Serving Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk, and other towns of the North Carolina High Country
Founded 05-05-05
February 1, 2007 issue
Boone Heavy Metal Band A.V.O.W. Plays Flipside February 3
Story by David Brewer
Avow: verb [uh-vow] to declare frankly or openly; own; acknowledge; confess; admit.
With the topic of war on just about everyone’s mind these days, local metal band A.V.O.W. found this a particularly fitting time to change their name. They retained the word that revolves around honesty and confession, but turned it into an acronym that stands for Another Victim of War. The new meaning is a graphic and sinister, yet fitting addition to the band’s moniker.
On Saturday, February 3, A.V.O.W. will return to Flipside, the band’s favorite local thrashing grounds, for what promises to be a highly charged show with the band’s rejuvenated lineup.
Forming in July 2002, A.V.O.W. has, like many bands that have struggled to keep it going, suffered through a series of lineup changes; some planned and others completely unexpected. Regardless of the changes, original members Chris Harris and Kenneth Dancey, as well as longtime rhythm guitarist Chuxxx, have managed to keep the metal train rolling.
“The ones that can’t stay dedicated fall by the wayside,” said Dancey. “It’s been an uphill fight since day one.”
Recently, the pair welcomed back original A.V.O.W. bandmate timekeeper Dwayne Barksdale on drums and newcomer Atom on bass. With a few months of practice and a couple of live shows under their belt, the new and improved A.V.O.W. is ready to yet again unleash their metal fury on local music fans.
“We’re all always just about looking forward,” said Harris.
Part of A.V.O.W.’s uphill fight since their inception has been finding a home in the High Country music scene among more roots-oriented acts that typically find favor in local bars. Though it hasn’t always been easy, A.V.O.W. has managed to put themselves in front of local audiences. For the most part, the band has been well received.
“We pack that place out,” said Atom regarding Flipside.
Dancey noted that while the group has found an adopted home at Flipside, other venues have refused to book the band altogether. “There’s a lot more to this town than just jambands,” said Dancey. “The crowd always leaves exhausted and happy.”
Though metal has made a comeback of sorts on the national charts and commercial radio in recent years, the music has had more to do with image and production than with the ideals expressed by the genre’s earliest purveyors.
A.V.O.W. is concerned with playing heavy metal that expresses the group’s discontent with the current status quo in a way that leaves no doubt whatsoever about their opinions. With Harris as the main lyrical contributor, the band’s angry subject matter includes the government, law enforcement, banks and powerful social figures.
For their bone crushing, take-no-prisoners sound, Dancey rattles off a long list of old-school metal heroes including Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, (early) Slayer, (early) Metallica, Ministry and Strapping Young Lad. A product of a more punk-influenced upbringing, Harris pointed to bands such as Minor Threat, Black Flag and the Dead Milkmen for influencing his blistering vocal style.
“It all varies between different types of metal,” said Dancey.
With the return of the technically skilled Barksdale on the drums, the band’s compositions have been blessed with a new breath of hardcore life. With Atom providing a rock solid foundation on bass for Chuxxx and Dancey’s heavier-than-heavy guitar work, the band has recently been churning out new, longer compositions exploring potent new musical avenues of expression and anger.
For 2007, A.V.O.W. is looking to expand beyond the Blue Ridge and start making their way into venues across the state. Although the band has previously released two EPs full of original material, the quintet is anxious to hit the studio and strike while the iron is hot.
Hear music by A.V.O.W. on the band’s website, www.anothervictimofwar.com.
Want To Go?
Date: Saturday, February 3
Time: 10:00 p.m.
Location: Flipside
Cost: $3