I first heard about this show because Courtneys were asked to play. We couldn't because it was rather short notice and Kristin couldn't get out of work so we had to cancel. I would have been pretty excited about it since I know a lot of the kids that go there and it would have been a good chance for them to see a band I was in on their turf. Not this time.

Dodger was also billed to play. For whatever reason they were not there. In their place were two bands made up of Boone kids. The first one I walked in on was Honeydew Satellite, which I noticed one of the kids was Dylan Foeller, whose dad is Eddie from Wild Mercury. The Sharp Objects played with Wild Mercury at Peacock Room and I've seen them at one of their bowling alley shows. It also happens I'm Dylans boss. Unfortunately, Honeydew Satellite's set was cut short before they could play their "money" song. What came next was I think some of the same guys plus a couple more. They were calle The Traveling Saints, which is kinda a cool name if you were a roots rock supergroup. They played a couple songs then they made way for just a duo. They were all dressed up "nice". It was cute. All the bands had good intentions and they all needed a little more confidence.

Doris Delay was a little late arriving to the campus. Turns out they were lost and were at Howard Middle School down the street instead of at Boone. After a brief setup Doris Delay began their set. The kids danced, the band threw out dollar store toys from ponies (for girls) to motorcycles (for the guys). The kids down front loved it and made themselves a dance party as if they knew every single song. Also, this would be the last show with Matthew Stokely on bass. When I heard the news I was bummed out. Matthew is such a good bass player and has always impressed me (for Doris Delay and Franco). His addition to one of the best bands in the state will be missed.

Closing the night would be none other than one of the most improved bands in town, Band Marino. They've become almost legendary in the underground over the past two or so years and are probably one of the few local bands to sell out The Social just for them. Their reputation is started to supercede them all over the state and beyond. Anyone see them at SBSX this year? I expect Band Marino to do good things in the near future, especially when their recording comes out. It's sure to be a winner.

The last time I saw Band Marino was at the Social opening for some band I can't even recall because Band Marino stole the show. Every indie geek was dancing at the front of the stage, well, badly....... It didn't matter -- good times were being had by all. When Band Marino say they want to spread happiness that just what they do.

Band Marino usually plays more attended shows than tonights show. It didn't deter them in any way. Abraham Couch, bassist, made no hesitation with rocking out with his bass pointed straight in the air. The lead guitarist, Jesse Adams, had guitar licks like you wouldn't believe. There was this one song where at the beginning was just Nathan on acoustic guitar and when the band joined in later he had some amazing guitar lines. He's good and polished.

The brains behind the band is Nathan Bond, the lead singer and guitar player. He's a man with a golden heart and it shows with every move he makes. His voice is strong and his presence is just so darned excitable it comes across just like that. He had the audience in the palm of his hand. The kids danced to all the fast songs and brought them to the ground for the slow, moving songs. During the last song he had everyone join the band onstage and dance. There wasn't a frown in the building and that's what Band Marino does best.

Band Marino onstage dance party.