If rock music and brass instruments could reproduce, their offspring would be 6 Pack Deep. The band, comprised of University students and alumni, performed past Friday at Clicks. 6 Pack Deep describes its music as “powerhouse” and a basic conglomeration of all genres. “We put so many things into our music,” said Allen Wheless, saxophone player. “We have the usual guitar, bass and drums, but we also have trumpets, trombones and a sax.” Wheless, mass communication junior, said 6 Pack Deep is not a ska band. “When you think of a band with horns, you wouldn’t think of us,” he said. “People come to our shows thinking we are a ska band and don’t expect our high energy.” Aaron Triche, trumpet player, said the band’s shows make it unique. “We have an extreme stage presence,” he said. “We jump around on stage; we are not still whatsoever.” During the show Friday, every band member was dancing with his instrument. The music and lyrics were accompanied by head banging, twists and turns. The crowd was no exception. “I love our fans because they dance and move everywhere,” Triche said. “Someone who saw our show for the first time told me afterward they couldn’t help it, they had to jump around.” Mat Peck, business marketing junior, attended the show and agrees with Triche. “My favorite thing was the atmosphere,” Peck said. “The mood is contagious.” Peck was also impressed with the instrumental set up. “They play brass instruments, which is different,” he said. “And it’s with a heavily distorted guitar, all in a unique fashion.” Almost all members agreed inspirations such as Rage Against the Machine, NOFX and Rx Bandits helped form the band as it is today, all the way down to the lyrics. “I write about everything from sex to drugs to partying,” said Lyle Robelot, frontman and trombone player. “No ballads or anything. I don’t really write about girls unless it’s about them being bitches.” Other band members are Geoff Grice, trombone player; Brian Goad, guitarist; Dusty Ballew, bassist; and Jeff Fountain, drummer. From the band’s inception in 2004, it has released two albums and gone through different members. “Some came, some left,” said Robelot, University senior. “A few people left because they got married.” Triche said the ones who married tried to stay in the band for as long as they could. “But they know what 6 Pack Deep’s goal is as a band,” he said. “Eventually, they find they cannot fit in it anymore.” Wheless described the band’s goals for its image and shows. “We want to be seen as a high energy, fun band,” he said. “I want people to walk away saying ‘Man, that was a badass show.'” Triche said the band also wants to be self-sufficient musically. “We don’t want to be famous or rich,” Robelot said. “Just successful.” He said he would like to find more time to tour. “It is hard right now because we have several guys who are in school, so they are unable to tour freely,” he said. “But hopefully we will take a few weeks next year on the road.” The band can only perform on weekends and does not leave the state often. When not performing, the band members don’t have much downtime. “We are all always working or going to school,” Robelot said. “It is music, school, work, drinking, sleeping.” But being in a band can have a downside. “You have to make a lot of sacrifices,” Robelot said. “You miss out on parties, going to see other bands, family time.” Wheless said the band doesn’t go to Florida during spring break like most do. Instead, it plays a few shows. “But it’s worth it at the end of the day,” Robelot said. “Because this is what we want to do.”
—Contact Ashley Norsworthy at [email protected]