Andrew WrocK the Pub
November 13, 2008 • By Jess Novak, The Breeze
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“This is an event that has been thought about, dreamed about, joked about and has been in the process of being planned for over three years now,” explained Blame it on the Train representative and JMU senior Rick Ponsart. “And the anticipation could not be any higher.”
Thursday, just one day before JMU’s week-long Thanksgiving break begins, is sure to be a memorable day as Andrew WK, one of the most frequently requested acts around the JMU campus, is finally making his way to Harrisonburg. He will perform at The Pub.
“I hope Harrisonburg is ready for this mind-blowing experience,” said Megan Gersch, BIOTT representative. “Virginia, get ready to rage.”
Andrew WK began his music career at the age of four when he started learning classical piano and has since worked with various bands and independently to gain recognition as the ultimate “party-music” act. His first album, released on Island records, “I Get Wet,” reached No. 1 on Billboard’s “Heatseekers” list. His music has also been featured on the Madden NFL 2003 video game, the “Girls Gone Wild” soundtrack and various commercials.
Andrew also works as a touring motivational speaker, was a judge for this summer’s Paul Green School of Rock Music annual festival competition for song of the year and has been featured on “The Daily Show,” “Late Night with Conan O’Brien” and “Saturday Night Live.”
“Be prepared to be engulfed by Andrew WK’s high intensity and electric personality,” Ponsart said. “This is what a live performance was meant to be. This is what life is all about.”
Saturday, Nov. 15
Skies Over Saturn at Bourbon Street: South Main Street at 9:30 p.m.
This alternative rock group of JMU students has self-proclaimed their music as “epic space rock” and have found themselves sharing stages with acts including Fountains of Wayne and The Season. Their classic rock influences are apparent in their catchy originals, including “Out of the Sandbox” and “Eudemonia” and their music is available on their MySpace page and snocap.com. The band has been writing recently and this may be their last show of the semester, so be sure to not miss it.
www.myspace.com/skiesoversaturnsos
Savage Land, Kingshead and Balaclava at the Old Club Sandwich: 750 South High St.
For those familiar with Savage Land, Saturday is a big deal as it marks the band’s record release show. For those not familiar with Savage Land, this show is the perfect time to become acquainted.
“A lot of hard work has gone into this project and I’m proud with the final product,” said drummer and JMU alumnus Phil Mathews. “It’s the first time Kingshead has played in Harrisonburg and Balaclava is really heavy.”
SL was back in the ’Burg only two weeks ago for a show at the Blue Nile with Cloak Dagger, but this event is anticipated to be even bigger, due to the importance of the new record and the other two bands on the bill.
Savage Land is Tim Skirven and Marty Tribble, current JMU students, David Frazier and Phil Mathews, JMU alumnae and Austin Stemper, a Bridgewater alumnus. Though Stemper will not be present Saturday night, Jake Adams who also performs with Valkyrie, which recently released a new record “Man of Two Visions,” will be filling in.
Following the show this weekend, SL plans to continue playing as much as possible, especially out-of-town shows and write, record and release something new before the end of 2009.
www.myspace.com/savagelandhc
www.myspace.com/kingsheadva
www.myspace.com/balaclava
Tuesday, Nov. 18
As Tall As Lions with Young Enough and Thomas Leahy at Rocktown Bar and Grill at 8 p.m.
Not only is Tuesday’s line-up unstoppable, but it is also benefiting a great cause and a JMU student-formed company based out of Harrisonburg. Pie Smack Productions is a company working to bring various mainstream and local acts to the stage to promote music and art throughout the community. All profits from the events and donations made to the group benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
With that said, seeing As Tall As Lions isn’t just the best way to spend next Tuesday night, but you can feel good about supporting a great cause while you’re at it.
The increasingly popular ATAL recently played at the CMJ music festival in New York City at the Highline Ballroom and received “Top Honors” according to playbackstl.com, which called the songs “immeasurably more dynamic” live and described the band members as “a bunch of well-dressed hippies playing amazingly rich, textured, high-energy indie rock.”
ATAL just released their EP “Into the Flood” internationally on itunes, Napster and various other internet-based music sites including purevolume where several exclusive acoustic songs are also available.
Though Pie Smack also considered acts like Afroman, who cancelled at the last minute (because he got high?), ATAL seems to be the better choice and fellow acts Young Enough And Thomas Leahy are expected to deliver just as dynamic and danceable a performance.
www.piesmackproductions.org
www.astallaslions.com
www.myspace.com/youngenoughtodance
Wednesday, November 19
Chris Knight at Rocktown Bar and Grill at 8 p.m.
He has been compared to Johnny Cash and Bruce Springsteen. He has been recognized by publications including Rolling Stone, Paste, USA Today, CMT, Blender, The LA Times, The Chicago Tribune, Entertainment Weekly, No Depression, JamBase and Mojo to name a few. Even with five acclaimed albums, he remains true to his roots, living in the rural coal town of Slaughters, Kentucky, where he was born and raised. And next week he is coming to Harrisonburg.
Wednesday night at Rocktown, country/folk rock legend Chris Knight will be making a stop in the ’Burg between stops in Springfield, Ill. and Roanoke, to show students and the community why he was called “the best damn songwriter in Country Music,” by CMF (UK).
“We’re really trying something different with this show,” said Rocktown manager Chuck Troutman. “We’re making it more of a coffee house feel with tables up close to Chris to make it more intimate. I want people who come out to really get to see him.”
His earnest lyrics, relatable song topics and raw vocals make for some of the best country rock, making him an act not to miss.
www.chrisknight.net
Contact Jess Novak at novakjl@jmu.edu
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Some might assume the week before Thanksgiving break would be a quiet one, winding down before the long week off…but not this semester.
For anyone looking to start the holiday vacation early with some stand-out musical performances happening everywhere from basements to Bourbon St. and featuring genres ranging from hard core to Americana, this mini-guide has something for everyone.
Friday, November 14
Americana Showcase at the WXJM radio station: 983 Reservoir St. from 7-9:30pm
Though the show will not be broadcast live, it will be featuring some good old-fashioned Americana from three acts.
Here’s to the Long Haul is a foil group from Blacksburg and features instrumentation including guitar, banjo, mandolin, spoons, fiddle, lap steel, bass and guitar. The group is currently traveling around Virginia and south through Tennessee and Kentucky. The band performs both conventional and more modern pieces, celebrating their Appalachian traditions.
http://www.myspace.com/herestothelonghaul
Josh Vana is JMU’s latest Bob Dylan, bringing old-school folk back to life with his one-man jam featuring dexterous guitar licks, captivating vocals and blistering harmonica solos. Vana was recently signed to 80 One records after playing his way through the Record Deal Rumble competition and is arguably one of the most talented solo acts to make his way onto JMU’s play lists. So, do yourself a favor and make your way to the station Friday night.
Look for the Josh Vana group on Facebook.com.
Nick Melas is a JMU senior and WXJM DJ. Though he studies Anthropology and Geographic Science, he could pass for a music, English or political science major as his catchy rhythms, intelligent writing and politically-minded lyrics are sure to grab the attention of anyone who listens. His addicting up-beat style is reminiscent of Jack Johnson, placing him in good company. You can be in good company, too. Just make it out to WXJM and you’ll have yourself a good, folk/rock/roots/Americana time.
http://www.myspace.com/nicholasmelas
Punk, Metal, Rock Show at Yelwar House: 1065 South High St. from 7-10pm
For those looking for a harder genre, Yelwar House is the place for you on Friday night.
The Wayward are currently on tour and making their way to Harrisonburg from Indianapolis, IN though the band hails from Fairfax. Since 2004, The Wayward have played over 300 shows, been a part of 10 tours and have two full-length albums available, “Overexposure” and “s/t”. This psychedelic metal trio is guaranteed to deliver an exciting show.
http://www.myspace.com/thewayward
For an even harder band, try out Thus Came from Clover Hill. This death/black metal band names very few influence, though they include Old Milwaukee and whiskey. Enough said.
http://www.myspace.com/thuscame
Tournament is a New York band making their way to Harrisonburg and Richmond. The punk rock group released the Swordswallower EP and was reviewed on deafsparrow.com where their music was called, “direct, raw and catchy, their melodies are hook-laden, yet angular, the singing blends with screaming, hooks with speed and in the end tournament exposes its guts with such glorious attitude.” If deafsparrow.com is a fan, I bet you could be, too.
http://www.myspace.com/tournamenttournament
Andrew WK opened for the Foo Fighters at the Convo back in 2000!
Oh hell yea! Did you go? What did you think? The show Thursday was INSANE. And awesome. I hope he comes back again…hopefully, sooner than 8 years later this time.