Happy Daze, indeed

Local band's fairy tale starts with gig in a movie, CD release

By Peter Mongillo
AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF
Tuesday, August 11, 2009

It's a bit of rock 'n' roll fantasy — three high school buddies with a love of Led Zeppelin form a band. A couple years later they respond to a casting call (one of the many benefits of living in Austin), and the next thing they know, they're in a trailer on the set of a movie, rubbing elbows with Hollywood stars.

That's exactly what happened to Austin rockers Evan Butts, Chris Ritchie and Aaron Lemke, aka the Daze, who will appear alongside "High School Musical" star Vanessa Hudgens and Aly Michalka of the pop duo Aly & AJ in the film "Bandslam," which opens Friday. Other Austin musicians, including rock band Joker, hip-hop artists Zeale and Phranchyze, and KISS FM DJ Bobby Bones also appear in the film, which was partly shot at Hogg Auditorium on the University of Texas campus.

"Bandslam" follows the story of Will Burton, played by Gaelen Connell, a new kid in town who befriends a singer-songwriter, played by Michalka, as she competes in a high school battle of the bands. The Daze (and other musicians involved) appear as themselves and play an original song in the competition, which takes place toward the end of the movie.

Despite the fact that the film is geared toward a younger teenage audience, band members say director Todd Graff's movie offers something for everyone. "I was really impressed because I could see that it was going to appeal to a wider audience than just the 'High School Musical' crowd," Butts said.

The band also praised others involved in the film, including Hudgens ("Vanessa introduced herself to us"). "Everyone there was really nice," Butts said. "They all treated us so well even though we were just little unimportant people."

Butts and Ritchie, both 20 (Lemke is 19) have known each other since elementary school. They began jamming together about five years ago when Ritchie, who plays bass, and Lemke, who plays drums, were at St. Andrew's High School. They invited Butts, then a student at St. Stephen's, to play guitar. The three are taking the semester off from the University of Texas and St. Edward's to concentrate on music.

In addition to their big-screen debut, the Daze is releasing its debut album, "Straightjacket Hymns," this month with a performance Aug. 27 at Antone's (and a free show today at Waterloo Records). Austin Latin rock musician Rick del Castillo, who taught guitar to Butts, produced the album, which draws heavily from blues rock, with elements of folk and Latin music. "Blizzard Woman Blues," the uptempo rock number performed in the film, is a highlight.

Though the band is excited to be on the big screen, appearing on the soundtrack alongside artists such as David Bowie (who has a cameo in the movie), the Velvet Underground, Nico and Wilco was the real thrill. "That was what felt the best, really, just seeing the Daze, Wilco — wow," Lemke said.

pmongillo@statesman.com