Greenville Scene

by: Daniel McCord

As the sun nestled into the trees surrounding Clemson Monday evening, the new freshman class were returning from the welcome back activities to find quite possibly the best (if not the first) indie rock show of their young lives, whether they knew it or not. Maybe there was some indie pop and folk thrown in for variety, but we won’t get technical.

The turnout was heavy on Bowman Field, with everyone lounging in the grass, giving the concert a festival feel. Dave Dondero ushered in the evening with his soulful storytelling on songs like “Rothko Chapel” and “South of the South.” Dondero attended Clemson almost two decades ago, forming rock band Sunbrain and later playing drums for This Bike is a Pipe Bomb. His recent songs give a certain credibility to the singer-songwriter oeuvre, forcing listeners to believe that he’s lived the tales of which he sings. With a single acoustic guitar, borrowing stylistically from classic country, and a gritty yet dulcet vocal presence, Dondero was able to take the young crowd down roads they’ve yet to travel.

Athens’ Elf Power took the stage next, with a promise of higher energy, even in the sweltering summer heat. They turned the tone of the night towards rock with their guitar-laced psychedelic sounds. Andrew Rieger’s smooth vocals charmed the crowd and Heather McIntosh’s fingers lit up the night, both on cello and keys. With a very tight sound, songs like “Back to the Web” hypnotized the crowd and brought them closer to the stage. McIntosh’s masterful cello gave the band the depth it needed, alternating between silky harmonies and violent wailings reminiscent of Cursive’s better days.

The Rosebuds, who hail from Raleigh but are no strangers to Clemson, brought their catchy, synth-fueled indie pop to Bowman Block Party yet another year. And boy, have they grown! For listeners used to the singalong acoustic stylings of Ivan Howard and Kelly Crisp, the new album is a swift kick in the pants. Crisp’s synths have taken a domineering post, inspiring dancing in all who listen. Of course, they brought back old school classics “Back to Boston” and “Boxcar,” but they also rocked out new songs like “Get Up Get Out.” The Rosebuds brought down the metaphorical house when they closed their set by inviting any and all members of the crowd onstage with them to sing backup on “I Better Run.”

Last but not least was Clemson’s own By’r Lady, burning the midnight oil – literally. The three-piece rockers sounded polished as always, playing old favorites and new songs such as – actually – “The New Song.” Dwight Hutchenson’s vocals were a pleasant lullaby as the night wore down, and Ben Shealy split vocal duty on a few songs, including a cover of Donovan’s “Riki Tiki Tavi.” Even drummer Jason Walter joined in, speeding up things with a fun cover of Richard Hell and the Voidoids’ “Love Comes in Spurts.” By’r Lady closed down the evening with their breakdown-laden “Bellyache,” and all was well in the city of Clemson.