Concert packs 'em in

Bands from all over Carson City gathered at Center Stage above Java Joes Sunday to benefit Eagle Valley Childrens Home. The show was a senior project in which Steve Hughey, a Carson High School student, had to do something to benefit the community. With the help of promoter Ben Clark and Michael Rivero of LunacyBreak Recordings, ten bands appeared, including HouseIX, FactorOne Psychopath, Insanity, Keen, Simple, Face It, Slaphappy, Once a Day, 7 Choices, The Herose, a rapper called Optimus Prime, and D.J. Ecto-One.

LunacyBreak Recordings produces several of the bands records and Rivero said he hopes to put on a variety band show about once a month. Adding the charity show was "well worth it."

"There's not much for the teens to do in this town, so to give them a venue that's safe and fun is really a favor to the community," he said. The show was all ages, with no drinking or smoking allowed. "Parents need to know that their children can come here and nothing will happen to them," said Rivero.

Some of the band members' parents showed up, as well as a crowd of youngsters. Hughey said the turn out was good, and "people really got into the music."

Neal Hatfield, the lead singer for HouseIX, said the band has been together for about one year, but the benefit concert was their first show in front of an audience. Hatfield really gets into the music he plays, and has been known to break holes in the floor at his house where the band practices. "I'd like to see an audience move a little more, but it went pretty good," said Hatfield. Other members of HouseIX include Adam Frisina, on guitar, Brian Wederburn, also on guitar, and Kris Meyer, on drums. Clark also played bass with the band for this show. Everyone in the band (not including Clark) is a Sagittarius, which is the ninth house of the zodiac, hence the bands name.

Rivero's partner Derek McDonald is a 17-year-old dj who calls himself D.J. Ecto-One. He said he's been playing turntables for about three and a half years and does it for the love of music. He also has played drums for nine years. "It's cool to spread different genres," he said. McDonald said he doesn't get many shows in Carson, though he gets many in Tahoe and Reno. However this one was for a good cause. McDonald will be performing at Humpty's in Tahoe on April 28 for an over 21 show, which will be strictly turntable music. "It's sort of introducing turntables as a musical instrument," he said.

Hughey said that altogether about $400 was spent on promotions and renting the space. That money will come out of the proceeds, and the rest will go to Eagle Valley Childrens Home. "We hope to be able to donate about $2,000 after the initial $400," said Hughey.

Clark said there will be another show at Center Stage on May 13, and May 27. "We're also looking into renting the Pavilion for an all-out concert," he stated.