An Open Letter to SCOPE

Dear SCOPE,
 I hope this letter finds you in good health. The other day SCOPE's facebook status asked for comedian suggestions. Right away several people requested Bob Marley. If that happened, I would probably blow my fucking brains out. I mean, he's been to UNH twice recently and is nowhere near the status of a homecoming comedian. However, as much as you may want to get a huge comedian it might be better to go lean towards the cheap side so SCOPE can land better music acts in the Spring. (Bottom line: Just about any comedian but Bob Marley.)

When all is said and done, more people will complain about a mediocre musician than a mediocre comedian. If SCOPE wants to please the most students, try to save some money on the homecoming comedian so more money can be spent on the spring shows.

Lets face it, SCOPE has taken a lot of heat in the past. No matter what happens next year, they will be praised and cursed out at the same time for all of their shows. It should be understood, especially after last year, that one musician cannot please the entire student body. The best way for SCOPE to please the biggest cross-section of students (this is not necessarily my preference, but what is probably better for the student body) is to book two spring shows. Have Spring Climax be a hip-hop artist in the Whit. This will sellout no matter who it is. For the other show, go for a band in the Field House. A true rock band would be awesome and would please the students who don't favor hip-hop. Remember, last year SCOPE had Bo Burnham, Akon, MGMT and Girl Talk. That is great variety. Comedy, hip-hop, pop/prog-rock, and hip-hop/dance. But, in order to make that potential "rock" show even better would be to have a solid opener. Last year MGMT was very good, but their opener was weak.

I know this is all just speculation, and it is easier said than done, but this is just a thought.

In that distant past SCOPE, MUSO and even WUNH would sometimes collaborate on the same show. All that I'm saying, is give peace a chance. Why does SCOPE and MUSO have to have this conflicting relationship? We are all UNH students, why can't we be friends?  What if SCOPE were to get a bigger band for a second show and MUSO was responsible for the opener? (I know MUSO is the Memorial Union Student Org, so I'm not sure if they're restricted to the MUB... maybe they could bend the 'rules'). This would help save SCOPE money and let MUSO use their money in a way to benefit more students. Of course that would take some ego swallowing, but it could help MUSO gain more respect, which they deserve. UNH could really have a true spring climax, if only these organizations would put all the bullshit aside and communicate with one another. If MUSO can't leave the MUB maybe they could have their big spring show the same weekend as SCOPE's climax. Just a thought. We are all adults, or at least age-wise we are, so act like it. I know there are a lot of "what ifs" in there, but just think of the possibilities.

Anyways, continue to enjoy your summer. 

Stay classy, not UMassy.

Like a Pro: End The Hate

Anyone who regularly reads my blog, or even those who just dip in once and a while, will be able to attest to the fact that I am not afraid to speak my mind and that write how I truly feel. Some people call it complaining, but usually a lot of people agree with it. If they don’t, at least it creates a discussion. With the end of the semester rapidly approaching, there has been a lot going on around campus. However, there has been one thing this year that has annoyed me more than anything—more than overpaid school coaches, more than UNH Dining, more than unjust school-employee releases, more than Stephenson Billings (props to anyone who understood that last reference), and yes even more than that immature crybaby Dave “El Presidente” Portnoy.

It is the amount of hate on this campus.

Don’t get me wrong. I am not some super-liberal hippy; I am actually pretty much independent when it comes to politics. I am not calling for every student to link arms, share a joint and sing “Kumbaya” or “Give Peace a Chance” on Thompson Hall Lawn. I am simply wondering why so many people have so much hate built up inside of them. If those songs do not make sense to you maybe “Where is the Love?” by the Black Eyed Peas will. How is that for a middle-school jam reference? If you understood that song reference and not the first two you should probably stop reading now.

The best example of this hate is the attitude so many people on this campus have about SCOPE. SCOPE is the Students Committee On Popular Entertainment at UNH and they are in charge of booking large-scale concerts for students. I know what some of you are thinking, and yes I have disagreed with SCOPE in the past, but it was always in an understanding manner. For example, I really do not like Akon and I was upset when SCOPE booked him, but I completely understand why they did, given his popularity.

When SCOPE announced MGMT for their spring climax show, they were instantly bombarded with disapproving comments, to put it lightly. Many students were also ecstatic, and that was shown by the fact that the show sold out in just four hours. This led to another problem—students called out SCOPE and MGMT for not wanting to play at the Whittemore Center. When SCOPE announced the Girl Talk show would also be in the Field House, uninformed students once again blasted them. Well, here’s some breaking news for those students—the Whittemore Center is actually unavailable due to renovations. Now will someone please tell me how that is SCOPE’s fault? Even if the Whittemore Center was available, it would cost twice as much as it would to rent as the Field House, and SCOPE has a strict budget to stick to.

I would also like to add that I am so happy Girl Talk is on May 7, the same day as Sam Adams. Take that, Stoolapalooza. Have fun with 250 people crammed in Libby’s basement. The rest of campus will be in the Field House watching an artist who is actually known outside of New England. If Stoolapalooza really “trumps the Beatles,” as Dave “El Presidente” Portnoy so eloquently put it, then I think it would cost more than $28 a ticket. Last I checked, Paul McCartney, who happens to be a big fan of MGMT, pulls in over $100 a ticket. Let’s take this a step further. For $28 I could see Sam Adams in Libby’s basement, or for $35 I could have seen Akon in the Whittemore Center, MGMT and Girl Talk in the Field House and Titus Andronicus—via MUSO (the Memorial Union Student Organization)—in the Granite State Room. Yeah, I’ll take UNH student organizations for the win.

I think this has been a great year for student entertainment organizations like SCOPE and MUSO. They combined to cover most major genres of music and I think it is safe to say there has truly been something for everyone. If they only booked rap artists a lot of the campus would have been left out. If they only booked bands, the other half would have been left out. Sadly, they will probably never get the respect that they actually deserve. Remember, no one’s taste in music is “right.” Good music is solely opinion. Just because you don’t like someone doesn’t mean that they suck and everyone else should hate them too. This is why I propose that next year SCOPE and MUSO combine for a truly epic Spring Climax weekend. Imagine the possibilities.

Stay classy, not UMassy.

PS: Speaking of MUSO I meet their student music director, Tim King, this past weekend. He seemed like a really chill kid and he also has a blog. He used to hate us, but now he doesn't. Be sure to check his blog out.

MUSO Wins.

WOW. My mind is blown! I have been waiting all day to find out SCOPE and MUSO's shows for the weekend of May 7th, and let me say that there will be something for everyone that weekend! On Friday May 7th UNH students have Sam Adams and Stoolapalooza at Libby's and SCOPE is presenting Girl Talk at the Field house. For only $5 that is a pretty good show, especially if you like to dance... but MUSO got Girl Talk two years ago... Show far students seemed to be pretty pleased with Girl Talk.

Also, The Whit is unavailable due to renovations so I don't want to hear people bitching about there only being 2500 tickets or so.

 But then along came MUSO and I lost my shit! May 9th, TITUS ANDRONICUS is coming to UNH! The very band I talked about like last week and how I thought they would be a cool show. Holy fuck I am pumped up. I really think that Titus Andronicus will be the show of the weekend. Thank you MUSO, you are awesome. I have nothing left to say.

I cannot wait for this show. I am so fucking happy.

Stay classy, not UMassy.