Summer bands heat up campus music scene
If you walked past Beta Alpha Omega fraternity on the fourth of July, ate lunch on the Green during Jamboree for the Junction or stopped by Phi Delta Alpha fraternity last Saturday, you’ve probably noticed that campus has gotten a lot more musical. Lady and the Tramps and The Euphemisms, two bands that formed this summer,provide campus with a welcome alternative to the old playlists we’ve been hearing for two years straight.
Lady and the Tramps features Phoebe Bodurtha ’15, the only woman in the bunch, on vocals, Eli Derrow ’15 on drums, Michael Blum ’15 on guitar, Ryan McWilliams ’14 on bass, Dan Nulton ’15 on trombone, Brett Szalapski ’15 on baritone saxophone and Matt Metzler ’15 on trumpet. The band formed when Derrow and McWilliams, who both play in Toast, decided they wanted to keep the music going over the summer with a rock and R&B band.
So far, Lady and the Tramps have played at Sigma Delta sorority’s semi-formal, a parent’s weekend show in the Collis Center and Phi Delt. McWilliams said that he has enjoyed playing in Greek basements in particular because it brings people together.
“You just get an energy down there and everyone’s having a lot of fun,” he said. “When everyone’s having fun, the band has fun.”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4OuzU4MXDmI
On Saturday, Lady and the Tramps completely transformed the traditional fraternity basement scene. Instead of pong with mellow music in the background, people focused on the music itself. The crowd danced, bobbed their heads and sang along as Bodurtha belted out favorites including “Roxanne.”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fnWwLJ8khSo
The Euphemisms include Dan Calano ’15 on vocals, Hannah O’Flynn ’15 on saxophone and backup vocals, Carl Neisser ’15 on guitar, Leif Harder ’15 on bass guitar and Moises Silva ’16 on drums. The band settled on its name after much confusion and many changes. They started out as “Derpin’,” but once they played their first show at Beta on July 4th they decided to take on a more serious name to reflect the fact that the band was performing real gigs. For a while, they changed the name every time someone asked them what their band was called, then finally settled on The Euphemisms once that, predictably, became too confusing.
The Euphemisms play '90s rock-style music, and the majority of their songs are upbeat and recognizable. Favorites include “Santeria” and “I Want You Back,” and I’ve heard rumors that the band may be revving up to learn the “Arthur” theme song.
O’Flynn said she loves that there are multiple bands playing on campus this summer because it allows musical people to come together and entertain at a time when there are few other options to do so on campus. The summer weather also makes this the perfect season for live music, she said.
“There’s a lot more opportunities for live performances, especially because it’s summer and it’s so beautiful outside,” she said. “Who doesn’t want to hear live music on a beautiful day?”
The Euphemisms are playing this Thursday night in FoCo and this Friday at Fieldstock's block party.
Chuck, the country band that formed this spring, is not together this summer because of D-Plan complications but will reunite for one show at Alpha Delta fraternity’s lawn party on Friday. Chase Klein ’14, who is on guitar and lead vocals for the band, said that having bands on campus contributes to the atmosphere of the summer by bringing people together outdoors.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17_Fqr4_31U