The Rhythms
of Rushmore

By Tom Waring
Times Staff Writer

The band Rushmore will treat crowds to an occasional cover tune, but members say their passion is performing original music.
All four members take turns writing lyrics and arranging instrumentals.
"We write music that we like. That’s always been rule number one," said lead singer/guitarist Travis Coffin. "It’s a good way to get all four of us attached to the songs."
Coffin, 20, is part of a band that also includes drummer Mark Miller, 21; guitarist Jordan Gershowitz, 20; and guitarist Jason Fox, 21.
The group rehearses regularly in a studio in Miller’s home on Witler Street in Bustleton. He’s been playing in bands for about eight years. The other three live in South Jersey and are all graduates of Rancocas Valley High School.
Coffin and Gershowitz formed Rushmore as high school freshmen in 2003. Fox joined later after leaving a band called Lost Cause.
Miller — who attended Anne Frank and Loesche elementary schools, Baldi Middle School and George Washington High School — came on board in November 2006 after learning about the group on MySpace.com. He’d been looking to rejoin a band after a short stint working as a painter in Florida.
How do they describe their music?
"We’ve matured as musicians and honed in on the Rushmore sound, which is a brand of pop punk," Gershowitz said.
So far, the Rushmore resumé looks pretty good.
It’s been voted among the top 25 unsigned bands by Drive-Thru Records, was a finalist in the Philly Car Share Sound Clash, won an MTVu Battle of the Bands contest and was an MTVu finalist for a "Best Music on Campus" award.
The band played a live set last month on Radio 104.5, headlined a Hurricane Katrina relief concert hosted by Wired 96.5 and won a contest that allowed it to open a show by the Plain White T’s.
In all, Rushmore has played more than 250 shows along the East Coast and opened for popular bands such as I am the Avalanche and All Time Low on Dec. 23 in front of a sold-out crowd at the famed Stone Pony in Asbury Park, N.J. A number of college radio stations are playing the group’s songs, which are contained on three EP and two demo records.
The Rushmore Web site and MySpace page allow the group to reach fans across the globe.
"We’ve accomplished a lot of stuff in a little amount of time," Gershowitz said.
The members fit in rehearsals and performances between school and work. Miller studies political science and pre-law at West Chester. Gershowitz majors in film and telecommunications at Indiana University. Fox works as assistant superintendent at a golf course. Coffin is a waiter at a restaurant.
The young men understand that music is a business. Miller, for instance, wants to pursue a career in entertainment law. He’s also seeking sponsorships for the band.
For now, the band takes whatever money it earns and puts it back into making their sound better and their name more widely known. On occasion, the guys will treat themselves to dinner.
"Our main goal is to get signed to make this our official job," Coffin said. "We’re keeping our fingers crossed."
The young men believe they deserve their big break.
"With the caliber of shows we’re playing and opening for bigger bands, hopefully somebody else thinks we deserve it too," said Miller, who moved here from Latvia when he was 5.
Rushmore has been busy in the last few weeks, and that’s by design, since Gershowitz has been home from school.
When he’s away, Gershowitz looks for future gigs while the other three write music and distribute press kits.
"Jason, Mark and I practice so we stay fresh and tight as a band," Coffin said.
Two staples of a Rushmore live performance are high energy and a fun atmosphere.
"If we don’t make it fun for ourselves, how can we expect anyone else to get into it," Miller said.
Band members don’t forget their humble roots of playing in bowling alleys, skating rinks, high schools, coffee houses, VFW posts and fire halls. They recall recording their first songs in a barn and selling them to classmates during lunch.
At shows, the guys mingle with their fans, who like to consider the musicians their "friends." Most of the fans/friends are young and female, and all-ages shows often draw the biggest crowds.
The Rushmore four engage their fans in conversation, offer a handshake, pose for pictures, sign merchandise and always say, "Thanks for coming."
"We’re getting one fan at a time," Coffin said. ••
To buy a T-shirt or CD, visit http://rushmore.bigcartel.com
For more information on the group, go to www.ihaterushmore.com or http://www.myspace.com/rushmorerocks
Reporter Tom Waring can be reached at 215-354-3034 or twaring@phillynews.com