Corner Pocket will host Sam Jam, a nine-hour alternative rock festival, on Jan. 24 from 5 p.m. until 2 a.m. Eight local bands will play, and admission is $5 for the entire day. There will also be half-priced pool games after midnight. A few of the bands that will play at Sam Jam shared some thoughts about their music, their influences and how playing in a band has impacted their lives.
John Foster, lead singer and guitarist for Ethyl, said the band has played together for the past year and a half, and they will begin recording their first full-length album in mid-February. They currently have a three-song demo CD.
“We’re a modern alternative rock band, and our style is a weird mix between Fuel, Coldplay and straight-up jazz,” Foster said.
Ethyl will play at Sam Jam from 8:15 until 9 p.m.
“We played at the last Sam Jam, and every time we come to Huntsville we have fun,” Foster said. “We also like to watch the other bands.”
Foster said the band loves to express their feelings through music.
“We all play different instruments, but each part works together to bring out the beauty of the music,” he said.
Foster said the subject matter in many of the band’s songs have to do with world and government issues such as Sept. 11 and close personal emotions that are easy to relate to.
Space Camp Dan, a modern rock band, will play from 6 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
“We are glad to play, and we are lucky to get in the line-up of bands,” drummer Aaron Alsord said.
Alsord said the band members have been friends for many years, and he said the best part about being in a band together is the fun they have.
“We write about things everyone else goes through, like breaking up with boyfriends or girlfriends,” he said.
Alsord said the main goal of Space Camp Dan is for people to have fun when they hear their music.
“People like to go crazy and have fun at our concerts and that causes us to have even more fun,” he said.
Space Camp Dan has a 5-song demo that will be on sale at Sam Jam.
Jake Lefler, guitarist for a modern rock band from Huntsville called DiGenova, said the band will play from 5 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Lefler said his band has been together for about five months.
“The main reason my friends and I started this band is to tell people about Jesus Christ and we like playing together,” Lefler said. “We’re really excited about getting to play this weekend.”
Deep Ella, another modern rock band from the Houston area, will play from 9:30 p.m. – 10:15 p.m. Drummer Pat Murphy said the band has been together for about three years, and they currently have one album called “Last Year’s New Thing.” He said they are currently recording their second album.
Murphy said his favorite part about being in a band is the music.
“When you get four people together with different backgrounds and influences that really know how to play their instruments, magic happens,” he said. “I could be having the worst day ever, and after we play together for a couple of hours, I feel like I can do anything. I think that’s what music is all about.”
Murphy said each song they write communicates something different, and that they are more concerned with getting their music out there than they are concerned with making a statement.
“We’re not a political band,” Murphy said.
Each of the bands said they are excited about the event and are hoping for a good turnout.