11 Local bands take the spotlight COMMENTARY
FEBRUARY
17, 2006 • VOi. 42. No. 9
by Brett Beaugureau
As you may or may not know, Maine South is full of talented musicians. Many of these people have gotten together to form bands, which are often underappreciated. So to give some of these bands the recognition they deserve, here is a list of some Maine South-based bands. This list is not all-inclusive, but provides a good sampling at the great music our students have to offer.
With A Vengeance (formerly NoTA) Their rock/metal riffs and lyrics evoke sounds of Metallica, but this band, who has appeared in the last two V-Shows, has a sound all their own. www.myspace.com/withavengeancerock Dudes With Banlv Accounts Always ready to try something new, former Rancor bassist and Foo has started a solo project, and has already written classic songs such as "My Baby's in Middle School." www.myspace.com/dudeswithbankaccounts Among the Ashes Formed from some of the former members of Downsoul. this band plays straight-up metal
behind the vocals of Pindy and the d r u m m i n g of Andy Wiatr. You can see them February 18 at the Des Plaines Teen C e n t e r , www.myspace. com/among 6the6ashes6 Poison Control Drummer GinaCzarkowski anchors this band that takes a little bit of rock, punk, and pop to create phoU} ctnirlt s "/ Willi a Vengeance a totally unique With a Vengeance poses at 2005 V-show. sound that you'll want to hear over and over. still looking for a singer, and anyone interested www.myspace.com/poisoncontrol should contact one of the band members. White Phoenix www.myspace.com/whitepheonix 1234 Ziggy is the bassist and creative force behind this newly-formed band which also features The Scams Joe Bellasario and Zach Hester on guitar, and Freshmen Michael Schmalz and his sweetMatt Wasewicz on drums. However, they are sounding guitar leads this all-freshman band, who plays a broad range of music. Other members of this band include vocalist and keyboardist Jesse Bustamante, bassist Zach Swanson and drummer Alex Tzortzakis. Gates of Purgatory This black metal/thrash band, featuring Ryan Kramarz on the bass, has been extremely successful, and actually opened for wellknown metal band Children of Bodom. You can see them at their next show, February 16, at the Emergenza Music Festival. www.myspace.com/gatesofpurgatory
Foison Control strikes a pose.
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Medavega This psychedelic metal band was formed in 2005 by Kevin Kelly on guitar, Frank Gallo on drums, and Steve Serpe on bass, and has since recruited keyboardist Brett Beaugureau, Downsoul's former guitar monster John Barlow, and is only recently now being voiced by vocalist Dominik Kieca. Look for their demo at the end of February, and catch them at St. Paul at the end of the month with White Phoenix and With a Vengeance. www.myspace.com/medavega