Many miss out on show from energetic Genohm

  JANA SUMMERS The band Genohm, including Keith
Nicol, Stuart Paap and Sean
Young, performs a noon concert in Westwood Plaza on
Friday.

By Antero Garcia
Daily Bruin Senior Staff

For many, Friday ““ the infamous 4/20 ““ was a day of
hazy celebration. However, for the rock quartet known as Genohm, it
was a day to get out an important message.

Well, it was a day to try to get out a message ““ if
anybody was listening.

“Legalize hemp, realize that (it) is so versatile,”
said fifth-year fine arts student Keith Nicol, Genohm’s front
man. “Hemp’s good for the ecology, it saves trees, it
cleans air, it helps fossil fuels.”

Having finished the powerful message, Nicol and company kicked
off their hour long set with an adrenaline packed song.

It’s possible that the lyrics in Genohm’s songs had
an equally important message, but no one will ever know.
Nicol’s words were a garbled mish-mash of noise.

But behind the wall of unclear prose was a decent band, that
played at a frenetic pace reminiscent of Red Hot Chili
Peppers’ early funk years.

Genohm began its performance almost overflowing with stage
presence and energy. Nicol could be seen bouncing around the stage
like a rabbit on speed, wearing a black police shirt and a fake
mustache.

The rest of the band had just as much energy. Bass player Sean
Young, a fourth-year music student, was laying down the funk with a
slew of sloppy slaps and syncopated pops. Sean’s brother Ian
created some melodic mayhem on guitar. With catchy riffs the duo
locked into place, creating a tight funky ambiance. Finally, the
meat and potatoes of the group, drummer Stuart Paap consistently
kept a tight and rhythmic pace.

In addition to the band’s energy, it had a unique image.
Equipped with fake mustaches and cheesy retro glasses, Genohm is a
group that doesn’t take itself too seriously.

As much energy as the band had, it struggled to keep a stable
audience. Throughout its performance, Genohm had to compete for
audience members with the convocation on the lawn in front of
Kerckhoff Hall.

The few who did watch the band’s set were repeatedly
informed as to why Friday was such a special occasion. After nearly
every single song, Nicols took the opportunity to offer his
greeting to passing by students.

“Happy 420. You having a good day?” asked
Nicols.

For the most part, this audience banter was the only part of
Genohm’s set that could be understood.

One of the few songs with words that could be understood, held a
message that, to some, may be even more important than
Genohm’s hemp stance ““ “Catholic School Girls
Rule.” The group became very sincere and serious as it ran
through the speedy song.

Another song that got a positive response from the sparse crowd
was a cover of the Chili Peppers’ classic “Suck My
Kiss.”

The only other song that the band covered was House of
Pain’s “Jump Around.” However, the audience was a
bit reticent to follow the directions in the song. In order to
solve this problem, Nicols quickly changed to words of the
song.

“Just just stand there! Just stand there!” he
shouted dejectedly.

The audience obediently followed his directions.

Later, when the band finally spotted a few audience members
dancing, it encouraged them to come on stage. With fans on stage
the band seemed more inspired. It seemed especially pleased with
one of the audience member’s funky robot dance.

As funny and unique as the band’s performance was,
it’s a shame that there weren’t many to see it.

The chorus for one of the songs that Genohm performed midway
through its set, resonated with a tone of disappointment.

“Ignore me. Ignore me. Ignore me,” Nicols shouted
repeatedly.

It’s a pity, but maybe students took the bands lyrics a
bit too literally and missed out on a decent show.