The band, Even Trade Stephen Taylor, Nick Hutchins, and Tom Kalyniuk

Resound is no more – well sort of. It’s the same band under a new name – Even Trade – which seems more appropriate for the way the band works. Although the band has only been in existence for 10 months, this trio of young men has already won first place honors at this year’s Coverpalooza Contest recently sponsored by local rock radio station WARK 93.5.

I caught up with the guys as they were working on some new original material at Nick Hutchins’ race shop on Sumter Highway. I got to meet all three guys, talk, and listen for a bit.

Nick Hutchins, age 20, provides percussion. He is self–taught and has been playing since he was 11 years old. He met Stephen Taylor, an awesome lead guitarist, when Stephen, then age 12, was playing Willoughby’s in Forest Acres (once owned by Nick’s dad) with his guitar teacher Chris Richards. Nick was 16 at the time and looking to start his first band.

Stephen started playing guitar when he was just nine years old. In addition to studying with Chris Richards, he studied musical theory with Jim Mings and currently studies with Robert Newton. At 17, Stephen is the youngest member of the band.

The third member of the band and perhaps the most responsible for the band’s unique sound is lead vocalist and bass guitar player, Tom Kalyniuk, age 25. Tom, a transplant from Maryland, has been playing music his whole life. He is self–taught and began with guitar before picking up bass guitar about four years ago. He joined his first band at age 14 and began looking to form a new band almost as soon as he arrived in Columbia.

Tom met Nick at Ruby Tuesday’s where Nick is a server and Tom tends bar. Tom jokes he knew Nick as “that racecar driver” and didn’t believe him at first when he claimed to be a drummer. Nick was serious though and Tom eventually decided to give him a try. Add Stephen, a long time acquaintance of Nick’s, and you have the band, Even Trade.

Although Tom generally provides an outline and writes most of the lyrics, once the guys get together in the practice room, they all put their own unique fingerprint on the original pieces, hence the name Even Trade. These guys really work well together which is sort of amazing given the age differences and differing backgrounds. They currently do about 50% cover songs and 50% original stuff. They do the cover songs and contests in order to get exposure and name recognition. So far, it seems to be paying off.

They are moving toward doing more original music and seeking to perform full time. So far they have done numerous rough cuts but have not been into the studio to cut a real CD. They hope to do so soon. Their sound is characterized by melodic vocals and an edgy rock music style.

If you want to hear Even Trade for yourself, go to CJ’s in Five Points by the fountain between 10 pm and 2 am Friday, November 4.

For now you can get more information or book the band by emailing hutchten@aol.com.