The HUB Fire Place Lounge was rocking Tuesday night as the first Underground Sound: A Taste of Music at PSU was held. The debut band was The Safe Escape, followed up by Officially Broke.
The Safe Escape’s members include Mike Kim on guitar, vocals, and keyboard, Ian Ward on guitar and vocals, Michael Lacerte on drums and Craig Brown on bass and vocals. They rocked the crowd with their indie-rock sound, the perfect way of opening up the concert set to get the adrenaline pumping. Kim said, “It was a rocking good time. There was a good turn out [and] lots of good energy. I’m pumped.” After the set, Kim also played some acoustic guitar to keep the crowd entertained through the band change.
Officially Broke came on next. The band is comprised eight members, including Ryan Erickson on guitar and vocals. Jeff LeRoy is the band’s songwriter as well as pianist and vocalist. Other band members include Kevin Smith on drums, Ryan McGonagle on bass, Ian McCarthy on trumpet and flugelhorn, Tim Polhemus on trumpet and flugelhorn, Dan Lader on trombone and Dan Heffernan on baritone saxophone. They energized the crowd, taking requests from “pretty girls.” Their rendition of Sam & Dave’s 1967 classic “Soul Man” really got the audience dancing. McCarthy said, “Tonight was awesome, we just clicked.”
Since Underground Sound is a new event offered by PACE, many students weren’t sure what to expect. PSU sophomore Chris Kazanovicz said, “It was refreshing to hear a band with a horn section that isn’t ska,” of Officially Broke’s set.
The next Underground Sound event will be held Tuesday, March 13 in the HUB Fire Place Lounge. If your band would like to be involved with this or any of the future events scheduled for April 3 and April 24, get in contact with PACE’s Sara Noyes for details.