One, Two, Skidoo, Haley Dreis among top local performers featured at Bookstore Cafe
Carolina Productions holds acoustic shows each semester in the Russell House Bookstore Cafe to give USC students a chance to showcase their musical talents. Tuesday's show featured WUSC's own One, Two, Skidoo with their accompanying band, Sex Club Seven, and accomplished performer Haley Dreis.
The night started off with Jake Causey, a first-year entertainment management student, opening up with an acoustic cover of Matisyahu's "King Without a Crown." Only a mere glimpse of what was to come, Causey's guitar playing was soul-wrenching. One, Two, Skidoo then began its own acoustic covers.
Composed of first-year international business student Rupert Hudson and first-year public relations student Pedro LopezDeVictoria, the two performers covered Kanye West songs, several from his most recent album "My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy." Causey, third-year visual communications student Lee Garrett on drums and first-year retail student Molly McNutt on tambourine assisted Hudson and LopezDeVictoria under the band name Sex Club Seven.
LopezDeVictoria played guitar while Hudson rapped the lyrics to "Dark Fantasy," "Stronger" and "Gold Digger," among others. The highlight of the night was their performance of the song "Monster," in which McNutt impressively rapped the Nicki Minaj verse. Her performance was flawless. Only adding to their musical flair, Hudson also used a melodica during the soulful performance of "Runaway."
One, Two, Skidoo was by far the show stealer of the night. It pulled an audience of around 70 people. The members' enthusiasm and obvious delight for Kanye West was easily seen in their passionate performance. Their stage presence was huge, and they almost effortlessly involved the audience by inviting them to shout along with the lyrics and initiating successful clap-a-longs to the songs. By the end of the set, five of the six performers on stage had stripped themselves of their shirts and played their last song, "Power," with intensity and zeal.
Also performing that night was local musician Haley Dreis. Playing songs off her newly released EP "Taking Time," Dreis' set was light and sweet. Dreis covered Beyonce's "Single Ladies" and played her own song, "Where My Heart Is," among others. Dreis used this last song for her senior thesis and created a music video for it. Dreis has committed to donating $1,000 to PETS Inc. if her video receives more than 10,000 views. During her set, Dreis played the guitar and was assisted on tambourine by LopezDeVictoria.
The show was a complete success for both Carolina Productions and the performers. It was obvious that the crowd enjoyed the show and all of the performers played with joy and excitement for their sets. LopezDeVictoria said, "We made it our duty to blow the roof off this place."
If you would like to participate in Acoustic Café shows, please contact Carolina Productions for more information. Visit Dreis's website to listen to her songs and see future performances athaleydreismusic.com. Hudson and LopezDeVictoria can be heard on WUSC 90.5 every Friday from 10 p.m. to midnight. To learn more about them, search "One, Two, Skidoo" on Facebook or visit their Tumblr at onetwoskidoowusc.tumblr.com.
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