The 65's began in 2009 in Rutherford NJ, when Joe Pugsley and John Steele, who were playing at the time in the since defunct alt-country band The Dark Brothers, recruited some musicians to record a collection of songs that Joe had wanted to release for some time. The songs were a mix of aggressive punk influenced pop songs, acoustic tracks, and mid-tempo, straightforward rock n roll. After recording and performing in 2009 and 2010, they signed on with Dromedary Records and released their well received debut album "Strike Hard!" in December 2011. They released a video for their first single "Walk On Selfishly" in early 2012 and spent the rest of the year performing in and around the northeast in support of the album. In 2013, they released a 4 song EP "I Got You" along with another video via the newly formed Pyrrhic Victory Recordings record label/collective. 2014 found the band remaining somewhat active, playing shows sporadically and doing recording sessions from time to time. Now in 2015, the band has released a 3 song EP entitled 'New Fun Hell' with plans for shows and looking forward to working on their upcoming 2nd full length album. "On the driving, punk-edged opener "Have You Been Saved?" and the staggered, bruising "Holes Dug Deep," his guttural, raspy growl blends Leatherface's Frankie Stubbs and Swervedriver's Adam Franklin." ~ Mark Suppanz, The Big Takeover "The 65’s have managed to maintain their original style while incorporating new, experimental pieces. Strike Hard!’s meaningful lyrics are accompanied by basic melodies, gravely vocals and a great deal of heart and soul." ~ Marissa Savino, The Aquarian "Artfully blending a hard-crunching full speed ahead sound with a smart and thoughtful sensibility, this bang-up indie rock outfit deliver the best of both worlds with this stellar debut album." ~ Joe Wawrzyniak, Jersey Beat "You’ll definitely hear a nod to classic 80’s bands like Husker Du and Moving Targets in their approach (and even some of 90’s UK punks Leatherface in Joe Vocaturo’s gravelly vocals) and like those aforementioned bands, these guys have the tunes to back it up." ~ Daggerzine “Best new releases of 2011” ~ Indie Rock Cafe "...a delightful mix of styles. Loud and quiet, acoustic and electric, the 65′s are equally at home in coffee shops and rock clubs." ~ Magnet Magazine