Westword Music Showcase 2005

"Go west, young man, and grow up with the country." -- John L. Soule, Terre Haute Express, 1851.

CEPHALIC CARNAGE
NOMINATED IN METAL/AGGRO

Website: www.cephaliccarnage.net

Personnel:

Steve, John, Len, Zac, Jawsh.

Native or transplant?

Two natives, two Wyomingites, one Puebloan.

What's in a name?

Five syllables, a verb and a noun.

When did you form/start performing?

Cephalic has been around since 1992, as this lineup since 1998.

Releases/discography:

Conforming to Abnormality; Exploiting Dysfunction; Lucid Interval; Perversion and the Guilt After (split CD with Anal Blast), Halls of Amenti, Anomalies.

Who or what do you think you sound like?

I usually tell people that aren't familiar with our genre that we are "obnoxious metal." The influences range so much for each member that it's hard to whittle it down to the three or four bands that we steal solely from. I think we sound like a blender, with gravel in it, set to purée, through a megaphone, while two pit bulls are barking venomously over the next-door neighbor playing Bitches Brew at full volume.

What are some of your noteworthy recent feats?

Anomalies hit number #1 on Canadian metal/punk radio and debuted at #2 behind the new Mars Volta on the CMJ charts. Our new video "Dying Will Be the Death of Me" is in solid rotation on Fuse TV and Headbangers Ball, and we are currently in Europe (specifically, in Holland, right now, fresh from a "coffee-shop" trip) hitting the summer festival circuit. Nothing more metal than playing with Accept, Dio, Megadeth, Anthrax and Slayer -- especially when you're a third-rate noise fest like ourselves. And we finally got to play in Tokyo earlier this year, as well.

What albums have had the biggest impact on you?

Iron Maiden's first album; Disco Volante (Mr. Bungle); Focus (Cynic); Super Fly soundtrack (Curtis Mayfield); Rated R (Queens of the Stone Age); and the Earache Records' "Grindcrusher" comp.

What artists have had the biggest impact on you?

The Beatles, Metallica (when I was twelve), Mike Patton, Miles Davis, Eddie Van Halen and about one hundred more.

How do you pay the bills? What are your day jobs?

My beautiful wife handles the bills; that's why we still have a place to live. Between touring with Cephalic, the Highbryd-wear print shop we own, and the fabulous people and great beer at the Breckenridge Brewery, I manage to make the monthly statements.

Finish this sentence: If I didn't have to worry about money, I'd...

Find whatever else has replaced its significance and worry about that.

Finish this sentence: I'd rather be...

In my bed passed out, drunken stupid fool...(enter rad D.R.I. riff here)

Who would play you in the screen adaptation of your life?

Peter Sellers or Susan Sarandon.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

Mowing my lawn.

What's the biggest misconception about you or your band?

The total death-metal-dude mentality.

Give us a random factoid about yourself or your band:

Our drummer plays in a band with Trey Spruance (Mr. Bungle, Faith No More), and Matt Cameron is the other drummer on the new recording.

Elliott Smith or Jack Johnson?

Is there anyone who thinks Jack is better than Elliott Smith? I mean, that guy had heart -- that is, until he stabbed it.

Weezer or Winger?

Weezer, of course -- but Winger is still the biggest metal band from Colorado, so I will acknowledge that. But I will also acknowledge how gay they are, as well. Go, Weezer!!

Jay-Z or Z-Trip?

I want to say Jay-Z, because of the Beyoncé factor, but collaborating with Linkin Park is inexcusable. INEXCUSABLE!!!!!

Football or foosball?

It would be coold to see football players throw around a foosball table.

Parting shot?

It sucks we can't make the Showcase this year because we've been kidnapped by Irate Europeans. But good luck to all of the bands: Give Denver hell for one night, goddammit!! (Go, Black Lamb!)

AUBREY COLLINS
NOMINATED IN SINGER/SONGWRITER
6 P.M., LA RUMBA

Website:www.aubreycollins.com

Personnel:

Too many to list.

Native or transplant?

Native.

What's in a name?

I was born with it!

When did you form/start performing?

Professionally: age eight..

Releases/discography:

Back to Me and World Without Me.

Who or what do you think you sound like?

Blondie and myself.

What are some of your noteworthy recent feats?

Makin the change from country to rock.

What albums have had the biggest impact on you?

Hotel Paper (Michelle Branch); Lynyrd Skynyrd's greatest hits; and my newest EP, World Without Me, because it has inspired me on many levels.

What artists have had the biggest impact on you?

Michelle Branch and Lynyrd Skynyrd.

How do you pay the bills? What is your day job?

So far, my parents pay the bills.

Finish this sentence: If I didn't have to worry about money, I'd...

Never work and play music constantly.

Finish this sentence: I'd rather be...

Out playing a live show.

Who would play you in the screen adaptation of your life?

Me. I love acting!!!

Where do you see yourself in five years?

Multi-platinum.

What's the biggest misconception about you or your band?

My age.

Give us a random factoid about yourself or your band:

I can walk on my toes!

Elliott Smith or Jack Johnson?

Jack Johnson.

Weezer or Winger?

Weezer.

Jay-Z or Z-Trip?

Who?

Football or foosball?

Hockey.

Parting shot?

Um, well, if this refers to drinking, I can't drink yet!

CRISPY CRITTERS
NOMINATED IN JAM/BLUEGRASS/IMPROV

Website:www.crispycrittersband.com

Personnel:

Dave Hunt (vocals, guitar); Mike Studeny (vocals, guitar, harmonica, alto saxophone); MIKE "Spanky" McCluer (bass); Paul "Dr. Pos" Cohen (tenor and soprano saxophones); CR Gruver (vocals, keys, organ); Tommy Piercy (drums).

Native or transplant?

East Coast, Texas, Chicago.

What's in a name?

It's great when one name gives a bunch of possible meanings to different people. Names aren't some cosmic key to the universe.