Templeton-based rock band PK will co-headline a show with The Mighty Fine at Downtown Brew in San Luis Obispo on Friday at 7 p.m. The show will celebrate The Mighty Fine’s first CD release and PK promises a powerful performance at their hometown venue.
Since 2007, PK has slowly been trying a new music scene in California. Rooting from guitarist Matt Depauw and lead singer Travis Hawley, the group transformed from an after-school jam band to a complete ensemble, with Mikel Vankranenburg on bass, Nick Fotinakes on guitar and Kevin Menesez on drums.
“We were all friends at first and just ate SpaghettiOs and played video games after school. Then we started playing music, and I guess that’s where it started,” Fotinakes said.
After attending different colleges along the Central Coast and abroad, the members dropped out to continue building the band. While living in Santa Cruz in 2007 and struggling to find a place in music, the band decided to explore a different route toward success.
“We just said, ‘Screw this. We’ll just do it our own way.’ That’s when we decided to promote our shows by playing at high schools and bars and going up and meeting people instead of relying on other people and MySpace,” Fotinakes said.
That’s when the band said they began putting their own stamp on the music scene, endlessly promoting themselves, building relationships with other bands and garnering a strong fan base. Despite their efforts, however, they still noticed a lack of camaraderie between promoters, artists and fans. They said the connection was falling apart and profits outweighed the music itself.
“The promoters aren’t about the scene; they’ll just charge money. For the most part, they don’t care about who your band is or what you’re doing. They just want to charge a certain amount of money and get kids in there,” Fotinakes said.
To bridge the gap, the band decided to do all the dirty work themselves by calling the venues directly and scheduling shows with bands they chose. In doing so, PK is able to work with the venues to lower ticket prices with the promise of a larger turnout. So far, it seems to be working out.
By playing at high schools and interacting with the fans, the group has created a young, yet dedicated,
following. Earlier this year, the band’s CD release show sold out with more than 450 attendees.
“A venue will charge $10 for a show, and because of that, a lot of new bands aren’t being found,” Hawley said. “Our idea is that instead of charging $10 and get 20 kids at a show, we will charge half the price and get 40 kids to come.”
The band is not just relying on MySpace or Facebook; through newsletters, constant web updates, videos and thank-you barbecues, PK is keeping their supporters entertained and attached.
“They’re the people who are letting us do this. We absolutely understand that they’re the reason we’re here,” Hawley said.
PK has caught the attention of fans from high schools across the Central Coast to Cal Poly. Their Facebook and MySpace pages are filled with friendly comments and inside jokes from fans excited about their upcoming shows and music.
“The guys are super nice and very accessible to their fans. I like that they always respond to people on their Facebook page and get really excited over every single one of their fans,” communication studies sophomore Laura Ragsdale, said. “They aren’t just interested in making fans; they’re also interested in making friends.”
Falling into the upbeat pop-rock category — comparable to bands such as Bloc Party and The Kooks — the catchy sound boasts an energy-packed performance. However, energy is scarce to come by for struggling artists. For every successful show, there’s a smaller one with low numbers and a lack of connection with the audience.
“When the crowd is small, people become creatures that want to be hidden in the crowd,” Hawley said.
Yet, the band uses these experiences to fuel the ride. By teaming up with groups such as Picture Atlantic, Monster Eats the Pilot, and The Mighty Fine, the band is building relationships with bands across California, trading off headlines and CD-release shows.
“They’re hard-working bands who have the same mindset as us. A lot of bands have this rivalry that you’re all out for yourself. We’re trying to work together,” Fotinakes said.
PK’s alternative route to fame may be long, but the hard work, fan support and endless promotion may help them mold the California music scene, one performance, YouTube video or barbecue at a time.
“You can create a scene wherever you are, as long as there are people,” Fotinakes said.
Please Do Not Fight and Picture Atlantic will open for the two bands with the doors opening at 7 p.m. Pre-sale tickets are on sale for $6 at Boo Boo Records or ticketweb.com or can be purchased for $8 at the door.