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During the Kid Rock traffic jam at the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally last year, the Rapid City, South Dakota-based metal band EY3LESS played an impromptu concert on the roof of a house on Lazelle Street to a captive audience of frustrated motorists.
Some drivers liked the music so much that they turned around and endured the traffic jam again just to catch another song.
EY3LESS is Zack Weedo on guitar, Duane Suedmeier with drums, Aaron Ales on bass and vocals by Tracy Steiner. All four are fans of Rapid City's other heavy metal acts, but they say their own music is less heavy and more intricate than other bands' full-throttle sound.
Steiner doesn't only scream and growl — he sings as well, and his powerful voice can easily be compared to James Hetfield or Dave Mustaine.
Each song is forceful and deliberate, without lulls or repetitiveness. No frills, no watering down, just old-school metal. If this band were a drink, it would be something flammable, on the rocks.
A shifting rhythm and tempo keeps listeners on their toes. In a world where many rock bands simply recycle their hits every few years
EY3LESS's gritty, gutsy songs focus on universal themes.
Those universal themes aren't kid stuff, either. Depression, hate, tyranny and more are all unflinchingly examined.
And don't worry about encountering any rock-star ego. Despite the ferocity of their music and the wildness of their performances, all four are down-to-earth, friendly and even charming in person.
When I asked them about the contrast, Weedo explained, "You get it all out on stage."
And get it out they do. "Their (Weedo and Ales) fingers are flying, my foot's flying, and Tracy's purple," Suedmeier said of their shows which include, Shows feature manic mosh pits and, occasionally, fire-breathing by Steiner.
Modified from Ruth Milne’s, “From the Underground” column in the Rapid City Journal.
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