Profstock 2010

Approximately 2,300 students filled the Esby Gym on Saturday night with excitement and anticipation as Party Attack, Alpha Rev, Reel Big Fish and Third Eye Blind took the stage at the 1st annual Profstock. In between sets, the crowd danced to music by DJ Freezy, keeping the crowd energized throughout the night. One of the original artists scheduled to perform, Sean Kingston, cancelled the last minute due to flight delays.

The Office of Student Activities, Rowan After Hours and Student University Programmers sponsored the event and worked together to produce a survey to help determine what bands the Rowan University students wanted to hear most. Last year, a similar but significantly smaller event, “The Show,” was held at the Rec Center, featuring Day 26 and Saves The Day. According to Assistant Director of Student Activities Constantine Alexakos, this year the name was changed to Profstock to add in the tradition of the Prof.

Vernon began the show by saying, “As an opening band, I’m excited to see so many people!”

Fans who came out to support Party Attack were not disappointed, as the group delivered an upbeat and energetic performance.

“I thought the drummer was great,” said sophomore psychology major Christina Koeppel.

Next to perform was Alpha Rev, a seven-member band from Austin, Texas who has been performing the past few shows with Third Eye Blind. Included in the band was a blue electric violin, cello, keyboard and bass guitar. Alpha Rev was a crowd-pleaser with a great violin solo and tons of energy. During their set, lead singer Casey McPherson asked the crowd to sing “Happy Birthday” to the violinist, Brian Batch.

“Alpha Rev was really good. I had never heard of them before last night but really liked them,” said freshman psychology major Jessica Germann. “[They were] definitely something different then what I’m used to hearing.”

Like Germmann, sophomore athletic training major Rachel Pantaleo was one of many who weren’t sure of who the band was, or what to expect.

“I didn’t know their music, but I thought it was awesome,” Pantaleo said.

After Alpha Rev’s set ended, the crowd grew impatient waiting for the next band and began to chant “Reel Big Fish! Reel Big Fish!” When they finally reached the stage, the crowd went wild as they opened with one of their classic hits “Sell Out.”

“I was glad to finally be able to see Reel Big Fish perform, because I’ve always wanted to,” said junior radio/TV/film major Shannon MacMillin.

Throughout their performance, Reel Big Fish covered crowd favorites such as “Brown Eyed Girl” and “Enter Sandman,” along with their own classics, “Beer” and “Trendy.”

“Are you having a good time tonight?” lead vocalist Aaron Barrett yelled to the crowd. And as the crowd cheered he responded, “Good, someone has to.”

In an exclusive interview with The Whit, Reel Big Fish shared their thoughts on their performances in he past, musical influences and their future in the industry.

“We get to meet all these new fans who have maybe never heard of us before,” said trombone player Dan Regan.

Barrett said he was impressed that Rowan students had voted to hear them play.

“It’s flattering, it feels good to be desired,” Barrett said.

Regan seconded that notion.

“We’re not on the radio or MTV, so to have people who have heard of us and want to hear us play is great,” Regan said.

Reel Big Fish explained that while the band has gone through many members, the name originated from their demo tape known as the Fisher Kings that ironically had a fish on the cover. They found  that people seemed to remember Reel Big Fish instead of the Fisher Kings.

The band has been in the music industry for 20 years, but they’re happy to still be performing. Reel Big Fish is planning to record a new album in the near future.

“We feel very fortunate, it feels nice to be able to still fill up a room of people who know who we are,” Barrett said. “We’re the type of band that when the crowd erupts and goes crazy that makes us feel good.”

Last to perform was Third Eye Blind, who seemed to be the crowd’s most anticipated performance. They played songs off their new album, as well as crowd favorites like “Jumper,” “Semi-Charmed Life” and “Crystal Baller.” The majority of the crowd, when asked what they were most excited to hear responded, “Jumper.”

Lead singer Stephan Jenkins said to the crowd, “Are you tired? We only want people who came to get down!”

He continued to interact with the crowd by throwing out glow sticks and saying, “We weren’t planning on playing this song tonight, but someone brought a sign” before going on to play the fans’ request, “Motorcycle Drive By.”

Jenkins also said the song was dedicated to the Rowan softball team, admitting to watching them lose, and said it reminded him of when he often loses.

“Third Eye Blind was my favorite part of the whole show, especially when they played ‘Jumper,’” said freshman biology education major Jake McFarland.

One of their last songs included, “Graduate,” causing an enthusiastic response from students.

While the crowd seemed to undoubtedly enjoy all four performances, the last minute cancellation of Sean Kingston received mixed crowd reactions.

“I was looking forward to Sean Kingston but I’m still having a good time,” said 2010 graduate accounting major Xiaolin Hu.

Still, some students didn’t mind that Sean Kingston was no longer a part of the show.

“I heard Sean Kingston live once and didn’t think he was that good, so I’m not too disappointed that he’s not here,” said senior biology major Meghan Knox.

Overall, the night was a hit, with the crowd enjoying every minute of it. Strict rules against crowd surfing and moshing went in one ear and out the next.

Sophomore education major Alex Kristopovich said he was generally pleased with the performances and how Profstock turned out.

“It opens up opportunities to get even bigger named bands to come,” Kristopovich said.

-Contributions made by Features Editor, Samantha Costa