Ormond resident starts apocalyptic performance band called 'The Last Electric Rodeo'

Ormond Beach Observer
Neighbors

Ever since he was a kid, Christian August Wenger loved end-of-the-world stories. Movies like "Night of the Living Dead," "Nightmare Before Christmas," "28 Days Later," and "Mad Max," were some of his favorites to stay up late watching — and now they're the influences of his new performance rock band, "The Last Electric Rodeo."

After listening to his friend, Chris Dixon's demo, they together came up with this concept of the last band on earth and what that would look like.

"This post-apopcalyptic imagery started coming to me," Wenger said. "It would be like we survived the last show on earth."

The concept album includes several songs that are like theme songs for each of the band's characters. Wenger's next goal is to create a graphic novel to go along with the album. Some fan favorites include:

The Radioactive Girl, who believes everything happens for a reason, even when 16 tons of toxic waste transformed her glow-in-the-dark green.
Girls 'N Gasmasks, who ban together to protect each other against the evil men in the post-apopcalyptic world.
The Black Rose, a mysterious spirit who is waiting for her true love to return.

Wenger plays the Ringmaster, the leader of the "hapless band of vagabonds that make up the Last Electric Rodeo." The band acts like a traveling rodeo in the year 2050 with many circus and side-show elements. They also encourage their fans to come dressed up in their favorite post-apopcalytic wear.

"Living in an era where weapons are so big that they could cause the end of civilization, it feels like an apopcalypse is definetly possible for modern man," Wenger said. "It's a warning to people, that not matter what happens, we're gonna have fun — but we could probably do a better job to keep it from happening.

SIDEBAR: Upcoming shows

SATURDAY, SEPT. 10

8:45 p.m. at The Bank & Blues Club, 701 Main Street, Daytona Beach. The Last Electric Rodeo will be playing a show with The Zombie Sandwhich, hosted by Bath Salt Zombies. General admission is $15. Ticket prices will be higher at the door. Visit daytonabeachmainstreet.come for tickets and go to thelastelectricrodeo.com for more information about the band.