Starkville band Falter will rock Rick’s Caf tonight with a sound reminiscent of early ’90s rock and music that falls somewhere between heavy metal and pop rock.
The band, comprised of Heath Upton, Trent Falgoust, Josh West and brothers Greg and Josh Winter, played its first gig at Rick’s last October to a rather slim crowd.
“The first time we played at Rick’s there were maybe 50 people there,” lead vocalist Heath Upton said. “But we kept playing fraternity parties, because that’s a good way to get a crowd, and our audience has just gotten better and better every time we play.”
Upton said the band, which originated about four years ago, draws from influences such as Pearl Jam and the Stone Temple Pilots as well as the heavier sounds of groups such as Tool and Dream Theater. Falter also performs some original music written collectively by the band members.
“Greg and Josh may come in with a riff and we go from there. We all agree, though,” Upton said.
As far as choosing a set list for shows, Upton said a large part of it depends on the audience.
“A lot of it has to do with the crowd and what they want to hear,” Upton said. “But we also don’t like to do the normal stuff that pertains to playing in a cover band in an area like this, even though I don’t really consider us a cover band.”
Rick Welch, owner of Rick’s Caf, said when the members of Falter first converged to play, he knew they would be a good band.
“It’s great to see a local band work hard writing their own songs,” Welch said. “They’re starting to build a bigger fan base and it’s great to have them playing on a regular basis. And, they’re all really nice guys.”
MSU student Will Garner said he always tries to make it to Falter shows.
“I enjoy Falter because the style of music they play is what I like and it’s better than what most bands that come to Starkville play,” Garner said.
Upton said he would love to make a career out of playing music and he said he thinks it is possible for small-town bands to hit it big.
“It can happen anywhere, anytime,” Upton said. “As long as we keep writing good songs and getting ourselves out there, I think it can be done.”
Upton said if Falter suddenly made it, the first thing he would buy would be a boat for his dad to go fishing in. He also said if he could have one hour with any musician, he would spend it with the mysterious Maynard James Keenan, lead singer of Tool and A Perfect Circle.
But for now, while Falter fights to break into the bigger music world, Upton’s goals and dreams remain simple and reachable.
“Just to make good music will always be my dream,” Upton said. “Whether it’s music played in front of thousands of people or in front of 50 people, if it’s good music, that’s really all you can ask for.”