The Observer, October 21, 2005
Volume XXXVIII, Issue 8
October Spot Night featured campus ska band
UPB Concerts and Amnesty International teamed up for Spot Night on Oct. 5 to showcase Jamnesty, an event that raised awareness about the conscription of young children into the army and featured musical acts Josh Joplin, Cordero, and Stop Laughing.
Despite lagging popularity nationally, ska is being kept alive at Case with local act Stop Laughing, which has amassed a huge following in their short lifespan together. It seems that the fans were present not only to show support for the music but to support friendships with members of the band.
Within the last seven months, Stop Laughing has performed twice and added a new guitarist, Kedar Hiremath. The addition of Hiremath has given Stop Laughing a fuller sound that filled in musical gaps from before. Matt Maibach's fingers seem nimbler; his solo was impressive but rushed. Autumn Perne's lead vocals in their cover of Sublime's "Santeria" could have used more power. The horn section, consisting of Amy Orsborn, Timothy O'Connor, and Stephen Lamoreaux, is considerably tighter than before, and their keyboardist Jay Williams got the crowd pumped – a true Ben Carr, former dancer and band manager for The Mighty Mighty Bosstones.
Even with a strong backing band, a group cannot grow to their full potential if vocals are weak and the vocalists are bland. In this case vocals, at least last Wednesday, were severely weak, and the vocalists lacked the stage presence necessary to build an identity. I would like to think that the sound guy did a bad job, even though I know better. While the band was getting their pits sweaty, the two vocalists, Sara Marshall and Alison Molnar, stood more like back up vocalists than front women.
Stop Laughing will have two weeks to improve before their big show with Reel Big Fish on Oct. 28th. Can they do it?
The other two Spot Night acts, Cordero and Josh Joplin, definitely gave the students who stayed for the rest of the show their student activities fees' worth.
Cordero, a four piece bilingual indie pop act, from Brooklyn, NY proved to be even better live than on their albums. Guitarist/singer Ani Cordero formed the group with her husband Chris Verene, a renowned photographer, in 2000. They sang catchy danceable tunes in Spanish and played in a style similar to meringue but with a rock touch. Some of the titles included "Soltera" and "Vamos Nenas."
Josh Joplin, a bespectacled, unkempt Henry Rollins look-alike with the voice of Michael Stipe, was the headliner for the night. The group performed many songs from the days of The Josh Joplin Group including their minor hit "Camera One" from 2001. Backed by a bassist and drummer, Joplin played all his songs on an acoustic guitar, which gave the whole set a folk feel.
Even though the sweltering heat of the Spot was intolerable, the two bands played with energy worth the money UPB Concerts paid for them. It was an impressive concert.
For up to date Spot Night concert information go to http://upb.case.edu/.
