Instrumental rock band headlines with Hateful Dead at Hangar 9

Drift fans have been awaiting the release of a CD since they first came into the band limelight of Carbondale in January 2002. Well, the wait is over. The band is holding its CD-release concert at Hangar 9 on Saturday, April 19.

Mellow, instrumental rock encompasses Drift's first CD titled "Space: Level 2003." After listening to the album, it is clear why they don't need vocals to drive their songs-the music's complexity and fantastic bass-lined tracks gives the disc its dynamism and emphasizes the band's potential.

Hateful Dead and Drift will be headlining on Saturday. The opening band, Rooster Brisket, a hard rock band from Centralia, starts at 10 p.m. Hateful Dead follows the opening band, and Drift will complete the evening.

The nine month process of developing the songs, impeccably arranging each, finding time between classes to record in the studio, and then perfecting the graphics has left the band more than ready to "jam out" this weekend.

This rock trio might be a somewhat newly comprised band, but they are no amateurs when it comes to playing music. Guitarist Brian Lorenc, a senior music major, and Drummer Tony Alaimo, also a senior in music, have been playing together for eight years.

Each member, including Jeff Ulbrich on bass, has played in other bands prior to the construction of Drift. Alaimo and Lorenc were involved in a band in high school and fans may remember Ulrich as Halfway Jane's ex-guitarist.

Alaimo and Lorenc met in the guitar program at SIU and then fatefully met Jeff through a mutual friend. With the help of Ulbrich's creative insight, the band received its name.

Since Ulbrich's graduation two semesters ago, it has been a challenge to record this CD comprised of six originals except "The Mack" by The Bakerton Group. The band spent approximately one month - four sessions - in the Basement Studio in Herrin. Friend and Recording Engineer Chad Smith got his equipment together and, upon opening the studio, helped Drift record their first CD.

"Chad was laid back and patient," Lorenc said.

The band would generally set up the night before they recorded and then try and lay down more than one track in the first two sessions, spending more time on certain tracks such as "Bohemoth," which didn't officially have an ending until recording time.

Following the recording session that ended in July 2002, the band spent the next five months working on mixing tracks and collaborating the best arrangement for the album. January through March, Lorenc spent most his time working on the graphics for the CD cover; and now, the band is ready to distribute their CD.

"I was really happy once I had the CD in my hand," Lorenc said.

It can be purchased at the concert for $5.

The band has approximately 13 songs lined up for Saturday's performance, and they usually play for an hour.

"When we play 'live,' there is a lot more energy," Lorenc said. "It's cool music to chill and listen to."

New song, "Reverse the Polarities," is mellow and spacey, said Lorenc. Expect to hear popular faves at the concert such as "Ponce de Leon" but played in a new arrangement.

Fans can see Drift most often performing at Hangar 9 and Booby's. The band has played alongside other local bands such as Head Fix, Terra Firma, MCPU, Spare Parts and Gogotta. The band's versatility ables them to play in conjunction with Spare Parts's and MCPU's jazz style and Gogotta's metal rock.

The band's intention is to write and play music, focusing more than ever on playing outside of Carbondale. Recently, they have been working on getting a gig at Double Door, a venue in Chicago. High-caliber vet bands such as The Rolling Stones have played there.

Ulbrich also plays in Chicago during open mic nights as an acoustic guitarist accompanied by a vocalist.

Drift has been influenced by popular artists such as Foo Man Choo, Quicksand, Tool and other forms of metal, classic rock and jazz.

This might be Carbondale's last opportunity, for some time, to see Drift perform locally. After the concert, Lorenc is packaging a press kit filled with biography, pictures, contact information, and their CD in hopes to book a gig in St. Louis or other surrounding areas.

Drift will perform with Hateful Dead at 10 p.m. Saturday at the Hangar 9.