Special to The Sentinel
Many rock fans suffer from air guitar mania, an affliction -- often called "electric stomach" -- that forces them to mimic favorite guitarists and singers for hours, on imaginary Stratocasters and invisible microphones.
Until recently, victims stayed hidden, popping up only at late night parties and tavern exhibitions.
But WQFM and Pabst Brewing Co. have helped, via a recent contest, to bring "air musicianship" out of the closet.
Several months ago, 35 bands entered the contest, competing for a grand prize of $1,000. Judges from QFM, Pabst, and the band Triumph helped narrow the field. Finally, seven bands were chosen to perform at Summerfest, where they attracted nearly 15,000 fans.
The Air Supremes, featuring three men from Racine in blackface and evening gowns camping their way through Motown tunes, won the grand prize. As a bonus, they band will open the rockfest "A Day in the Life of Rock 'n' Roll" at Little Switzerland in Slinger on Saturday.
Air guitar has come a long way from the days of thumping brooms and shouting the lyrics to "Pinball Wizard" into soap-on-a-rope. These bands, equipped with realistic guitars made of plywood and drum kids scavenged from canisters and pizza cardboard, execute slick routines and precision caricatures.
They dance, shake and tumble across the stage just like their heroes.
"We're realistic," boasted Steve Tank, organizer and guitarist for the TCS Rockers, the third-place finishers. "We do onstage about what you would expect the real band to do."
