Armabanks
Written by: Cait Elizabeth - August 2019
Edited by: Travis Ryan
Introductions
Armabanks has mastered their own sound, which is a mix of rock and soul. Known for getting people up and dancing when they hit the stage, Armabanks combines smooth vocals, killer guitar licks, and passion to entrance the crowd. They pull from their heavily eclectic influences to make music that really stands out in the Long Island scene. With every set as polished and energetic as the last, you really need to go see this band live.
The band was born shortly after Nick Arma (guitar) and Larry Banks (vocals) ran into each other at a party. They shared the music they were each working on and it became apparent they needed to collaborate. A jam session led to a reworking of Larry’s existing song “Sun”, which began the journey of Armabanks. After the duo had been out and about refining their songs at open mics, Nick’s brother Anthony Arma (bass), joined on adding his wealth of experience from his prior band history. Shortly after that Nick Pinzon (drums) and Andrew Pinzon (percussion) became part of the team. Once the band’s lineup was set, Armabanks quickly started booking shows across the island and began writing new songs. Their EP Similar But Different was released in January of 2019 and included the finished version of “Sun”. A key component of the band is their relationship with producer Dan Bouza. “He has the uncanny ability to bring out the best in all of us, getting us to expand our musical horizons.”
Armabanks’ song “World Keeps Spinning” is one that stands out as a favorite. It is a reflection of the bond that the group has—literally a band of brothers (and friends). They have each other’s backs on and off stage; “It’s a philosophy we try to practice in all aspects of life,” they share.
Tours & Shows
So far Armabanks has stuck close to home, making appearances at favorite bars such as Port Jefferson’s Portside, The Rail of Smithtown, and the Drift Inn of East Islip. “It's hard to pick an absolute favorite show, but an honorable mention must go to our latest gig at The Post Office in Babylon. There is nothing quite like being in a packed out venue, surrounded by people moving to your music.”
Armabanks is in the process of planning out their first tour, so keep an ear to the ground for details on where they will be popping up.
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Armabanks631@gmail.com
Inspirations & Influences
Armabanks fuses together genres near and dear to the band member’s hearts. Their listening interests range from Red Hot Chili Peppers, Sublime, and Soundgarden to Ed Sheeran, Maroon 5, Usher, and Childish Gambino. They pull together bits and pieces of their favorite music and create something unique: a balance of rock, pop, and soul.
“We have to say thanks to Jackie Guma, she was the first person to give Armabanks a platform. We essentially got our start with Equilibrium Booking. We also need to thank Maxwell Peters for his constant support. He’s really allowed us to work on our craft and spread our sound throughout the Island. We also want to thank The Drift Inn for showing their hometown musicians so much love. We are grateful for every opportunity we are given. Lastly, we need to thank everyone for their constant love and support. It means the world to us!
If we had any advice to give, it would be to do what you love. Pursue your passions with consistency, good things take time. Lastly, always try to spread a little light. We really should be looking after each other.”