On December fifth, San Ramon will be visited by the band Neo Geo. Neo Geo is yet another California born band, but their sound sure isn’t. This group is nothing like Selena Gomez, or Blink 182, and certainly nothing like Linkin Park. Neo Geo, like their name, (new earth) has a new sound that blends pop elements, hard riffs, drum solos, and even features some electronic aspects, with intense, meaningful vocals. The result is a diversity that can appeal to a wide variety of people. Their newest album, “Digital DNA”, ranges from the pulsating electronic Entitlement to the intense, and deep Sunshine State, plus other more pop sounding songs in between. the band is not like many others, so it’s  no surprise it got it’s influences from some surprising places.

“My biggest influence came from opera, which is what I grew up with,” the band states. Other influences include Maria Caliss, the band IMS, and Gwen Stafani, whom the lead singer (Rainy Terrell) is often compared to, as well as Hayley Williams. (From the band “Paramore”) “But if you listen to our music, we sound a little different than Paramore, we sound like nothing else that is out there right now”.

As their name suggests, the band is all about evolving new music from the coming together of different backgrounds. “We come from different musical backgrounds, whether it be metal, rock, or classical, Neo Geo means new earth, and we use all of our backgrounds to make an amazing new sound.”  Probably the best feature about Neo Geo, and what marks them out from other bands is that collaboration between opposites. Even as some band members like opera and classical, some others would rather be rapping alongside Yelawolf. “I always wanted to be a dirty south gagster,” Says Ryan Walter, the band’s keyboardist. They stil manage to pull together to make music anyway.

Neo Geo is a unique band that has its own feel to it, and covers a variety of sub genres. Even through its variety, Neo Geo has a polarizing feel. Either you love one of their songs, or you don’t, and keep in mind some of their songs you may not want to play in front of little siblings. In the end though, Neo Geo is different from other bands through it’s band member’s diverse backgrounds, preferences, and the music they come together to produce. While they are definitely a band for mature audiences, their lyrics have thought and meaning behind them, and each of the musicians are vary talented.

Look forward to seeing them on December fifth!