Bolsa de Papas

Members: Aaron Horn, alto sax/vocals; Brian Sulzer, trumpet; John Gruber, bass; Adam Clark, guitar; Ben Bradley, guitar; Erin Meschke, vocals; Andy Meschke, vocals; Zac Crane, drums

Band Birth: 1998

Albums/Releases: “Priorities” (1999), “Choosing Sides” (2001)

Genre: Christian ska/ rock

Why: “We have a strong Gospel message that we like to share.” – Aaron Horn

Web site: www.bolsadepapas.com

(MB)

Box Brothers Band

Members: Jim Noxon, drums/vocals; Tom Box, lead guitar/vocals; Ryan Scheeler, lead guitar/vocals; Rick Soroka, bass; Dave Belford, keyboard

Band Birth: 1997

Albums/Releases: none

Genre: ’60s and ’70s rock

Why: Drummer Jim Noxon says the band “migrated” to the sound they have now. “We play something that’s fun to play and it’s fun for parties,” he says.

Website: www.boxbrothersband.com

(MB)

Boy Cow

Members: Joel Nott, drums; Yuta Naganuma, bass; Tom Glorfield, guitar/vocal

Band Age: a little over a year

Albums/Releases: none, but possibly a split with Johnny on the Rocks in the future

Genre: polka/funk/classical on some days, but most of the time punk-type-rock-n-roll-type-stuff.

Why: “Why wouldn’t you? We’re still full of teen angst.” -Tom Glorfield

Web site: www.public.iastate.edu/~gbh/boy-cow

(TF)

Canadian Wheat Lords

Members: Nick Consoer, eight-string bass; Matt Travaille, drums; Patrick Fleming, guitar/vocals

Band Birth: May of 1997

Albums/Releases: “Johnny Appleseed and the Broken Time Machine”

Genre: slack rock

Why: “We are lazy.” – Patrick Fleming

Web site: www.public.iastate.edu/~mtra/index.html

(RW)

Cryogenic Strawberries

Members: Eddie DeSade, acoustic guitar/vocals/sample breakbeats; Cash Money, acoustic guitar/sample breakbeats

Band Birth: October 2000

Albums/Releases: “The Fantabulous Geek Hop ConjobŒ” (2002)

Genre: geek hop

Why: “We try to make fun of modern society, but do it in a way so that it is fun, and not offensive.” – Eddie DeSade

Web site: www.mp3.com/strawberries

(MB)

Degree Absolute

Members: Aaron Bel, guitars/vocals/miscellaneous; Doug Beary, drums; Dave Lindeman, bass

Band Brith: fall of 1999

Albums/Releases: self-titled debut will be released in August of this year on Sensory Records.

Genre: progressive metal

Why: “For the pure enjoyment of creating a nice, dysfunctional package from various genres and influences.” -Aaron Bell

Web site: www.degreeabsolute.com

(JS)

Duck and Cover

Members: Keith Rich, guitar; Parker Griggs, drums; Jordan Jensen, bass; Tom Kuphal, vocals

Band Age: a little more than a year

Albums/Releases: none, currently recording

Genre: punk/emo/hardcore punk

Why: “If you want to be punk, you have to be punktual.” – Keith Rich

Web site: www.geocities.com/duckandcover001

(MC)

Eight Miles Out

Members: Pat Boberg, guitar/vocals; Chris Saldanha, bass/vocals; Alex Miller, drums

Band Birth: New Year’s Eve 1999

Albums/Releases: “Trash,” “First” and ” The Inescapable Consequence of Fabrication”

Genre: emo/punk

Why: “We play emo punk because I am a big fan of Alkaline Trio and Jimmy Eat World and all those bands as well as a lot of alternative bands. My favorite band is Foo Fighters. While Chris is really into hardcore and pop punk and varities of punk and Alex is just likes good music.” – Pat Boberg

Web site: www.EightMilesout.com

(JS)

Eric Coleman

Members: Eric Coleman, acoustic guitar/vocals

Band Birth: 1975, two years in current format

Albums/Releases: “Fear and Self Loathing in Central Iowa” (2001)

Genre: self-proclaimed “bitter sarcastic middle-aged folk music”

Why: “I’ve always felt a need to write, it’s something I can’t live without. I have the need to state some sort of opinion.” – Eric Coleman

Web site: members.aol.com/ericcoleman

(MB)

Poison Control Center

Members: Natalie Uhl, keys/vocals; Patrick Fleming, guitar/vocals; Devin Frank, guitar/vocals; Joe Terry, bass/vocals; Don Curtis, drums/vocals

Band Age: a year and a half

Albums/Releases: “Bedtime for the Little Kids” mini-album (2001); “The Go-Go Music Show” (full-length) (2001)

Genre: progressive metal garage rock

Why: “`Cause we love it . We are trying to create a sensory overload.” – Patrick Fleming

Web site: www.bifirecords.com

(DS)

Saving Mae

Members: Luke Douglass, vocals; Drew Douglass, guitar/backing vocals; Dennis Bazylinski, bass; Curtis Bedwell, drums

Band Birth: 1998

Albums/ Releases: “The Lighter Side of Darkness” (2001), “Live” (2002)

Genre: rock/ acoustic rock

Why: “We really like having a good time with our music, writing cool songs and playing live.” -Luke Douglass

Web site: www.savingmae.com

(MB)

Scalpel

Members: Josh Salmonson, vocals; Emma Vincent, guitar; Paul Moreland, bass; (currently looking for new drummer and second guitarist)

Band Age: three to four years

Albums/Releases: none available for purchase

Genre: melodic goth metal, experimental rock

Why: “It’s the product of a band not trying to imitate other bands.” – Paul Moreland

Web site: www.scalpelonline.com

(TF)

2nd Best

Members: Shane Sikkema, guitar/vocals; Paul Friemel, bass/backup vocals; TJ Mapes, drums/backup vocals

Band Age: three years

Albums/Releases: “Is this for Real” (March 2001), “That’s what Happens” DVD video collection (due summer 2002), “Costar” (due July 2002)

Genre: punk-influenced alternative rock

Why: “It is just a creative outlet and keeps us sane during the chaotic college years. We make the music as a release of daily life. We make the music that we feel like making.” – Paul Friemel

Web site: www.2ndbestonline.com

(DS)

Seven Point Six Two

Members: Jay Lyon, guitar/vocals/programming; Eric Jacobson, bass/vocals; Tim Thompson, vocals; Kevin Rout, keyboards/programming; Greg Stravers, drums

Band Age: about one year with the current lineup

Albums/Releases: one demo

Genre: metal

Why: “If we are able to affect people in some way then we’ve done our job.” – Jay Lyon

(TF)

Tainted

Members: Nate Headrick, bass; Tim Defosse, lead guitar; Nick Westphal, acoustic guitar/lead vocals; Dave Westphal, rythym guitar/backup vocals; Jason Kruzic, drums

Band Age: a year and a half

Albums/Releases: “Naked” (2001)

Genre: acoustic rock

(JS)

38th Parallel

Members: Aaron Nordyke, drums; Jeff Barton, bass; Nathan Rippke, vocals; Shane Moe, guitar; Mark Jennings, vocals

Band Age: about four years

Albums/Releases: “Let Go” E.P. (2000); “Turn the Tides” (due April 30, 2002)

Genre: rap/rock

(TF)

Triple Lindy & the Dangerfield Armada

Members: Andy Schmidt, drums/vocals; Mario Nash, bass guitar; Courtney Nash, guitar/vocals; Matt Stromberg, guitar/vocals; Tim Berte, horns/keyboard

Band Birth: December 2000

Albums/Releases: “Do It for the Children,” (due fall 2002)

Genre: emo/punk

Why: “We write about girls, and the stuff that comes naturally to us.” – Andy Schmidt

Web site: www.3L&DA.com

(MB)

Twistin’ Trees

Members: Mike Beede, saxophone; Chad Jacobsen, keyboards/aux. percussion; Dave Lilienthal, drums; John Luna, trumpet; Ben Maynard, vocals/keyboards; Seth Minnihan, bass; Dave Schwerdtfeger, guitar

Band Birth: August 2001

Albums/Releases: demo in progress

Genre: jazz/funk/rock/jam

Why: The bands motivation is the music they listen to, says Chad Jacobsen

Web site: www.twistintrees.com

(MB)

Why Make Clocks

Members: Dan Hutchinson, vocals/guitar; Brian Wiskell, guitar/piano/vibraphone; Karl Siemers, guitars; Boonie Boone, bass

Band Birth: 1998

Albums/Releases: “Transient Swivel EP” (1999), a soon to be released full-length album

Genre: underground

Why: “We make this music because we are who we are” – Brian Wiskell

Web site: www.whymakeclocks.com

(TF)

Yellow 5

Members: Scott Lemon, vocals; Mark Schultz, guitar; Dustin Oliverson, drums; Thom Ancell, bass/keyboards

Band Birth: 2000

Albums/Releases: “I.D.E.A.” – four-song EP (2001)

Genre: industrial/electronic/hard rock

Why: “We all have our own style, and we are trying do something fresh that isn’t found in Ames.” – Thom Ancell

Web site: www.neotone-records.com/artists.htm

(MB)

Keif

Members: Todd Leininger, lead guitar; Derrick Gorshe, rhythm guitar; Justin Leininger, bass; Chris Rolling, drums; currently looking for a new singer

Band Age: about one and a half years

Albums/Releases: “Unhinged” (self-recorded debut)

Genre: hard rock

Why: “We just want to play rock ‘n’ roll. We enjoy listening to that type of music, so it’s natural that that is the music we would want to play.” – Derrick Gorshe

Web site: www.keifmusic.com

(SY)

Kountertop

Members: Nick Erickson, guitar/vocals; Fabian Dekok, lead guitar; Nate Guess, bass/vocals; Scott Erickson, drums

Band Age: about seven years

Albums/Releases: “Kountertop” demo

Genre: rock/blues/alternative

Why: “We grew up listening to music similar to what we play.” -Nick Erickson

Web site: www.kountertop.com

(SY)

Level Headed

Members: Ryan Babbitt, guitar/vocals; Adam Babbitt, bass/backing vocals; Joe Pometto, drums/backing vocals

Band Birth: 2000

Albums/Releases: working on a full-length album

Genre: hard alternative

Why: “We all love music, it is a big part of our lives, and we want to give a positive message instead of the negative message most bands are sending.” – Ryan Babbitt

Web site: www.levelheadedrocks.com

(MB)

Malenko

Members: Brant Allen, acoustic guitar/vocals; Kris Dunn, acoustic guitar/ harmonica

Band Birth: 2000

Albums/Releases: currently in progress

Genre: folk rock

Why: “It’s the kind of music that we listen to and play for fun.” – Brant Allen

Web site: www.public.iastate.edu/~kdunn/home.html

(MB)

Max Power

Members: Nick Elliott, bass; Travis Sowden, vocals; Matt O’Gara, guitar; John Brower, drums

Band Birth: May 2001, current lineup since September

Albums/Releases: “Half Hour of Power” (March 2002)

Genre: alternative/hard rock

Why: “Whatever you write is what you play, and this is the kind of music we write.” – Nick Elliott

Web site: www.maxpowertheband.com

(MB)

Mechanistry

Members: Philip A. Lombardo, guitars/backup vocalist; Ronald Sidharta, bass; Joshua Jacobsen, drums; Keith Herndon, guitars; Mukit Alam, vocalist

Band Birth: winter of 2000

Albums/Releases: “Live Aggression” (2001), “Live at BiFi Records” (2001), “Mechanistry” (due June 2002)

Genre: progressive rock

Why: “We are dedicated supporters of progressive rock and metal music . ” – Philip Lombardo

(RW)

Mere Civilians

Members: Tim Miner, bass/backing vocals; Eric Maines, guitar/vocals; Gary Borkowski, drums

Band Birth: 1998

Albums/Releases: “Civilized” (2000)

Genre: hard rock/alternative

Why: “The music we make is a collaboration of what we listen to.” – Tim Miner

Web site: merecivilians.tripod.com

(MB)

Kathryn Musilek

Members: Kathryn Musilek

Band Age: 22 years

Albums/Releases: “Ballerina in a Box,” “Everyone’s Tired of Hearing About It,” currently working on upcoming album

Genre: folk/pop/rock

Why: ” It has to do with [my band’s] own influences and tastes, and we all get a lot of freedom to play how we choose.” – Kathryn Musilek

Web site: www.bifirecords.com

(SY)

Organ Donor

Members: J. Grace, guitars/vocals; A. Hawkins, bass; J. McCoy, drums

Band Birth: November 2000

Albums/Releases: track on “C.S.R. Presents Old Adventures In Bi-Fi” (2000), “Heaven and Hell” (2001), “Scrapbook” (split) (2002)

Genre: acoustic pop rock

Why: “We like a wide variety of music, therefore we like to play a wide variety of music.” – J. Grace

Web site: organ-donor.tripod.com

(DS)

The Envy Corps

Members: Luke Pool, vocals/guitars/Rhodes/piano; David Yoshimura, guitar; Rhodes, piano, backing vocals; Peter Bovenmyer, bass; Derek Powers, drums

Band Birth: October 2001

Albums/Releases: “Humble Hero/Lurking in the Shadows EP” (2002); full-length will be available fall 2002

Genre: pop

Why: “We feel that there is a lack of good solid pop music in the U.S. and are trying to bring some of the feel of the great English pop music here to the States.” – Luke Pool

Web site: www.theenvycorps.com

(JS)

Flux (Capacitor)

Members: Max Nedved, guitar/vocals; Mark Willard, drums; Eric Bergeland, bass; Matt Freyer, guitar

Band Birth: August 2001

Albums/Releases: “Flux (Capacitor EP)”

Genre: blues-based rock with pop flavor

Why: The members all listen to the same type of music, and that music is an inspiration for them. “It’s all something we love to do,” Max Nedved says.

(MB)

For the Better

Members: Jason Munday, vocals/guitar; Ryan Seiler, vocals/guitar; David Moore, bass; Adam Sisson, vocals/guitar; Luke Conard, drums

Band Birth: December 2001

Albums/Releases: “Hey JT, I Thought We Were Friends” (2002)

Genre: electric/acoustic emo punk

Why: “We decided we wanted to use God’s musical talent more for him, and this is the kind of music we do best.” – Ryan Seiler

Web site: www.forthebetter.faithweb.com

(MC)

Frankenixon

Members: Ben Baier, bass/vocals; Joe Kiplinger, guitar/vocals; Weston Daley, drums; Evelyn Finch, piano/ vocals

Band Birth: fall 1999

Albums/Releases: one self-titled EP, a full-length coming fall 2002

Genre: mixed/pop

Web site: www.frankenixon.com

(MC)

Hessian

Members: Matt Bosma, guitar; Uly Stallings, guitar/ vocals; Joe Strouth, drums; Steve Olsen, bass

Band Age: four years, current lineup for one year

Albums/Releases: “The Slow Slide Down” EP (1999), “All New Levels” (2002)

Genre: alternative metal

Why: “It’s the style of music we love, influenced by the bands we love to listen to. Basically, because it’s fun.” – Matt Bosma

Web site: http://www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/Festival/6007

(RW)

Hitting My Dad

Members: Isaac Norman, Sam Barnes, John Soike, Tony Buss, Jeremy Shultz

Band Age: one year

Albums/Releases: currently none, but one coming this summer

Genre: rock

Web site: www.hittingmydad.com

(JP)

Hog Mallet

Members: Justin Stoner, Brett Barry, Michael Bosworth

Band Age: four years

Albums/Releases: none, but four demos are available on Web site

Genre: hard rock/ punk rock

Why: “It reflects what we listen to and the writing style we’ve developed.” – Michael Bosworth

Web site: hogmallet.tripod.com

(JP)

Home By Midnight

Members: Andy Fullhart, Ryan Hansen, Ben Barkley, Karl Peterson

Band Age: about two years

Albums/Releases: a five-song, self-titled collection

Genre: grunge, geek rock

Why: ” We started listening to Weezer and wanted to sound like them.” – Andy Fulhart

Web site: www.thedwshow.com

(JP)

Honnold

Members: Brian Gumm, James McConeghey, Jeff Kinkaid, “The Dude”, Tim Vos

Band Age: unknown

Albums/ Releases: “Bandit Girl – Quand II Est Fonce,” “Bedtime Glory”

Genre: folk/rock

Web site: www.honnold.org

(JP)

The Horseshoe Spatulas

Members: Martini “Martini” Martin, guitar/ vocals; Crumpty “Suzy Q” Williams, drums/ vocals; Manchops “Paste Eater Boy” Chowder, bass

Band Age: five years

Albums/Releases: “Pennywise Full Circle,” “Imitation Punk Rock Imitation?”

Genre: New Wave punk

Why: “I guess, we’ve developed a negative fan-base, or as we like to call it, an `anti-fan’ base.” – Crumpty “Suzy Q” Williams

Web site: www.mp3.com/HorseshoeSpatulas

(MC)

Johnny on the Rocks

Members: Boonie Boone, bass; Doug House, drums; Matt McClurg, guitar/vocals

Band Age: one year

Albums/Releases: none

Genre: rock `n’ roll/ punk with indie rock influences

Why: “I got sick of the pop-punk sound and wanted to do something darker.” – Matt McClurg

Web site: www.public.iastate.edu/~boonie/johnny

(SY)

Keepers of the Carpet

Members: Jordan Mayland: lead vocal/lead guitar, Zack Smith: bass/vocal,Tyler Smith: guitar, Jason Holland: percussion

Band Age: six years

Albums/Releases: “Carpet Burn” (May 2000), “Entitled” (September 2001), self-titled album (October 2001)

Genre: geek rock

Why: “I’m just playing the music I write. If it sounds like someone else, so be it. You can really hear some Weezer influence on the album but I think I’m finding my own writing style now.” – Jordan Mayland

Web site: www.keepersofthecarpet.com

(DS)