Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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m ~w 0 ~t m Quote of the Day ^ ~m~ m /^\ ~W~ "Intolerance is the only thing which must not be Page 8 'dlt 03111C CO Ck Monday, August 28,2000 Local band shows new ‘Shades’ Amy Goulding The Gamecock Shades of Grey played at Sharfcy’s Friday night after playing on the Russell House patio on campus ear lier in the day. by Brock Vergakis The Gamecock One of the most popular bands to play at USC and Five Points in the past six years is back, with a new sense of energy and dedication to become the best. Shades of Grey, founded by lead singer Kemiy Floyd, has experienced a re volving door of band members, managers and support staff over the years with Floyd remaining the one constant in the band. And earlier this year, it looked like even that would no longer be the case. A dispute among the band members eventually led to Floyd being asked to leave the band, although he eventually was allowed to keep the name Shades of Grey. What followed for Floyd was months of soul searching to decide whether he still wanted to be a musician. “It took a long time to decide whether I wanted to play again or not. I thought about what I wanted to do, my family pulled real close and I decided to get back out there,” Floyd said. Floyd gives a lot of credit to his mother for getting him playing again. He said she’s one of the ones who had the most influence in convincing him to at least start a side project this summer. “My mother was very adamant about getting me out there again,” Flovd said. The result was Floyd touring on his own as the Kenny Floyd Band. What Floyd said happened next was an incredible showing of support from Colum bia, particularly students at USC. “It felt really good after six years, your friends telling you you can’t stay [in the band], to have the support I got,” he said. When Floyd was initially voted out of his former band, he said it was the USC Greek community who came to the rescue. “The Greeks turned out in droves to my shows. When I was kicked out, DU (Delta Upsilon Fraternity) booked just me, for three or four shows in a row. When I had no money, and no place to stay, they really kept me on my feet,” he said. According to Floyd, the Greek population has been supportive from the day he began playing. Sigma Nu helped provide some of the funding for his first al bum, and Kappa Alpha Order was the first show he ever played — for a couple hundred dollars and five cases of Old Milwaukee. One of his goals this year is to play a Greek-sponsored philanthropic event called Derby Days. As Floyd played throughout the summer on his side project, he began writ ing new songs and had the opportunity to play with other acts such as the Root Doctors. As all of this was going on, something began to happen. He started having fun again. “When something happens to you like what like happened to me after six years, it leaves a bad taste in your mouth. But everyone was just so supportive, it was great,” Floyd said. Fans who remembered him playing as Shades of Grey since their freshman year at USC at fraternity and sorority parties, the Carolina Cup, Lou on the ‘Shoe and bars and clubs in Five Points began requesting to see him play as Shades of Grey again. Floyd got the picture and began forming a group to play as Shades of Grey once again. “For me, it’s a win-win situation. I’ve got anew very supportive band where the guys want me to do my job as a front man. I just feel so good right now.” Shades of Grey lias long been known as a great party band, playing a mix of original music as well as cover songs from the’80s and ‘90s — even throwing in a little rock/rap mix on occasion. Making people have a good time is what has been all about. “That’s part of our aura, having people interact with us,” Floyd said. He en courages people to e-mail him, request songs and give input at the band’s Web site, www.kennyfloyd.com, in order to have as much interaction as possible be tween the band and its fans. The band rarely comes up with a predetermined set list before a show, waiting to feed off the eneigy of the crowd before coming to any decisions. A natural showman, Floyd does whatever he can to get the crowd involved, and goes out of his way to talk to fans before and after shows. So far, Floyd said, the response has been tremendous. Last week at Edgar’s in Clemson, Floyd said the bar had one of its largest crowds in years. Even bet , Shades see page 9 Campus Notes AMA to hold open house The American Marketing Association is hosting an Open House drop-in from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday on the 8th floor of the Darla Moore School of Busi ness. There will be free pizza, prizes, and info about AMA. All majors are welcome. Football tickets to be distributed Student football ticket distribution for the New Mexico State and Georgia games takes place today and Tuesday in Russell House room 205. Tickets will also be distributed Thursday at the Stu dent Organization Fair on the Russell House patio. Students need to present their student IDs for a ticket. Block seating coupons are also available. Call Student Government at 777-2654 for block seating information. Organization accepts applications Sign up for USC's Leadership and Community Service Oiganization. Ap plications are available in Campus Ac tivities Center in the Russell House. Applications are due Sept. 8. If you have any questions, visit the Campus Activities Center in the basement of the Russell House. "Encounter” to meet "Encounter," meetings will be held at 7:37 p.m. Tuesday in the Rutledge Chapel. For more information, call Jane Poster at 799-3854. Spring Board accepts applications Spring Board is accepting applications in the Campus Activities Center. USC's Leadership and Community Service Oiganization is looking for those who want to get involved and make a difference. Applications are due Sept. 8 in the Campus Activities Center When your socks stand at attention, it's time O to go to... ©o O _o w.w.Mmjymiii.iiVa i @ u v.w 11 Pnrnnf nf Rccomhlll fV lllhplpil ScfioCastic ProfiCes Catering To All Your Barbering Needs Located downstairs in the Russell House Carolina Mall, USC • Columbia, SC 29208 803-777-4576 flU" ~~12000 Foil Semester Faculty Seminar Scriesf f Tuesdays@6:30 p.m. CoUegePeer Coordinators The ^^Aueust?” osarasi [f SOFTWARE SECONDS^ c NEW & USED VIDEO GAMES Jt We Buy and Sell Games and Systems 4508 St. Andrews Rd., Suite 3 Columbia, South Carolina 29210 (803) 798-4014 Located Across From Allied Signal http://www.softwareseconds.com Do you like to sing? Travel? Be part of an exciting group! (even earn scholarship dollars and academic credit) Join a USC choral ensemble. Concert Choir musc 12s 492080 • M 3:30-5:30 T. TH 12:30-1:45 University Chorus musc 129 492230 M 3:30-5:30 T, TH 12:30-1:45 Carolina Alive musc 130 s 492700 • MWF 12:20-1:10 Madrigal Ensemble musc 130-w 49280* t tu z.z-nn ] Honors College Choir musc 130-Y section 501 537270 T 7:00-9:00 Preston College Choir musc 130-Y section 001 536950 M 7:30-9:30 Engineering College Choir musc 130-Y section 002 536970 T 7:00-9:00 *Audition Required * If you've sung before, you should sing again! For more information, call 777-5369 or e-mail <choralmusicrules@hotmail.com>_ GAMECOCK SPORTS ANNOUNCER g* "MIC MAN" Individuals needed to help with USC sports promotions. Duties include: generate enthusiasm among fans at DSC sporting events, emcee at halftime promotions. Must have outgoing personality, loyal Gamecock spirit, and be willing to perform in front of large crowds. Huditions Tuesday, August 29 @ 6pm USC Fieldhouse, Ulhaley St. [across from Bates House)