Local band Baltic to Boardwalk celebrates 15 years of hardcore music

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) – Hardcore music fans came together for a celebration on Friday, of one small band who have been a staple of the Fargo music scene for 15 years.

“It’s all kind of gone really fast in one way, but also it feels like we’ve been doing this forever because we were like 19 years old when we started this band and we’re in our mid 30’s now, which is kind of crazy.”

Baltic to Boardwalk formed in 2009, when their members were in their late teens. The journey they’ve been on since is one they couldn’t have imagined.

“We love playing the music that we play, we’ve been playing it forever. Some of it feels different now in our mid 30’s, but you just come out, we just want to rock.”

Over the years they’ve toured 39 states, experiencing the weird and wonderful world of local music venues, and all the ups and downs that come with it.

“The venue hired a guy to watch our band so no one broke into it during the show.”

“We had like a 15 hour drive in front of us, and before this guy let us leave he showed us like an hour’s worth of 9/11 conspiracy videos on his computer.”

“He was blocking the door of the van too.”

And back home in Fargo, they’ve seen the changes in the local music scene and built friendships with other musicians, some of whom got to share the stage at their anniversary show.

“The Rana Danta drummer, I saw him in the Billiards side room when I was probably 16, 17, and I thought he was unbelievable and he’s opening the show tonight with his new band. It’s cool to see that evolution continue on with veterans that have probably been playing their instrument 20 years.”

All the band members continue to work day jobs, as they have since the band started. They say the reactions from co-workers can be surprising.

“You’ll show a co-worker or something like “Oh this is my band,” and they’re like “Oh I didn’t expect it to sound like that.” But they respect what we do, and we’ve had people who don’t really know this type of music come out to see us before, and they kind of get into it.”

But through it all, the desire to keep writing and performing together has seen them through.

“People ask “Do you guys get paid?” and I tell them no. And they’re like “Oh, why do you do it?” and it’s because you simply just love to play music.”