Interview by Linda Navarro, entertainment editor for the CS Gazette.
"Distant Warning rocks close to home for more than 300 shows"
Hear the band: 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Laura Belle's Lounge, 734 N. 19th St., $3 cover, 21 and over.
Personnel: Ron Bordelon, vocals; Duane Velasquez, lead guitar; Andrew Anteola, rhythm guitar; Jim Lasselle, bass; Mike Pittman, drums.
Style: Hard rock and melodic metal.
Influences: Fates Warning, Testament, Iced Earth, Yngwie Malmsteen, Stratovarius, Hammerfall, Nevermore, Helloween, KISS, Glenn Hughes.
What the live show is like: "Original hard rock, vocal harmonies, guitar harmonies, blistering guitar leads, earth-shaking bass and thunderous drums," Velasquez says. "There's even a few power ballads and some bluesy stuff as well. Come and mosh if you want, get up and slow dance, or sit and enjoy. It's up to you."
Favorite clubs to play: Union Station and, in the Denver area, Whiskey Bill's, Gothic Theater, Buffalo Rose, Eck's Saloon and Iliff Park Saloon.
CDs: "In the Beginning", "Season of Grey", "Desiree" and "For All Eternity". It's first full-length DVD is scheduled for release in the fall.
What "making it" would look like: Quitting the day jobs and making a living from music would be nice, Velasquez says. Just enough money to live comfortably and some financing for a U.S. tour. Maybe an overseas tour as well. Nothing extravagant. "OK, OK, We'll take the big houses, sports cars and tons of cash if offered." he says.
Most rock 'n' roll moment: Opening for Flotsam and Jetsam, Reverend and Exciter at the Texas Metal Fest in San Antonio. The band also opened for Jackyl, Edgar WInter and KISS Army.
History: Since Bordelon and Velasquez started the band in 1997, Distant Warning has played more than 300 shows throughout Colorado. "There's no special significance to the band name.", Velasquez says. "The guys made a list and voted."
Day jobs: Bordelon is activities assistant at the Union Printers Home; Velasquez is a check printer; Anteola combines bartending with working as an electrician; Lasselle is in manufacturing; Pittman is a drum instructor.
Take on the Colorado Springs music scene: "There just doesn't seem to be a place where bands can crank it up loud and get obnoxious on a regular basis anymore," Velasquez says. "There are plenty of clubs who are more than happy to pay you $20 to play, or try to schedule you with four other bands. Fellow musicians know exactly what I'm talking about. Exposure is nice but you need to eat and pay rent too."