Deadeye to make debut at Galt Strawberry Fest
The 22nd annual Galt Strawberry Festival will open this weekend. Along with carnival rides and games, strawberry-themed treats, classic cars and a 5K run, fairgoers will be able to enjoy plenty of live music and entertainment.
Making its debut in the festival atmosphere is Deadeye, made up of Galt natives.
Drawing on influences such as Mudhoney, Nirvana, Faith No More, Black Sabbath, Pearl Jam and the Dead Kennedys, the four eighth-graders who make up the band say audiences won’t catch them playing smooth jazz or slow songs.
“They should expect ’80s punk,” said Devin Alford, who described Deadeye’s sound as hard and loud.
For the four boys, the band has been a year-long project. While they’ve all played music longer, their band was formed last August. They play some covers, but they’ve polished three original songs that they plan to play for Galt audiences this weekend.
Alford has been playing music since he was “little,” he said. He started out on the drums.
“A few years later, I started playing guitar,” he said.
About two years ago, he also started singing. He played in his school’s band in fifth and sixth grade, but is now focused on Deadeye.
Colton Rold, the band’s rhythm guitarist, has been playing for about eight years, although until recently his guitar experience was acoustic.
“I just learned electric last year,” he said.
Though he has less experience with electric, he finds it easier, he said. Players don’t have to hold the strings as hard. Is he good? “I’m OK,” he said casually. Drummer Braden Crosson cites Mudhoney’s song “Twenty Four” as a favorite. He played percussion in his school band, but playing drums for Deadeye is a little different.
“I started playing the drum set recently,” he said.
Kyle O’Connor, the band’s bassist, has been playing since he was 10.
Though they’ve focused on covers, they’re also branching out and writing their own music. Sometimes they’ll play some notes randomly, then build on that.
Other times, Alford will play around on his own time and come up with something he likes.
“I’ll write a riff, and I think it sounds really cool,” he said.
He’ll bring it to the band, and they all write their own parts.
Right now, they’re hoping to have a smooth debut at the Strawberry Festival, but they hope to keep their band going into high school and keep writing music, they said.
They’ll be sharing the Strawberry Festival stage with the Working Class Band, Michael Beck Band and Latin Magic. AJ’s Dance Studio will also perform, and Aerial Assault will deliver high-flying acrobatic entertainment.
The Battle of the Chefs will begin with four mini-battles on Saturday, and then a feature battle on Sunday. Chefs will have to make meals using mystery ingredients similar to “Iron Chef.”
The Kids Zone will offer entertainment for youngsters.