Local band will rock Kokanee Challenge

Local band Blind Spot spent an entire year rehearsing before they braved their first gig.

“It was at Bacardi Days in 2006,” said lead vocalist Kaylee Knecht. “We just started with one set. It was nerve racking.”

Drummer Leslie Wilkins was also nervous.

“For me it was nerve racking but exciting at the same time,” she said.

When the band finally took the stage, the audience was so surprised they stood on the dance floor with their jaws wide open.

“I think they were expecting the Dixie Chicks or something,” said rhythm guitarist Wanetta Stroo.

Instead they got a little dose of a group of women - and one guy - who can rock the musical gambit.

“We play everything from Aretha to Metallica and beyond,” said lead guitarist Marty Stroo. “We play everything from heavy rock to funk.”

But even playing covers, the band likes to add their own twist.

“We like to take some of the older songs like Respect and These Boots Are Made For Walking and really turn the distortion up,” said Wanetta.

And, since bassist Heidi Bender joined the band just over a year ago, the five musicians have also begun writing their own songs.

“We didn’t start writing our own stuff until Heidi joined the band,” said Marty, who spent a number of years performing in bands and travelling across Canada. “I had to convince these guys it’s about having fun. People think songwriting is a mystical thing, but it’s not.”

For Blind Spot songwriting is a group effort - with Wanetta currently writing the lyrics.

“Someone will start with a melody, either Heidi or Marty and we’ll go from there,” said Wanetta.

Getting together to rehearse and work on song development can sometimes be a challenge for the band - all five members work full time jobs.

“My schedule kind of dictates when we can get together,” said Heidi, whose job has her working two weeks of nights followed by two weeks of days.

The summertime also adds to difficulty in scheduling rehearsals.

“Everyone takes holidays or they’re working longer hours, but you make it work,” said Wanetta.

Blind Spot is also working on recording a CD.

“We hope to have it recorded by the year’s end,” said Wanetta.

Blind Spot will perform live at the Kokanee Glacier Challenge this Friday, Aug. 1 at 9:30 p.m. Wrist bands can be purchased at the beer gardens - please note that this is a 19 years and older only event.

Blind Spot will also perform at Grizzly Plaza Aug. 23 and at The Regent Aug. 29 and 30.

You can find the band online by visiting www.broadjam.com/blindspot.

Blind Spot rock out during last year’s Kokanee Glacier Challenge. The local band will take the stage at the Kokanee Challenge again this Friday at 9:30 p.m. performing their twists on covers such as Respect and These Boots are Made For Walking, as well as original songs. Photo courtesy Alice Weber