The Stygian Shore might sound fierce, they might play hard, but they're really just a bunch of Leelanau kids doing what they love to do.

THE STYGIAN SHORE members include (from left) Dane Hillard, Gino Grimaldi,
James Czapek and Sean Niemisto.

Dane Hillard, James Czapek, Gino Grimaldi and Sean Niemisto are all graduates of Glen Lake High School.

Though they play what is known as “metal,” they don’t look like your typical hard rock band. They take themselves very seriously and practice hard, but don’t feel the need to wear black nail polish or spurt fake blood.

“The Stygian Shore really began two years ago,” said Czapek, who plays drums for the band. Grimaldi, the lead singer, approached Hillard and Niemisto, who both play guitar, in the hallway at Glen Lake High School. Czapek joined later.

After two years together, the boys have a few paying gigs, including a few graduation parties.

Grimaldi came up with the band’s name after leafing through a thesaurus. Stygian comes from Greek mythology, relating to the Styx, a river in Hades. It also means dark, gloomy and hellish.

“We started playing gigs last May,” said Niemisto. They recently garnered recognition by winning a local “Battle of the Bands” competition in Kalkaska.

Members of The Stygian Shore write all of their own music.

“We swirl it together,” said Niemisto, making it clear that there isn’t one writer who brings music to the rest of the guys. “Together!” Czapek emphasizes.

The band even has a fan club — sort of. Friends from school such as Troy Kilgore, who considers himself a “groupie,” follow the band. Kilgore even attends rehearsals.

“Troy Kilgore — that’s the fan club right there,” said Gino. Other fans listen to the band online at their MySpace page. (www.myspace.com/thestygianshore)

“The Styg,” as they refer to themselves, has uploaded MP3’s from their upcoming album, which is due out in August.

“Our most loyal fans are still from home,” said Grimaldi.

Most of the band’s shows are in Kalkaska County, which the band says has a better “scene” for their style of music. There’s also a larger population of young people.

“We try to play one gig a month,” said Hillard. Shows played in Niemisto’s back yard “don’t count.”

“We’ve been entrenched in the studio,” added Grimaldi. They recorded an album some time ago and are in the process of rerecording. The boys practice 2-3 times a week if they have time. Hillard’s parents have set up a practice area for the band at their Burdickville home.

“My dad helped us build this,” said Hillard.

Niemisto also draws inspiration from his parents — and a reputation. His dad, Patrick Niemisto, is a founding member of the popular New Third Coast band. He provides a recording studio where the boys are producing their album.

“I did a recording project there with someone else,” said Niemisto, “I’m attempting to do the same thing for us.” He’s learning how to handle equipment in the studio.

Members of the band have lent their talents to other musical projects. Niemisto recently helped another Glen Lake graduate record a CD and Czapek and Grimaldi are forming a Ska band with a friend called “Avocado Toboggan.”

Though the Stygian Shore has had some local success and the boys are having a great time with their endeavor, they are also realistic. Each of them are in college, or plan to attend in the fall.

“At this point in our lives, we have no real ambition to get signed (with a recording contract),” said Czapek.

“But it would be cool!” adds Grimaldi with an eager grin.