CDs encase memories of four years with friends

Monday, June 15, 1998

CDs encase memories

of four years with friends

Tell me it isn’t almost over. As I walked down Bruin Walk the
other day, I saw Hedrick looming ahead of me, and a rush of
freshman year memories hit me like a ton of bricks. I remembered my
6 South floor at Hedrick and all the people I met those first few
weeks (who all seemed like they were from "up north"). There were
movie runs, pizza runs, parties … I even remembered going to this
pumpkin carving party and meeting my neighbor, who ended up
becoming one of my best friends.

And as I scanned through those memories in the dorms and beyond,
I couldn’t help but notice that for every memory, and its
accompanying location, there was a soundtrack running through my
head. I went home and looked at song titles of random CDs. It was
just overwhelming to see how many songs brought me back to various
stages of my college career.

There have been so many musical phases I’ve gone through over
the past four years – from grunge and Britpop as a freshman and
sophomore to electronic pop and emotional post-punk my junior and
senior years.

If there’s one thing that has gotten me through these four
years, it’s been music. More so than outings or my writing or even
friends, music was there in good times and bad.

I pulled out a mix I made, entitled "Freshman Year." Remember
those high school mixes? Do you ever listen to them and get all
reflective? Well, it was ’94 and ’95 all over again for me as I
played the tape. I remember playing albums by bands like Weezer,
Pearl Jam and Toad the Wet Sprocket as I hung out with my friends,
did my homework, or just relaxed after a long day of classes and
work.

One of my first roommates, Kevin, played Pink Floyd’s "The
Division Bell" incessantly, and I would just lie on my bed, soaking
in this calming music. After he left, I looked for a CD to bring me
back to that time where everything was new and uncertain. Today it
still gives me nostalgic feelings.

My first college and music ritual was venturing down to Penny
Lane every Sunday to buy used CDs. My first college concert was
Toad the Wet Sprocket, and I’ve been to probably 50 others since
then. I’ve also gathered some 300 or so CDs since my arrival here,
always looking for the perfect score to my soul-searching. And all
those talks with buds and floormates and my coworkers at the
BookZone about rock ‘n’ roll … that’s what it’s all about.

Music has gotten me through everything. It may one day get me a
job. And if I can ever learn to play my new Epiphone guitar, I
anticipate forming a band and writing cool rock songs.

Y’know, forget about those classes I took, the lame parties that
ended early, the stomach problems that plague me and the girls that
didn’t smile back.

College may mean educational advancement, partying and sex to
some – but UCLA helped me come of age through the words and passion
of the musicians I worked with and listened to.

Music was much more of a collegiate backdrop for me than Royce
Hall could ever be.

I feel I should thank the Daily Bruin for giving me the
opportunity to pay for my bills through my love of music. I also
thank my best friends here whom I shared those harmonious times
with : Jason, Bryan, Jen and Adam, you guys rock. Dave, thanks for
pushing me to follow my musical aspirations. This one’s for you,
bud. Bye all.

Mike Prevatt