'Bring the party, be the party'
<p>Shiner performs a variety of rock genres at Razzles Bar and Grill last Friday in Hayden. From left, guitarist Kent Neslon, vocalist Brenda Rogers, drummer Dave May, bassist Daniel Knoll, and keyboard player Blane Petersen.</p>
<p>Ken Nelson shreds a solo part on his guitar during a recent performance.</p>
<p>Daniel Knoll lays down a soulful bass line.</p>
<p>Blane Petersen plays his part on the keyboard during a recent show in Hayden.</p>
HAYDEN - Two qualities really make Shiner tick: enthusiasm and chemistry.
The five band members thrive off each others' energy and supply their audiences with those spirited vibes. Shiner opened a four-hour set last week in Hayden at Razzle's Bar and Grill with their cover of Cheap Trick's "I Want You to Want Me," and within moments, a handful of people were already boogying on the dance floor.
"We try to break down any separation between the stage," said guitarist Kent Nelson of Coeur d'Alene. "We're just like everybody else here; we're here to have a good time. We're playing, they're singing along ... instead of 'us and them,' it's all one big party."
Shiner's motto is, "Bring the party, be the party." The Spokane-based band plays the local circuit, performing in venues in the Coeur d'Alene and Spokane areas. Shiner has five members: lead vocals, Brenda Rogers of Spokane; drummer/vocals, Dave May of Spokane; guitarist, Nelson; keyboardist, Blane Petersen; and bassist, Daniel Knoll. All members lend their voices to the music during one song or another, and they sometimes bring a guest from the crowd on stage to sing with them.
During the performance at Razzle's, Nelson, Rogers and Knoll wandered off the stage and mingled with audience members while singing popular hits infused with the musicians' personal touches. Nelson's random jumping, Rogers' dancing and tambourine-jingling and May's drumstick-spinning all added to the show.
"People respond so well," Rogers said. "It makes you feel like no matter what you feel about yourself, you must be doing something right."
Shiner has been together for about two years, but Rogers, May and Petersen have been friends and played music with each other for at least 15 years.
"The thing about this band is we are so tight, as friends," Rogers said. "We know each other in and out. I feel like, if I had to decide what musicians, or who are my influences, I'd say these guys are. Everything that I feel like I do wrong in my life, I can't do anything wrong with these guys, ever. They make me go outside my box. They don't ever have a doubt that I can do anything."
Shiner usually performs covers, something the members enjoy because they know people like to sing along. And each member has a strong background in music that differs from the others; Rogers likes rock and used to sing karaoke, Nelson grew up playing in Seattle's grunge scene, Petersen teaches piano lessons and May, who has been playing drums for more than 35 years, likes the '70s and '80s.
"We each pick a song that we want to learn, because it gives us really great variety," Rogers said. "We all have different tastes."
Knoll, of Spokane, is the newest and youngest member of Shiner. He has been in the band about four months.
"I love to play with them. They're really good people and they're really fun," he said. "And they know what to do. They seem to know how to make people happy."
Shiner can be found shining on stage just about every weekend in alternating venues such as the Coeur d'Alene Casino and Resort Hotel, the Iron Horse, Razzle's Bar and Grill and Curley's in Hauser. The band also plays for weddings and events. Shiner will be performing at the Moose Lounge in Coeur d'Alene on Jan. 31 and Feb. 1.