Chaser I have a theory: There are three planes of reality. One is imagined. We experience it in dreams, hallucinations, and drug trips. The second is an actual reality, where we see what is physically there. The third is Melrose reality, where everyone looks like a Melrose Place character. This last reality exists in generically styled brick-walled clubs. There, zombie-like, you feign appreciation for a band that could have just stepped off the set of the Saved by the Bell prom episode. I found myself in such a place a week ago. At the Map Room the quartet Chaser was on stage. People were having pleasant conversation. The women were dressed in tight-fitting Express wear. The lighting was cast low. For an hour and a half, Chaser let everyone get settled into the scenery. That's right -- the band spent an hour and a half doing sound check, producing non-stop eardrum rupturing feedback. Eventually, Ben Hardy, Duane Craig, Eddie Hennessy, and Evan Wilons managed to thrash out a few noteworthy tunes such as "The Vineyards," inspired by what lead singer Hardy called, "emotional stuff," and "Breathe," which borrows its whimsical guitar part from Dave Matthews. I'd love to write that Hardy has a great voice, but the over-juiced PA drowned out every lyric. Eighteen-year-old Wilons is the youngest member of Chaser and by far the most musically impressive. He beat the hell out of his drums, keeping the others on track rhythmically when their chords seemed at odds. Playing to an audience of friends, Chaser appeared relaxed throughout. And for a young band taking its first baby-steps in a music-rich city like Memphis, that has to count for something. If there's anything charming about Chaser, it's their lack of established style. The band jumps back and forth between dark love ballads and Sepultura-esque headbanging with freshman abandon. Chaser is certainly a band to watch. They'll grow, their rhythms will coalesce, and maybe someday they'll even turn down the PA. -- Ashley Fantz The Memphis Flyer regularly reviews local bands on demand. To schedule your band's Moment of Truth, call Mark Jordan (575-9408).