Something to Pine For

What do you get when you combine passion for music, eclectic taste and style, and four high schoolers? You get the Pines, a local band made up of three Central students and one Bellwood student, which, coming up on its one-year anniversary, has quickly grown in popularity, sound and catalog.

The Pines began with three members: Alex Snyder on bass/keyboard, Benjamin Brumbaugh on drums, and Logan Warner as the lead guitarist. The group played instrumental pieces and had no lead singer. As they began to book more gigs, the guys decided it was time to find a singer.

Daman Mills was one of the only people who auditioned, but the Pines he was an immediate fit. Warner recalled showing everyone he could Mills' audition video because he was so impressed.

"I thought I was more a musical guy," Mills said, referencing his experience in theater. "I'd never sung rock before."

The band started off with a psychedelic, rock and metal mix when they were instrumental, but moved more into classic rock after adding vocals.

"We had the foundation of playing instrumentally challenging songs," Warner said.

This foundation not only garnered a lot of support from early listeners at McGarvey's Bar & Grill before Mills joined the scene, it also expands the band's ability to play a variety of songs.

The Pines' current list includes 76 songs.

"Every heartthrob from Elvis to Harry Styles," the band said. "Every decade from the 50s up to 2022."

The band's range is not only shown in song choice; each multi-talented member can play different instruments. Brumbaugh sometimes leaves the drums to sing, Snyder moves between keyboard and bass.

"I can pretty much play anything with strings," Warner said.

Mills has experience in piano and drums, sparked by his inspiration from Billy Joel, Elton John and Ringo Starr.

The beginning

All the members of the Pines had an early introduction to the world of music.

"I've always been obsessed with drums," Brumbaugh said.

In fifth grade, he took lessons, but Brumbaugh is mostly self-taught.

Brumbaugh's family also has musical roots. His father, among other family members, was in a bluegrass band called the Brumbaughs. The band used to play at local churches and recorded at Dr. David Villani's studio, where the Pines also recently recorded.

Warner's early inspiration was also from his family, though it was not their musical talent. Warner's grandfather's music taste and library are renowned among the band members. Warner said he used to go fishing with his grandfather and listen to rock and roll.

Warner dabbled in many different media: drawing, painting, using pen, ink and clay. Music was another art he wanted to try.

Mills had interest in singing throughout elementary and middle school. He distinctly remembers singing "Hallelujah" as a solo in chorus, and he made up a verse on the spot.

With a variety of musical inspirations, voice lessons and experience in the video game "Guitar Hero," Mills was introduced to an assortment of music styles.

Snyder began piano lessons when he was young. He was introduced to 70s-style music by Vallani.

In the studio

The band members have unending appreciation for Vallani, who helps them out with sound at their shows and is a fount of musical knowledge. Vallani also helped the Pines record two original songs: "That's Alright" and "Want More."

The guys described recording as an exhilarating and exhausting, eye-opening and educational experience.

"Dave does it all," the band said.

The insight Vallani offered affected the final recordings. During the almost 12-hour recording session, the band members learned a lot.

All four participate in songwriting.

"One person will start with an idea, and we all build on it. We all contribute," the band said.

They find that all songs, from songs they write to covers, start in one direction and transform the more they are performed.

On the stage

And performed, they are.

The Pines are booked almost every weekend at local spots. Over the summer, they were featured at the Cove Carnival and Cove Cause for Cancer. The band recently played at Muddy Run Tavern in Huntingdon, The Bull Pen in Tyrone on New Year's Eve, and returned to the Spring Dam Brewery last week.

"It's always packed at the brewery," the band said, noting that during the summer, people living around the brewery came outside and sat on their porches to listen.

The band has quite a fan base at the brewery. There is even a Czech pilsner names after them: the Pines-Tourage.

The boys agree, however, that their favorite performance to date was at their home field: Central High School Auditorium. The performance took place before Christmas. As soon as the curtains opened, the musicians felt the energy of the room. The crowd roared, and the audience was reaching for them.

"That's the closest we've ever been to feeling like the Beatles," they said.

Quick success

Though their one-year anniversary is coming up in February, the band has already achieved impressive recognition.

The Pines was chosen as Altoona Mirror's Hometown Favorite Band, making them the youngest band to receive this award.

"When we hit top five, we were surprised," they said, knowing other bands they were up against.

The band was also recently featured on WTAJ.

"I didn't realize how many people that reached," Mills said.

This sentiment was shared by his fellow band members, who started to notice people recognizing them in public after being interviewed on WTAJ.

"I always watched interviews of bands I loved," Warner said. "It was cool to see us doing that."

The band will be featured on Q94 Classic Rock Station in the "Homegrown Rocker" segment on Feb. 19.

Keep on playing

The Pines have clear goals for the future: tour at least once, make more original songs, and reach as many people as possible.

An obvious tool the band uses for that reach is social media.

"Social media is almost as important as playing," Warner said. "We can reach so many more online."

The band has an Instagram, Facebook and YouTube, as well as a website.

The members practice every free chance they have. Mills has two study halls, which he spends in the music room. They get together at least once a week for practice.

"We all have setups at our houses," they said.

Despite these in-house practices, the Pines' parents still attend every single show. With around 5 hours worth of music, their parents have heard it all over and over again.

The Pines are passionate and serious about their work. Music is vital to each of them, which helps their bond as bandmates and friends.

"Even if we hang out without the intention of playing music, we end up with instruments in our hands, making noise," Warner said.