Hicksville's NGHBRS creates a buzz
NGHBRS didn't plan on starting an international sensation. It just turned out that way.
The Hicksville-based rockers thought building the video for their new song "Hold Up Girl" around Instagram videos would attract some attention.
"We thought it would create a small buzz around the rock scene," says singer-keyboardist Ian Kenny. "Then, it took on this weird, revolutionary vibe. When Instagram posted it, it was surreal."
"That was the 'Holy crap!' moment," adds drummer Jordan Schneider, who edited the video.
The "Hold Up Girl" video features the band -- Kenny, Schneider, guitarist Thomas Fleischmann and bassist Eric Vivelo -- in many meme-worthy situations all posted into an Instagram feed.
Schneider says the whole process took about "two months of madness. Ian had the idea, and I do video editing, so I turned the idea into reality," he says. "We thought it was crazy, but it would be impressive if we pulled it off."
NGHBRS pulled it off. Not only did the video get attention, but the band's catchy debut "Twenty One Rooms" (Paper + Plastick) was getting noticed. Schneider says NGHBRS hopes to build on the momentum with a string of CMJ Music Marathon shows, as well as a show at Even Flow in Bay Shore.
"We want to build the best team around the band," Kenny says. "We want people who will take the fire we started and spread it around."
NGHBRS play the CMJ Music Marathon -- at The Paper Box, 17 Meadow St., Brooklyn, 10 p.m. Thursday, and Sullivan Hall, 214 Sullivan St., Manhattan, 7 p.m. Friday. They play Even Flow Bar and Grill, 150 E. Main St., Bay Shore, 7 p.m. Sunday.
