By Emilie Hagen
Niagara Gazette
LEWISTON —
Balance is the key to everything for the six members of Cincinnati-based rock band “Chakras.” But when they take the stage at 8 p.m. Saturday at Club Diablo in downtown Buffalo, they plan to push their balancing act to the limit.
Vocalist of this punk-prog-metal rock band Andrea Simler DeGolier, a Lewiston-Porter graduate, can’t wait to perform in Western New York as it’s been a long time she’s toured with her former Buffalo band Kama Sutra, a psychedelic ’90s band.
“This is the first band I’m bringing home,” said DeGolier. “We’re really excited.”
DeGolier, whose hard rock vocals are often compared to Amy Lee of Evanescence, managed to keep music in her life since she left the Niagara region years ago. However, she was surprised when she discovered the music scene in Cincinnati to be much different than what she was used to.
“Cincinnati is a little more indie. A lot of folk,” said DeGolier, who’s used to wowing audiences with her wide range of powerhouse notes. “I had a hard time really finding my niche.”
Instead of adapting to the musical standards set by the city’s social scene, she decided to wait until she found musicians who could match her own sound and style. After auditioning a few potential band mates in 2008, she hired drummer Steve Klosinski. She said after that, everything fell into place, and a domino effect of band members transcended.
The band has been performing mini-tours across the country since and were nominated for two City Beat Entertainment Awards for hard rock/rock genre in 2008.
The show in Buffalo Saturday will be a celebration of their recently released full-length debut album, “Cedric,” where their punk, prog rock, metal and pop rock influences can be heard in each heavy track.
DeGolier said she’s excited to play for her friends and family and expects to see some of her other followers from her previous band Kuma Sutra in the audience.
Their album is available on their website chakrasband.com, where curious music-goers can download individual tracks or the whole album.
“I’m hoping new people come out just by hearing about us and checking us out online,” she said.
