Five of These, currently one of St. Louis’ most popular acts, will head southeast to play the third Sunset Concert on the Shryock steps tonight.

The band has won awards and is being courted by music labels for its internationally-based music.

Edward Ibur, drummer for Five of These, said the band’s music cannot be classified as alternative because the term is too loosely based.

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We definitely have world musicWest African, Latin and Middle Eastern influences, he said. But the overriding theme is pop.

The band appeals to large audiences because its international music speaks to a crowd’s wide demographics, he said.

Ibur said that in the last two years the band has been together, they have had a good share of success by winning the St. Louis Riverfront Times Reader’s Poll for best local recording and best new local band in 1994, based on its independently-released recording, I Married My Head.

Richard Byrne, associate arts editor in charge of music for The Riverfront Times, said because of its uniqueness, the band is still looking for a music format that it can identify with.

I think they are a good band with eclectic music, he said. There isn’t a band like them in St. Louis.

Byrne said he believes the band has a lot of potential.

They are very popular (in St.

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In addition to getting considerable recognition in reviews, the band is being courted by several major and independent labels, Ibur said.

see SUNSET, page 6