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diversions
Contra conquers
O.C.
By Elaine Willey
Special to the On-line Forty-Niner
On a clear and
quiet night in Anaheim, the average person walking by would
have no idea of the ruckus that's taking place inside the
bar-restaurant called The Shack.
"Contra," a rock band from Orange County, who chose
the name after years of playing Nintendo, is generating the
ruckus with another one of its sold out shows.
Vince Cardoza, the guitar player for the band, is striking
the strings of his guitar to a crowd that has just pulled
the microphone from the stage with fans now singing their
hearts out into it on the floor. This doesn't seem to bother
any of the band members though, especially Cardoza. As a matter
of fact, he thrives on this behavior.
"Fans are what make the show," says Cardoza, a senior
majoring in business at CSULB. "We love fans who are
out of control and who affect the show with a great energy
level." He goes on to say that it's all about the experience
Contra provides, and if that entails this sort of behavior,
he's all for it.
Cardoza has been playing the guitar for five years and has
been with the band for close to nine months.
But not every show is a wild, out of control party. Contra's
sound varies throughout the night making for a diverse display
of music. Some fans prefer to relax and get into the show
in a mellow
fashion depending on which song is being played. This exemplifies
the complexity of the band's sound ranging from hardcore melodies
to harmonious ballads.
Vince Cardoza as a person is just as multifaceted as his music.
His hectic schedule would tire just about anyone. His interests
growing up included soccer and hockey. Then it was on to CSULB
to earn a degree in engineering. Stung by the e-commerce bug,
Cardoza decided to change his major to business and information
systems. On top of these commitments, Cardoza works as a graphic
artist at a company in Huntington Beach, and is a member of
the Skate and Surf Club on campus.
The group's first CD, "Dropping Anchor," is currently
in the printing process. The cover, as well as Contra's Web
site, were designed by Cardoza. Future plans possibly involve
a record label, and a performance on the CSULB campus. Hopefully,
a show on campus will turn out just as rewarding for the band
as it was when Contra performed in front of a crowd of nearly
a thousand at the House of Blues in Anaheim. n order
to match the treatment that the House of Blues provided for
Contra, CSULB would have to include a five-course meal, a
packed house and a swarm of star-struck ladies grabbing relentlessly
at the band members' shoes. In any event, Contra is more than
happy to recruit new fans, and thoroughly enjoys the performance
aspect of the music industry.
For more information on Contra, please visit www.contraonline.com.
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Courtesy
of Contra
Vince Cardoza, of Contra, performs at The Shack in Anaheim.
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