Sunk didn’t come out of some grand plan. It started with a post. Brett Sabo, sick of waiting around, threw up an Instagram story: wanted—people to start a heavy band. Bobby Waterman saw it while half-asleep, holding his newborn at 2 a.m., locked in that weird middle-of-the-night stillness where ideas hit different. “I’m in,” he replied, probably before even thinking it through.
Brett had always been a drummer, but this time he wanted to scream. So the first sessions were just the two of them, Brett banging on drums while testing out vocal lines, Bobby pulling riffs together. It wasn’t polished, but it moved fast.
Then came Tim Balch. Bobby had known him from way back—college shows, shared bills, always on guitar or vocals. But after catching Tim behind the kit with his thrash band Brandish, things clicked. “We’d never seen him play drums like that before,” Bobby said. They asked him to join. That was it. No big reset, no rebrand. Just three guys who got what the other was trying to do.
Right now, it’s just the three of them. Bobby tracks guitar and bass, Tim handles drums, Brett fronts. If they need extra hands for a show, they find them. It’s not precious. What matters is the noise and the connection.
They’ve got dates lined up—Lansdale on June 22, Keyport on July 24, Reading on August 9. Small rooms, loud sets.
To spell out where they’re coming from, the band put together a playlist. The theme’s simple: something old, something new, something borrowed, something nü. It’s a glimpse into the records that shaped them, made them think, or just made them laugh. The tone swings from reverent to sarcastic to dead serious—kind of like the band itself. Check it out below.
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TIM BALCH (Drums)
Old: Zao “The Rising End”
I always loved this band, they were one of the first truly heavy bands I ever heard when I was a kid. They consistently come out with great records, their most recent one from a few years ago is one of their best records which says a lot for their longevity.
New: Callous Daoboys “Douchebag Safari”
One of the most exciting newer heavy bands right now. Their new record is truly wacky and inventive. Really exciting band.
Borrowed: Steely Dan “Deacon Blues”
I’m slowly becoming my father, so what
Nü: Mudvayne “Death Blooms”
This band is hilariously bad but their first record is sort of an anomaly. Surprisingly proggy and great compositions, better than most nu-metal going on in 99-2000. Kind of like Slipknot meets Tool. Bass player rips, drummer’s going nuts, psychotic vocals. Guilty pleasure for sure
BRETT SABO (Vocals)
Old: Poison Idea – “Taken by Surprise”
The greatest punk band ever. I have been rallying for us to cover one of their songs cause I think they’re super underrated.
New: Bad Beat – “Bad Beat Stomp,Too”
The whole LP rules but this song makes me wanna two step my legs off.
Borrowed: Weezer – “El Scorcho”
I saw the Mongoloids do this cover live at United Blood. A genius move on day two of nothing but dudes screaming.
Nü: KoRn – “Got the Life”
If you’re above the age of 34 you played the shit out of that follow the leader record. Try and tell me you didn’t.
BOBBY WATERMAN (Guitars)
Old: Ignite – “Veteran”
Thought they were just punk until I saw them on one of those compilation CDs that were everywhere back in the day and were labeled hardcore. So prob technically my first hardcore band I liked
New: Hazing Over – “Gushing Wound”
We bonded over this band at the beginning of Sunk, they embody a lot of the good things about modern heavy music in my opinion. They’re from Pittsburgh but PA all day baby
Borrowed: Hikes – “Tinker Creek”
Band just makes beautiful music. Great example of making super complicated shit feel accessible
Nü: System of a Down – “Prison Song”
I’m pretty stupid when it comes to history and politics so I appreciate when bands like RATM and Bad Religion make songs that educate a little because I know I could never do it successfully or confidently. Plus it’s just a banger.
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