Equal parts precision and disruption, Char’s caustic sound has shaken up the Syracuse underground. The five-piece post-hardcore band released their debut EP on April 4th.

Words by Lauren Duncan / Photography by Ishaan Teja / Graphic by Michael Loya

Char came to be through a combination of shared passion and serendipity. Multi-instrumentalist Vijay Tandon and guitarist Brunon Kaminski initially met as college roommates during their freshman year at Syracuse University. What started with casual roommate jam sessions evolved into a full-fledged five-piece band by the end of their sophomore year. Bonding over a mutual love for shoegaze and post-hardcore, Tandon and Kaminski blended their styles and assembled a band.

Over the next two years, Char made noise in the Syracuse underground after entering the scene in October 2023. They built a name for themselves with a raw, abrasive sound that heavily contrasted the indie and bedroom pop that typically fills those spaces. The five-piece band – consisting of Kaminski, Tandon, and Gavin Casey on vocals and guitar, Vito Vetere on drums, and bassist Trevor Fraticelli – released their self-titled debut EP on April 4th. The EP’s three tracks give a glimpse into a band with notable ingenuity and lofty ambitions.

Char centers their creative process around the question ‘How can the best parts of Radiohead be heavy?’ They aren’t attempting to imitate Radiohead’s style but rather capture the essence of its sound design, immersive textures, layered instrumentation, and attention to sonic detail. The onus in that department fell on Casey, a sound recording major, who engineered, mixed, and mastered the EP at the Belfer Audio Laboratory.

Their inspirations come from a wide range of artists who take bold, creative risks, like mathrock outfit Botch or pioneering witchouse band Salem. Char aims to channel that same fearless originality into their music, seeking to create an innovative underground movement from basements across Central New York.

Discussing the EP’s three tracks, the members described “Doe Hits” as a song that represents their sound from one angle, “Chroma Key Secret” as a collaborative effort, and “Terminal” as a reflection of their individual creativity. Together, the songs form a clean and varied display of what their sound is all about — an electrified clash of hardcore roots and atmospheric textures where chaos meets control.

As the guitar riff plays out in “Doe Hits,” it is easy to drift off into the song as the drums clang to a cadenced rhythm. “Chroma Key Secret” is a standout, reminiscent of ‘90s bands that combine hardcore and shoegaze influences like Hum and Deftones. The EP captures the essence of what Char represents, and while each song has its individual intensity, they’re all tied together by a cohesive, infectious energy.

One of the band’s biggest influences is electronic music, which might seem ironic given their hardcore roots, but the name Char was chosen as an homage to a Crystal Castles song of the same name. Beyond that, the name Char carries a deeper meaning. In the world of computing, "char" is a data type representing a character. Until it is defined, it can represent all characters simultaneously — a concept that resonated with the band’s fluid mindset. The name immediately clicked when Kaminski, a computer science major, proposed it. One syllable, four letters — it just made sense.

Char takes a collaborative approach to songwriting, with each member contributing to the creative process. Typically, they begin with one or two riffs brought forward by Kaminski, Tandon, or Casey, to which they add structure during jam sessions. Char’s credo is trial-and-error, refining each part until they all agree on what works best. The primary goal is always to create something that feels the most fitting for the band’s vision: a gritty sound that explores space with hard riffs and experimental vocals.

Char takes its polished instrumental approach to live performances, leading to a focused, engaging experience for the audience. But they don’t shy away from adding humor to their sets, whether through gags like writing the setlist on their chest and crossing it off after each song or jokingly announcing the death of Joe Rogan. These lighthearted moments help balance the intense nature of their music, breaking up dense guitar lines with levity. Whether through convulsive sound or subversive humor, Char creates unforgettable experiences for its audiences, ensuring they leave with stories worth sharing.

Kaminski recalled a memorable moment during a performance when his microphone cut out due to a circuit issue, and instead of letting it derail the show, he went into the crowd and asked a crowd member for a napkin and three dollars.

“I went to a Char show, and the motherfucker asked me for three dollars,” Kaminski recounted.

“Yeah, stuff like that. You have something to say about it afterward,” Tandon responded. That raw, unfiltered vibe is part of what makes Char’s performances special.

“Performing is all about authenticity — you're not pretending or putting on a persona. You want to show the audience that you're having as much fun as possible and that genuine energy is what makes the experience memorable. It’s not about forced lines or expectations — it’s about sharing the real, unfiltered vibe with the crowd,” said Tandon.

Char’s ethos is authenticity, thus, they would never want to move away from DIY shows, even if the band gained a bigger following, according to Tandon. No matter how big they might get, they’d still want to play in basements and community centers. While it’s more common in hardcore scenes, the atmosphere in these spaces is unlike anything else — personal in a way that bigger venues just can’t match.

As for future projects, Char will continue to explore their sound further as they mature as musicians and artists. But for now, their EP showcases their range as a dynamic band, focusing on authenticity and experimentation.

Tired of Bedroom Pop? Try Char