In late 1997, an Ames venue known as The Longshot put on a show featuring two of the area’s most popular local bands, Bocca Saint and JunkPoet. For Jay Lyon, who was the guitarist for JunkPoet at the time, it would be four more years before he would get the chance to play in his hometown again.

JunkPoet would go on to gain popularity and even receive major label attention before they would break up in 1998. Next Lyon would join up with another prominent Des Moines metal band, godkillgod. Gkg was popular in the Midwest region and also received label attention, but they too would break up.

Two bands and four years later Lyon will once again play in his hometown, this time with his new electronic/metal act, Seven Point Six Two. Coincidentally, he will even be playing at the Boheme, formally known as The Longshot, headlining the Saturdays Rock lineup that will also feature Domeshot and Quazar.

“I’m pretty relaxed and excited,” Lyon says about Saturday’s show. “I think that in a way I am really looking to hopefully set up base again in Ames.”

This could be a tough task. In 1997 the central Iowa scene had powerhouses like JunkPoet, Slipknot and 35″ Mudder. Heavy was the name of the game back then.

But times have changed. Metal has almost become a forbidden word in Ames. The few venues that do support local music have been reluctant to book heavier acts.

Bassist Eric Jacobson, who also grew up in Ames, would like to see a revival of metal bands that could coexist with the scene that already flourishes in town.

“A lot of these decent bands from Des Moines that are heavier just don’t touch up here, they know they have their scene down there, so they stay down there,” Jacobson says. “Maybe if we can kick some ass in this area and drag some of our friends from Des Moines along and get some exposure we can change it.”

Jacobson subscribes to the theory that without the fans, a band is nothing.

“I am truly grateful for everyone that comes to our shows,” he says. “It’s what playing live is all about, playing in front of people, hearing those applause and feeding off the energy.”

The experience that Lyon has accumulated during the course of the last six years has helped the band quickly get the ball rolling in Des Moines.

Most musicians do not get the opportunity to be in one band that enjoys regional popularity and record label attention, let alone two.

Lyon has. And he is using it to his advantage.

“I definitely have a lot more knowledge from past experiences. Before I had no road map, and now I can see this huge mountain in front of me,” Lyon says. “Now I have a better idea of what needs to be done.”

When it comes to the insight and wisdom that Lyon possesses, Jacobson can’t give enough praise.

“He’s so experienced with the scene. A lot of it is how you conduct yourself and the attitude you have, and Jay has really brought that into the band and letting us know where our heads need to be.

“There’s definite things you can do if you want to fuck up your chance of making it, or there’s definite things you can do to improve your chances, it’s knowing some of those things, and I think we have a pretty good grasp on them because of Jay.”

And after all the success and coming so close to hitting the big time, Lyon still looks forward to starting over.

“I wouldn’t do it if I wasn’t having fun,” Lyon says. “I just have to play music, whether it’s in my basement or in front of 10,000 people.”