Live Wire, a production of WBGU-FM in conjunction with WBGU-TV, returns Thursday to the Clazel
in downtown Bowling Green for a third season of rock from hither and yon.The series, said Stephen
Merrill, the station’s advisor, will expand to seven shows this year, up from the three productions in
its first two years.That means the show will "give a chance to more bands," he said.The show
is videotaped in high definition digital and then cut into half-hour programs. Those programs air
Thursday nights at 9:30 as part of WBGU-TV’s local programming block.In its third year Live Wire is
gaining more traction with local audiences, bringing up to 200 people to shows, and more attention from
bands throughout the country looking to expand their reach.Thursday’s show, with doors opening at 8 p.m.
with music starting at 8:30 p.m., features Super Water Sympathy, a Shreveport, La., band that’s recently
been on the Vans Warped Tour.The band’s even come up with its own self-made genre they call "water
pop." The band describes that sound as "a synthesis of classic symphonic ambiance with modern
ethereal anthems."The bill also include Full Body Tones, from Lexington, Ky., a pop punk outfit is
a collaboration of country drummer Willy Freedbody and songwriter Joe Fulton. Recent Bowing Green State
University graduate Craig Sullivan on bass.Two area acts are also on the program. Balloon Messenger,
originally a solo project by songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Mark Daly, has expanded with the
inclusion of the former members of the band Cape Canyon.Toledo-area band The Bricks is fronted by
vocalist Chris Metchis, and according to the station’s press release features an "energetic kitchen
sink approach… that is sure to appeal to people that like to dance at rock and roll shows."Local
performers Zack Fletcher and Christ Salyer will also perform solo sets between the bands.Merrill who
coordinates the student volunteer crews, as more regionally-known bands are included, he hopes the
program can attract a few more stations.Live Wire got its start through requests to the station to host
bands. "I’ve always kind of felt a want for live music in town," he said, "and we know
the arts are part of the economy of the town."In selecting bands "we lean toward the rock
vein," he said. They’ve featured some hip hop but the language can pose a difficulty for broadcast.
The show has included some jazz.In general, he said, the show tries to steer away from the Americana
roots music genre simply because that’s already well represented on PBS by "Austin City
Limits."Merrill said with six cameras, the show is aiming for a more cinematic feel, "more
animated" with "faster cuts.""Not," he said, "the traditional PBS
feel."The Clazel serves as the right venue for the show. "We have a good relationship with
Ammar," he said, in reference to Clazel Entertainment owner Ammar Mufleh.The venue offers an
atmosphere that’s at once, intimate, and yet can handle a larger crowd if needed. "It’s on the
fringe of being a big venue.," Merrill said. As the show extends its reach to more national bands
that could be useful.The Clazel also offers the top-flight sound and lighting that’s needed for taping
in high definition.The video screen at the former theater also is a plus when it comes to stage design,
he said.The show is a volunteer effort. The bands appear for free, but in return they get high quality
video images that they can post on YouTube or on their own websites.Live Wire will be presented the
first Thursday of each month during the academic year through April, with no show in January.The shows
are free, but a donation of $5 or so is requested.
