Members of The Wayside, a local band comprised of three Ball State architecture students and two friends, wrote and recorded "That Day," a song reflecting on the events of Sept. 11. The song was recorded the same day.
"That Day" and 13 other songs fill the band's debut album, "Easily Abused."
Drummer Greg Weisheit, bassist Matt Federico, guitarists Nate Logston and Kelly Shields and vocalist Nate Wade form The Wayside, a name based on the band's credo of using music to bring people back to what's really important.
"When you get busy, you forget about some things that are important to you," Logston said. "They get pushed by the Wayside."
Logston, Shields and Wade, all three architecture students at Ball State, started the band about a year ago, and later added bandmates Federico and Weisheit to the group.
Part of the band's style is the dedication to create new and original material, playing no cover songs.
"We're trying not to pattern anyone," Logston said.
According to Logston, who writes most of the band's lyrics, the group aspires to create songs with lyrics most people can relate to, such as with the song "That Day."
Shields said band members have diverse tastes in music, ranging from modern rock to Frank Sinatra, something which helps the band arrive with new ideas for songs.
Logston said The Wayside has over 30 original songs assembled, enough for a couple more albums, and The Wayside has played in Muncie for crowds of over 200 people. The Wayside set the record for the most people in attendance at Clancy's Village Bowl the night they performed. Clancy's also sold out on beer that night.
"Something about our music makes you want to drink," Wade joked and then laughed lightly.
However, the band hasn't always played for large crowds.
When starting out, the group played at some house parties for crowds of 10 or fewer.
Shields said most of the exposure they got in the beginning was through friends sitting in on rehearsals. Even with the small audience, Shields said it was still fun.
That all changed when The Wayside got a record deal through the independent record label, Lazy Wild World Records.
"We made a four-track tape and let the producer listen to it," Logston said.
It took The Wayside six months to put together "Easily Abused." According to Logston, all artwork for the CD was created by the band's members.
Those interested in hearing The Wayside have a few options. The band's album is on sale at Karma for $10, but if people don't want to pay for a CD, they can go to http://artists.mp3s.com and download songs.
The Wayside also plans to perform a few live shows this week: one tonight at 9 at BW3's in the Village and another show this weekend in the Carolina Room above Clancy's, also starting at 9 p.m.
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