LEONARDTOWN, Md. – On September 7, HydraFX will take to the stage at The REX Theatre in Leonardtown. The band is celebrating the release of their debut original album, Here & Now. HydraFX is Greg Barrick on vocals and guitar, Justin Myles on drums, Sean Postanowicz on bass, and Wally Ivanov on guitar.
“This band has been going for over 20 years,” Barrick said. “We started it back in high school. Some of the members have come and gone, but this core group has been fans of each other and playing together on other projects for more than 15 years. We’ve been the same band for 3 years, and this group at the REX is the same as on the album.”
HydraFX has long been a cover band with an eclectic set list. Artists in the band’s repertoire nclude classics like Ben E. King and Otis Redding, as well as contemporaries such as Imagine Dragons and Post Malone. The band likes to learn songs that move them, Barrick said.
“We like to pick songs that we can put our spin and signature twist on, and we like feel-good songs,” he said. “We used to just do covers, but now we’re starting to put our original songs first.”
Here & Now is HydraFX’s first foray into original music. The album includes ten songs and runs for about an hour according to Barrick.
“There’s hints of everything on there,” Barrick said when asked about the album’s influences and inspirations. “It’s got sounds of Incubus, Sublime, and System of a Down; there’s Latin influences, a little Allen Stone, and touches of Pink Floyd, but it’s uniquely us.”Barrick is a full-time musician and spends a good deal of time on the road. He says the excite-ment of the audience and the love of music keeps him going.
“I enjoy playing to new audiences,” Barrick said. “That’s what keeps you going. We love win-ning crowds over and spreading positivity.” Barrick says the band chose The REX because it’s a large venue close to home, but also because The REX and HydraFX have a friendly history.
“When they were just starting to get their beak wet with big shows,” Barrick said, “they booked our Nirvana-Foo Fighters tribute. We sold out in one day, scheduled another date, and then that sold out too. The REX has always been super kind and understanding about letting us grow our shows. I feel like we did it together.”
“Shout out to Joe at the REX!” Barrick added. “I’ve known him for more than 20 years and he always believed in us. Him and the entire team at the REX have been awesome (and they have ice-cold beer!)”
The HydraFX Album Release Party starts at 7:00 PM on September 7, 2024. Local bands Squid Inc. and Amateur Hour will open for HydraFX.
Tickets are available now at https://therextheatre.ticket-spice.com/hydrafx-album-release-show
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