Reach NYC was formed on Long Island in 1996. The band was active on the New York scene, frequently rocking infamous haunts like CBGB’s alongside the heavy hitting Papa Roach and System of a Down, and festivals like Vans Warped Tour. Originally named Reach 454, they caught a break when Lava/Atlantic president Jason Flom signed them after a strong performance at a label showcase. The band entered the studio in 2002 with producer Jay Baumgardner (Papa Roach, Evanescence), and emerged in the summer of 2003 with their self-titled debut. The album showcased Reach 454’s dynamic melodic shifts and riff-heavy guitar work. The band fell on hard times in 2004 and took an indefinite hiatus. Throughout the years, Chester Bennington, one of the closest friends of Reach NYC vocalist Rene Mata, expressed to Rene how important it was for him to keep playing music. The last time Rene and Chester were together in NYC, they hosted a dinner hang with Jacoby, Tobin, and Tony from Papa Roach, Matt Sorum, Marcos of P.O.D., and Rob from Volbeat. While enjoying their dinner, Chester presented the idea of wanting to put together a tour for the following year with Linkin Park, Limp Bizkit, Korn, Deftones, System of a Down, Papa Roach and wanted Reach to open. Disastrously, Chester passed away that same July of 2017, and Rene fell into a dark depression. In 2019, Reach NYC drummer Dante and Marcos Curiel encouraged Rene to put the band back together and open for P.O.D. in NYC. It was the band’s first show since 2004, and it quickly rekindled their friendship and their love of music. Their love for creating music, as well as the importance of friends and family, renewed their dedication to keep the project going. On October 9th 2020, Reach NYC returned to the airwaves with a new EP titled, Back From the Dead, their first release in 17 years, also featuring Jacoby Shaddix of Papa Roach. The EP was mixed by Jay Baumgardner and mastered by Howie Weinberg in Los Angeles. The newly titled Reach NYC is featuring Rene Mata on vocals, Dante Renzi on drums, Nick Cavagnaro (guitars, vocals) and more recently adding young guns AJ Chiarella on guitars and vocals as well as bassist Tim Robbins. The band quickly got back to the stage, and returned to the New York scene performing with longtime friends Quicksand at the Bowery, and made an appearance at Danny Wimmer’s historic “Welcome to Rockville” festival in Daytona, FL in 2021. Most recently, Reach NYC signed a new international deal with AFM Records and is currently gearing up for the release of their sophomore album, produced by Cass Dillon, mixed by Josh Wilbur and mastered by Howie Weinberg. The album will featurue special appearances by Jacoby Shaddix of Papa Roach, Kiiara, Sonny & Marcos from P.O.D, Joey Santiago from The Pixies & Sendog of Cypress Hill and Powerflo. |