Tired of Britney Spears’ latest single that is being played onthe radio endlessly? Look no further than your own campus to findlocal bands that may provide a welcome alternative.

It’s not just music majors who are making music on campus.Faculty members Mark Green, David Wolf and Mark Juffernbruch arepart of a music group called the Sonny Humbucker Band. Also,Simpson student Greg Dolmage and Eric Van Dorin, an IrvingElementary teacher have formed an unnamed musical group.

“Music brings people together. It creates community,” saidGreen, Sonny Humbucker’s bass player.

Along with Green are Wolf on lead guitar and Juffernruch onrhythm guitar, 1988 Simpson graduate, Thom Wright as the singer andDavid Kochel, a political consultant, on drums.

The Sonny Humbucker Band plays guitar-driven modern rock. Theyalso retool select songs by 60’s artists, such as the Who and theBeatles. Their next scheduled gig is May 26 at the Vaudeville Mewsin downtown Des Moines.

The band came together after several general conversations aboutfavorite songs and groups. They had all played instruments and beeninvolved in bands over the years. When Wright, former singer forthe Rathbones, joined on, the band had begun.

Green said that students should go see the band play because”[they] would probably be amused by the sight of Wolf shreddingthese incredible leads without the slightest hint of emotion on hisface – you’d think he was trimming the hedge or something.”

Guitarist and vocalist Dolmage is working on a different sort ofproject. Dolmage writes his own songs in an acoustic folk stylewith hints of rock and is work is influenced by his religiousfaith. Van Dorin adds percussion to round out the sound.

This duo has played area coffee shops, including Cup A Joe. Athis next show, as in the past, he won’t expect a large turnout ofSimpson students.

“As a whole, this campus does not appreciate music. This isevident by the amount of people that actually show up to live showson campus. Most would rather here the same tired bass line of a 50Cent song than actually talented musicians,” said Dolmage.

But for students who are interested in the music Dolmage makes,he has recently produced a ten-song CD that he is selling for$10.

“I’ve always had dreams of being a professional musician,” saidDolmage, “but I thought they were pipe dreams.”

Once he wrote his first song in high school, the ideas keptcoming and he decided he needed to share his gift. Originally, heplanned to be a solo act, but after he met Van Dorin throughchurch, they became a two-man act.

Dolmage, unlike the Sonny Humbucker Band, draws his inspirationfrom Christ, a belief that may help connect him with listeners.

“I create for the creator. I dive into the depths of mycreativity for the source of all creativity,” he said. “Playingmusic can be an act of worship because you use the gift in honor ofthe giver.”