Got ADD? The Company Picnic may be the cure

In just a few days the transformation would be complete – not in regard to Kent band The Company Picnic, but in regard to a stage extension project at Professors Pub in downtown Kent.

As we sat atop the stage in one of two removable booths in front of the main window of Professors for an interview, it hit the members of the band that this very spot would be completely revamped, and they’d be performing on it. The band members quenched their thirst while divulging the band’s inner workings.

The plays on its name are more than significant. The band is composed of four members, all of whom work and some of whom also pursue degrees. Their free time is spent rehearsing and writing, but the all-business attitude of the band could be a potential source of disconnect from its fan base.

“We’re in a band because we really want to be in a band,” said Joe Dennis, the band’s lead singer and guitarist.

The four-piece band is made up of three guitarists. The drummer, senior computer science major Chris Schulz, is the strongpoint of the band. Although the band has three guitarists, it plays to a much lesser capacity than its potentially creative guitar trio allows. The band has been around for a little more than one year and said it is still hashing itself out.

“We use different guitar tunings, we don’t have a bass and we have a clean sound,” guitarist Justin Seeker said.

Its target audience is one with a short attention span.

“Our songs are short, catchy and to the point,” Seeker said. “They’re three-and-a-half to four minutes tops. We play for the ADD kids.”

Dennis described their sound as “noise” and “bewilderment,” which instantly made the band’s stage presence seem intriguing.

“It’s all about the music, not theatrics,” Seeker said. “When we play, we just play.”

Without a stage presence, the last source of potential saving grace for the band became its lyrics.

“Most of our lyrics don’t make any sense,” Dennis said. “It’s valid to enjoy a Japanese song you don’t know the lyrics to.”

The band said its vocals are almost instrumental. The disconnect remains.

Their intent to be a “noisy rock band” fails with repetitive loops and less noise than “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” Once the band members stared at each other with blank faces when asked what made the band unique, I instantly knew this band was out to lunch.

Contact all reporter Robert Checkal at [email protected].