Weaving through a clutter of cables, effects pedals and amps, Jeff Haley, member of the Blacksburg band Facepaint, made his way through his bedroom to a cherry-colored bass.
"Let's play one we are going to play for the show," he suggested, plucking the bass from its perch and draping the long strap around his neck. Feet away, guitarist Jack Tatum and drummer Max Brooks nodded along as they strapped on their own instruments, conversing briefly before jumping into a punchy, upbeat song that caused the slew of art, posters and flyers that lined the thin white walls to shake.
Facepaint formed in 2008 as a product of summer boredom since all its members are Virginia Tech students and were on break, explained Tatum.
"Max and I would just goof around," Tatum said, "and Jeff was just there, and we were like, 'OK, come here. We are going to play music.'"
Its sound marries elements of pop, punk and beach music, but it had a humble origin.
"I couldn't even play an instrument at first," Haley said, "but they taught me, like, two chords. I just played them over and over, and we made a song that day."
Since its start, Facepaint has gained a following performing at local venues, such as Gillie's, the Lantern, XYZ Art Gallery and Tech's Soundfest.
Haley has also gained his own following: girls.
"I've definitely seen a few girls check out Jeff," mused Tatum as Brooks chuckled along knowingly.
"Yeah, I'm single," Haley responded with a coy grin before changing the subject.
"We should talk about Jack's music. 'Wild Nothing' stuff," he suggested.
And for good reason as Tatum's solo project, Wild Nothing, was recently signed to Brooklyn-based label Captured Tracks. He is expecting to release an EP and full album this year.
"I started writing songs over the summer," Tatum said. "New songs with a little different sound (than Facepaint). I put them on the Internet just to get them out there, but didn't send them out or really expect anything. I added a few labels ... and was asked to do a record."
In preparation of the album release, Facepaint started learning Wild Nothing's set, although they will continue to play under the name "Facepaint."
"People know us as that," Tatum said, "so we are going to keep it going."
Today they will be doing just that as they take the stage alongside bands Des Ark and Mas Y Mas for Virginia Tech Union's Alternative Sounds Show in Squires Student Center.
"All three bands are phenomenal," said Alternative Sounds director Abby Schoenfeld. "This is the first show I'm truly proud of. ... It's so hard to program for this campus because I feel like if people don't know the bands, they won't come out, but it's only $2, and the best case scenario is you could go home with a new favorite band."
Facepaint and Mas Y Mas have played a number of shows together in the past at Gillie's and XYZ Art Gallery. The entire lineup has also played MACRoCK together, an annual music festival held at JMU.
"The first time I saw Des Ark was at MACRoCK," said Schoenfeld, a senior business management major, "and I already knew Mas Y Mas and Facepaint. When planning for Alt Sounds, I pretty much picked my favorites. I didn't think they would say yes."
All three bands boast not only unique sounds, but memorable live performances as well.
"We want people to dance," Tatum said. "It's like a homemade party show."
"Facepaint greatly benefits from its flawless execution and rock 'n' roll bravura," said Mas Y Mas frontman Vinny Meddis, whose prison-style "2 Tuff" tattoo on his upper arm adequately sums up the fast-paced jams and rowdy attitude that saturates the band's live show.
"Our music is highly professional music," assured Meddis. "We are very polished, professional entertainers. We play the hits and keep the mood as sleek and aesthetically pleasing as a well-moussed Baldwin. You and your girl (or) boy can sit back, relax and enjoy the finest in professional entertainment. That's the Mas Y Mas guarantee."
However, the group also asserts that its latest album, "Proud Sponsors of Pepsi," is ideal "for parties, dance recitals, puppetry, kilning, assisted suicides, non-assisted suicides, sudoku, gardening and blogging, and is best when paired with a fine meal of homemade ice." Meddis forewarned students of the health risks Mas Y Mas can pose.
"I had an old, sweet cat that died suddenly while Mas Y Mas was blaring out of the kitchen boom box," Meddis said. "I have no idea what sort of activities she was engaged in at the time ... I just come in the kitchen, found her there with that racket and knew right away it wasn't healthy to listen to the stuff. I'd never sell it to a child."
Both Mas Y Mas and Facepaint expressed praise for Des Ark, the show's headliner. The group's unique performance is divided into two parts. Lead singer Aimee Argote performs half of the show by herself and the other half with the rest of the band."The full band is dirty and raw and I guess a little bit progressive post punk," Schoenfeld said. "She can do anything from scream to rip your heart out with her quiet lyrics. ... It's really an impressive live show. She really feeds off the audience."
This Thursday, Schoenfeld hopes that people will come to the Alt Sounds show with open minds and ears.
"Though none of these bands are pop or country or rap - the three things people like here," she said, "I hope people come and aren't too judgmental. ... You will understand all three bands' music better (after you see them live) because you get to see their delivery and passion."