Helio Sequence

The energy of rock.
Guitar, drums and a computer.
Van ride home.

Bringing it.

The boys from Portland based band, Helio Sequence, got a bit of culture shock when they showed up for their gig at The World Famous Milestone Club in Charlotte on May 30. They had recently been touring with Keane, playing large venues and had been at Radio City Music Hall a couple of nights prior. The Milestone is in the heart of a tough section of Charlotte and the club portrays an even tougher image with a fenced in rutted parking lot and graffiti and sticker laced walls and interior. But behind that tough presence, the Milestone carries the soul of the hundreds of bands and thousands of fans who have passed through its doors since the early 1980's. Known as a place where bands such as REM played to 30 people shortly before going on to greater fame, it is easy to see that Helio Sequence might find itself in the same place. The guitar player told me when they arrived a band was warming up in the room, but basically nobody was there and they wondered whether or not they were in the right place. He marveled at having had the opportunity to play Radio City and seemed a little taken aback that he was here just a couple of nights later. Yet, shortly thereafter, the band from the Subpop label rocked a set of power pop that had the crowd bobbing its heads in unison. I don't know if this is called "shoe gazing" music and a rather drunk young lady was explaining to me that her fave band in this genre is "My Bloody Valentine". I thought she was talking about a movie. Anyway, with a guitar and drums and background sampling to fill out the sound, these guys did some songs that had a ring of familiarity. Though I don't listen to popular radio, preferring instead independent station WNCW 88.7, I can tell that this sound will dent the pop charts. So, anyway, be on the lookout for Helio Sequence. http://www.myspace.com/theheliosequence

The Lights, Fluorescent

Yeah, that's me hanging on the stage while the band jams.
Erika Blatnik, mini moog and vocals. Craig in the background on guitar.

Robby and Erika, new drummer Nick in the background, Andre on right on guitar.

Erika, Robby, Nick and Andre. Rock on!

We made the road trip to Charlotte and into the depths of the westside to see our favorite hard rockers on the local scene, The Lights, Fluorescent. Featuring Erika Blatnik on vocals, acoustic guitar and Korg mini moog and Robby on bass and vocals and Andre and Craig on guitar and now new drummer Nick, this band is continuing to show its chops. If you are looking for an energetic, hard rocking show with lyrics that show a level of maturity beyond the age of the members, you need look no further than to see The Lights, Fluorescent. Catch them now while you can see them in the small venues. They have some new songs recently and the drummer adds some power to what was already a strong rhythm section with Robby on bass. My vid from the recent show is not as good due to sound issues with my camera but all vids are available at www.youtube.com/nosyfieldstone For the Lights and Erika see www.myspace.com/thelightsfluorescent and www.myspace.com/erikablatnik

Ultimate Optimist

Optimistically drumming himself into a frenzy.
With Fly at the Club.

We loaded up the van and went down to Charlotte. Had dinner at Ru'san's which is always excellent. A primarily japanese menu with about 600 choices. Afterwards on to the World Famous Milestone Club for a triple bill. Ran into Robert Childers, drummer for 2013 Wolves and the Overmountain Boys and formerly with David Childers and the Modern Don Juans. Robert was purchasing some cool pen and ink art from a guy at the club. Opening act was the "Ultimate Optimist", a drummer who used an ipod to start a sampling loop and then played over the loop very frenetically on the drums. It's great to see experimental music and who knows where this will head. Go to my youtube for a vid. The sound is a little distorted, but I have a new camera and am working out the kinks. Plus the Milestone was loud, as it should be. www.youtube.com/nosyfieldstone See the Ultimate Optimist at www.youtube.com/ultimateoptimist