The Welterweights, Someday I, and Talking to Ferns
Grand Emporium
December 20, 1999

Review by Ryan Ashmore

It's always interesting going to a show when you've never really heard much about two of the three bands playing. I find it entertaining to try to guess what type of music a particular band will play based solely on the band's name. I usually fail, and tonight was no exception.

The Welterweights came on first, and I was mildly (and pleasantly) surprised to be listening to a nice poppy country-rockish groove. Not twangy by any standards, but with a distinctly Southern flavor. The music was definitely there, but I'm sorry to report that their stageshow was somewhat lacking... The Welter- weights seem to have been hit with the "stand in one place" stick. While high kicks, backflips, and/or fire- breathing would have been quite inappropriate for the style of music in question, a little bit more "gettin' down" seemed to be in order. Still, the music is what it's really all about and it can't be denied that The Welterweights deliver with catchy guitar riffs and a solid rhythym section. I heard it rumored that they were heading to the studio in January, and I'm looking forward to hearing the results.

Next up came Fort Collins, Colorado's Someday I. The band could also have been called "Somtimes Ellipses" because I've seen it written both ways; for the sake of continuity I will exclude them. Someday I was probably my favorite act of the evening, most likely due to their high-energy delivery. With a sound combining key elements of emo-pop-punk, indie rock, and even a bit of hardcore, Someday I produces a very cool sound vaguely reminiscent of bands such as No Motiv... the primary difference being that I like Someday I. If The Welterweights got your mojo workin' with bluesy guitar hooks, Someday I tore it from your hands and stomped on it with sometimes fast and furious, sometimes calm and collected, always melodic rock.

The last band of the evening was Talking to Ferns, a Kansas City standby for quite a while now. More or less straight-up pop rock, I've never been overly impressed by Talking to Ferns. They have a Gin Blossom-esque sound that I didn't care for seven years ago and seems rather dated now. They are, however, fantastic musicians and are far more interesting a band than their "rockstar" counterparts.

--Ryan Ashmore