By Victoria Bradley
In an age when most rock bands turn toward rebellion and recklessness as a formula for fame, a local band centers on hard work and musicianship to complete the equation.
Hourglass is a progressive rock band that struck its first chord six years ago. After many detours, they''re finally finding their niche.
'The band has gone through a lot of changes since we started,' said Brick Williams, guitar player. ' We lost some band members to missions and stuff. Now that we''re all finally back, we''re getting things started strong again.'
With influences like Rush, Kansas, and even Dream Theater, Hourglass aims at transforming classical music into rock music.
'That''s what progressive rock really is,' Williams said. 'It''s very centered on talent and working hard.'
The five-man band practices twice a week and credits a lot of their recent success to their new singer, who joined the band just a year and a half ago.
Cody Walker, singer and frontman for Hourglass, is a music dance theatre major at BYU.
'Because of his major, he has a great emphasis and interaction with the crowd,' Williams said. 'He''s a good guy to put in the front.'
Walker also added to a lot of the hard work that went on in the studio as the band recorded their third album, 'Subconscious.' Their first two albums have been widely accepted as far as the east coast and even Germany. The third album involves a more earnest studio effort as the band aims for a more definite sense of perfection.
Clark Woolstenhulme, bass player and BYU graduate, enjoys the hard work his music requires of him.
'It''s challenging music,' Woolstenhulme said. 'I never studied music at BYU, but I''d like to think that the work ethic I learned there has helped me with the band.'
The grass-roots band produces and finances all of their recording and performing independently. They say that fans should expect a musically mature album.
'There''s a song on the new album that''s 32 1/2 minutes,' said Williams. 'I think that happens when you work with five great musicians. And, I think we have good stories to tell lyrically.'
Also setting them apart from other local bands is their keyboard player, Eric Robertson.
'I think keyboards add more color to a song,' Robertson said. 'It gives the performing a more interesting flavor.'
Hourglass plays locally most of the time and has even enjoyed gigs such as live performances on Good Morning Utah and 99.5 Rock FM. They''re celebrating their CD release Friday at Castle Park Amphitheatre on Center Street, just south of Seven Peaks. The show starts at 8 p.m. Admission is free.