You can't exist in the music-space of Columbus without hearing about both X-Rated Cowboys and Watershed. Since starting this column in September, I've had people talk to me about them a lot. So when I saw they were sharing a bill at Little Brother's last Friday as part of a Pet Therapy benefit show, it was time for me to make my move.

I got there a little late, missing opening band B.A. Baracus, and once again only caught about half of Templeton's set. The first time I missed part of their show was at Miranda Sound's CD release party. Am I destined to never see an entire Templeton set? I do not know. Whatever I catch from them I like, and I think the lead singer has one of the greatest rock howls in town. ...one day..

Next up was X-Rated Cowboys. Quinn has a lot of muscles. I'm sure he can easily beat me in a fight if it ever came down to that. I pray to god it doesn't. I don't know the name of the last song they played in their set, but I loved it. And who doesn't appreciate a good accordion?

After that, Happy Chichester (former Howlin' Maggie lead singer) came onstage and did a powerful 30 minute acoustic set. I realized he was one of the many people who played during Tim Easton's run at the Treebar back in September. He's got great stage presence and energy, and I want to see more and more of him.

Finally, it was time for Watershed to close out the night. I'm going to spend little time writing about their set (which was amazing) and more about what they did that impressed me to no end.

Watershed's set? Good. No, great. If you've never heard them before, you could easily fit this band on a bill alongside Counting Crows, Pearl Jam, Pete Yorn. These are all bands I really like, so I say this as a compliment.

Another thing that I loved about their show was that there were a few key songs that almost the entire crowd at Little Brother's sang along to. It's such a great feeling to be surrounded by people singing to a local band's music. I expect this at a Coldplay show, but rarely at a local event. It was a great feeling. From what I gather, Watershed has a pretty loyal following, and they've gotten some success on local radio. That's great. There needs to be more of that.

But for me, the real story of the night was Colin Gawel's strong support of the Columbus scene. He talked about how great music in Columbus is these days, encouraged people to go to more local shows, predicted the end of shitty cover bands, and had an overall positive stance. I mean, the guy even promoted a show that his band isn't going to be at. That's class.

Watershed won me over. My friend Charlie Tokyo said back in the day he didn't like this band, they were too "mainstream" for him. Whatever. After seeing them that night, he changed his tune. And I'm glad he did.

I played their record, "The More It Hurts the More it Works" for the entire weekend. There's a lot of great rock songs on there, and they should all be played loud.

Here's hoping for a day when every local band has as many people following them as Watershed, where the crowds blow the roof of the venue after singing their hearts out to the sounds of a Columbus band.