The new Cardinal Newman Rock Band wowed everyone with their sound and energy at Friday night’s football game where Crusaders won 34-31 against Park Vista Community High School. The band includes Padraig Mee on bass guitar, Michael Anzivino on electric guitar, and Amy Guzman on drums.

CN Blue & Gold: When did you first start playing your instrument?

Padraig: I first started playing bass guitar in January of 2017. I liked the sound it delivers in all genrespadraig:  of music.”

Amy: I’ve been playing the drums since I was 5 years old.

Michael: I first started playing over two years ago when I joined the School of Rock.

CN Blue & Gold: How often do you practice together?

Michael: We only practiced three times together before the first show at the football game. We will continue to practice and expand on our songs for our future performances.

CN Blue & Gold: What’s your favorite song to perform and why?

Padraig: For me it’s Savor by Santana because it gives all of us the flexibility to jam out and solo, Michael and Amy do a really good job at soloing and making it sound fantastic.

Michael: Definitely Savor by Santana. We just take the main rhythm part from the song and improvise a ton over it. It is so fun for us all to be able to solo and jam out.

CN Blue & Gold: What other events will you be performing at?

Amy: We do not have a set schedule yet, but it would be super fun if we played at the pep rallies for the whole student body and the future football games.

CN Blue & Gold: Which famous musicians do you look up to? Why?

Padraig: I really look up to the bassist of Vulfpeck, Joe Dart. His groove and vibe makes performances really exciting to watch.

Amy: A famous musician that I look up to would definitely be Ginger Baker because I love the way he creates rhythms and he is just a real beast.

Michael: Musicians that I look up to would include Covet, Polyphia, Gojira, Deafheaven, Sianvar, The Contortionist, Dance Gavin Dance, Deftones, Oathbreaker, Panopticon and many more like that.

CN Blue & Gold: What are you most looking forward to with the band?

Padraig and Michael: I’m looking forward to playing more songs at more games to provide a positive and entertaining environment.

Amy: I’m looking forward to grow as a rock band, learn new songs but most of all, I am looking forward to having an awesome time!