Friday, May 2, 2008

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Peace, Love & Smiles -- how “Fredoniafest” began, by April Diodato
The First Fred Fest … The Photos!
How Do You Get to Fred Fest? Practice, Practice, Practice … And Then Win the Battle of the Bands, by John Mackowiak
Preparing for Fred Fest, by Ann Marie Trietley
Does Fred Fest Really Matter?, by Anne Lithiluxa
This Year's Bands, by Kyle Gauser
Don't Let This Happen to You, by Debbie Rottner
So What Does the Community Think About Fred Fest, by John Mackowiak
Gonculator -- Pride of Fredonia, by Derek Degraad
What Are They Doing Elsewhere, by Pamela Pannone
Bummed, by Tom Tiballi
Who's Running the Show, by Safiya Martin
How Much Does Fred Fest Cost, by Brian Giermek
When Run DMC Came to Fredonia, by Angela Spara
The Band Chart: Everyone (almost) Who's Ever Played Fred Fest, by Brian Giermek

Peace, Love & Smiles -- how “Fredoniafest” began

By April Diodato

An original t-shirt for the first Fredoniafest (now “Fred Fest”), held in 1980, includes the definition: “Fredonicus Maximus: the ultimate party.”

The shirt defines it as:

1. A spring experience at Fredonia State University on May 2nd and 3rd.
2. A celebration of warmth.
3. Two days of frisbee slinging, beer swallowing, bike riding, skateboarding, LIVE MUSIC, singing, dancing, laughing.”
The outdoor concert was free, the 16-ounce Koch’s drafts were 25 cents and the burgers and hot dogs weren’t over 25 or 50 cents either.


An article published May 5, 1980, in the campus paper, The Leader, by staff writer Martin LeFever was headlined “Fredoniafest ’80: two days of fun, beer & rock.” It declared the event was “a smash hit for several obvious reasons. It was the proper mix of organization and luck that made the fest such a success.”


It’s all thanks to the Union Board of Governors -- UBG for short -- which its 1980 president David Plafker described as “a radical bunch of kids, always at odds with the college administration in pushing our agendas of providing great entertainment and social activities for the students.”


“We all had to prove that we could pull this off without a hitch or there may never be another spring festival,” remembers Debbie Cohen Arntzen, a UBG member serving as the Unicorn chairperson. “We were even more motivated by the challenge.”


The UBG came up with the concept in 1980 at one of their meetings -- after which they’d usually go to BJ’s for wings -- amid the usual joking and chatter in one of the campus center meeting rooms.


“One of us came back from a spring festival at Brockport that was two days long,” said David Plafker, UBG president. “Fredonia only had a small one-day spring festival and we began toying around with the idea of doing a big two-day spring festival on Friday and Saturday. I remember how we started brainstorming all these crazy ideas about doing this, such as getting the bands and beer trucks, making bumper stickers, T-shirts, and beer mugs.”


The group began discussing their ideas with advisor Dave Kasper, who directed the students on what needed to be done in order to make the event happen. The process involved going through much “red tape” with the college administration and student administration. Plafker remembers that they “jumped through all kinds of loopholes to make Fredonia Fest a success.”


“At first it was like a game,” Plafker said. “We didn't think the administration thought we could pull this off, but we did.”


UBG member Chris Farrell – the president the following year -- remembers that they had about $1,500 to spend and they ordered 50 half kegs of Koch’s. While memories of later Fests crept in, Farrell said “the first one was definitely the most exciting.”


“A FEW STUDENTS JAMMED”

Music was, of course, a key element of the fest. Sam Accordino, Spectrum chairman for UBG, booked the bands. The headliner was the Todd Hobin Band, which hailed from Syracuse. The band was touring college campuses to promote its hit song, “I Hate You.” The Leader reported that they actually filled in for Fresh, who cancelled last-minute. Other bands included Benhatzel, Two Hills, George Doran and many student bands.


Joe Fiato, class of 1980, was the singer in of one of the student bands, Skin Deep, that used to play at BJ’s and the now-defunct Caboose.


“We did a lot of blues, old classic R&B stuff, Crosby Stills & Nash,” he says.

Four of the six members tried to make it in New York City after graduation; Fiato is still a musician, but has since settled down in Florida. He still has some roots in New York State, owning a restaurant in Oneida called Charlotte’s Creekside Inn.

Fiato recalls that the first Fred Fest may have actually been simulcast on the new college FM station, WCVF, of which he was program director:

“I’ll tell you, going back that far, it’s kind of a blur, but it’s a strong possibility,” he says.

He and Anne Leighton played an integral part in starting up the radio station and together made sure it stayed on the air.

“We actually first got on the airwaves, Anne and I stayed all summer long to keep the radio station going,” Fiato says. “We did 12-hour shifts.”

He remembers falling asleep at radio headquarters, then in Gregory Hall, and waking up to the end of a record of jazz.

“The fest was so long ago,” he said, it’s a bit hazy, “but we tried to create as many situations like that as possible -- a bunch of outdoor concerts and things like that. Oh, I’ll tell ya, it was somethin’ -- we had great concerts.”
“I just remember little touches of the day,” said Leighton, also a Leader staff writer, who had a good laugh remembering her carefree college days and the first fest where, she says “a few students jammed. … I remember more of the aftermath, about Joe and the picture.”

“Joe loved to sing Van Morrison songs. I remember he sang ‘And It Stoned Me’ from his ‘Moondance’ album. He had a certain way of curving his hand so people wouldn’t notice, but then a photo of him was taken [by Anne Bernstein] where you could see that he had a joint in his hand.” The photo was posted on the bulletin board in the main office of WCVF. “Everyone said, ‘Gee, what’s that in Joe’s hand?’ Because Joe was a stoner,” she laughed.

When asked about the episode, Fiato also laughs and replies, “Oh, jeez, her memory’s probably better than mine. That sounds like it’s true.”

Unfortunately, the photo couldn’t be found.


“A MASSIVE THIRST FOR BEER”


Also happening on campus that weekend were the first annual Fredonia State Bike Rally, scheduled for May 3, and the sixth annual Press Institute event, May 1 through 3. Its theme was “Woman as Journalist” and featured a speech by feminist icon and then-editor of Ms. Magazine Gloria Steinem, who spoke in King Concert Hall that Saturday.


However, it was the party held on the hill by “The Men” sculpture that was remembered fondly by Fredonia alumni – that is, if they could remember their college days. It was a very relaxed time, when the “beer blasts” were endless and there was even a bar on campus called The Sundowner.

Many former students echoed the sentiments of Donna Powers, class of 1981: “In 1980 the drinking age was 18 and there were many college sponsored activities that included beer trucks or kegs. So, if one was called Fred Fest, well, all I know is that it probably had lots of beer and I would have been there!”

The “massive thirst for beer,” as LeFever wrote, actually threatened to disrupt the first fest when on Friday, at 4 p.m., beer supplies ran dry. Students complained, “They know how much beer we drink at things like this; they should know enough to have it on hand.” Luckily, the administration responded to the students’ demand and plenty more beer was delivered, ensuring that a similar pause in sales didn’t happen on Saturday.


These marathon-partying students needed nourishment, too, and quickly dwindling provisions almost posed a problem. Maybe it was a case of the munchies. Cohen Arntzen was in charge of the food -- an integral part of the fest.


“We had burgers and dogs that we got from FSA. I remember selling so much that we had to find someone that could get into the supply building on Ring Road to get more food.” Crisis averted.


What truly threatened the event’s success was Western New York’s unpredictable weather. All alumni consulted recall the weekend as being exceptionally beautiful -- the skies were blue and the sun shone brightly.

“I got very sunburned,” recalled Farrell. “We didn't expect it to be as nice as it was, it surprised us.”


“I remember I used to fly my kite and anchor it to something on the blanket,” said Jack Quartararo, class of 1983. “That way when friends came they could follow the string down and find us in the crowd.”


“It was much more free and fun back then! It truly was a celebration of spring,” said Jack’s wife Cheri, also an ’83 alum. “Everyone couldn’t wait to take a break from studying, put on some shorts and a tank top after a long, cold, Western New York winter, get outside and soak up some sun.”


Philip J. Antz, class of 1981, remembers the first Fredoniafest as “the social event of the season” -- a fun day of Frisbee-playing and music that certainly benefited from the lower drinking age,so there was no police state around the beer truck. You showed your Fredonia I.D., and you were in… there were many very happy students partying on that Hill with the Three Men (statues).”


“It was a great day to be twenty, young, alive, and well, in Fredonia, surrounded by people who today are scattered to the ends of the earth, but who on that day were your brothers, and sisters, friends, and lovers, and who you could never have conceived that there would ever come a time when you would not have them in your life everyday,” Antz said. “Your friends grew up, and went forward with their lives for better and worse… But the memory of Fredonia, and what it felt like to be part of something so wonderful and unique stayed with you for the rest of your life.”


In the May 5, 1980 edition of The Leader, in a man on the street feature called “Verbatim,” Leader features editor Karen Bath asked six students, “What was your favorite event on campus this semester?” Gwen Jenkins, a sophomore with a puff of curly hair wearing giant white sunglasses, replied, “The Fredoniafest with the Todd Hobin Band, ’cause I think it’s about time they got some good music up this way.”


SWEET SUCCESS



The hard work of UBG had paid off.


“We remember looking out over all the students having a great time during that first Fredonia Fest and couldn't believe we pulled it off,” Pflaker said.



“We all worked morning to night, setting up, selling beer, and continuing the party at someone’s house with a keg ‘borrowed’ from the beer truck,” remembered Accordino.


Farrell recalls the post-Fest party, too: “Most of the major planners met at someone's house,” perhaps on Canadaway Street, “after the first day and [we] pretty much all crashed. We were all very happy with ourselves for pulling it off, and we deserved to be happy about it. We ate at Chimera's after the second day, someone played Box Car Willie on the jukebox. I had a bit too much to drink, but don't remember regretting it.”

Cohen Arntzen said it was a great experience learning how to accomplish things by working with her friends on the committee: “It is great to know that we started an annual event.”

“Good weather, kites and Frisbees flying, blankets spread upon the grass, the occasional sweet scent of marijuana, live music, cold beers,” wrote LeFever.

The Fredoniafest isn’t quite what it was in the good old days, but it still lives on.

The first Fred Fest -- the photos

Yup, here's the evidence ...




Sam Accordino













Remember the drinking age was still 18!

Benhatzel











Todd Hobin Band

Celebrating a success L to R Mark Bicz, Chris Farrell, Dave Plafker, Bruce Farrell, Cheryl (Conners) Winston, Mark Napolitano

How do you get to Fred Fest? Practice, practice, practice ... and then win the battle of the bands

By John Mackowiak

The 2008 Fred Fest Battle of the Bands—32 different bands wanted in. Thirty-two different local bands thought that they had enough talent to open for Fred Fest's headlining act, Cartel. Thirty-two bands, double the number of acts who expressed interest in the battle last year.

Each artist sent a demo and application to SUNY Fredonia's Sound Services—the student group that sponsors the battle.

The campus' masters of sound listened to each demo and carefully considered each application. They narrowed the 32 down to eight.

Eight bands competed in the first round of the battle of the bands.

And from those eight, the campus voted three acts into the final battle.

Sound Services Equipment Manager Kenny Christensen set the stage during High Noon Friday, approximately 5 1/2 hours before the battle went down.

“Three bands going into final battle, which this time around are Gonculator, The Scarlet Ending and Ghost of a Stranger,” Christensen said. “Come down, check it out and vote for your favorite band, and we'll see who gets to play for Fred Fest, opening for Cartel.”

Gonculator already won the Battle of the Bands in 2006. The Scarlet Ending has had its music featured on MTV's The Hills. Ghost of a Stranger was the clear underdog.

Posters quickly appeared around campus.

Sound Services hung fliers that urged students to come to the battle and vote for their favorite band.

Other signs that read, “The Scarlet Ending for Fred Fest 2008,” or “Vote 4 Ghost of a Stranger,” were also quite visible on campus bulletin boards.

When the clock struck six on Friday, the battle began. It went down in the Williams Center on the SUNY Fredonia campus.

Gonculator was first to take the stage.

Vocalist Jacob Karl Kodweis practically ate the microphone as he sang with his mouth and eyes wide open.

He wore a suede vest and a matching green hat. Kodweis's wide open eyes looked the crowd over, as he raised and fluttered his eyebrows.

Yellow lights shone from behind the stage, as the band made its way to the bridge of one of its songs. Gonculator stood on the stage in silhouette.

Guitarist Sean Greif slapped his hands together over his head. He urged the audience to sing and clap with his band, saying “We're all in this together.”

Bassist Derek Stoll slowly bobbed his upper body up and down. Cam Griffith slammed his drums. Kodweis dominated the center of the stage. Settling into a crouch, he quickly shuffled forwards and back, intensely eying over the crowd with his eyebrows raised.

The audience swayed back and forth, many didn't move their feet, just swayed. It was as if they were standing with the weight of their upcoming decision on their shoulders. Who would they choose to open for Cartel at Fred Fest?

Gonculator was attempting to be the first band to win the battle of the bands twice within four years. After its set, the band said what winning would mean to them.

“It would bring the satisfaction of being the only band to do it two times within four years, which would be nice,” Kodweis said. “I mean, you know, that's a pretty honorable achievement. If not, we'll play BJ's Fest and we'll have a good time with the cats and the dogs and the condoms.”

“With that, I think, at bottom, it's just about playing as many shows as we can and just trying to make an impact,” Greif said.

“Yeah, it's Fred Fest, you know, there's a million people there, some from out of town, it's a good place to play,” Stoll said.

“If we win, it will be the official last Gonculator show at Fredonia, and that'll be it. It'll be the last show we play on this campus,” Griffith said.

The Scarlet Ending was up next. Violinist/guitarist Kayleigh Goldsworthy took the stage alone.

It was the first time the band had ever started a set like this. Kayleigh stood on stage by her lonesome, without her twin sister Kaleena, who plays the keyboard, and without the rest of her band.

Kayleigh showed off her legs, wearing a little black dress and black heels. A string of pearls was around her neck.

The rest of the Scarlet Ending joined Kayleigh on stage mid-song. Kaleena, along with guitarist Jon Tedd, bassist Brian Cooney, drummer Kiel Feher and cellist Jess Hafner, quietly walked onto the stage and waited for Kayleigh to finish her song.

They got right into after that, playing their clean and crisp pop music, which has always been well-received on-campus.

All of the band members are classically-trained, giving the Scarlet Ending the ability to play simple pop songs or very complex arrangements.

Kayleigh and Kaleena marked the end of each song with a gracious smile, as the crowd shouted for more.

One of The Scarlet Ending's songs – “The Way We Used to Be” – was featured on the hit MTV reality show, The Hills.

Kaleena let the audience know that right before they performed the song. She says it every show, and she said that she doesn't care if some individuals in the audience hear her say it over and over.

As she sat behind her keyboard wearing a black vest over a red tank top, Kaleena, speaking for herself and for Kayleigh, said having their song on MTV was the proudest moment of their lives.

Kayleigh struck the first chord of the song on her guitar, while Kaleena sang the da-dum-da-dum melody.

The girls quickly end up buried in the emotions of the song. The audience responded with a sway and a toe tap.

Kayleigh's exposed calf muscles flexed, as she danced in the center the stage flicking the strings on her acoustic guitar.

Filled with energy, Kaleena bounced behind the keyboard. Her face told the story behind the song.

After they finished their set, I asked The Scarlet Ending the same question I asked Gonculator. What would winning mean to them?

“For us, I think it's more of like, 'this our last chance to be able to be part of the battle,'” Kaleena said. “This is something that we've aspired to do all four years that we were here, to be the band that's chosen by our peers in order to perform at Fred Fest.”

“I think that's the biggest thing, … that by doing this show and just being in the second part of the battle was a lot for us because it meant that there were people out there who enjoyed our music and voted for us,” Kayleigh said. “So, to be able to play Fred Fest as the opener would mean a lot to us not only to get a really good spot at Fred Fest, but also it would show that there's a lot of support from our peers.”

Ghost of a Stranger – the underdog – was the final band of the night.

It was tough to tell how the crowd felt about the band. One young woman dressed in red was busy sending text messages until she walked away from the stage, while another sat Indian-style 4 feet from the front of the stage. She slowly moved her arms around as if she were swimming through the air. She whipped her head around and bobbed her shoulders.

Clearly, it seemed that there were mixed feelings for Ghost of a Stranger.

The last song they played felt futuristic.

Guitarist Adam Korbesmeyer played a riff that conjured The Killers. It blared as vocalist Pete Torrey sang the lyrics. He kept his eyes shut tightly, spitting each word out of his mouth.

In the middle of the song, something went wrong with one of the stage lights. Sparks flew as the light blew out.

Drummer Josh Martin and bassist Greg Gebhard had looks of fear written across their faces, while Torrey and Korbesmeyer went on, oblivious to the small explosion.

They fought through the fear and slammed their way through the rest of the song. As the final band, they had used their final song to leave a mark in the memories of the concert goers.

Votes had been filing in throughout the night. After Ghost of a Stranger's set, the last few people left to vote quickly cast their votes, and Sound Services started counting.

The number crunching didn't take long. As Sound Services prepared to make the announcement, the three bands and their most loyal fans filed back into the Williams Center.

A female member of Sound Services stepped up to the microphone.

“I was told to make this really suspenseful and to put a lot of long pauses in it and to start with the third place,” she said. “In third place we had, really long pause, The Scarlet Ending.”

A tinge of surprise fell over the crowd. Still, the people in the room were drowning in anticipation. The young women on the mic went on.

“We had in second place—like I just want to say first, all of the votes were really close, like within 10 votes. It really came down to that,” she said. “All right, our second place band was Gonculator.”

The surprise turned to shock for some. Ghost of a Stranger's fans erupted in cheers and applause.

“So that means,” someone in the crowd yelled. You could hear frustration in his voice.

“So that means, yes, process of elimination, Ghost of a Stranger was our first-place band,” she said.

Just to put things into perspective – its’ an upset bigger than the Giants defeating the Patriots in this past Super Bowl. Maybe even bigger than USA hockey team beating the Russians in 1980.

Perhaps, that's little over dramatic, but I, along with most others who attended, were caught off guard by the results.

Ghost of a Stranger, itself, might have been just as shocked.

“I'm just really happy because last year we lost by 10 votes,” Korbesmeyer said. “I'm just really happy and excited to play Fred Fest.

“I'm just relieved,” Gebhard said. “I was freaking out pretty bad, so I'm relieved it's over.”

“I was worried about tonight, definitely,” Korbesmeyer said. “Definitely, worried about tonight because The Scarlet Ending and Gonculator are two very popular bands with great followings, so we really promoted a lot to try to get people to vote for us.”

Ghost of a Stranger won the gig. They will open for The Secret Machines, who open for Cartel at Fred Fest.