By Khadijah Yasin
Staff Writer
The Fall 2016 semester kicked off with musical performances by some of the College’s very own at the College Union Board’s (CUB) annual Café Under the Stars. On Sunday, Aug. 28, three student bands, Prince and Beggar, Good Luck Spaceman and Oral Support, played a range of music from pop-punk to folk rock and many genres in between.
“Café Under the Stars is an event that TCNJ has held at the beginning of every fall semester. There’s a good number of people who show up,” said CUB Alt co-Chair Dana Gorab, a junior communication studies major who organized the event. This year, a strong turnout from all grades took to Green Lawn to enjoy free pretzels and soft drinks as they watched a show with a nearly palpable sense of passion.
“We’ve played Café Under the Stars the past three years and it’s been a blast each time. There was a great crowd this year, too, and everyone seemed to have fun,” said Jake Rubin, Good Luck Spaceman’s frontman and a senior communication studies major. “Playing outside is electrifying, as well. (It) goes hand-in-hand with the cathartic experience that is live music.”
Good Luck Spaceman’s lineup is rounded out by Mikey Rosen and Kyle Newins, both senior communication studies majors, as well as Mike Laudenbach, a senior English and philosophy double major, and senior Danny Galli.
Each band’s chemistry was undeniable, as most of them have been playing together since their first year at the College.
“We actually met two years ago at Café Under the Stars,” said Brandon Martinez, Oral Support’s drummer and a junior marketing major.
Oral Support comprises Martinez on drums and two others: bassist Nelson Kelly, junior history and secondary education dual major, and lead vocalist and guitarist Alec Schactman, a junior management major. Oral Support primarily plays original indie punk music, and sometimes, the band even pulls inspiration for songs from past experiences at the College.
“I basically wrote (the song ‘Peepa’s Gone’ when) I was reminiscing about my CA (Community Adviser) who left,” Schatman said. The song is about his CA from freshman year, who has since graduated.
Though the bands all played music within the genre of rock, the sound and styles varied, as they all brought something different from each band’s respective set — changes that the crowd enjoyed.
CUB plans to host events every week through the end of the semester, including seven open-stage events where students can perform and show off their talents in music, comedy and more.
