Unsigned underground

Monday, September 14, 1998

You are currently looking into The Hole, a bottomless pit where anything surrounding the independent music scene will be recorded.

Information will include concert reviews, local bands, or ranting and raving by someone who is utterly frustrated at the corporate powers controlling music today.

My first adventure led me to the depths of Hollywood, for a night of live music at the Dragonfly.

Punchbowl went on first in front of a sparse crowd, but held everyone's attention. It rocked through its 10-song set while the steady flow of Hollywood hipsters strutted past the bouncers and into the club.

The band's stage presence was led by its bass player, who played with intensity and flooded the crowd with emotion. Alternative-driven guitar rock was backed by strong bass lines and heavy-hitting drumming.

The singer provided a strong presence. With a height of over six-feet,he peered down upon the audience like the Jolly-Green Giant looking down on a cornfield.

Next were the Campfire Girls. Opening the set was a dreamy, alternative-rock song. The entire crowd was filled with nodding heads and swaying hips, however, there were no sparked lighters in the air.

By the time Hero walked on stage, people were anxiously waiting to see the band, which has been together for 20 days. The excitement built with thundering guitars until Aimee Echo, formaly of Human Waste Project, stormed the stage.

Although the music was too loud and the vocals too low, the dedicated fans were willing to let a few technical difficulties slide.

The Hole is an alternative-music column that will appear each Monday.