FocusV2I49

VOLUME 2 ISSUE 48 | DECEMBER 19 - JANUARY 1 | 2018 YOUR FREE ARTS, ENTERTAINMENT, PERSONAL FINANCE, & MUSIC NEWSWEEKLY

EVENTS

NYE Parties

LOCAL

Evandale-Damn Good Rock

SPORTS

College Basketball

EXPERIENCE

Country-Side Village

#1

Saturday December 22

Mannheim Steamroller Christmas HOLLAND CENTER

#2

Saturday

#3

Friday

#4

Friday

#5 December December 22

Friday December 28

Magnum Pro: 22 December 22 Merry Christmas Ya Satchel Grande w/ A Frostival 2018

Jim Brickman:

Filthy Animals!

Ferocious Jungle Cat REVERB LOUNGE A Joyful Christmas THE SIDE ROOM SLOWDOWN

WAITING ROOM HOLLAND CENTER

#7

Saturday

#8

Monday

#9

Monday

UNO Hockey

BAXTER ARENA

NYE Holiday Lights

Fireworks Spectacular

FARNAM ON THE MALL

NYE Party w/

Wrekafekt

SLOWDOWN

#6

Friday December 28

# 10

33rd Annual Gingerbread Festival ORPHEUM THEATRE

Monday December 31 1990’s NYE w/ Radio Static and Daniel & the 9 Day DOWN UNDER

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TICKETS ON SALE NOW!Focus | December 19 - January 1 | Volume 2 Issue 49 19

Evandale-

Damn Good Rock

By Focus Omaha

It’s amazing how much you can learn about a band while sitting in with them at practice. It’s also a great opportunity to hear some damn good rock from a group of guys that are far from alien to the Omaha music scene.

Evandale consists of members E.J. Petry (vocals), Chad Riche (guitar/ vocals), Eric Whitney (guitar/vocals), Cody Du (bass/vocals), and Ryan Lang (drums).

About a month after Ryan and Riche had played their last gig with More Than a Memory, Riche was watching UTube and ran across lead vocalist E.J. Petry who was the former lead singer for local cover band Ruckus. Petry told Focus that many considered Ruckus the best cover band in Omaha but he had decided, “It was time for me to put a stamp on something and make it mine.”

With Petry being the Jr. member of the group Riche threw in jokingly, “I guess we felt like we rescued someone.”

All joking aside, when Riche heard Petry, he immediately called drummer Ryan Lang. Riche and Lang had been considering hanging it up, but we all know it’s not that easy when it comes to the life of a musician or any artist for that matter.

Whitney, (guitar/vocals) formerly with Arson City had left the band (Arson City) to be there for his new baby, but after a year and a half of not playing he

felt the hunger to get back in the mix again.

Bass player Du, who is still the lead singer of Forever Endeavor, and Lang have known each other since they were 16. Lang had been wanting to play with him for some time, and this opportunity finally solidified the deal.

The first time I’d ever heard of them was when I was sent a link to their song “Manipulator.” I must admit I haven’t heard a band since GTO that immediately seized my attention with their catchy rhythm.

I’d never heard Petry sing either and for those who haven’t, he’s the real deal. He can immediately shift from a throaty edge to a heartfelt wail in 2.3 seconds. When asked about the lyrics behind “Manipulator” Petry said, “It’s all about being yourself. Don’t let anyone tell you how to dress, what to wear, etc.”

There were even a few songs that I felt like if Lynyrd Skynyrd had decided to go hardcore, they would have sounded a bit like Evandale. That’s the best part about them. They’ve managed to take that good old southern rock sound and give it a solid edge.

You can check out the video we shot at their practice on the Focus Facebook page and don’t miss out on:

Evandale CD Release Party also w/ The Impulsive, Forever Endeavor, and Suspicious Fifth January 12, 7 pm at Forte Music Hall 4727 S 96thSt.

22 Focus | - December 19 - January 1 | Volume 2 Issue 49

Photo Credit: Eric Lang

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