Trauma? More please! (more photos added)

The following story was submitted by Andréa Widgett. Band rehearsal shots also by Andréa Widgett, concert shots by Curt O'Neil

Trau∙ma: (noun) 1. blissful 2. dynamic 3. original 4. modern

Not a bad self concept for the four amazing men of Trauma, who will perform their exciting debut show this coming Sunday at Loplops.

My one word?

Wow.

Sunday March 12 kicks off the adventure.

Doors open at 7 p.m.; the show begins at 8 p.m.

With innovative video technology and a captivatingly bold attitude, Trauma takes on a whole new connotation.

Tickets for this power-charged event are only $5.00; they can be purchased in advance, or at the door.

Nick Jackson, Craig West, Andy Jackson and Ed Young team up to form a collective energy both mesmerizing and unforgettable.

This energy, according to West, is the dynamic force behind this new band's big sound.

These men bring to the stage four unique dimensions of originality, each stemming from their own eclectic adventures and experience.

Inarguably, the combinations are remarkably striking and outwardly invigorating.

Each man also attests to having a lot of fun and feeling extremely comfortable within the group.

This balance is definitely reflective in their music and their presentation; not only have they created a new sound, they've created a whole new caliber of performance.

Trauma's history is interesting, and notable; it is a story comparable to an exciting musical evolution.

Nick and Craig have worked together often over the last few years, though Craig attests that many of their most influential gigs as being 'purely accidental'.

"The first time the four of us actually played together intentionally was in January," Craig says. "It was then we realized there's something here between us that would be stupid to ignore."

"If there's anything you learn from so many years of experience it's the value of finding guys with such amazing chemistry and doing everything you can to get the most out of it, letting it just be what it's going to be," he says.

While Nick's England-based band IT and West Startlefish have each enjoyed their individual successes, the men of Trauma are all convinced that their new and unique identity is remarkably strong – in Craig's words, "a real power-house of a group."

"You definitely can't plan chemistry, and we've all brought something exciting which has yielded a very productive environment and result," says West.

"We've revamped many IT and Startlefish songs," Nick Jackson and West contend. "We also have a series of new material which will give us a really good start."

Trauma's 'start' foreshadows a sensational beginning.

Prepare to be Traumatized, and get a bang from every second of it.