Here Lies the Traitor

Watch any movie about the music industry, and you'll probably assume that musicians are in it only for the 'rockstar' image. However, throughout the course of my life, I've met several bands that give off the pure essence of passion.

One of these bands is Here Lies The Traitor.

HLTT started about a year ago, when Lake Preston locals Robert Swaney (bass), Alex Gutzmer (drums) and Jordan Kruse (vocals) met up with Huron native Jim Hughes (guitar). Just this last summer, Brookings local Coleby Visker was added as a second guitarist.

Although being in a band does give you the perk of meeting more people, HLTT's purpose isn't for the rock and roll status.

"We want kids to get two things out of our music," says Swaney. "One is to just have fun. We want to make music that people can get enjoy. Two is to just be positive. We want kids to know that they're not alone, and we also want everyone to respect each other."

Some of these values could possibly be traced to their beliefs. But even though the members will admit to being Christian, don't catalog them as a preachy Christian band.

"We're more so just Christians in a band, not a Christian band," says Swaney. "We're all Christians, and that obviously influences us. We don't try to preach, but it's something in our lives."

After HLTT's next show, the band will be taking a short break to write new material and hopefully make it into the recording studio around Christmas.

"Since we started, we've been really busy with shows," Swaney says. "So much so that our shows started turning into our practices. Even now, we're all really busy with school and sports. So we decided not to worry about shows for a while and focus on the music."

And no matter where the music takes them, the main point is that they will be traveling it together.

"We are best friends that just happen to be in a band," says Swaney. "Not a band that happens to be best friends. Some bands are just business. The play their shows and then go their separate ways. That's not us."

HLTT will be playing at the Peace Lutheran Church in Brookings on Oct. 4 with Venia, Everest, These Hearts, All But Promising and Awaken My Nightmare. The show starts at 6:30 p.m. and costs $7.