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Cockstock organizers to improve tradition LARRY WILLIAMS Staff Writer Some people remember the Cockstocks of years past. Most don't. In the past, the annual event, which was organized by the Carolina Program Union, drew a passing thought. However, because of some large amounts of work and determination by the new Carolina Productions, Friday's Cockstock promises to be the best yet. Featuring Capricorn recording artist Widespread Panic and local talents Sourwood Honey, Shades of Grey and Mountain Express, this event at the Carolina Coliseum could prove to spawn bigger and better acts in the future. Vance McNabb, concert commissioner for CP, said the sacrifices to put this year's version of Cockstock together were made with the future in mind. "We wanted to get a foothold in the Coliseum for the possibilities of future mqjar acts," McNabb said "USC students have never been able to put on a big show because if s extremely hard unless you get a six-month jump on planning for it." McNabb said this year's Cockstock is unique because it will be run almost exclusively by USC students. "Everything from the stage hands, security, ticket takers, hospitality was done by USC students," he said. "All of the publicity was done by CP. We even cut the commercials (which run on Fox 102 and Rock 93.5) ourselves ... even down to the bands, most of them are students as well." McNabb said he believes the best is yet to come. "We're getting a foothold, so to speak," he said "Ihe same agent thafs with Widespread is the agent who handles REM as well, so that could turn out even better." n |MIU S Em ACC( For drop by 4 o: KWP1W rv if# f p Wj 1 Tirelessly touring the United pe States for the tenth re< consecutive year, the six-piece band known as Widespread "L Panic will roll into Frank Mrflnino A nana UViHav tn VlPflHlinp 199f?S a 1 Cocks tock. so Mixing a rich form of rock, blues and an country, Panic is on the first leg of their Spring Tour, which began March 22 in rei Little Rock, Ark. to Panic has developed a loyal fan base da throughout the nation, and even more di so in the Southeast. nc Formed in 1986, Panic originally consisted of David Schools on bass, Jc Michael Houser on lead guitar, John Bell on rhythm amy, ATVN and lead vocals, and Todd X 116x6 Nance on drums. The four-member band, TDTTStflT* who attended the University ? of Georgia, began playing at , local clubs around Athens, TT1 & (Tffl including the 40-Watt Club and the now-famous Georgia 4V p Theatre. v/xx uxxv Those lucky enough to own tapes from the early mftTdTI) days of Panic s metamorphosis are able to i i.i__ rxi l : near uie uu ui ui uie uasaiws that are now Panic staples. * By 1988, Panic had enjoyed enough success to record their first CD, which was later tl entitled "Space Wrangler." The CD, d containing such songs as "Traveling Light" and "Driving Song," sold well, b and Panic is now touring the Southeast, e: as well as performing a few stints in the ii Midwest. s< Those from Columbia might remember when Panic played at the old h Greenstreets or the Cock Pit to crowds C of about 50 people. _ In 1991, Panic L&I picked up the fifth member of the band, iummei dIovim w 3unt Execut r . more lnrormai th floor, Russe r call 777-506' Student Media munm Ldesj lits rcussionist Domingo Ortiz, in time t x>rd their second CD, "Mom's Kitchen. ie CD contained such tracks as "Rock, ove Tractor" and "I'm Not Alone. In "Mom's Kitchen," Panic explore* nore aggressive approach, as thei ngs became more stylistic in soun< id texture. By this time. Panic had earned th putation of being a non-stop, tireless! uring group. Often playing for 7 to 1 lys straight, the band was paying thei les?and people were beginning t .JlI luce. In 1992, Panic added keyboards ihn Hermann to their lineup, and th puzzle wa * complete ' S SUCXI St Hermann, wit his ragtim 7 to being _ . with the ban HU, before, bu became a VCiaA fl.nH official mernb. lUttU OllU. in 1993 whe Panic recorde ? albums, 3 1 "Everyday "Everyday W5 John Bell, ieepread Panic from the f two releases, i le sound quality and the attention etail was shown like never before. Containing songs ranging from tl lues number "Papa's Home" to tl xperimental "Diner," "Everyday so i roonrd numVinrQ allrrarincr Panif a i WV1U UUUiMVAUj UAAV fT AAAg A ound to receive some radio airpla In 1994, the band returned to i ome turf of Athens to record its late !D, "Ain't Life Grand," on which th< w Williams, ff Writer mmmmm 7^11///i'frB MAmUi1 r int ives ion 11 House )read Colui 3 I I Mil _ ?. T> UR i h^h^k o * I r it Jk t fex n ^ "?ww? ?llmm Jjr 'i n IS n David Schools, Michael Houser, Jol M Athens based band, Widespread Pan t? reunited with producer John Keane, who worked on Panic's debut. ie "Ain't Life Grand" combined the most ie fully realized songwriting in Panic's Id histoiy with the trademark improvisations : s fans had come to cherish, y* All the tracks "On "Ain't Life Grand" were recorded live with no splices and virtually no sampling. The band was so 3y well focused going into the project that three of the songs?"Raise the Roof," "Fishwater" and "Jack"?all came from the original demos. Panic is planning on releasing a live r-, USAir I l!SAir begins wkh you I wcsc? SM Pan nbial I* iv * A>" ^ ^flBP^ MPS;: ; $1111 Piipi mp1 *y! - ? * Vs - 4 . .. in Hermann, John Bell, Todd Nan< ilc, who will be headlining Cocksto CD in hopes of conveying the live experience to their fens, or in many cases, future fans. Pondering the past 10 years, Bell said the work done in the studio has been a reflection of the progressing maturity of the band. "I feel good about the progression of nur olKiima Vipppiisp pvprv nnp has heen more of a group effort," Bell said. "More of the bandness' is coming out Itfs another year; we're a little older. What we doimprovisation in a rock-and-roll, R&B format?weVe been doing a lot, and we're rT * & ?(ffl K a. h * Hk v \ | v A?MCELVEEN teHmaxannisaszsBaBa ic i ^ Kgggl ? m ?? i Photo special The Gamecock ? and Domingo Ortiz make up the ck this Friday night. getting better." As for life on the road, Bell said living many people's dreams isn't all fun and games. "There's such a mystery to being ir a band, playing on the road and making albums," Bell said. "To maintain that mystery is t< sustain the source of power. For a lot o people, that mystery isn't comfortable if s good to keep the freedom that come! with the mystery, because you nevei know what's going to happen next,1 Bell said. 7 w .itm m I whim nu-m 0 Blues 360? Communications