Rock City came out big for it’s first ever weekend of Emergenza 2005. The red walls of the Pirate’s Cove, inside the Peabody’s Downunder complex, played host to a wide variety of area artists. Inspite of bad snow storms, fans packed this intimate venue on all four nights and showed tremendous support for the majority of the performers. Bands won over new fans and friends, and even helped each other out by sharing equipment from time to time. Thursday night winners Russett Burbank blasted off the evening with a full room of raised fists for their funky brand of metal. Mudflower frontman Adam kept the ladies screaming with his passionate performance. But no one showed as much dedication as the boys from Sineater (in picture). Following soundcheck they went for food and ended up in a three car pile-up on the freeway. Even after getting banged around they returned to The Cove in time to deliver the final performance of the night. Saturday night featured shredding guitar players that proved age has nothin to do with rockin. Kurt Schlumberger of No Limit and Tyrone from TBS impressed both audience and venue staff with their electrifying licks. Last, but no least, PKS put on the liveliest peformance of the weekend. Fitting 6 memebers on one of the smallest stages in town and still moving around as if in an Arena the delivered 4 part vocals over fast metal. They even went so far as to have guitar player Dawn come all the way in from Baltimore to participate in this event. Keep your eyes one this band to advance well into the festival. Caping off the weekend from Akron, Ohio was the boys of Emmet. Their Wilco inspired art rock showcased the great song writing of James Pequignot. Rounded out with keyboard and guitar sounds that would make Brian Wilson smile. Needless to say the bar has been set and fans in Cleveland can anticipate even greater performances in the weeks to come.