Interview: Michigan’s Tension Head is Saying Farewell
Story by Anne Erickson
Tension Head bass player Anthony Garcia discusses the Michigan band’s decade-plus run
Michigan’s Tension Head came on the scene in 2003, crafting crunchy, straight-ahead rock that’s heavy and strong. Since then, the band – which currently consists of vocalist C.P. Rossio, bass player Anthony Garcia, guitarist Sean Griffin and drummer Brian Broucek – have performed on the Jagermeister Mobile Stage at Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival and opened for everyone from Puddle of Mudd to Thousand Foot Krutch to Cold. Their latest release, the “Unleash the Beast EP,” arrived in November of 2015.
Given their success and passion, I was surprised to hear the band was calling it quits this summer. But, they’ve had a lengthy run, and I’m happy that the guys achieved so many things over the past decade-plus. Their farewell gig is June 18 at the Hamilton Street Pub in Saginaw, and it’s already sold out. Garcia checked in to talk about the band’s time together, his love for the fans and more.
I can’t believe you guys are calling it quits! What are some of your best memories from your time in Tension Head?
Just being able to do this for as long as we have. We’ve been able to play hundreds of shows alongside some amazing bands and made some wonderful friends along the way.
What will you miss most about the band?
The thing we’re going to miss most is the interaction with our fans at the shows. Going out on stage and having that connection with the fans, it doesn’t get any better than that.
Why did you decide now was the right time to end the band?
After doing this for almost 14 years, we just felt that it was time. We gave it all we could for so long, and in the end, we felt that’s all we had left in us. We didn’t want to be the band that just hung around and faded away. We wanted to go out on our own terms.
Your final show sold out in days. How did that feel?
It was pretty overwhelming! We had no idea that it would be sold out in only three days. It took us all by surprise.
Why did you pick the Hamilton Street Pub for the farewell show?
We chose the Hamilton Street Pub because that’s where it all started for us. We’re a Saginaw band, and that’s our home. We played our very first show there. That’s where we cut our teeth as a band. We wanted to finish it where it all started.
Do you have any parting words to fans and friends of Tension Head?
We just want to say thank you for all of your support over the years. It has meant the world to us and we’ll never forget that. We couldn’t have done it without you. “Oh, yeah!”
Courtesy photo via Jeff Mintline / Mintypics
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