A Huge Buffet of Talent was
Served up at Local Feast 2009

I bought my ticket about a month ago when I heard the River's advertisement for Local Feast, and thought "hey, 12 bucks, 4 bands, can't beat it". I mean really, for 12 bucks 3 of the bands can suck for all I care, I just thought it was a hell of a deal. I had no clue some of the talent I'd find there though. Like most events like these there is of course some you like more than others, but all in all, I didn't leave disappointed. In fact, I left there with a new appreciation for Omaha's music scene, and was proud that a couple of the best acts of the night came right from my own hometown.

Screaming for Silence was the first act of the night, and they nailed a lasting impression. They really got the crowd pumped with tracks like "Betrayal" and knew right how to transition smoothly into softer melodic tracks like "Lie to Me" without losing their edge.

A big surprise was when they took an 80's turn and played a rendition of Eddie Money's "Take Me Home Tonight". Let's be honest; most band's covers on old songs usually does not go over well, but incredibly, it worked! I loved it, and so did the rest of the crowd. Lead guitarist, Casey Newsom, absolutely kicked ass with some of the most amazing riffs I heard in a VERY long time…I can't believe at age 24 this boy is such a genius at his craft. Baby, you GOT it. Pat Mussack held it down on percussion, while Matt "Spitz" Spitznagle on the bass and Danny Irwin on rhythm guitar added their unique instrumentals and back up vocals to really tie the sound together. And I cannot forget Zeb Christensen, the lead vocalist…he really knows how to vary between heavy and light sounds to really make the crowd feel the emotion behind it. All around great group…if you missed the show, they're playing at the Waiting Room December 18th..dont miss it!!

Next up was 25 Ft. Phantoms, coming out to Omaha from the Chicago, IL area. I don't know…to be honest it just wasn't my style. I appreciate their efforts to try to diversify their sounds into something unique, but I just felt like they fell a little short in the vocal area. I was kinda thrown off when the first thing I heard was hardcore screaming and then all of a sudden Ian Low started singing a nice melody. Some people know how to take the two variations and blend them perfectly, I think the Phantoms didn't really hit the nail on the head in that respect. I think I'm just biased because I'm big into vocals, but the guitar playing wasn't half bad...I think if they either found a new singer...or didn't sing at all...they'd really have something.

I was SO excited for Shaman's Harvest who came next in line. Ever since I heard "Dragonfly", I just loved everything they're about.

They are something really unique and fresh, and really bring a lot to the table, both vocally and musically. As much as I am rock n' roll, I'm a country soul, and I thought they had a slight country twang to their songs, especially when lead singer Nathan Hunt picked up the acoustic guitar. "We get that a lot," Hunt said.

I was sad they didn't play some of their energetic tunes like "Turn it up!" but I must say, Nathan's voice is just as gorgeous live as it is on the radio. Josh Hamler on guitar was quite the ladies man that night too...especially with the 40-year-old cougars (sorry Josh, I promised I'd put it in the review hehe).

And last, but CERTAINLY not least, the crowd got what they all came to see; Emphatic. Now I heard these boys put on quite the show, and sure enough, they were anything but a let-down.

Coming out to meet the crowd, all sexy and scribbled on, their energy was IMMEDIATELY immersed on the crowd...I was in the first row grabbing on for dear life to the gate as I'm almost being sucked in with the moshers. Haven't been to a show with that much energy in a while, it was refreshing to see a band so into their crowd. The band came back as the crowd started chanting for an encore to do their newest hit "Dirty", and it was the perfect way to end the set.

Gotta admit, they sucked for conversation, but hey, they're musicians, can't be good at everything. If you missed this show, you missed the hell out!

Till next time
Audrey xxxx