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Geek Chic: outsiders In-v plays Black Cat
by Lindsay Craven
Staff Writer
Looking for an interesting show to attend this weekend? What about a band that has passed out toliet paper to the crowd in past shows?
In-v is a sure guarantee for a show different from any before this Friday night at Black Cat Burrito. They will take the stage at about 10 p.m. and there will be a cover charge.
In-v is a geek rock/punk rock band from Charlotte, N.C.
They’re outsiders. They were the kids in school that were ignored by everybody else. They are the left-brain, creative types, Bill Walker, the band’s manager and owner of their record label, said.
“Being outsiders, they’ve developed a new category of music. Some may call it geek rock and they’re OK with that,” Walker said.
Chris Smith powers In-v on bass and lead vocals, Colt Keziah on guitar and back-up vocals, and Justin Russell on drums and back-up vocals.
Our style is a mix between the Sex Pistols, Green Day and emo bands like Blink-182, Smith said.
The band credits the previously stated bands along with NOFX, Good Charlotte, Rage Against the Machine and Butch Walker and The Transplants as being their musical influences.
In-v writes their own material. Smith is the primary writer of the bands lyrics, but said he asks for Keziah’s help when stuck on a song.
“If the song sounds happy, I’m going to try to write happy lyrics. If the song sounds sad, I’m going to try to write happy lyrics,” Smith said.
The band has not yet released a full-length studio album, although they are presently in the process of preparing their debut entitled “Cast Straight.”
They have also recorded a demo titled “Tales From the Mini Storage.”
They give out the demo at clubs and concert venues. The title for their demo was derived from an old practice spot in a mini-storage unit that Smith said “looked like a church.”
Walker is the owner of a CD/DVD replication company and after finding In-v, started Succession Records.
“I did the label to support them because I believed that they are worth it musically. They made a very good point that the music came first,” Walker said.
In-v is the only band on Walker’s label, but he does have a solo artist that participated on last season’s “American Idol.”
In-v and Walker were recently awarded by Billboard for their entry of ‘Whooo” into the 12th annual World Song Contest. “Whooo” placed in the top 1,500 in the contest, according to the band’s Web site.
Right now In-v is playing random venues all over. Their next plan is to tour and eventually achieve ‘world domination,’ Smith said.
“Playing live is the biggest adrenaline rush ever. It’s like being in a car crash ten times in a row and walking from it,” Smith said.
“Colt fell down after spinning around too much during a song. He didn’t even feel anything because he was so pumped from the adrenaline rush,” Smith said.
For more information on In-v go to their Web site www.In-v.com. For more information on their show at Black Cat, call 263-9511.
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Glee Club shares voices Nov. 12
by Elizabeth Ashford
Staff Writer
Brothers, sing on.
The ASU Men’s Glee Club will perform a free concert Nov. 12 at 8 p.m. in Rosen Concert Hall; doors will open at 7:30 p.m.
“I’m just happy that the choir’s getting ready to have their concert. They have made tremendous strides from my first semester here, which was last year, Fall 2003,” music professor Dr. Roosevelt Escalante, Jr. said. “They have continued to get better every concert, every semester.”
“The good thing about these guys is that they’re not all music majors. They come from a variety of different backgrounds and different areas of study, but they’re all focused, they’re all committed, have great attitudes, they love music and are very passionate about it,” Escalante said.
Junior criminal justice major Matthew W. Osborne has been in the Glee Club for three semesters.
“I got into Glee Club because I really missed singing with a bunch of guys and this group of guys getting together singing, it just really allows me express myself emotionally and to be able to hang out and have fun,” Osborne said.
“I really hope the audience gets moved, because that’s our purpose in singing … to be able to express emotions so that the audience can feel that emotion coming from us,” Osborne said.
Escalante said the concert would cover many different styles of music.
“We will be doing a variety of music, everything from Renaissance music to 1980s rock,” Escalante said.
In addition to the Glee Club, “What’s Yer Pleasure,” a small group within the Glee Club will perform as well. Some songs they will sing include, “Free Fallin” by Tom Petty and “Thank You” by Boys II Men.
“The Glee Club is an entertaining ensemble. They perform at a high level and with lots of spirit. Their programs include a variety of styles from pop to classical,” Hayes School of Music Dean Dr. William G. Harbinson said.
“Under the direction of Dr. Escalante, the group has made great strides in the last two years. I know the audience will enjoy this performance,” Harbinson said.
Escalante said he wants everybody to be able to enjoy the concert.
“I want music majors and non-music majors, music lovers and non-music lovers who will be in attendance, to enjoy the entire program,” Escalante said.
Escalante said the men work hard on perfecting their performance.
“We focus on attitude and really getting into character of our pieces and so it’s always great to have these big, bulky guys, singing a song called, ‘Our Love Is Here To Stay,’ then transitioning from that to a song entitled, ‘I Wish I Was Single Again.’ They like that kind of stuff and it makes it fun for them to sing,” Escalante said.
The concert will end on a traditional note.
“Staying in the tradition of past Glee Club concerts, this year’s program will end with current and past Glee Club members singing ‘Brothers Sing On,’” Escalante said.
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Women's music fraternity active in service
by Ryan Finn
Staff Writer
For the sisters of Sigma Alpha Iota (SAI), the national fraternity for women in music, their love of the musical art form extends far beyond a single performance or concert.
SAI is a service fraternity at Appalachian State University, rather than a social one, and it relies on its members to engage in service projects and social work in and around the community.
However, the organization is also dedicated to the advancement of music, which often lends projects a musical aspect.
“We try to do a lot of music services for the community,” senior music education major Kelly M. Brinton said.
Kelly has been a member of SAI for over two and a half years, and has participated in many of the organization’s projects around the community.
Such projects have included receptions for other organizations, participation in the Appalachian Young Musician Workshop and programs organized for Appalachian Brian Estates and local churches.
“We have a lot of opportunities to incorporate music into everything that we do. We get to share our passion for music with other people,” senior history education major Cherryl L. Barber said.
Barber is a music minor but still pledged to SAI because she “wanted to be involved in an organization that promoted music.”
The sisters of SAI also participate in many service projects that do not include a musical aspect.
The organization “adopted” a family from Burke County by financially assisting them when they were in need.
SAI also donates their time and money to both the Humane Society and to Operation Christmas Child.
“I love the feeling of being part of something and I like the fact that we work with so many people,” junior Chelsa M. Peterson said.
Peterson, assistant vice president of membership for SAI, is double majoring in music industry and vocal performance.
She also organized the upcoming SAI recital. The fraternity performs one recital per semester.
Peterson said organizing the recital was a good experience.
“I want to live in New York City and work with an opera company or record company so I’ll probably have to learn how to come up with major performances,” Peterson said.
Barber and Brinton also want to incorporate music into the rest of their lives, whether in an instructional or performing capacity.
The national fraternity was founded in 1903 and maintains approximately 99,000 members to this day. “The chapter [Epsilon Theta] has been here since the late 60s. They don’t just do service projects. They also try to grow as musicians,” Dean of the Hayes School of Music Dr. William G. Harbinson said.
Although Sigma Alpha Iota is made up almost entirely of women, a few past exceptions have allowed men as members.
Harbinson himself is a member of Sigma Alpha Iota, as are other faculty members at the Hayes School of Music.
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