Boston Funk Band sets a precedent for Club Hotung

As midnight approached on Thursday Sept. 19, Hotung Caf?© was home to a different scene, as loud chants of "Let them Play!" filled the sports-bar turned concert venue. Since Boston Funk Band (BFB) kicked off the first annual Club Hotung Show two weeks ago, their performance and Hotung's new groove have been the talk of campus.

The artists _ Ben Halperin on guitar, Rich Wilner on drums, Mark Shwayer on Bass and Brian Ezra on the keyboard _ put on a show that forced students to turn their attention turned from books and the TV screen to the performers, and the crowded room clapped appreciatively.

As a component of the Mayer Campus Center, Hotung Caf?© is part of the campus's core: the atmosphere can be both studious and fun, and the place is usually crowded but not overwhelmingly so. On Thursday and Friday nights, however, the Student Activities Office transforms Hotung Caf?© into Club Hotung.

This year, students say, that Club Hotung has been reinvigorated, and that BFB has a lot to do with it.

BFB has humble beginnings at Tufts, but many of their fans _ and band members included think the band is destined for greatness. When Shwayer first invited Wilner and Halperin to jam in his basement, they came up with a basic line that was so good that they felt they were meant to be a group.

"We immediately knew we had something," Wilner said. Bringing in Ezra on keyboard for the next practice was so successful that the band held its first concert two days later.

Many of the Band's friends came out to support them at the Hotung performance. "Their first concert was in my basement," junior Eric Agler shouted as he danced with his girlfriend.

The band says a key to their music is the multiplicity of influences and variety of music they play. Whereas Halperin is a Beatles fan, Ezra listens to all kind of jazz and Wilner loves the Red Hot Chilli Peppers. Their music is a blend of their different tastes, according to Halperin.

Sasha Rome, a friend of Wilner's who was selling their CD the night of the concert, explains that the band's talent is only a partial reason for their success.

"These guys practice a lot together, and they are dedicated to each other," Rome said. "They're really good friends, they listen to each other and they don't have to worry about hurting each other's feelings _ that is why they've improved so fast."

Halperin admits the Boston Funk Band practices often and is sometimes hard on its members to produce a quality product. "We are very critical to one another, and if we think one of us is completely disconnected, we just let him know," Halperin said. "That is the only way for improving."

Usually the band members find a spot on campus and play there until they get kicked out for being too loud. The members regret there are so few spots where bands can practice properly. They have been playing on the campus for a year, but are aware of freshman groups that are experiencing trouble finding practice space.

The BFB's goals in performance are to enjoy themselves and to have their audience enjoy their music, they say. "The audience is the only reason I do it," Wilner said. "They're so awesome, I feed off of them, I can't even describe the feeling. It's better than any drugs or anything else."

At the Hotung performance, audience members seemed just as energized. "I feel my soul regenerated from my body without religion," senior Jeff Blumberg said recalling the packed room and loud music. "I am totally funkified!" From 10 p.m. to a little after midnight, people from all over the campus entered into Hotung. Some passed by the club, but many others stayed through to the end of the concert, dancing and enjoying the music.

Band members said it was good to see fellow students enjoying their music. "It is good to see people coming out and dancing," Halperin adds. "We have loyal fans and I hope it is only a start."

Although the Hotung Caf?© is known for sponsoring concerts, art activities and debates, it seemed like the atmosphere that night was different from what people were used to experiencing.

"I come to every concert at Hotung," Blumberg said, "but this one is different, it is an amazing atmosphere."

Others changed their plans and decided to remain at Hotung after hearing the music. "Actually, I came to the Campus Center to get a little bit of studying done," sophomore Elliot Hirshon said, "but the music was too excellent and I decided to stay and enjoy it."

Currently the BFB plays mainly in the Boston area. The band is working on its first CD, entitled "Ride the Train," and growing in popularity both on and off campus. The night of the concert, Rome sold 30 CDs.