photo by Marc Longbrake
If the name of the Omaha hard rock band A Wasted Effort doesn’t speak to their true intentions, maybe we could look to the acronym for some clarity.
Let’s get past the three words, A-Wasted-Effort, which suggest that the diligent recent work of the young band, set to release two EPs in a year’s time, is all for naught. A-W-E is better at getting at some larger ambition, or what they hope to inspire.
A Wasted Effort released their debut EP Riches to Rags this past spring after working with Rick Carson at Make Believe Studios in Omaha. In five songs that partially warp, twist and recant the traditional American Dream, the four-piece offers a small sample size of its chops. They play as expected with thunderous drums and basslines, but equally important are some more delicate melody lines, where Corey Bremer’s voice turns soulful and Jared Gottberg’s guitar dabbles in blues while Gil Gunderson’s bass and Derek Talburt’s drumming take on a different vibe as well.
You can find those groovier qualities in spades on their yet-to-be-released single “Dirty Chick,” a song about almost exactly what it sounds like — a carnal homage in the vein of AC/DC to one very special woman with a bad rap.
That single will be the first off a new EP called Concrete Jungle, set to be released early next year. And while, of course, A Wasted Effort doesn’t yet have an extensive resumé in that they’ve been playing with their current lineup for six months and haven’t yet celebrated a second birthday, their work is receiving recognition in Omaha music circles.
They scooped up a nomination for best hard rock band for this year’s Omaha Entertainment and Arts Awards. A Wasted Effort are probably the youngest of the nominee field, a nod based on the growing dynamics of its live set and perhaps on the promise of material still in the works.
You can see A Wasted Effort perform next at Barley Street Tavern on Tuesday, Nov. 5. But live in studio at KZUM in Lincoln, here is A Wasted Effort’s set on Hear Nebraska FM:
Chance Solem-Pfeifer is the host of Hear Nebraska FM. Tune into the show next week for recorded music from the forthcoming Hear Nebraska Compilation Vol. 2. Reach Chance at chancesp@hearnebraska.org.