Capillary Productions: Helping to Rebuild Omaha’s Metal Scene | Concert Preview

photo of Phinehas by HN contributor Cam Penner
Phinehas played Capillary Productions' second launch concert in March 2013

 

   

by Sean Holohan

Lane Baier saw an old, dilapidated machine. The gears seized up, the belts worn and frayed at the ends: a rust-ridden hunk of metal.

Baier sought to return the machine to a sterling example of efficiency.

He says for the previous eight years, the Omaha metal scene had been a shell of its former self. Everyone used to be friends, he says, and fans would go to shows just for the experience. It was now everyone for themselves. The community was gone.

Last February, Baier set out to repair the scene that had always been close to his heart.

In 2003, Baier began playing in Omaha metal bands such as Burning Resolve and Face the Tyrant. To him, metal music always felt like home. And after years of hearing friends and bands complain that the Omaha metal scene was over and done with, Baier started his own booking and promotion company, Capillary Productions.

The company, founded by Baier and now a two-man operation with friend Dustin Wallace aboard, seeks to build the Omaha metal scene by booking and promoting local and national metal acts at venues across Omaha. In 2013, Capillary booked 12 shows with acts such as Antares (Omaha), Cloudsplitter (Omaha), Fisthammer (Pennsylvania) and Lakota De Kai (Ohio).

But not only does Baier want quality metal bands to play in Omaha, he wants people to come out to shows and reform a community.

“Ten years ago, the scene was a family, but people aren’t as engaged now,” he says. “I want to revive the engagement of Omaha music.”

This Saturday, almost one year after its inception in February 2013, Capillary Productions is hosting a showcase at The Hideout with Omaha bands Megaton, Ghosts of Ruin, Vizagoth along with Architect or Arsonist and Type (A) Alert (both from Norfolk) and Beauty Killed The Beast (Iowa).

Baier says he uses his full-time job as a sales representative for Ritz-Carlton to help fund his company. And although his day job keeps him busy, Capillary Productions keeps him even busier at night.

“I have a full-time job on the side, but I work well over 40 hours a week for Capillary,” he says. “The company is a 24/7 sort of deal.”

Still, with most of his money going toward his company, Baier says Capillary’s emphasis is not making money from the bands he books at shows. Instead, he wants to get people in the door to make money to give back to the bands. He wants to put the needs of the bands first.

“I don’t do this for the money,” he says. “ I do this for the reputation and for everybody involved.”

Capillary’s hard work to enhance the Omaha metal scene has not gone unnoticed. Even outside of Omaha, word is spreading of the return of the community and excitement that the Omaha metal scene once boasted. People are once again talking about metal shows around Omaha, Baier says, and crowds at shows are growing.

Zach Mayfield, bassist for Norfolk band Type (A) Alert who will be playing Saturday, says he noticed Baier's work online and in advertisements and wanted to be a part of it.

“We are super stoked to be a part of this show and come to Omaha on Saturday,” Mayfield says. “Capillary works really hard to promote shows and we have never had that before. There are a lot of awesome bands and music coming out of Omaha.”

Enthusiasm like Mayfield’s is music to Baier’s ears.

“I have had so many (concert attendees) come up to me and say, ‘You have worked so hard and made this show so good for me,’” he says. “Our first local show drew 70 people. Since then, we have been on an upward slope. Our last December show had over 100 people at The Hideout."

“I want people to be moshing in the parking lot,” he says.

Mayfield appreciates Baier’s passion for the live show and is thankful for the relentless Facebook and in-person promotion that Capillary has done to make the show special.

Baier refers to 2013 as his company’s “training year.” He says he has learned from mistakes and successes of last year: lessons such as where the best places are to book shows and what days of the week will yield the best draws for shows.

He explains that this is a cause he truly believes in. He can barely catch his breath before moving on to talk more about the show on Saturday. He is committed to Capillary for the long haul, he says. He briefly pauses to make sure his point is clearly made.

“Capillary is everything to me,” he says. “It is my living, it is my passion, and it is my outlet.”


CAPILLARY PRODUCTIONS' UPCOMING CONCERTS

Saturday, Jan. 18 at The Hideout in Omaha
with Beauty Killed The Beast (Iowa), Type (A) Alert (Norfolk), Architect or Arsonist (Norfolk), Vizagoth (Omaha), Ghosts of Ruin (Omaha), Megaton (Omaha)

Saturday, Feb. 1 at The Hideout in Omaha
My Heart to Fear (Pennsylvania), Wrath of Vesuvius (California), Blood of the Martyrs (Virginia), Reaping Asmodeia (Minnesota), Antares (Omaha), Blessed are the Merciless (Omaha)

Friday, Feb. 21 at The Hideout in Omaha
The Matador (Omaha), By the Thousands (Minnesota), Superior (Omaha), Detriment (Omaha), For the Empire (Iowa)


Sean Holohan is Hear Nebraska’s editorial intern. He hopes people are indeed moshing in the parking lot at Saturday’s show. Reach him at seanh@hearnebraska.org.