Silhouette

Issue date: 10/24/02 Section: Lifestyles

Adam Lott, lead singer of Fire Squad, gets into his lyrics.

Adam Brungardt guitar player of Fire Squad jumps while jamming on his guitar during practice. [Click to enlarge]

Joe Wesley , bass player of Fire Squad, works to perfect his talent before Skalloween.

The evolving punk phenomenon in Garden City will take center stage Oct. 26
at the west pavilion at the fair grounds. Thirteen ska, punk, and hardcore
bands, hailing from areas such as Colorado Springs, Topeka, Wichita, Lawrence, Dodge City and Garden City are set to perform as part of the fifth annual Skalloween.
"I expect this year to be as fun and exciting as any other year we've played," Alex Thomas, lead singer of O'Phil, Wichita, said.
Profits from the event will be donated to the Center for Independent Women of Southwest Kansas.
"The [Center for Independent Women of Southwest Kansas] donates profits for Skalloween, so in return we donate profits to them," James Wesley, guitar player for Fire Squad and a Skalloween coordinator said.
Wesley said producing Skalloween cost approximately $4,000 last year. This year production costs were cut to approximately $3,300.
"This year we cut a lot of costs," Wesley said. "Some of the bands are playing for free. For others, all we have to pay is gas money."
Business and private donations also help to fund the event.
"JC's Corner has helped sponsor Skalloween since Skalloween III," Wesley said. "The Center for Independent Women of Southwest Kansas have also worked to help us out."
Moises Perez, Garden City, also donated money to fund the event.
"If it weren't for Moises, there wouldn't have been a Skalloween," Wesley said.
O'Phil and Raised Under Reagan, Colorado Springs, and Diversion 4.0, Lawrence, have performed on the Warped Tour across the country. It features bands such as New Found Glory, Good Charlotte, Bad Religion, and Trust Company.
The members of O'Phil also performed at Ozz Fest when the tour hit the Kansas Colosseum.
Wesley said he is impressed with the band lineup.
"Everyone's grown throughout the year," Wesley said. "Diversion 4.0 has just put out a record and they're signed [to a record deal]. Primetime Heroes [Topeka] have just got signed and Laymen Terms [Colorado Springs] tour year round."
Skalloween provides bands the opportunity to play for new audiences.
"[Skalloween] is really great exposure," Luis Munoz, lead singer for Falling Back Fast, said. "It's also fun to play with other bands, they're all really good. It's a lot of fun to be in front of everyone playing and just expressing yourself through music."
Skalloween has grown since its first exposure to the Garden City scene in 1997.
"This has grown from a small thought to what it is today," Wesley said. "I'm amazed by Garden City. The people are so accepting. It's cool to see people enjoy the music that I love."

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