The one thing that Spinebelt does not have a shortage of is fans. Just attend any two performances of theirs, and you are guaranteed to see the same guys rocking their heads to the beat standing in the front row. This band has been through a lot of turbulence in the past few years, but they have survived and are a stronger group of guys because of it.

     I will admit, that I am not a fan of the self-described loud rock type of music. However, with that being said, after listening to their CD "Beautiful Songs for Ugly Children", the music has grown on me; the next time that someone cuts me off in traffic and pisses me off, I'm going to throw in their CD and scream out all of my anger and frustration to "Buckle and Strap".

     Spinebelt is made up of five friends - Butch Lloyd, who is the lead vocalist and plays guitar; PJ Kissinger plays bass and assists on back-up vocals; Don Belsh plays the keyboards and guitar; Chris Evan handles his guitar while performing vocally, and John K brings it all together with his drumming talents.

     Butch & John have known each other for many years; in '89 they were in separate bands, but knew each other from their bands playing together. When they got to talking about leaving the positions that they were in and forming a new group, everything just clicked together. They joined forces with Josh & Bill (who have now had to leave the group to pursue other endeavors in life, but remain close friends) and started their musical journey. In February of this year, after three months of regrouping, Spinebelt, with it's new band members, continued their journey with the same goal, to become known nationwide, play honestly, and play purely.

     When you go to see Spinebelt, you get a total package - the name, the image, the sound - it's all there. The band decided upon the name Spinebelt because it gave them the freedom to express themselves. They weren't "painted into a corner" and trapped by the mental picture that was received when people heard their name without hearing their music. It was instinct to go with it - and "instinct is not practiced enough".