By Alex Kantarelis

Sometimes, I write about bands that are supposed to be Up and Comers, but in reality, they’ve been together for five years, releasing a new album every year. Perhaps those bands are Up and Comers to a new audience, or because they are getting bigger than they were before. Singer and guitarist Sean McGorty, originally of the band Clear the Way, has started a new rock band, Minka, and is ready to bring it to the next level. Minka is a new project that is totally fresh and ready to play its first show later this month. It is truly up and coming.

Minka got its start about a year ago, with a few simple jam sessions. All of the members have played in previous bands and took that experience to their practices.

“Everyone’s been low-key for a long time, but now we’re trying to put something out,” McGorty said. Guitarist Wayne Winslow met up with drummer Eric Wilkinson, and after a few jam sessions, invited McGorty to join them on vocals. McGorty also took on bass duties, but as the song-writing process started, they realized he was a better fit on guitar. After a few months of trying out different guys on bass, they were joined by Ike Efthimiou to round out the lineup.

The guys bring their various musical styles and influences together at practice to form their sound, which is similar to the Foo Fighters. Winslow is influenced by technical guitarists like Buckethead and typically starts the song-writing process by coming into practice with a new riff.

“When Wayne brings in a riff, we just jam it out, and it becomes something completely different,” said McGorty, who is a big fan of Van Halen but also likes the alternative rock sound of Brand New and draws influence from a variety of rock bands. Meanwhile, Wilkinson is a big fan of Rush and plays with Neil Pert-levels of intensity (yes, I just used Neil Pert as an adjective). This songwriting formula has really made them mesh together as musicians.

The quartet focused on its music for so long that before anyone knew it, there were 26 songs. The group records all its practices and had hundreds of takes of songs put down. After they went back and listened to what they had, the guys consolidated everything into one big list.

“We picked through all of our songs. And we narrowed it down to 16 tracks. From there, we’ll bring it down to 12, or whatever our set will be,” McGorty said. Minka’s first show, with the Organ Beats and My New Disaster, is set for March 30 at Ralph’s Diner in Worcester.

After the first show, Minka already has shows lined up for April and May and will play throughout the state this summer before hitting the studio to record its first EP.

“We could go in and record a record right now, but we thought it would be cool to go in and do something different,” McGorty said.

Look for Minka at a show near you throughout the summer and definitely keep your eyes out for the EP. I have a feeling it’s going to be great.

For more information, visit facebook.com/minkarocks.