Bands play to excited crowd

and Jamie Phares Ignoring the end-of-the-semester workload that kept most students at home, more than 850 students turned out for SPEC's God Street Wine concert last night. Penn's very own Spruce Street Revival headed the bill of the Social Planning and Events Committee's winter show. The concert was held in Irvine Auditorium, which had been equipped with a sound system designed especially for God Street Wine. The doors opened at 8 p.m., and by the time Spruce Street Revival took the stage, almost 600 ticket holders had arrived, according to co-Director of SPEC Concerts Mike Parker. "Usually most people stay away from the opening act at a show like this," the College senior said. "It's good to see people turn out to see their own band." Spruce Street Revival consists of one former and four current Penn students. The band has been together in its present form for about a year. According to Co-Director of SPEC Concerts Vivek Tiwary, a College and Wharton senior, Spruce Street Revival is the first student band to open a major SPEC show. "I'd like to see the University supporting the local music scenes, especially University bands," Tiwary said. "The opportunity was here to give a local band a good break." The road to performing on stage in a venue as big as Irvine Auditorium was an unusual one for the band. "Before this, our biggest gig was at the [Philadelphia] Art Museum," said drummer and Wharton junior Glenn Cowen, describing a concert the band performed for the the International Visitor's Council, a group of foreign business executives. "We were the only people there under 25, but those Russian businessmen were dancing," Cowen added. Band members said they relished the opportunity to open for a nationally known band like God Street Wine. "SPEC was willing to give us a shot," said vocalist, guitarist and 1995 College graduate Geoff Baker. "You can bet that we're going to take advantage of it." Remembering their own early years, God Street Wine bassist Dan Pifer said he was happy to have a young, local band opening for his group. "Blues Traveler helped us along when we were starting out," Pifer said. "It is nice to help Spruce Street Revival along." Student response to Spruce Street Revival was extremely positive. "They're pretty chill and they jam out pretty well," said Engineering sophomore John Seitz. Spruce Street Revival members said they are often encouraged by the crowd's reaction. "When we see energy in the crowd, it translates back to us," Baker said. God Street Wine took the stage at 9:45 p.m., and quickly had the crowd dancing in the aisles. Audience members said they were impressed with what they heard, often comparing God Street Wine to the popular band Phish. "They're Phishy, they're folky and they're danceable," said Engineering sophomore Roman Krislav, while College freshman Brian Stern described the band as an "offbeat, preppy version of Phish." The group members said, however, that they are trying to forge their own identity. "We're trying to carve out a niche between songwriting and live jamming," Pifer said. "Most of today's music is angst-filled lyrics, three-minute songs and distorted guitars. That's not our thing." Concertgoers, even some who came from miles away, said they enjoyed the band's jams and songs. "I think they're great," said West Chester, Pa. native and Penn State University student Craig Clark, who frequents the band's concerts at his school. "I go and see them all the time. They're really light and I know most of their songs." In the past, students attending SPEC concerts have complained about the sound quality in Irvine Auditorium. "We used to use stacked speakers which project to the back wall," Parker said. "This is disastrous in a building like Irvine." But last night, SPEC took special pains to ensure top-quality sound. The committee used fly-speakers -- speakers raised on poles which project down into a crowd -- at the advice of God Street Wine, which proved effective. "Sounded good," said College sophomore Meyer Potashman. "For Irvine, it sounded great." Students said the combination of the local opening band, the funky headline act and the improved acoustics in Irvine produced a great show. "It was a good concert, great setup, a great choice by Penn," said College freshman Scott Bergh.