What’s it like to be an opening band? What’s it like to have to win over an audience every time you play? Do you play it like it was your last gig ever? Do you put every ounce of energy and talent into the 30 plus minutes you have on stage? What’s it like to be PowerTribe?

PowerTribe recently hit the Whisky-A-Go-Go stage opening for Steelheart and the audience could immediately tell that these three people were far beyond mere garage band openers. With musicianship that is off the charts, a sound that is all their own, and a level of performance that is captivating, PowerTribe won the audience over song by song.

PowerTribe is a power trio. A female-fronted power trio. Missy Percifield is the lead vocalist, keyboardist, and bass player, wielding a gigantic bass that almost seems too large for her 4’10’’ frame. Until you see her play. Until you hear her sing. With every note, Missy seems to grow in stature on stage until you realize just how gigantic her talents are.

On guitar is Darren Stroud. A true master of the fretboard, he has jammed with the likes of Steve Vai and is also an ESP endorsed guitarist. The man has chops having been nominated for Top 5 guitarist in Guitar World in 2020. Darren puts out a lot of sound in the smoothest way possible. Every once in a while, you can see Darren grin like he’s thinking, “This is so much fun!” PowerTribe plays all originals, and a good amount of instrumentals, and all are memorable due in no small part to Darren’s incredible guitar playing and tone. He also has a solo cd titled, Space Hombre: Tales of an Intergalactic Guitarslinger. And if you need to brighten up your Fridays, check out his lunch break jams on Facebook.

­­Rounding out the trio is drummer John Chominsky. Combining groove and power (there’s that word), John propels the band forward, while also being in lockstep with his band mates. PowerTribe plays well thought-out songs and epic instrumentals with a tightness that belies the fact that they seldom get a chance to play together. Chominsky lives in southern California, while married couple Percifield and Stroud live in Colorado Springs. Maybe that’s why when they do play live, there is an energy and a joy that comes bursting through.

But that doesn’t mean the energy isn’t there to be heard in their recordings. PowerTribe’s newest release, Up With The Sword has just come out. This is big, bold music. Soaring guitars, dynamic vocals, and thunderous drums with thoughtful and thought-provoking lyrics to match. PowerTribe played three of the album’s cuts at the Whisky, the title track along with “Apocalypse in Progress,” and the rocking instrumental that closed their Whisky set and ends the album, “Sweepercise.”

PowerTribe’s new video for “Liars and Thieves” was just released. Check out the video below!