By AnnaBelle Boone / The Jambar
After a hiatus, Youngstown State University’s Penguin Productions brought back the Federal Frenzy Face-Off. The event began at 8 p.m. Feb. 7 at Westside Bowl, as six bands competed for a guaranteed spot to perform at Federal Frenzy later this year.
The six bands were all from a variety of genres.
TheHeartBreakKings are a music duo formed in 2020. The band’s songs are available on all major streaming platforms, including Apple Music and Spotify. As a blend of pop and hip hop, its music offers a unique combination for listeners.
LARIE is a rock band based in Geneva known for strong instrumentation and warm melodies. The band is influenced by early ‘90s grunge and punk rock, while simultaneously drawing influence from The Beatles.
Jacob Dombroski, a Youngstown native, was also in attendance. Dombroski was awarded the 2022 Best Live Performance at the Youngstown Marathon.
Dombroski previously worked with another Federal Frenzy performer — Franklin Dead Rose — on the track “Trench In The Sun – Alternative Version.” He also auditioned for America’s Got Talent and was featured on SiriusXM Turbo.
Formed in the spring of 2022, Current Collides sports a brand of high-energy alternative rock. The band performed a mix of originals and covers.
Mateo Santiago is the newest performer on the stage with his solo project Tay-O. Drummer Wes Philips joined the duo in May 2024.
The night closed out with Nineteenth Paradise, a Youngstown-based band combining aspects of hard rock, punk and alternative music to its style.
The crowd was a mix of YSU students and other members of the community. Sierra Arnal, a current graduate student in the data science and statistics program, said she was excited about the event.
“Federal Frenzy was so fun last year,” Arnal said. “I thought this was a great event to go to, because of how well done Frenzy was. The drinks and food were all just amazing.”
The event also featured blue tickets given to each YSU student, who voted on their favorite act. TheHeartBreakKings won the face-off and earned a spot on the lineup for Federal Frenzy.
This year’s Federal Frenzy plans to bring a band marketplace to the event, where fans can buy merchandise and support their favorite acts.
The event will also expand from one to two days, and begins April 25-26.