So, a guy walks into a bar…..no, no, no.
A guy walks into a bicycle store and lo and behold, there stands before him, a friend and fellow lover of the deep, hard-driving, honest music, that speaks volumes to today’s youthful audiences. So what becomes of that meeting? Some pretty amazing music.
And thus it happened between Ian Waters and Chad Riche. That meeting, a few phone calls, a couple of tryouts, add a little bass, throw in a lead guitarist and you stir it all together for Against the Artificial (ATA). There is NOTHING artificial about this band. Along with Waters and Riche, Chris Giddens and Pat Kirschbaum climbed aboard to round things out and give this band full blown hard rock and metal sensations. Each of these guys is an amazing entertainer in and of himself. Their history brings forth experience with some other well-known local bands…Venaculus, Helo, Stigmata and A. Symbiont. What a coup it is….and what a sound Against the Artificial puts out. You can feel their passion with each note, you can hear their experience in every guitar rift or drum beat. These guys are doing what they want, how they want it and with much enthusiasm. One of their covers is rapidly becoming a ‘cult’ favorite, and you won’t believe what it is. It takes a minute or two to recognize it, but nobody does a rendition of Paula Abdul’s Straight Up like this. I was floored, and it was amazing.
Another beauty of this multi-talented gang of songsters, is that because their music appeals so well and so deeply to youth, they love to play and don’t shun ALL AGES shows. It’s not something all bands will do, but these guys truly have their fingers on the pulse of what works. I’ve seen ATA in action and it’s mesmerizing how in touch they are with their audience and vice versa.
So, ya gotta go see these guys, and here’s where and when:
October 30 at the Waiting Room This gig includes a costume contest with a $100 prize for the winner
November 14 at The Garage Inside the Papio Bowl
December 3 Sokol Underground
Don’t miss your chance. I have no doubt there is longevity and endurance with ATA, but go see them now, spread the word, bring a friend, check them out…..hey, you can even take your little brother!
