Lamont student and lead guitarist Justin Khoo of Auggie’s STD is still coming down from the immeasurable high of the band’s first big solo performance at the Bluebird Theater in Denver on Feb. 20.
The Bluebird hosts popular bands like The Donnas and Good Charlotte, so when Auggie’s STD got a gig there, they were ecstatic. Khoo described the event as “our biggest show.”
Khoo began rehearsing with the band of three friends, lead singer Kyle Bunker, drummer Adam Brown and bassist Curtis Spackman, in Bunker’s living room. All agreed that Auggie’s STD was Bunker’s brainchild. The band describes their style as “Progressive Punk.”
Khoo, currently studying classical guitar at DU’s Lamont School of Music, elaborated, “Our music is melodic rock with elements of ska [a derivative of white reggae], and a little jazz and funk.”
Khoo counts many diverse musicians as his own influences, including Slayer, Cradle of Filth, Led Zeppelin, Louis Armstrong, J.S. Bach, Mozart and Beethoven.
“Auggie’s STD is a mixture of Good Charlotte and Dreamtheater,” Brown said. He also sings in Chamber Singers at Grandview with Bunker. He counts his personal musical influences as Tool, Reel Big Fish, Bad Religion and Vanilla Ice.
Khoo said nailing the gig was perseverance with a stroke of good luck. Concert promoters Nobody In Particular Presents promotes concerts for three local venues: The Bluebird, The Fillmore, and The Ogden. Khoo said the boys e-mailed the promoters and “kept at them constantly” until NIPP gave them the show.
And it was very much their night. Auggie’s STD took the stage well after 9 p.m. as the final and featured act of the concert, after two other opening acts, The Next Ebellion and Kadence.
The band does not play any cover songs; all of the music they play live during their concerts is original. The band claims they wrote the lyrics to their first song, “You Don’t Know Me” in just five minutes.
The quick writing process the band utilizes might help explain the off-beat and playful nature of their more popular songs like “There’s Something about Gary,” written for the lead singer’s older brother and “She Likes to Eat Bananas,” a peculiar song credited for no one in particular.
“The writing process is really quick,” said Khoo. “It’s arranging the back-up vocals and musical arrangements that takes time.”
Their next gig is March 15 at Bonjo’s Coffee House in Windsor and they are currently recording a CD at a friend’s studio. The finished product will include five to ten songs, depending on their financial resources.
They are also hoping to play at the DU Sidelines Pub next quarter to help get their name out in the Denver college scene. More information on Auggie’s STD and several music downloads can be found on their Web site at www.auggiesstd.com.
