Last semester all my friends attended a Green-Oh show at Toad’s and loved it. I had kicked myself at the time for passing it up for a mere Psychology exam. So when somebody handed me that green ticket promoting another Green-Oh show at Toad’s I almost crapped myself, but at the moment I just thought about how great it was not having Psychology anymore.
It has to be so rewarding to actually book a show and get that awaited first audience. What’s even better is when you get called to come back to play a bigger set, which was the case with Green-Oh, composed of four Quinnipiac sophomores from Dana English Hall. They were even the top seller last Tuesday when they played, attracting a loyal following.
They took the stage after an awesome set in its own right by Sonido Unidad. From the start there was a good vibe in the house as everybody made their way to the floor in anticipation.
Green-Oh is Rob Bruce, who takes care of the bass licks, Michael “Bagel” Graves, who rocks the beat on his drum set, Kevin Spiller, sporting his twangy guitar riffs and singer Adam Lefkowitz.
Spiller says, “When H-Rob (Bruce) told me he played bass, it blew my mind.” They had all known the year before that Graves knew how to play bongos and had a love for percussion. They also knew they enjoyed somewhat similar tastes in music, so when August came it was on. What started as jam sessions became much more.
For weeks, funky grooves were a common mainstay for Dana, and a treat for all passers by. Things were working out pretty well for our heroes when Adam Lefkowitz dropped in with his Jim Morrison, Layne Staley-inspired lyrics, and the band was solidified.
Green-Oh’s set was the ultimate crescendo with “Get Wet” as the first adrenaline rush. Following initial monitor issues, Lefkowitz stepped up to deliver his funky rhymes and Green-Oh began to steal the show, big time. Bruce hit the zone in “The Style,” speeding up his heavy as a house riffs, and this all from a man who was barefoot at the time.
Graves was untouchable and easily felt through the club the whole show, giving the audience great drum rolls to bounce to. Sporting his long underwear with his tongue hanging out of his mouth, Graves seemed to be loving life (as was everyone else) during “Tool Jazz,” the bands loudest song.
Among the rest of the band’s set was the aptly named ballad “Pigs,” dedicated to none other than Quinnipiac security. The culmination of the set was found in “Cheese Salad,” the bands’ newest song. Spiller’s off the hook guitar riffs, which he seemed to stick with perfectly through the entire song, showed off his talents with distortion and rhythm.
Green-Oh is scheduled to play Feb. 21 at Buckman Theatre with Skeleton Breath and are also planning to play Quinnipiac Unplugged in the near future.
With a style all their own, Green-Oh has emerged as Quinnipiac’s freshest sound. When asked what to expect in the upcoming show, Lefkowitz says, You’ll never get the same set twice.
With Battle of the Bands in their sights as well, on Feb. 23, don’t be surprised to find Green-Oh as an opening act on May weekend. Green-Oh’s talent is only surpassed by their showmanship and creativity.
