Whole Wheat Bread

Posted by Rob Ortenzi on 01-Jun-06 @ 12:37 PM

HQ: Jacksonville, FL

NOW PLAYING: Minority Rules (FIGHTING)

THE STORY SO FAR: An ignorant rube might take one look at Whole Wheat Bread--vocalist/guitarist (and native Trinidadian) Aaron Abraham, vocalist/bassist Nicholas Largen and brother Joseph Largen on drums--and assume they're an up-and-coming hip-hop crew, but we've got news for you: WWB are crunk and punk. "We got into punk rock the same way everyone else did, hanging out with white kids and skateboarding," says Nicholas. "We grew up listening to punk rock and hip-hop; it never seemed strange to us." Originally formed in 2003, WWB suffered from a revolving-door lineup until Abraham locked in the Largen brothers in 2004. The trio then recorded their debut, Minority Rules, and unleashed it last year. Packed to the brim with pop-friendly melodic punk songs reminiscent of Epitaph Records' '90s heyday, the disc has landed them tours with the Suicide Machines, the Matches, A Wilhelm Scream and countless other Warped Tour veterans.

WHY YOU SHOULD KNOW 'EM:Because in a sea of bands that look and sound exactly the same, WWB are a breath of fresh air. "We definitely have a different look, which helps us stand out," admits Nicholas. "People are usually amazed, because they're not used to black people doing what we do, but when they come to a Whole Wheat Bread show, they leave with sweat on their clothes." Their upcoming EP, Punk Life, takes the band's music to the next level, by featuring more "crunk" influences and a collaboration with Suicide Machines singer Jason Navarro. Hell, isn't that reason enough to check 'em out? --Jonah Bayer

YOU LIKE? YOU'LL LIKE: Venom / Blasphemy / Melvins