Brooksville's Rockin' Eve

BROOKSVILLE - At least one corner of this small city will be rockin' tonight.

A bevy of local rock bands with a spiritual bent will play during the Merry Hardcore New Year's Bash beginning at 7 p.m. at Fire Escape. Fire Escape is the youth ministry of First Baptist Church of Brooksville, 420 N. Howell Ave.

The lineup includes Culbreth, In My Demise, The Last of a Dying Breed, Cigar City Ransom, Forest Fire and Embracing Lief.

Joel Flux, member of Spring Hill rock band Martyrs Prayer, will emcee the event.

In between bands, attendees can enjoy video games, billiards and ping pong. There will plenty of party hats, non-alcoholic drinks, snacks and noise makers, said Brian Brijbag, the church's youth pastor.

Admission is free.

The goal is to provide a fun but safe place to celebrate for all ages, Brijbag said, though he added that the crowd will likely be mostly college-aged.

Brijbag, who founded Fire Escape after taking the job in March, likes to use the phrase "Christian world view" to describe the perspective that drives the bands planned for the evening.

The songs typically don't preach, but often do offer a perspective on the world influenced by faith, he said.

Still, visitors should be prepared for some pretty hard rock in the early part of the evening. Things will tone down as the night wears on so as not to run afoul of the city's noise ordinance, he said.

Rob Tucker, drummer and percussionist for Embracing Lief, said he felt privileged to be able to share a stage with other local bands to offer an exciting but drink- and drug-free place for local teens to hang out together on a night made for partying.

The band's name is a play on the name of vocalist and guitar player Lief Thomason. Bassist Jimi Jones rounds out the trio that Tucker described as "indie folk Christian rock." All three attend Florida Southern College in Lakeland.

Tucker, 19, is from Brooksville and said he is happy to finally see something hip happening in his hometown on New Year's Eve. Up until now, teens who wanted to party responsibly at a concert had to drive out of the county.

"There's actually something starting up in Brooksville," Tucker said.

IF YOU GO

WHAT: Merry Hardcore New Year's Bash, a non-alcoholic, all ages concert featuring rock bands with a Christian world view.

WHEN: 7 p.m. tonight.

WHERE: Fire Escape, the youth ministry at the First Baptist Church of Brooksville, 420 N. Howell Ave.

ADMISSION: Free.

CONTACT: Brian Brijbag, 346-8472.