Saturday, May 2, 2009

Texas State Riverfest


Smiles and swimsuits were abound at Texas State’s annual Riverfest last Thursday. Riverfest is an event put on every spring by the Student Association for Campus Activities (SACA). Free food and drinks were provided by Rosie’s Pizza. Venders ranging from Rukus Board Shop to face painters and caricaturists were there selling and giving away their wares. SACA arranged to have a climbing wall, as well as inflatable game such as “Blow-up Bungee” and “Gladiators” provided by Parties, Picnics and Promotions. On top of all this, three bands took the stage, 46, 11 Fingered Charlie, and the headlining band The Expendables.

Riverfest coordinator, Jill Brownsfield said that “there [was] between 3000 and 5000 students attending. This year’s musical theme is Rock/Reggae ” Students came out to Sewell Park for one last hoorah before the finals weeks. “This is our last chance for us to get our kicks in.”

Preparations for the event started in November of last year. SACA began by putting out a questionnaire to student to see what theme they would like the event to have. In the past, Riverfest has had musical guests from conventional genres like county and pop.

Nelly Chavez, Riverfest staff and SACA member said, “We wanted this time to ask the students what they wanted to hear, and that lead us to them, (the bands listed above).”

The concert started off at about six. Texas State’s Battle of the Bands winner, 46 took the stage and was met with much applause and head banging. The home grown rock band got much approval for their drum and guitar solos from the growing crowd of listeners. Also hailing from San Marcos, Eleven Fingered Charlie followed and filled the night air with slow rhythmic reggae. The headliner band, coming all the way from Santa Cruz California The Expendables had many fans out in the audience, and won new ones that night.

Maria Bonaparte, nursing sophomore, was doing free caricatures and said with a smile, “I just heard about it from a friend and decided to come out. It’s definitely fun so far.”

The Expendables began as a teenage band of friends in high school. The band consists of Adam Patterson on drums, Raul Bianchi on lead guitar, Ryan DeMars on bass; the name was given by lead singer Geoff Weers.

“In the beginning when we were just getting started we were nobodies so that meant we were Expendable,” said Weers.

The band has a wide range of influences. Patterson listed bands and artists from Pantera and Metallica to the Police and Bob Marley. The music is a blend of two genres to form a sort of ReggaeRock. The Expendables have four albums which were available at the concert.

“I would say my favorite song to sing is 30 Second Bus,” said Weers. “It’s about my friend’s sex life. 30 seconds and he’s done.”

Patterson chose a more serious song as the song that best characterizes the band. “Sacrifice is all about the sacrifices you have to make as a performer and especially as a band, like the long road trips and nights away from home.”

The concert concluded after eleven. The bands said that they would be open to the possibility of future performances here at Texas State.