By Deandra Hoppe

Last Friday the Student Activities Board threw the first “Rock Out on the West Lawn.” Three bands played while students enjoyed food from Mark’s Feed Store, ice cream and a free concert, all courtesy of the variety committee of SAB.

Students gathered around the stage as Parachute Musical started off the concert. Their style has been reviewed as being reminiscent of The Fray or Ben Folds. Students seemed to enjoy these Nashville natives’ music. Freshman business major Danielle Christiansen said, “I think they’re good. I like how the lead singer plays the piano.”

The next band to come to the stage was The October. Alex Hunnicut, SAB variety chair, said he had seen this group a couple times before, including when they performed at a cheerleader benefit in February.

He had initially wanted them to perform at the concert following the February benefit, and they agreed to come. A little larger crowd formed by the stage following The October’s appearance. Students commented that their sound was more of a harder rock than the first band.

The last band to play was Shindig. Christiansen said that Shindig “sounded more ’emo’ than the other two bands, but they brought a lot of energy to the stage. It was a nice way to end the concert.”

Lavon Clark, a freshman marketing major, said, “I’m more of a rap and old school man, but it’s cool.” His friend, Jesse Calhoun, a freshman biology major, added that it would have been better if a better known band had been playing.

Junior liberal studies major Elise Villareal said, “[The concert] is a nice way of relaxing; sitting in the grass, listening to music and eating food. It’s a nice way to relax with your friends.”

Most students agreed that the food provided at the event was quite appetizing. SAB volunteers served students potato salad, baked beans and barbeque that was far better than most students’ usual Subway sandwich. Another student commented that although it was cold, free ice cream is always good ice cream.

Hunnicut said that SAB is hoping to make the concert an annual event, so students who missed out this year have something to look forward to next year.

For more information on the bands that performed this year students can go to http://www.myspace.com/parachutemusical, http://www.myspace.com/theoctober or http://www.myspace.com/shindig.