Monday night showcased an ascension of skills that started off with the aspiring, then jumped into a bit of the wild and finally hit the theoretical climax thrilling the Crowbar crowd.

Juliana Theory headlined the show and provided devoted fans in attendence with an explosion of energy to subside their musical hunger.

The crowd consisted mostly of under aged students who failed to feed off of the opening acts, local youngsters Everyday Assurance and the power-punk sensation Tsar.

Melanie McBride (freshman-business), who claims to be "the biggest Juliana Theory fan in the world," struggled to find the words to explain the band's performance. "They're so emotional on stage. All that I can think to say is . . . they're amazing," McBride said.

The well-polished Juliana Theory came to Crowbar, 420 E. College Ave., with their rock-star hair cuts, tight tee-shirts and a professional style that made the crowd understand just how big these guys are getting.

Brett Detar (lead singer) bobbed to a light beat and as soon as the bass line started to echo the showman began to pave the way for a multitude of guitar riffs.

He began with a low tone setting a tranquil scene, but before the crowd could relax he blasted out heavy-duty screeches that signified the band's power.

For the most part, they stuck with playing hits from their most recent album Emotion Is Dead. "Is Patience Still Waiting?" and "You Always Say Goodnight, Goodnight" were among the crowd favorites. Juliana Theory had the audience hanging on their every action, especially at the end when in true rock star fashion Detar ripped off his guitar strings and ran off the stage straight to the bar. By the time their last song stopped ringing throughout the venue, the entire band was already gabbing with the ladies and tagging up some brews.

As for the show's wild side, Tsar embodied everything that is their native land: Hollywood. Webster's Dictionary defines Tsar as one having great power and authority.

I'd define these guys as: one freakishly entertaining group of rockers who can stun you with their appearance, but shock you even more with their talent.

Jeff Whalen (lead vocals and guitar) has been compared to David Bowie while performing, and for good reason. Whalen took the stage Monday night sporting a white, skin-tight get-up that boasted bright flames to accentuate his glittering face and a physique fittingly matched to an 80's hair band member.

"He reminds me of Leonardo DeCaprio when he was all doped up in Basketball Diaries," said Heidi Leonhard (sophomore-public relations). "I liked it!"

But aside from Whalen's superstar look, he backed it up with some ferocious verses and some candid on stage antics. Tsar displayed high energy and passion in songs such as "Calling All Destroyers," which had a machine gun-like drum beat, blazing guitar and bass riffs and a bolt of lightening that was Whalen's singing and presence.

Even though the band delivered a stunning performance as far as I was concerned, the crowd must have been saving their emotions for Juliana Theory.

When asked about the unresponsive crowd, Whalen, with an up-beat confidence, said, "Not everyone knew us and that's alright . . . we're not big time yet, so all that I care about is coming in and kickin' ass."