Student Union Fine Arts Program Coordinator Amy Rajkovich said she has put together a great Student Union Performance Series show as part of Homecoming week.
Rajkovich scheduled Poke, Buster Blue and the Shook Twins to put on a folksy concert in the Centennial Amphitheater. Rajkovich said the Student Union Performance Series has gone all out for this performance and students can expect it to be fun.
“The whole concert overall is going to be folky, kind of country, indie scene,” Rajkovich said. “Bring a blanket and snuggle up because it might be chilly but it will be nice. It’s going to be a good show.”
The three bands all fall under the folk genre, but each one brings something different to the stage. Poke is known for its hillbilly, country influence, Buster Blue has been known to rock the house and the Shook Twins bring an element of trance and psychedelic tendencies to their music. Students who are familiar with these bands said they look forward to their performances at Boise State.
Dani Terhaar, junior geo-science major, said she is a fan of Poke and is looking forward to their performance and their band T-shirts.
“I love their sound,” Terhaar said. “I love the funky Americana sound, but it’s still catchy. I think their T-shirt art is hilarious.”
Boise State 2010 alumna Quinn Perry said she is most excited about Buster Blue’s performance and might visit Boise State just to see them perform.
“I’ve seen Buster Blue a few times,” Perry said. “They’re pretty cool. The coolest part about them is that they’re kind of like the band nerds from high school that all got together who really focused on music and so they’re all individually talented. My favorite part about them is that their instruments aren’t as typical as you would think. They’re just one of those bands that are very capturing to watch.”
While Perry said she is more excited to hear Buster Blue, she said she is also looking forward to the Shook Twins.
“The Shook Twins are awesome too,” Perry said “It’s definitely like that new age psychedelic folk where you’ve got the banjo, mandolin and up-right base, it’s not just metal guitars and stuff like that.”
Rajkovich and Perry said they think all three of these bands will go well together. Folk holds them together and gives them something in common, but the three will also bring something unique and individual in their performances. Rajkovich and Perry also said this is a concert students will want to get up and dance to.
The Shook Twins
Though they are centralized in Portland, the Shook Twins are natives of Sandpoint, Idaho. They take pride in creating a “quirky folk” sound.
Bringing it all together are identical twin sisters Katelyn Shook and Laurie Shook with Kyle Volkman. Between the two sisters, numerous instrumentals and more are covered, from the guitar, glockenspiel, mandolin and banjo to beatboxing, bass, looping, ocarina, djembe and vocals. Additional sound is provided by Volkman who provides the sound of upright and electric bass.
If you dig everything from beatboxing to banjo to music that sounds like it was in the O Brother, Where Art Thou? soundtrack, don’t hesitate to come check this group out. They’ll be on at 4 p.m.
Check out this band at www.shooktwins.com.
Buster Blue
Originally from Nevada, Buster Blue will be making their way to Boise State University this Thursday. This five-piece, originating from the juxtaposition of a high school drum major and “hardcore screamer” has an incredibly diverse sound ranging everywhere from the simple soulful sound of Tom Waits to the beautiful melodies of The Arcade Fire.
Buster Blue is made up of Jay Escamillo, Bryan Jones, Brendon Lund, Andrew Martin, and Rachael McElhiney.
“We are excited to play at Boise State,” Andrew Martin said. “We have a lot of friends that have gone to Boise State so we’re looking forward to performing. We love Boise. It’s going to be a good show. It’s going to have a good blend.”
Make sure not to miss these guys at 3:10.
Check out this band at www.busterblue.com.
Poke
Starting the show off at 2:00 p.m. this Thursday, Oct. 18 will be the rockabilly twang of Poke. Though the band’s members come from many a different place, they consider themselves to be a Boise band as this is where they originated.
Comprising this sextet of performers are ‘B-Rad’ on guitar, Diesel on bass, ‘Bernie Reilly’ on the accordion, fiddle, and organ, ‘Johnny Shoes’ on guitar and mandolin, ‘Shakey Dave’ on steel guitar and ‘Smokin’ J’ on the drums.
“I’m excited,” front man Brad Deteau said. “I’ve never been to a Boise State amphitheater performance. To be part of one is really special.”
If you like bands that sound musically like Creedence Clearwater Revival and Chris Isaak, are similar vocally to Johnny Cash, and have a sound they can call their own, then come check these guys.
Check out this band at countrypoke.com.
