Northern Whale hopes to improve on its performance this year

January 12, 2012 at 12:00a.m.

Just like in the early ’90s, when alternative bands stood out among the hard-rock and metal acts of the day, Austintown High School band Northern Whale — Jake Stephens (bass), Brandon Fisher (guitar), Jake Capezzuto (vocals, guitar) and Seth Donchess (drums) — is on the outside looking in at the screamo scene.

“We’re an alternative band, meaning we’re not screaming, but we can be loud,” said Stephens, 16. “We’re like The Pixies. We’re loud and we’re quiet and we’re loud. But it’s not like metal. A lot of people compare us to Nirvana. We stand out in the area completely because pretty much everyone is screaming. I actually tried screaming, but it hurt my throat a lot.”

In a nutshell, Stephens and company are expecting the same dynamic — lots of screamo bands — when the quartet returns to the 16th annual High School Rock Off on Sunday afternoon at the House of Blues in Cleveland.

The rock off takes place weekends through the Final Exam on Feb. 11. Over the course of the competition, 66 Northeast Ohio bands performing at six semifinal rounds will vie for a prize package that includes $1,000 cash.

There are seven other Mahoning Valley bands in the rock off: Burkley (Lakeview High School, will play Saturday), No Clue (South Range, Jan. 22), To the Winchester (Niles McKinley, Jan. 22), Two Days Until Tomorrow (Lakeview, Jan. 22), Frank Toncar (Lakeview, Jan. 27), Deo Vindice (Fitch, Boardman, Jan. 28), and Hold No Grudge (Lowellville, Jan. 28)

Last year, Northern Whale didn’t make it to the Final Exam; however, the bassist points out 12 months ago the band had roughly a handful of gigs under its belt.

These days, the foursome is feeling confident considering over the past year it’s played out quite extensively, including numerous events and festivals such as the Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon, Vexfest 8, Ballyhoo Music Festival and the Relay for Life.

“Not to say we weren’t very good last year, but compared to now, we weren’t very good,” Stephens said. “Now we’re a thousand times better. The difference is everything is much tighter, and it sounds fuller. We’ve been playing these songs for a while, and we’ve gotten much better. So we’re way more confident.”

With a sound that has drawn comparisons to the aforementioned Pixes and Nirvana, as well as The Cure, Gorillaz and Vaccines, the band plans on playing original tracks such as the mellow “They Take it All,” which was played at last year’s rock off, and the in-your-face “The Final Kiss.” The group also is planning to perform a cover of The Vaccines’ “Wreckin’ Bar.”

Last year’s rock off found Northern Whale coming in fourth out of 12 bands, with the top three bands going to the Final Exam. Stephens doesn’t want to jinx the band, but he’s feeling good about the group’s chances.

“This year we’re hoping to make the finals,” Stephens said. “We don’t think we’ll win it because there are some pretty awesome bands, but I think making the finals is a goal here this time. I think we’ll be able to do that.”

Perhaps Northern Whale would have a chance if Stephens added screaming to his musical talents.

Stephens said, laughing, “Yeah, maybe.”

Tickets for the semifinal rounds are $10. The Final Exam tickets will be $10 and will be available only from the participating rock-off bands.