Punk, hard techno and electro were just a few of the sounds that filled Reggie’s Rock Club as NEIU’s own 88.3 WZRD kicked off its 35th Anniversary show on Oct. 9.
Concert-goers began to flow in once the doors opened at 6 p.m.. Featuring local artists Right-Eye Rita, William Sides Atari Party and The Effigies, the show began around 7 p.m. and ran into the late evening and early morning hours. The event drew an overall crowd of about 40 people from various neighborhoods across the Chicago area, approximately matching the turnout from the NEIU-based radio station’s 30th anniversary celebration five years earlier.
The event also included bands from outside of Chicago, such as Michigan electronic band Dental Work. In addition to the sirens and bass of electronic punk, the show featured hints of R&B from the East Moline, Illinois band Eyes and the Chicago-style classic rock of New Colony Six.
The show also offered the all-inclusive feel of the student-run radio station. Digital hardcore band REALICIDE, from Cincinnati, Ohio began its set by inviting crowd members onto the stage to dance. Afterwards, Robert Inhuman ripped off his VIP wristband and threw it into the audience, proclaiming, “I don’t need to be VIP, one of you can have it!” Also, many of the various bands at the show performed their sets and then joined the audience in support of their fellow artists immediately afterwards.
According to Station Manager David Kozin, who also performed a set, the total cost of the 17-and-over event was around $2,000 and was paid for out of the radio station’s allotted budget. The proceeds from the concert totaled about $400 with a general admission price of $12 per ticket. “People who paid had a really good time and got what they paid for,” said Kozin. He also added that he and his fellow Wizards were ultimately, “very pleased with the overall turnout.”
While many of the concert’s attendees, and all of the WZRD staff members, were or are NEIU students and alumni, a few individuals were troubled by the fact that the concert was held at a location off campus.
“I had planned on attending until I found out it wasn’t on campus,” said one student.
True enough, Reggie’s Rock Club is not an NEIU affiliated venue. It is a Southside concert venue that caters to 17+ and all ages shows, with a full bar and food service. While it might seem strange that a North side-based radio station would use a Southside venue for its anniversary kick-off it is not unusual for WZRD, whose free-form philosophy encourages variety and community outreach.
The show at Reggie’s was only one of many events that WZRD plans to host in celebration of its 35th year. Other events currently being considered include a second show (to be held at NEIU), a community service project and fundraisers. Bands from the show, as well as upcoming and past events, can be found via Google and the WZRD MySpace page. WZRD also publishes a quarterly news byte, the next of which is currently in the works.
Students interested in becoming a part of the WZRD family can contact Kozin via the radio station’s website, www.wzrdchicago.org/contactinfo or by visiting the station in the Student Lounge, room E059.