SPEC will sponsor free Fri. concerts

The first show will feature the bands School of Fish and House of Freaks at 4 p.m. on September 20 and will be either on College Green or Superblock, pending a decision by the University, SPEC members said. College junior Gold said bands have not been chosen yet for the second and third shows, slated for September 27 and October 4, but School of Fish and House of Freaks have signed contracts for their appearances. Assistant to the President Nicholas Constan said President Sheldon Hackney will decide whether the concerts will be allowed on College Green "very soon." David Rose, a College junior who worked with School of Fish this summer while at Capitol Records, described the group as "the perfect band for the Penn community." "School of Fish crosses over from classic rock into the alternative sound of the '90s," said Rose. "Also, they kick ass in concert." Gold said the series is a valuable addition to the University social scene because it "gives students a place to hang out and exposure to different kinds of music." SPEC Concerts Co-chairperson William Nicklin said the three chairs chose mainly little-known alternative bands for the series, adding that they listened to dozens of demo tapes before choosing School of Fish and House of Freaks. Nicklin said that SPEC Concerts is trying to start a new tradition with the free Friday afternoon shows, and if the concerts this fall are popular, they will be continued next semester. He added that SPEC wants to make the University a more festive place, especially for freshmen, "who haven't seen anything yet." "We're all very psyched about it," said Nicklin, a Engineering junior. SPEC Chairperson Lisa Nass heralded the concerts as an opportunity to "bring new music for Penn." Nass said the concerts were also an excellent opportunity for up-and-coming bands, and that the shows could "double the people that know about the band."

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