The band Hellnaw has been making a riff through the Athens music community.
The band’s main men, Wren Fenton and Josh Wicker, began playing together at age 15 and 14, respectively, in Lima, Ohio.
Through the years they played for other groups until finally deciding to form their own new type of music, self-labeled as eclectic grit-funk.
“We were just sitting down one day after a concert and were trying to figure out what genre we were under, and I just came up with it,” said Fenton, the drummer of Hellnaw.
The two have had many adventures like having their car break down on the way to a concert and being finalists in Cincinnati’s and Columbus’ Battle of
The Bands.
When the pair reached campus — first Wicker then Wrenton — they played their first gig at Jackie O’s Pub and Brewery, 24 W. Union.
“We were really just lucky,” Wrenton said.
Ever since, the band has been a presence in Ohio’s music scene.
The band released a self-titled album in May and recently was ranked locally as number two on reverbnation.com behind the band Wheels on Fire.
“Album sales have been pretty steady; we sell about four or five a show. But we definitely noticed our new rank, and we are really excited,” Wicker said.
The album contains songs such as “Elephant,” which has striking electric guitar sounds and impacting percussion.
Tracks also include “Somebody,” a song with such attitude it must have been written about an ex-girlfriend (which it was).
“I work best when something is going on, when I’m in a bad mood, had a bad day, or something bad happened and my life just sucks. I can just sit down and let it out on paper,” Wicker said.
Hellnaw takes music very seriously and has been paid for many of its shows starting with its first paycheck of $30 three years after the band’s start.
As a result, Wicker and Wrenton are determined to pursue music as a career and make a living off their passion for playing music.
“There will always be the people who say you can’t do it or you need a backup plan, but you just can’t think like that,” Wicker said.
Hellnaw strives to produce a new, refreshing sound inspired by artists such as John Bonham, Les Claypool and Primus.
The band certainly has its own style that includes funky hats, a mascot manikin named Lucile and, at one point,
complete costumes.
“In the beginning we tried wearing stuff like a bullet-proof vest and a gas mask, but we decided to go for comfort and just stay true to ourselves and our style,” Wicker said.
The band also will incorporate some changes this year including new instruments, such as a didgeridoo and a saxophone.
The group also has two new songs that can be heard starting at 10 tonight at Casa Nueva, 4 W. State St.
“This show will be a defining one for us because of all the new stuff that’s going on. But, our shows are definitely rowdy and energetic and are always a lot of fun. People can just go there and let loose,” Wrenton said.
The show is $3 for anyone 21 and older and $5 for anyone younger than 21. Hellnaw will take the stage about midnight after The Trap Kings.
lf328610@ohiou.edu
