STRIKEFORCE!

Every Sunday @ Kingpins Bowl and Brew

originally published May 21, 2008

Michael Goethe

STRIKEFORCE!

A rotating cast of characters, featuring a bevy of notable local musicians,  has established a Sunday evening residency at Kingpins Bowl and Brew.  The band spells STRIKEFORCE! using all caps, and yes, the exclamation mark is essential for emphasis, of course.  Guitarist Mike Gibson (The Dashboard Saviors) is responsible for the moniker and admits with a chuckle, "It's high on the cheese factor, and the name Gutterball was already taken."

Thus far Gibson has convinced, according to an informal census,  at least eight other folks to participate in the bowling alley sessions, including bassist Jon Mills (Dave Barbe  & the Quick Hooks), songwriter Rob Veal and guitarists William Tonks (Barbara Cue) and Neal Fountain (Kenosha Kid).  "It's open to anyone," says Mills when asked about the veritable supergroup, before Gibson interjects with a disclaimer and another laugh, "Within reason, of course; we're looking for journeyman yahoos, not nubes."  The journeymen are preparing for world domination, one lane at a time.  "We're having bowling shirts made for everyone in the band, embroidered names," shares Mills, adding, "And if STRIKEFORCE! catches on, we'd like to franchise it out to other bowling alleys across the country.  Anyone, anywhere can be in STRIKEFORCE!"

According to Gibson, Kingpins proprietor Ed Connolly was receptive to the notion of a Sunday night house band because it's generally a day of rest for other local live music venues, and it opens that seventh day to  touring bands that might be attracted to Athens' beloved alley.  Mills has a different theory, saying with a grin, "He [Connolly] probably didn't want us to drive away the regular bowling crowd during the week."

David Eduardo