ARE YOU READY FOR SOME METAL? DRUMMER Michael Knick asked me hungrily before heading on stage.  Three groups before this performance I was ready to take a nap. On Sunday September 12, the bands battled at Alley Kats and a little bug informed me of a band that was going to be there. A band named Paper City. Growing up in Southwest Virginia right outside of Roanoke, Paper City consist of five long time close friends who have comprised their own form of rock; and it’s awesome!  Mountain Metal; and I got a taste of it firsthand.

I asked the band before their performance “what is Mountain Metal”? It is a combination of Punk Rock, Heavy Metal, and a little bit of Southern Rock influence. Armed with a playlist of all original songs, Paper City and took the stage immediately showing their talent and intent: let’s tear this place down. Rocking the house with songs like JagerMonster, Hippie Stomp, and Thrash-n-burn they were an instant hit with the crowd. Before the band took stage I curiously I asked the band about playing covers “We know some but we don’t play covers in concert.” Stated Shawn, one of the band’s talented guitarists, why spend your time learning other peoples stuff when you can write your own? Point taken. As I watched the band from a distance I watched how close they really were, like brothers. They watch each other’s backs support each other and share everything; this band is in perfect harmony.  With Burt (Burton Lee) ripping the vocals on every song and John (John E. King) and Shawn (Shawn Boogher) grab every rift and push heavy support on the solos that they switch on so very easily. Shawn and John both stated that “There is no lead guitar, we kinda just play together and switch off on solos”.  Ryan (Ryan Ratliff) is not the usual bassist. He sits back with such a hardcore expression on his face and strums the hell out of that bass, and he’s good. Matching the speed of the music and his other band mates Ryan’s hands and fingers fly across the strings on his bass and with a sound so pure, you know what the last peace to the puzzle is, the drums.  Mike (Michael Knick) will give Chris Adler a run for his money! With his quick hands and melodic beats it puts this whole mix of music and vocals together with the forceful supply crisp snares and the consistent low drum of the bass.

What makes Paper City so phenomenal is not just the music and songs, the talent of the musicians, of even the vocals of their front man. Paper City was officially born in very early January of 2009. Yes in a few short months this band has come together as a band, written and learned songs, scheduled and preformed many different gigs, such as Bowl Bash 14 @ Skatopia in Rutland Ohio. This band has a bright and exciting future ahead of them, keep an eye on them everyone and ROCK ON!

By Jeff Taylor.

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