By Brent Johnson
For The Salisbury Post
Fisher street hasn’t reverberated with a single guitar rift since the closing of Las Palmas until recently.
The music is back.
Tuesday evenings at 9 p.m., Benchwarmers is holding open mic nights, hosted by the band “Nonsense Deep.”
“We renovated this room in 2002 strictly for live music,” says Benchwarmers owner Todd Littleton, referring to the second floor of the bar.
“I love my job,” he says, although there are challenges of being a family man and running a business. Littleton’s fourth child was born recently.
Jason Rimmer, Mark Wurster, and Ashley Honbarrier of Nonsense Deep, friends of Littleton, decided it was time for live music to return to Fisher Street.
“We are trying to get back to the roots,” Littleton says.
“It’s pretty much an open jam,” says Honbarrier, percussionist and vocalist of Nonsense Deep.
Equipment is provided, including a bass stack, drums, and bongos.
All bands are welcome, and anyone and everyone is encouraged to come listen.
Comedy, rap and poetry are all encouraged along with “groove, funk, jam, reggae; anything that has heart.”
“We would love to have some variety,” Honbarrier says.
Elemental, a Kannapolis-Charlotte based band, is an up and coming female-fronted group that performs covers as well as originals. Vocalist Jewel Haigler, guitarist John Cauble and bass guitarist Tommy Rogers plan to perform at open mics and possibly book Saturdays in the future, Cauble says.
Solo singers can bring karaoke tracks and perform alone or with a few others from the crowd.
It’s all around going to be a “good time, really good music at an enjoyable, low cost,” says Littleton.
A sign-up sheet will be posted the evening of the open mic and individuals attending must be 18 or older.
Auditions and contact can take place electronically through www.myspace.com/nonsensedeep or through nonsensedeep@yahoo.com.
Guests 21 and older are admitted free for Open Mic nights. There is a $3 cover charge for those under 21.