Chronic
By David Strader
COLLEGIAN STAFF WRITER
It may not be a theater or a stadium, but
Chronic Town is no less capable of bringing
music to Penn State.
Lndie rock band Elf Power will play at 9
p.m. Monday at the hookah lounge, 224 W.
College Ave.
Jesse Ruegg, owner and manager of
Chronic Town, said he is glad to bring Elf
Power's unconventional style back to town
for the third time.
"They are a rock and roll band when you
get right down to it, but they definitely bring
elements of more experimental music,"
Ruegg said.
"They have elements like jangle pop and
heavier, buzzed out, distorted indie."
Elf Power came out with their most recent
album, Original Twin, on Sept. 14.
Ruegg said his establishment has "deep
ties" to the Athens, Ga. scene from which Elf
Power was born.
Athens is the hometown of RE.M., a rock
band whose 1981 debut EP "Chronic Town"
_red ih, he State College ver.
Elf Powei; also from Athens, is part of The
Elephant 6 Recording Company, the band's
recording company. alongside bands like The
Apples in Stereo. N iral Milk Hotel and Of
Montreal.
David Kole, per. junior gcc,::,,rapli..`
Elf Power will return to State College to play at Chronic Town. The band is originaly from Athens,
Ga. and has played at Chronic Town twice before.
Town to be Elf Powered
If you go
What Elf Power
When: 9 p.m. Sept. 20
Where: Chronic Town Hookah Lounge,
224 W. College Ave.
Details: 18 and up, $lB
Elf Power is a fitting addition to Elephant 6.
"They have a certain brand of indie pop
that's sort of jovial with a lot of very creative
references," he said. "They're very literary
they're fun and fast and poppy, but if you
listen to the lyrics, they're not just talking
about nothing."
Ruegg said Elf Power doesn't do anything
by the book, and he respects that.
"It's hard to pin them down as far as one
particular style goes, and their artistic
integrity is really respected," he said. "They
write music that they like."
Ruegg said he also appreciates Elf
Power's devotion to music rather than
money.
"They're not making millions off their
music, they're just doing it for the love of the
music and expressing themselves," he said.
"It's a labor of love."
Guitarist and vocalist Andrew Rieger said
the lost rewarding part rf orldng with Elf
"They're not making millions off their music, they're just doing
it for the love of the music and expressing themselves. It's a
labor of love."
Power is the usual process of writing and
recording music.
Elf Power has a certain stage presence
Knoppers said he appreciates.
"They come from a college town and they
have a great, yet casual live presence."
Knoppers said.
"As far as my criteria goes, that's impor
tant."
Knoppers said Chronic Town offers a cer
tain "atmosphere" that suits Elf Power's
style well.
"It's very relaxed in a good way, and a lot of
bands seem to really like it," Knoppers said.
"It just feels more personal."
Rieger said he is glad to return to the
underground State College venue.
r. oat little town, ai T ftc '1
who run the club," Rieger said. "They're
really nice guys."
Jackie Campbell (junior-English) said she
likes Chronic Town's tendency to bring in
bands outside of the mainstream, like Elf
Power.
Elf Power released its most recent album, Original Twin, Sept. 14. The band will bring its indie
rock to State College Monday night.
Jesse Ruegg
Owner and Manager of Chronic Town
She added that the venue is ideal for such
smaller performances.
"It's cozy and it's small enough that you
feel comfortable in the environment,"
Campbell said.
Chronic Town brings in musicians under
the name of its booking and production com
pany, "Roustabout!"Campbell said the book
ing agency is a vital addition to the State
College music scene.
"Your best chance of seeing a good show is
anything put on by Roustabout!," she said.
"You can always depend on Chronic Town for
a good show."
Chronic Town tries to avoid the flaws other
venues suffer from, Ruegg said.
"I've been to plenty of shows where you
• 1 )01 , ' , tp then i hearts out
and no one is paying attention, but people
definitely come to Chronic Town to hear
music and that very much feeds into the
Ruegg said.
rc,a! re,_ orter dass46l@psu.edt.