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KRIS HARRIS
Staff Writer
As the end of the fall semester comes upon us, it’s completely understandable to try to blow off some steam before the responsibilities of finals set in. Some turn to quiet ventures such as a movie or reading book, while some prefer jamming out to some of the best local music around. Of course, perhaps the best place to do this is BJ’s, who had their last show of the semester.
This semester was rounded out by the likes of Total Yuppies, an upbeat surf rock outfit coming from Rochester, and Buffalo indie rockers Passed Out.
Total Yuppies were the first to take on the stage, taking the crowd from Fredonia to So-Cal with wailing vocals and sharp, whimsical guitar licks.
The Flower City four-piece consists of Ben Burdett on guitar, JT Fitzgerald on bass, Dylan Vaisey on drums and Jacob Walsh on both guitar and vocals
It was not a problem for the group to come to Fredonia for the show, as they enjoy playing to college kids.
“People were dancing,” said Fitzgerald. “Even though there is bar culture and everybody is drunk, and that comes with its ups and down, people still have a good time.”
Fitzgerald is a founder of Dadstache Records, an indie label out of Rochester that supports several western New York bands. Specializing in cassette releases, major groups on the label include Skirts, Northern Spies and the Naturalists, who have also played at BJ’s in the past.
Next was Passed Out. Sounding similar to several indie, alternative and post-punk influences, from the currently popular Modern Baseball to ‘90s groups like Marcy Playground, they were good fare for the downtown crowd.
Passed Out is composed of Andy Pothier on guitar and vocals, Jake Rogers on bass and vocals, Nicole Morrison on guitar, Dominic Sciarrino on guitar and Dan Schwach on drums.
Overall, the show was a great way to temporarily forget about the stresses of school, work, or whatever might have been hanging over your head that week.
John Marciniak, a freshman audio/radio production and music industry major, was very keen on the style of music that was played that night.
“I thought [Total Yuppies and Passed Out’s] music was really cool. I think that the type of music that they played isn’t played enough by local bands, and I don’t know if people are listening to that kind of music,” said Marciniak.
Junior video production major Lily Fischer also enjoyed herself, feeling that the bands were right at home in a college town.
“It’s college style music. It not as popular as it should be, but it’s good for smaller sized communities” said Fischer.
Shows BJ’s are put together by Last Call Entertainment, a student-run booking agency led by senior music industry major major Pat Walker, senior music industry and audio/radio production major Aidan Licker and junior music industry and marketing major John Grennan. All of them have been working this semester on bringing the best music they can to area, and will be building upon the success in the spring.
“We did what we wanted to do. We wanted to expand on who we brought in while bringing in people that are Fredonia favorites. As far as what we have for the future, what we have planned, we are excited for, ” said Walker.