State College Music Spotlight is a new feature at Onward State where we find local artists in the State College area and share them with the community.
These guys have something special.
Johnny Action Figure is a quartet based in Philadelphia, PA. The band is made up of guitarists/vocalists Brendan Fullam and Chris Sheehan (the latter of which is a Penn State album from 07!), bassist/vocalist CF Fullam, and drummer Brad Rittle. On their latest release, Good Eye, Johnny Action Figure shows a future for pop rock as it could be. You'll find no auto-tune gimmicks or flashy egos here, just four guys who have great ears for melodies, harmonies, rhythms, and how they can all go together.
Good Eye is a very confident, sincere album, where everything seems to be done for the purposes of producing a solid sound. For instance, the second track on the album, "Young Rider", incorporates 3-part harmonies, doo-wop backing vocals, horns, transitions from 4/4 to 3/4, a walking bassline, and two guitar solos in just over three and a half minutes - yet none of it comes off as gimmicky, show-offy, or unnecessary. It's clear that these four chaps have excellent technical prowess on their respective instruments, but they show enough restraint to not come off as obnoxious.
Read the full post for more.
Whatever your opinions on the freshman handbook, a timeline was confirmed last night with a printing date of May 1st. UPUA's Handbook Committee met to discuss their plans for the book, which will most likely be called "The S Book". At the meeting was Ben Bronstein '61, who edited the 1960 and 1961 editions of the book. He will be serving in an advising capacity, helping guide the handbook's revival.
According to Bronstein, the book was an integral part of a students freshman experience in previous years. There were several examples of past handbooks at the meeting, all of which fit the description of "a keepsake to last beyond your years at Penn State". While they may not be able to have the books leather bound as they were in 1937, with the proper design,the book may be more than a toss-able handout.
There has been much argument about whether the book should be print or digital, but there has been little discussion of its content. More on what sections may be in the handbook after the jump.
Though April may seem like the distant future right now, it's closer than you think. Movin' On, Penn State's longest running Spring Music Festival now has an official Facebook event for the April 17 concert, only two months away.
As usual, the event will last all day and feature a mix of local and national acts. The lineup won't be announced for several weeks, but I'm hoping for some bigger bands than last year. Groups such as Run DMC, Fall Out Boy and Reel Big Fish have performed in the past, bands that are still popular years later.
Last year's show was great, with some impressive performances, but it would be nice to have a headliner people can get excited about.
Though some have said having two spring festivals is cutting down on Movin' On's budget, I'm sure they're going to put on another great show. I'm hoping it's amazing. What headliner do you think Movin' On should bring? (And please don't say Lady Gaga!)
Does being buried in snow constantly bring you down? Tired of walking to and from class in a constant white out? Get used to it. Penn State is projecting White Outs all the way into at least next October - but they need your help. Our good friends at The Collegian are hosting a poll to pick the next year’s White Out t-shirt. Be sure to vote here starting now before February 19 at 4:00 PM.
Read on to see the rest of the designs. Let us know what you think!
If you didn't have a reason to watch the Winter Games already, American short track speedskater Allison Baver is representing Penn State in Vancouver. Baver, who was profiled in the Collegian last Friday, will be competing in events the 20th, 24th, and 26th.
Check out her website so your commentary can be more in depth than blurting out "look at that hot chick that went to my school!"
