Diverse bands showcase undiscovered talent at Messiah College’s free B-sides concerts
September 27th, 2010
GRANTHAM, Pa. (Sept. 27, 2010) —Messiah College’s Student Activities Board brings diverse, undiscovered bands to campus every Wednesday night at 10 p.m. for a free, semester-long concert series called “B-Sides.” Each concert is open to the public; no tickets are required. All bands perform in Larsen Student Union on the college’s Grantham campus. (For updates to the schedule, please visit messiah.edu/org/sab/bsides.html.)
Sept. 29, Gold Motel
Singer-songwriter Greta Morgan spent four years touring with the Chicago pop band The Hush Sound across three different continents before she moved to the sunshine state of southern California. Here, she continued song writing until Gold Motel finally became the collaboration of her dreams and ideas for her music. Gold Motel is all about creating dreamy, quick-witted, and energetic California pop.
Oct. 6, Clare and the Reasons
Clare and the Reasons is a Brooklyn-based orchestral pop group that falls somewhere in the middle of sophisticated musical maturity and childlike musical instincts. The band, founded by Clare and Oliver Manchon, has already toured the U.S. and Canada three times after the release of their last album, “Arrow”, in October, as well as spent this past March on an extensive tour throughout Europe. Their live performance is filled with energy and a plethora of instruments including violas, cellos, kazoos, recorders and a variety of hittable things.
Oct. 13, Captain of Compliments
Inspired by bands such as Modest Mouse and At the Drive-In, Captain of Compliments delivers a unique sound for a punk rock band, shying away from ultra heavy resonance. “Absolute Punk,”an online source for the latest in punk music and reviews, says that “these guys are truly something… the vocals wonderfully anchor their music and are the first thing that grabbed my attention, simply for the fact that they don’t fit into the typical hardcore band sound.” As college students, these four guys keep busy writing and recording music amid their studies.
Oct. 27, An Early Ending with guest Where the Ocean Meets the Sky
An Early Ending is a high energy rock band working to be known in the metal core scene. Much of their hardcore yet melodic sound is very technically demanding and offers something different for listeners. The band told “Fly Magazine” in an interview that as opposed to being influenced by one defined genre, they are “trying honestly to just come up with our own sound.”
Hard rock band Where the Ocean Meets the Sky aims to make thunderous metal meet lyrically deep. Their latest album is all about the fall from grace. Thoughtfully named “The Empire,” the album’s title metaphorically represents man’s pride, life and creations.
Nov. 3, The Drastics
To confine The Drastics to the reggae label would be denying this modern music band credit for the various genres of music that it pulls its inspiration from. The Drastics draw from roots Jamaican music, hip hop, hard-bop jazz, dancehall and afro-beat, as well as folk music from Asia, Africa, the Middle East and South America. The band tries to integrate feelings of both rough urban living and sophistication into their music, and their live performances are filled with energy and excitement. TimeOut Chicago sums it up by saying that The Drastics “never fail to put on a killer party.”
Nov. 10, Griffin House
Nothing is as real and personal as 27-year old Griffin Houses’ music. House attempts to reach his audience with penetrating stories of his life, struggles and spirituality. On top of a message that is so intellectually and emotionally deep, Houses’ southern folk-rock and alternative country songs are sweet and melodic to the ear.
Nov. 17, TBA
Dec. 1, The Wiyos
The Wiyos draw their musical inspiration from vintage-like country blues, swing music and old rag time tunes while adding their own intensity and originality to the old time music that inspires their songs. However, their songs are not the only authenticity that the band has perfected. The Wiyos turn their live performances into a vaudeville-style stage show that is filled with animation and exuberance. As a result of their successful lively shows, The Wiyos have performed over 1,000 times in seven different countries.
Dec 8, Andreas Kapsalis Trio
The Andreas Kapsalis Trio is an ensemble made up of Kapsalis on guitar along with percussionists Gallagher and Garvey. Together, the three group members create an introspective, frenzied style of music. BMI, a music licensing company, says that “Andreas Kapsalis is a real-deal artist with a deep soul and a totally original voice. He has always taken my breath away with his unique and evolutionary style of guitar playing.”
About Messiah College
Messiah College, a private Christian college of the liberal and applied arts and sciences, enrolls 2,800 undergraduate students in more than 55 majors. Established in 1909, the primary campus is located in Grantham, Pa., near the state capital of Harrisburg. A satellite campus affiliated with Temple University is located in Philadelphia.
