It has been noted by a few people that I mostly review, and attend hard core shows, so the other night I did something else. I had the pleasure of sitting in a small hall filled with kids who did not appear to hate their lives. It was a very welcome change from the tough guy scene I managed to find myself in the middle of. I got a chance to talk to Billerica/Burlington based band Five on Two, and while it was hard to get serious answers out of the eight members, it’s obvious that they’re not about being serious. The fact of the matter is, they want to have fun and play music, and “lessen the importance of genre’s and labels.”

The band got their name from a wrestling move, where it’s “your five on his two”—think about it for a minute and you’ll figure it out. While they’re not really interested in labels, they chose their style of music because it’s the “only music you can play with 8 people”. So, what kind of music are they (if you really have to classify them)? “Balls-to-the-Wall Ska Core” was one answer I got. While it was a short first interview for Five on Two and myself, it’s obvious that they’re a bunch of really nice, comical guys.

Their show is full of energy and catchy songs. Each member of the band is interesting to watch, especially when they join in with the kids in the circle pit. They have interesting original songs and clever covers. I will admit I was a little disappointed that they didn’t play their cover of “Semi Charmed Kind of Life” by Third Eye Blind. Over all though, they played an excellent set, and if you’re looking for something a little more two-toned in your life, you should definitely check out Five on Two.

-Lalz