In the music business, booking gigs and getting media exposure usually aren't easy things to come by, but for one local band, everything seems to be falling into place. Left of Center is a metal band that was formed in January 2005, and it has already landed an opening slot with Drowning Pool at QC Live this weekend.

According to Left of Center guitarist Jeremy Dombrock, the band got its Drowning Pool break because of the success of its first show at QC Live, in April.

Although the band is brand-new, drummer Jon Ruud, guitarist Michael Freburg, and Dombrock started jamming together in Dombrock's basement a dozen years ago in high school, and continued through college. The additions of vocalist Eric Davidson and bassist Drew Kerr to create Left of Center have allowed the band to make music a higher - and more public - priority.

The band is trying to create a different sound with its music. "Panic" derives its passion from its sound, starting with a flowing guitar that is soon accompanied by Ruud's "ground-shattering" blasts of drumbeats and Davidson's rough growls. The band balances the music, with each instrument given equal weight in the mix.

Left of Center also puts an emphasis on lyrics, its members said. "We spend a lot of time on each of our songs," Dombrock said.

Anguish can be heard in Davidson's voice in "Panic": "I've never felt so f?ing hollow / I've never felt so blind / I barely begin to scratch the surface / Tell me it's all in my mind / I've never felt so f?ing distant / I've never felt so high / The angels of pain they whisper softly / But the answers I can't find."

After watching a tape of Left of Center's latest gig, it's apparent that the band packs its show with energy. Eighteen-year-old bassist Kerr was doing 360s on stage, and Davidson joined a mosh pit while he was performing.

One interesting quirk is that the band usually burns incense during practices and shows. "We didn't at the last show," Dombrock said. "I think that's why we had a bit of turmoil."

The band's immediate music goals include securing a spot at Pigstock this summer and expanding out of the Quad Cities area. The band doesn't have any releases yet, but some of its songs can be heard at its Web site (http://www.locmetal.com).

Left of Center will appear with Drowning Pool and Dry Kill Logic at QC Live at 7 p.m. on May 21.

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