Meet The Guys Over There, four boys who have suddenly found that music is best made in the company of friends. On Tuesday, they will be playing at the gazebo in front of the municipal center at 3:30 p.m. to raise money for a friend who lost her home in a fire.
The middle school-ers, Dash Peterson, 13, on drums, Ben Fitzpatrick, 13, alto sax, Joseph Natal, 14, guitar, and Mark Tully, 13, guitar, have only been playing together for a month. They have known each other since about fifth grade, and they have all been making music almost since they could talk.
They decided to give the band a try for the Talent Show, and had their first rehearsal a little more than a month ago. After they found out they played well together, they decided to pool their talents to raise money for their friend Thalia Piaxao, whose home had burned down right before Christmas.
They first played at and Open Mike Night at , and raised about $60, which they turned over to Famous Pizza, which was also raising money for the family.
On Saturday afternoon, the Guys were heard playing at the gazebo at the Their jamming sounded clear to Greenwood Avenue, and beckoned listeners from that area.
Thelma Owoicho, Fitzpatrick's mother, said the boys have been amazing. “They went over to the First Selectman's office to ask permission to play and Knickerbocker gave the boys his blessing to play at the municipal center.”
Owoicho laughed, and said, “One minute I am changing his diaper, the next he is contacting the First Selectman.”
Mark's mother, Margaret Tully, is also astounded with the seriousness of the boy's attitudes towards their music. “They are so dedicated, so focused. They practice every day, even before school starts. Kids weren't like this when I was 13.”
Both Margaret and the boys give a lot of credit to the music teacher, Mr. Rick Baumer. Tully said, “They are all into their music and they are all good students. The middle school has been really good for music and the arts.”
The boys all play multiple instruments, and they all write music. If this is what they sound like after only one month, it is hard to imagine how far they will go as they make their way through their teenage years.
In the meantime, if you see them playing downtown with their guitar case open for donations, remember that the Guys Over There have donated their time after school and weekends to raising money for their friend.
Listen to the video of the boys playing Michael Jackson's Beat It in the gallery. And turn the volume way up.
