WRMC's Annual Concert This Saturday

Author: Richie Lawless

Vermont may not be the most likely place for a rock festivital. But the unlikely will become a reality this Saturday, when WRMC holds its annual concert Sepomana. The festivities kick off at 11 a.m. on the Voter lawn with rollicking performances by Middlebury student and alumni bands, including Courtney Brocks, Hijack the Disco, Skamasutra and Painfully. As the day winds to a close, the stage moves inside to the McCullough Social Space, where James Kolchaka Superstar, The Mendoza Line, Cex and headliners The Kingsbury Manx will perform.

Starting at 6 p.m., the comic pop lead singer James Kolchalka Superstar, who is as infamous for his infectious rock as he is for his quirky comic strips, will take the stage. Not only does band leader James Kochalka sing about frogs and clouds in a humorous manner, but hails from our very own state of Vermont.

Next up is The Mendoza Line, an independent rock band and veterans of Sepomana, having played the event the past few years. Originally from Georgia, and now based in Brooklyn, N.Y., the band has just released a new album entitled "Lost in Revelry" with rave reviews. The band is currently watching the album climb college music charts across the country. Their sound is contagiously catchy folk with chiming, lazy guitars and soothing vocals. With their knack for writing an undeniably good pop song, The Mendoza Line will amaze audiences here just as they amazed the college radio community.

Cex, an acclaimed electronica artist and young enough to be a college student, takes the stage next to spin his own brand of techno. Founding the record label Tigerbeat 6 with fellow San Francisco artist Kid 606, Cex released his sixth album, "Oops, I Did it Again" last year. The hyper rhythms and mellow airy synthesizers provide an interesting and invigorating listening experience. Showcasing a fondness for cheeky pop culture satires and experimental dance music, Cex is sure to give a pleasurable performance.

The headliners this year are none other than acclaimed indie rockers The Kingsbury Manx. Fresh off a tour with the British indie band Clinic, this North Carolina quartet formed in middle school. After releasing their debut album in 2000, the band has generated buzz in the indie scene. They quickly rose among the ranks of independent bands and recently toured with Elliott Smith. This past year they released their sophomore album "Let You Down." But make no mistake, The Kingsbury Manx will do anything but let audiences down with their performance this Saturday. The McCullough show begins at 6 p.m. Admission is only $1.