Before Bang Camaro took the stage and melted my face off with their free-for-all mantastic metal-fest I was pleasantly surprised by female-led Fayetteville locals Dreamfast. Their show was tight, energetic and fun. Despite the lameness of the crowd they still kept it lively and cursed them up and down for sitting on their asses. I don’t know if they went all out because they brought their mom to the show, but Dreamfast was a blast to watch. All but the bass player seemed to be having a great time with each other on-stage. This, along with clever hooks and strong music makes any show a great time. Their drummer, Philly 37, was one of the most smart-ass entertaining drummers I’ve seen in a local scene band yet, he went from stinking up the singer with a dirty rag during an emotional solo piece to playing tambourine in the crowd. Amyh, the lead singer/guitar pulled both off with great skill, her singing and guitar work were both emotional and strong. Dreamfast is definitely one to watch. When they rocked, they really rocked.
Would I pay to see them again: F*** yeah!

Thrashcore was alive and loud at the OPO Friday night! I was quite thrilled to see a female singer take the stage when The Drunkards got ready to play. She then took to frightening me with her screeching chimpunk voice tearing through their rapid-fire audio assaults. Full of energy and piss, they definitely have to be heard to be believed, the Drunkards are an experience you won’t soon forget.
Would I pay to see them again: Not I.

For those who are worried that there is only country and bluegrass offerings in the area, Well, Well, Well is here to prove you wrong. Bringing a thrashy speed punk sound to the basement of the OPO they had the audience slam dancing. I even had a gentleman promise me I wouldn’t get hurt if I joined in. Comforting. Well, Well, Well suffers from the downfalls of all thrash, the songs sound the same live. But they are loud and they are fun, if a bit off key.
Would I pay to see them again:  Probably.

Family Dog really like ths Pixies. This is a good thing, they did great covers of both “Head On” (which isn’t actually a Pixies original, but it’s the definitive version) and “River Euphrates” - Even singing the Kim Deal bits in falsetto, very entertaining. Their other covers were equally well performed and they didn’t get the crowd response they deserved. This may have been due to the fact that they were the opening band in a 3 band lineup and everyone was expecting them to be the weakest performance, when in fact it was quite the opposite. Their original songs also show promise. They started off quite strong, but tended to lose momentum during the guitar solos. Family Dog is definitely a band to watch.
Would I pay to see them again: Absolutely.

No this isn’t a review. Consider it an editorial of sorts.
I recently had the rare opportunity to see 3 great concerts within a 5 day period. They weren’t local, so there will be no reviews here. What I would like to share is the effects of a great show.

For me it is therapy. Music therapy. When a band I really enjoy is deep into their set, really driving it home and belting it out, I have no choice but move with the crowd as it sways and boils around me. I take the time to close my eyes and let the noise of it all literally wash over me. Putting me in a place where it is only the music and me. Stresses at work, home,whatever all get drowned out. When I’m back alone with my thoughts without the noise and roar of the club, nothing that was stressing me out seems so bad, it all seems to have been shaken into perspective.

I’m not the only one that is affected strongly by a good show. Everyone around lets themselves go and rides the excitement of the moment. Whether it’s moshing, bouncing like mad, or country-line dancing, for many this is their chance to “dance as if no one is watching.” It’s all good.

Not only were the concerts all great, but they got me all geeked out for what was coming up by handing out flyers at the door with a list for all area clubs and the big shows in the next 3 months. So I already know which shows I’ll be trying my damndest to make it back for.

This is what NoWArkScene is here for! To give our local area music lovers a chance for their own therapeutic musical encounter. We want this to be a place where people can come and get geeked out knowing their favorite band is playing in a couple weeks at _____. But it will never be that without everyone’s help.

Spread the word! Bands post your dates in the calendar, you’ve got to help our locals find you so they can become your biggest fans. Fans, post any other dates bands may have missed if they’re too busy practicing. Post events, benefits, bar mitzvahs, whatever! Just help us create the ultimate guide to the music scene in NoWark. It’s here, it’s just damn hard to find.

- eyeball

Apartment 5 put out some serious jams Friday night, playing all original music in the flavor of Radiohead (without the “special” vibe). They started out their set very strong and heavy, mellowing it out as they went on. Lyrically driven, it felt like they really hit their stride when the singer put down his guitar. The songs themselves had a powerful mix of slow/fast rhythm and staccato beats, although it felt like the long ending jams were a bit drawn out. All in all an enjoyable rock-steady performance.

Would I pay to see them again: Yes.

Little did I realize that we had a real, honest to goodness ska band in our local scene. Hustles the Hall worked their coordinated brass off in a frenzy of fast music and high energy. The trombones and trumpets accompanied guitars and drums and a great sense of fun. Playing a well timed mix of covers and originals kept the audience pogoing along in time to most every song. A ‘Reel Big Fish’ cover even worked the geeks in the crowd into a dancing frenzy. They tackled ‘Tenacious D’ quite competently and amusingly, as well as a touch of ‘Bloodhound Gang’ in the middle of one of their original songs. And in this time of New Year’s resolutions never has “Putting on 40 lbs” sounded like so much fun.

Would I pay to see them again: Pogoing geeks! Definitely!

At first the audience was preoccupied, discussing the weeks tedium amongst themselves, but by the time Thanks for Nothing ripped into a rocking cover of Rick Springfield almost everyone was on their feet and moving. Covering a wide range of musical styles, it didn’t seem that Thanks for Nothing was afraid to try anything. From an acapella “Angel” by Aerosmith to a doo-wop version of “Cocaine” by Eric Clapton. The band was full of energy and was having a blast and it spread through the room. Interacting with the crowd and pulling people on stage to dance, even going so far as getting a tip stuffed in the singer’s pants after a down and dirty cover of “Stroke Me”. In their 3 hours of performance time they threw in at least 3 original songs, which were also quite good. The drummer was a standout, pulling out the wooden blocks for “Roxanne” and really nailing the beats home. My one complaint is that the vocals could have been mixed in stronger.Any band that asks for tips in a prosthetic leg gains points in my book.

Would I pay to see them again: 3 hours of great music for $5!!! Absolutely.

To be fair Qland had a bad start, after the previous band took all their equipment (and their audience), what was left on stage with Qland was a bit diminished. Made up of a bass guitarist, drummer and guitarist/singer Qland belted out 3-chord tunes competently, but with apathy. I’m classic punker at heart, and it’s great to see it’s still alive in it’s 3-chord wonder but there wasn’t any energy behind the music. The clearing out of the bar after the previous act no doubt affected the guys’ energy levels, but as with high energy, apathy is also contagious. The guitars and drums were handled well and sounded great together, but the singer seemed to be phoning it in.

Would I pay to see them again? As an opening band…