'Thirty 2 Life' releases album

Local heavy-metal band "Thirty 2 Life" released their second album, "Got One in the Chamber," on Oct. 31.

The band features local musicians Michael Adams (vocals, guitar and keyboard), Dennis Hardy (bass), Joshua Lynn (drums) and Brian Greenway (guitar).

"Thirty 2 Life" is not your typical four-piece rock band. Their sound is a mix of Megadeth-influenced musicianship and the gruff Motorhead-style vocals of yesteryear.

Adams, the leader and songwriter of the band, said they started in 2003.

Wrought with countless line-up changes, scarce venues and even a death in the band, the band's history reads like any high-profile band's would.

"When we started, it was me, my brother Andy Adams, Daniel Frederick and Michael Kiplinger," Adams said. "In 2007, Andy left to try some other things, so we got Brian Greenway to play guitar."

Greenway, who is the only member of the band who attends ASU, graduated last year with a bachelor's degree in agriculture. He is currently finishing his master's degree in agriculture.

"Originally, Andy wrote and sang half the songs and I took the other half," Adams said, "When he left I had to write all of the songs. When we got Brian, we had to ease him into playing solos and sort of break him out of his shell."

Original drummer Daniel Frederick died in April, but members of the band did not wish to comment on his death. The band had remained roughly the same up until this point, but band members had to adjust to a new style of drumming when Josh Lynn joined the band.

"Daniel was an awesome drummer. I didn't get to know him quite as well as these guys did and share the passion that they did. I think I bring a new element and a newer style of drumming," Lynn said.

"For a while, it seemed like all our songs were about death," Adams said. "Ever since Daniel's passing we've changed the lyrics a little bit and tried to make it more positive."

"We just play anywhere. Last Saturday night we played at Jaycees Haunted House," Adams said. "It was outside, it was cold, but we had a good time."

"Thirty 2 Life"travels to many locations in order to do shows, such as Memphis, Dallas and St. Louis.

"The venues around Jonesboro are getting scarce," Lynn said. "Unless you're a cover band, then you can play at the Brickhouse. The Cowboy has a deal where you can play there once a week, but you mainly have to play covers, and that's not what we're about."

Beneath all of the drama, "Thirty 2 Life" is a straightforward band with a complex sound. Their future aspirations and plans remain strong.

"I hope we stay together and keep going," Greenway said. "If we're not playing side-by-side with Metallica, that's fine with me. We have no big plans, as long as we stay together and keep having fun."

"Thirty 2 Life" said they have enough material to release another album and plan to do so next year.