By Evan Sandel and Scott Allen
The Scene staff
Garrett Weakley is ready to make an impact on the local music scene.
In only his second year playing drums, the 19-year-old Forest Park communications student and his band, Discrepancies, have been promoting their single, “Get Hype,” on campus and around St. Louis. They’re also drumming up excitement for their upcoming EP and Eastern U.S. tour.
“Our music is familiar, but at the same time it’s different,” Weakley said. “It’s like hip-hop/rock/experimental fusion.”
The eclectic sound comes from the members’ diverse musical tastes, ranging from rap to death metal to Weakley’s preference, “alternative poppy punk.”
The diversity of musical tastes and personalities led to the name Discrepancies.
“When we talked about the things we wanted to do with the band and the sound we each wanted to make, it never sounded like it was going to work, and that’s what a discrepancy is — things that kind of clash together,” Weakley said. “But we make it work. We use (the name) kind of ironically.”
Band members include Weakley, who plays drums, bass player Daniel Maddy, 20 , guitarist Addison Bracher, 20, and vocalist Antonio “ATG” Metcalf, 24.
The band released their second single, “The Truth,” on Feb. 25. It’s a follow up to “Get Hype,” which was distributed both on Forest Park’s campus and around St. Louis.
The band’s name will soon be on discs and fliers elsewhere in the country. Discrepancies’ first tour, starting June 13, includes shows beginning in Nashville, Tenn., and continuing through Jacksonville, Fla., Raleigh, N.C., and New York City.
Though Weakley is passionate about music, he sees the potential to use his education in communications to work in music-industry marketing, something he’s already doing as a member of Discrepancies.
“With ‘Get Hype,’ we handed out 500 CDs,” Weakley said. “I’ve been handing out CDs in class, and I would say it’s been fairly successful. We plan to return with fliers. The problem with giving away too many CDs is, it’s expensive.”
One of those CDs went to 25-year-old media communications student Hannah Dickinson.
“It’s different, but it’s awesome,” she said. “I hope that they can make a difference in the music industry, and make hip-hop more positive and expand it.”
Dickinson will be among the fans at Discrepancies’ April 6 performance at the Mad Magician at 5625 Manchester Ave. in St. Louis. It’s a battle-of-the-bands show, and the winner gets a chance to open for Saving Abel. Tickets are $7; doors open at 5 p.m.
The Internet has garnered the band an audience as far away as South Korea.
“When I hear ‘Get Hype,’ to me it sounds like an already big band is putting it out. I could picture this song all over the radio and people loving it,” said Airman First Class Dominic Joseph Sacco, a U.S. Air Force Security Forces member.
He is stationed in Gunsan, South Korea, and grew up with guitarist Addison Bracher.
“I’ve always enjoyed hearing Addison play,” Sacco said. “He’s never satisfied with something simple.”
Band practices and recording sessions take place at Weakley’s South County home, which can be a distraction to the rest of his family.
“They can be up there all night playing their instruments,” said Julie Diggins, Weakley’s mother. “But they’re really great kids. I’m really proud of their enthusiasm for the music, and they know whenever they get hungry, there’s always some toasted ravioli or something in the freezer.”