M.E.R.K

10/21/2013

Three ND Sophomores, Mike Visalli, Evan Kreutzberg, Ryan Kreutzberg, and an ND Freshman, Kristen Kreutzberg, are friends and family members who share a common love of music. Together they are the four members of their band M.E.R.K. Not only do these four share a passion for music, but also, they believe in using their music to be role models and to perpetuate a positive message. This desire is what led M.E.R.K to perform at an Anti-Bullying school assembly hosted by Shafer Middle School in Bensalem, Pennsylvania, on October 9.


“We did this performance because we love playing music and we are against bullying; so, it was a perfect opportunity to help spread awareness,” said Evan Kreutzberg. Their performance was aired on ABC Philly News Channel 6 at 6 p.m. The Bucks County Courier Times captured video coverage of this service assembly.


M.E.R.K performed for 600 seventh and eighth grade students and Shafer teachers praised the group for their ability to foster school pride and unite the students against bullying. The band played a 40 minute long set which featured their original song entitled “Into the Fire.” The song was written specifically to address the important issue of bullying.


“We were fortunate to have such a good response from the school,” said Ryan Kreutzberg. “They all really enjoyed our performance and found it to be a source of inspiration, as well as motivation to stop bullying. We felt great that we could make a difference in other people’s lives through our music.”


Perhaps the greatest accomplishment of this event was the way the music positively affected the students of Shafer Middle School. Several students posted their own personal bullying experiences on social media sites and commented that they were inspired and uplifted by M.E.R.K’s musical message.


“We have been playing gigs for 5 years now ranging from competitions to charity events to national stages,” said Mike Visalli. Mike, Evan, Ryan, and Kristen consider themselves very lucky to be blessed with talents that allow them to reach out into the community and advocate for causes about which they feel passionate.


For these four Notre Dame students, music is not only about entertainment. To them, music is a way to touch others beyond mere words. - Notre Dame High School

When I was first told the band MERK was a group of kids ranging from 14-15 years old, the idea of interviewing/reviewing them was not exactly a “fun time” in my mind. Growing up with a sister who is currently that age, I immediately began to compare and judge them based off of a biased opinion, having a mindset that they would be immature kids with raw talent and an arrogant attitude. Let me just say… I was extremely mistaken.


Based out of Columbus, New Jersey, MERK (each letter representing the first initial of each band member) is a band of four very gifted, determined, incredible kids on the path to success. With three siblings Evan, Ryan, and Kristen Kreutzberg and very good friend Michael Visalli, they play, sing, and even help write their own music! For a little background, the three siblings were originally inspired to play music because of the movie “School of Rock”. Their father th
en taught them guitar and bass, and soon, Michael joined them to create the full band! With natural talent and excellent musical ears, they also play keyboards, drums, as well as sing their own vocals to songs. As their parents began to notice the talent, they started to book some small gigs for the band at local venues – the band exploded! People were absolutely shocked at their age and wanted to hear more! Soon, the band released their first single, “I Don’t Need Nobody” as well as doing many covers of songs ranging from the Hall and Oates to One Direction!

As a musician myself, I was very impressed with their music for the age they are at. But to be honest, what really struck me was the way the kids presented themselves and how articulate they were as we spoke. As said before, I was going into this interview with a biased opinion, but that was out the window almost immediately. Every question was responded with not only modesty, but also cultivated maturity. When asking them questions about their favorite types of music, the ranged from Alternative Rock, Classic Rock, Indie, Blues, and the modern day Pop/Hip-Hop. For young kids, I thought that was an extremely eclectic collection.

Another quality that stuck out to me with the band MERK is the fact that they are very goal oriented. With a huge chunk of their time taken up by the band, one would think that would be enough – not for these kids! They also play sports, maintain straight A’s in school, and are already thinking about college! Obviously they have plenty of time to make a final decision, but the current plan is to continue to study music farther into their education. They basically have ultimate success in mind for the band, and honestly, an attitude like that is going to get them far. MERK even made the comment that they are “shooting for the top” and they want to be idols for other kids out there. In order to do that, they are focusing on music that they know that kids their age are currently listening too. The songs they currently co-write with their producer have a Justin Beiber to One Direction feel to them, which is basically what they were going for.

Just recently, MERK had the opportunity to show off their talents at Six Flags Adventure Park in New Jersey. There, they opened for Connor Maynard; a “big-name” artist from England making his way to the United States. The band MERK played successfully and was actually surprised at the amount of people and the positive response from the crowd! Of course they also went back stage to meet Maynard himself.

They also just had the opportunity to play at 94.5 PST’s Popfest at the Sun National Bank Center in Philadelphia on May 30th. This event included some huge artists such as Jason Derulo, Hot Chelle Rae, Carly Rae Jepson, and Cher Lloyd! MERK was given a 45 minute set outside the venue as people were entering the concert.

Gigs like this are exactly what the band needs to keep doing. They never know who might be watching. They have a great sound for their age, and it is only going to develop and improve as the get older and get more experience under their belts. It’s not always the music though as much as it is the right attitude and personality, and this band definitely has it. It’s a tough journey to make it to the top, but MERK is definitely heading down the right path.

If you want to know more about the band, below is a link to their website, as well as their new single, “You’re Gonna Like It (Dance With Me)” on iTunes. Check them out!

http://merkmusic.com/
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/your-gonna-like-it-dance-me/id610016655
- StageofLife.com

M.E.R.K is one of the country's newest up and coming pop bands hailing from Columbus N.J. The name of the group is derived from the first initial of each of their first names. The group is comprised of four talented 14 year olds with Evan Kreutzberg on lead vocals and guitar, Ryan Kreutzberg on drums and vocals, Mike Visalli on bass guitar and vocals and Kristen Kreutzberg on keyboards and vocals.
The band has a work ethic reminiscent of some of the great young acts of today, One Direction, Justin Bieber and Bruno Mars. Even at this young age the group has performed at such venues such as Six Flags Great Adventure, the legendary Stone Pony in Asbury park, the Sun Bank Arena for a Harlem Globetrotters game and are repeatedly called back to perform again and again as disbelieving fans want to see these young kids do it again!
The founding members of the band Evan and Ryan were fist influenced by watching the movie "School of Rock". Their dad Kirk pulled out an old guitar from the closet, purchased a bass guitar and drums and taught the kids "Smoke on the Water". The kids then added schoolmate,Mike Visalli who's love of music comes from his father. Kristen then joined the band and under the tutelage of the Kreutzbergs dad M.E.R.K was born.
Now this social minded pop group is ready to show the world their talents as they are releasing their second single "Your Gonna Like It" showcasing their harmonious melodies and instrumental skills. M.E.R.K is represented by their record lable StarPower Entertainment.
- Music Arts Monthly

Today’s Rising Artist of the Day is M.E.R.K! M.E.R.K is one of the country’s newest up and coming pop bands, hailing from Columbus N.J. The name of the group is derived from the first initial of each of their first names. The group is comprised of four talented 14 year olds with Evan Kreutzberg on lead vocals and guitar, Ryan Kreutzberg on drums and vocals, Mike Visalli on bass guitar and vocals and Kristen Kreutzberg on keyboards and vocals.

The band has a work ethic reminiscent of some of the great young acts of today, One Direction, Justin Bieber and Bruno Mars. Even at this young age the group has performed at such venues such as Six Flags Great Adventure, the legendary Stone Pony in Asbury park, the Sun Bank Arena for a Harlem Globetrotters game and are repeatedly called back to perform again and again as disbelieving fans want to see these young kids do it again!

The founding members of the band Evan and Ryan were fist influenced by watching the movie “School of Rock”. Their dad Kirk pulled out an old guitar from the closet, purchased a bass guitar and drums and taught the kids “Smoke on the Water”. The kids then added schoolmate,Mike Visalli who’s love of music comes from his father. Kristen then joined the band and under the tutelage of the Kreutzbergs dad M.E.R.K was born.

Now this social minded pop group is ready to show the world their talents as they are releasing their second single “Your Gonna Like It”" showcasing their harmonious melodies and instrumental skills. M.E.R.K is represented by their record lable StarPower Entertainment.

If you’re thinking that this is just another kid band you don’t know what you’re talking about – M.E.R.K can R.O.C.K!. Their new single “Your Gonna Like It” (Dance With Me) is below, press play and see why this young band can become a household name in no time.

M.E.R.K is currently holding a contest to win 2 tickets to see One Direction in Philadelphia at The Wells Fargo Center on June 25th!!! Contest details can be found on their website - www.merkmusic.com

If you’d like to support this young band’s career click here!
- humanfankind

Posted: Friday, February 8, 2013 10:05 am | Updated: 11:09 am, Fri Feb 8, 2013.

By Andy Vineberg Staff writer




The promising young pop band M.E.R.K. will be shooting a video for its new single "You're Gonna Like It (Dance With Me)" and giving a free concert at 2 p.m. Sunday (Feb. 10) at Baileys Restaurant at 6922 Emile Road in Levittown.

The show coincides with the launch of a contest to win two tickets to see One Direction at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia June 25. For contest details, visit the band's website.

The band's name comes from the first letter of the members' first names: Mike Visalli (vocals, keyboards, bass guitar); Evan Kreutzberg (guitar, harmonica, lead vocals); Ryan Kreutzberg (vocals, drums, keyboards); Kristen Kreutzberg (vocals, drums, keyboards, bass). Twin brothers Evan and Ryan formed the band with the help of their father, Kirk, and later added their friend Mike and sister Kristen to the lineup.

The group has already performed in such venues as Six Flags Great Adventure, the famed Stone Pony in Asbury Park and the Sun National Bank Center in Trenton for a Harlem Globetrotters game.

Seating is limited for Sunday's performance/video shoot. Please RSVP to robertfiglo@yahoo.com with Spread The Word contest in the subject line and will attend in the body. Under 21 must be accompanied by an adult.






- Bucks County Courier Times