The Show(case) Must Go On!

From Stephens's mouth to God's ears. The band's reputation is quickly outgrowing the confines of its home town. Formed during the summer of 2000 from the remnants of various Colorado Springs bands, Against Tomorrow's Sky was recently voted best band by its hometown paper, the Gazette, and inked a deal with Pennsylvania-based indie Universal Warning Records. The outfit's debut EP, Jump the Hedges First, recorded at 8 Houses Down by studio whiz Matt Vanleuven, was initially intended as a demo. Ultimately, the recordings were released as is. Stephens credits Vanleuven's production skills.

"We had never worked with an engineer that was really good. We were so excited with how good his production was. It sounded pro to us, so we were like, 'We'll release this as is.' Right off the board, our scratch mixes were incredible. For the quality of work they do, [8 Houses Down] could be charging four times as much. I can't see why any band in the state would record anywhere else."

Against Tomorrow's Sky won't have to worry much about where to record its next record, at least not in the near future. According to Stephens, the band wants to tour more to support the latest album before starting work on the next. Hopefully, the new van will cooperate. ­ Dave Herrera

AGGRESSIVE PERSUASION
NOMINATED IN HARD ROCK
There's something Aggressive Persuasion doesn't want its sponsor, Jägermeister, to know: Though all members of Jäger bands are supposed to be of legal drinking age, only frontman Steve Leflar is over 21. The other bandmembers aren't even close.

Drummer Richard Valdez and twins Misty and David Bryant (on bass and guitar, respectively) started the band when they were eleven, showing a fierce commitment despite their tender ages. Playing any Pueblo bar that would let them, the young musicians were chaperoned at each gig by their parents -- their biggest fans and cheerleaders. Ron Bryant, Misty and David's dad, currently handles management duties for the group.

Shredding a scorching form of nü-metal, Aggressive Persuasion's live show borders on savage. Taking full advantage of youth's limitless energy, the members drip sweat and blitzkrieg passion on each stage they play. After finding an audience in southern Colorado, the band started gigging in Denver, sharing stages with other members of the heavy-music scene. AP's sound solidified in 2002, when Leflar, who has a background as an a cappella singer, replaced longtime vocalist Mattie Baughn. Such changes helped move the band outside of the bar realm; its live schedule now includes such venues as Denver's Bluebird and Gothic theaters and Pueblo's Chief. In January, the group released its debut CD, A Sense of Reality.

"I'm a band Nazi," Leflar says, chuckling, when asked if being older than his mates foists extra responsibility onto his shoulders. Pushing the others to work even harder on practices and promotions, Leflar is also behind AP's plans to move to Denver after its regional tour ends in August -- something that's possible now that the other members have finally graduated from high school. -- Catalina Soltero

ALL NIGHT HONKY TONK ALL-STARS
NOMINATED IN COUNTRY/BLUEGRASS/ROOTS
Boulder's All Night Honky Tonk All-Stars serve up a twangy, old-timey soundscape, and as their name implies, they do it all night long: The quintet plays forty songs at an average gig.

Formed as a one-off opening act in 2001, the ensemble continued as a band because the chemistry between players was so good. "The gig felt great, the dance floor was full, so we went at it," says vocalist/rhythm guitarist Danny Shafer.

The All-Stars claim former members of Runaway Truck Ramp and the Danny Shafer Band, plus current members of Hit and Run, Greenwich Gulch and Danny Shafer and the Ramblers. Augmented by drummer Jason Pawlina and bassist Jim Sullivan, the outfit boasts not one, not two, but three capable singers in Shafer, mandolinist Rebecca Hoggan and lead guitarist Greg Schochet.

"There's nothing we can't cover in terms of vocal style," says Shafer. "[Hoggan] does all the Dolly Parton, Tammy Wynette, Loretta Lynn and Emmylou Harris stuff. I do all the Hank Williams, Willie Nelson, Gram Parsons stuff. Greg does the Johnny Cash and Junior Brown stuff -- he's got a really low voice."

"It's nice to have that male/female front in a country group," Shafer adds. "We do all the old duets."

Beyond the covers, the All-Stars also play a number of originals primarily penned by Shafer, but all of it is true to the classic honky-tonk sound. That doesn't mean their audience is easily categorized, however. "We'll go up to Wyoming and play for a bunch of cowboys," says Shafer, "and the next night, we'll play the Fox Theatre for a room full of college students." -- Peterson

BACKBONE VELVET
NOMINATED IN BLUES
The coed blues-rock quartet Backbone Velvet first took shape at guitarist John Gonzales's wedding reception, in August 2000. The performance was a milestone for standout vocalist Marri Jo, as it marked a triumph in her twenty-year struggle with stage fright.