Grand Rapids Rocks: Fifth Way

I love Grand Rapids and all it has to offer with local music, so I decided why not feature local bands here on wgrd.com! Today's featured Fifth Way, they answered a few questions for me below! Check them out, and if your in a local band and want to be featured then answer the same questions and email them along with a video to Jackie@wgrd.com, I don’t just feature anyone, so don’t suck and you’ll get the Jackie stamp of approval ;) Find me on facebook too, to follow all your favorite local bands, and GRD news by clicking HERE

Band Name
Fifth Way
Who are all the members of your band, and what do they play?
Tim Gossman - Vocals/Acoustic Guitar
Adam Trahan - Guitar
Zak Stelmaszek - Guitar
Chris Castro - Drums
Jeff Ross - Bass
When did the band get together, and how?
Fifth Way got together in the fall of 2007. It started with Adam (guitar) and Tim (vocals) heading into Rustbelt Studios to record a few demos. Soon after recording started the duo felt like they really had something and brought in Zak, who Tim had previously played with, to help with recreate the songs live and write with. The demo's were tracked with help from Jeff 'Shakey" Fowlkes on drums and Jimmie Bones on keys. Shortly after the 3 songs were complete they trio auditioned several bassists and drummers and landed their first show at the legendary Machine Shop in Flint the following January. They then returned to the studio to finish their first full length album called No Boundaries.
After losing a bassist and drummer Chris and Jeff joined a few years ago and they continue to lay it down.
How would you describe your music to someone?
Hailing from Metro Detroit, Fifth Way aims to instill in their listeners a life expressed through rock: the dominant form of music. With diverse backgrounds and styles, Fifth Way is bringing their rock and roll spectacle to all the stages that can handle it. Front man Tim Gossman’s
powerful vocal styling’s are accompanied by “the twin guitar attack of lead player Zak Stemlaszek
and cohort Adam Trahan, which is powerful but tastefully tuneful at the same time as is ultimately what makes the band unique.” (Bill Holdship – Metro Times Magazine) Jeff Rossw, the man in charge of the low end, hollers at your with his precision and timeliness. Captain Chris Castro, the clock man, hits hard, hits often and maintains a tight ship. At the end of the day, Fifth Way is a full on active rock band blending the dirty drive with the soulful cleans...but with emphasis on the dirt!
Who are some of the bands that influence your music?
Shinedown
Pearl Jam
Guns 'n' Roses
Alter Bridge
Motley Crue
What other bands have your members been/are in?
Tim and Zak were in the rock band with mild success Courtesy Stitch

Adam was in a band call Slow Train in LA and shared rehearsal space with Hybrid Theory (now known as the small band Linkin Park)

Chris is currently a member in the rock bands Ugly as well as Ballz Deluxe.

Jeff has decided to jump out of the cover band scene!
What other local bands would you recommend people check out?
Wayland
Pop Evil
Where is your favorite place to play in Grand Rapids?
Intersection
Where can we catch you performing next?
Fifth Way recently played a show with Halestorm at the Machine Shop in Flint and is taking a little time off to finish their 2nd album in September and October. They are currently working on dates for the winter and will be in GR in December, although we can't announce it yet!