Spitballin’

CLOCK PHOTO / NINA WEINSTEIN

Alright guys, confession time.  I feel like I haven’t been all that great at this whole “editorial” thing on a consistent basis.  I find it tough to think of something that is worthy to share 300 words about every other week.  With that I mind, new year, new Clock. Time to start being more boisterous with editorial privileges, like Alex and Ben before me.

Let’s start with a suggestion from Plymouth State’s sweetheart; E$.  Spring Fling.  I know it's a long time from now, but my column, my rules.  I’ve never actually been to a Spring Fling concert before.  Mac Miller and Rusko didn’t generate enough personal interest in me and while I was morbidly curious in regards to Smash Mouth, I also knew that I would be subjected to two hours of covers and Smash Mouth songs. No one has ever heard of this before ironically partying to “All-Star”, which, according to first hand accounts, I was correct on. (And don’t look at me like I’m some kind of hipster, none of you voted for Smash Mouth because you genuinely think they’re a great band).  So it goes without saying that I have a few suggestions for band choices for Spring Fling this year.  These picks are staying within the realm of possibility.  For the sake of venting though, anything involving Dave Grohl is more than welcome or even better, a supergroup lead by Freddie Mercury with Clapton and Lindsey Buckingham on guitar and John Bonham on drums (that last one might end up being a little overshadowed with the with news that someone at PSU figured out how to break the mortal coil, though).

Let’s start a little obscure with a group called The Protomen. If you haven’t heard of these guys and you’re a fan of classic arena rock then you’re doing yourself a disservice.  All of their albums, of which there are only a couple, are concept albums based loosely around the video game series Mega Man.  Before you try stealing my lunch money keep in mind that these are extremely loose adaptions.  You don’t even need to know what a Mega Man is to enjoy their music, it honestly doesn’t make a difference if you already have a working knowledge of the character.  It’s very unlikely these guys would ever come to Plymouth, considering their audience isn’t really here, but they are way too talented to not be more well known by now.

If we’re sticking to the Summer hits of the 90’s Pandora station theme from this year’s Spring Fling, let’s go with a group that still kind of holds up.  Third Eye Blind has been on the ballot before, and with nineties nostalgia being as big as it is on college campuses, it’s surprising Stephan Jenkins and company has never been more strongly considered.  After all, more people probably remember the lyrics to “Semi-Charmed Life” than they realize and it’s more realistic than a Savage Garden reunion, which is what I really want.

Here’s probably the most realistic choice, and one most people will agree with me on; Walk The Moon.  While I don’t absolutely love them, Moon did kill it at Battle of the Bands back in 2013, so there is precedent for them coming to PSU.  They’re a different enough choice from the past couple years without being too outlandish, and out of all my choices they’re the least likely to get me hate mail.  I don’t care if you’re still mad at me over what I said about Smash Mouth.