Rightful Intentions Tear it Up in Asheville

Friday, July 13, 2007-Rightful Intentions took the stage and damn near burned it down at the Asheville Arts Center on Merrimon Avenue. No, there were no pyrotechnics gone wrong or lighter-happy fans in the audience, but I swear I saw smoke coming from the amps a few times. These guys are that good.

Honestly, I didn't expect that great a show. Rightful Intentions are four teenaged boys, and the show I saw was a wrap-up of a week-long rock band camp held at the arts center. I was fully prepared to cringe through the missed notes, dodge wayward drumsticks, and paste on my big fake smile when we met the band afterward. They proved me wrong, though, and in a big way.

Drummer Colin Hanson tore up the drums like a young Dave Grohl, managing to combine a fierce drive with impeccable musicianship; Michael Sommers carries the bass beat with a skill and intensity that's almost scary in a kid that young; and the two guitarists-Andrew Scotchie and Nick Robinson-lend credibility to the notion that some guys are just born frontmen, and these two have more than enough talent to back up their charisma. When they took the stage to perform their song "Hammered" (actually a combination of two of their original songs), it was hard to believe I was listening to a band made up of a bunch of young teenagers. With all the gloomy, self-serving "emo" that seems to be taking over the minds of the under-twenty crowd these days, it was great to hear these guys blow the speakers up with their mix of punk, metal, and straight-up rock. Makes me believe there might be hope for the world after all.