It seems like forever since Wichita Falls has seen a Local Zero show. Guitarist Barry Faulkner told me Local Zero was scheduled to play a show quarterly in 2023, but they were forced to cancel one show, which left us with a half-year gap between performances. Fortunately, that situation was remedied with a roof-raising performance on New Years Eve, and TheFUSE was lucky to be there to witness it.
I had personally never seen Local Zero before, but I now understand what the buzz is about — there’s so much to love about Local Zero. For anyone new to this band, the first thing you’ll notice is there are two talented lead vocalists: Jennica Lambert and Jason Reeder.
Lambert and Reeder harmonized liberally throughout the show. I am personally a sucker for excellent harmony vocals, and I was left feeling like their harmonies were some of the best I’ve seen in Wichita Falls, in the same echelon with local groups Escape Goats and Hannah Belle Lecter.
Not only are Lambert and Reeder talented singers, but you can’t help but notice they’re each very easy on the eyes. Together, they make an attractive, professional duo to front Local Zero.
Guitarist Barry Faulkner stole the show on several occasions, particularly with his solos on several original Local Zero numbers. The songs themselves were excellent — catchy and memorable — and Barry clearly uses the opportunity of original music to showcase what he’s good at: blazing solos. Guitar fans have a lot to enjoy at a Local Zero show.
Local Zero also has an excellent rhythm section in bassist Danny Craig and drummer Erik Coronado. Craig kept the bottom end solidified with an understated fingerstyle on his Lakland 5-string, and Coronado struck me as an educated, fundamentally sound drummer capable of bringing the hammer when necessary. For a rhythm section coming off a long break, I was impressed there was so little visual communication necessary between them. Each knew what the other was doing at all times.
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In the end, there might not have been a better choice for New Years Eve. Local Zero kept the crowd cheering and dancing all night with selections from the last 5 decades, including pop, rock, and country hits, then counted down the new year and welcomed 2024 at midnight. It was a night to remember for everyone in the packed house.
Have you seen Local Zero? Tell us about it in the comments.
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It was an honor to get to play with them. Love that band!!