Jul. 16--They know what you're thinking: Metal is music made by angry young men who like to scream obscenities, manhandle instruments and bite the heads off birds.

The genre isn't widely understood or respected in the United States, say members of the St. Louis-area band A Dark Orbit.

That's why they're going to Europe, where it's more popular.

"It's kind of like the birthplace of metal," said guitarist George McClintock, 28, of Collinsville, noting English bands such as Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath broke ground in the 1970s.

A Dark Orbit is leaving July 28 for a 10-day tour in the United Kingdom. Band members will perform every night in venues that hold up to 500 people. They will earn a little money, but they don't expect to get rich.

"It's just for the experience, just to say we did it," said drummer Geoff Sprock, 26, of Trenton, who also works as a retail manager. "There's really no local bands that have even considered doing this."

The tour is being coordinated by Basick Records, an independent English label that has been promoting the band and selling its five-track EP (extended play), "The Voyager."

Band members are inviting the public to help them raise money for travel expenses by attending a tour kickoff with six other bands at 7 p.m. Saturday at Fubar, 3108 Locust St. in St. Louis (doors open at 6:30). The cover charge is $7.

"We definitely have no problem with merchandising," said bass player Brian Sandus, 21, of Fairview Heights, who also works as sound technician at Pop's in Sauget.

"Most bands just have T-shirts and CDs. We'll go so far as having purses and coolies. We had tapestries (wall hangings) at one time. I worked at a screen-printing shop, and I would print our logo on pretty much anything I could find, produce it in bulk and sell it at shows."

A Dark Orbit formed about a year ago. Members had gotten to know each other through the St. Louis metal scene.

The band's name comes from their love of amplified distortions and other elements that create a Space Age sound.

George, Brian and Geoff write the music with guitarist Keith Riley, 26, a carpentry foreman from New Athens. They call it "aggressive," "loud" and "brutal" but insist some songs have beautiful melodies.

"We could get really technical in describing our style," said George, a landscaper by trade. "The only thing I can say is, the vocals make it hardcore."

Singer Chad Kapper screams lyrics at the top of his lungs and, in some cases, makes his voice sound almost like a percussion instrument.

But the subject matter isn't evil, he says. Songs don't encourage devil worship, animal sacrifice or violent uprising.

"I think metal has gotten a bad rap," said Kapper, 29, of O'Fallon, Mo., whose full-time job is managing a group of personal trainers. "We're not hateful people at all. It just comes across that way."

On paper, Kapper's lyrics read like poetry, reflecting his thoughts on everything from religion to politics, relationships to current events.

But he declines to explain their sometimes-cryptic meanings, preferring people come up with their own interpretations.

"As the sweltering sun gives heat a brand-new look, the human race acts so dependent, in a way I never knew," goes a verse from "The White Oil Spill."

Kapper rarely includes curse words, he says, because they've become cliche in the metal industry and often are used only for shock value.

"You want to speak with a little intelligence, even if you're screaming," he said.

"The Voyager" CD sells for $5 at www.adarkorbit.com. The band performs semi-regularly at Pop's and Fubar.

Shows attract a variety of people, but most fans are males between 15 and 28.

"With any type of metal band, there are more men than women," George said. "It's more testosterone-based. ... Sometimes you have to build a tolerance to it, just like drinking beer."

Members of A Dark Orbit say their parents have been supportive of their musical efforts and even come to a few shows.

The band practices in Geoff's parents' basement in Trenton.

"(The music is) not something they would listen to in the car," he said. "But they like it. Mostly because I'm in the band. I mean, they're not going to tell me it sucks."

At a glance

What: "Basick Records Presents: A Dark Orbit Tour Kickoff."

When: 7 p.m. Saturday; doors open at 6:30.

Where: Fubar, 3108 Locust St. in St. Louis.

Cover: $7 (plus a surcharge for minors).

Information: Visit the Web site at www.adarkorbit.com.

Metal poetry

"As the sweltering sun

Gives heat a brand new look

The human race acts so dependent

In a way I never knew."

"The White Oil Spill"

"Worlds apart and yet I feel so close

As she can sense the wealth

From sea to shining filth."

"Nautical"

"Black tar covered pearl!

Black tar feathered pearl!

We have found the solution

But cities will burn to ruins."

"Our Firestone"

<< -- 07/17/2009>>