Reaction #1: Mind Driver
I arrived at Chain Reaction with Mind Driver,
getting there early enough to hang out and get the low
down on the band. After hearing they suffered through
a six-hour interview for some other magazine, I decided
not to put them through another formal round of hell.
Instead, I just caused a whole lot of trouble by eavesdropping
on conversations, getting in the way, and generally pestering
them with a whole lot of 'Who are you?' And 'What do you
do?-type questions.
Heath's vocals - strong,
understandable
and straightforward frustration.
From my pestering, I learned that Heath
(vocals) and Carlos (bass) are the two founding members
of Mind Driver, a band they formed in 1997. During this
history lesson, Carlos commented that he considers himself
“the glue that holds Mind Driver together.” (Upon hearing
this, Heath scoffed and shook his head as he continued
hanging merch up for display.) Jimmy (guitarist) is the
youngest member, just barely old enough to drink.
Mikey (drums) was the last member to arrive,
so the only thing we talked about was his outfit, which
was made up of two clashing shades of yellow.
Loyal fans show up 3 hrs before showtime!
Mind Driver is an Orange County punk band,
hailing Chain Reaction as their home. I learned that the
club recently refurbished its stage: raising the floor
for increased sight lines, adding a better sound system,
hanging new lights...
Mind Driver security guards
keep a close
eye on the band - fightin' off all the mad bitches
The past complaints about Chain Reaction
being a crappy club can now only pertain to their lack
of alcohol. I’m glad I didn’t listen to the naysayers
in LA telling me not to waste my time in traffic to get
to this show, as hearing Mind Driver on their home stage
proved even more energetic.
Fans line up waiting as Sugarcult
pulls in
to Chain Reaction
As a band, Mind Driver feels they now have
the cohesion needed to pursue a label contract, which
they are currently doing full force. Their latest effort
toward the elusive recording contract is a video for their
song 'Lesbian.' If the song title doesn’t get you, than
the girls making out in the video will.
Sugarcult scored multiple
tracks
on the current Van Wilder movie soundtrack
Although I have yet to hear their CD (partly
because of my live show first - CD second policy, and
partly because they sold out of CD’s at their last show),
what I experienced at Chain Reaction is something the
record companies would be fools not to snatch up.
Carlos shows us what being a badass
is all about.
Mind Driver’s music is Orange County punk
at it’s clearest. Heath’s vocals are strong, inteligible,
and straightforward frustration. Jimmy’s guitar playing's
versitle enough for rhythm as well as “metal” solos. Carlos’s
“glue” did indeed hold together – fusing Mikey’s drum
beats with Jimmy’s guitar in pure punk fashion. (Strong
bass lines!) Their show is tight, precise, and easy on
the eyes. These guys look like they could easily adorn
the cover of Publicity Whore, with or without their music.
Just think: Mind Driver can get girls to make out with
each other! So just think what they could do with a room
full of people! (Their stage presence can be felt from
every corner of the room…..)
The guys pose for a celebrity shot
with Deanna from Publicity Whore
And the room they played to that Tuesday
night at Chain Reaction SOLD OUT – even without alcohol!
The line to get in started at 5, with doors not opening
until 7. Apparently, in Orange County, the bands performing
together for this show could have headlined four separate
shows with like results. In fact, Carlos informed me that
they were six fans short of selling out their last show.
With this kind of fan enthusiasm, keep an eye out for
them!
For more information on Mind Driver, contact
Deanna Repose
Know of a band we should feature on
Publicity Whore?
Let
us know
