QueenCityMusic.com Showcase Review
by Matt Carter

So, where were you on Sunday June 11th? Maybe you were at home watching the Simpsons or the X-Files. Maybe you were watching game 1 of the NBA championship series. Whatever you were doing it could not have been as fulfilling as going to the Visulite for the first QueenCityMusic.com Showcase. Five cool bands for five bucks, by far one of the best entertainment values in the city especially when you consider that it would have cost you more to go to a movie that would have lasted only a couple of hours at most and you can't drink beer at the movie theater. For all of you that weren't there (which is most of you) let me recount the evening:

Kicking off the event was a four-piece outfit called The Wayside. Featuring swirling sax solos, this band harkens to a Dave Matthews style of pop rock. Filling out the sound was an acoustic guitar, bass, and drums. Their set provided just the right mix of solid songwriting, arranging, and lead space. With a number of energetic but not overbearing songs, they were a great band to start the night off.

Next came the mellower but nevertheless riveting sounds of Tesser. By using percussion in lieu of a trap kit, Tesser is able to maintain their singer-songwriter roots while still keeping their brand of acoustic-pop fun and entertaining for fans of live music. The highlight of the night came during their set as vocalist Shana Blake tickled our ears with her soulful singing in a number called "Take Me Along For the Ride." If that song were to hit the masses I'm certain Miss Blake would have thousands of guys lined up to offer her a lift.

The third band to take the stage was ISHI. This is a band in transition due to the recent loss of keyboardist Farrar Hudkins and drummer Matt Carter, but you wouldn't have known it from hearing them. Guest-drummer Dustin Clifford, of the X-Periment, provided exceptional rhythmic counter-play to the bass stylings of Tom Payne. Chris Cooper's soaring solos and Lea Pritchard's ethereal voice capped off the sound and proved that this band hasn't missed a beat. They have a truly unique jazz-influenced pop rock sound.

Next up was the space power pop of a three-piece band called Poprocket. In nice contrast to the last few bands, Poprocket delivered a hard-rocking alternative set that took me back to high school and those carefree days of reckless abandon. Some of their arrangements were tricky to follow but their energy was fantastic and that's hard to do with no crowd. They made it fun for themselves which made it fun for the audience and that's what it is all about.

Capping off the night was Static. If you imagine the improvisational ability of the Dead, the southern rock stylings of the Allman Brothers, and the pop prowess of Matchbox 20, then you might get a picture of what this band sounds like. Chris Garges is one of the best drummers around town and bassist Flavio Mangione has one of the coolest names in this town and together they lay the groove for what is one of the most happening bands around town. Always full of energy and fun, these guys are a must see.

Don't fret too much if your slack-ass missed this show. We definitely missed you, and you definitely missed out, but if you pay attention to QueenCityMusic.com you can find all of these great bands and go to see them individually. Don't wait too long though; there is a limited window to be able to say "I saw them back when…."