Special to the PVT Venom on the Rocks are from the left, brothers Bobby, Donny, Jordan and "Bludshot." The band starts playing at 8 p.m., tonight, Friday, Feb. 8, at the Around the World Lodge, intersection of Highway 160 and Simkins Road. Advertisement

Music venues around Pahrump usually feature music for the over 40, and sometimes over 50 crowd.

The music is mostly country or easy listening rock and that's fine but there's a new, younger sound in town packing the house at Around the World Lodge.

Venom on the Rocks is not only a new band, they're a young band, ranging in age from 18 to 23, and they're brothers.

Joe Hanley, the band's manager, said he was lucky enough to live across the street from the family when they moved to Pahrump from Chicago almost three years ago. "I heard them playing at their house across the street from me and we started hangin' out. I started working with them and one day they asked me if I'd be their manager," said Hanley. "I said yes and we've gone from there."

The band members are Jordan Reeves on drums and his twin brother Bobby on bass, the youngest member, Donny plays rhythm guitar and sings lead vocals and the lead guitarist wants to be known only as "Bludshot."

Hanley said he doesn't know where the musical talent started, as the boys' parents aren't musically inclined. "Mine weren't either," he said. "And I play three instruments. They just do what they are suited to do." The brothers have been playing music since they were kids; not to say they aren't still kids. To most residents, anything under 25 is a "kid."

Influences for the band's music come from artists like Metallica, AC/DC, Guns n Roses, The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, The Who and The Doors. "It's hard rock with a heavy blues sound," Hanley said.

They are obviously talented. The band has 37 original songs and those too will be performed. "We try to do an original track about every 4 songs," Hanley said.

The band has a locally produced demo CD to help with booking but Hanley said he's seriously looking for a "real producer."

Hanley said, "I produced the demo here at RAVE Studios with 'Tigger," but these guys (the band) are good; they have more than enough original music to cut a full CD. I want something higher quality."

When Venom performs, Hanley acts as light and sound engineer when the need arises. He has musical experience of his own, having had a band back in his hometown of Cleveland, Ohio.

One thing makes it hard for Hanley to book Venom on the Rocks, and that setback is their age. Bobby and Jordan just turned legal, Blushot is 23, but Donny is only 18 and some bar owners are afraid to mix underage and alcohol together.

Hanley argues, "Hey, I tell them Brittany Spears was underage when she started performing in Vegas. Just because the band isn't all of legal age, doesn't mean the crowd they draw isn't."

Venom on the Rocks has played at the Cheyenne Saloon in Las Vegas and at grand openings for Verizon.

Around the World Lodge has given Venom on the Rocks two weeks to show they can "pack the house." If they succeed, the band will be playing every week.

Last Friday night, Channel 41 filmed their performance, and is trying to boost exposure by using the band's original music as background for the credits on the newscast.

Venom on the Rocks can be seen and heard at Around the World Lodge, North Highway 160 at Simpkins Road, beginning at 8 p.m. tonight, Feb. 8.

Around the World Lodge is offering free well drinks and free beer for the first hour of the show.

Call 537-1700 for more information.