Local rock band Blue Armada’s guitarist Branden Balles and vocalist Alex Duarte played at Cutters Point coffee shop March 6. The two put on an outstanding performance for a large crowd of about 30 to 40 people, packing the small coffee shop.

The two artists began the evening with a cover from the Foo Fighters, “Time of Our Life.” Guitar and vocals started off wonderfully and continued that way throughout the entire show. The acoustic presentation, though being quite different from their normal rock band electric guitar motif, was still sensational.

Duarte, looking as though he was pulled out of an 80’s rock band with his long hair and scarfs draped from his mike, was able to show off his ability in the cover of an Extreme ballad called “More Than Words”. With “All to you” a Blue Armada original, Balles took a break while Duarte took over the stage, or more like the corner of the coffee shop. The song was done beautifully and Duarte’s acoustic guitar wasn’t half bad.

The passion Balles has for music is clear to see, whether he is playing or just talking about it. After a few more songs together Balles took center stage with a cover of Johnny Cash’s version of “Hurt.” Though he is the lead guitarist, and does a bit of back up vocals here and there, his voice sounded superb. It was a little shaky from nerves and rough in tone, however perfect for a rock band. Balles performed an original he wrote the night before the show, for Blue Armada, called “I Was a Fool.” According to Balles having a painful background about an ex-girlfriend, the song was filled with agonizing memories of her.

One of Blue Armada’s inspirations is Def Leppard, so there was no way the night could be successful without starting it with a Def Leppard song “Two Steps Behind.” Duarte and Balles would have done the band proud with their cover.

Another original they played was called “Mixed Emotions” written by Duarte. The song was definitely full of emotion, composed by Duarte for someone he cares deeply about.

In between songs Balles did a shout out to everyone in the coffee shop letting them know how much it was appreciated that they had attended the concert, saying it was “crazy cool!” He was shocked at the number of people that had shown up.

Natasha Coddington is a sophomore at Kentlake High School.