The George Washington University trio Bottles/Cans fits the very definition of a College Rock Band. At home in dingy clubs and smoky bars, they have no qualms about cranking up the volume all the way to 11 and embracing the defiant spirit of rock- for as long as their finances will allow.
The three members, who began playing together during college, cited various musical influences. Drummer Brendan Polmer is a huge jazz enthusiast and does some occasional jazz drumming. Singer/bassist Zach Pentel remarked that the band listens to its fair share of Fleetwood Mac, “We go through phases, but Rumors gets played just about every day,” he said. Singer/guitarist Kevin Eskowitz, a Houston, Texas, native, has a penchant for classic rock, especially southern rock. Although the band shrugs off any particular labels, Eskowitz’s musical influences definitely come through in the band’s songs. Tracks like, “Shotgun Sam,” and “Tabitha Calhoun,” are infused with that Southern restlessness and rebellion that make you want to skip town with nothing but your girl and a pack of smokes.
For the upcoming year, Bottles/Cans plans to bring their straight-up rock ‘n’ roll to colleges across the Northeast. Eskowitz feels it’s finally time for the boys to go on tour, “We’ve found our niche as a live band,” he says. Drummer Brendan Polmer seconded these feelings explaining, “I like the smaller clubs better. They’re much more intimate – you can connect with your audience,” Eskowitz echoed his earlier sentiment, “we just like playing for a live audience.” Still, the band wishes to record an album, as all bands do. Although they’ve made some, “pretty mediocre recordings,” in the past, this has not diminished their desire to make an EP and secure a record deal. Eskowitz concluded our interview expressing his determination for the band to find success, “We really just want to stay together as long as possible.” Hopefully Bottles/Cans will be able to gain the kind of hype on-campus that has helped other GW bands like Jukebox the Ghost find the means to tour and record. [Cellar Magazine]
