Crowbar rocks for a good cause

Reviewed by JON FASSNACHT
and SCOTT SWINDELLS
Collegian Staff Writers

The all-ages band bash Tuesday night at Crowbar, 420 E. College Ave., offered four bands for $4 for one good cause. All proceeds from the night benefited the Interfraternity Council/Panhellenic Dance Marathon.

Other numbers of interest include: 57, the number of songs played throughout the night; 56, the number of cover songs; four, the number of special guests who appeared; two, the number of vinyl pants worn by band members; and the Four Diamonds Fund, the organization dance marathon benefits.

"We had four bands travel from all across the state to support us," said Bill Pezza, overall entertainment chair of Thon. "It was great because we got a lot of people who aren't normal Thon supporters and, hopefully, this will open their eyes."

Bluesuedegroove opened the proceedings. The band's set consisted mainly of covers ranging from "Jessica" by the Allman Brothers Band to "Wolfman's Brother" by Phish. The band's musicianship helped it do respectable versions of these songs -- the keyboard player was especially good -- but some of the jams between songs sounded a little forced.

The Flamin' Caucasians took the stage next. Its set was boosted by the guest appearances of members of Queen Bee and the Blue Hornet Band, Tin Pan Alley, Engine #9, Mr. Greengenes, and Green Eggs and Spam. Having these guests was a good idea because the best songs came out of these collaborations.

The remainder of their its consisted of a few less-than-memorable moments. Its version of James Brown's "Get Up (I Feel Like Being a) Sex Machine" sounded exactly like what it was -- four white guys trying to cover the "godfather of soul" to no avail. They did a better job covering "Play that Funky Music," but a hack at the Beastie Boys' "Fight For Your Right" fell short of expectations.

The between-songs banter consisted mainly of the sex-driven bass player's obscene comments ranging from the size of audience members' "talleywackers" to "your mom's cherry." If nothing else, these comments did arouse the crowd.

But the night belonged to Mr. Greengenes. From the time its members took the stage until the time they left, everyone in the audience on the Crowbar floor was moving -- and not for the exits.

Its set was by far the most energetic of the night, probably due to the fact the band took its own approach to covers, injecting them with funk and fury, leaving the audience bedazzled. "Mama Said Knock You Out," "Jack and Diane" and "Song 2" (You know--"woo hoo!") were among the highlights of the show.

Green Eggs and Spam had a tough act to follow. Although it did have the advantage of an adrenaline-filled crowd, the band did not have the energy and musicianship of its predecessors. Its performance was basically a medley of almost every ‘80s pop song ever written.

And for the benefit of the kids, the house was packed with all the proceeds contributed to the cause.

"I think there should be more things like this," Kat Rudolph (junior-biology) said. "It gives good publicity for Thon and it gives people a chance to support it."