SOCORRO — Three bands. Two generations. One social-distanced concert for everyone.
New Mexico Tech’s Performing Arts Series April Socorro Sessions features local bands playing rock ’n roll — a wide-ranging genre of music enjoyed by multiple generations. In fact, the musicians themselves range from a band of Tech students, one of Tech retirees and one whose members are multi-generational.
The socially-distanced drive-in concert runs from 2-6 p.m., Saturday, April 17. Like the rest of the Socorro Sessions, the concert, ala COVID-19 style, will be under the solar-paneled parking lot at New Mexico Tech. Attendees must pre-register online or by calling PAS at 575-835-5688. The concert will also be streamed on Facebook, YouTube and Twitch.
The afternoon begins with Why Knot, an acoustic band of three musicians of whom Socorroans are familiar. Jim Ruff is a member of several Socorro bands and the founder and host of the pandemic-era Open Mic Zoom Wednesdays. Here he joins Steve and Martha Cather for an acoustic band that plays mostly ’60s era tunes.
Technical Differences takes the stage next at 3:30 p.m. Comprised of engineering and physics majors at NM Tech, the five will offer a different variety of classic and alternative rock. They are Joshua Gibbs, lead singer, tambourine, a senior electrical engineering major; Andrew Wang, guitar, junior explosive engineering; Seth Sisneros, guitar and vocals, junior in mechanical engineering; Keith Lucero, bass, clarinet, vocals, junior astrophysics; and Kody Gray, drums, mellophone, junior physics.
Mountain Top Rock, formerly known as The New Relic, will be the third and final band in this Saturday’s Socorro Sessions.
The third and final band for the afternoon is Mountain Top Rock, formerly known as The New Relic. Led by Montana Pettis, this Magdalena-based band includes two generations of music lovers.
“I’ve always had a band,” said Montana, “but this version averages about four years.”
His band won the statewide Battle of the Bands contest in 2015 and has played in various locations around the state.
“We have just come out with an album and are getting ready to send it out to have mastered,” he said.
It features 11 all original songs. Other members are Mark Howes, bass and vocals; Dion “Delux” Gonzales, lead guitar and vocals; and Willie Mozley, drums.
For more information, call PAS 575-835-5688 or visit nmt.edu/pas.
Julia M. Dendinger began working at the VCNB in 2006. She covers Valencia County government, Belen Consolidated Schools and the village of Bosque Farms. She is a member of the Society of Professional Journalists Rio Grande chapter’s board of directors.
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April 19, 2024
