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February 18, 2010

The Waiting Place, a Whittier band, makes its debut

By Haley O'Neil

After four songs, the crowd at Angelica's in Middleton was yelling, "Encore, encore!" It was then that the memers of The Waiting Place had to admit that they only knew a part of one other song.

Although the band, which was formed in mid-October, was not expecting an encore, they went ahead and covered the Pop Goes Punk version of "Beautiful Girls" originally by Sean Kingston. The crowd went wild.

"The Waiting Place" band members include Whittier students, a Whittier graduate and a friend from Methuen High. When asked about their unique name, drummer Shawn Suzor, Class of 2009, said, "We were looking for something rooted in Massachusetts. The Waiting Place is from the last book Dr. Seuss from Massachusetts) wrote before he died."

Suzor's longtime friend Trevor Speck, Methuen High graduate of 2009, plays bass. Trevor and rhythm guitarist Brandon Fernandes of Haverhill, a senior in electrical, both started playing instruments in only the past month or so. Lead singer and guitarist Anthony Eugenio, also of Haverhill and a senior in electrical, works with Fernandes and Speck, teaching them the basics of their instruments. Anthony has been playing the guitar for nearly six years, so he has a lot to teach.

The band's first concert was Friday, Nov. 13, about a month after they started playing together. Friends, mostly current and former Whittier students, showed their support. Four other bands performed before them.

George Katsaros of Haverhill, a senior in masonry, and Jon Vivieros of Lawrence, a senior in HVAC, were tearing it up on the dance floor during the band's set. Security guards Matt Spurling and Zakk Castellano, both of Haverhill and both seniors in electrical, and Billy Lafferty of Haverhill, a senior in masonry, were on alert to make sure things didn't get out of control.

"With a slow start, it really turned around and I would go to another concert," said Spurling after the show. "It was good," agreed Katsaros.

Family members also showed their support. Brandon's little brother Derek thought the concert was awesome.

I personally know the band (Anthony is my boyfriend) and I thought they did absolutely amazing, especially for only being together for a month.

"Our style is alternative, punk rock. We would compare ourselves to Bayside and May Day Parade," Suzor said.

"The Waiting Place" writes music and plans to write more, but right now they are still mostly covering music from other bands.

The band performed a number of concerts over Christmas vacation.

Haley O'Neil is a member of the staff of Technically Speaking, the student newspaper at Whittier Regional Vocational Technical High School. This article was reprinted with permission.

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