Did the funk and soul of Stevie Wonder inspire the driving rock sound of the new band Bullets and Octane? Well, in a sense.
It was Helmut frontman and producer Page Hamilton who played a tape for Bullets and Octane during a recording session for the new album "In the Mouth of the Young."
"Page was really hands-on with us," vocalist Gene Louis said by phone from Los Angeles. "He would be listening to what we were playing and then have us listen to other music to get us inspired. He put in a Stevie Wonder tape and we were like, 'What does this have to do with us?' But after we listened to it for a while, we began to see how things could come together in harmonies and rhythm."
Bullets and Octane — with Louis, guitarist James Daniel, bassist Brent Clawson and drummer Ty Smith — is embarking on its first headlining tour.
"We're looking forward to it because we can play longer," said Louis. "I believe we're ready to do what we have been wanting to do for a long time. Take control of our career."
The band formed in 1998, said Louis, whose father was a jazz drummer. "Brent and I moved to California from St. Louis, Mo., to be in bands. Originally I was the drummer. And we had a band. Then things fell apart.
"Brent and I looked at each other and knew we didn't want to go back to the Midwest. So we started our own band. And that's when I felt it was my chance to become the vocalist."
The other two bandmates, Daniel and Smith, joined shortly thereafter and they all began writing songs.
"It was a gradual process," said Louis. "And we worked hard because we believed in the band."
In 2003, Bullets and Octane signed to RCA Records. "We had some songs and ideas of what we wanted to do for our debut album. Then somehow we got in touch with Page Hamilton to produce the CD.
"That was pretty cool for us. I mean, Page is one of those heroes for us. And he got what we were trying to do. He understood the band."
Although Bullets and Octane is focusing on the upcoming tour, the guys are looking forward to making a new album. "We have some ideas about a new demo," said Louis. "But the tour is ready, and we're geared up."
If you go . . .
What: Bullets and Octane, Pretty Girls Make Graves, Valant Thorr, Damone
Where: Avalon, 3605 S. State
When: Thursday, 7 p.m.
How much: $8
Phone: 467-8499 or 800-888-8499
Web: www.smithstix.com
E-mail: scott@desnews.com