Java (and Pub 56) Review: Feeling the Funk

SLU Funk hit the St. Lawrence University music scene with stride and pride with a raucous opus of brass-boosted bronze soldiers and harmonious vocalizing virtuosos. The ensemble already has quite the semester under their belt after back-to-back performances at both Pub 56 and the Java Barn last week.   

The Laurentian Weekend celebration at Pub 56 was met with an abundantly packed crowd of rowdy students and even rowdier parents. Masses were forming up the stairs, outside the neighboring lobbies, and nearly piling into the service kitchen. Several drinks drenched the audience members who were seeking some form of stability in the tightly-wound crowd. But it was a ball! Who can complain about a few spilled drinks in the shadow of SLU’s second-greatest “Dancing in the Moonlight” cover band? (Shoutout to The Earl Greys!)   

Yet, through this upbeat commotion, the music’s quality wavered. The vocalists were the only amplified performers, resulting in a hush from the rest of the band. One of the lead vocalists, Annika Waskiewicz ’25, said of her performance, “I needed my lips pressed on the microphone to have anyone actually hear me… which I don’t think is what I’m supposed to do.”   

Graham Bowen ’24 was the only consistently audible saxophone player, unintentionally overshadowing fellow woodwinds Cara Monteleone ’24 and Sam Sternhagen ’25 – not to neglect their solos. The trio blew their darndest to play over the crowd’s quarrels and shoddy sound mixing.   

Other highlights included Emily Boswell ’24 on lead trombone, holding down the bombastic bass foundation alongside the groovy Finn Paulsen ’25 on electric bass. Java sound mixer Taylor Beidler ’25 claims, “The bass section, especially Emily’s tone, was the most satisfying part [of the show]. But, [Pub] 56 is just not suited for how loud [drummer] Wes can play.”   

“Slunk’s” talents were better tuned inside Beidler’s coveted Java Barn venue last Thursday night. After a proper sound check and spiritualizing pre-gig ritual, the funk was within. Their entrance resulted in the largest opening crowd of the semester. Some call it nepotism; others call it anticipation.  

Band Leader and Guitarist Larry Boyette served up some steaming hot solos as his glorious mane flowed with a nearby gust. Drummer Wesley Wyatt ’24 and pianist Sheridan Millington ’24 rounded out the rhythm section with some funkified grooves of expert-level percussion precision. All this, without mentioning the pitch-perfect vocal accompanists.  

Throughout the two-hour-long set, the ensemble covered a slew of classic R&B, funk and soul tunes, including a soulful rendition of Ray Charles’ “I Don’t Need No Doctor,” a heart-stopping version of Amy Winehouse’s “Valerie,” Etta James’ charming power-ballad “At Last,” and a simply splendid arrangement of Stevie Wonder’s “Signed, Sealed, Delivered.” Each piece was respectfully led by the ferocious howl of JQ Norrgard ’24, the always-effervescent Waskiewicz, the boisterous presence of Cati O’Neil ’25, and the humble thunder of Eva Bonsey ’25.  

The audience was overtly more enthusiastic than the Pub 56 outing. More Graham-Bowen-official baby carrots flung about, more foam ducks carried around by a dazed Alden Timm ’25, and more students called down from climbing onto their friend’s shoulders. What more could you ask for?  

Java had a quick turnaround after the Thursday event to make way for a collaboration with the African Student Union Music Event on Saturday night. Although their marketing was sparse, the event quickly garnered a large crowd, considering the more “reliable” Saturday night parties around campus. Students came out to dance, boogie and break down with the upbeat dance grooves from DJ Shinski.   

It was a perfect end to a cathartically chaotic week from SLU Funk and Java.