Bullet
Train Label signs local band
Corey Hunt
Contributing Writer
Jared Castro, more commonly known as the Grounds for Thoughts manager,
is also a musician and lead signer of an extremely popular punk group.
His band, Bullet Train to Moscow, has been signed to Whiskey and Water
Records.
The band hopes to change the status of punk in the Valley.
“We
started the band because we didn’t like the way the punk rock
scene in Arizona was going. Instead of sitting and complaining, we
started a band,” said Castro.
The band consists of four men all pounding out notes for the same
reasons. Although Bullet Train to Moscow’s following is growing,
there are still those few very devout fans who come to every show
and have been there from the beginning.
“I know a couple times we had some kids say that their mom gave
them lunch money and instead of eating they came to the show,”
said Castro. As the band’s popularity grows and spreads through
campus, Castro is beginning to connect more and more with his peers.
“It’s weird seeing people wearing our shirts or telling
me they saw the show last night. I’m more excited than them.
It’s like at least someone appreciates what you’re doing,”
said Castro. ...
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The
members of Bullet Train to Moscow include: Drummer Billy Culbertson
(left), lead singer Jared Castro(above), bassist Nolan Thompson(right),
and guitarist Rob Anderson(below). Rob’s brother, Jay,
also plays guitar for the band. Their next show will be on
May 20 at the Mason Jar. |
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...“My favorite song to play at a show is a cover of Johnny
Cash’s “Folsom Prison Blues.” It’s probably
the only song a lot of crowd will know and sing along. It gets the
crowd to take part in the song. Also, the guitarist gets a chance
to show off,” he added.
Castro’s love of music started at an early age. When he was
15, the local scene only had a few major names and even those were
minor. “When I first started going to shows, I saw Sam the
Butcher. Seeing his band made me want to do it,” said Castro.
While playing together for over 4 years, the band’s camaraderie
has grown.
Shows across the valley have paved the way for more venues and a
bigger fan base. “We had shows at Modified Arts and it’s
just a do-it-yourself kind of place and it’s a lot of fun.
You feel like your doing something for the scene,” said Castro.
“Musically we
do what we want.”
Although the band is well established in some parts of the city,
a veteran like Castro still gets some stage fright at large shows.
“Sometimes when we play a big show with a lot of people, I’ll
get a little bit nervous. But after the first song, I’m set,”
said Castro. He added that having the companionship of a good friends
helps to calm the nerves.
“Usually before we play, we like to hang out with all our
friends, they get you excited to play, getting you really stoked
to play,” said Castro.
A good show can be made of different parts from different fronts.
“(It) depends on the bands you play with, with friends its
fun,” added Castro. The most recent show on April 16
was more than just a set of songs for the band. The show was to
benefit AZPUNK.com, a website dedicated to fans across the state
and the bands they love. The show was held at Ziggy’s on Mill
Avenue. The show was over five hours long and pulled in approximately
$1400. The profits were designated to help keep AZPUNK.com on the
cyber highway for another year. Their next show will be on May 20
at the Mason Jar, featuring Throwdown and Most Precious Blood.
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