301087, Communications, UB.
Generally happy. =D
love is only a feeling
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Rain, Rock, Blue-Blooded Glory
In true SA fashion, the 2008 inaugural Backyard Bash not only took place on a gloomy day, geared specifically towards overcast kids, it didn't take place outdoors at all.
Before the Student Association pre-game Concert featuring pop-punk band All Time Low, students were treated to games and prizes at the UB Community Village (aka Alumni Arena). And what better place to show off culture and school spirit than inside a dimly lit gymnasium?
The "completely not outdoorsy or in anything remotely resembling a backyard due to weather" Backyard Bash was UB's way of welcoming back students and kicking off the new sports season. Doubling as a Pep Rally for the UB Bulls football season opener versus UTEP, fans were left in a slightly elevated vocal state somewhere between silent and a shouting whisper.
Riveting appearances by UB celebrities such as football coach Turner Gill, basketball play caller Reggie Witherspoon, UB Athletic Director Warde Manuel, Commander in Chief John B. Simpson, and the Richard Gere of the UB community, Dennis Black, prefaced the concert and turned anxious far, far undergrads blood a brighter shade of blue.
Various tables and displays were set up for clubs and other UB organizations, but a da
mper, erected by Mother Nature, undoubtedly prevented fans from joining in on the club-fest.
Until the stage was truly taken over by the event's headliners, preplanned events such as UB Idol, containing nothing but "talented" faculty and staff, took advantage of the plateau upon which to perform. With the UB Dazzlers conducting the failsafe method of a "noise meter" to determine the winner, the crowd selected the aged and sensual Tommie Babbs as their king of staff.
With the voice of an R&B crooner circa the Harlem Renaissance and an undeniable mustache resting upon his upper lip, the competition stood no chance. If the 6 other competitors were Old Testament Egypt, Babbs was the 10 plagues, taking no prisoners and leaving all in his path in shambles and disarray.
Following suit, or at least performing after Babbs, was the Thunder of the East, UB's top-notch marching band. With a jazzy sound that boomed throughout the arena and reverberated through the doors of Alumni and into the great outdoors, the Thunder furthered the audio bliss, causing the blood of those in attendance to pump that much faster, refusing to give even a moments rest to the ears that were absolutely dominated by Babbs just minutes before.
With a crowd that was either
completely exhausted, or relatively unaware of what to expect next, the aforementioned UB Rat Pack came out and delivered brief, vivid orations on the forthcoming home opener and threw out True Blue T-shirts to boot! And what better way to win over college kids than by throwing speeches and school apparel at them?
The gallant leaders of the school and its sports teams then left the stage. The Dazzlers fizzled out of their front and center spot and gathered safely to the side of the stage. This is where the "Bash" really took off.
Unexplainable hoards of underage girls dressed in brightly colored band tee's and even brighter rubber bands glistening from their braces, rushed the stage, leaving the unsuspecting about 15 feet behind the rest and wondering how what seemed like the entire population of Williamsville North on campus. For those of age, it felt so wrong, it's right, kinda like watching an episode of Hannah Montana by yourself and enjoying it.
As the lights went low and the anticipation grew from internalized feelings into actual screams, a small UB representative hoped on stage and took off the special message All Time Low had for UB fans.
That message, "f*ck the Miners."
After their heartfelt mess
age came and went, Jack, Alex, Zack and Rian took their well-paid spots on the stage and brought their high school antics to a collegiate level. Opening with "Holly(Would You Turn Me On)" and "The Beach," ATL garnered moderate vocal accompaniment and movement, but seemingly nowhere near what they desired...or deserved.
After some friendly encouragement from vocalist Alex Gaskarth, a pit immediately broke out during "Six Feet Under The Stars" and "Coffee Shop Soundtrack." A few crowd surfers landed abruptly on the floor, as the front of the venue was packed with teens far too small and careless to watch for flying fans.
After a Gaskarth monologue of appreciation, the Maryland 4-piece broke into their cover of Rihanna's "Umbrella." What appeared to be solely female accompaniment followed.
"Shameless" and "Poppin" were crowd favorites as well.
What didn't go over well was a heckler clothed in an obnoxious yellow hoodie and believe it or not, Nickelback shirt, who Gaskarth christened "Stanley." After undressing him with wit, Gaskarth humbly asked Stanley how the Nickelback show was, winning applause and embarrassment.
Stanley later appeared on stage after one of the few successful crowd surfs of the night,
which can be attested to the absolutely pathetic security crew who all appeared to be under 5'5 and completely uninterested. Stanley was quickly tackled and taken off stage by All Time Lows tech-guy.
During "Remembering Sunday," All Time Low's sole ballad and arguably best song, Gaskarth noticed a crowd member on her phone and soon acquired it. Leaving a warm voicemail with the adoring roar of the crowd, he easily made the rest of the absentee fan's life.
Rejoining Gaskarth after his "Sunday" moment in the spotlight, the three prodigal members returned to the stage and closed out the night with old favorite "Jasey Rae," and their huge new single "Dear Maria, Count Me In."
Despite the SA pulling the plug on the crowd-demanded cover of Blink 182's "Dammit," All Time Low left the stage to a roar of adoring fans and praise.
The show was a raving success. Hundreds of fans painted Alumni from wall to wall, All Time Low pleased old (and underage) fans and won new ones along the way and not long afterwards, the UB Bulls defeated UTEP 42-17.
Thanks to All Time Low and the Backyard Bash we truly have reason to pop champagne and get caught up in the moment...but not in the right away.
Taken from http://spectrum.buffalo.edu/article.php?id=36933
Semi-Transparent - like washed-out old photo
I called this Funkadelic... Haha
Bluish bluish!
Just a special effect blur tt I like =)
