ThreeSixtySmile

The Battle of the Bands took place on Saturday night at the Elk’s Lodge in Storm Lake in front of a crowd of approximately 325 persons. 360 Smile won $300, a spot at EDGEfest next spring, and supremacy in Northwest Iowa alternative rock ‘n’ roll. EDGEdOUT was sponsored by KBVU-FM 97.5 THE EDGE.

“The bands that we had at this year’s EDGEdOUT2 were amazing!” said Rob Lembke, KBVU’s station manager. “A lot of them brought their A game because they knew the competition was going to be a tough one. I've never heard Hold For Swank play their song "Does She Realize" as well as they did.” Lembke enjoyed getting to know the bands on a personal level. “I believe I was up till 7 in the morning talking to the band 360 smile about their band, their new music they are releasing, along with plans on how KBVU and 360 smile can help promote EDGEfest '07.”

Mandy Thompson, KBVU’s program director, said Sunday “There were quite a few followers for some of the bands from neighboring towns, which gave them a boost on the crowd ratings.” Thompson added, “Even though 360 Smile came the farthest, from St. Louis, they still rocked the crowd with their amazing performance.”

Bands came from Nebraska, Des Moines, Minneapolis, Ames, Carlisle, Cedar Falls and the Spencer area with hopes of winning an invitation to EDGEfest, KBVU’s Spring Music & Arts Benefit in Sunset Park. At the check-passing ceremony Saturday night, 360 Smile said they would be back for EDGEfest in May. The station will put out a call for band demos after the first of the year, as it begins planning in January for EDGEfest ’07.

KBVU-FM 97.5 is a non-profit radio station. Its primary missions are to support alternative rock music throughout the Midwest, to support the entertainment community of Northwest Iowa with arts and music events, and to annually contribute to local benefits. "EDGEdOUT netted $1200 at the gate with 240 paying customers,” said Bruce Ellingson, KBVU station advisor. “With 30-plus staff and 30-plus band members, we had a total attendance of about 325. EDGEdOUT was an unmitigated success in every way. The KBVU executive team should be proud of their great work to stage a battle of the bands and to raise money for EDGEfest, which is planned for May 19th,” said Ellingson. All benefits from EDGEfest ’07 will then go to charities in the local community.

As for station manager Rob Lembke, EDGEdOUT has made him even more excited for EDGEfest this spring. “After talking to 360 Smile til 7 in the morning, we might have found a source with connections to a big name national band who might want to play in May. Their band has a Budweiser sponsor and they are looking into seeing if Bud would like to help fund this year’s event so we might be able to book our national act.”

EDGEdOUT2 sponsors were Rasmussen’s Ford-Mercury, Silk Screen Ink, Al’s Liquors, Puff’s, Honey Kissed Pizza, Buena Vista University Admissions and Buena Vista University Student Activities Board.

KBVU Program Director Mandy Thompson thought Saturday night’s second-annual EDGEdOUT was a complete success. “One of my favorite parts of the night was when In Letters, a group who graduated from the U of I, was on stage and mentioned how much better KBVU is compared to their college radio station, even though we are ten times smaller,” said Thompson. “Being able to put together big events like this at a smaller university really shows how dedicated our staff is.”

Lembke shares Thompson’s feelings on both the venue and the success of the show. “This year’s venue was amazing. We had a larger stage this year that gave the venue a feel of a real venue that regularly plays live music. Everyone working the event helped make the show special. From the ticket and merchandize people to the judges and emcees, I felt that this year’s show was well developed and managed . . . BRING ON EDGEfest!” said Lembke.
- Storm Lake Pilot Tribune – 11/24/06

Thank you to you all as well. The band were great to interview and even better to shoot, and I
appreciate you being flexible with the lighting. I'm sure you'll be
happy with the results and this will be one of our most successful shoots.

Thanks again Justin. 360 Smile is certainly lucky to have a diligent
and efficient manager as you. You Rock!!! Literally! - Charter

I enjoyed meeting you guys the band " threesixtysmile" the other day for the ( ABC ) newscast interview . I had a chance to listen to your CD tonight, and I wanted to write you an extended review. All in all, you guys have a big time sound, and there's definitely potential for you to get to the high life. Hopefully, with about 20 years of Radio and TV under my belt, I'll be able to provide you with some useful comments. There's plenty on that CD that I really liked, but I do have a few suggestions that I personally think could take you further. I realize that I'm not as young as I used to be, but that has no bearing on my overall musical tastes. I can listen to a group and hear things that'll go, and other things that can improve. By the way...I have very close ties with a couple of members of a former band that you may be familiar with, "Tora Tora", and a band that carried a lot of popularity back in the late 70's and 80's "Southern Creed". But I will tell you that my wife and I liked the acoustic "Something's Wrong". The first 2 cuts "Lost Path" and "It's Not Right" would probably be next in line. I do think you guys are much more appealing when you back off on so much of the hard heavy sound. I've always felt that most (not all) heavy groups are covering up their lack of big time talent, providing a slightly more subtle combination of hard rock with medium strength ballads. I've heard you guys with and without the heavy amplification, and you know how to play music, and your vocals are very good. Most heavy groups can't play and sing like you guys can, so keep yourselves separate from sounding like they do ! More to come..... - Bob Bradley / ABC NEWS

ow is the time to check these guys out while the ticket prices are so low. Threesixtysmile came into town a couple weeks ago with this big buzz. The way I found out about threesixtysmile was by a group of kids standing out in front of the local record store handing out CD's and flyer's. When I talked to the kids about the band they were so excited about these guys from St. Louis Mo, I had to check them out .As I pulled up to the show there was a line around the club so I was already impressed with there fan base. Now the time came for them to come on and " WOW" was I impressed with the whole show. The energy never stopped for anyone. - Top Choice Chicago

A 360 may be a fun trick to do on a skateboard, but this local band clearly has a few tricks it can truly call its own. I saw this band perform at Mississippi Nights last month, and I had a smile on my face when I heard they were from St. Louis, because this power-pop four-piece is far better than so many bands in the genre who are on major record labels. Threesixtysmile has a set of songs which go from one catchy tune to another, inspiring young audience members to sing along with the words and take part in a mosh pit which moves to the driving sounds of the group. Singer/guitarist Josh, who just goes by his first name, takes center stage with such ease, it’s as if he had just walked into his own house. While his stage presence is undeniable, the band’s energy and impressive guitar riffs make it impossible not to enjoy the show. On a side note, the group used to play under the name Mindrive but recently changed it when they had a slight member change. - John Kujawski

The Band makes a stunning reality check for the Rock-N-Roll scene out of St. Louis Mo, Anthems starting out with " Do You Feel Unwanted " which really displays the vocal range of Josh, and highlights the overall musicianship of the band. One of there current singles "It's Not Right " has literally made me realize we all have been there before. These guys have what it takes so don't miss them. - Samantha Russel

This band " threesixtysmile" does not suck !!! There is enough one hit wonders on your radio. Now that we all agree when a kick ass band comes out everybody should have the privilege to hear about them...These guys are what we all been waiting for .The have "Stardom" all over them. The question I keep asking myself is" Why haven't they been signed to a Major Record Label yet??? Threesixtysmile is a emotional angry-kick your ass kind of band. There sound is what we all been waiting for. I suggest checking these guys out the next time there in your town, check out there tour dates and get ready for the next baddest Rock-n-Roll band to hit your city. - Anthony Stockton / Soundstand Fanzine

Also on the bill is another heavy pop band I had the great pleasure to hear in St. Louis earlier this year. 360Smile is a great group of guys both on stage and off. The have a wonderful ability to connect almost instantly with their audiences. I'm pretty picky and I really liked them a lot. The band is a Budweiser True Music Band for 2005. Not a bad accomplishment considering all the great national acts that are sponsored by Bud. Some of the reviews coming in from other cities are gushing with great comments about these guys.

Patrick Fineran - The Racine Journal Times (Racine, WI) - 11/10/05
- The Racine Journal Times (Racine, WI)