Issue One - The Weekend Riot

TWR
t’s been a little over seven years since Bruce Wiegner and Johnny Costa
have known each other. In his younger years, Johnny Costa performed in
local gigs around his hometown of New Jersey, and one night, he caught
the attention of another musician, Philadelphia native Bruce Wiegner. “I
asked the promoter who Johnny was. I was like why is he singing? He’s a little
boy! I think he was fourteen at the time.” Costa nods, “I was a baby.” “He
had a great voice. After that, we officially met, began playing together and
the rest is history,” Wiegner looks to Costa. “Right?” “Can confirm, most of
that is true. Except that, I was actually forty-one.”
The quick wit and humor is a noticeable trait amongst the pop duo. It’s
a reflection of not only their charismatic selves but also their music – something
really unique to the duo after a struggle of trying to place themselves
into one specific genre. “We love pop,” Wiegner explains. “But we did grow
up in punk bands.” When asked how much their music has evolved since
they’ve been together, the duo exclaims in unison: “Worlds!” “Seriously,”
Wiegner is still trying to cease his laughter, the timing was so perfect the
duo still can’t believe it. “The first song we ever did together, there was legit
screaming in it. I’m not kidding you. That was in 2011 –.” Costa groans, “We
were so emo.” Costa and Wiegner were part of an emo band, then a pop
punk emo band where they had emo lyrics but “it was kinda happy” where
Costa’s vocals were being strained, and almost completely gone when he
got nodules.
“While I was singing,” Costa pauses and corrects himself. “Screaming.
I remember Bru –.” Wiegner suddenly remembers and starts apologizing
while Costa laughs at the memory. Turns out Wiegner would chant for Costa
to go “Louder! Louder! Louder!” It’s a funny memory to look back now
although it must’ve been terrifying at the moment, however if it wasn’t