Memorable Moostache

Buying a beat-up old van to schlep instruments and equipment is a band’s first big commitment to itself.

Just ask Moostache, a young band of brothers (and their friend) that’s taken the local scene by storm. After a monthlong May residency at the Detroit Bar in Costa Mesa and the release of their first CD in late July, the band embarked Tuesday on their first tour, up to Washington state and back.

“We had to set up a bank account, which made it feel more legitimate,” said 18-year-old Patrick Wardell, the band’s lead singer and guitarist. Along with their new fiscal responsibility, the band just purchased a giant van, a spare tire and automotive insurance.

“We feel more togetherness now,” Wardell said. “The tour’s going to be a really fun experience. Any time you can travel with music, that is definitely good.”

The band is composed of three brothers — Patrick, Brian and Sean Wardell — and their friend Scott Zschomler.

“Ever since the first time we jammed with him, it was a fit,” Patrick Wardell said of Zschomler. “He definitely complements the sound a lot.”

Zschomler doesn’t mind being the odd man out among the brothers.

“To me, it’s more funny than anything,” Zschomler said. “I just get to watch it all go down.”

Brian is a very serious and logical musician, Zschomler said, and Sean is more laid-back; Patrick is in the middle.

So he enjoys the dynamic, while being able to stay out of it.

Trying to make a name for themselves wasn’t that big a task for the group. Wardell learned early on that sometimes a catchy band name really does make all the difference. He came up with the Moostache name in middle school.

“People remember it,” Wardell said. “And it shows we don’t take ourselves too seriously.”

Word-of-mouth marketing, along with the memorable name, have made Moostache a favorite for local teens and young adults. They have more than 700 fans on Facebook, and many more on MySpace. Their album is available on iTunes.

Along with being popular in Orange County, the band also has a strong following in San Diego; it has performed many times at UCSD.

Garrett Berg, who was in charge of booking bands to play at UCSD, was so impressed with the band that he became their manager.

“Moostache is a really talented and dedicated band,” Berg said. “They’re incredibly solid live, and they’re writing new material all the time. I saw an opportunity to help them in all the nonmusical aspects — to start selling CDs, booking bigger shows, and expanding their fan base. Basically, in my opinion, they have what it takes to be really successful and I want to help them get there.”

They guys say the saturated local music scene has served to make them better.

“There’s a lot more competition, because there are so many bands in Huntington,” Zschomler said; the band members all live in Huntington Beach. “It makes you try harder, in order to stick out. If you’re in a small, podunk town, there’s no reason to compete.”

Wardell said he recognizes how blessed he was to grow up on the coast, and have the opportunity to spend his free time in a band.

“You only have a 1% chance to live somewhere like this,” he said. “I realize how lucky I am.”

The band mates met through mutual friends, and immediately started playing together. They played in both high school and “real” bands before forming Moostache. Their first big break was at a concert put on for a virtual business class in high school.

Moostache had been together for about a month before the show, Wardell said; it had just recorded its first EP of original music. Wardell wrote the melodies, and he and his band mates jammed to compose the rest of the music and write the lyrics.

“We’ve always played,” Wardell said. “Our family and Scott’s family have always been really musical.”

Wardell and Berg said people most commonly describe Moostache’s music as “blues-tinged indie rock,” which hasn’t been heavily produced; Zschomler produced and recorded most of the new album, “The Body Disagrees,” himself.

Wardell cites bands like the Kinks, Pavement, Wilco and Walkmen as influences.

He said the group had a blast as the resident band at the Detroit Bar, and developed lots of relationships through their local shows. Now, on his way to unknown cities for unknown shows, Wardell and his bandmates hope to make some new relationships — with the ladies.

“That’s the plan,” Wardell laughed. “I don’t know how often that actually happens, though.”

They’re With The Band

Patrick Wardell, 18: vocals, guitar

Brian Wardell, 21: drums

Sean Wardell, 23: bass, vocals

Scott Zschomler, 24: guitar, vocals

If You Go

WHO: Moostache

WHEN: 8 p.m. Aug. 26

WHERE: Surf City Saloon, 18528 Beach Blvd., Huntington Beach

INFO: 21 and over; (714) 963-7744; myspace.com/moostachetheband