Modern rock band swings through Nebraska
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By MICHAEL MCHALE/Lincoln Journal Star
The musicians call Rhonda Lucero “Mom,” and they consider Tony Lucero a brother.
They treat the couple’s three children as their own, gathering for “Rock Band” video game sessions or informal practices on real guitars.
The members of the Alaska band Static Cycle have become best friends with the Luceros this fall, crashing at their Lincoln home during extended stays in the Star City. Rhonda and Tony have welcomed the group with open arms.
What: Static Cycle
When: 10:30 tonight; 9:30 p.m. Saturday
Where: Tonight: Red 9, 322 S. 9th St.; Saturday: Knickerbockers, 901 O St.
Admission: $5, 21 and over at Red 9. $5, 18 and over at Knickerbockers.
They’ve given the quintet a place to set roots in the continental United States.
This week, the modern rock band is on a final swing through Nebraska until further notice. Static Cycle will play at Red 9 on Friday and at Knickerbockers on Saturday before a string of shows at The Rock next week.
Then the guys will disappear from Lincoln. The Luceros will reluctantly watch them go.
“They’re like family to us now,” said Rhonda, who manages her husband’s critically acclaimed hypnotist career.
Rhonda and Tony met the band during a vacation to Alaska this summer. After listening to Static Cycle’s music, which was produced by a musician who worked with Papa Roach, Breaking Benjamin and Three Days Grace, the Luceros wanted more. They thought the band could draw fans in Lincoln, so they booked some shows and invited the guys to town.
“It was a lot warmer,” said Josh Witham, guitarist. “And it was really nice.”
The group made some noise right away, raking in the $2,500 grand prize during a September battle of bands competition at The Rock, 2137 Cornhusker Highway. Static Cycle knocked off local favorites Down Sumner and Faded Black.
“We gained a pretty good following through that,” said Dennis Smith, drummer. “But it’s tough coming into a new city.”
The group had never experienced that transition before. It had just released a debut album in June and started playing live shows shortly after.
The trip to Lincoln meant exploring new territory, and it required carrying guitars onto planes and shipping everything else in boxes. The bill came out to more than $2,000, and the band decided to start buying equipment on site and selling it upon departure.
But when the guys left for some Denver gigs after winning the battle of the bands, they stored most of their stuff in the Lucero home. And they made use of it all when they returned in October for another lengthy stay.
This week, they’re back for their third run in Lincoln, sleeping on Lucero bunk beds and practicing in the Lucero basement. They’ve already started planning for next year, when they hope to hit more cities in less time.
Meanwhile, they want to write their own words and play their own music.
“We want to write that one song that people can push repeat on and listen to 40 times in a row,” said Jared Navarre, lead vocalist. “That’s my ultimate goal.”
Until then, Static Cycle will keep traveling and keep playing. The group recently added Lincolnite Travis Allen on guitar, which means a return trip to Nebraska isn’t far away.
But for now, local fans don’t have much time to hear Static Cycle live. The Luceros don’t have many days to spend with their new family.
When the band leaves for good, “Mom” will likely be in tears.
“I cried the first time they left,” Rhonda said. “They’re just great kids.”
Reach Michael McHale at 473-7254 or mmchale@journalstar.com.
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