SALT LAKE CITY — Starting with two friends at work, Salt Lake band The Nods have become well known in the area for its high-energy shows and hard-hitting punk music.

The Nods began when Rocky Maldonado and Joey Mayes were working together at the Salt Lake County Courthouse. They spoke about playing together and making some punk rock songs after work.

"We went to (Mayes') house later one night and jammed it out, felt it out and it felt pretty good," Maldonado said.

Maldonado sings and plays guitar for the band and Mayes plays guitar. They played with another drummer as part of a three-piece for a time before meeting Travis Michael, who would come to parties at Mayes' house. Mayes told him that he and Maldonado were jamming together in his basement and invited him to come and play.

Soon after, Sean Vincent joined the band as drummer, and that line-up has continued until now.

A few of the songs on The Nods' seven-song EP, "Ariadne's Thread," released in March, were written by Mayes years ago but never worked out until he started playing in this band.

"I had a lot of ideas from my last band, but a lot of them didn't work out, so I just kept working on my own things and kept working from there. I just kept waiting around for the right people," Mayes said.

Related:

Art & Entertainment

Looking for news about local music, art, cultural events or for movie reviews that have Utah's values in mind? Check out KSL.com's Arts & Entertainment section.

Finding those right people started as he and Maldonado began writing songs together. Those early sessions of writing were the product of the first four songs on the album. When Michael and Vincent joined the band, the writing continued with the last three songs on the album, which showcased a gradual growth in the band.

"It's a natural progression from where we were to where we are now," Maldonado said. "It wasn't thought out — 'We're going to sound like this now' or 'We're going to do darker things.' It was just a completely natural change."

"I think we all just got more comfortable playing with each other, and came up with new ideas," Michael added.

The writing process for the band is a collaboration between all the members who each bring unique taste and style to the group.

"I feel like our strength as a band is the overlaps we have together," Mayes said. "A lot of us like the same type of music, but a lot of us like different kinds of music that the others wouldn't listen to on their own."

Each of the members will typically write parts of songs on his own and then bring them to the group. From there, they are able to build and tweak the sound until it becomes something they like. And typically the songs can change radically when Maldonado adds his vocals on top.

Jessica Bundy and courtesy of the Slug Magazine Death By Salt V Release Party on June 13, 2015

"Usually we have a song, or have an idea of a song, but then Rocky's vocals can take it to something completely different," Vincent said. "Rocky really shapes the songs."

Because of work and other responsibilities, it is difficult for the members of the band to find time for practice, but they are still able to play constant shows, which remains their main priority.

"Our live shows have gotten us the best response, even though we don't practice that much when we do go out and play a live show. All of us give 110 percent for the show," Michael said.

The Nods see playing live as its main goal, and band members hope those who come will be able to feel the energy and passion they have for the music.

"I'm trying to do something with my friends — and also bandmates — and I'm trying to do something with them that goes a lot deeper than just playing at a party where people want to just drink beer and eat pizza, and hopefully people hear that and realize that," Maldonado

The Nods will be playing Sept. 17 at Diabolical Records with The Coathangers, Foster Body and Big Baby. You can listen to its music at bandcamp.com.

Brock Allen is a Montanan and a communications student at Brigham Young University-Idaho. Formerly a KSL.com intern, he regularly contributes as a music writer. Contact him at olaf.sant6@gmail.com.

Related topics