WEST HAVEN -- Connecticut's "American Idol" contestant, Nick Fradiani, had a special duo cheering him on during his live performances on Wednesday.
Bandmates Nick Abraham and Ryan Zipp flew out to California to support and visit their pal on Wednesday morning. The three are roommates in West Haven and are members of the band, Beach Avenue.
Abraham and Zipp have more than guitar strings to pick with Fradiani.
"He's got a heavy foot. Tends to leave lights and fans and everything on," said Zipp, laughing.
"I mean, we miss him, but we are definitely saving a lot on the electricity bill," Abraham quipped.
The roommates haven't seen Fradiani in more than two months and Beach Avenue hasn't jammed together in about six months.
The band of three and a half years is on hold, but that doesn't mean they've stopped working. "I'm writing every day. My phone is full of voice mail messages, guitar riffs, lyrics, all kinds of stuff and so sometimes I'll record a quick demo or something and send it out to Nick to see if he has any input and we'll bounce ideas back and forth," said Abraham.
"The band never broke up or anything," said Zipp. " It was an opportunity he had to take. We're all supportive of him. We'll just have to see what happens."
Beach Avenue also spoke to Fox CT about how the band got started:
As Fradiani's social media popularity grows each week that he advances on "Idol," Beach Avenue is benefiting, too.
"The exposure is just insane, it's incredible," said Abraham. "Nick can't exactly, like you know, expressly come out and say this is my band because of what's going on, but a lot of people have just found out and have been hitting us up and like, 'Wow, Nick has all these really awesome songs' and are downloading the music."
Zipp and Abraham scrutinize each of Fradiaini's performances.
"It's not like he's going to be offended if I tell him what I thought about something," said Abraham.
Zipp added, "Anytime we see his expression, like we know almost exactly what's going on in his head."
The two were excited to watch Fradiani perform live in person.
"We're used to texting him from our couch when he's on the show," said Abraham.
"He definitely misses being around us and hanging out," said Zipp. "It'll just be good for to go out there. Spice things up a bit. Bring a little flavor from home."
Beach Avenue looks forward to getting their frontman back, but he hasn't played his final verse on "American Idol" just yet.
