Music club Asylum plays on despite budget cuts

Ska, punk, hard-core and emo-rock are all part of an evening of nonalcoholic entertainment presented by The Asylum.

The Asylum, now part of the free HUB Late Night, is a student-run organization that brings entertainment to the University by giving students an alternative to the local bar scene. The group formed in March 1986.

However, The Asylum, dubbed "Penn State's Premier Non-Alcoholic Nightclub" is now working with a diminished budget and will soon have to relocate.

- Brent Eyestone (senior-communications), current president of the Asylum, and member of the band Waifle.

"Due to reconstruction (at the HUB), shows aren't going to be in the (HUB) Ballroom, so they're going to have to be resourceful soon," said Brent Eyestone (senior-communications), current president of the Asylum, and member of the band Waifle.

"(It's) something for students that doesn't involve alcohol," said Patrick Templeton (senior-mechanical engineering), treasurer for The Asylum.

HUB construction will force this "Non-Alcoholic Nightclub" out of its home, but according to Eyestone, the group has several locations from which they can choose. The group has yet to officially decide which will best suit their needs, but Eyestone said they will not stop providing entertainment because of the changes.

"I guarantee that the proverbial shows 'will go on,' " he said.

In the past, the group has exhibited such bands as last year's Punk Rock Prom performer Slacker and Battle of the Bands winner Finster, as well as larger groups such as Brainiac and the Washington, D.C.-based band Jawbox.

They plan to present more acts such as these in the future as long as funds hold out.

The Asylum's recent budget cuts means it must now apply to the University for funding for each show.

This will have little or no effect on the bands they choose or the numbers of shows per semester, Eyestone said.

"I don't think that the change in the budget proceedings has had any impact on the bands we get," Eyestone said. "We are able to make financial adjustments accordingly."

Most of the featured bands are local acts or independent artists, many of whom members of The Asylum know personally. Examples of the bands include those who played at a show last month: Waifle, Kerosene 454 and Blue-Tip.

On April 17, The Asylum will have another free HUB Late Night show with Braid, Compound Red, the Dillenger Escape Plan and locals Jason Likes Science, Eyestone said.

Finances may be a concern for the group in the future, but members are not worrying about money right now.

However, the passing of the torch may affect the music due to new members' musical influences and connections.

Eyestone, who will graduate this semester, said he has the utmost confidence in the next generation, and doesn't doubt their dedication to purpose of the Asylum.

"The future looks extraordinarily bright for The Asylum," he said.