Facebook was abuzz last week about a couple of upcoming shows by a band called The Potential Slayers. Upon further investigation, the trio includes Lizzy Gross as well as two members from Feng Shui Ninjas (Dave Stagner and Tami Murck).
Dave Stagner reports that this band was started as an outlet for Tami’s prolific song writing as well as a means to allow Dave to “get the rock stuff out that isn't right for the Feng Shui Ninjas.”
The Potential Slayers debuted Tuesday, October 12 at the Wild Tymes in downtown St Paul. The show started somewhat slow and melodic, but quickly became a rockin’ set that held the audience attention.
Stagner, the only non-girl in the band, describes the music as angry girl music. With confident women singing lyrics about cold hearts and lines like “it was over once it started”, the description fits. As far as the angry girl image goes, it also doesn’t hurt that the band’s name comes from a reference from Buffy, The Vampire Slayer - indeed, sympathetic and delicate are not the words that generally come to mind with those slayers!
Tami’s vocals have always been powerful in Feng Shui Ninjas. In The Potential Slayers, she and Lizzy harmonize, but that doesn’t mean this band is of the Lilith Fair variety. While their vocals are clear and blend well with the music, their voices are powerful, at times somewhat reminiscent of L7. The musical orchestration is not punk, but provides a heavy rock sound with drums, bass, and guitar.
All three members are adept at playing any of the instruments, with the band at times calling a “Chinese fire drill” as the members switch their instruments.
The band brings humor to their sometimes darker songs.
“No men were hurt during the making of that song,” Lizzy announces after one of her songs concludes.
Later, the women sing their own rendition of the Rolling Stones’ “Under My Thumb,” which, again, fit perfectly with the theme.
The concluding song was fast with an upbeat tempo, but the women continued to taunt their loves with the line, “What are you going to do when I’m a rock star?” It is a song that can easily become an audience sing-a-long, or get stuck in one’s head for days after. This type of ending can leave an audience wanting more of The Potential Slayers.
The next opportunity to enjoy The Potential Slayers happens later this week at the St Paul Eagles Club 33 at 287 Maria Ave in St Paul on Friday, October 15, 18+, and free, though donations are accepted at the door.
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