Staff Report
The band A Long Way From Kansas is a local alternative rock band whose members are Newsome students Hayes Ubillos, 17, singing vocals and playing bass guitar, keyboards, and saxophone and Tommy Roth, 18, on guitar and vocals, Randall student, Nicholas Ubillos, 14, playing guitar, and Matthew Kosto, 14, home schooled, on the drums.
The band will hold a free concert in FishHawk’s Park Square on Friday, March 25 beginning at 7 pm. The event is called A Long Way From Kansas Blows Cancer Away and is being held to raise money for Newsome High School’s Tri M Music Honor Society’s Relay For Life Team in the fight for a cure for cancer. Two of the band members, Hayes and Roth, are members of the Tri M Honor Society and they are hoping to raise money for Relay For Life.
“It’s exciting to be doing this for such a great cause, and it’s exciting to do something this big. Everyone can relate to this cause somehow, and to be able to aid the cause and reach people is an honor,” said Hayes. Nick agrees. He said, “I think it’s awesome to play music and that’s all I’ve ever wanted to do, and it’s a great cause to do this fundraiser.”
Both Roth and Kosto are also really looking forward to the show and to have this opportunity to raise money for Relay for Life.
There will also be other local bands, a DJ, silent auction items and event T-shirts for sale. There will also be specials at Art Monkey and other local businesses that night.
The band has played at many venues throughout Tampa such as The Orpheum, The New World Brewery, Market on Seventh and most recently at a sold out show at the Krazy Kup Cafe in Plant City.
Many FishHawk area residents may remember them from when they played in Park Square at the benefit Softball Tournament Party, Strength to Endure, back in October 2015.
For those unfamiliar with the band, check out their EP, Pretty Cities & Broken Homes, on iTunes, Google Music, Spotify or anywhere electronic music is sold. Also check out their Instagram, Facebook, and web pages.
The band will also be playing at the Relay for Life Luminaria ceremony on Saturday, April 9 at Newsome High School. Individuals interested in donating to the Relay for Life Team can contact the band via Facebook or subillos@verizon.net.
