Editor’s note: This is the sixth in a series of articles about bands coming out of Northern with NIU students or graduates as members.

The members of Live Wire got their humble start practicing in a barn in Malta, and just nine months later enjoy such a rapid rise to fame that they might just be able to call themselves one of the quickest rising bands in DeKalb.

They haven’t forgotten the bird droppings on their amps, or the hay blowing around during practices, but Live Wire has certainly set their focus on bigger and better things and the public has responded accordingly.

The band first got together back in June of 1989 through mutual dorm acquaintances, and according to lead guitarist Tom Kuczek, “something just clicked” when they first played a song together.

With a positive outlook and high hopes the band began practicing and eventually started playing mixers and hall parties for their dorm. Their personalities worked so well together that the band members decided to expand their horizons and their musical exposure within the community.

The band name “Live Wire” was not achieved as easily as their musical blend. Drummer Chad Romanski recalls the days when the band had what he calls “a really cheesy name.” Romanski said they just couldn’t think of the right name for their sound, and eventually gave themselves an ultimatum one day. They were on their way home from Chicago and vowed that by the time they got back they had to have a new name. According to bassist Chris Keith, Live Wire was born out of that brainstorm because their music is “active” and “electric.”

The group wants to make it known that they are not heavy metal, but instead encompass everything from Buddy Holly to REM and whatever else you can think of in between. They currently perform about 120 songs from the ‘50s right up through the ’90s. However, Kuczek admits that they have recently begun experimenting with funk.

While their music appeals to such a wide variety of people, Romanski said what makes Live Wire different is that all the band members like the same type of music so they “really have fun playing it.”

Romanski said he remembers getting a drum set as a small child and “beating it to death” by playing it so often. Kuczek also remembers his love for music as a child. He was so inspired by his father’s musical ability that he taught himself to play the guitar.

All the members of Live Wire agree that to sucessfully play music the way it was meant to be played, a musician has to feel the music itself. They are very fixed in this belief and Romanski says, “if you can’t feel it, you weren’t meant to play it.”

Their musical ability has taken them many places including the Shamrock, where Kuczek said the band got their first big break. In addition, they have played many places such as Andy’s, Big House and both Malta and DeKalb High Schools for Homecoming and spring dances. Live Wire still plays many parties and admits that parties are their first love.

Live Wire is in the process of creating some original songs, but said they want to hold off for a while yet until they fully establish their style, Keith said. However, each of the band’s members does hold a secret dream for the future. Lead singer and rythym guitarist Mark Andrews confessed that he wants the group to eventually go to California as a big success, but said he knows that’s a long way off.

In the meantime, Live Wire is continuing to book gigs and can be seen locally performing at the Shamrock on April 27 and 28.