The boys who blocked their own shot are back in Buffalo, as the Student Association has confirmed Brand New as the first band booked for this year's Spring Fest.
???Consisting of the masterful lyricist Jesse Lacey alongside proven shredders Vinnie Accardi, Garrett Tierney, drummer Brian Lane and the newest member, Derrick Sherman, the band is continuing their recent surge of Western New York appearances that has included the Town Ballroom, the R.I.T. Fieldhouse and, most recently, SUNY Geneseo.
???At their next stop in the Queen City on April 25, Lacey and company will play their game beneath the spin light while bringing some of their unheard material. The band has been busy prepping in the studio for what they hope to be the summer release of a new LP.
???As for how UB decided to get Brand New to come play our annual festival, Student Association Entertainment Coordinator Marc Rosenblitt said it was the power of the people.
???"Brand New were on a large list of bands students have been interested in. They've been at the top of the list for quite a few years now," Rosenblitt said.
???Reaching a multitude of success from the group's previous albums including Your Favorite Weapon, Deja Entendu, and The Devil and God are Raging Inside Me, Brand New's often quirky live shows have been nothing short of incredible.
???During their stop at the Town Ballroom, the band enlisted the help of a second percussionist to aid them and add some extra chest thumping. While at the R.I.T. Fieldhouse, the band concluded their show with the instrumental "Untitled" as members of Thrice, and MeWithoutYou stormed the stage playing individual instruments, creating a kaleidoscope of musical ecstasy.
???While it's pretty much a guarantee none of the aforementioned acts will be performing, students can still expect UB to stick to catering to hip-hop fans one semester and fans of a more traditional rock festival atmosphere the other.
???"We're aiming at rock for this show. We try to vary it up as much as possible. That's what we've been basically going after - rock acts. At this point we are not foreseeing adding any hip-hop to this bill, but the show is still wide open. We still have a couple months until April 25," Rosenblitt said.
???Brand New, known for touring alongside their close circle of buddies, Manchester Orchestra, Colour Revolt and Kevin Devine, seems to be breaking the trend with this concern as students can expect a wide variety of rock acts come this April.
???"We're trying to blanket as many tastes as we can across the University. Whether bands' availability will allow us to do that, I can't really speak for that because I can't speak for other bands. But we are trying to make it a diverse rock show. We don't like to stick to just one type of rock or hip-hop when we do these shows. We try to spread it out to multiple sounds," Rosenblitt said.
???With the announcement of Brand New as a member of the 2009 Spring Fest lineup, students can certainly expect a powerful performance worthy of delivering chills and the musical perfection that only Jesse Lacey can provide on April 25.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
