“Live to rock” is a well-worn musical phrase. But for the guys in 200 Joules, it’s a rather fitting motto because most of the band deals with life and death situations nearly every day.

The impetus for the band came in 1996. Founding member Bob Weir was working as a respiratory therapist for medical flight teams. In other words, he would help keep patients alive as they were airlifted to area hospitals, including Carolinas Medical Center, where Parker Hays works as an emergency physician. One day the two struck up a conversation and discovered they were both musicians. Weir played drums and Hays was a singer. This led to a series of jam sessions, which in turn led to 200 Joules.

The name comes from a setting on a defibrillator, a machine that is used to shock a victim’s heart and kick it back into action – hence the band’s motto: Live to rock. The band plays gigs throughout the Lake Norman and Charlotte area.

“It (200 Joules) used to be my secret other life, but now it’s not so secret anymore,” Hays says. “But in some ways it’s similar to being a physician. You’re put on the spot and expected to perform, regardless. Yet it’s also very gratifying and enjoyable.”

In addition to Hays and Weir, who now works as a licensed massage therapist, the band’s lineup includes Ekachai Lucktong on guitar and vocals and Art Chaney on bass. When they’re not jamming on stage, Lucktong works as an emergency physician at Carolinas Medical Center-Lincoln and Chaney is a radiation oncologist at Lake Norman Regional Medical Center.

The band’s musical background is diverse, with members citing everyone from The Beatles, Van Halen, Lenny Kravitz and various reggae to country and modern alternative bands as influences.

“We play about 25 percent classic rock, and the rest is mostly new stuff, like Red Hot Chili Peppers, Blink 182, Foo Fighter and Greed Day,” Weir says. “We’re only able to get together and play about once a month, but we all love it. People in the medical field party better than anyone else. When they’re serious, they’re serious, but when it’s time to play, we love to cut lose and have a good time.”

200 Joules is scheduled to play at the newly renovated Rusty Rudder on April 6. For details go to www.200joules.com.

Friday, March 30
Comedy Zone Lake Norman – “Murder at the Hooker” mystery dinner show, 6:30 p.m.
Double Door – Tim Clark Band
Irish Cue – Pat Comstock
Jokers – Matt Black, Keith Montrose
Mia Famiglia – Kent Steel
Rusty Rudder – Simplified
Velvet Hammer – Rock ’n’ Roll Noel

Saturday, March 31
C.W.’s Music Barn – Country Choice
Double Door – Tim Clark Band
Irish Cue – Robin Rogers Band
Jokers – Matt Black, Keith Montrose
Mia Famiglia – Kent Steel
Rusty Rudder – Hope Massive

Tuesday, April 3
Big Al’s Mooresville – Jess Trio
Rusty Rudder – Below the Belt

Wednesday, April 4
Big Al’s Mooresville – Jason Marcum
Irish Cue – Gabe and Friends

Thursday, April 5
Big Al’s Mooresville – Robin Brown
Double Door – Skintonz

Friday, April 6
Big Al’s Mooresville – Mike Hager
Irish Cue – Duk Tan
Rusty Rudder – 200 Joules
Velvet Hammer – Rock ’n’ Roll Noel

Saturday, April 7
Big Al’s Mooresville – Daniel Lambert
C.W.’s Music Barn – Country Choice
Historys – Sunny Ledfurd
Irish Cue – From a Seed
Rusty Rudder – Crash Box

Sunday, April 8
Rusty Rudder – Drew Skinner

Tuesday, April 10
Big Al’s Mooresville – Travis & Grubb
Rusty Rudder – Jag Fu

Wednesday, April 11
Big Al’s Mooresville – Scott Johnson
Irish Cue – Gabe and Friends

Thursday, April 12
Big Al’s Mooresville – Mike Underwood
Double Door – Skintonz
Mia Famiglia – Kent Steel

Friday, April 13
Big Al’s Mooresville – Skintonz
Irish Cue – Rude Mood
Mia Famiglia – Kent Steel
Rusty Rudder – Hot Sauce
Velvet Hammer – Rock ’n’ Roll Noel

Saturday, April 14
Big Al’s Mooresville – Steve Shook
C.W.’s Music Barn – Country Choice
Irish Cue – Dan Lambert
Mia Famiglia – Kent Steel
Rusty Rudder – Principle Skinner

Tuesday, April 17
Big Al’s Mooresville – Jess Trio
Rusty Rudder – Simplified

Wednesday, April 18
Big Al’s Mooresville – Jason Marcum
Irish Cue – Gabe and Friends

Thursday, April 19
Big Al’s Mooresville – Joe Hoskins
Double Door – Skintonz
Mia Famiglia – Kent Steel

Friday, April 20
Big Al’s Mooresville – Pat Comstock
41st Lane Lounge, Northcross Lanes – Rum Punch Bandits
Irish Cue – Dead in the Vein
Mia Famiglia – Kent Steel
Rusty Rudder – Soul Watt
Velvet Hammer – Rock ’n’ Roll Noel

Saturday, April 21
Big Al’s Mooresville – Jimmy Fallon
C.W.’s Music Barn – Country Choice
Irish Cue – Intethood
Mia Famiglia – Kent Steel
Rusty Rudder – Jag Fu

Sunday, April 22
Rusty Rudder – Drew Skinner

Tuesday, April 24
Big Al’s Mooresville – Travis & Grubb
Rusty Rudder – Hot Sauce

Wednesday, April 25
Big Al’s Mooresville – Scott Johnson
Irish Cue – Gabe and Friends

Thursday, April 26
Big Al’s Mooresville – Three Hour Tour
Double Door – Skintonz
Mia Famiglia – Kent Steel

Friday, April 27
Big Al’s Mooresville – Skintonz
41st Lane Lounge, Northcross Lanes – Part Time Blues Band
Irish Cue – Amy Broome Band
Mia Famiglia – Kent Steel
Rusty Rudder – Below the Belt
Velvet Hammer – Rock ’n’ Roll Noel

Saturday, April 28
Big Al’s Mooresville – Steve Shook
C.W.’s Music Barn – Country Choice
Irish Cue – Jubal Kane
Mia Famiglia – Kent Steel
Rusty Rudder – Blue Monday

To Submit Listings
Entertainment to be considered for Norman Nights should reach us two months in advance. We realize that not all plans are firm two months ahead, and we will try to consider and work into the May calendar those items that reach us by April 5. Please include your name and a contact phone number or e-mail address and send to Norman Nights, Lake Norman Magazine, 400-B North Harbor Place, Davidson, NC 28036, e-mail LNMag@lakenormanmagazine.com and put “Norman Nights” in the subject line or fax to 704-896-0661.