High school band takes Risk of Being Heroes

High school band takes Risk of Being Heroes
Stillwater NewsPress
By S. West

It is quite obvious that Stillwater is full of musical talent. Living in a college town with very few centers of attraction, there is nothing better to do than pick up a guitar and begin singing.
During the summer of 2006, this is exactly what four ambitious guys from Stillwater High School decided to do.
The Risk of Being Heroes is a post-hardcore band made up of vocalist Senior Brett Johnson, guitarist Sophomore Blythe Cordova, bassist Sophomore Ryan Johnson, and drummer Sophomore Andrew Roberts. It has been ten months since Brett and Andrew began jamming together in Brett’s garage.
Since then, there have been many line-up changes and a few obstacles thrown in their way that has formed the band into what they have become today.
“We’re pretty good,” Roberts said.
They are a band far different than any other band found in Stillwater. One obvious reason is the sound they make. Most bands that come out of Stillwater have a more mellow-indie feel to them. Nobody should go to a Risk of Being Heroes show and expect to sit down during the performance.
From the energetic stage performance to the brainmelting guitar and bass riffs, to even the tense and electrifying drum beats, they have the ability to give their audience exactly what they
want.
“They are simply amazing, and the greatest band ever. If you don’t think so, then you’re wrong,” Junior Tim Best said.
The Risk of Being Heroes have only put on two shows so far. One show was held at the Wesley Foundation in December, and the latest was held at Happy Narwhal Records on February 2. They played with Cymbeline Complexion from Perry. Together, they packed the tiny record store with more than 100 people.
“It was the most ballin’ concert ever,” Junior Garrett Petray said.
Their next show will be a benefit concert for the Humane Society on April 21. The concert will be held in the afternoon so that students will still be able to make it to Prom on time. The show will be held at the Community Center and will feature many bands such as Mayola, John Statz, The Principalities, and Legend of Junior.
More plans involve recording with 2006 Senior Garrett Redding, and putting out a seven-song, self-titled, EP by early summer.
Their influences include bands such as Thursday, Saosin, Blood Brothers, Coheed and Cambria,
and even Metallica.
Their music is about growing up, losing friends, past romances, and how everything in life happens for a reason.
The Risk of Being Heroes got the idea for their name from a quote by Sir Thomas Moore in the movie A Man for All Seasons. The name doesn’t reflect any conceited opinions they may have of themselves, but instead reflects their efforts in believing that they can live up to their own standards, and overcome any mental battles they may have.