Shellshocked festival offers alternative music

In an area musically dominated by country and a few blues-rock acts, it's not every day that alternative bands get a chance to showcase their talents.

Their day came Saturday. Six local bands drew a crowd of about 100 to the Jackson City Park bandshell for the Shellshocked 2 alternative music festival.

"It's a way to show the community the musical talent that we have," said 18-year-old Juli Penny, singer for the all-girl acoustic rock band Pants 'r' Implied, who've played together since early 2001. "We're taking the time to put our passion and energy into something that doesn't hurt anyone. We're trying to do something good for the community by providing entertainment."

This is the second year that Shellshocked has been held at the Jackson bandshell. This year's featured bands were MIG, Becoming Thomas, Pants 'r' Implied, Echelon, Silent and Rubber Conductor, with musical styles ranging from acoustic rock to funk to hardcore.

Blankets dotted the lawn as music lovers made themselves comfortable in the afternoon heat.

Young fans gathered at the front of the stage throughout the day, jumping up and down and flailing their arms to the musical stylings of various bands. Gabe Gross, a member of the band Becoming Thomas, showed his support for all the bands by dancing near the stage throughout the event.

"It's all about the local musicians," Gross said. "It's about feeling the music, just the experience of it."

The crowd, mostly high school and college students, showed strong support for the young bands, bursting into applause at the end of each song. The audience clapped along to Pants 'r' Implied's acoustic version of the Eagles song "Heartache Tonight."

The bands played a mix of covers and original music. Echelon performed their own version of Chevelle's "Send the Pain Below" and a distortion-heavy rendition of Tom Petty's "Free Falling," while Silent, a jam-band with no vocalist, played a full set of original instrumental works that elicited loud cheers.

Free barbecue and soda was provided for the crowd and raffle tickets were sold to benefit the victims of the tornado that hit Jackson in May. The bands all played for free, so all money raised in the raffle went to the tornado fund.

"It gives us a chance to do something good for the community," said Steve Brooks, who volunteered his time to run the soundboard.

Kevin Kell said it was the first time he'd heard his son's band, Echelon. He liked it.

"I think the adults are really enjoying it," Kell said. "It's something to do on a Saturday."

Shivelbine's music in Cape Girardeau donated the sound system for the event.

"This year we've had a lot better turnout," said Joe Ettling, who along with his brother, William, and friend Josh Tomlin, organized the event.

The organizers hope that this year's larger turnout will attract more bands from a larger area to the festival next year, Ettling said.

msanders@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 226