As the end of the 2004-2005 school year approaches, many Ohio University students might be more preoccupied with final exams and packing up for the summer than with the cultural events happening on campus, but ACRN is hoping that its third annual Lobsterfest on South Green Lawn will provide a break from students' must do lists this Saturday.
The student-run Internet radio station is pumping up its end-of-the-year bash this time around by bringing in national acts Troubled Hubble, Owen and the Wrens, who will play along with regional acts Fizzgig, from Cincinnati; Joe Anderl, from Dayton; and local bands Southeast Engine and the Arch Villians.
One of the most anticipated performers of the day is New-Jersey-based Indie-rock group the Wrens. Although they started playing when most OU students were between the ages of 2 and 5 years old, the band still has a strong fan base of college students.
We have yet to have anyone come up and just be like
'Hey I thought I'd come down to see your show because I really hate your band and wanted to make that clear ' said lead vocalist and guitarist Charles Bissell.
As far as how the music relates
I'm almost surprised it's not the other way around that people that are 16 or 20 or 24 even are relating to the stuff that we do
he said.
From what he has heard about Athens from other musicians, Bissell said he is anticipating a very enthusiastic crowd at Lobsterfest and said that some of his most enjoyable shows have been at colleges.
Given the huge variety of taste on any college campus
there's inevitably a huge percentage of people that will walk by and go
'What the heck is that?' and they kind of stand there for a second and then they just walk on by
he said.
With 16 years of experience and five albums under their belt, the Wrens aren't filing for Social Security just yet; they are putting the finishing touches on their renovated home studio and plan to start recording another album after they get back from Athens.
Fizzgig, a pop punk band that has been compared to everything from The Beatles to Metallica, is planning to finish off the school year's bittersweet ending by feeding off the OU crowd's energy to perform its regular set while also throwing in some new songs.
I don't know how many people will be there
but I'm sure that everybody will be into it and really enthusiastic because that's how it always is. Sometimes there will be 20 people there when we play and sometimes there's a hundred
but if it's Athens
people are always going crazy
