Who doesn’t love music from the 2000s?

Local State College band Ted & The Hi-fis took the stage late Saturday afternoon at THON to get the energy going as the crowd filled up in advance of the Pep Rally. The THON regulars returned once again with lead singer and Penn State professor Molly Countermine.

The band got things going with high energy right away with a cover of “Seven Nation Army” by the White Stripes. During the song’s chorus, Countermine urged the crowd to all sing together, a tune most Penn Staters are familiar with singing at Beaver Stadium just across the street.

Moving on to a 2004 hit, Ted & The Hi-Fis followed its opener with a cover of “Somebody Told Me” by The Killers. The band must have an affinity for the year 2004 because it stuck with it for the next two songs: “Float On” by Modest Mouse and “Take Me Out” by Franz Ferdinand.

“You’re in for a treat. He usually doesn’t sing,” Countermine said as the Hi-Fis’ bassist took to the microphone. He played “Shipping Up to Boston” by the Dropkick Murphies as Irish dancing broke out across the dance floor. State Patty’s is next weekend, folks!

“Crazy” by Gnarels Barkley was next up on the docket, a groovy beat that got the crowd bouncing. That energy only grew with its rendition of Rhianna’s “Umbrella,” which had hands, arms, and Greek letters swaying left and right in the stands.

Ted & The Hi-Fis stuck in 2007 for its next two songs: “Kids” by MGMT and “Valerie” by Amy Winehouse. These hits’ catchy guitar riffs had folks dancing as the upper bowl continued to fill for the Pep Rally. Ted boosted the energy even more with a special guitar solo during “Valerie.”

“I wonder if the Lion’s in the house?” Countermine asked as a familiar guitar riff began to play. Her next song was “Howlin’ for You” by The Black Keys, another Beaver Stadium classic. Ted and Molly gestured to the students to reenact the chant the same way they would at a football game. No wonder Molly was looking for the Lion.

“Lets! Go! P-S-U!” the crowd chanted as Greek Letters were raised and lowered accordingly. This number perfectly combined early 2000s rock with Penn State’s intense school spirit. The upper bowl of the Bryce Jordan Center was getting pretty full at this point.

Countermine asked for forgiveness from the students for playing a song from 2011, one year outside the hour’s designated decade. The song? “Tongue Tied” by Grouplove. We can’t blame them for playing this banger, even if it isn’t technically from the early 2000s.

The band finished with 2009 hit song “Home” by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros. Ted and Molly replaced the mid-song dialogue with a brief exchange about how wonderful THON is before bringing the music down to hear the crowd sing the final chorus. The song was a heartwarming finale to an energetic set from Ted & The Hi-Fis.