Lysdexic mixes fun into band creation
A mangled world has had a pronounced benefit for some Valley teens trying to come up with a name for their band.
One said lysdexic instead of dyslexia, and in the spirit of fun that characterizes these four musicians, a new band was born.
Lysdexic is composed of Neil Mendenhall, 16, Joel Drexel, 16, Travis Tveit, 15, and Dale Knudsen, 16. All go to University High School except for Tveit, who decided that Central Valley High School has a better marching band, where he competes with drum corps. He also is the only member who actually has had lessons in his instrument of choice.
Mendenhall plays the bass, Drexel sings and plays the guitar and Tveit plays the drums. Knudsen is the equipment guy.
This includes boards, cords, and everything technical. He knows a lot about sound and recording, two important things for a band.
They practice at least four days a week in Mendenhall’s basement. Mendenhall’s mom supports them wholeheartedly.
“It’s a great thing for them to be doing,” she said, “and I really enjoy watching the creative process.”
The creative process started over a year ago. Heavily influenced by Nirvana, Lysdexic decided that a reinvention of the grunge sound was needed.
Natural musicians, the band began learning Nirvana songs and expanding from there. They now have 15 songs of their own.
“I sat down to watch TV – my remote’s not next to me…” are lyrics from their song titled “Remote Control.” Their songs represent everyday living and situations that almost everyone can relate to.
“When we try to get too deep, it sounds corny,” said Drexel. “Sometimes we just need (nonsense) words to fit with the music.”
Like their song Runaway, “…we don’t have to read an insecurity – we don’t have to breathe another fool like me…” the lyrics could be construed as nonsense or as a great poem waiting to happen. Either way, their creative juices are only beginning to flow.
“We’re young,” said Tveit. “Things change, and we’ve got lots of time.”
Their practices consist of experimental jam sessions.
Supportive family and friends, mixers and a public address system give Lysdexic the extra power it needs to continue to grow. They hope to move their practices from the basement to a rebuilt old garage in the back yard that they will name Wattage Cottage, and they hope to get their hands on some new equipment.
They are young. Their tastes will change, but their solid foundation and their desire to raise their voices will remain.