A group of 8th graders have combined their considerable musical talents to form Hit & Run, a reggae-influenced band that, in less than a year, has won two awards, cut a single and is currently shooting a music video. I don’t think the members of Led Zeppelin could say the same at age 14.
Friendship, dedication and perseverance have made the band successful.
“Everybody gets along well,” said Colin Martin, drummer, “and we all like similar kinds of music. Sublime is our favorite band.”
Colin and his twin sister Ciara started playing and singing together a few years ago with their friend, guitarist Christian Camacho. This year, they recruited bassist Alex Gutierrez-Kovner and guitarist Bryant Mohan and took on the name Hit & Run.
“We practice three times a week in our basement,” said Colin. Mohan added, “It’s a lot of hard work but I want the band to succeed. Everything is falling into place.”
This past weekend they cut their first single in a local recording studio. It’s an original ska-influenced song written by Camacho called “Don’t Look Back.”
“It’s about someone that went through heartbreak,” said Camacho, “about getting over it and staying strong.”
During shows, the band performs four original compositions and covers bands like Sublime and The Ramones. They have a semi-regular gig at the Eagle Rock All-Star Lanes. They also played the Verdugo Skate Park Equinox festival, taking home first place in the Battle of the Bands. They also won Best Band at the Rosemont Talentpalooza.
Though they are still a new band, they aren’t affected by nerves.
“I feed off the energy of the crowd,” said bassist Alex Gutierrez-Kovner. “I’m the one that takes his shirt off at every show.”
“Alex keeps the kids laughing and having fun,” said Colin and Ciara’s dad, Derrick Martin.
“Singing is something I love to do,” said Ciara, “I never see myself giving up on this.” Colin agreed. “I don’t want a real job,” he said, “I want this to be my job. But for now, the best part of being in a band is having a tight group of friends.”
You can see Hit & Run at a special performance in support of independent music stores on Sunday, June 26th at 3:00 p.m. at , 2916 Foothill Blvd. in La Crescenta.
