2008 Performer of the Year
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13.89% Plow*
Others with Votes (more than one):
* On the ballot
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It was a bittersweet victory for Plow and for their band of loyal followers. For the second year in a row, they took Performer of the Year and Best Live Band honors at this year's Whammys, but their energy-packed set was the farewell performance for one of Fort Wayne's favorite four-pieces. After five years and 11 Whammys, bandmates Shane Wyant (vocals), Jason Bair (drums), Eric Bair (guitar) and Dan Middleton (bass) are taking a break. Note the difference between "taking a break" and "breaking up." Middleton said there are no hard feelings between the four men whose Whammy honors have included, in addition to Performer of the Year and Best Live Band, Best Hard Rock/Metal and Cover Band and Best New Performer. "There's a chance we might do this again, so it's best to call what we're doing 'taking a break,'" he said. Comprised of former rivals, the band is an amalgamation of Little Green Men, Spork and Tested on Animals. It's a shame that just when it seemed the band had finally solved its Spinal Tap-like drummer issue (with Jason back in his place behind the kit) they've decided to ungroup, regroup and think about their future. The band's absence is bound to be felt by fans who have learned to depend on the rockers for consistently strong and rousing performances at venues like Piere's and Columbia Street. Wyant said this break all comes down to a lack of time and that he and the other members of Plow would rather bow out of the scene for a while - and perhaps for good - than put on mediocre shows. "Who knows what's going to happen. We might be like Michael Jordan, we retire and then we come back out, but this whole time we've prided ourselves on putting on an excellent show, and I don't want to subject audiences to a performance that's not our best effort because we just couldn't find the time," he said. "I've been on the receiving end of that when a band hasn't done their homework and I hate it. If there's no time, there's no band." Wyant said he will be devoting his newfound freedom to the writing of original material, something he always wanted to do with Plow but never quite got around to. He's also thinking of starting a punk band with B Funk from Rosemary Gates and Danny Robertson of Good Night Gracie. "We've jammed before and put some stuff down on paper and it's been really exciting. Of course, you have the time factor again. Everybody's in another band, so it's going to be difficult, but it's definitely something I'd like to do as well," Wyant said. For the farewell performance, the band did what they've always done best. They gave the audience what they wanted, performing a set of hard-driving covers of Pantera and Rage Against the Machine. Wyant said he and his fellow Plowmates have always been about making audiences happy, even if it meant playing a song for the hundredth time. "Anybody who has ever come out to see us, thank you. Always remember, we did it for you," he said. (Deborah Kennedy) |
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