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Common Man does uncommonly
well at Behrend's Battle of the Bands
by Michael Gettleman
Collegian Staff Writer
A band from Jamestown, New
York, including a Behrend student
on drums, surpassed four other
bands in last weekend's "Battle of
the Bands." The decision was
based on sound quality and stage
prescence.
Rain didn't dampen the spirits
of those involved with the fourth
annual "Battle of the Bands."
"Friction" was headlining this
musical field day, but for the
bands competing, a serious grand
prize of $3OO was at stake. With
the stage moved to the friendly
confines of the Wintergreen
Theater, this festival of fresh
music began.
The first band to appear was
the "Funn Band" from Oil City.
This four-man band demonstrated
a great deal of ability as members
traded instruments and three
performers sang lead during their
six song set. They even threw in
a little choreography during "The
Hippy Hippy Shake".
Unfortunately, being the first
band to perform, they didn't have
too much of a crowd. This proved
to hurt their overall performance.
The second act, "Common
Man" from Jamestown, N.Y.,
ROTC Rangers recruit
On Monday, September 11, the
Behrend ROTC Ranger Club held
a demonstration for over forty
perspective new members.
The demonstration featured an
ambush, followed by the tactical
rope bridge crossing over a nearby
stream.
The team was led by squad
leader Dana Grudzien, and team
leaders Andy Zimmer and Larry
Corr. The rest of the team
consisted of cadets Tony DeMarco,
Mark Kloock, Mike DeMarco,
offered a unique sound to the
competition. Backed by a solid
rhythm section highlighted by
Behrend student Michael Sudul
on drums, they drew the ever
growing crowd out to the dance
floor. This four-man, one woman
band did only one cover tune and
that was from another Jamestown
band, 10,000 Maniacs, with "Eat
for Two".
Another crowd pleaser was
when keyboardist/singer Michele
Mervin on "I Need a Man"
taunted the audience with
orgasmic -like tones, on her knees
at center stage. With almost all
original music, this band drew
heavy acclaim from the judges.
The next band was a local
favorite, "ICE 9." This Butler
based band really got the crowd
rockin'. Guitarist Brian Kriley
dazzled the audience with his
guitar ability and
singer/keyboardist Ron Cehelsky
was jamming from their opening
number, "Cult of Personality" to
their close with "Old Time Rock
& Roll". They also played
"YYZ", an instrumental piece
performed with great dexterity.
The fourth band consisted of
Behrend students calling
themselves "East 30 Road Pak."
These three guys took the stage
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Todd Everett, and Mark Rayburg.
Some of the perspective
members also fired M-16's, and
the M-60 automatic machine gun.
They also had a chance to hook up
and cross the stream over the rope
bridge.
Interested students can go to
the ROTC office, located on the
lower level of the Glenhill
Farmhouse, at 5:30 pm any
Monday afternoon and talk to the
Ranger Club commander.
and, to the surprise of most in
the audience, played a 15-minute
original piece. This song was all
instrumental and had a full, rich
sound containing some powerful
drum solos by Tim Bartels.
Throughout the many tempo
changes, they maintained a high
level of intensity in their first
ever performance.
The final competing band was
"French Maide." They opened
with some overwhelming power
which left most of the crowd
somewhat comatose. They settled
down a bit to the popular covers
"18 and Life" and "Dirty Deeds
Done Dirt Cheap". Their heavy
sound even came through on their
final number, "Rock N' Me".
Their rhythm section, made up of
drummer Ray Moffit and bassist
Mike Dcaux, remained very
strong throughout the set.
Of these competing bands,
"Common Man" took first place
followed closely by "Ice 9."
The headlining act was
"Friction," and they didn't let
their standing room only crowd
down. Their first set consisted of
some cover tunes as well as their
own "Charity Ball" and "Raise a
Little Hell". Most notable in this
set was their playfulness with the
audience.
photo by Au
The Behrend Collegian's editorial opinion is determined by the editor, with the editor holding final
responsibility. Opinions expressed in the Collegian are not necessarily those of the Behrend Collegian
or the Pennsylvania State University.
Letter Policy: The Behrend Collegian encourages letters on news coverage, editorial content and
university affairs. Letters should be typewritten, double-spaced and signed by no more than two
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Behrend College; The Reed Union Building, Station Road, Erie, Pa 16563.
The Collegian Wednesday, September 20, 1989
By their 6pm set, the group
was ready to send this forth
annual event out with a bang.
They began with "Ain't Talking
'Bout Love" and overcame
parking tickets to do an
interesting medley of "Dazed and
Confused/Riders of the Storm".
To the young Amanda in the
audience, they performed "Baby
Talk" and also a unique duct of
"All Right Now." Their closing
number was a powerful rendition
of "Crazy Train" which could
easily be heard throughout the
Friction
photo by Audrey Acosta
Friction heats up the RUB durring Sunday's SPC/JRC
sponsored Battle of the Bands.
Editorial Policy
campus
The afternoon was a rock and
roll victory. Said organizer
Whitney Hoffacker, "We had
wanted to get some bands
together and have some fun. It
was hard work but it was worth
it.
"Getting "Friction" here was
special. They really drew in the
folks from Bchrend and Eric, not
to mention the hands
participating." The day was a
success for the SPC and all those
involved.
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