At exactly 9:02 p.m. on Friday, November 17^th, the first of four local bands took the WJJO Local Stage for the "WJJO 94.1 Rocking' The Midwest 2000" CD release party at The Annex in Madison, Wisconsin.   Proceeds from the CD, a compilation of singles by hard-hitting local bands, go to VH-1's "Save The Music" foundation.  The CD will also benefit struggling area musicians on the road to fulfilling their dreams.   The live show on Friday night, however, was for the fans. 

The Annex, a club attached to the Regent Street Retreat sports bar, consists of two large rooms, one with a stage and a dozen or so round tables.  At 9:02, there were about 25 people seated.  As the first band, Next Of Kin, began their set, I was perched on a bar stool at one such table, notepad in hand, ready to scribble any notes that could remind me of details of the performance.  I didn't need them. 

Next Of Kin blew me away from the first number.  Thrashing to the compilation single "Necktie", each member showed amazing enthusiasm as if playing to a screaming sold out arena.  Tom Danner carried strong bass lines with attitude and drummer Rob Jeffris kept it all together with mechanical style and wit.  With a relentless conviction, Brady screamed for the spectators to get up and get moving.  One fan did. 

After a brief intermission, scurrying rodies, and a few dozen more fans trickling in, the stage was set for Agent Zero.  A 7-piece band out of Rockford Illinois, Agent Zero gave a commanding performance with an extraordinarily unique sound consisting of a turntable and a hard core/ska flavor.  Screaming for the crowd to jump, Agent Zero thrashed in synchronicity.  Three more fans approached the stage.   

Kamikaze Butterfly out of Chicago took the stage after another brief intermission with all the style and color exemplified by their name.  Performing the "love song" called "Whore" (also on the JJO compilation CD), lead vocalist Gary Polley gyrated to the slow and steady bass with passion.  Laced with flair, Kamikaze Butterfly quickly won over the steadily growing crowd, finishing their set with a Led Zeppelin cover.

The night ended with a smashing performance by "one of Madison's finest", Angels or Insects.  An eclectic blend of metal, techno and personal philosophy, Angels or Insects orchestrated a stunning show, lasers and all.   Fans swarmed around the stage, frantically lapping up the energy emulated from the band.  I was left dumbfounded. 

Susan Masino, organizer of the concert and Executive Producer of the compilation CD emphasized the importance of the event and the cause it supports.  "A lot of elementary schools have gotten rid of their music programs, or have not had enough funding for them.  I wanted to pick a charity to give the profits from the first "Rockin the Midwest" CD [that WJJO] started back in 98.  So I picked the "Save The Music program" thinking that would be a good tie in for local music."