12 Stones to bring us to life tonight at Liquid Joe's

The rock band 12 Stones will perform tonight at Liquid Joe's (1249 E. 3300 South, Salt Lake City) with special guests Concordia, Hour 13 and Better Life Band.Tickets are $15 at the door or at SmithsTix.The name of the veteran band might not be immediately familiar, but even my mom knows the voice of lead singer Paul McCoy. He is the guy singing in Evanescence's break-through single "Bring Me to Life."The 30-year-old singer, in an interview with The Tribune, said he has been good friends for years with the guys in local band Royal Bliss, so it makes sense that they are playing one of Royal Bliss' favorite haunts.There was a five-year gap between the band's "Anthem for the Underdog" and most recent album "Beneath the Scars." McCoy explained that after years of non-stop touring, he was able to stop and breathe and even coach his daughter's soccer team for two whole seasons. The line-up of the band also changed during the hiatus, but "there's no bad blood," he said. "I've loved every member of the band. This life is very hard. I don't even own a car. We don't have a crew. We load in and out ourselves."McCoy had no issue with labels being put on his band and music. "I have no problem being called a Christian band," he said. However, "the total struggle is that you want as many people as possible to find substance."The only regret McCoyt harbors is a menu item he sees all over the nation. A proud Louisiana native and resident, he said "it is so frustrating to see 'Cajun pasta'" on menus when back home, there is no such thing. Just once, he would like a good bowl or red beans and rice or jambalaya.He's right. Life on the road is tough.