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Black Tie Stereo Keeps Energy High In The BJC

Next up on the THON 2016 stage after Shake 3X was Black Tie Stereo, a four-member alternative pop/rock cover group from nearby Scranton., consisting of lead vocalist and keyboard player Stephen Murphy, Jesse Morvan on guitar and horns, Aaron Kovalich on bass, and George Pachuchy on the drums.

The group kicked off its set with a high-energy rendition of Yellowcard’s classic hit “Ocean Avenue,” before transitioning seamlessly into “Sugar, We’re Goin Down” by Fall Out Boy, which had THON-goers all over the BJC bobbing their heads to the beat.

Pachuchy slowly played the band into a soulful, jammed out take on Maroon 5’s “Sunday Morning” that featured a killer keyboard solo by Murphy before the ever-popular “Shut Up and Dance” by Walk the Moon made another appearance on the THON set list. Black Tie Stereo must have heard what its like to be in Beaver Stadium after a big primetime win, because the timeless “December 1963 (Oh, What a Night)” by The Four Seasons was up next.

After dishing out a rocking version of MKTO’s “Classic,” Black Tie Stereo got the audience involved with a neat call-and-response exchange that kept dancers and spectators alike going strong FTK. There’s nothing like a Bruno Mars track to liven up the atmosphere in the BJC and the Super Bowl 50 performer’s platinum hit “Uptown Funk” accomplished just that, as Morvan belted out an impressive trumpet solo before slinging his guitar over his shoulder again.

Following an upbeat cover of Pharrell’s “Happy,” the group switched gears to get the dancers jumping up and down with “1985” by Bowling for Soup that featured a fitting “We Are” chant interlude. Everyone’s go-to song by the Killers, “Mr. Brightside,” was up next, before THON got “Footloose” with Kenny Loggins’ title track from the 1993 film.

Neil Diamond’s beloved Happy Valley game day staple “Sweet Caroline” had the orgs swaying back and forth and “reaching out” all over the BJC. And if all that wasn’t enough, Black Tie Stereo prompted raucous cheers from the masses by playing an ode to its hometown with The Office theme song.

Thanks for a great performance. You can follow them on Twitter @blacktiestereo.

 

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About the Author

Ethan Kasales

Ethan’s a senior journalism major who grew up in Lemont, a few minutes from campus. When he’s not covering Penn State sports, you can usually find him golfing or teaching snowboarding at Tussey Mountain. Feel free to email him at [email protected].

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