Wildcat Strike headlines Locals Appreciation Party

(a portion of this piece was published by Planet JH Weekly)Smith Optics’ Locals Appreciation Party has more-or-less taken the place of the once rowdy, lets-get-amped-for-ski-season 69 Days ‘Til the Tram Opens Party. The difference? Ski season has already kicked-in with primarily a local crowd on the hills, and Smith will be divvying out over $3,000 of gear to the population. There’s a kick-ass rock band in Wildcat Strike and local DJs Cut la Whut and ERA will extinguish the jones for a club dance vibe.Indie rockers Wildcat Strike come to us from Salt Lake City. Formed barely two years ago, the quintet is capable of balls-to-the-wall, screaming melodic rock ala Modest Mouse (“Sting Like a Bee”) or the acoustic singer-songwriter aesthetic (“Billy Crystal”). You get many more scenarios on the well-produced, self-titled debut album (2012), as well as from their freshly recorded Daytrotter Studio session. Pay what you want for a high-res download of the eleven-track set at WildcatStrike.BandCamp.com.Being that drummer/guitarist/back-up vocalist Jordan Mendenhall is a K2 Pro Team rider and ex-pro shreader Will Tuddenham mans the piano and bass, Wildcat Strike appears to be the ultimate ski party fit. This offering is a fringe benefit of ski town culture that beckons the youthful zing. You got it? Smith Optics Locals Appreciation Party with Wildcat Strike and DJs Cut la Whut and ERA, 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Mangy Moose in Teton Village. Free. MangyMoose.com.