Theronasaurus Rex, Gibson and Fifteen Fifteen ravaged downtown
Posted by The Skyliner on February 4th, 2009Andrea Brazell
Guest Writer
North Greenville students expressed their diverse musical talents at a local venue in downtown Greenville this past weekend. The show took place on Friday, Jan. 30, at the R3V3RB venue on College Street.
“I recommend the show to those who like a different style of music – it was a great indie show,” concert patron Justin Salinas, said.
The show was a triple threat of musical entertainment. Opening up at 8:30 p.m. were a bunch of working men in monkey masks, who went by the name of Fifteen Fifteen. It was a local band based out of Greer, S.C. They were your typical power trio; however, they substitute a Chapman stick instead of a bass to create a sound more congruent with their progressive fusion style. While the masks had an abrupt and almost initially abrasive effect, their melodious sounds had the reverse result.
After the forty-five minute set from Fifteen Fifteen, NGU’s very own Jonathan Gibson, took to the floor with his solo guitar performance. Gibson composes and produces his own loops that he actually plays over during his live performances. Gibson’s sound ranges from an 80’s hard rock to a softer ballad approach.
(Back to front): Brandon Nelson, Mark Jones, and Theron Willis entertain audiences with their explosive performance during the Theronasaurus Rex concert at the new R3V3ERB last friday night. (File Photo)
The brief intermediate set was followed by the main performance; the collaborative group currently performing under the name Theronasaurus Rex, after lead bass guitarist and singer/screamer Theron Willis. Theronasaurus Rex was a nickname given to Willis by one of his friends a few years back and was used at his first solo show, as not so much of a band name, but “project title.”
“It was a great show. I have been to one of their smaller venues and I think the extra space let them do a lot more,” Salinas said. “The show had lots of different sounds and all of the band members brought a lot of energy. Theron went wild, and it was awesome!”
Local musician Michael Depp accompanied Willis on guitar and drums, along with fellow students Mark Jones and Brandon Nelson, and fill in drummer Brett Sims from Divide the Sea and Lilies and Sparrows. The collaboration was phenomenal; each musician brought something unique to the table, while the musical chemistry between Depp and Willis was by far the most evident link in the success of their sound.
“Theronasaurus Rex was the best part of the show, all the muscicians were very talented – it was a fun time,” Brittany Sullivan, said.
Willis and his collaborative partners are keeping their eyes open for more shows and venues as well as possibly doing some recording here in the near future. Willis says they will keep practicing, pushing the musical envelope and ultimately growing as musicians.