a different favorite song.”

While the band dabbles in funk and, as Bauer puts it, “…jamband hippies and stuff like that,” don’t expect lengthy jams at all of their shows. Bauer says the group tries to keep songs down to three minutes ~ but will jam out longer if they’re feeling it.

Lyrically, Singuya strives for more than the “typical breakup bullshit.” Tapping into some of the band members’ darker pasts, because, as Bauer claims, “…the past ten years have been hard on us,” songs touch on a wide variety of issues, including drug use. In fact, it was the formation of Singuya that helped some of its members get their lives straight. “We all stopped being losers in the last few years when Singuya started.”

Don’t worry about the boys too much now. They’re making their way around the area opening shows for The Franks, a mini-tour that includes gigs at Tammany Hall on April 19 and the Compound in Fitchburg on April 23.

“I go to lots of shows and there are only a few bands that really turn me on,” Bauer says. “It’s the bands having fun.”

Whether or not Singuya spends the rest of the year turning audiences on remains to be seen, but one thing can be sure ~ they’re going to be having a good time trying.