ZACH PIETRINI & THE BROKEN BONES - Hollis LewisThe local music scene surfaced by way of Coffeehouse this past weekend.
Trinity International University’s (TIU) Johnson Hall Lounge (JHL) was filled with a predominantly college student audience to see Zach Pietrini and the Broken Bones Friday.
“Wow! I didn’t know people actually came to these things,” said one student.
“This is a fire hazard,” teased another.
The sound management was lacking as vocalist Hollis Lewis and violinist Mary Flowe could not be heard beyond the first table and drummer Nicholas Greener and guitarist Josh Connell both dominated the waves.
“I'm not exactly sure what happened with the sound,” said Lewis.
After the opener, Connell and bassist Michael Mehlan swapped for an awkward performance.
“Why is the guy looking at himself in the mirror?” asked a spectator. JHL unfortunately had floor to ceiling decorative mirrors. Watching Mehlan’s sensual reflection was as uncomfortable for the audience as the peeping of his butt crack when he dropped to his knees in an emotional guitar solo.
The full band returned and was redeemed with a powerful moment that couldn’t be rehearsed – the veins in Pietrini’s neck testified to the effort of his voice as he attempted to sing over the noise, and his failure to project was dismissed by a first row choir who sang out every lyric for him with pride.
“We had an hour worth of music prepared,” said Lewis.
But after the band blew two amps and performed three-ish songs, including the awkward duet, they exited the stage and the lounge numbers were cut in half.
Zach Pietrini and the Broken Bones played Saturday at Taylor University in Indiana, where Lewis signed her first CD for a fan. They also had a show at Wheaton College at the beginning of the month, which went a little smoother.
“The Wheaton concert was the most fun I've had performing yet,” said Lewis. “We had a group of around 50 Trinity people come out to show their support and sing along. Wheaton's old chapel was packed out and you could feel the energy on stage”
Information about their albums “Mending the Broken” and “The Broken Season Turning” are available at the band’s MySpace website where a band biography, pictures and songs are posted.
Fans will have to follow the band live to hear the new tunes not yet recorded. They play at South Union Arts Gallery in Chicago Mar. 14.
The performance that won best entertainment for Friday night was trio Ben Krogh, Tim Ophus and Ryan Ebling who replaced one of the amps. One mic was used for Ebling’s banjo, and the other mic was shared by Ophus and Krogh for an unusual effect. Each switched off for lead vocals.
“That was on purpose,” said Ophus mid-lyrics when feedback roared through the speaker. He didn’t miss a beat.
Listeners socialized over drinks and treats at tables clothed in black poster paper and equipped with drawing chalk, compliments of JHL Residence Life Staff and the Acting on Aids Team. Tshirts were being sold to promote prayer and raise money for Spring Break and May term mission trips.
