Band battle: Jackson Township sibling trio COMPASS ready to rock in Cleveland show

JACKSON TWP. − The Kefalas siblings jammed on their instruments while rehearsing at their home studio for this weekend's Tri-C High School Rock Off in Cleveland.

Standing on a raised hardwood floor under strobe lights, Arianna Kefalas, a Jackson High School junior, strummed a bass while singing with conviction in her smooth alto voice.

Across the stage was her brother Harrison Kefalas, a Jackson High freshman, who coaxed high-powered, jangly sounds from an electric guitar. Twirling the drumsticks in between rhythmic strikes was brother Johnny Kefalas, a student at Jackson Memorial Middle School.

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Sounding bright and cohesive, the trio performed the original song "Freedom 21" with punch.

Anchored by a pop rock guitar rift and crescendo of a chorus, the song's lyrics trace to the origins of the group, which began during the COVID-19 pandemic as a way to combat cabin fever. That led to forming the pop rock band COMPASS, releasing four singles and performing live.

Their biggest gig yet will be Saturday against other young bands in the semi-final round of the 27th annual Tri-C Rock Off in collaboration with the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

Digital tickets can be purchased using the code of COMPASS at checkout to show support for the band.

Tickets, $15 for students and $20 for adults, are available at rockhall.com/rockoff. Tickets include museum admission during the event. The first band plays at 6:30 p.m. Doors open at 6 p.m.

Jackson Township-based COMPASS to compete in final Rock Off

This marks the final year for the event.

Bands will play a 15-minute set during the Rock Off semifinal rounds (Saturday and Feb. 10 and 17) at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Judges will select three bands from each round to move on to "The Final Exam" on March 2.

Thirty bands and musical artists are competing. Bands are mostly from schools across Ohio with a handful from out of state, including Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Missouri and Florida.

The 2024 Rock Off is produced by Live Nation and sponsored by the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Cuyahoga Community College and other groups and businesses.

Musical influences: John Mayer, Taylor Swift & AC/DC

Members of COMPASS are fans of both old and new popular artists, including John Mayer, Taylor Swift, Stevie Nicks, Fleetwood Mac, Five Seconds of Summer, One Direction and COIN.

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The brothers also have jammed on heavy metal songs from the iconic bands AC/DC, Metallica and Black Sabbath.

"I think it's really interesting because all of the modern music, that's been done before," Harrison said. "I think that's where the root of music comes from − the past. At least our music."

Arianna agreed.

"I think it's important to recognize where music has come from in order to make new music," she said.

The Kefalases, a musical family

Music is a family passion.

Arianna has played violin since age 5 and is in the Canton Youth Symphony Advanced Orchestra. Harrison plays guitar in the Seven-Thirty Big Band and trumpet in the Six O'Clock Big Band at Jackson High. Johnny plays percussion in the Jackson Memorial Middle School Band.

Being selected for the battle of the bands surprised COMPASS. Recorded songs were submitted.

"I honestly thought we would never make it this far," Johnny said.

Music becomes COVID soundtrack

Making music provided refuge for the Kefalas siblings during the pandemic lockdown in 2020.

For their mother, it provided a home soundtrack better than any songs she could hear on the radio or with streaming.

"In between online classes, they would play," Tanya Kefalas recalled. "I heard everything sort of blossom, and as the days and weeks went by, I understood they have some chemistry there."

With a laugh and smile, mom said the last few years "have been filled with music morning, noon and night."

The homebound band also relieved stress and gave comfort to their father, George Kefalas, when he returned home from long work days as a pulmonary and intensive care physician at Pulmonary Physicians Inc.

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George, a 1992 GlenOak High School grad and former member of a grunge rock band in college, would join them sometimes for impromptu sessions.

"I think we were all pretty bored, stuck in the house, so we just started playing covers of all our favorite bands and that helped pass the time," Arianna said.

Playing at PorchRokr was a highlight

Their first performance was about three years ago in a talent show at St. Paul Catholic School in North Canton.

The band's biggest highlight so far has been performing at PorchRokr at Highland Square in Akron.

With around 150 bands performing outdoors at the annual event, the budding group wasn't sure what to expect and rehearsed twice a day leading up to the show.

"We don't want to look like little kids who don't know how to play their instruments," Johnny said.

Mixing original songs with covers, including "August" by Taylor Swift and "Girls Talk Boys" by 5 Seconds of Summer, COMPASS performed for family members and some of Arianna's friends, as well as random festivalgoers and people who stopped in traffic to listen.

"There were a little nerves," admitted Harrison, who has been playing guitar since age 10. "Once we started playing, everything just died out. I think it was our best performance."

Future plans for COMPASS

Asked about their long-term musical aspirations, the Kefalas kids don't speak of stadium dreams and Billboard chart success.

Performing at The Nash Family Jackson Amphitheater would be a thrill.

"It would be so much fun," Arianna said. "And it would be so much fun because so many of our friends and families would be able to make it."

They want to keep having fun, creating songs and see what might happen. Harrison and Arianna both have college plans, although Harrison would like to pursue guitar playing in some form. Arianna hopes she can play violin in a symphony group on campus.

COMPASS also plans to release a five-song EP this year, including a new track.

"I think we're going to go where the wind takes us," Arianna said. "We're having a lot of fun with it now; it's very exciting."

Added Harrison: "As long as we're having fun and connecting as a band, I'm in it until the end."

Reach Ed at ebalint@gannett.com

On X (formerly Twitter) @ebalintREP and Instagram at ed_balint

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Tri-C Rock Off features Stark County band at Rock & Roll Hall of Fame