Students had the chance to hang out with their favorite musicians in the Rathskeller on Friday, March 21, when Paradise Fears and Pentimento performed and connected with their fans.
The first act, Pentimento, was comprised of Jeramiah Pauly on vocals and guitar, Lance Claypool also on guitar, Michael Hansen on drums and Vincent Caito on bass.Hailing from Buffalo, N.Y., the punk rock quartet played songs off their 2012 self-titled LP, the 2011 EP “Wrecked” and the recently-released EP “Inside the Sea.”
The band’s 10-song set included “Conscience (Consequence),” “Almost Atlantic” and “Just Friends,” which showcased Pauly’s passionate singing and Hansen’s hard, fast and loud drum playing.
They just wrapped up the year-long No Country for Old Musicians Tour with Reggie and the Full Effect, the solo project of The Get Up Kids keyboardist James Dewees, with their final tour stop at Asbury Lanes in Asbury Park, N.J.
The band enjoyed the small, intimate atmosphere the Rat provides concertgoers and performers.
“It was a nice change of pace from the other venues we played at recently where people are there for a specific event,” Hansen said. “Here, everyone can just hang out, eat, do homework — it’s really cool.”
The headliner of the night, Paradise Fears, gave the Rat a more upbeat energy with their alternative pop sound and acoustic guitar and piano playing.
Vocalist Samuel Miller, bassist Marcus Sand, drummer Lucas Zimmerman, guitarists Cole Andre and Jordan Merrigan and keyboardist Michael Walker performed songs off their 2013 album, “Battle Scars,” 2011 “Yours Truly” and EP “Make Them Believe.”
The band played some of their most popular songs including “Lullaby,” “More Than Lust,” “What Are You Waiting For?” and a cover of Snow Patrol’s “Chasing Cars.” The cover song brought back memories of the struggles of adolescence, especially middle school dances, which were described as a “formative time” for Miller.
Throughout the evening, the band engaged the audience by cracking jokes, sharing personal anecdotes and asking questions about life at the College.
Following their cover of R. Kelly’s “Ignition Remix,” Miller quipped, “When it was time to talk about the birds and the bees I said, ‘No, Dad, I listen to R. Kelly, I got this,’” touching on the song’s suggestive lyrics.
Senior women’s and gender studies major Caitlin Bradley considers Paradise Fears to be her favorite band and was thrilled to have the chance to meet them.
“I first learned of them when they went on tour with All Time Low a few years ago,” Bradley said. “(Tonight) they played my favorite song ‘Sanctuary,’ which is like the band’s anthem.”
Check out the bands’ Facebook pages to learn more.
