Punk music, although arguably ‘dead’ according to some you might discuss the topic with, has come a long way and evolved much like any other genre has in its own regard. Nonetheless, we still see acts arise within the style and find ways of cutting their own path, be it by performance, signature gimmicks, mixing in other sounds alongside the casual tropes of the genre, or some other sort of distinct factor that helps set the act apart. While not every act expects to be the next Dead Kennedys, music seems to be a specific way of life to punks in specific; I’ve personally known many who literally live out of a van with their band and tour essentially 24/7, 365 days a year – it’s no question that the dedication behind their craft is that of a sincere passion, and even though punks are certainly not the only ones you’d see giving that level of commitment, it is an admirable trait I’ve found with quite a few underground musicians I’ve had the pleasure of meeting before. Today’s Weekly Featured Artist may not be a bunch of dudes living out of a van and touring the country every day, but they’re definitely punks, and they’ve definitely got something to say; Please welcome, 2toaroom!
2toaroom hail from Lynchburg, Virginia, and have been playing music together since 2020, as a group of ‘life long friends‘ that decided they’d form a band together and make some of the zaniest, fastest, and perhaps inadvertently catchiest numbers possible together, even if that started with just covering their favorite artists for the most part. Alternatively, as the band describes it themselves, they are a group of four who ‘compete to see who can get drunkest before going on stage‘. Joined by the band for just some brief answers to a short list of questions, the band tells me all about the earliest iteration of 2toaroom and how their existence is almost as brief and to-the-point as their song durations tend to be. Getting to learn more about their history, it really does go to show that some of the simplest stories can grow into the best outcomes.
Seabass: ‘The band has existed for many years but only in this past year have we started to gain traction with this new line up and make original punk music. However, when we first started we were an indie band who couldn’t write more than five songs to save their life with only me and Danny being the only founding members still in the band. What brought this current line up together is wanting to make something that we felt was lacking from our hometown – punk music. We make old school hardcore played at frantic speeds.‘
My first impression of 2toaroom was seeing them perform live at a house show in Richmond, Virginia. A fun band full of energy and goofy bits between songs, the few originals they played seemed strong enough, while also impressing me with a great cover of Tomahawk‘s “God Hates A Coward”. Fast-forward not even a year later, in early 2024, and we’re seeing them perform at a record store in their hometown of Lynchburg, Virginia, packed almost wall-to-wall. With lighting fast music and strong lyrical content to boot, the show highlighted the infectious energy this band brings to any stage that welcomes them, and made it clear they were quickly catching on for those who enjoy fast-paced hardcore with a visceral message charging it.
The production quality heard on 2024’s self-titled EP, 2TOAROOM, gives a fine mixture of polished and rough. It captures the raw energy of every note sang or strummed, while still keeping a clarity about it that avoids muddying up any part of the timbre. Songs like “Fuck my Pool Boy” and “Nitrous” hit you a break-neck speeds, ramping up adrenaline levels while telling a narrative in both a mocking and oddly compelling fashion. The former seeming to be about a particular disgraced deviant of the town, and the latter detailing perhaps an exhaustion with one’s mundane life and wanting to let loose, the band covers a wide array of vulgar, maybe even controversial subject matter in a way that still aligns with good morale and keeping one’s head about themselves despite how chaotic and unfair life may get. It’s a sincere juxtaposition of taking awful, dark truths about this world, as well as humanity as a whole, and still finding ways to make something fun out of it and process it as a group; Almost like a demented form of group therapy.
Seabass: ‘The first few songs we made together were definitely more influenced by classic 80s punk like, Black Flag, Minor Threat and Bad Brains. Recently though we’ve been taking more of an influence from hardcore and crossover bands like, Void and DRI. Our next few songs we’re going to release only pushes that intensity further.‘
Even with only an EP and some singles out on streaming platforms, and unfortunately nothing to be found on Bandcamp at the moment, 2toaroom have done enough with their live performance and work ethic to earn them the attention of the recently-formed Scum City Entertainment label out of Richmond, Virginia. A collective of hard-working individuals who have assembled varying levels of entertainment within the local RVA scene and elsewhere, Scum City is sure to help take 2toaroom to a new level, as they prepare for new songs, new shows, and even a tour in the works. The band expresses excitement with getting to work with the collective, while also mentioning their gratitude for work accomplished via their help so far. So even if there’s not but so much you can find about the band from their brief resume so far, it is clear they have much in store for the near-future and are onto bigger things!
Seabass: ‘We’re super excited to be signing with Scum City! We have worked with them on past shows and they have always been incredible. We really like how they do business, and couldn’t be happier to have them help us get our name out there. They have been hard at work getting us shows and promotion. We have some exciting shows coming up including a Virginia tour soon with our good friends, A Doberman Shadow– stay tuned!‘
So, this is likely the shortest WFA I’ve ever done with Everything Is Noise. However, I’d like to emphasize that the only time I really find myself able to do these is when it pertains to a band that reflects something raw, visceral, sincere, and of the heart; With 2toaroom, I recognize a particular surplus in all the above and more. The simple nature of being a group of friends that grew up together, experienced both amazing and horrific things together, and now get to write silly, yet compelling songs about those experiences, recent and old, is a treasure most of us only see in the movies – perhaps even only a dream to others. To see this band come together as they do and put on this sort of youthful, caution-to-the-wind way of composing and performing music like it’s a second skin, no matter how raunchy any part of its presentation may be, easily brings a smile to my and I’m sure many-a aged punks’ faces.
Knowing this kind of camaraderie still exists in this world, no matter how bleak its gotten, adds a certain touch of color to the grayscale stretched over it especially in current days. Plenty of things truly just suck in this world anymore, and it’s been nearly impossible to feel up to celebrating anything; 2toaroom reminds us that no matter how much a day in your life may beat you down, the simple pleasures of getting together with some friends, stuffing into a practice space, turning up the amps, and yelling into a microphone about it can truly act as a form of therapy to cope with any given part of it. For that, as well as the sheer powerhouse of a 4-piece they’ve proven to be, I implore you to follow this band ASAP via their Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook! Concluding with the band’s proclaimed takeaway for all who listen to them: ‘Nothing matters, make punk music and get drunk with your friends‘.
2toaroom is…
Seabass – vocals
Danny – bass
Colby – guitar
Gavin – drums
