Nikki Carlson Havre Daily News photos@havredailynews.com
Havre High School senior Steve Pierson and juniors Jordan Lamphier, Gavin Swietnicki and Kaden Keto performed their ballroom-brawl music on stage in the Student Union Building at Montana State University-Northern Saturday night for HHS and Chinook High School's Hi-Line Sletten Cancer Center Dance, a fundraiser for the hospital being built in Havre. Pierson, Lamphier, Swietnicki and Keto make up the band Francisco. The dance was organized by HHS senior class president Casey Donoven and CHS Student Council president D. J. Stuker. Donoven asked Francisco to perform at the dance along with Lewistown's Angel May, which has performed all over central Montana. Francisco plays all different styles of music including: jazz, rock-n-roll, funk, punk and electronica. They said they jumped at the chance to perform because they are looking for "exposure." "We want to make some ears bleed," Keto said jokingly about his goal for the evening. Pierson plays the keyboard and drums and is the vocalist for the band; Lamphier plays the electric guitar and drums; Swietnicki plays the electric guitar; Keto is the bass guitarist; and Steve Bodner, a homeschooler, played one song with the Band on the electric guitar. The band formed about two-and-a-half years ago. "We wanted to get together and rock at the Battle of the Bands," Pierson said of their initial goal. Francisco has won the Battle of the Bands event at MSU-N for the past two years and they are hoping for a third win in April 2008. Pierson said the band is available to perform in more shows, events or special occasions. Those interested in booking Francisco can contact Pierson at 262-7095. Admission for the Hi-Line Sletten fundraiser was $4 for all HHS and CHS students, which included a glow stick, refreshments and door prizes. Door prizes and money to offset the costs were donated by local businesses. Stuker said First Bank of Montana in Chinook agreed to match half of the money raised, up to $1,000, from the event. All of the proceeds will go to the Hi-Line Sletten Cancer Center.
