A who’s who of local rock and metal acts will be on display on Saturday, July 31, for a benefit show at the Rockstar Lounge. 

The event, Blast Beats Biesiada Bash 3, is an annual event in memory of local drummer Eric Biesiada, who passed away from cancer in 2019. 

This year’s event will be a benefit show for local bassist Leroy “Loachee” Ferch, who is currently having his own bout with the disease. 

You may know Ferch from his time in the bands Downbreed, Beautiful Mess, Black Crown Serpent, and currently Helltowne. When he’s not slapping the bass, Ferch is a heavy equipment operator. 

Unfortunately, due to his chemo schedule and how the treatments affect him, he is unable to work. Knowing this, Blast Beats Biesiada Bash organizer Vanessa Cearbaugh stepped in to help a dear friend during this difficult time. 

Doors will open at 4 p.m. with live music starting at 5 p.m. The lineup includes Jupiter in July, Coffin Witch, SleepTight, Identity Unknown, Hudson Hill, Filth Spewer, Pharohound, Helltowne, The Lurking Corpses, and Voice of Sylas. There will also be raffles for merch packs from participating bands, as well as a guitar donated by Sweetwater. Tickets are $10 at the door and online via TicketWeb. 

Two More fall in line in Fell Advent

The metal act Fell Advent recently welcomed two new members to the band: drummer Noah Watson and guitarist Andrew Lynch. 

“With these two joining Colleen (Rose) and I, Fell Advent has never sounded better,” guitarist Tommy Bryant said. 

So far, they don’t have any shows booked locally. However, they will perform at Piratefest in Muncie the weekend of Aug. 13 as well as Rock the Rescue in Mishawaka on Aug. 21. 

In addition, Fell Advent finished tracking and are currently mixing and mastering a new EP, which they hope to release in the coming weeks. Be on the lookout for a teaser track soon.

Ready to chill with HUmans Among Us

A new band hitting the local scene is Humans Among Us. This low-chill act formed in 2020 during the pandemic as a means for a creative outlet to replace live music. They can be described as a cross between Morcheeba, Explosions in the Sky, and Pink Floyd. 

Humans Among Us consists of Aaron Steele on bass, his wife Carin on vocals, and Jason Villarreal on guitar. They are currently seeking a keyboard player and drummer. As of right now, they have three original songs and several very altered covers, but they continue to write. They hope to get out and play sometime this fall. 

As for the where the band name came from, it’s an amalgamation of a couple things.

“I had the name Humans Among Us for some time,” Steele said. “It has dual meaning. It’s part sci-fi trope — think movies They Live and Invasion of the Body Snatchers where aliens are living among us. It’s other part being a response to all the divisive anger out there, thanks to politics and social media, that despite all of that, there are still humans among us.” 

Be sure and find Humans Among Us on Facebook for future updates. As for Steele’s other project, Horizon Arcs, don’t be writing them off for this year. 

“We are focusing on new music right now, versus playing out,” Steele said. “We’re hoping to lock those in and get into the studio in the next few months. If that goes to plan, we’ll have new music this fall as well.”

New Album by Sleazy Rockers 

The sleazy rockers from Warsaw, Filth & Majesty, just released a new album called Who Killed Friday Night. With song titles like “Cigarettes and Kerosene,” “Sleazebag Stomp,” “25 Cigs,” and “Strohs Song,” this should be well worth the money. 

You can pick up a copy at Karma Records in Warsaw, all three Wooden Nickel locations, and Neat Neat Neat Records. If you are a streamer, this 12-track masterpiece can be found on all major streaming platforms. 

Filth & Majesty don’t have any shows booked until September, but expect that to change soon.

Static Fly at the Fair

Static Fly are ready to tear things up on Thursday, Sept. 30, at 7 p.m. when they hit the stage at the DeKalb County Fair. 

What’s even more enticing is that they will be opening for ONE – Metallica Tribute Band. These cats are hailed as the most authentic Metallica tribute touring the country today. Same look, sound, gear, and attitude to match. Man, this show is going to rock! 

Other local acts performing at this year’s fair include The Band Cheyenne, Whoa, Man!, Big Caddy Daddy, Rekt, and Columbia City’s own Megan Mullins. Find the complete schedule at dekalbcountyfair.com.

Trio Clicks on new Track

What happens when you team up Matt Tackett (formerly of The Orange Opera), Dave P (of U.R.B.), and Lisa McDavid (of The Sweetwater All Stars)? 

You get a new killer tune called “Sign of the Times.” 

Clocking in at just below three minutes, this gem features Tackett on the instruments, Dave writing and rapping, and McDavid lending her illustrious vocal talent, all mixed and mastered by T-Zank (Taylor Zank). 

For your listening pleasure, the track can be streamed on SoundCloud by searching “Turk & Dave P.” Enjoy!