...Get your game on!
By Ken Hanson
Daily Forty-Niner
The first big concert in The Pyramid failed
to pack the house, but it was still a great time for those who did attend.
A.S.I. representatives estimated attendance
at the concert to be about 2,600, but the facility has a maximum capacity
of more than 5,000.
With bands like Smashmouth, Reel Big Fish
and the Black Eyed Peas, there should have been more people in the place,
but it was only the first concert event, and a half-full Pyramid is better
than an empty one.
Greg Camp, the band's guitar player, was
unaware of the history Smashmouth made Tuesday in The Pyramid.
"We like playing colleges because the people
are happening," Camp said.
"Luckily they padded the ceiling in there.
It's kind of a weird vibe in there, but we haven't heard it filled up yet."
Robert Maxson, Cal State Long Beach President,
said he felt that Smashmouth was "a good band that would fit on a college
campus."
"We need to hold concerts and functions
on the campus," Maxson said.
"We need all the activities we can for
students."
"We wanted to go with a band that would
attract a college crowd," Associated Students administrator Robert Garcia
said.
"Something that is not too extreme for
the first show. We wanted to keep it safe.
And the venue was safe.
There were no major problems, no fights
broke out.
But Smashmouth guitarist Greg said he felt
security was a little too strict at The Pyramid.
"Man, they need to lighten up," he said.
The crowd did get a bit rowdy during Reel
Big Fish, especially when playing its radio hit "Sell Out."
Smashmouth also whipped the crowd into
a frenzy with a few of the band's heavier songs.
But even in the mosh pits, everyone was
fairly kind.
The biggest problem was the crowd surfers,
who occasionally would kick some one as they were passed overhead.
As far as the business side of the concert
goes, the show went over pretty smooth.
The concert started late because Black
Eyed Peas could not be found when their set was supposed to begin.
But that only made the event last longer
for the fans.
The concert wrapped up at about 11:45 p.m.,
after Smashmouth finished its hour-long set.
Commenting after the show, keyboard player
Michael Klooster said that is was a "mellow show," and he just felt normal
after the historic concert.
The band is known for the positive music
it plays.
"Hopefully we are role models," Camp said.
"We're sending a positive message, not
a dark, Marilyn Manson message." |
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