Delta Spirit

Delta Spirit legend tells of drummer Brandon Young's 2 a.m. smoke break that led to the discovery of a charismatic, wild-eyed 19-year-old busking for change outside a downtown San Diego light-rail station. The street performer's abandon commanded Young's attention.

In need of a singer for his embryonic band, Young exchanged numbers with the street musician. They jammed. They clicked. Delta Spirit rose. A year ago, a Lawrence audience witnessed this singer, Matt Vasquez, and Delta Spirit upstage headliners Cold War Kids at the Bottleneck.

The crowd basked in the San Diegans' soulful, raucous rock and roll. Vasquez howled and thrashed like he had a demon in him. But the holy water stayed bottled. That boy's soul didn't need saving. Believers were made.