James Madison University - Bluestone Schoolmaam Yearbook (Harrisonburg, VA)

Page 25 text:

By Katie Thisdell Say Anything rocked out V to an energetic crowd in Wson Hall Say Anything said anything and everything as they entertained a packed auditorium with outrageous rock songs, comedic comments and intense energy. You know how when you go to a concert and you don ' t really know all the songs, so it ' s all up to the performance? asked sophomore Michelle Koob. Well, they were io entertaining. I thought they put on a really good show. Energy filled the stage during the hour-long set as the crowd cheered for the band to play more songs. Lead singer Max Bemis also proved he had a valuable stage presence as he engaged in comedic dialogue with the audience throughout the night. It was almost like stand-up in between songs, said Koob. 1 was cracking up, like, the whole time, so it wasn ' t bad that we didn ' t know any songs. Koob decided just an hour before the show began at 8 p.m. that she wanted to go. After finishing dinner, she ran to her dorm to get money before finding seats in the back of the auditorium with two friends. 1 knew two of their songs and I likeoWtiose, so in thebackof my head I was kind of considering going, explained Koob. It was a last minute decision, but it was really fun. The set list was split between two albums ...Is A Real Boy and In Defense of the Genre. The band played popular songs including People Like You Are Why People Like Me Exist, BabyGirl, I ' m A Blur, Shiksa (Girlfriend], Every Man Has A Molly, The Church Channel and An Orgy of Critics. Sophomore Melissa Smetts loved seeing her favorite song, Wow, 1 Can Get Sexual Too, performed live. As a fan of the band, she thought they sounded great, even from the back of the auditorium. They did sing very well, especially compared to other artists who sing live, said Smetts. ENERGIZED by the crowd, bass guitarist nie. Kent loses himself in the music. A 22-year-old New York native, Kent formerly played bass for the punk- rock band, Lance ' s Hero. Photo by Katie Piwowarczyk Gaij Angtfvmg 21 I

Page 24 text:

I Me Glory of Hock GUITARIST complements lead singer Max Bemis during the band ' s set. Like his brother, Jake, Turner sang backup vocals in addition to playing guitar for the band. Photo by Katie Piwowarczyk ii Even en ik (? ck, piSoplfi jo rejiAm.i mQ aroiAnd tXYvd d zndnQ. Tve never he n so ftir m the lc;ack at a concen A kere ikere ' s 5-tilt tK t wviAck ener ij. sopkomore, WlicKietU Koolc 20 wtwriss

Page 26 text:

IheC.lorN of lUxK ENCOURAGING audience participation, Mjx Bernis offers the mic to tiie crowd. Bemis was Say Anything ' s primary songwriter, basing most of his songs on experience. Photo by Katie Piwowarczyk UPB announced that tickets for the spring concert would go on sale on Feb. 11 for $15 for jMU Access Card (JACard) holders or $20 without a JACard. Patrick White, then a member of UPB ' s Center Stage committee, worked security at the event. White was the 2008-09 director of the committee. Everyone seemed to be having a good time, said White. 1 wasn ' t sure how popular thev were going to be, but they definitely were that night. ' UPB chose the band based«n results aka survey sent to students the pr ous summer The necision was based oB the number of votes the band received, as well as oflher factors, iri uding availability. it was a good variety to bring them here, said Smetts. But I don ' t know ' if it uas the best decision. Based on the amount o energy filling the auditorium though, nobody in the audience seemed to be disappointed by the choice. Since 1 didn ' t know the band really well, we were sitting in the back, said Koob. ' ut e ' eryone was standing up during the songs and ygu could hear, even in the back, people wete jumping around and dancing, said Koob. I ' ve never been so far in the back at a concert where there ' s still that much energy. Amid complex songs and persistent clapping, the bands shocked the auditorium with their eccen- tric power and liveliness. The singer really reached out to the audience, said White. His favorite performance was the familiar song Alive With The Glory of Love, which closed the show. Koob agreed. 1 liked how they finished the concert with ... the first song 1 had ever heard by them, she said, adding she would see them perform again if she could. They know how to put on a show. 22 feo-iiAfes