By Lindsay Christ
On Tuesday, Oct. 23, the same day Coheed and Cambria released their new album, “No World For Tomorrow,” hundreds of Hofstra students waited anxiously outside Hofstra USA to see the band perform a special acoustic performance. Around 7:15 p.m. students began piling into USA to restlessly await the performance. During the wait the crowd was kept occupied by behind-the-scenes footage of the band shown on an overhead screen.
At 8 p.m., after what seemed like an eternity for the excited and eager students, Karl Groeger Jr., owner of the independent record store Looney Tunes in West Babylon, stepped up to the microphone. He welcomed everyone and explained that all the money collected from the night’s show would be put toward rebuilding his store, which burned down in August. Groeger talked about how rare and difficult it was to have an independent record store in an age where most people get their music from the Internet and big chains such as Best Buy.
“Many people told me to forget about it, to become a realtor or a shoe salesman,” he said. He refused to give up the store, stating its importance for local up and coming bands and record labels. He thanked the crowd for helping Looney Tunes and announced his store would be reopening on Dec. 1. That being said, he proceeded to introduce Coheed and Cambria amid cheers and applause.
Coheed and Cambria started the half hour set with “Welcome Home” off their third album “Good Apollo, I’m Burning Star IV, Volume One: From Fear Through The Eyes of Madness.” With lead singer Claudio Sanchez’s high-pitched yet melodic voice drawing audience members in, many started to sing along, as others stood in a trance-like state listening to the song. Sanchez and the rest of Coheed and Cambria went on capturing the listeners undivided attention playing songs such as “A Favor House Atlantic” off the band’s sophomore album “In Keeping Secrets of Silent Earth: 3,” and their latest and most popular single “The Running Free.” Students loudly sang along with Sanchez as he despondently crooned, “Spend your time well before you go, here in hell.” They ended the short but sweet performance with “The Final Cut,” leaving students wanting more. Coheed and Cambria proved that they could hold their own playing acoustic and disproved the many doubters who thought they would not be up to the same caliber they usually are. After the show was over, students rushed to get in line to not only receive the latest CD and other merchandise, but to meet the band and get autographs.
Overall, the concert was a huge hit and was a very successful and savvy way to raise money for Looney Tunes.
