BULLETPROOF SNOW
By Molly Page. In December Detroit Live Magazine and Bulletproof Snow sponsored a contest for up and coming journalists “Teens that Rock!”. Fans were invited to write an article to introduce the band to the Detroit Music community and the winning article would be published in an upcoming issue of Detroit Live Magazine. The winner of the contest was Molly Page. Here is her article. Congratulations Molly!
Hailing from Livingston County, Michigan the boys from the band Bulletproof Snow have used a lifetime of musical talent to come together and create a sound that stands out from the regular rock genre. Their sound challenges the well-known mold of rock music and is blazing a new path into today’s diverse musical landscape. The band is composed of four teens between the ages of sixteen and seventeen: Trey McLaughlin on lead vocals/guitar, Jake Yacobelli on Guitar/vocals, Matt Coon on Bass and Connor Cheney on Drums. performances. The interaction between the band and crowd is positive and creates a fun, energetic atmosphere that pumps up those who attend. Fans are encouraged to rock out with Bulletproof Snow. Frequently, frontman Trey McLaughlin and guitarist Jake Yacobelli will walk into the crowd and jam out with fans. When not playing their original songs, BPS covers some of the band members’ favorite songs. These songs range from upbeat and alternative songs such as Bowling for Soup’s ‘1985’ to more mellowed out, subdued tracks like Switchfoot’s ‘Stars’. One familiar with these songs would be sure to note that they Bulletproof Snow’s debut album, Punished for My Innocence, is a collection of songs that are vastly different in style and rhythm but showcase the talent and potential these young both carry the sound that is a constant in Bulletproof Snow’s music. musicians have. The title song ‘Punished for My Innocence’ starts off the EP, featuring a The effort and passion that have been put into distinctive sound that is easily recognizable the band is not to be considered an easy feat, from most other bands. Featuring a strong vocal lead and a rhythm section that truly jives as in only a short time, through hard work and dedication they’ve become one of the areas together, Bulletproof Snow is a band easily most promising and popular new bands. It’s distinguishable from a crowd. Selectively, Bulletproof Snow will perform acoustic shows not common to see sixteen to seventeen years that bring out the sheer capability and diverse olds performing with bands such as Coheed abilities of both the musicians and the songs. and Cambria, Jane’s Addiction, and Alice in The addition of the resonant sound of acoustic Chains, as Bulletproof Snow did at the UPROAR guitars adds a somber, more serious feel to the Festival. music that makes fans wish they had brought a lighter to the gig to wave above their heads as Bulletproof Snow is very well put together. Each member of the band falls into harmony they swayed in time with the music. with the rest and produces an effort of moving towards the same goal together; to break Aside from the original rhythms and strong expectations. The same can be said of all vocals that drive their songs, the lyrics great musicians. No one would ever know the to each song on their EP are open to an names Bowie or McCartney if they had fallen eclectic assortment of interpretations. They into line with the rest of the musicians of their can be drawn to things related to a high respective times. Each are known for their very school student’s life such as breakups or distinctive and ‘mold shattering’ contributions underestimation due to age, to more serious issues such as depression or not knowing what to music. Much like Bowie and McCartney, Bulletproof Snow does their best to stand out your future holds for you. and overcome challenges that face them, to exceed the preconceived notion that due to The true charisma of the men behind their relatively young ages, their band will the music is fully revealed at their live Since March of 2012, these teens have made leaps and bounds in their band’s career. Hoping to be join the large repertoire of famous musicians to emerge from Southeastern Michigan, Bulletproof Snow isn’t far off. Being the youngest band to ever be selected for the UPROAR Festival sponsored by Rockstar Energy Drink, and the youngest band to attend the 2013 Detroit Music Awards, they’ve come a long way from being “That One Band That Practices in Trey McLaughlin’s Basement.“
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amount to nothing. Having already had their music played on the popular Michigan based radio stations WRIF (101.1) and 89X, it’s clear that these teens are well beyond the tier of Teenage Garage Band. Since March of 2012, BPS has performed with passion and conviction to audiences all over Michigan. With each gig they perform, Bulletproof Snow is closer to achieving that level of skill and recognition what they’ve strived for. Their future looks bright, both as a group and as individual musicians. It’s my prediction that it won’t be long before kids start telling their parents that they want to be just like their favorite member of Bulletproof Snow. Perhaps B.P.S. will become a common place acronym, used on a household level. Even if all that happens I bet they’ll still be the same relaxed musicians who started a band together due to a shared passion of music.
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