Dragon*Con 2010

The men who made the Ramblin’ Wreck tune a nationally, if not internationally, recognizable fight song are seeking fresh vocals to strike their chords.

Owl City, as well as Paper Route and Lights, visited the Tabernacle in Atlanta on April 20, 2010. The gates opened with a variety of people ranging from 12 to 30. Paper Route opened up the concert of keyboardist and synthesized sounds. The sounds of this American indie rock band from Nashville, TN actually surprised me and left me wanting to discover more. The easy tunes of Paper Route have recently been touring with the bigger names on the Final Riot Tour with Paramore and Jacks Manniquin. Watch out for this band, and the next to bring in bigger followings.

I’m quite certain that the first thing you are asking yourself is “Who is Pat Metheny?” Though my own age dwarfs the majority of the people here, even I knew little about him, save for his renown as a jazz fusion guitarist. I can already imagine the rolling of eyes as they scan this page, and with good reason. Most jazz fusion guitarists evoke the image of an older white gentleman, with hair that only a musician can get away with. If you were to look at Pat Metheny, you would likely have guessed his profession, for he has an amazing head of hair that can only be adequately compared to a lion’s mane. However, you are likely not interested in Pat Metheny’s hair, so let us continue.

Every year, just after spring break has passed, the Georgia Tech student programs bring in a band for a Sting Break concert. Last year featured bands such as OAR, Augustana and Parachute. This year brought in opener Crash Kings and headliner JET, an established band and an up and coming. Sting Break was held on April 8 at the Burger Bowl on Georgia Tech campus, the same location as the homecoming concert the previous fall.

I’d imagine that the musical tastes of Tech students vary a bit from what is considered the “norm.” Even when you compensate for factors such as age, I would imagine a few unusual band names would pop through.

Umphrey’s McGee, a progressive jam-band based out of Chicago, performed at the Tabernacle on Feb. 6. The venue seemed to be lacking in attendance at first while opening act Dubconcious was performing. Slowly, the Tabernacle was becoming a sardine can of a venue as Umphrey’s McGee was inching to performance. The crowd would burst into screams when slight movements on stage were seen, and Umphrey’s McGee did not tease for a long time.

Infinite Harmony is the “Mixed Contemporary” branch of the A Capella Club at Tech. Founded in 2004, Infinite Harmony has 18 members. This makes for a perfect ratio. Like the other groups under the club, it is by audition each semester.

Badfish, a Sublime tribute band, opened up their musical doors to the Atlanta public on Nov. 7 at Variety Playhouse. The night started out with band Scotty Don’t playing music reminiscent of Bob Marley’s feel-good tunes featuring their rendition of “One Love.” Although the mediocre performance gathered a lullaby of listeners, the band finished up with a more modern version of The Beatles’ “Hey Jude.” The easy going melodies soon sublimated to the blend of punk, rock and reggae.

This past Sunday popular Atlanta music venue The Tabernacle was once again transformed into a pop punk jam fest with the OP Presents Boys Like Girls Tour, along with fellow acts Cobra Starship, The Maine, A Rocket to the Moon and VersaEmerge Tour. While Boys Like Girls were the headlining group, many left feeling that Cobra Starship deserved that spot.