BUFFALO, N.Y. — A local band that played on one of the biggest international stages a decade ago is busy rehearsing for a big comeback show in Buffalo this weekend.
"I don't know if this band will ever stop," said More Than Me band's lead singer Ryan Doyle. "We'll always be writing new music. It's something that we love to do."
The guys from More Than Me entered the Hard Rock Cafe's International Battle of the Bands competition in 2010. They made it through multiple rounds and finally it was the votes of fans- mostly from Western New York- that led to More Than Me ultimately winning the international competition.
The grand prize was opening for Sir Paul McCartney, Stevie Wonder and Pearl Jam in London's Hard Rock Calling.
"It was an amazing experience that shaped who we are today," Doyle said.
Since then, the guys who grew up in Williamsville and Kenmore have mostly gone their separate ways, focusing on careers and starting families. They came together for a holiday show four years ago, and their previous show was five years before that. But now More Than Me is back together and creating new music.
They recently released two new songs. "It'll Come Back To You" features the band's traditional pop rock style. "Bluebird" has a classic 1950's vibe. More Than Me promises the release of three or four new songs soon.
"We have a brotherhood that we couldn't break if we tried. It's just going to always happen," .
They've got a reunion show at The Tralf Music Hall in Buffalo on Saturday, December 21, and they're being joined by Marquee Grand, Hey Monea and Rocco Of The Snow. The show begins at 7 p.m. and tickets are $17. They're asking those who comes to bring non-perishable food donations for FeedMoreWNY.
"The heart and the soul of this band has always been based here in Western New York. For us to be able to do a concert like this, to give back to the community, I think is exactly what we want to do as a band," Doyle said.
Next summer, More Than Me will be celebrating its 20th anniversary of playing as this foursome Doyle, his brother Todd Doyle, Joey Nicastro and Justin Rizzo started playing together in high school. They promised they "have something big planned" for MTM20 as they're calling it.
More info about More Than Me can be found here.