 "Photo: Ricardo Saporta/Staff Photographer")
For two cans or two bucks, students rocked out to three bands - including Rutgers' own Midtown - in the "Giving Back with Music Benefit Concert" at the Busch Campus Center Tuesday night. Fans' fists pumped and bands rocked as the sold-out show brought in donations and turned away latecomers.
Josh Muman, Jonathan Daniel and Doug Newmann were excited hear Midtown play new songs at the show.
"After tonight, it might all be different, but they are just high-energy rockers," Newmann said.
Bassist Gabe Saporta, dripping with sweat, twirled his bass around his neck as he leapt around the stage. Tyler Rann, on guitar, had his own unique, energetic strut. By the end of the show, guitarist and singer Heath Saraceno shook his soaking mop of hair.
But their vigor was not diminished. Saraceno bounced around while Saporta stood tiptoe over a mess of wires, and Rann strutted back and forth as they all took turns singing.
"Their song writing is just great. Each song just tops the last one and they're already at such a high level. It just keeps getting better," Newmann said. "You get some bands that just sing about love, and some that just sing about being pissed off. Some are storytellers - they integrate all different themes into their albums. They're not confined to one theme."
The show, sponsored by the Rutgers College Programming Council, sold out almost immediately. Students who could not get in because of the Multipurpose Room's 400-person fire code limit waited in a line by the velvet rope leading into the fireside lounge where t-shirts and CDs were sold.
"We've had to turn almost 200 people away," said Rutgers College junior Staci Hersh, RCPC's music chair.
"We wanted to do a second set for all for the people who didn't get in so that everybody could come, but there wasn't enough time to organize it," Saraceno said.
Saporta's mom said this was the band's best show ever. "The new stuff is quantum leaps better. I've listened to the band play in front of 11,000 people and I enjoyed this show better because of the intimacy. What could be better for introducing new songs?"
All three bands, Midtown, Temproary Grace and Three on a Match, who also played at the show, are from central Jersey. Midtown came into existence while its members were first-year students at Rutgers.
Three on a Match - which has only been a band for six months - enjoyed the energy as it played to its own fans at the show.
"There was some real sing-along action," guitarist Bryant Bell said. "I thought, 'either there's a whole lot of echo, or there is someone else singing with us.'"
Singer Greg Beagan explained the band's philosophy. "We pretty much sing about life experiences. Not sad, angry music, but something everyone can relate to," he said. "We sing about what we don't understand. ... It's pretty damn clear. There's nothing underlying."
Proceeds for the event were donated to the Community Food Bank of New Jersey. Some people who were turned away still donated.
"We have a lot of concerts that are pretty much always free. It's not about making money, it's about giving Rutgers diverse entertainment," Hersh said. "Every year the benefit show is the main focus, and every year it's a sold-out show."
"It's a great opportunity to get the University community involved. It's an event that they can enjoy and give back," she said. "What better way to get people to come out than to enjoy a show with music?"
