By Michael Swanger michael@dmcityview.com

Dying Eyes plays two shows on Saturday at the House of Bricks. The first, an all-ages affair, starts at 5 p.m. and includes performances by Neomatic, Agony of Defeat and Grinwire. The second, a 21-and-over show, starts at 9:30 p.m. and includes Violent Impact, Trenchan T and World Under. Admission is $6 for each show.

Changes bring new life to Dying Eyes

Anyone who has tried to sustain a long distance relationship can appreciate how difficult it has been for Des Moines-Ames heavy metal band Dying Eyes to stay afloat while its lead singer Tyler Sanders was living in Seattle for the past year. Out of dedication to the group, which was founded two years ago, Sanders would fly back to Des Moines to play shows with Dying Eyes at local clubs like the House of Bricks, where the group performs two shows on Saturday. But the heavy metal singer is willing to trade in his frequent flier miles in exchange for having more time with his band and family after moving back to Iowa three weeks ago.

“It’s good to be back,” Sanders said. “I have a lot going on.”

Sanders spent the last year working in the Seattle office of Des Moines’ Mushroom Cloud Records — the label that Dying Eyes previously was signed to — helping its owner Rob Nowadzky promote the label, book Des Moines bands there and scout new talent. In the meantime, however, Sanders’ own band signed with Family For Life, a record label owned by Bobby Burns, bassist for the popular heavy metal band Soulfly and guitarist for Primer55. Sanders has since left Mushroom to focus on his band, and for the last six months has been working for the Mustang Agency, a Texas booking agency that promotes concerts across the country.

Sanders said he and his bandmates are excited about signing with the independent label Family For Life. An agreement between the two parties was reached after Sanders filled in for Primer55’s lead singer, who was forced to miss a few shows due to illness.

“We did some dates with them for their reunion tour, and I got to do a couple shows with them,” Sanders said. “I think we made a good impression and Bobby called us. I was surprised.”

Dying Eyes, which also includes drummer Chris Pardekooper, bassist Heath Ahlers and guitarists Chad Robinson and newcomer Mark McLaughlin, plans to record a new album in a few weeks for Family For Life. The band plans to track it in Des Moines and have Family’s engineer, Tim Lou, help mix and master it at Porch Studios in Orlando, Fla., where the label is based. Sanders said Dying Eyes has about 15 new songs ready to record for the album, which is titled “Across From the Boulevard.” The band decided to name it after its practice space in Ankeny, a “crummy house” located across the street from their favorite tattoo parlor and hangout, Boulevard Ink.

“We spend a lot of time at both places,” Sanders said.

Sanders also said that the band will take a small hiatus from performing live while recording their new album, adding that this weekend’s shows at the House of Bricks might be the last chance for fans to see them play for a while. On June 28, however, fans will be able to see them perform at a benefit concert sponsored by Boulevard Ink. Sanders said plans are in the works for about 10 Iowa and two national rock acts to play. Proceeds from the show will benefit Autism Speaks, a group that raises money for autism research.

Scene notes

Photos and a review of Wilco’s show last Sunday at the Val Air Ballroom appear online under the music section here. … The Salisbury House will host a chamber music concert featuring a performance by The Salisbury Trio on Friday at 8 p.m. Call 274-1777 for tickets. … Cara, a four-piece Irish and Scottish music band, plays Holy Trinity Church on Saturday at 8 p.m. as part of the Celtic Music Association’s series. Tickets are $18 through IowaTix.com. … Minnesota bluegrass band Monroe Crossing will play the 9:20 a.m. Sunday services at First Christian Church, 2500 University Ave. … “Under the Microscope Volume 4,” a compilation of tracks by local musicians is set for release. A CD release show featuring performances by Promiscuus Gelamen, Taciturn, Oh Possum and others will be held Sunday at 5 p.m. Admission is $4 and $7. The first 50 fans get a free CD. … The Workspace at the Iowa State Memorial Union is hosting six-week-long small and large group guitar lessons for seasoned beginners. Classes are held Mondays (small group, 6:45-7:15 p.m.; large group 7:30-8:30 p.m.) starting March 24 and include basic instruction on music theory, chord progressions and fret board logic. Call (515) 294-0970 or visit www.mu.iastate.edu/workspace. … Student-run SCOPE productions at the University of Iowa will host two concerts next month at the Iowa Memorial Union. Neo-soul singer Bon Iver will perform April 5 at the Blackbox Theater. Tickets are $8. And English indie-rock band Switchfoot, featuring Athlete, will play the Main Lounge April 16 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $21.50 through Ticketmaster. … Kevin Burt & the Instigators will present a free program on African-American blues in Iowa on Saturday, April 12, from 1 to 3 p.m. at the State Historical Building. CV

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