Local band works toward future in music By Tracey Ferguson Staff writer May 27, 2004 The Waffle House will never be the same, thanks to four local musicians. Art of Chaos, an area band that originated in December, has changed the perception of the famous - or not so famous - Waffle House for many of their fans with the crowd-pleasing song FWH. Instead of spelling out the acronym, let's just say the song doesn't paint a cute or even pleasant picture of the widely-known restaurant. But Mark Jenkins (better known as DK), Ray Amoroso, George North and Steven Myers say that even though the song talks about the greasiness and unpleasantness of the restaurant, fans hum and sing the lyrics and can't get enough of it. "It's a catchy song," said Jenkins, 21. The band The fairly new band has played only one show, at Shooters in Fredericksburg. According to Jenkins, that single show built a fan base for the group, forever deglamorizing the Waffle House. Art of Chaos can be characterized as heavy metal, although 20-year-old drummer, North, said the band's music is like no other. "We don't sound like any other band out there," he said. "We can actually say we sound different." With laughter, the guys said at times, Jenkins, the lead singer, sounds like certain well-known lead singers from popular bands. Some of those, Jenkins didn't want to mention. Others, he openly revealed and imitated. "One time he sounded like the lead singer of Offspring," North said with a huge smile. Amoroso and Jenkins said a major musical influence for them is ICP (Insane Clown Posse); North said he likes Non Point and they all agreed they idolize Metallica. The guys said people tend to judge them because of how they dress and because of the type of music they create. "We are not a satanic band!" Jenkins said insistently. North said his father and stepmother are behind him in his choice. "My dad thinks the band is cool," he said. Amoroso said his family is looking forward to hearing Art of Chaos play. And Jenkins said he has wonderful support from his true family. How it started For this group, dreams of stardom and success came early in life. Amoroso and Jenkins joked around about it all the time while holding onto the fantasy of it really happening. North said during his freshman and sophomore years in high school he became interested in heavy metal and got his first bass. These days, his entire focus is on the band. Amoroso said he wants his love of music to be his job - his only job. North said he is willing to work toward the dream like his band mates to take Art of Chaos to the top. "If we're not working (at jobs outside of the band) we're practicing," he said. Practice is not taken lightly. According to Jenkins, practice is fun but can last for six to 10 hours every Saturday and Sunday. But the guys said they don't mind practice because they love what they do. Despite each member's love of music, no one in the band was formally trained. "I learned how to play by ear," Amoroso said North said he is a new drummer. He started as a bassist. "I was in a punk band for a year," he said. Jenkins said he can't play any instruments. He fell into the lead singer role virtually by accident while singing for the band as a favor. The future Jenkins plans on staying dedicated to the band and so do the others. "Nothing will stand in my way of achieving this dream," he said. Determination runs deep for the group. "I've come too far to quit now," Amoroso added. "I'd like to see us doing Ozzfest, and some day it would be nice to be in the Hall of Fame." For now, the band is focusing on getting famous at the local level. "We'd like to play once a month in Culpeper," Jenkins said.