Student band performs original songs in Esch
By Emmanuel Casillas, Staff Writer
Normally the Esch Hall studio theatre is either empty for various theatre classes or filled to the brim with set pieces for an upcoming production. But on Saturday, Feb. 16, a show of a different sort took over the studio theatre, engulfing it in crunching riffs and quirky melodies.
The studio was filled with instruments, amps, cameras and a flag above the drum set.
“It’s the flag of Kyrgyzstan. We just happen to like it,” said singer Jason Adams.
That random sense of humor was perhaps the impetus of what was to come next.
It was the performance of local Indianapolis band The Highway, a performance entitled “U of I – The Basement”, that rocked the studio with a solid set list of originals.
The group (singer Jason Adams, guitarist Vincent Brown, bassist Dominik Cole and drummer Jon Potter) has played a number of shows in local places like Birdy’s and various clubs.
Things started off with a launch into “Sunday Drivin’,” which begins sweet and mellow.
Some latecomers even lamented that they missed their favorite song. “Sunday Drivin’” is a song that definitely grows with each performance, particularly Adams’ Tom Verlaine-style vocals. Into the second number, “Aliens from Planet Earth,” a punk-ish tune struts stop-start riffs and loud-quiet vocals from Adams that recalled bands such as The Pixies.
One of the great pleasures of seeing The Highway, or even just listening to them, is the consistent inconsistency one hears. No two songs sound alike. Their music speaks of a wide range of tastes and influences. Just go from “Aliens” to “Sir James,” a song that sparked some sounds of joy when announced and in which Adams drifts into a Kinks-like storytelling spiel before escalating into an all-out rock assault.
“All of our fans have a real strong connection with that one,” Brown said.
There seems to be no form of good old-fashioned rock and roll that these Indy boys won’t touch.
“We like to be spontaneous in our songwriting. We have no set structured sound or song. We like it all. We have a variety of influences,” Brown mused.
Showboating was at a minimum, but the night was not without its solos. Guitarist Brown ripped into a jam-band tangent that left a good impression on the audience. The band was tight and focused.
The band ended the night with the boogie-swing “Happiness” before closing officially with “Shine.” All-in-all it was a good night to be in a band. The crowd warmed up to every song, even shouting out a few requests.
“I think we were all into it. Right after the first song, we knew. Once the crowd was getting into it, and we were getting into it, like they say, you feed off the energy of the crowd, and they feed off our energy too,” Potter said.
Brown said the show was an experience that he would remember for a long time.
“For me it was the first time I felt comfortable. I just felt amazing. Every time I go onstage, and I play music, I’m having fun. But I’m also thinking about what I’m doing and what people are looking at, and I was able to just let loose tonight. There was a great energy going on tonight,” Brown said.
The band looks forward to a bright future, possibly playing Ransburg Auditorium next, as well as possible charity shows.
They will perform next at Greenwood High School on March 16.
