The Tonawanda-based rock and indie band This Day & Age will say goodbye Saturday at a farewell concert at Club Infinity. The concert will mark the end of their five-year run, during which they produced two successful CDs and traveled as far as Japan to perform.
The members, Steve Padin (drums/vocals), Jeff Martin (vocals/guitar), Joey Secchiaroli (bass/vocals), Mike Carroll (guitar) and Kelly Sciandra (keyboards), first came together in 2001 after meeting through mutual friends.
After playing at local gigs around Western New York for about a year, their first big break came after a show in Rochester, which caught the attention of the Orlando-based recording company One Eleven Records.
"The label was just beginning then, and a girl working for the label lived in Rochester," Martin said. "She was friends with another label and she really liked the show, so the guy came up to Buffalo and watched us play."
After putting together an independent label, "Start Over On Monday," the group signed a contract in 2002, leaving the rest to history.
They recorded the pop-driven CD "Always Leave the Ground" in 2004, and a more ambient, Indie rock album called "The Bell and the Hammer" in August 2006. Both disks fuse together a broad range of tastes and ideas.
"We never want to force anything, we never sit down and think this has to be different," Martin said. "We're all Christians, and I like the lyrics. With that being a huge part of my life, I think it comes through."
Martin admitted it was a bit unexpected to go from being a local band from Buffalo to being compared to big name groups such as Death Cab for Cutie, Coldplay, Radiohead and Copeland. They were able to distinguish themselves with an energetic stage presence.
"We always strive to do something a little different and unique," Martin said. "Especially lately, our live shows are completely different. If you haven't seen our band in the last couple of months, it's our CD, plus. It's a lot more exciting and dynamic."
For the guys in the group, music has been a passion ever since their garage band days of high school. They were fortunate enough to be playing in front of friends and family and then achieve their dream of jetting around the world to perform.
"I was in a couple bands before This Day & Age in High School," Martin said. "I remember I'd just be playing in my basement and imagining playing in front of people. It's weird when your dream actually happens."
With the demanding lifestyle of traveling with the band, promotion mishaps, obscure locations and creative pressures, This Day & Age will officially enter into an indefinite hiatus. But as they take a step back from music, they admit it won't be easy.
"I associate myself with This Day & Age," Martin said. "I've been with them for almost six years. It's like breaking up with a serious girlfriend times ten."
In a bittersweet ending, the group will come full circle, performing a celebration of five years' worth of experiences and emotions in Buffalo at Club Infinity Saturday Nov. 4.
This Day & Age performs as a part of the "I am 111 Tour 2006," which will also feature Rookie of the Year, Inkwell and Rory. The event kicks off at 6 p.m. and is open to all ages with a cover charge of $5.
