Mushinske, Joram. "Real Estate bassist Alex Bleeker talks about the band’s Ridgewood roots", The Record (Bergen County), June 11, 2018. Accessed October 17, 2018. "Founding members Martin Courtney (vocals/guitar), Matt Mondanile (guitar/vocals) and Bleeker first met in elementary school and became closer friends at George Washington Middle School in Ridgewood. '“We would all play together in basements and open mic nights at Ridgewood High School along with [current Real Estate guitarist] Julian Lynch and other friends,' Bleeker recalls"
