Challenges

Seeking to fill a pop-punk void in Central Massachusetts, guitarist Brian Dempsey and vocalist Corey Maynard formed Challenges in 2009. Fueled by their influences like Brand New, Alkaline Trio and Blink-182’s early raw sound, the band wrote and recorded their first EP titled Apollo in May 2009. After the enthusiastic response Apollo received on MySpace and other social outlets, the band moved forward, expanding their fan base by playing shows and taking advantage of the reputation their aggr...

Seeking to fill a pop-punk void in Central Massachusetts, guitarist Brian Dempsey and vocalist Corey Maynard formed Challenges in 2009. Fueled by their influences like Brand New, Alkaline Trio and Blink-182’s early raw sound, the band wrote and recorded their first EP titled Apollo in May 2009. After the enthusiastic response Apollo received on MySpace and other social outlets, the band moved forward, expanding their fan base by playing shows and taking advantage of the reputation their aggressive live show had gained them. Solidifying the band's line-up in June 2009 with the addition of Danny Massei on guitar, James Tripaldi on bass, and Ralph Sumblin on drums, the band set out to write and record their debut full length, We Ruined the Neighborhood. The record was written and recorded with steadfast determination from July 2009 to August 2010. In that year, the band started to gain local prominence playing with such artists as Transit (Rise Records) and A Loss For Words. (Paper + Plastick). We Ruined the Neighborhood was officially released on November 26, 2010. After the release of their debut album Challenges added new bassist, Brandon Thomas. They diligently continue writing and plan on a new release by the end of 2011.