Two Student-Formed Bands Rise at Concordia: The Starters and Push to Exit

The Starters entertain the crowd at the homecoming fair on the plaza in October. Photo courtesy of The Starters.

by Bethany Schilling

Two groups of students have formed bands with fellow classmates here at Concordia. Here are their stories.

The Starters

Ever since singing the Pokemon theme song for their sophomore year Variety Show, seniors Paul Nelson, Joe Pierson and Josh Wudtke have been contributing to the music culture of Concordia and the Seward community through their band, The Starters.

“They have this explosive energy,” junior Jeramy Willis said, who watched them perform at the Bottle Rocket Brewing Company on Saturday, Oct. 29. “Once they get going together, there’s no stopping them.”

Vocalists Nelson and Pierson got the idea for the group after participating in a praise band as freshmen. They later partnered with drummer Wudtke, who played in Jazz Band.

The group performs musical styles including alternative rock, Christian speed metal, funk, Americana, blues and country. Over their time together, they have learned how to combine their interests and find a sound that is unique to their band.

“As much as we strive for excellent musicianship, we are very much a garage band,” said guitarist Pierson. “ It’s really fun to be able to mix all the styles that we do.”

Their shows often feature a wide range of covers.  They also enjoy pulling gimmicks to keep their audiences engaged and entertained. From their adaptations of oldies like “Sweet Caroline” to their amp-blasting renditions of songs by Hotel Year, the band’s performances embrace a diverse collection of  music.

“We are not necessarily the most technical band you will ever see,” bass player Nelson said, “but we make sure to make it fun.”

The three will be graduating in 2017 and hope to release an EP with five of their original songs over Christmas break.  In addition to an EP, the group currently has bumper stickers available for purchase.

Push to Exit

Push to Exit is a pop/rock band here on campus that was born in a the Schuelke basement last August. Members of the all-sophomore band include lead vocalist David Schrampfer, guitarists Evan Brenner and Josiah Resner, drummer Dalton Merka and vocalist and bass player Aidan Moon.

“We were jamming and one by one a lot of people came in, and we were like, we could actually be a band,” Schrampfer said.

Even though the members of Push to Exit  have a wide variety of interests such as science, theology and business, music is one thing that unites them.

The band doesn’t shy away from covers, although they prefer to play original music.

“Having people sing along to lyrics you wrote is really amazing,” Schrampfer said.

The band plans on becoming more well-known this year and has already performed for the 2016 Variety Show, Homecoming Fair and Red Path Gallery & Tasting Room in downtown Seward.

“It’s a good feeling to be able to watch other people have fun listening to us play,” Rensner said in an email interview.

Hoping to inspire people with their music, Push to Exit focuses a lot on having a good time.

“If it reaches out to somebody who’s having a really tough time or if they’re dealing with something and can’t keep a smile on their face, it’d be cool if our music cheered them up,” Schrampfer said.

Push to Exit will play at during the Concordia Invitational Tournament weekend from 8 p.m. to midnight on Friday, Jan. 27 in the Walz Fieldhouse.

Photo courtesy of Push to Exit.

Photo courtesy of The Starters.