"Friday Night Rock ... wait, does that even happen anymore?"
Yes, ignorant freshman, Friday Night Rock is alive and well.
"But wait, isn't that just for, like, hipsters?"
No, ignorant freshman, Friday Night Rock is for everyone. Even you.
There is indeed vibrant life in the campus group Friday Night Rock, long responsible for bringing edgy underground rock bands up to Hanover. Their latest catch, Japanther (you read correctly; as the band itself suggests, think Asian wildcat), will be coming to FUEL this Friday. In the imaginative words of Vice Magazine, a "chaotic and danger-filled lovefest" of a show will be making its way from the underground scene in Brooklyn to the underground scene in Collis.
Japanther consists of two men, Ian Vanek and Matt Reilly, who aim to perform interactive shows using an old trap kit, recorded samples on a dubbed tape, a bass guitar with three strings and telephones for microphones. Both were students at the Pratt Institute and formed their duo in 2001.
Because they and their friends are "stoked out" by skating, it has a heavy influence in Japanther's art -- art that commerce is "out to kill," in the words of the artists. If you're thinking this brashness and DIY attitude are the trappings of just another hipster band, you are sorely mistaken.
"We try and inspire people. We want to break down the negativity and social awkwardness that has surrounded the 'scene' for as long as [we've] been around," the band wrote on its website. "Shows should be fun, and we do our best so everyone feels included. We want it to be cool once again for girls and boys to be able to dance together to rock and roll music."
Japanther aims to engage listeners, be they hipsters or jocks, tree-huggers or spoiled city kids.
Japanther is often praised for the originality of not only their music, but their shows as well. Time Out New York recounts one of their more recent antics, a show with choreographed water ballet at New York University's Palladium Pool in May 2006.
"Given that the art-rock duo has performed in the back of a truck, under a freeway and as part of a puppet rock opera, it wasn't such a weird idea," the magazine wrote. "They got a call from NYU student Sarah Rogers, who asked if they'd play for her synchronized swimming group, Aquadoom."
Carmen Kilpatrick '09, FNR's publicity manager, cites Sonic Youth, Lightning Bolt and Deerhoof as bands that are comparable to, albeit more mainstream than, Japanther. Indeed, in an era where supposed indie bands have become increasingly mainstream, Japanther, as Pitchfork writes, "shows that tres chic Brooklyn still has a crusty, spastic underbelly." Aside from their sound, Kilpatrick is even more excited for the raw energy with which Japanther is known to infuse their shows.
"One of the main reasons this show is really exciting for FNR is that we haven't had anything like them in a while. They're violently noisy and at the same time fun, like blowing up a circus or something. Also, they're really cute," Kilpatrick said.
Austin-based indie punk band Best Fwends will be opening for Japanther this Friday. Doors open at the FUEL Rocket Club at 9:30 p.m. and the show begins at 10 p.m. Thanks to Programming Board, admission, food and drinks are free.
As for that flagrantly over-exaggerated hipster image? "I often hear that people are intimidated by Friday Night Rock, and for that reason won't go to shows or get involved," Kilpatrick said. "That's crazy. We want everyone who appreciates rock music to enjoy these shows and help us plan future ones."
You don't have to be a hipster to appreciate the genius of band names like Best Fwends and Japanther, and their music might be just as entertaining.
