Parker Bruesewitz, a 2025 River Falls graduate, has had a love of music from a young age.

“I was about 4 or 5 years old, and I was walking through a mall and I saw a [Kiss band member] Gene Simmons cutout,” Bruesewitz said. “I was like, this is insane looking. I kept prying at my mom, and I was like you’ve got to show me this music.”

Given his age, it took some convincing, but eventually Bruesewitz’s mom gave in.

“This is what I’ve been looking for. In my 4-year-old mind, I thought this was the end-all be-all. I just kept looking for heavier stuff,” Bruesewitz said. “Everything from there just really stemmed from that moment.”

The 19-year-old grew up with a passion for creation, starting to release demos and sending them to labels in 2024 to no response. Finally, he sent his first demo to Jeff Whitehead, an ex-pro skater that is renowned in the metal world. Whitehead helped Bruesewitz with advice on how to get started.

Bruesewitz then did a release through the label Crucial Blast, and everything picked up from there. Connor Bamman, a fellow 2025 graduate from River Falls, joined the band as the two began to do live shows, taking HOUSEOFNEGLECT’s music on the road.

HOUSEOFNEGLECT most recently embarked on a tour sponsored by Burial Records and Lunar Guitar Picks to play their music in Minneapolis, Green Bay and Milwaukee.

“Getting to be around all these people that are super motivated about what they’re doing has kind of given me a new appreciation for people,” Bruesewitz said. “Going out and meeting all these different people from different walks of life, for me, has just been super inspiring.”

Bruesewitz said the turnouts have been great and they are super proud of the work they have put in.

Any time someone goes into the creative field, it means something to Bruesewitz. His friend, Evan White of River Falls, recently competed on American Ninja Warrior and made a deep run. He said that was inspiring to everyone around White to see how far he could go.

“Whenever I see anybody from River Falls doing creative stuff it’s super cool,” Bruesewitz said. “The interesting creative routes are few and slim, so seeing that and seeing somebody from River Falls, it’s something to take pride in.”

In March, Bruesewitz is set to work on a tape with another renowned musician, Adam Tucker who will help HOUSEOFNEGLECT collaborate with a French musician who has worked with many up and coming bands since the 1990s. They are also set to open for some popular bands over the summer.

HOUSEOFNEGLECT’s “raw and abrasive” music is available anywhere where music is streamed including Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube and Pandora.