Meaning Every Note

They're one of the fastest-rising names in the Vegas rock ranks, though that name soon will change. The hard-hitting, hook-heavy, guitar-mad 7th Son recently recorded their debut for Roadrunner Records, home to such big names as Nickelback and Slipknot. Currently, the band is gigging locally and planning on switching monikers soon. Singer/guitarist Chris Babbitt breaks it down for us.

What does 7th Son sound like?

"If Bon Jovi was a shining set of teeth that had been kicked in by Guns n' Roses' cojones, Megadeth's blistering solos and Iron Maiden's breathtaking harmonies, then the mangled and modern mouth smiling back at you would be the bloody beast that is 7th Son. We're a grittier take on where rock would've gone before the whole emo thing happened and sidetracked a lot of folks from music that's supposed to rock."

You recorded with Michael "Elvis" Baskette. Do you think you can help him make up for all the bad karmic debt he earned by working on Limp Bizkit's "Results May Vary"?

"Ha! Damn, he doesn't get any credit for breaking Incubus, 3 Days Grace, Puddle of Mudd and Chevelle into the mainstream? I mean, I know he already had to make up for Saliva's debut, but doing STP's 'No. 4' about squares it for me. But yes, our record is so smokin' that karma is gonna owe Elvis for a long time comin'."

You guys like to shred. You have a modern sound for sure, but it also seems rooted in some of the guitar-centric rock of the past.

"Exactly! We want to accentuate that 'guitar-centric' edge and remind folks what real solos are supposed to sound like. When bands like Mudvayne, Slipknot and Disturbed are suddenly forcing out mechanical solos because it's not cool to suck anymore, we want to show you what it sounds like coming from kids who mean every note with every fiber of their existence."

Saw you guys open for 3 Inches of Blood recently -- a different crowd to be sure. Did you guys all grow beards after such a manly display of metal?

"I can't grow a beard, I'm just too pretty. It's like my very genes are at odds with obscuring my face. Even after a month it looks something like the aftermath of a blind guy shaving with broken glass. But at least I know that. Some dudes grow it out regardless, and it's enough to make you sterile just looking at it. In fact, I think I saw a couple of those poor schmucks at the show throwin' the middle finger at me while Andrew (Cushing, bassist) and I were singing a harmonized chorus, but when I broke into the solo, it was fun to watch their faces change. By the end of the gig, I saw them headbanging to 'Take Me Away' and air guitar-ing when the shred commenced. Just because you dig Slayer and Job for a Cowboy doesn't mean you can't like Bon Jovi and Avenged Sevenfold, too."

See 7th Son at 10 p.m. today at the Bunkouse, 124 S. 11th St. Call 384-4356.

Contact reporter Jason Bracelin at jbracelin@review journal.com or 702-383-0476.