Musical collaboration can start in all kinds of ways.
Sometimes it develops out of nothing more than a shared interest in the art form. Sometimes it’s a simple extension of existing friendships. Sometimes it’s just an excuse to vent out and make some noise.
For the Idaho Falls Rock School, it all began with a mother’s promise to her son.
Dillon Landon started playing guitar at age 10. He soon started asking his mother to help him form a band. His mother, Julie Landon, promised Dillon that as soon as she recovered from breast cancer, she would do just that.
Soon they approached Dustin Meyer, Dillon’s guitar teacher, and asked if he would help with Dillon’s request.
“I was excited about the idea right from the start,” said Meyer, who is the owner of the Bookstore on Broadway. (He also teaches guitar at Mockly’s.) “Dustin is truly the brains behind this band.”
Dillon’s sister, Kiersten Landon, was added to the band as vocals, and the two were soon joined by Tyler Couch as second guitar and McKenzie Welch on drums.
Dillon and Kiersten live in Ammon and attend Sandcreek Middle School, Tyler lives in Rigby and attends Rigby Jr. High, and McKenzie lives in Idaho Falls and attends Falls Valley Elementary.
The four up-and-comers are at the heart of the “Rock School” but the band itself is actually called Tactix. October will mark their first year together.
Gigs for youngsters are understandably hard to come by, but the group’s 90-minute practice jams at the bookstore have produced some promising opportunities.
Their first gig was at Billman’s Restaurant last fall, and they were later asked to perform at an event for the Foundation for Aspiring Musicians. Their playlist ranges from Sweet Dreams by
the Eurythmics to Seven Nation Army by the White Stripes, Smoke on the Water by Deep Purple, Wild Thing by the Troggs, and These Boots are Made for Walking by Nancy Sinatra.
They also write and play their own music as well and have written their first song titled, Trapped in your Lies.
“These kids really do love what they are doing,” notes Julie Landon.
The enthusiasm seems to be contagious.
“Dustin is having so much fun with this band,” she adds. “He is even considering adding additional bands to his schedule.”