"We're doing the Tower because we want to try to push our own limits," explains Hoard. "We've played Midtown, we've played Long Shots, we've played Players ... but never Tower. This is a new level of class [for us] - we're always trying to do something bigger and better."
Tentareign had to go through a very lengthy process to get themselves on stage at Bend's historical downtown theater. Each band member was interviewed individually, then as a group to see if they were a "fit" for the Tower. The band also had to get its own insurance as well as endure another long process for promotion. The band says that one of the great things about Tower is that unlike other venues they've played, Tower has a very well-maintained facility. The band says that other local venues they've played have sometimes required three days of cleaning because there was no trash service provided. They've also spent countless hours patching and re-painting walls and even rebuilding parts of the stage before shows.
So how does a metal show translate into a venue with fixed seating and an overall atmosphere that doesn't exactly scream "let loose and party?" Tentareign is optimistic. With the upper level of the theater designated all-ages and beer (and wine) allowed on the lower level, the band says they aren't expecting any problems.
"People can come up to the front and jiggle it up or sit down, relax, have a beer and enjoy a damn good rock show," says Hoard.
The show begins with a performance from local indie rock band Goodbye Dyna, followed by a thirty-minute acoustic set and then a full-blown electric set for the remainder of the show.
"We're really going to test the [sound] system there and see what it can do," says Jacobs. "Even the tech guys are really excited about it."
The band, who can't afford to rehearse in the theater before the show, has built a practice stage that's the same width as the one they'll be playing on at Tower. They've also been practicing in a room that they hope is the acoustic equivalent.
"We're always trying to one-up ourselves," says Costa. "We really try to put on a mini stadium show each time we perform. We're definitely bringing a show that no one's seen at the Tower before."
So while Tentareign fans will have to get used to a different venue format and fixed seating during the show, the band believes that the show should pose no problems for the Tower or anyone else.
"We've got classy fans," Hoard says, "I think that sitting down and watching something for 40 minutes is awesome - you don't have to stand up and fight for room on the floor. It's gonna be a hootenanny and we're going to rock out ... classily."
Tentareign CD Release Party with Goodbye Dyna
8pm Saturday, November 22, Tower Theatre, 835 NW Wall St. 317-0700. All ages. $10.
