Tungsten Groove finding its place on the local music scene

For Stan Denninger, music runs in the family. Having grown up in a family of musicians, he said his interest in it goes back to when he first could walk.

Now the keyboardist/vocalist for local rockers Tungsten Groove, Denninger describes himself as a walking jukebox.

"Personally, I just can't get it out of my head," Denninger said. "Shannon [Meyer] is the same way. I asked him, 'How long has your jukebox been going?' He said, 'Ever since I can remember.' I've had songs in my head the same way."

Denninger and guitarist/vocalist Meyer have taken their ideas to the stage. Last year they joined Matt Watts (bass/vocals), Brett Richardet (vocals/harmonica), Justus Richardet (guitar/vocals) and Leon Moffitt (drums), to form Tungsten Groove.

In less than a year, the band has established a name for itself on the music scene.

Next up for Tungsten Groove is a show at 9 p.m. Saturday at Rhymer's On the Plaza.

Although this will be the group's first time to take Rhymer's stage, Tungsten Groove plays monthly at other venues. The band spends at least one weekend at Rude Dog Pub and plays the first Thursday at the House of Rock in St. Louis. It also performs a monthly acoustic show at the City Tavern in Perryville, Mo. -- where the fusion of the six musicians began.

Denninger said all the bandmates except Moffitt attended high school in Perryville, and their friendships were fueled by music.

"As a group, we draw inspiration from the needs to get it out of our system -- to play," he said. "Like someone who plays sports, once you do it for a while you can't just sit around and not do it."

The band name, much like the friendships among the band members, represents a strong groove.

"Tungsten is a metal. When it cures it's a really strong metal that doesn't bend, scratch and stands the test of the time," Denninger said. "The idea was that would be the kind of music we would try to make. That was a goal from the start."

Tungsten Groove plays a variety of covers by the Black Crowes, Allman Brothers and other bands. In addition to cover songs, the band has written original tunes and are in the studio recording now. The expected album, Denninger said, includes "some really low-down, dirty rock 'n' roll, and some stories -- like real stories that happen to you."

He hopes to have the album out by summer and said it will be available through the band's website, www.thetungstengroove.com, and also online at www.CDbaby.com.

"I think it'll be a little like life, when we get done," he said. "And all in all, hopefully it's a good time. All you can do is try to capture an emotion and make it feel the way you feel back through the speakers."

Denninger said experiencing that through other musicians, concerts and music festivals has brought a level of insight into what it takes to make genuine music.

"I've met a lot of really cool people by just getting out, going to festivals and talking to people -- not about my music, but good music in general. That's an amazing thing. I've been from one coast to another to do it," Denninger said. "We [he and Meyer] have done a lot of living out there on the road that hopefully follows us back through into our music."