Vengeance Day rocks The Zodiac

Fans danced to the heavy alternative songs and some tapped their feet along to the beat from their seats of the Zodiac, the venue where the Toledo-based band Vengeance Day performed early Saturday morning.

The band's website describes their music sounding like "Dr. Seuss forgot to take his anti-depressants or a mix of Linkin Park and Deftones."

Singer Ben Alter, drummer Justin DeMoss, bassist Jim Kuli and a few friends sat around drinking beers and watching other bands perform until it was their turn to go on stage. Just in time for the show, guitarist Shane Paule showed up ready to rock out.

The energy from the crowd always dictates the energy of the band. At every show, the powerful sound and lyrical melodies fill the bar, making it impossible to ignore the undeniable talent that radiates from each band member.

At previous shows fans have head-banged, started mosh pits and sang along to the songs they knew. Friends whooped and hollered, cheering on the band and showing their support.

The band's beginning dates back to 2000, when Alter and Paule began writing lyrics and music together in seventh grade.

Paule said they created Vengeance Day five years later. The band went through a few different drummers before DeMoss, the band's number one fan, took over the spot.

Vengeance Day hit a break when they were featured on The Home Grow Zone with Carolyn Stone in December 2006. The Zone interviewed the band and played some of their music as well.

After breaking up for a few years, Vengeance Day had their reunion show at Frankie's Inner City Bar last May.

Kuli was the last to join the quartet as the bassist a few months later, giving the band a new, heavier sound.

Each member writes their own music, according to the band. One person comes up with an idea, and shares it with the rest of the group. Paule writes the guitar part first and each member writes their part to coincide with the guitar, they said.

DeMoss and Kuli agreed their favorite song is "Holding It Together" because it's fun to play. Alter said his favorite is "Destroyed" because "it has a variety of different things involved."

Many influences have helped the band achieve the heavy rock sound that is unique to Vengeance Day, including such bands as Papa Roach, Seether, Foo Fighters, Senses Fail, Staind and Killswitch Engage.

The band writes their songs for anyone would wants to listen and would enjoy it, they said. DeMoss said the music is aimed toward "teenage angsty kids," or "the children who suffer through more than they should," as the lyrics of their song "Innocence" suggest.

"I want my band to portray the image of the people who listen to it," Alter said.

Kuli said he wants the band to be an example of prosperity.

Paule said future plans for Vengeance Day include recording an album. DeMoss said they will be releasing merchandise such as t-shirts and stickers in addition to new songs they have been working on.

For more information about Vengeance Day and upcoming shows, add them on Facebook or check out their website at www.purevolume.com/vengeanceday. To listen to songs by Vengeance Day visit their MySpace at www.myspace.com/vengeanceday.