» By SHAY GORDON – cgordon@my.apsu.edu
When most college students have a goal of gaining a degree, Joshua Porche and his band mates hope to gain stardom. Porche, Alex Brunt and Joseph Witmer comprise Fight or Flight, a local alternative rock band. Porche, a computer science major, and Brunt, a senior percussion performance major, are currently students at APSU while Witmer is a former student.
Fight or Flight started a little over a year ago when Porche and his friend Ben Roberts played an acoustic show together at a local venue. Afterwards, the two began to write and collaborate and then Fight or Flight was formed. After five months of playing in coffee shops and other small venues, Roberts and Porche hit a break when friend Scottie Somerville helped record a few tracks for the band in his studio.
A week later, the music went from the recording studio to getting airtime on radio stations from Jackson to Paducah. The radio play sparked promotion deals and new band members signing on to join. However, due to personal and family priorities, Roberts had to drop out of Fight or Flight. The band’s foundation became shaky as other members also started to fall out. Yet, Porche carried on the Fight or Flight legacy.
After a summer of touring, Porche returned to Clarksville in search of local musicians to join Fight or Flight. A search for local talent led Porche to Brunt, the band’s current drummer, as well as guitarist and back-up vocalist Witmer.
Their sound is described as alternative rock with pop rock overtones. Ranging in songs with catchy beats to powerful ballads, Fight or Flight’s music varies in style. Being the band’s songwriter as well as lead singer and lead guitarist, Porche molds the differing styles of each band member into the songs.
“My personal influences range from Staind, Disturbed, Slipknot … Blink 182, Forever the Sickest Kids … even folk music like Ray LaMontagne .
.. ” Porche said. Porche is encouraged by the band’s growing popularity and networking and sees a bright future for the band.
“The plan is to hit up Nashville like a storm and book shows towards the end of the semester,” Porche said.
Fight or Flight will also be playing an on-campus show at the Red Barn at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 31. Fight or Flight will be joined by Resistance House Band who specialize in zombie rock. The free, family-friendly event will feature a costume contest, free food and candy. Local body artist David Jensen Jr. will also be giving free face-paintings.
To learn more about Fight or Flight, visit Facebook at www.facebook.com/fofband or on YouTube at www.youtube.com/fightorflightband. TAS
