The key to a successful air guitar performance, according to Severna Park’s Lance Kasten, is to make good air.
U.S. Air Guitar Championships
Where: 9:30 Club, 815 V St. NW
When: 8 p.m. doors Saturday
Info: $20; 202-265-0930; 930.com
The 48-year-old family man, who goes by the nickname “The Shred,” should know: He’s defending his D.C. regional title at the U.S. Air Guitar Championships at the 9:30 Club on Saturday.
Kasten said to win a competition like this, one must whip up so much air that “the Weather Channel has to question why there’s a disturbance” where you’re playing.
At 48, Kasten is one of the older competitors to play air guitar. He’s been doing it for as long as he can remember, first rocking out to Kiss before falling in love with Rush, his preferred selection at a competition.
“I’m the Geritol,” Kasten said, during a recent phone interview. He said he also mixes in a little Van Halen now and then. “There’s a few geezers.”
The regional competition Saturday will consist of 20 to 25 competitors. Judges will rate the performances based on technical merit, stage presence and airness. That last term is hard to define.
“You know it when you see it,” Kasten said.
The U.S. Air Guitar Championships started in 2003 after the founders learned that the ol’ red, white and blue wasn’t represented at the World Championships. USAG co-founder Kriston Rucker set out to right that wrong.
“It was our main objective, to rectify this,” Rucker said. “It’s one thing the U.S. deserves to dominate.”
Rucker likens a performance to a three-act pay with a peak and a strong finish. Song selection is critical, and many contestants go with ’80s hair metal. However, he doesn’t play.
“I have too much respect for it,” he said, “but I have a good eye for talent.”
Kasten has performed at the regional level every year since 2003, when he finished third. He even broke his ankle in 2008.
“The key is to entertain the audience,” he said. “You have to be liked by the crowd.”
Kasten said he can’t play more substantial instruments very well — “I can’t play a lick of anything” — but is pretty good at air drums. His practices double as an aerobic work out.
“You develop an art form,” Kasten said, adding one of the biggest hazards on stage is dodging women throwing air underwear. “It transforms itself. You want something choreographed, but not regimented.”
And with his dream of winning a national title still burning brightly, Kasten said he doesn’t see himself quitting any time soon.
“They can pull the air guitar from my cold, dead hands,” he said.
