NUTLEY, NJ—For a band like My Ticket Home, playing shows appears to be second nature. Headlining on Feb. 7 at Radiant, they showed their appreciation for the more intimate venue, located in northeastern New Jersey, through a passionate and high-energy performance. The band was extremely animated throughout the set and connected easily with the crowd. One of the audience’s favorites was their spirited performance of a heavy anthem with a moving chorus entitled “A New Breed.” The burning incense, precariously perched on the frame of the bass drum, added to the intimacy of the performance.
Just a week after the one-year anniversary of their full-length album, To Create A Cure, the band looked back on what a year it’s been. They spoke about their experience playing FestEvil at Six Flags back in September.
“That was a fun day,” said vocalist Nick Giumenti. “It was cooler for us mostly to be playing with bands that we liked; Norma Jean and Stray From The Path, it was our first time playing with them.” Giumenti continued, “It was cool because it’s kind of like when you visit your high school when you’re still in middle school—when you go up a class and see the bands that are bigger than you and you’re like, ‘Alright, can I survive and compete in this world?’”
“I kind of like smaller shows like this a lot better,” said guitarist and New Jersey native, Matt Gallucci, when comparing the stadium-like environment at Six Flags to smaller venues like Radiant. “It’s more intimate [and there’s] a lot more energy.”
Opening for My Ticket Home earlier in the evening, Cardinal Of December, from Montville, NJ, were marking their first performance.
“I remember my first show, man. For a first show they did great,” said Giumenti about the locals.
Cardinal Of December played second. They got the crowd moving with their A Day To Remember cover of “Mr. Highway’s Thinking About The End,” along with a strenuous performance of their fast-paced single, “What’s Left Behind.”
The audience was very pleased with the young band’s arrangements of heavy and dramatic songs, and got into the act by singing along and dancing aggressively.
“That was something I didn’t expect,” vocalist Matt Sefcik said about the crowd’s reaction.
At only 15 years old, Sefcik was the youngest person on stage that night. You wouldn’t have known that this was the first performance Sefcik has ever put on, however, considering his confident and passionate stage presence.
The band is currently recording their EP, The Forgotten Letter, with Mike Lisa (Red Jumpsuit Apparatus), while My Ticket Home are writing a second album. These bands are definitely some names to know, because you’ll probably be hearing a lot from them in the future.
