Photo of Dyne Side live at the Victory Theatre by Erica Vining
I’m a bit of a music snob, I’ll be the first to admit that. When a new song comes on the radio, I most often will surf stations looking for something I know that is familiar and comfortable. Surely I’m not the only one out there with a station pattern? SXM Octane, then Turbo, then PopRocks, and I’ll hit Mosaic as a last resort praying for some Matchbox or Goo Goo Dolls. Since delving into photojournalism, though, I’ve been forced to listen to bands and songs that are unfamiliar. While uncomfortable initially, I’ve really leaned into change of late and been inspired by the songs and stories of some of these new-to-me artists. Opening for Nothing More at Victory Theatre was up-and-coming band Dyne Side, and these guys really struck a chord with me. The energy, the vocals, and the showmanship they displayed made me want to hear more about who they are as a band and what their origin story was. I was able to chat with the band following the show and my appreciation for them continued to grow, enough that I want to introduce St Louis to the guys behind DYNE SIDE as I only see continued success in their future.
Longtime friends Emmanuel Costa-Maya and Eddie Salcedo formed Dyne Side in 2010, but did not begin touring until closer to 2015 when Costa-Maya completed his service in the US Air Force. The two are often joined on tour by close friends Noel Hernandez (drums) and Gus Peña (bass). The foursome describes themselves as genre-fluid, and each brings their own diverse background to the scene. Costa-Maya cites System of a Down and Michael Jackson as inspirations for his music, where Salcedo lists Korn and Limp Bizkit as two of his muses. This range is evident in their music, with songs like “Paper Skin” and “An Argument With Myself” which are heavy and scream-laden, “This City” with more of an alternative pop-rock feel, and “I Know Who I Am” giving me Rage Against the Machine vibes (and a hilarious music video, check it out here).
The band released their studio first studio album Bite the IX in 2014, followed in 2017 by IMMIGRANT and most recently Things to Know & Where to Go in 2020. In 2021, the band dropped a series of songs under the title P.E.R.M.A. with each letter featuring an EP the band states they arranged based on the scientific model of happiness proposed by psychologist Martin Seligman. Letter E.’s single, “Just Try,” is one of my favorite Dyne Side tracks, telling a story of inspiration and self-motivation, overcoming life’s challenges through trial and failure, and ultimately achieving success through hard work and dedication. As children of Immigrants, Costa-Maya and Salcedo have witnessed firsthand the outcomes of hard work and taking risks for the potential outcome of a better life for those around you. Costa-Maya is the son of Colombian and Brazilian immigrants who left their lives and families behind to seek a better life for their children in the United States. The frontman went on to serve in the US Air Force as a way to give back to the country that offered these opportunities to him. Salcedo is the son of Colombian immigrants who fled their country in search of opportunity and safety for their three children. Both of Salcedo’s parents are deaf, which added another layer of adversity to overcome.
Dyne Side’s appearance on the SPIRITS tour with Nothing More was just another display of their drive and dedication to their music. The band went head-to-head with several talented bands to win their spot on the tour, nabbing thousands of votes in a battle of the bands presented by DWP through the Space Zebra show. In addition to their opening slot on the SPIRITS tour, the band has toured with big names like Every Time I Die, Emmure, Alien Ant Farm, and Skindred. They are planning new music and videos this fall, and currently have shows booked through the South Florida region. Dyne Side can be streamed on all major platforms, and you can find their Spotify here. If you were lucky enough to catch them on the SPIRITS tour but missed out on merch, they recently opened their online store where you can find some of the favorites from the tour. | Erica Vining
