From Tech Independent Blacksburg, VA by Adrianne Bee March 21, 1994 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fish out of Water(shed) Let me tell you about the show last Friday at Pedro's in case you weren't one of the thirty or so people that were there. Chimney Fish was the opening band for Watershed. They were a pretty good cover band. Playing what the band calls "hard, alternative rock," Chimny Fish covered Cracker's "Low", Rage against the Machine's "Killing in the Name", an Smashing Pumpkins' "Today". Their small yet incredibly devoted group of fans danced and sang along up front until their set was over and the headliner, Watershed set up. But where was everyone? Some more people did start to arrive, mostly choosing to sit in the back or lean up against the bar. I don't know if the majority was is some sort of alcohol induced fog but apparentely they didn't realize there was in fact a band playing. I was really impressed with Watershed, why was there almost no reaction after each song? It was really surprising to hear a college band with vocals that sounded as damn good as theirs did. John Haramis and Andrew Woltman together had some really incredible harmony going on. Watershed mostly played originals that had a catchy, Connell-esque sound. Their guitar sound, due to both vocalists on guitar, and bass player Ron Teodoro was incredibly clean and polished, especially on their cover of Matthew Sweet's "Girlfriend". They got a little more reaction after the covers, doing a Beatle's song and even The Go-Gos' "Our Lips Are Sealed". Their originals were just as good, well better I think, and it's frustrating to watch such an apathetic audience when the band is as talanted as Watershed. In an interview we did with the band back in February, Haramis lamented that there isn't the music scene that there used to be. There definitely is a certain mindset that is upsetting - too many times the bands here are regarded as secondary entertainment and overlooked. A couple of times Watershed had to ease the tension of the silence after songs, thanks the audience for their smattering of "charity" applause. I wished I could have seen them with a more enthusiastic crowd and I'm sure they wouldn't have minded. Watershed kept the same high level of energy from the first song to the last despite the audience's lack thereof. Watershed has a demo tape out but their sound has progressed since then. In late April they will be releasing a CD entitled, Westby Mansion Revisited. The CD will feature 10 or 11 original songs, some of which you heard if you were at Pedro's. If you like that fun, high energy, poppy sound, Watershed's originals will impress you. They will be playing at Scooch's in Roanoke on April 6th, and at College Park's Sprinf Fling on April 9th. For more information on Watershed call Pete Feret at 951-4819.