The Bugs

Mon., June 12, 2000

Brian Thorpe, Ferris

Amidst the high school garage bands playing poppy upbeat alternative rock, the Bugs stand out like a Tool fan at a Britney Spears concert.

Comprised of guitarist and singer Greg Salina, bass player Brian Williams and percussionist Jon Howard, the Bugs play an inventive brand of progressive rock.

“I guess we play modern rock,” said Salina, who seemed familiar with questions about the Bugs’ musical classification.

“It’s just rock ‘n’ roll.”

Regardless of rock genre, the Bugs are probably one of the newest bands competing in BOBFest.

The group formed last September when Northwest Christian sophomores Salina and Howard and junior Williams began practicing together. The trio already has recorded a couple of demos during its short time together.

The group considers local band The Mayfield Four its dominant musical influence. Mayfield Four lead singer Myles Kennedy’s influence is obvious in Salina’s warbling, tangled vocals.

“Myles Kennedy is the man,” Salina said.

While performing in front of people isn’t new for the Bugs, this is their first BOBFest appearance as a trio. Howard and Williams are BOBFest virgins, but Salina competed with a different band in 1998.

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