This Week on Interviewing the Bands...

One of the most unique and innovative aspects of Rock and/or Roll Camp is the opportunity it gives to the campers to form their own bands, write their own songs, and perform them in front of a live audience. There are not many places that give their youth this kind of opportunity as well as provide them with the assistance of professionals to help them achieve their goals. With all of these amazing chances being placed in front of them we have to ask what the band members think of Rock and/or Roll camp, of the teachers and of the opportunities that Peter Walters as well as Elizabeth Scheeler and all of the teachers have given them.

Because of Rock and/or Roll camp many local bands have been formed and I had the opportunity to talk with some of them about their experiences:

Jacki Penny and Jon Oravec form a two person group that has yet to be struck by a muse as to the name of their band. The music that they have begun to create this week has been compared to the band My Bloody Valentine as well as Shoegaze by counselors Wilson and Skylar.

A got a moment alone with Jacki later on in the day and had the opportunity to bring up a point I had been wanting to since camp started. Many people do not have the same opportunity that we are getting right now, and it is all thanks to Peter Walters, so what does Jacki think of Peter Walters and the chance he has given us?
"Peter is a true revolutionary." Jacki says, "He had a dream to bring music to Pendleton and he's doing it."

Jacki and Jon are planning on playing this Friday at the concert on Main Street, Jon was quoted as saying "Mos' def" (or most definitely).

All Eyes Fixed is another band that has formed here this week, from listening their music consists of loud drum beats and fast guitar and bass riffs, much like you would find in a punk rock band. Bassist Edward Collins says that the best thing about Rock and/or Roll camp is that everyone knows about music that they all know the bands and appreciate the music. All band members seem to be in agreement that you can learn something from everyone at rock camp, teachers and campers a like.

One of the best experiences of Rock and/or Roll camp is the chance to create a name for your band that not only shows what your band is about but also is unique and channels to the audience your personality as a band. I had the pleasure of being in the room as Jessie Oravec and Lauren McCarthy discovered their name.
"Squid." Jessie says, referring to what they should be called.
"No, let's be Guitarded Punks." says Lauren.
"How about just Guitarded." Jessie replies, and so a new band is born.
Jessie and Lauren say that they are planning on playing at the concert on Friday and that their music style is alternative. When asked what their favorite part of Rock and Roll Camp was Jessie stated right away that is was Randy. "He's very good looking and has beautiful eyes." She then added Skylar to her list of favorite things at Rock and Roll Camp.

The art center is a large place but there are so many students participating that even when you walk outside you can see bands practicing on the sidewalk. One such band is made up of Addison Schulberg, Naomi Thompson, Molly Murry, Jesska Roesch, and Even Hilliard. But as you could guess there are some hazards with practicing outdoors. As a stood there Addison accidentally dropped is guitar pick and it fell down the cracks of the grating they were standing over one of the rooms of the art center. Molly Murry promptly stood up and ran down to the room to grab it, while she was gone Addison made the comment that he had been losing many picks like that and that he only had one left. When Molly had returned I asked the band members what their favorite part of Rock and Roll camp had been, and while some had very defined answers "Wilson!" says Jesska Roesch or Molly Murry's favorite past time of retrieving guitar picks for Addison they all seemed to share the broad favorites of meeting new people, and the shared love of music.

All members of the band are returning from last year except for new comer Naomi. I asked Naomi what she thought of the camp and replied that it was awsome, she also stated that it was a wonderful experience for her as she was a violin player and doesn't usually get to rock. They are also planning to play Friday Night at the concert.

From Left: Jesska Roesch, Addison Schulberg, Naomi Thompson, Molly Murry, and Evan Hilliard, members of the band plan to play Friday and the performance is sure to be phenomenal.

After having a chance to talk with the bands I stopped in by Elizabeth Scheeler's office and asked her what she thought of the camp. "Rock camp is great." she says, "It's a real blast." She also told me that probably 80% of campers that came last year returned this year as well as a lot of new comers. So when thinking about coming to Rock and Roll camp next year, just listen to what the campers have to say:
"It's the most fun I've ever had." -Addison
"Totally do it!"-Naomi
"It's a great time! You'll never forget it!"

Article by Colee Mayfield