While driving down a long stretch of highway, the radio plays a selection from your favorite band's new album that was featured in last year's Grammy Awards ceremonies. Where did that band and other bands of talented musicians begin their journey into the spotlight?

Some say the talent which transforms awkward adolescents into professional entertainers lies here in Chehalis. "I think Chehalis has, actually, a lot of talent," said the drummer for Lands Farther East (formerly Candy Keep), Ryan Soukkala, a W. F. West senior.

Others disagree with this opinion. Josh Panush, guitar and vocalist in Drunky Dean said, "I think there's an extreme lack of creativity [locally]. There are a lot of bands that just are playing to their peers, mimicking Nirvana and other bands."

Panush believes that a lot of the reason that students are forming bands is to climb up the social ladder their peer group has established. He said, "There's a lot of people pandering to their friends now [with their choice in music]. It's kind of a status thing [to be in a band]."

Some students may know others to be good musicians or even in a band, but not many could name the band or its members. Even some who have a band of their own, don't know many other bands. "I know some people that are in bands, but I haven't really heard other bands play," said Dale Harris, drummer for the unnamed student band (formerly Malisto).

This experience of Harris' and possibly others may be due to the lack of many formally organized student bands in the area, or simply that there aren't many places to play when beginning a new band. Harris said, "I don't think they give enough opportunities to perform, but that just may be because of the small community."

Others say that they haven't had a problem finding places for their band to play. Chris Judd, drummer for Acacia Grove said, "We're getting more and more chances to play. Things just keep coming up and it's kind of cool."

Some believe that the main support of the community comes from the youth. Harris said, "Basically the younger end of the community supports the bands really well, but the adults aren't very supportive. I think it may be just because the music freaks them out or they just aren't into the sound, but I don't know."

Acacia Grove has found some adults in the community to be very supportive. Senior guitarist Adam Sweeney said, "We've been really fortunate as far as equipment goes. Mt. View Baptist [Church in Centralia] donated a mixer. That really helps our practices. We can adjust the levels in order to balance it and get the sound that we want."

In order to have a successful band, as with anything else, the members need to be willing to practice. Panush said, "Joey [Coon] and I were just practicing together for about a year. Just a few months ago, Wyatt [Anderson] joined the band."

As with most of these student bands, it's been a struggle for the unnamed band (formerly Malisto) to balance band practices along with college courses and part time jobs. Harris said, "We're all in Running Start and we've all had jobs off and on. It makes it difficult to get together and practice."

Sweeney agreed with Harris regarding the time constraints of being a member of a band and enrolled in high school. He said, "It's hard to find time, especially when school's in."

Local businesses have tried to help student bands to get on their feet, but some say that they don't have the most ideal facilities necessary for the variety of performances that the local bands provide. Panush said, "It'd be real nice if there were more available [places to play]. The Matrix is basically the only consistent venue available, and they can't always accommodate all of the different types of bands that they'd like to."

Aside from the fact that there are three clubs available to play at in Chehalis, it seems that the students' faith in the community has been lost. This may be due to Harris' view that adults should participate at local musical events. Panush said that it would be nice to have more encouragement in the area of live bands but that "you can't expect much from Lewis County."

Acacia Grove
Members: guitar, Adam Sweeney guitar, Mitch Guthrie bass, Erin Sweeney drums, Chris Judd keyboard, Derek Smith
Experience together: about six months
Sound: Christian acoustic-bass rock
Inspiration: Jars of Clay, Paul Simon, U2, and Switchfoot
Goals: want to eventually record this summer and put out an album
In the near future: may play at Oktoberfest in the spring (?) and may play at the Matrix Coffeehouse with Lands Farther East (formerly Candy Keep)

Lands Farther East
(formerly Candy Keep)
Members: guitar and vocals, Mark Detrick bass, Eisa Al-Eisa drums, Ryan Soukkala
Experience together: about three years
Sound: slow, smooth rock
Inspiration: Sunny Day Real Estate, Modest Mouse, Mineral, and Bloodshed
Goals: make a 7-inch record sometime again, and maybe get on a label
In the near future: will play at Oktoberfest in the spring (?), may play at the Matrix Coffeehouse with Acacia Grove, may also play at the Fortune Club sometime.

Drunky Dean
Members: guitar and vocals, Josh Panush guitar, Matt Nuss bass, Wyatt Anderson drums, Joey Coon
Experience together: about one year
Sound: from the Indi Rock of the 80's
Inspiration: Sonic Youth, The Pixies, and Black Flagg
Goals: Panush said, "We are going down to Portland to record in December and will be playing at the Matrix soon."
In the near future: will be playing at the Matrix Coffeehouse soon. Right now, the band has been focused on writing and practicing songs for the recording. Panush said, "After that's done, it will probably be played on the college radio station and may have a little interview on the side."

unnamed band
(formerly Malisto)
Members: guitar and vocals, Chian Lee Nicholson guitar and bass, Erin Sweeney drums, Dale Harris
Experience together: about seven months
Sound: heavy metal
Inspiration: Harris said, "We're working on Defftones stuff right now. We all like Korn and I like Metallica. That's basically my heaviest influence right now."
In the future: the band is uncertain of when or where they will be playing next.