Concerts to rock St. Cloud

Local music regulars for nearly 10 years, 12 Rods will bring their musical prowess to St. Cloud to end a weekend full of rock.

Fans of the local rock music scene should anticipate an unplugged performance by 12 Rods Saturday night.

12 Rods, a local rock group, has been on the scene for nearly 10 years. They originally formed in June of 1992 in Ohio. Soon after, they moved to Minneapolis, where their musical talent began to flourish.

The performance Saturday night will be unique in that it will be an unplugged duo between the lead singer Ryan Olcott and his brother Ev. Olcott will jam on the guitar and sing while his brother will pump out tunes on the piano.

Currently, the band has put out four albums. Their most recent album, Lost Time, has received praise from fans all around town. Their other albums have also been praised by listeners within the Twin Cities.

The band is deeply rooted in Rock ‘n’ Roll, but adds an innovative twist with a synthetic sound and a diverse keyboard composition

“I take pride in the fact that we are a unique band,” said Olcott in a recent KVSC interview.

He said the show is going be partially improvised, yet it will also offer freedom to his brother and himself. They have been spending the week preparing for the show.

“Normally songs are arranged for five members,” Olcott said. “Were not going to come up there totally unprepared.”

12 Rods is not a stranger to the St. Cloud music scene. They have played several shows at the Red Carpet.

“Were open to play anything,” he said. “St. Cloud is great.”

Aside from fan praise, the band has received acclaim from the City Pages and MMA.

In 2001, both rated them the best pop rock band in the Twin Cities.

Recently, 12 Rods dropped their old producer, Todd Rudgren, and started to produce their own material.

“Lost Time” is the first album they have produced on their own.

Ryan Olcott, his brother Ev. and a few others have also created the possibility of producing other bands.

Olcott said local bands who are interested in their producing skills should contact them through their website, which is www.12rods.com.

The show will take place at the G.R.E.A.T. Playhouse, which is across from the Paramount Theatre, Saturday night.

Doors open at 7 p.m. and the show starts at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets are available at the Electric Fetus for $8 in advance, or they can be bought at the door for $10. All ages are welcome.

For more information and song samples, visit www.deep.bz.