A charged and amiable environment filled the KatHouse Lounge on Wednesday night as local rock band Fluid Theory set up its equipment. People crowded the stage as the band introduced clean guitar rhythms and heavily distorted blues solos to the room.
The band played third in the lineup behind local bands After All and Losers and Weapons. The KatHouse is a common venue for Fluid Theory, a fact well represented by the number of patrons present.
The band was formed in August 2008, and members include Steve Melton as lead vocalist, Steven Spalsbury on lead guitar, Taylor McFall on bass guitar, Chris Linnick on guitar and Tyler Garver on drums.
The band characterizes its sound as diverse rock mixed with alternative, with influences from blues-funk to metal. These influences were apparent as its set consisted of complex guitar rhythms, mixes of heavy distortion and clean electric sounds, mid to high-range vocals and blues, rock and funk-guitar solos.
The band recently finished recording its first CD titled “Hello Wonderful,” which will be available this Friday for $5. According to the band’s “merchandise girl,” Kristen White, T-shirts and stickers are also available at every concert.
The past Sunday, Fluid Theory appeared on Slice of the Homegrown, a radio show on 101.5 KMKF FM that features local bands. The hour-long show consisted of interviews with the band members, the radio debut of its new EP and a live acoustic set.
“We just get up there and have fun,” Spalsbury said. Another key component is to “play a lot of shows and practice a lot,” McFall said, something demonstrated by the band’s professionalism.
The band has played at a multitude of local venues, including PJ’s Pub, O’Malley’s, Triangle Park, the OPUS band competition and an acoustic set at Hot Topic. It has also played at the Pig in Independence, Mo., and is playing this coming Sunday at the Granada in Lawrence.
Fluid Theory has its CD release show tonight at PJ’s in Aggieville. The cover is $5 for 21 and over, $3 for under 21. You can find more information about Fluid Theory online at www.myspace.com/fluidtheory, where you can add songs to your profile and join the band’s fan page.