At one point, we were all in high school. We went to the prom. We went to football games. We even went to the school library once in a while. But, did you record an album in high school? Odds are, most people haven’t.
Local band Days Under Authority is an exception to the rule.
Days Under Authority consists of Anthony Yanez on lead guitar and backup vocals; Brenden Bonsel on drums and backup vocals; Dom Cassinerio on bass guitar and backup vocals; and Zach Corsi on lead vocals.
Many would be impressed to hear of their early accomplishment. However, their young age didn’t always impress people, and age sometimes hindered their ability to grow as a band.
“We were trying to get a show for the longest time and people kept saying, ‘Oh, you’re just a bunch of kids. I don’t want to book you guys,’” Yanez said.
The band formed in 2010 when Yanez and Corsi were 14 years old and drummer Bonsel was 12. Cassinerio joined as a bassist in 2014 at the age of 22.
Cassinerio is the band’s senior bass player. Finding a good bassist has been the most crucial part of the band’s journey, said Corsi.
“The main struggle in Fresno: it seems like there’s no bass players ”” everyone plays guitar,” Yanez added.
Once it found itself on solid ground with Cassinerio, the band was able to commit to opening shows for some big-name artists such as Escape the Fate and We Are Harlot. Opening for We Are Harlot was the first sold-out show for Days Under Authority.
“We never played a show of that capacity before,” Yanez said.
Bonsel: “No one knew we were from Fresno. They thought we were on tour with those big bands. So we’re famous to them.”
Corsi: “We didn’t have to ask the crowd to get up to the stage. They were already there. They were already singing along.”
Yanez: “I walked out into the crowd. I was going to the merch booth like I normally do and everyone just ‘Waaaaa!’–they were like look, look who that is!.”
Cassinero: “We were off stage, and I got the biggest rush I’ve ever had. Still, I don’t think any of us have topped it to this day. We were just walking out and everybody immediately erupted. I was like oh my god, there are a lot of people in here.”
Yanez: “We had people ask, ‘When are you guys coming back to Fresno?’ We’re from Fresno.”
Although the band has performed at the iconic Whiskey a Go Go in Hollywood, it prefers performing at Strummer’s in Fresno’s Tower District over any other venue.
“Hands down, you can ask any one of these guys.” Corsi said. “Strummer’s has basically become our home.”
When asked about what they appreciate most about being in a band, camaraderie and family were recurring themes.
However, Yanez explained that being in a band and creating music to help those going through a hard time are special to him.
“What makes me feel the best is when music helps people. Because I’ve had some fans come up to me or message us on Facebook, saying, ‘Hey, my mom has this disease. Someone passed away. I’m depressed and this song helped me through”” it let me be free,’” he said.
What advice does Days Under Authority have for up-and-coming artists?
Yanez said, “Practice, don’t rush the stage and have fun.”
Cassinerio: “Be the best you can possibly be at your craft. There’s only one of you.”
Bonsel said: “If any band is trying to do this as a career, don’t treat it as a joke. Care about it.”
Corsi: “Take criticism, but always have an ego. And also appreciate your own music. If you don’t appreciate what your music sounds like, then the crowd won’t either.”
Days Under Authority plans to have an album recorded within the next year and is excited to see where the members’ talents take them in the music industry.
