For a makeshift group that formed to play at a prom last year, local band Busted Brix has done pretty well for itself.

“We got together to kind of have fun and play one show, and it turned out that people were like ‘Oh, you guys are good, come play over here,” sax player Toby Salas said. “We weren’t planning on becoming a local Vermont band.”

Since the Vergennes High School prom, the seven-member band has played over 40 shows, including two Northern Exposure shows at Higher Ground in South Burlington – a series that showcases rising local talent at the popular venue.

Band members describe their music as a unique combination of ska, blues, funk, rock, and indie.

“We call it horn rock, usually,” said drummer Nick Dooley. “I kind of wish I could watch us play sometimes. There’s a lot going on.”

The mix of guitar, bass, drums, and three horn instruments creates a more complex sound, Nick said.

“We have wide range of stuff we play, but the horns just add that extra flavor,” said lead singer Sam Bevet. “I don’t think there’s a lot of other people playing that kind of music around.”

“It’s fun music, it’s danceable, and it’s a good group of instruments,” Toby said. “We’re just up there having fun, and we want the audience to have fun, too.”

Last spring, just a couple weeks after forming, Busted Brix won the Battle of the Bands at TeenFest Vermont, beating out 10 other local teen bands.

“We were actually kind of wicked surprised by it,” Nick said. “Our vocalist wasn’t even there.”

“The crowd started chanting ‘Busted Brix,’ which was awesome,” said guitar player Henry Webb. “Then we went to Pizza Putt. It was a good night.”

The group won a $1,500 prize, most of which was used for a practice space and recording studio.

The band started out playing covers for ITS first show, but lately they have been trying to play all originals. They put out their debut EP – a demo of a few of their songs – at the end of July. (note: this was their plan, I need to check in to confirm before the site launches)

Despite the seven different voices contributing to songs, artistic difference are pretty rare, and songs just seem to come together, they said.

“Like, somebody comes in with some riff or the basis of a song and we all kind of throw our own stuff in, and it seems to work,” Nick said.

Each person generally figures out his or her own part in the song, whether it is a tune, a beat, or lyrics, Sam said.

The group also hangs out together outside of band practice, Sam said.

“We just all clicked,” trumpet player Meghan O’Daniel said. “I think we’re all pretty laid back people, and it’s really easy to get along.”

Over the summer, Busted Brix usually played every other week, sometimes two shows in one day – about as many as the busy band members could handle.

While all seven of them normally make it for the bigger shows, they often play smaller shows minus a musician.

Being used to playing with whomever can make it may help the group as the summer winds down and several members head off to college.

“We’ll try to play on vacations and stuff, and see how it turns out,” Nick said. “People around here will still play. Busted Brix will exist in some form.”

Listen to songs and watch video of Busted Brix at www.bustedbrix.com.