Meet the Band: Trace of Day

A look at a band with local connections.

By Wnortonn
Published June 29, 2006

---

Members: Chuck Barilla, drums; Nate Kuusela, vocals; Joshua Fay, guitar; Matt Jobe, bass, and Taylor Bringuel, guitar.

Formed: In 2004, by Barilla and Fay.

Label: Lucky Penny Records

What they play: Thunderous and rhythmically dynamic rock that's comfortable in the fold of emo pop.

That cool drum sound: "When we formed, it was trendy to be nu-metal and sound like Limp Bizkit," Barilla says. "I wanted us to be different, and part of that was not to play everything in 4/4 time and change things up."

Unlikely influence: Bob Dylan. "He tells stories in his songs," Fay says. "At the same time, he keeps it abstract and writes it so that people can relate to it."

Geographically diverse: Kuusela and Barilla live in St. Petersburg, Fay in Brandon, Jobe in Ruskin and Bringuel in Clearwater.

Props: The guys praise Jesse Cage at 97X (WSUN-FM 97.1), who has helped get the band exposure. "He's the man," Barilla says. "You can print that."

Fan base from scratch: "We don't play to the people we went to high school with," Barilla says. "We all come from somewhere else."

Kuusela: "That's really a blessing. We have a crowd of people come out, and we know it's because they're coming out because they like our music."

Catch them live: Trace of Day performs a spastic and wildly energetic stage show. "We need to play a big space because of all the running around we do," Barilla says.

Day jobs: Barilla: "I sell commercial vehicles."

Kuusela: "A/C man." Jobe: Masonry contractor.

Bringuel: CVS consultant.

When Fay hesitates to answer, Barilla says, "He's a computer geek!"

Fay: "I would just say geek. It spans beyond work."

Check 'em out: Their CD release party for Farewell, Goodnight is at 8 p.m. Saturday at Gasoline Alley, 17928 U.S. 19 N, Clearwater. Cover is $5.

- JULIE GARISTO, Times staff writer