Avenida

I recently got a random anonymous email from a cell phone number who saw my email from reading this column. The email simply said that there was this band that they saw on this year’s Warped Tour that I should check out. The name of the band is Avenida, and upon giving them a listen, I thought they were pretty good. I mean, to be honest you won’t find their CD in my CD player, but I can see the kids loving this band. Songs like “Honor Betrayed,” “Sirens,” and “What We Believe” are extremely catchy and fully energetic. I can only imagine what their live show looks and sounds like.

Apparently, as people, the boys from Avenida are absolutely ridiculous! They constantly play pranks on each other leading many to believe that these guys don’t take their music careers too seriously! The truth is, as a band, Avenida are some of the hardest working musicians on the scene today. The boys have a handful of self-released EPs under their belt, which helped them land opening slots for bands like Madina Lake, Monty Are I, and Escape The Fate at venues like Starland Ballroom in Sayreville, NJ, School Of Rock in South Hackensack, NJ, and The Crocodile Rock Café in Allentown, PA, as well as earning a slot on New Jersey’s Warped Tour for the third year in a row. The members of Avenida have worked countless hours in their day jobs to finance their recordings along with a full merchandise line. With no backing, Avenida’s sold hundreds of EPs and has received tons of radio play from stations all over the tri-state area all on their own! The band is made of singer Andrew Padilla, guitarists and brothers Jeremy and Jon Bernstein, bassist Mike Payne, and drummer Tyler Gilbert.

They recently released their latest EP, Take Control, which delivers catchy riffs, skillful drumming, and vocals that fit what’s big right now in music. Their music has caught the attention of many, so you can expect to see Avenida on the road very soon! To find out where they’re playing locally or to hear what they sound like, log onto myspace.com/avenida. - Tim Louie of Aquarian Weekly

It's been quite the run for local band Avenida—from playing small shows to their performance at Vans Warped Tour last Sunday.

It started in 2003 as a half-serious idea between cousins Jeremy and Jon Bernstein, of Short Hills and Livingston respectively. Both were guitar players and rock aficionados.

"We just wanted to be in a band," said Jeremy.

With the help of a few friends, the band came to fruition in the summer of 2004. After rehearsing and writing four songs, they first performed on February 20, 2005, at a bar in Bethpage, N.Y.

After a round of shows in Livingston, Montclair and Brooklyn, Avenida began to take itself more seriously, replacing the original singer and bass player with current members Andrew Padilla of Ridgefield and Mike Payne of Livingston.

But it wasn't until March of 2007 when they won War for Warped Tour—a contest sponsored by AEG Live that gave nine local bands the chance to play at Vans Warped Tour—that any of the band members thought Avenida would go somewhere.

"We were a shitty senior high school band that knew how to play live," said Jon.

Though they hardly practiced, they had no trouble winning over fans and securing a spot on the Warped Tour bill, for August 5, 2007.

"Things just started to click," said Jon, who broke his leg during the set but kept playing.

In the next year, Avenida recorded its first EP, "Listen Close," and won War for Warped Tour again. Fame didn't go to the band's head, though. They continued to play local shows and at Millburn High School.

The only big change was the decision to replace their original drummer with Livingston High School rising senior Tyler Gilbert, who quit a small experimental rock group to join Avenida. His first show with Avenida was in August 2008, opening for Good Charlotte at Six Flags Great Adventure.

"I went from playing at Good Timez for no one to playing at Six Flags," said Gilbert.

With a different roster and a bigger fan base, the band decided they needed a new direction. They started by writing and recording a second EP, "Take Control," which was released on May 29, 2009, on iTunes. Then came the endorsements—Jon's by Gibson Guitar and Avenida's by All Star Music Academy—and another chance to play Warped, this time on a main stage.

Despite the opportunities and the free equipment, the band members insist that they're still all about the music.

"It's very satisfying to play something you've created and have people enjoy it," said Jeremy, to which Gilbert retorted, "I wrote that one in my diary last week."

The group's constant self-mockery is indicative of how strong the bonds of bandhood are. Constantly bantering, referencing inside jokes and making fun of each other, they're more brothers than coworkers.

"I love writing music with my best friends," said Jon. "It's like my way to breathe."

Looking towards the future, the band only hope for continued success. Avenida has a big show coming up on August 2 at School of Rock in South Hackensack, and they're in talks with a few record labels. They are also working on their first full-length album.

"We're complete jokesters," said Jeremy. "But when it comes to our music, we're serious."

http://millburn.patch.com/articles/avenida-makes-noise-on-music-scene - Alana Horowitz