Java Opener “The Thing” Stuns All

At half past three in the morning on Friday, August 30, I find myself behind the wheel of my dusty white Dodge Caravan. Keys in the ignition, I sit teary-eyed and hazy after a restless four hour “nap.” My mouth saps clammy as my fingertips peel layers of sun-faded rubber off my steering wheel. Reluctantly, I put the car in reverse, anticipating the dated slip of the transmission, and gently pull out to commence my trek to St. Lawrence University.

32 hours later, I am malnourishing a mug of orange juice in the presence of a brisk Java Barn stoop with the cast of the Fall 2024 Java members – a mighty (baker’s) dozen of musical, energetic, and advantageous misfits from across the globe. Posing for a group photo, the house is gearing up for one of their longest days of the semester: a back-to-back collision of the time-honored Raft Day followed by the first Java show of the semester.

This year’s Java catalyst band is no stranger to the befitting pandemonium of a typical Java Thursday, or rather Saturday night. The Thing has been a euphoric staple of SLU’s concert scene for two years, and rapidly became a fan-favorite act among students young and old. Their high-intensity blues and hard rock anthems have consistently sent sexual swoons through each man, woman and non-gendered individual that lay their eyes upon the quartet’s 1970s-mustache-laden glow.

Since their last visit to the Java stage in November 2023, The Thing has had quite an eventful 2024. Their second full-length album, “The Thing Is,” was released on February 2, promoted by a nationwide tour across the states. Two such performances at Boston Calling and The Governor’s Ball have continued to propel the band towards the mainstream. Many Java skeptics claim it’s only due time until one wonder hit shoots them for the arena life.

After a campus-wide post-Rafting-nap, the Java crew ready themselves for the night ahead. Senior sound technician Taylor Beidler ’25 has been gearing up for this moment all year. She dolls up with a scientifically calculated face of makeup and dons her signature black Java crop top with a fashionable skirt to compliment. Beidler returns for her final year at the barn after spending her Spring 2024 semester studying in Kenya. Alongside Beidler, fellow seniors (and notorious best friends) Erin Reynolds ’25 and Autumn Nealis ’25 also return after time away from Canton, New York. All three have been integral parts of forming an inviting familial community to Java since collectively joining in their sophomore fall.

Beidler says of her experience abroad, “It was the worst ‘FOMO’ I’ve ever experienced in my life!!! There is nothing quite like a Java show.” Reynolds shares the same sentiment, “It was definitely bitter- sweet… In Kenya, I would have long chats with Taylor, and we would talk about how excited we were for that first show back. And when the moment came last weekend, it was just as magical as we could expect.” Gabby Molina ’25 and Malcolm Suarez ’25 round out this year’s Java seniors, joining in Fall 2023 and 2024, respectively.

All five seniors will be deeply missed, but their legacies live on in Java’s new recruits Joshua-Daniel Alleyne ’27, Garrett Seeley ’27, and Melina Naderi ’25. Java Junior Cole Seibels ’26 says of the “newbs,” “They’re amazing. I love them all. As is the case with everyone in the house; we’re such a family and we work really well together to get the job done on Thursday nights.”

After sound check, the team prepares. Beidler mans the board, Molina readies the snacks, Suarez and Seibels tend to the band. Tonight’s boss Madeline Haydock ’26 eyes the clock: 9:38 p.m. It is time.

Like sharks to seal blood, the First Years arrive in haunting droves, each advancing cluster growing, and each blunt rotation inviting more red- eyed extroverts. In time, they will understand to start their pregames slightly later so as not to arrive 20 minutes before doors open. Then suddenly, they arrive. The Thing flies onto stage with more swagger than a moussed Siamese cat on Molly. Their demeanor is ghostly, and their intent is to blow these barn doors down. Although their hits may not be as recognizable, their awe-inspiring feels are on fleek… for lack of a better term. Their most triumphant moment occurs during an unreal keyboard-less rendition of The Who’s “Won’t Get Fooled Again,” only surpassed by a harmonious venue-wide “Happy Birthday” sing-along for birthday woman Haydock. In tears, she stood upon the stage knowing that this was one of the best opening nights of Java in recent memory.

The night winds down to a calm skulk, amplified by the lucid effects of a breast-pocketed peach-flavored vape and one-too-many Marlboros. Seniors run off to the townies or the backroom of the Ticker, and the band bangs out a bombastic final run of their most electric jams. A striking send-off to a night of new friends, fond memories, and lost sneakers.

For anyone studying abroad, The Thing will be touring from September 20 to October 19 followed by a tour on the U.S. West Coast from November 6 to 24. And remember… Long Live The Thing.