Worm-Hole

Their sound is one cultivated from time itself. Thousands of hours of jamming in the garage, decades of performing in sweaty, grungy dive bars, countless vinyls, tapes and CDs worn out — all of it goes into the eclectic sound of Las Cruces band Worm-Hole, a musical journey, if you will, through all genres rock.

Lead singer and guitarist Travis Manning, John Geddes on bass and backup vocals and drummer Dave Kingsberry combine for satisfying mix of original, mostly heavy, songs to which labels do not apply.

The musicians are not newbies on the scene, and know what it takes to keep a crowd engaged. They played at South by Southwest in Austin earlier this year and will be traveling to Las Vegas for two shows next week. They'll be at Hurricane Alley Friday night, opening for SpiralArms —a show not to be missed by fans of heavy, melodic rock.

Pulse caught up with Manning to find out a little bit more about taking a trip through the Worm-Hole.


Q: Worm-Hole is a very diverse-sounding band, traversing genres from alternative rock to metal. When asked what kind of music Worm-Hole plays, what is your response?

A: It's always a tough question to answer because we try not to label the music, but Worm-Hole is a rock "n' roll band ... hard rock/stoner rock/70s rock ... we fit into several genres. Our music is melodic with heavy riffs, thundering drums and clean vocals.


Q: On Thursday at ZenMeister's in El Paso and on Friday at Hurricane Alley, you'll be performing with heavy melodic rock group SpiralArms, which features former members of MachineHead, Testament, Systematic, Forbidden and Man Made God. What's it's like open up for a group of that stature?

A: The more we get to play with groups like this the more we realize they are just regular people like us trying to get their music out there. Of course it is very inspiring to jam with such great musicians.


Q: Worm-Hole released the full-length album, "Breathe," in 2007, followed by two singles in 2008 and two more in 2009. Fans are clamoring for another full-length. When is that coming?

A: We will begin work on a new full-length CD in the next couple of months. We're hoping to have it ready for release in October at the latest ... we'll let you know.


Q: In March, Worm-Hole performed a gig at the famed South by Southwest festival in Austin. What were some of the the benefits of performing there? Did you convince any other bands there to come to Las Cruces?

A: There were so many great things about SXSW: Meeting a bunch new friends and contacts in Austin as well as so many other places across the country, and hanging out in Austin at SXSW with good friends. We also saw Lemmy from Motšrhead on the street and met David Fricke (senior editor of Rolling Stone). We did meet a lot of bands and invited them all to the good ol' Mesilla Valley: Whiskey Dicks, Moniker, Shake Anderson, Someone Like You, and so many more.


Q: The band has two shows scheduled in Las Vegas, Nev. (June 25 at The Dive Bar and June 26 at Cheyenne Saloon). Finish this sentence: "What happens in Vegas ..."

A: We'll tell you all about it ... well ... most of it.


Q: If Worm-Hole could be on the bill with three other bands, current or defunct, what the line-up look like and why?

A: Well a couple locals that we've always wanted to play with: Liquid Cheese, The Liars and Somebody's Weird. And of course: Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath and Pink Floyd.


Q: Anything else readers should know about Worm-Hole?

A: We are in love with music ... that is why we do what we do. It is an addiction and even an obsession. Although it is not always the most glamorous or easy life, the rewards are numerous. We would just like to share our music with the world. If you like it, great. If not, that's cool too.

Pulse Editor Lucas Peerman can be reached at (575) 541-5446

If you go:
Who: SpiralArms, Worm-Hole
When: 10 p.m. Friday
Where: Hurricane Alley, 1498 Missouri Ave.
How much: $5 (21+)
Info: myspace.com/wormholeband

Also: Spiral Arms, Worm-Hole and Hellshot Saints will be performing at 10 p.m. Thursday at ZenMeister, 1160 Airway Blvd., in El Paso


Dave Kingsberry, left, Travis Manning and John Geddes form Worm-Hole, an original rock band with a show Friday at Hurricane Alley.

- Las Cruces Sun-News