Band: 2 in the Chest ~ Rock

2 in the Chest is an innovative bluesy metal band that has a beautifully corrosive sound that makes me want to jump around and SCREAM!  Meeting the music with a desire to provide a fanciful and unique entity to the music scene, they have an old west theme expressed on their wepage  If you are looking for a raw, local band that is genuinely put together in the spirit of music, then join me on Saturday night at the Big Fish pub to see them.  Tickets are $10. 

This is 2 in the Chest:

Velvet (Rachel Barela) ~ Drums

Mudrup (Casey Purdum) ~ Bass/Vocals

Reverand Black (Rich Ornelas) ~ Guitar/Vocals

You guys have very diverse musical backgrounds, how did you meet?

“Rachel and I met at a metal show and hit it off right away.  We went out with each other for a few months and at that time we just started jamming together.  After about 3 years we decided to look for a bass player to complete our power trio.  We placed an ad on Craigslist and while looking at other we found a guy looking for a guitar player, I said to him too bad you don't need a drummer and a guitar player.  He said that he would be willing to come by and jam. We did just that and bam we hit it off right away and that's how Casey entered the band.”

Rachel is an amazing drummer, and a lady to boot!  Who doesn’t want to see a rock band with a fem drummer?  I would describe her skillset as lithe-furious, like that of a mythical fury from the mythos of the Greek community.  Despite the general cantankerous sound of drums she spins a graceful and very punk beat for her stringed counterparts.  “I think she liked rush and the drummer of that band got her going,” recalls Rich. She has been in bands such as: Whiskey Rain, Saguaro, Skin Witch, Merra’s Fate, Breakfast of Champions and Lori Bravo Raped. While starting as a young age, her skills grew over time . Her accomplishments include heat strokes 3rd and 4th in annual drum competitions.  She also had her name immortalized in print, as she was mentioned in Modern Drummer Magazine.  

Standing firm, steady and with a quickly coordinated set of fingers, Casey’s bass brings the band’s power trio into a deep melodic trance.  Playing off both Rachel’s drums and Rich’s guitar it creates one of the most hypnotic live shows I’ve seen.  His vocals, secure and thoughtful, bring a very austere element to the band’s package. 

Like most young boys, Casey had his start in music learning to play the piano.  He, however, decided he needed something more exciting.  He started playing the guitar.  After a while, he realized that the lower, more dramatic sound of the bass was more to his liking.  By sixteen, he decided to get focused more on bass, and after a while of switching back and forth his talents completely focused on the bass.  Casey has been in a couple bands, namely Doug Lawelon and Mudrup. 

The oldest of the trio, Rich, got his start in music in 1977.  He, as a young man, had a couple different aspirations that he had to choose between: a prestigious culinary school or rock and roll.  Driven to be an original individual, he chose the rockstar path and self-taught himself to play the frets.  When asked why he chose the music instead of the culinary path, he simply replied, “My love for music was much stronger than my love for becoming a chef.”  A passion as this, forsaking a higher paying career for the music he plays in his soul.  His vocals, as well as his maelstrom of ferocious guitar, add a subconsious prime to their music.

Despite being in the music scene longer than the other two in the band, he has not been in many others.  This, my dear readers, is because he became dedicated to each band he was part of for long periods of time.  In the beginning, he was a member of a Christian band called Heaven’s Metal.  This lasted a few months, until he met a band called Sacrificial Death, a stark contrast from the former band in tone and spirit.  He joined as the bass player, and this is where it is said his “real” music career started.  How did this holier subgenre of rock vary from it’s darker counterpart?  In his own words, “\One word: a lot less violent.”  This band stayed together for quite a few years, changing the name in the process.  Everything was on the up and up, until complications arose for band members and the band ultimately had to go it’s separate ways. 

Rich continued loving and making music, however he did not join another band until he met Rachel several years later.  Thus 2 in the Chest was given life…

How would you describe the dive music scene in Arizona?

“Well, I think there is and has always been an issue with the clubs.  They are always uptight when the bands don't bring in people, when it is the venue’s responsibility to keep their bar full every day.  The bands should be paid no matter what. If you think about it who in their right mind is going to come to each and every show that we do?  That is just not going to happen. If a venue wants to succeed it’s their responsibility to advertise.”

Who are some the bands you have done shows with?

“Spin doctors, deliverance, tourniquet, Flotsom and Jetsom and a few other I can’t remember right of the top of my head.”

Is there a favorite?

“Pantera Bio mechanical are my favorites”

As a band what have you released?

“We are a new act and have not released anything as of yet but we do have full intentions of doing so.”  So, unfortunately, my earful friends, I am unable to share music with you here.  There is, however, a YouTube channel you can check out their live sets and practice tapes on.  YouTube 2 in the Chest

Is there a club you prefer to do shows at more than any other?

“910 live is the best venue out there in my opinion.”

A recommended local place to eat, by Reverend Black:  “Well I like May Garden in West Phoenix.

Channel into your inner psychic, tell us where you see the band in the future...

“Well, if we get the investors, there is no limit to what  2 IN THE CHEST  can do.  We have a great deal of concept ideas that will explode if given the finances to make it happen.”

So, my friends, there you have it.  My new favorite local band, and a great one at that.  Enjoy their music on YouTube YouTube 2 in the Chest

They do have a show coming up REALLY SOON… so unless they have already sold out the show on their own BUY THEIR TICKETS!!  This is a great band to see live, and I hope to see you there with me to enjoy their talents.  The show is at the Big Fish Pub this Saturday, February 11^th. They are slotted to play a bit later, around midnight, however there are other great bands playing so if you enjoy live music as much as I do, you will be there or be a equa-sided four angled shape yo!!