SEPTEMBER 6, 2021
Written By Autumn Martin
Photos by Karalyn Hope
IN THE WAKE OF SATURDAY, COASTING ON POTENTIAL SAYS FAREWELL TO FANS AT THEIR FINAL SHOW
PHOTO BY KARALYN HOPE
After seven years of being a band, Coasting On Potential say goodbye to their fans by performing one last show in their hometown of Binghamton NY. On August 21st, the band said farewell by putting together a local show with other local musicians- Rude World, Stay Off The Fence, and Second Suitor. The show took place at a new downtown bar called The Cave; an underground bar with glowing walls, a dance floor, and round stage, but for all types of music and many heavy bands have already played there. Punks can form a pit around a light-up dance floor underneath a disco ball and listen to punk-rock/metal music if they want, too. (Although, the light-up dance floor was of course also being used.) It was a fun night filled with a variety of great, local music, and the venue filled up with more and more people as the night went on until Coasting On Potential played for the last time.
PHOTO BY KARALYN HOPE
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Rude World opened the show and set the tone for the rest of the night. Known for mostly playing house shows and skate parks, Rude World took the stage ready to perform to a bar crowd and friends their “garage-punk”, grunge style of music. The band formed at the end of 2019, and released their first and self-titled album in 2020. Members of the band are Jimmy Dyer who sings, guitarist Derek Galla, bassist Trey Peterson, and Eli Shephard on drums. Their music sounds like it’s influenced by bands like Green Day and Nirvana, but mixed with a more straight rock and roll sound.
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During their set, they mostly played songs from their album, but also had a guest vocalist who sang songs he wrote with the band. The second singer is a rapper, who goes by the name of RatWorm Lung, who brought a Rage Against the Machine aspect to Rude World with their already 90’s/early 2000’s alternative rock sound.
What Rude World started with ramping up the crowd, Stay Off The Fence continued. Stay Off the Fence are another recently formed band, with a unique sound of garage rock music to the local scene. Their music is full of loud drums and guitar riffs. It’s an ageless sound that would have blended into the music of the 70’s, and is greatly enjoyed by their young listeners today.
Stay Off The Fence is a two piece- only guitar and drums, played by brothers Tom and Mike Cataldo, respectively. Not long ago, the band released their album “Bring It Back Home” during this Summer of 2021, and most songs were played that night at The Cave.
Immediately, even before playing, singer and guitarist Tom called people around the bar to the stage to form a bigger crowd, and had a welcoming energy as people were filing to the front. They started their set with their lead single, “Can’t Find My Way Back Home”, and showed everyone just how energetic they can be and how big their sound can fill up a room, despite being only two members. Halfway through their set, everyone was jumping along with the singer, who had amazing frontman energy showing his enthusiasm for entertaining an audience. Stay Off The Fence is a guaranteed time to have fun, and watch two brothers jam out together- a cathartic energy that naturally transferred to the crowd.
What Rude World started with ramping up the crowd, Stay Off The Fence continued. Stay Off the Fence are another recently formed band, with a unique sound of garage rock music to the local scene. Their music is full of loud drums and guitar riffs. It’s an ageless sound that would have blended into the music of the 70’s, and is greatly enjoyed by their young listeners today.
Stay Off The Fence is a two piece- only guitar and drums, played by brothers Tom and Mike Cataldo, respectively. Not long ago, the band released their album “Bring It Back Home” during this Summer of 2021, and most songs were played that night at The Cave.
Immediately, even before playing, singer and guitarist Tom called people around the bar to the stage to form a bigger crowd, and had a welcoming energy as people were filing to the front. They started their set with their lead single, “Can’t Find My Way Back Home”, and showed everyone just how energetic they can be and how big their sound can fill up a room, despite being only two members. Halfway through their set, everyone was jumping along with the singer, who had amazing frontman energy showing his enthusiasm for entertaining an audience. Stay Off The Fence is a guaranteed time to have fun, and watch two brothers jam out together- a cathartic energy that naturally transferred to the crowd.
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The next band, Second Suitor, turned up the night’s positive energy even more so with a fast and upbeat set. This pop-punk band has three members, Tyler Reed who plays guitar and sings, their bassist James Pilipovic, and Micah Neiss on drums. On theme with the rest of the night’s performances, Second Suitor played their songs with the highest energy levels and songs they know make people happy that perfectly represents their pop-punk sound (except for a bit of Incendiary’s “Root of All Evil” used as an intro).
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From the moment Second Suitor stepped on stage, the audience knew they were going to have a fun time. As the sound of feedback and a hard, bouncy drum beat began, the crowd went crazy and started to dance. It was evident that people were very aware of the band’s music with how they danced to every beat and screamed back all the lyrics. During the second song of their set called “Heck Fest” off their “Super Duper” EP that came out during 2020, which is about dealing with daily life’s difficulties and getting high, it was so fun to hear the crowd chant “hey” and pump their fists in the air with the backup vocals provided by Micah and James.
The next two songs were, “Get It” and “I’m Not Listening”, off the band’s 2018 EP called “Safe Space”, and the audience were jumping around more than they had all night. Afterwards, James proclaimed how great it was to see people smiling and having fun because of them after not being able to perform for a crowd in so long.
Only a few more songs were played, then Second Suitor finished their set with a new unreleased song called “Born To Play”. Before the last song, Tyler dedicates it to all musicians who were there, and who are lucky enough to be doing what they love and also have a burning passion to play music like himself. The statement earned a loud cheer from everyone, and all cheered for them once more as their last song of the night ended.
Second Suitor is a band who everyone should see live because they are immensely fun to listen to and watch perform. Everyone in the band is very expressive while they play. They have great stage presence, especially Tyler as a frontman who will jump as high as possible while playing guitar among many other crazy things. The band is also constantly engaging with the crowd and with each other, making every performance really fun and welcoming.
The next two songs were, “Get It” and “I’m Not Listening”, off the band’s 2018 EP called “Safe Space”, and the audience were jumping around more than they had all night. Afterwards, James proclaimed how great it was to see people smiling and having fun because of them after not being able to perform for a crowd in so long.
Only a few more songs were played, then Second Suitor finished their set with a new unreleased song called “Born To Play”. Before the last song, Tyler dedicates it to all musicians who were there, and who are lucky enough to be doing what they love and also have a burning passion to play music like himself. The statement earned a loud cheer from everyone, and all cheered for them once more as their last song of the night ended.
Second Suitor is a band who everyone should see live because they are immensely fun to listen to and watch perform. Everyone in the band is very expressive while they play. They have great stage presence, especially Tyler as a frontman who will jump as high as possible while playing guitar among many other crazy things. The band is also constantly engaging with the crowd and with each other, making every performance really fun and welcoming.
PHOTO BY KARALYN HOPE
Coasting On Potential formed in 2014, and have been constantly playing music in the Binghamton area for the past seven years, but their music has reached an audience in more than just their hometown. The members of the band are Justin DiTommaso (vocalist), Nathaniel Pecson (guitar), Matt Maione (guitar), Jon Shackelton (bass), and Tom Towner (drums) who will be missed as a group together, but will hopefully continue making music.
When the New York metalcore/rock group came on stage for their final time playing, the crowd cheered and chanted their name. By this time, the bar was filled up the most it was all night, and everyone was clearly there to say goodbye to Coasting on Potential, and rock out with them one last time.
When the New York metalcore/rock group came on stage for their final time playing, the crowd cheered and chanted their name. By this time, the bar was filled up the most it was all night, and everyone was clearly there to say goodbye to Coasting on Potential, and rock out with them one last time.
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For their last show, they incorporated songs from all their EPs: their first EP that came out in 2015 called “Onwards and Upwards”, ”Surrounded by Myself” from 2017, and “All That I’ve Lost” which came out last year in 2020. Coasting On Potential hadn’t played a show since February of 2019, so it was the first time playing all the songs from the last EP live since it was released. They may not have had a huge discography of music, but Coasting On Potential has been very impactful for the local heavy music scene.
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The band’s impact shows by watching their audience react to their live music. By the third song of the set, “9th Street Paradise”, everyone was going crazy and screaming every word. Coasting On Potential assertively took over the stage like they weren’t ever going to stop. Not only did they play their heavy, serious songs but also fun songs everyone could sing along to.
About halfway through the set, Coasting On Potential brought out their original members, Justin Lindenthaler and Dan Calderone, who helped form the band in 2014. Paying tribute to the band’s roots and their start, Justin and Dan joined in to play two songs off their first EP “Burning Bridges” and “Don’t Remember Me”. Tyler Reed of Second Suitor also came back out to do guest vocals for the song he’s featured on called “Onwards and Upwards”.
About halfway through the set, Coasting On Potential brought out their original members, Justin Lindenthaler and Dan Calderone, who helped form the band in 2014. Paying tribute to the band’s roots and their start, Justin and Dan joined in to play two songs off their first EP “Burning Bridges” and “Don’t Remember Me”. Tyler Reed of Second Suitor also came back out to do guest vocals for the song he’s featured on called “Onwards and Upwards”.
PHOTO BY KARALYN HOPE
After their heavy, deeply emotional song “In Misery”, singer Justin announced they were about to play their last song ever. Jon says that it has finally hit him that it was truly the last night of playing Coasting on Potential music, and the rest of the band nodded in agreement. It was then like the band and audience secretly made a deal to make the last song one to remember because it turned into the most hectic part of the night. For their final song, they played a fan-favorite “First and Foremost”. Of course the singing and screaming, jumping and dancing continued, the moshing intensified, and crowd-surfing from their fans and a few of the band members began. None of their fans wanted the song to end, but unfortunately it had to and the band left with a “thank you” note on a guitar and walked away as a group for the last time
Coasting On Potential had an amazing final performance. It was one of the best performances that they’ve had, and they left the scene on a high. Putting together a show like this, with a variety of music from other local bands, was a great way to end their career as a band.
If you’re looking for similar music, members of Coasting On Potential Jon and Tom play in a band called Guilt In Bloom.
Be sure to continue listening to the other bands who opened, who are all fairly new, and will definitely have much more to offer. Everyone’s music is available for streaming on spotify.
If you’re looking for similar music, members of Coasting On Potential Jon and Tom play in a band called Guilt In Bloom.
Be sure to continue listening to the other bands who opened, who are all fairly new, and will definitely have much more to offer. Everyone’s music is available for streaming on spotify.
