Old School Hype charms with covers

Southeast Missouri State University student Alex Amelunke decided to start a band with his little brother Caleb Amelunke in 2010. He didn't realize initially that his band would be what it is today.

"I guess it started with him playing guitar, really," Alex Amelunke said. "Once he started getting better I was like 'We should start a band, and I'll sing,' even though I hadn't really sung at all. Then we found a drummer at Delta, and it was really just us three at first."

Old School Hype is comprised of Alex Amelunke on vocals, Caleb Amelunke on guitar, Skyler Simpson on bass and backing vocals and Chris Whited on drums.

When the band started in 2010, Alex Amelunke was 17 and Caleb Amelunke was only 13.

The band plays a wide variety of covers and has produced a few original songs, which aren't recorded at this time.

Alex Amelunke said that the band plans to self-record a demo this semester out of their home.

Old School Hype has played 239 shows since its establishment.

"We got like 145 booked this year," Alex Amelunke said.

Old School Hype is the house band at The Library bar in Cape Girardeau. They play acoustic sets every Thursday night.

"Our manager, Doyle Canady, he does most of the calling and price negotiation, which is helpful, so we don't have to deal directly," Alex Amelunke said. "He just kind of started with places in the smaller towns, and then we kind of moved into Cape gradually."

Since Old School Hype plays such a wide variety of music, they see a wide variety of supporters at their shows.

"Sometimes it depends on the bar," Alex Amelunke said. "Like at The Library we get mostly college [students]."

Neither Alex nor Caleb Amelunke have detailed plans for the future with their band.

"I'm going to graduate college at the same time [Caleb] graduates high school," Alex Amelunke said. "Wherever he goes to college, we might try to go to that city and tour or whatever over the summers, but we're really not too sure yet. We really want to tour if we can get enough original material together."

Caleb Amelunke is set to graduate from high school in May of next year.

Alex Amelunke explained that they're trying to play an indie style of music as opposed to the heavier, more rock n' roll style they played in the beginning of their time as a band.

He compared their style to that of Cage the Elephant.

Old School Hype will play shows at The Library every Thursday, and they have a show coming up at 9 p.m. on Feb. 8 at Mixing 10.

Old School Hype can be reached on Facebook at facebook.com/oldschoolhype and can be booked by contacting Doyle Canady at 573-931-1350.