[Photo courtesy of Megan Young]

By Eileen Fortner, Contributor 

Cleveland-based band Ananke was one of three bands performing for the 2025 ACRN Prom. The band is primarily composed of Cleveland locals: Ted Bucha on drums, Sean Bradesca on the bass, Jonas Evans on guitar and Marty Bradesca on vocals and guitar. They are joined by lone yinzer Ben Stewart on rhythm guitar. Transforming a wide variety of musical influences, they gave the audience a show to remember! Before they rocked the stage for ACRN Prom, I sat down with the band to discuss their set.

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[Editor’s Note: Marty Bradesca is also a contributing writer for ACRN Media.]

[This interview has been edited for length and clarity.]

Eileen Fortner (EF): How are you guys feeling about performing at The Union once again?

 Jonas: I’m just pumped. 

 Ben: Yeah, I’m so excited.

Marty: Sean and Ben had their first time at The Union last time. But the rest of us are a little bit more seasoned, so we’re ready. 

EF: Being the first ones to rock the stage, you guys have to be amped up. Do you have a ritual for getting ready and hyped up? 

Jonas: We can’t talk about that, but every show we’ve played we have played first. So we know how to warm up a crowd. 

Marty: We’re used to bringing the energy. We’re also not a punk band, but—

Jonas: Yeah, we are not a punk band.

Marty: —But we got booked for this and we’re going to make it punk and we’re going to make it happen.

EF: When you are on stage, what runs through your head? 

Sean: It’s kind of the same thing as when me and Jonas wrestle. I feel the same kind of energy. I get really angry. 

Jonas: I get blinders and I can’t see anything except for Ted. Even though I’m facing the wrong direction, I still only see him. 

Ted: Much in that same idea, I also kind of get imminent blind rage and all I can think of is Marty’s glorious face. 

Jonas: I think about that song that’s like, ‘Jump! Jump! Jump! Everybody jump!’ 

Marty: Yeah, we all kind of go into a rage, and then I don’t really know what happens, then the sets over. 

EF: Can you tell me a little bit about how you came together as a band? 

Sean: Let me start. It all started in 2006, 20 years ago Marty was born.

Ted: How old are you? 

Marty: 20 

Ted: Unc!

Sean: And we became brothers in that moment.