Triptides melts The Bishop

The winter advisory could not have been more of a contradiction to the warm psychedelic surf rock of the Triptides at The Bishop on Monday.

Though attendance was limited due to the early icy sleet, a few individuals braved the cold to make an appearance at the local band showcase and support the Triptides’ limited edition tape release.

Freshman Olivia Stewart walked across campus from her dorm in Forest for the occasion.

“I was expecting more people to be here,” Stewart said. “But then again, we weren’t expecting this mother storm.”

Stewart, one of the few crowd members who was not a part of the line-up, kept a positive attitude toward the situation.

“I almost prefer the small crowd size because I’ll probably get a chance to talk to the bands afterward and it makes the show a lot more personal,” Stewart said.

Despite the slow start, Outdoor Velour finally took the stage after an hour of joining in discussions about the weather. Immediately, the pop-like duo seemed to melt the frigid air, and more people started to trickle in.

Though the release show might not have lived up to the Triptides’ original hopes, the band said they were still happy to play.

“As long as one tape sells and one person claps then I’m good,” lead vocalist Glenn Brigman said.

Apparently the weather was not the only obstacle the band has had to overcome this week. After a minor setback, the Triptides had to find a new drummer.

“I’ve always wanted to play with these guys,” drummer Shaun Snyder said. “And at 6’4”, 6’4”, and 6’5”, we are now the tallest band in Bloomington, on average.”

The band’s laid-back attitude about the evening seemed to be a direct reflection of the musical style of its new cassette.

“It’s largely about the nostalgia of summer,” bassist Josh Menashe said.

Though the band played a few songs off the release, it also performed two new songs,
which it hopes to release on an EP later this spring.

“I think our plan is to keep releasing EPs until someone thinks we’re good enough to sign,” Brigman said.

Currently, the band’s new limited edition cassette, as well as a digital album, is available for listening and purchase via the bandcamp site at triptides.bandcamp.com.

Despite life’s little setbacks, the band said it will continue to play.

“We’ll keep making music until it’s not fun anymore,” Brigman said. “But that will probably never happen.”