Weikel likes to rock

January 31, 2012 • By Carly Kiley '15  
Filed under Features

            At a young age, Ryan Weikel had big aspirations: “In fourth grade, I wanted to be a rock star, so I started guitar lessons,” Weikel said. He also wanted to start playing guitar because his brother played drums, and he wanted to “jam” with him.

Weikel does not only play guitar; he plays five other instruments including piano, trombone, bass, drums, and baritone. He and five other students formed the band Unforgiven.

The band that inspired him is Led Zeppelin because “They are legends,” Weikel said. He admires their guitar player Jimmy Page, along with Flea from the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Weikel’s other favorite band.

            The band basically started down at Old Time Music in April where the five members (Cenzo Congialdi age 12, Ryan Weikel age 15, A.J. Amoroso age 14, Jarett Rome age 11, and Joey Ditullio age 13) decided to make a band. The inspiration for the name Unforgiven came from a John Wayne movie. The band plays rock, metal, and alternative. “I like the 70s and 90s music best because rock started in the 70s, and I like the grunge from the 90s,” Weikel said. Sometimes they write their own music, but they usually cover artists like Led Zeppelin, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Bullet for my Valentine.

            Weikel and his band have years of experience. Their first show was at a block party in Philadelphia, P.A. and their biggest show was at a venue named Hangar 84 in Vineland. “We brought in $460,” Weikel said. His best friend freshman Emma Fenning loves to see his band live. “I just love rockin’ out to their music,” Fenning said.

            Being in all honors classes, Weikel finds it difficult to balance the band and his schoolwork, but being in a band has helped Weikel mature. “The band has taught me the importance of responsibility in learning songs and how to work together with other people.” He is extremely close with his band mates, but sometimes there are conflicts over what songs to play and when to have rehearsal. The band tries to practice whenever they can, but it’s usually once a week from anywhere between 3 to 8 hours.

            Weikel hopes all of his hard work pays off.

            “Hopefully, music will be a future for me,” said Weikel.

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