Millions of people worldwide love music, and Lakewood’s popular concert venue, Mahall’s, can only hold a limited number of attendees. Nonetheless, on the night of May 22, it was packed wall to wall with fans from all over, moshing and going crazy for the incredible band Spill.
Spill consists of five members: Vocalist Nikita, drummer Oliver, guitarists Reece and Jack, and Bailey Dussault of The Lakewood Times on bass. Although this lineup has changed over time, it is now the band’s current formation and a fan favorite.
“There’s been six months with our current lineup, but we have been playing since October,” Jack said. They’ve performed at Mahall’s and Brothers Lounge in Cleveland.
While there are many subgenres of music, Spill effectively blends styles, from hardcore punk to alt-rock and heavier metal at times during their show. They keep the crowd engaged, encouraging nonstop dancing and cheering, with people moshing throughout. Though music is subjective, Spill’s dynamic performance captivated everyone, resulting in an energetic night of jumping, moshing, and enjoyment.
IIt’s incredible to see bands with such skilled musicians; Spill is one of those groups that exemplifies this with their talent and genuine passion for their craft.
The crowd was alive with music, demanding an encore while singing and moshing with fellow music fans. Although not everyone may appreciate all types of music, it has historically united diverse groups and individuals. I’m confident that the next time Spill performs, the venue will sell out.
Lyricists can draw inspiration from anything—significant life events, relationships, other artists, or spontaneous ideas. For Spill’s lyrics, Jack and Nikita each have unique sources of inspiration that contribute to the exceptional quality of their songwriting.
“Me and Nikita split it up,” Jack said. “I don’t like writing lyrics; I think that Nikita’s lyrics are about specific people, while most of the stuff I write is vague and random.”
Regardless of their origin, these lyrics captivated the crowd and left everyone wanting more. A few familiar faces from Lakewood High School were seen supporting their classmates and an incredible local band.
Spill incorporated both original music and covers into their setlist. The crowd’s favorites included “Geek U.S.A.” by The Smashing Pumpkins, “Lefty” by Title Fight, and several songs by Hum, all of which had the audience cheering.
“Geek U.S.A.” was our song for a while…people came to see it,” Jack said. Most bands have an iconic song that defines their identity.
“Geek U.S.A.” is a song from The Smashing Pumpkins’ second album, Siamese Dream. While it’s commonly classified as alternative rock, Spill described it as having a more hardcore feel, which thrilled the crowd.
A common theme among bands is their favorite venues; of course, Mahall’s is always the top choice.“We love to perform at Mahall’s,” Reese said. Mahall’s always does their best to make the bands get in their deserved spotlight. “[They] run the sound…they mic everything up, and it just makes everything sound really good,” said Jack.
Five of the six members of Spill attend Lakewood High School and had a unique way of meeting each other.
“I started working at Pier W about a year ago, and Oliver had been working there for a while, and I knew he played drums,” Jack said. “Then I realized he’s a nice guy, but then we wanted a bassist who we could jam out with, so we got Bailey. Originally, it was just us three, and then we also got our second guitarist, Reese, and Nikita.”
School bands have historically followed two paths: Breaking up after high school or continuing to make music together. For Spill, high school may have brought them together, but there’s no doubt that their band will continue to grow and thrive in the future.
