Up-and-comers in for doubleheader

Originally published February 19, 2004

by Jedd Beaudoin
jbeaudoin@f5wichita.com



Maryland-based quartet Oddzar will return to Wichita for two shows this weekend, one Friday night at America's Pub and an all-ages affair Saturday night at the Game.

Bassist Travis Lockhart said the band is looking forward to returning.The band last came through with Dog Fashion Disco and, by all accounts, made an impressive impression.

Lockhart said that the dates with DFD were especially educational.

"Going out with them for six weeks was how we [cut] our teeth touring. They just did a great job making sure that we had enough money to stay alive on the road and showing us the ropes and doing the proper amount of hazing at the same time," he said, laughing. "They're the most happy-go-lucky, fun-loving guys, too."

The band is also the first heavy rock band to be signed to DCide Records since Nothingface in 1996. Lockhart speaks of the band's label with pride, noting not only its past artists but current ones as well: Trust Company are DCide alums who graduated to Geffen, while up-and-comers Agents of the Sun, are currently on board. Being on that label, he adds, afforded the band at least one interesting opportunity. "We got to work with Drew Mazurik, who worked on the first three Nothingface records," he said.

Lockhart noted that while short bursts of touring seem to work well for the band, they're eager to jump on a larger tour.

"Right now, we're looking for local or indie bands to set up gigs with and going out for a couple of weeks at a time. After this tour, we're going to try not to leave the East Coast for about six weeks and work on new material, which we're all really looking forward to."

Lockhart is also realistic about life on the road, hitting places where some members of the audience haven't heard the band's Tool-cum-Radiohead-cum-the Deftones blend, noting that the band actually welcomes the challenge.

"One of things we enjoyed about the tour with Dog Fashion Disco was that ... we'd been playing a lot of local shows with local bands and it was a chance for people to come out and support their friends who were in bands. They weren't always big music fans. But DFD, they're so out there, so that if anybody's going to go see them, you know they're a music fan. I think that was really beneficial to us. People were there for the music."

The band will have the chance to meet crowds who've turned up just for the music this weekend at The Game, which Lockhart remembered fondly.

As for the band's uncharted stop, America's Pub, Lockhart hardly seemed worried about facing the unfamiliar club on the band's first of two nights in town: "If people are going to dig what you do, they're going to dig it. If not, maybe it's not for them. But, hopefully," he said, "we'll find enough open-minded people who will appreciate us."