NakedCity Wichita

more than boobs and breaking benjamin

Posted on 09. Dec, 2009 by Tash Maloney in music

“Do you want to see my boobs?!” A young woman walked by giggling with two of her friends and gave the rock-star a flash. “Does that happen to you often?” I asked. “Not as often as I’d like it to” he replied.

He was a member of the band “Adelitas Way,” an up and coming rock group who’s on tour with Breaking Benjamin and will soon be on tour with Theory of a Deadman. We continued walking through the crowd of the sold out show that night at the Cotillion where numerous people stopped him for autographs, pics, small talk, and the occasional flash.

He went on to say “You would be surprised at some of the offers we’ve had. For example, fathers hinting that their daughters are eighteen, or guys wanting us to make out with their girlfriends. It’s disturbing yet flattering…its crazy.” He said with a puzzled look on his face.

Wanting to interview Breaking Benjamin, I studied up on the headlining act as much as possible. But, when I entered the venue that evening, I caught myself intrigued by Adelitas Way. The energy, and overall sound they threw around the room was filtered through hundreds of rock fists before fighting through the constant roar of cheers, resting perfectly on my ears. Many felt the inescapable liveliness at the sold
out show. Adelitas Way rendered the most vigor of all the bands that night.

Agreeing to an interview, I waited and watched as the lead singer greeted each approaching fan at the merch booth, making a genuine connection. It seems after spending eleven months in a tour VAN, keeping the passion to connect like that would be difficult. But, not for the front man and founder Rick. I learned he is quite a strong soul with more than enough heart for people and music.

“We can talk in the dressing room where its quiet” Rick said. I was offered chips, gum, and one member even let me take a stab at fixing his mullet…I failed, but he seemed a good sport about it. They also showed me a video of a band member getting kicked in the nards (I haven’t used that word since grade school) sound effects, slow motion and all. The laughter died down.

“So what do you think of Wichita?” I asked Front man and founder of the group jumped in. “The crowd,” he said, “Its good to see a big rock crowd. People really seem to like rock here. You rarely find this kind of passion in other places.”

I sat back for a second “Your right…This is a sold out show. If Wichita is packed full of rock lovers, why does this enthusiasm not show at a local music level? Where the heck do the rock fans hide? There are some awesome, extremely talented local bands here in town like Barrelbright, whose style falls under the mainstream rock sound. Although they do have a growing fan base the people who would really be into this band aren’t paying attention at a local level, therefore missing out on a really great band right here in their home town. “

Rick jumped in saying that in his experience unless a song is heard on radio especially in the rock genre, your not going to be given the time of day. I knew he spoke the truth due to my own experience as well.

I pondered why the prideful, independent , hardworking, and passionate rock fan would allow a filter like radio to tell them what was cool and what wasn’t. The typical rock fan seems to be full of heart and a bit rebellious. Therefore, leading me to think the last thing they would buy into is radio hype. So maybe its not so much about radio hyping up bands and the rock fan buying into that, Maybe the rock fan is the work-hard-play-harder yet underpaid type. The type that does not have time to sort through mountains of “crappy” music due to life’s demands. Therefore, they trust the radio station to play the music that made it through the filtering process. I believe one point of view from a rock fan is; “If you’re on radio you cant suck that bad, and you’ve earned a few seconds of my irreplaceable time.”

After leaving the room, I walked with a member of the band to the other side of the Cotillion where a few admirers stopped him in his tracks. I stood by the rail and watched as Breaking Benjamin took the stage. The voice of the crowd seemed to vibrate my chest as the roar gradually grew louder. I found guitarist and co-writer Brad Heagler of Barrelbright standing with some of his friends. We made our way to the center of the floor. Many men wearing backwards hats and shirts that showed off their gym born muscles stood tall holding their petite girlfriends safely away from the pushing and swaying of the aggressive mob. Suddenly, I was hit in the back. I turned around with a “WTF” look and became tickled to see an older woman in slacks and a hand painted holiday sweatshirt give me glare. I laughed. She squinted harder as if she had razor sharp laser beams shooting out of her eyes, I hurriedly edged around the muscle men in front of me and watched as Breaking Benjamin let their songs carry them through the show. I finally surfed my way out of the tight ocean of sweaty bodies I landed safely on my feet. I threw one last rock fist to the band who stood a few feet away only to meet a security guard, followed by a beautiful young woman dressed in a skimpy Santa’s helper out-fit. She tried to high five me for my awesome surfing skills…I guess…we missed hands.

Ben of Breaking Benjamin yelled out to the crowd. “This next song is for all of you who were with us from the start… THANK YOU!”

I want to give you a chance to be one of those people who knew about a band before they broke big. So when that band you full on supported in the beginning comes back to Wichita to play the cotillion instead of the smaller venue you all use to hang out at, and the front man screams out “This is for the fans who supported us from the start!” You can have that overwhelming sense of pride, especially later when you talk to the band in front of your friends after the show and the band members know you by name.

Below is a list of some really awesome local rock bands. Not only will you be shocked that this talent is in Wichita, supporting local bands is easy on the wallet. Take your sweetheart out to a show. Or, for one weekend give up your normal routine of going to the same bar. Instead, I challenge you to escape your comfort zone and drag your friends out for a night of Rock, inspiration, a few good drinks, and the chance to become acquainted with up and coming Rock-Stars.

Signum AD-modern rock

http://www.myspace.com/signumad

Wichita based band currently on tour with a song edging to break into the top of the charts. Be sure to catch their show as they stop back through Wichita Dec 9th, 8:00 at Americas Pub

Barrelbright-rock
www.myspace.com/barrelbright
Check out their song “Search for Life” and their show Dec 9th 2009 at Americas Pub

Dialin Watts-progressive/ rock/ shoegaze

http://www.myspace.com/dialinwatts

Americas Pub Dec 11th 8:00

Black Gasoline-rock/ classic-rock/ neo-soul
reverbnation.com/blackgasoline
Dec 25th 10:00 at Americas Pub

Catch these Handsome guys at rock island live Dec 18th at 9:30 with Mobilization, Jenny Wood, and Japanese Game Show.