Alternative student band ready for debut

By: Kathy Paz/ Staff Writer

Rostislav ‘Steve’ Vaynshtok, a sophomore public relations major, draws influence and inspiration from a lot of bands many people have probably never heard of before. Zombi, Ratatat, Mogwai and Explosions in the Sky are just some on that extensive list.
In an industry often marked by mass-market appeal and reproducing carbon copies of the mundane, auto-tuned style, a breath-of-fresh-air appeal can be just the ticket to getting noticed.
Fight like Animals was formed in the summer of 2009; however, the original line up parted ways only a few months later. Vaynshtok explored the solo realm for a while before regrouping with Brett Flaherty, the band’s then-producer, in March 2010.
“After the other founding member left, I had cancelled all my remaining shows and had gone through a few auditions for potential new band mates, but no one fit. Then one day some buds invited me to do a show at Churchill’s [Pub] with them and I figured, ‘It’s been a few months, I should really get back into things.’ So, I called Brett,” said Vaynshtok. “He was the only person who knew the songs inside and out. We rehearsed a few songs and got back into the swing of things. It was around that time that I asked him to be a permanent member of the band.”
The Beacon: Who does what in the band?
Steve Vaynshtok: “I write the majority of the songs, actually all of the songs. Then Brett [Flaherty] adds his parts, does the programming for the drums and synths [synthesizer], unless I’ve written it with a certain synth pattern. He programs it all and sends it back. Then we get together and rehearse it. Once it’s down pat, we finalize some parts, chop some parts up and voila! It’s very easy to work with someone who knows exactly what he wants to do with the song.”
T.B: What’s the story behind the name “Fight Like Animals”?
S.V: There’s this epic painting of two men fighting with animal heads instead of their own. It totally got me. Then we eventually found out the acronym for FLA is also the abbreviation of Florida. So, I guess we’re a 305-till-we-die band, even though we have no intention of being one.
T.B: How would you categorize your sound?
S.V: I hate putting labels on things. We’re definitely not hipsters. If I had to categorize us, I’d just call it good music.
T.B: What can you tell me about your band in terms of releases, signings, endorsements, etc.?
S.V: We’ve got an EP for sale on Bandcamp.com right now. It’s our first EP. We’ve also got physical copies that we’re only selling at shows, but if someone bothers me while I’m in the bathroom, I’ll probably sell you one. Just catch me at an awkward time if you want one outside of a show. The EP is set to officially release on May 21 of this year on iTunes, Amazon, Rhapsody [etc.]”
T.B: What has been your most memorable experience?
S.V: Playing Anti Pop 2009. It was just super dope all around. We got to pack up a van, head to Orlando, and mingle with famous people. We got these wristbands that every band got, and nothing was off limits to us. It felt really Hollywood, and I loved it. I’ll always remember how we were on the lowest spectrum of that festival but still sharing a bill with [bands] Minus the Bear, The Antlers, Grieves, Yacht and I Fight Dragons. It was the event that cemented my ‘I’m going to be doing this forever’ attitude.”
Up until very recently, Fight Like Animals had been signed to Grannie Annie Records. However, conflicts arose over a lack of initiative on the label’s part, and the band decided to part ways with them. Though untimely and bitter, the departure has not affected the band’s other connections in the industry. Gibson Guitars, Orange Amplifiers, Visual Sound, a guitar pedal company, Wolfetone Custom Pickups and Blackbird Pedalboards currently endorse Fight Like Animals.