One of the best parts about being a music photographer and writer is getting the opportunity to find new bands. Between opening acts and headliners I have probably seen about 50 bands in total in the past year alone — on Thursday night, March 28, at Amos’ South End in Charlotte I saw a band that’s quickly making it onto my Spotify playlist called FELICTY, I don’t say that very often. 

FELICTY labels themselves as ’trash rock,’ which I can get behind. The group consists of vocalist Damien Fagiolino, guitarist Andrew Rapier, guitarist Cory Nicholas, bassist Michael Alosa, and drummer Rashid Williams. 

Together, they put on a heck of a show opening for Between You And Me. 

I enjoy all types of music and find myself checking out new groups and styles frequently, but not every band I see is going to make it into my rotation. It’s not a bad thing. We all have different tastes and that’s what makes music so great.

Despite the early set time, the crowd piled into Amos’ South End and filled up pretty quickly. As is often the case with the scene, the people who turned out were not fair-weather fans. From the moment the band took the stage they brought the same energy I’ve come to know and love from bands like The Devil Wears Prada, Underoath, and The Used. Despite the fact that most of the fans there admitted they had never seen FELICITY live, they definitely were feeling the music. 

I’m still new to Charlotte so this was a first time for me at Amos’ South End and it was the perfect venue for this show. It reminded me a bit of The Masquerade in Atlanta (the real Masquerade which has since shuttered, but will forever be a part of the Atlanta music scene). 

As with all opening acts the set was shorter than the headliner’s, but even in the abbreviated time, FELICTY made the most of it. They’re a band that seems to genuinely love what they’re doing and that’s always nice to see. When the band is having fun, smiling and having a good time it sets the mood for the whole show. Their fun loving attitude is also apparent if you take a look through their Instagram and TikTok stories which feature some of their self-described pranks. In an effort to promote their music the band took a guerrilla approach heading out to store like Target and Lowe’s with a speaker, putting on impromptu concerts in the stores. Their antics apparently got them banned from several of the stores, but I think these brands are missing out on a great opportunity to support a band, and get some great publicity. 

As an ‘elder emo,’ I know a thing or two about the wonderful music and the culture of the genre, I am also very particular when it comes to what bands within it I listen to.

FELICITY recently released their first new track of 2024 titled “CHARLIE SHEEN”  featuring Point North’s Jon Lundin. It’s a catchy ear-worm of a song that everyone found themselves singing along to by the second chorus, and if it’s any indication of what’s to come, then I’d say the band has more big things ahead of them. 

“The world is truly a crazy place. We started this band in the garage of Damien’s parents, and I remember we used to jam Point North’s cover of ‘Hammer’ for fun to warm up and goof around. Back then, they were an up-and-coming band with such a unique sound that we always admired,” guitarist Drew Rapier said via press release. “This journey has been so INSANE! It’s hard to believe that we are collaborating with Point North a few years later and releasing one of our favorite songs we’ve ever created, ‘CHARLIE SHEEN.’” 

If you haven’t heard of FELICTY yet, and you’re a fan of bands like Underoath, A Day to Remember, The Used, then you need to check them out. 

Review & Pix: I’m Music Magazine Photographer/Writer Michael Praats