Head of Wax Plays Metal, Studies Hard

The members of Head of Wax are preparing to play the biggest concert of their young lives.

On May 28, the heavy metal band will be playing the FutureFest at the Emerald Theatre in Mount Clemens. The concert is meant to highlight the young, burgeoning talent of Metro Detroit.

Head of Wax is Jesse Nicholas, 17, Andy Beale, 17, Matt Solomon, 16, and Eric Korth, 16. All four bandmates are students at .

"When I saw the opportunity to get the show, I was ecstatic," said Jesse Nicholas, drummer and manager for the band. "I always have dreamed of playing larger venues such as the Crofoot Ballroom or the Emerald. And it will finally happen in less than a month."

The May 28 concert will allow the band their biggest opportunity yet to bring their brand of metal to the masses.

And for Head of Wax, bringing metal back is what it's all about.

"The goal we have for this band is to play the music we love, and show people that metal isn't going to die anytime soon," Beale, lead singer and rhythm guitarist for the band, said.

Metal bands who had their biggest successes in the 1980s, such as Metallica, Megadeth and Slayer are the band's biggest influences.

"Well, we are trying to get more people interested in metal music once again, like it was in the glory days of the 1980's," Nicholas said.

Nevermind that the boys in the band weren't even born in the "glory days" that they admire, Head of Wax represents their heroes well.

Their Metallica-influenced songs are available on the Internet, including the iTunes music store.

Mick Maslowski recorded the band at his Royal Oak studio, Zoinga Recording.

While he tries to avoid judging bands based on their age, Maslowski said he was taken aback by how talented they were.

Things are moving pretty fast for the young group. So fast, in fact, that some of the the band members' parents are starting to limit which shows the boys are able to play.

Harpo's Concert Theatre in Detroit is one of Michigan's top metal venues. A recent gig offered by Harpo's had to be turned down by the band.

"The parents of the band are only trying to make sure we are safe," Nicholas said.

And while the band understands their parents only have good intentions in such instances, there's no doubt that the members of Head of Wax are looking forward to playing more and more.

"It's not really a big deal, because in less than a year, we will be adults, and we will expand our venue choices," Nicholas said.

But, in the meantime, the band will have to accept what their parents allow. Considering that the high school students are preparing to play the Emerald Theatre, Head of Wax is doing awfully good.

"Judging by how some people sing along to our songs, it's like the song really means something to them in a way," Beale said. "Plus, the energy that you throw out there that gets thrown right back by the crowd is amazing."