“Washed – 8” was born as an earnest Do It Yourself recording before the dawn of iTunes, and the changes in music marketing demonstrated by Radiohead and Nine Inch Nails. The members assembled for 2 or 3 shows, featuring Jay Foster of Commie Hilfiger and Glass the Sky members Matt Kelly and Eric Lungstrum. Songwriter Darin Powers explored the 22 year old post-modern Christian, Universalist, or higher power, faith and philosophy in the lyrics. Renewing initial inspiration by U2’s early challenges written about in “The Unforgettable Fire”, there are direct, honest vocals from a Texan asking about forgiveness and a future generation’s understanding of love in a time of heavy media coverage on war. The recording’s occasional noisy sloppyness is an intentional statement that the feelings drawn by a rock music fan are more important than the coming wave of overperfected pro – engineered alternatives. The influences are sometimes too obvious – from Led Zeppelin to modern alternative rock quartets – but there is real live Texas blues guitar. While the lyrics show the age of the writer, avowed fans of Foo Fighters and Queens of the Stone Age will find another choice to add to their personal MP3 players, especially if they want a little more Jerry Cantrell influence, as heard in “My Fault”. In fact, “Trap” and “My Fault” belong somewhere next to Screaming Trees and Foo Fighters in your collection. Thanks to: Scott Odena, Mary King, Jay Foster, Matt Kelly, Joel Hoyle, Eric Lungstrum, W.D. Powers, Ryan, Emily, Kimmie Webster, Cubase, Ardour, Wendy Taylor