Thirteen was edged out in the qualifying round of the Xfm Last Band Standing competition at Cafe Dekcuf last month, but it wasn't for a lack of showmanship.
Vocalist Kyle Avery, brother and bassist Chris Avery, guitarist Corey Norris, guitarist Matt Cook and drummer Sandy Hunter put on a heavy but hypnotic stage show.
But don't ask them about specifics.
"Half the time I don't really even remember being up there until after the show," said Chris Avery, who truly zones out and loses himself in the music. "I think we all do that."
Ultimately, the band lost out by a couple of judging points.
"We had a really good time at that show," adds Kyle Avery linked by a conference call during a mini-vacation in Florida. The singer returned to town early this week in time for Rock Solid 2002 -- which includes fellow Last Band Standing bands Scratch and GordonGartrell, as well as Skindealer and Dam Tuesdays -- at Babylon Friday night.
Thirteen's heavy sound will bolster the solid rock lineup Friday night. With pounding rhythm, angst-driven guitar and vocals, Thirteen has drawn comparisons to Korn, a leader in the NuRock alternative world.
"Anybody playing that emotionally charged heavy stuff gets those comparisons," said Chris Avery, who with Norris is considered one of the bigger Korn fans of the group.
"You can't avoid the influences," said Kyle Avery, who has gradually seen Thirteen develop its sound since getting together for a high school pageant in December 1995.
The final lineup change came when 27-year-old older brother Chris took over on bass just over a year ago.
"I'm the old fart of the band," he said with a laugh.
As for the music, "It's kind of been changing ever since we started," said Kyle Avery.
The last year has really paid off for Thirteen. Though they didn't make the finals in Last Band Standing, their singles ATS and Thoughtblock are reaching more people on the airwaves these days.
"They do show up on the radio once in a while, which is cool," said Chris Avery, who has noticed the impact at live shows.
"We've been waiting for that a long time," said Kyle.
