Smashmouth Magazine presented a mini concert series of local bands at University Theatre in Las Vegas

1. University Theatre presents Fletch, The Cab and
I Hate Kate
BORN TO CHARM
I Hate Kate
I had a chance to check out Fletch, The Cab, and I Hate Kate, this past
Friday. Doors open at 6pm, and included opening acts Jr. Anti-Sex
League, and Slam Dunk. When I pulled up in the parking lot, I could
tell this was going to be teen night. I saw a row of mini vans lined up
right next to each other, with passed out moms in the drivers’ seats,
like they were at a truck stop. As I entered the concert the concert
hall, I knew this was going to be a pretty interesting yet awkward
night. Seeing teenagers in action before their curfew was going to be a
spectacle to behold. Hyperactive hormones and attention getting gear
is the best way to describe the sugar-munching bunch. As the band
got ready in between sets a lot of people were standing outside for
some welcomed fresh air, after inhaling all that teenage musk. Even
though I've never heard of the bands that were performing, I was
impressed with their loyal following. From the looks of the recycled
80’s gear, underground Indie Rock was the costume for the evening.
There were so many FLock of Seagulls haircuts; I could have sworn I
saw a cloud of aqua net hairspray in the air.
These teens wouldn't support the bands if they didn't love what they
do. Each group was branded with its own image splattered on cutesy
tee shirts, and other swag used as a marketing tool to get their bands
names out to the public. After took my last breath of proactive free-
air, I could hear the teenagers chanting the name “I Hate Kate” riot
style, right before the lead singer took the stage.
"I Hate Kate's" new album should be coming out in March 2007;
entitled “Embrace the Curse”, named after their new single. I'm
not sure if the lead singer could see the audience members that well,
or maybe he was blinded by the bright lights on stage. For some
reason they didn’t check ID’s backstage because he kept blurting out
the 'F Bomb', and sexual comments, like he was performing at a 21
and over event. Even if he was blinded, he could at least see outlines

2. of 3 foot’’ silhouettes in the audience, and put two and two together.
The band performed their single “I’m in Love with a Sociopath”, and
asked the audience; “Who's the best lover you've ever had? “Yeah the
Crazy Person!” Half the kids there haven't even seen this word on a
vocabulary list. I have to admit the song was catchy, and stood out to
me because I can honestly relate to it.
The next group, The Cab, started in Las Vegas, with Alex De Leon
(current lead singer), and Cash Colligan (lead guitarist). This band has
a lot of potential. They needed some training in the vocal department
and work to develop their stage presence. Their sound was unique.
The influence of R&B, fusion rock bands like; “Fall Out Boy” and
“Linkoln Park” (without the DJ) were overlapping undertones in their
musical sound. The Cab being the young bunch and still in high school,
gave a shout out to their parents upstairs in VIP. They also let their
classmates know how much they loved them (how sweet). Alex
DeLeon's demeanor was very similar to early David Bowie's –
androgynous persona Ziggy Stardust. The kid really had a beautiful
voice but a lot of times he simply was off key. I could tell he was
unsure of how to draw in the crowd with his vocal performance. But,
all in all, the band had plenty of charisma, and enough support from
soccer moms around the neighborhood- “You should check out Phyllis’s
son. He's a very talented boy.”
Fletch was the main attraction. From the efficient sound check and the
drummers glitter blue drums, this band has been around the
performance block before. Based out of Sin City Las Vegas, they've
opened for alternative rock bands such as –“Panic at the Disco” and
“Social Distortion.” Fletch recently signed with ‘Iflymm’ Record label
with a new EP entitled- “Rhetoric”. Fletch’s album was perfected and
mixed by music professionals that worked with; Ted Nugent,
Fleetwood Mac, and Sebastian Bach. This bands performance was
electric, no doubt they’ll be charming their fans on Myspace and you
tube in no time.