LAMBDA CHIS IN “SIDE OF FIVES” ROCK ST. LOUIS  

In the summer of 1999, at Southeast Missouri State University, Jared Gleason and Jason "Gomer" Stone met and discussed music.  Soon, The Influence was formed with Gleason on the guitar, Stone on drums, Chad Berenzen (vocals), and Steve Dougherty (bass).  Their rock and punk backgrounds showed through as the band enthralled the crowds around Cape Girardeau.  The band then added a rhythm guitarist (Sam Goodrum) to give the band a thicker sound.

 After graduation in the Spring of 2000, most of the band moved to St. Louis.  Later that year, Berenzen had to leave the band due to scheduling conflicts.  Goodrum made the transition to lead vocals, belting out the tunes with deep, throaty growls.  Sean Jackson was then brought in to take over rhythm guitar for the band.  Dissatisfied with their name, the band brainstormed and emerged in the Fall of 2001 as Side of Fives.

Several months later, Dougherty had to leave the band due to work.  Chris Doherty was brought in to play bass.  Chris had never played bass before, however, he took to it like a beaver on a log.  Later that year, Stone left the band and was replaced my John Manley.  The line up was now complete.

 With the new line up in place, the band cut a three song demo at Jupiter Studios featuring the songs: "Past Over", "Horizon", and "Grounded."  With a new drummer and a completely different style of vocals provided by Goodrum, the band was no longer a radio style, punk band.  They were now a full on rock group taking its main influence from the 90s grunge movement, most notably Pearl Jam and Alice in Chains.

 The new demo helped the band book shows in venues which were previously unattainable to many local bands.  They were brought in to headline Mississippi Nights (Laclede's Landing in St. Louis, MO) and opened for touring acts such as Hot Action Cop in sold out shows at Pop's night Club (Sauget, IL).  They were even given the chance to travel to perform in Cleveland for a Twin Towers benefit and for several universities in Missouri and Illinois.

 In December of 2003, Side of Fives went back into Jupiter Studios to record three more songs.  Working with engineer Allen Hessler, who had engineered demos for bands such as Unchained and Big Blue Monkey (a.k.a. Story of the Year), the band had very high hopes for the demo.  Allen brought out the best in each member of the band and the CD turned out great.  The single "Image" was on the playlist for the St. Louis local shows in 2004 and the highly anticipated demo featuring the songs: "Image", "No Distortion", and "12 inches Deep" was later released.

 Sam Goodrum says his “influences” include Bruce Springsteen, Metallica, Pearl Jam, Bush, Billy Idol, Godsmack, The Bottle Rockets, Monster Magnet, The Beach Boys, Buckcherry, The Rolling Stones, Creedence Clearwater Revival, The Monkees, AC/DC, Motley Crue, John Mellencamp, Elvis Presley, Chris Cornell, Smashing Pumpkins, Pink Floyd, Nirvana, Bad Religion, Prince, Neil Diamond, Poison, Dwight Yoakam.

 Side of Five’s recent venues included Mississippi Nights, Soulard Ale House, Off Broadway.