By Joey Kaufmann
Staff Writer ’06

Paradox – Rock/Metal

Members: Sam Ortiz – lead vocals – keeps it original because he listens to just about everything
Bryan Strickland – guitar – his major metal influence gives the band a harder sound
John Godfree – bass – contributes a funk sound with the bass
Kerry Reece – drums – his percussion gives the band some major jazz influence
Biography: Sam’s chiropractor for rehabilitating his football injury was Kerry’s mom. Sam and Bryan had been looking for a bassist and a drummer, and when Sam mentioned it in passing, Mrs. Reece mentioned that her son and his best friend were looking for a singer and a guitarist. The rest is Paradox history.
Influences: Korn, Metallica, Park, Blindside
Listening to: Senses Fail, A Perfect Circle, Lamb of God
Releases: “Lost Memories are Better Forgotten” to be released sometime in the future
Upcoming shows: March 20th @ The Masquerade (Battle of the Bands)

Liaison – Emo/Screamo

Members: Josh Miller – vocals – will be releasing his first solo CD shortly. Ryan Stockmal – guitar, Matt Larson – bass, Ryan Cain – guitar, Alex McWalters – drums – A.K.A Chico Martinez
Biography: When Week Proposal broke up, a boy got together with Ryan Cain. Ryan brought his bass player, Nick, and started a new band with Ryan Stockmal. After their first CD release “The Lawry Six Inch,” Nick quit for “domestic reasons” and was replaced by Matt Larson. They have been rocking out really hard ever since. www.liaisonrock.com
Influences: Week Proposal, Death Cab for Cutie, The Locust, Josh’s lame metal bands.
Listening to: Clay Aiken, “Toxic,” Ludacris, The Beatles
Releases: 3-song demo on sale for $3. “The Radio Effect” to be released soon.
Upcoming shows: March 20th @ The Masquerade (Battle of the Bands)

Plano – Acoustic/Emo

Members: Mike Jansen – vocals, guitar, drum machines – former singer of Far From Fairfield.
Billy Justineou – guitar, piano, backup vocals – plays drums for Lassiter’s Drumline and a jazz band
Jessie Giles – backup vocals
Biography: Mike Jansen wrote some songs and asked Billy if he was interested in playing also. The songs now are fuller and more instrumentally complete. Jessie doesn’t play with Plano live but graces the band inside the studio with some great background sound. www.livejournal.com/users/planorock and www.purevolume.com/plano.
Influences: Death Cab for Cutie, Ben Folds, Straylight Run, The Get Up Kids
Listening to: I Married My High School Sweetheart
Releases: free two-song demo, LP due out in April
Upcoming shows: March 23rd @ Swayze’s with The Lyndsay Diaries

Xero – Metal/Rock

Members: Danny Helms – lead vocals, Ryan Yunker – guitar / vocals, David Ljung – guitar, Ben Hopper – bass / vocals
Biography: In January 2002, Ryan, Josh, Ben, and David came together to form a much-needed band. They had all been looking for people to play with them and finally united to create Xero. When invited to play at the Masquerade this January, Xero invited Danny Helms to sing for them and the band has now made a name for themselves on the local metal scene. www.hometown.aol.com/guitars14
Influences: Nirvana, Taproot, Deftones, Korn
Listening to: Linkin Park, anything techno, 311, Incubus
Releases: 6-song instrumental demo
Another with vocals out soon
Upcoming shows: March 20th @ The Masquerade (Battle of the Bands)