FURIOSITY 9

Furiosity 9 has barely scratched the surface in the local music scene, but the band is quickly gaining recognition and riding the wave of popularity since forming this summer.

All four members were musicians to begin with. All it took was a bit of luck for them to find one another and create what they hope to become a musical force to be reckoned with.

Lead singer Braxton Calhoun and guitarist Brett Outz happened to be roommates, unaware of each other's musical talents at first. They soon realized the potential talent and began frequenting bars and various social events in search of a bassist and drummer.

They pieced themselves together as Furiosity 9 after finding bassist Cody Karp at a nearby pool party and drummer Johnny Crawford playing at a local bar.

The guys went from living room jamming straight to the 102.9 The Buzz's Battle of the Bands competition at Nashville Shores in June.

"We were all pretty excited," Calhoun said. "We threw some songs together. It was our very first show."

Although Furiosity 9 did not win the band competition, it did receive overwhelming support from those in attendance, including people from the radio station, which gave the guys a clue that they were on to something.

"From then on we all knew where we were headed and that we were something special," said Calhoun.

The band began growing a fan base and impressing crowds while spreading the sound by playing local shows and fighting it out at another Battle of the Bands competition, this time at The Blue Rooster in August, which they won.

Furiosity 9 went back in October to reclaim first place in the overall contest but were stopped after winning the first round. Unfazed by the loss, Furiosity 9 practiced writing new songs and continued down a path of stress-free, party-all-the-time musicianship.

"We keep things very chill and relaxed," said Calhoun. "We are laughing and cutting up while rocking out, getting reactions out of the crowd and looking smooth as we do it."

Influences and sound

While Furiosity 9 is influenced by just about any and all genres of music, the band can best be described as having a strong base of alternative rock, mixing in multiple styles from the music that inspires.
"You can catch anywhere from Southern blues, to Southern rock to the L.A. commercial sound to a country sound," said Calhoun. "It's all based on rock, but it's all in there somewhere."

The main goal of Furiosity 9 is to create an escape from reality for the crowd, but don't forget the partying, because that by far is the ultimate objective.

"(Our music) gets in your body, mind and soul," said Calhoun. "We all need an escape, and music, for me when I play, is an escape. It makes you feel good to have a drink and a good time. And party too!"

And that's exactly what you can expect at Furiosity 9 show. Trust me when I say this band, with less than a year under members' belts, performs far beyond experience when playing live shows. I was pleasantly surprised when the guys played The Rutherford Weekend's Battle of the Bands event at 527 Main Street in September. They made it to the top three in the online contest and moved on to the final round.

They walked on stage like a polished group of musicians ready to do business. I saw a few jaws drop in astonishment after their first song. For a band barely out of the musical womb, members have the talent, the attitude and the ability to make it as far as they want to go.

The future

Furiosity 9 is currently working on a full-length album with producer Michael Erin Woody at Platinum One Studios, and members are eager to complete it by spring 2010. They have a lot of material to record and are as excited as kids in a candy store, but really musicians in a professional studio.

"We're loving every minute of it," said Calhoun. "It's a new experience to be in a studio. Mike is one of the best producers in town and he lets us be creative."

Furiosity 9 is on their way, playing gigs in Murfreesboro and Nashville and gaining new fans each time. It's easy for fans to enjoy the show when the musicians are so laid back, friendly and only serious when it comes to writing new material. These guys just want to have fun and party and play a little music for the crowd.

The message Furiosity 9 wishes to send to everyone is: "Come, crack open a beer, enjoy some music and kick back with us!"

You can check the band out this Friday at Graffiti Bar with another local band called Leach. The show starts at 10 p.m., is 18 and up and is sure to be an exhilarating atmosphere with good times, cold beer and rockin' music. For more information, check out www.myspace.com/furiosity9.

Karen Kraft is multi-media editor for The Daily News Journal and writes a weekly local music column for Rutherford Weekend. - Karen Kraft