Young Northvale Musicians Brings Their Band's Heavy Sound To NYC Hipster Club

by Rafe Gomez

Seventeen year-old Ethan Boras and his 21 year-old brother Max recently brought the progressive heavy rock sound of their band Flathead Sky to Fontana’s, a top-reviewed, tri-level rock club favored by hipsters, models, and music aficionados. Flathead Sky has the distinction of being one of the youngest bands to ever take the stage at Fontana’s, which is located on Manhattan’s Lower East Side.

“Flathead Sky had amazing energy, and they were great performers,“ says Patrick Salt Ryan, a manager at Fontana’s. “Our crowd, which has high expectations for good music, loved them. They definitely have huge potential.”

All four members of Flathead Sky met while studying music at School of Rock, an afterschool music program. The School’s combination of individual lessons and group performances at top venues across the tri-state area gave the members the experience and confidence to create their own band, which features original songs with a sound that’s influenced by Led Zeppelin, Frank Zappa, Dream Theatre, Judas Priest, and Pain of Salvation.

In July, Flathead Sky performed their first show when they opened for Les Dudek – guitarist for Stevie Nicks, Steve Miller, and The Allman Brothers Band - at Mexicali Live in Teaneck.

“Flathead Sky blew the Les Dudek fans away with their extraordinary talent, especially for such young musicians,” says Lindsay Chait, talent booker at Mexicali Live. “We can’t wait to have them back for future shows.”

The band’s self-titled debut album, which was recorded in May ’14 and produced by their lead guitarist Max, was released last month and is available on Spotify and iTunes. Flathead Sky’s next gig will be at The Stone Pony in Asbury Park on Sunday, October 5, where they’ll be competing in the annual Rock to the Top competition.

“We’ve had lots of rehearsals and we put on some great shows this summer, so I think we’re ready for Rock to the Top,” says Ethan, who plays drums in the band. “I’m looking forward to the experience, it should be a lot of fun.”