Official formation in Merrick basement

All four members had backgrounds linking into their local Long Island independent and hardcore music scenes , but with influences ranging from Buddy Rich to Archers of Loaf . Brand New was officially formed in 2000 in a basement in Merrick, New York . Their initial intention was always to “move outside of whatever notions they felt inclined to when they were making music as younger people.” The band gained exposure in the local scene through playing shows with alternative rock contemporaries Midtown and post-hardcore bands like Glassjaw , while also self-releasing a four-song demo. The band’s first show was at the Garden City bowling alley as the opener for Long Island hardcore band Silent Majority.