FEATURE MURDER

If I were not a cold-blooded killer, I would have to admit to being a somewhat of a fan of Death By Stereo. I find them to be a most intriguing group. They are proof that a band can not only survive, but thrive through hard work, talent and adhering to one's own musical rules. From my observation, the latter is a quality that few of today's hard-hitters posesss. Afterall, the corporate side of rock and roll is attracted to mass imitation. A band is wise to look and sound like everyone else within their chosen genre if they want to get anywhere. I find it fascinating then, that Death By Stereo has enjoyed such success in the span of their existence. By stubbornly doing things their own way, the group has become a So Cal legend. Seamlessly combining Punk, Metal, Hardcore and Pop has been this outfit's calling card for the last 13 years and has served them well. A string of stellar releases has afforded the four-piece (now five) not only a loyal fanbase, but something of an oddity in the world of rock and roll: longevity.

While they may have my respect, when all is said and done, all I really care about is murder. I have been planning the demise of Death By Stereo for several years now - ever since they last ventured to the zombie-infested waters of Colorado. I knew they would eventually make the mistake of returning. Such a day came when the group's never-ending tour recently brought them to the town of Colorado Springs (about an hours drive from Denver). They were scheduled to play at a venue called The Black Sheep. This theatre is basically a big, empty, square room with a stage on one end and a bar on the other. The basement, however, is an undead, serial killer's dream come true. A shadowy expanse, used as nothing more than a gigantic store room with a band green room on one side, it serves as the perfect place to stockpile unused pieces of furniture. It also is a great place for the undead to wait for a foolish band to arrive....Read More