Less than a year ago, the band that would become Elemental was still a work in progress. Not the music, the band itself. The crew had just picked up bassist Adam Ridge and was on the verge of joining up with a new (and current) lead singer Derrick Jackson. The rest of the guys in the band - Zach Ruetz guitar,vocals; Jason Anderson, guitar, vocals; and Treaver Schmit, drums - were in place.

Says Jackon, “We were practicing in the middle of nowhere, with three fields surrounding the house and just wanting to make a name for ourselves in Fort Wayne.” And they did just that with their performance at this years’ whatzup Battle of the Bands. Although Elemental didn’t win it all, they did garner plenty of positive response, backing up Reutz’s observation of, “All five of us together, starting from scratch, we’re a pretty fresh band ... so far it’s all been positive feedback.”

So what kind of music is Elemental? Anderson replies, “We’re hard blues, hard R&B, hard rock, alternative metal, rock ... it’s definitely modern rock.” I know that if I were in any band that wasn’t country or metal, I would really hate that question. Sorry for asking it, Jason, but somebody has to do the dirty work. I do know what he means: it just rocks and that question of categorizing may be one that has hurt more music than it’s helped.

Like the five different musicians who make up Elemental, the music of Elemental is born from five different wombs. Who does the songwriting? “Everyone pitches in” says Anderson. Jackson also chimes in, “A couple of songs may be written by one or two of us, but most of the time it’s a five-man writing process.”

So to get a better look at the results of that process we delve into the chorus of Elementals’ song ‘Truth.’ The lyrics are as follows: ‘Memories stain my head ... I am not alone. I can’t reach and I can’t stand ... where will I roam?’ Reutz’s take: “It means looking life right in the eyes, a reality check. Knowing that life can’t be all fun and games, knowing that there are consequences for everything you do, good, bad, right, or wrong.”

Jackson gives his outlook on the chorus: “I was going through some tough times, enlightening but tough. I realized, though, that I wasn’t alone. Memories often do leave a stain in your head, and we know that stains don’t go away easily. I know other people can relate to this but do so while thinking of something completely different; it’s almost shocking at times.” And I noticed immediately that Jackson was right. Even though there was some similarity in Jackson and Reutz’s interpretation, they were thinking of completely different experiences. Lots of people are going to like this band, or-more importantly-relate to them.

With a writing landscape that has potential to cross all genders, boundaries and - sheepishly - categories, Elemental’s future is bright. I posed the question of the bands long-term goals, and Anderson replied, “Getting signed.”

When they do reach a plateau that’s suitable to the bands’ expectations, if you would like carry an official groupie badge and live up to the name, here’s a hint for your success. I asked the guys what meal they would like to have a groupie cook for them (either before or after a show) and Reutz responds with “Chicken Wings-all kinds of sauce from BBQ to Cajun, Cole Slaw, Ranch dressing and beer.” Of course, that is Reutz’s final answer after consulting with the other three guys at the table, but all were smiling and seemed very pleased with that being the ideal meal for Elemental on game-day.

But groupies and mega-deals are still a goal for the band-not a reality (it’s been less than a year remember.) In the meantime they are living a local bands’ life. The guys are still working day jobs, practicing, writing new material, booking shows and, all the while, taking the time to support other local musicians. “We respect any band that can put themselves up on a stage and give it all they’ve got. Elemental will stick around, watch the show, and tell them they did a good job” states Reutz, Reutz’s comment prods Jackson to make a statement, to which I agree with wholeheartedly: “Lots of good bands play and bail after their show instead of sticking around. Once we as a community of musicians start supporting each other and have our fans going to other people’s shows, and vice-versa, is when people will start talking about the Fort Wayne music scene. But I do think it’s moving in that direction.”

The bands respect and value for other local musicians shines through once again when we discuss their playing with their “dream line-up” for a show. The answers range from Tool, Taproot and Sevendust with Jackson backing up his loyalty to locals and Elemental influences’ Second Sun. Reutz seconds Jackson, “They’ve (Second Sun) really helped us get started and got us some shows at the beginning of the summer. They really took a chance on giving us a shot before they really knew us.” And that is exactly where it starts.