Least Likely Hero

By Amy Nixon

Posted: Mar. 31, 2009

enlarge photo


SUBMITTED PHOTO
LEAST LIKELY HERO – Mike Ferwerda (lead guitar, background vocals), Aaron Ricklefs (drums), Tom Dostie (bass), and Dallas Bednar (rhythm guitar, piano, lead vocals) make up Least Likely Hero, a local band with a positive message.
SUBMITTED PHOTO
LEAST LIKELY HERO – Mike Ferwerda (lead guitar, background vocals), Aaron Ricklefs (drums), Tom Dostie (bass), and Dallas Bednar (rhythm guitar, piano, lead vocals) make up Least Likely Hero, a local band with a positive message.
Close Song of Hope
Read the lyrics to one of the band's original songs

Lots of young adults love music. They enjoy hanging out with their friends, having fun and playing or listening to a few tunes. What might be slightly harder to find, however, is a group of young adults who use their talents to spread a positive message. The local band Least Likely Hero does just that.

The band's name comes from the concept of Jesus being the least likely hero. According to the band's MySpace page, "People expected a king to come and overthrow the Romans, but Jesus came riding in on a donkey and died to set them free."

The band members describe themselves as a Christian rock band, striving to give their listeners hope.

Mukwonago High School graduates Mike Ferwerda (lead guitar, background vocals), Aaron Ricklefs (drums) and Tom Dostie (bass), along with Dallas Bednar (rhythm guitar, piano, lead vocals) who was homeschooled in Dousman, met at their church, Our Savior Wesleyan.

The group has been together for a little over a year, and describe themselves as heavier, alternative rock. Their MySpace page describes the sound as a hybrid of hard, alternative and modern rock.

"We're definitely not like the pop rock bands you'd hear on the radio," said Dostie. "But we have something for everyone."

The four enjoy a fun show, and have often invited their fans up onto the stage for a dance party during some of their performances.

They don't stop at having a good time, however. They really try to spread a positive message.

"People who have given up or think they're not worth it, those are the people we're playing for," said Dostie.

Ferwerda, who leads worship for Our Savior's youth group, explained that he wrote the song "Song of Hope" to inspire people.

"We want to give people hope for something better. Things might be hard right now, but there's hope," he said.

Where to see them
The band needs your help. On Jan. 23, the group won a battle of the bands at The Rave in Milwaukee, which saved it a spot in the finals April 4. Bands are judged based on audience applause, so the group needs as many people to come out as possible, explained Dostie.

Not only that, but two of the members recently had more than $1,500 of equipment stolen. The winner of the Battle will receive $500 and 20 hours of studio time.

"If we win, this will really help us out a lot," Dostie said.

The group will perform at the University of Wisconsin-Waukesha's Rockin' the Hub event April 17.

"A lot of people here in the area have been supporting us and helping us out a lot," said Dostie. "It's nice to know that people are there for you, and we as a band are there for people."

For more information, visit www.myspace.com/leastlikelyhero or search for "Least Likely Hero" on www.facebook.com.

- Mukwonago Chief