 "Photo: The Olympian/Josh Nothnagle")
 "Photo: The Olympian/Josh Nothnagle")
 "Photo: The Olympian/Josh Nothnagle")
The Bremer Student Center at Olympic College hosted Rock Out for Education Thursday, a concert organized to increase student involvement on campus.
Jon Terry, Associated Students of OC vice president of communications-elect, organized the event and brought the bands Psycho 78, of Tacoma, and Forced Elegance, of Kirkland, to play a free show for students.
“The purpose is trying to get entertainment to the college, this is just step one,” said Terry. “I’m trying to get students involved in something besides going to class here.”
Student involvement was the focus of the event, but the event was not well attended. The show started with about 30 students hanging around the BSC, but as the show went on, attendance dwindled, causing the first band, Forced Elegance to say the show reminded them of a Pat Benatar concert.
Despite the lack of attendance, the band members enjoyed playing to students.
“I had fun,” said Forced Elegance drummer Ronnie Driscoll. “We play a lot of bar shows, but we want more shows like this.”
The concert ran in concurrence with a club fair during which clubs attempted to recruit new members.
“It gave us something to watch and do, and stay for,” said OC student Muriah Albin.
Albin’s daughter, Fiona Albin, joined two of Terry’s children at the front of the stage and were referred to by Psycho 78’s lead singer Mickey Waco as “the best part of the crowd” during the show.
“It was great, especially the kids,” said Waco. “We’d love to play where there are more students.”
Both bands played punk rock music, and took their audience into consideration when singing songs that had explicit language. Waco and Pyscho 78 bass player Jay Oneil paid special attention to their song “Mierda.”
“Mierda is Spanish for bullshit,” said Waco.
The hook before the chorus of the song is, “Fucking Mierda, and I hate you.” Waco instead sang, “Kinda Mierda, and I love books,” said Waco.
To get the BSC prepared for the event Terry contracted with Travis Orcutt, owner of Backdraft Entertainment. Orcutt provided speakers, lighting and a 20-foot stage.
Orcutt said the administration at OC seemed very excited to help him put the show together.
“I’m very happy to be out here, it’s a great opportunity,” said Orcutt. “We will do everything we can to continue a positive business relationship with OC.”
Ryan Brown, ASOC president-elect, said he thinks student input might lead to a more successful turnout.
“I think it’s pretty cool, but it should have started earlier,” said Brown. “Maybe try to get more feedback from the students.”
Brown’s words echo what he and his ASOC running mates said they are trying to encourage students to do.
“I want students to be encouraged to speak their minds about what they want,” said Terry.
“It doesn’t have to be about music; if you want something, come to the student government, we are here to help.”
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