Melodic Menace

Going big with big sounds. That's what takes it over 'cuz the sounds are so big.
-Jay Z

The technology behind sound production has increased a billion fold since its inception. The talent that wields it? Not nearly as much. But no matter how loud or how fast or how enthusiastic the effort, the only thing that makes this high-tech noise work are the talent and charisma of the performers.

Over a week ago I got to see Hollow Drive at a house party. I arrived late having come straight from some work-related responsibility so I'd missed their set. Upon my arrival Markus, the band member who'd invited me down, proceeded to thank me for coming down and bust my chops for being late. I am a radio pseudo-celebrity. It was a risky maneuver for someone who has a band he's trying to promote as things like that can be interpreted as either "bad juju" or "charisma." I chose the latter.

From there, the boys and I got along swimmingly. A little while ago prior to the house party I'd heard them on stage at Hog's Palace opening for Sponge. I was too busy handling several work-related tasks to actually watch them perform, but I was impressed by what I heard. I took the invite based on that judgment. I did not expect to like them too.

Markus, ever the marketing mind, offered to play another set so I could see them do their thing. I did not want them to do it as it was their party and they'd already played. Plus, well, we were at a house party in the sticks. The speakers were earnest efforts, but they were pointing out into the acres of tall grass that surrounded the rather large backyard. Acoustically, it was a nightmare. Rick Rubin would have pulled his last few hairs out just thinking about it.

Undaunted, he gathered the guys together and took the stage...or back porch. Al looked tired, Jerr's voice was blown, Mike was a little off, and Markus was all over the place. With no bassist, the four of them showed me performance without polish. Just some guys that know their instruments coming together to use them in someone's backyard in the boondocks. Their performance was nothing special. The talent behind it damn sure was.

Last night I got to see them once again, but back at Hog's Palace. Jim Brown, Sound Guy slash Booker slash Promoter EXTRAORDINARE, has put together a magical array of sound and light with equal parts high-tech wizardry, wit, and chicken wire. What you see and hear is the very essence of what every band has to offer. In a situation like that you can either excel or be exposed.

When Hollow Drive performs you can be sure of a few things. Drums will be kicked and beaten. Necks will be snapped out of joint. Guitars will be pulled hither and thither, wrought out of tune. And microphones will bleed their electric blood from exhaustion after having been run roughshod like a beleaguered bronco at an old time rodeo show. The boys from Hollow Drive may play their instruments, but they do not play at performing.

Mike is their drummer. The sound check was done. The lights were set. His arms went up...held. And when they came down everything happened at once. Guitars screamed. Drums boomed. Voices screamed off the walls. And all five heads on all five necks (Sam was their replacement bassist) banged up and down in worship to the rhythm. Ladies and gentlemen! Al, Jerr, Markus, Mike, and Sam were in the building.

They jumped and slammed. They yelled and clapped. They flipped and dove. But at every point they rocked. And rocked. And rocked some more. I am not one to lavish compliments as it is simply not worth my time (unless va-jay-jay is on the line), but I had fun watching Hollow Drive. I didn't know their songs that well. I didn't recognize their melodies much either. But when talent and charisma come together in a performance none of that matters. Some of the best shows I ever saw were of bands whose music I'd never heard. And Hollow Drive is among them, in most elite company. I also happen to dig their music though so that's a bonus.

I've gotten to know the fellows and their act decently thus far. And, fortunately for me, I look forward to many more. These guys know what they want and are working towards it. It's nice to see that in a down economy in a state with the highest unemployment in The Union there's still someone out there with balls big enough to keep chasing their dreams.

I wish the boys from Hollow Drive well and I look forward to their next show. And if they keep working at it, and striving for it, and putting out 110% day in and day out these guys might even be half as good as Pop Evil. And the congregation said, Amen.



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Before performing, Mike approached me to ask if I would come up on stage and introduce him. Aesthetically, this was impossible. Death Valley Dragline was the headliner.

I wanted to see all the bands perform, but work had taken longer than expected and I hadn't been as diligent as I would have liked so I couldn't get there at the start or stay 'til the finish. Had I been staying for the headliner and gotten Jim's permission I would have loved to have introduced them. As it was, I was taking off immediately after Hollow Drive's set so I had to refuse.

I was crazy ridiculously flattered that the guys bothered to ask. Perhaps there will be another opportunity that will be extended later on, but I ain't lookin' for it. They are an amazing group of performers and I can't wait to see what they can pull off in the future.