Saturday night, Tipitina’s hosted the “Back2School” show, with local bands Gamma Ringo, M@ Peoples Collective and MyNameIsJohnMichael.  However, it started off more like philosophy class at 8:30 a.m. than a rock show.

Gamma Ringo was up first with an explosion of folk, pop-rock beats and a heavy bass line.  The set started with a drum tap then a “Lion King” inspired song, cleverly titled “Rafiki.”   Gamma Ringo is a louder version of a familiar sound and, though the crowd was limited, Gamma Ringo’s confidence never swayed. 

“They’re a great opening band and their drummer is phenomenal,” Alaina Peck, visual arts sophomore said. 

The enthusiastic band gave tribute to one of their musical influences, Modest Mouse, by covering “Paper Thin Walls.”  Gamma Ringo also showed love for M@ Peoples Collective and excited the crowd by mentioning MyNameIsJohnMichael.  The band played a great set with even greater energy. 

“[Our name], Gamma Ringo conveys our energy,” guitarist TJ Barends said.       
The crowd slightly thickened as M@ Peoples Collective took the stage, dressed in suits and sneakers.  The script was flipped as the unconventional rock show became an unconventional hip hop show.  “Danls-eau” or “in the water” was the Collective’s first tune; however, the audience can never be sure what to expect with M@ Peoples Collective. 

“I’m always in my head.  So 90 percent of what I do on stage is freestyle,” said front man Matthew Zarba. 

As soon as the music started, Zarba took a deep breath, closed his eyes and, with a dramatic exhale came his lyrics.  M@ Peoples Collective demanded the crowd’s attention with a low energy, but high intensity set. 

“Their performance was so impressive. They definitely held their own tonight,” Chris Bonilla, a UNO student said. 

The hip hop trio really got the crowd moving with their last song “Stick Up”, inspiring the audience to raise their arms and dance. 

    For the first time that night, Tipitina’s went dark.  A faint sound of singing came from the entrance, as John Michael Rouchell, along with Richard Dubourg, Cory Schultz and Joe Bourgeois made their way to the stage.  Once there, Eric Rogers and Leo DeJesus pounded on their drums, beginning their set with “The Elders and The Desperate.”

    There was no longer any breathing room in Tipitina’s as the crowd continued to squeeze together to let more fans in and get closer to the skinny jeans-clad group.  Though this was their third show in 24 hours, and despite some minor technical difficulties,

My Name is John Michael played every song as if it were the last.  They pulled the audience in with infectious lyrics and a powerfully energetic performance.

    “We’re constantly writing and trying to find new ways to make the show better,” says drummer Eric Rogers. 

The boys are headed on an East Coast tour in mid-September and heading back to New Orleans for VooDoo Music festival.  Performing at Tipitina’s for MyNameIsJohnMichael holds a special place in their hearts.

“Playing here is like playing on hallowed ground,” Rouchell said.

“The convenient parking isn’t bad either,” Rogers said. 

After “Nothing but Memories”, the boys teased the audience with a quick exit, just to get back on stage to play three songs in the encore.  Rouchell, along with Rogers and the trusty trash can and chain, joined the audience on the floor and played “The One”. MyNameIsJohnMichael said their goodbyes and left the stage for the last time that night, but not without an eager fan taking a memento from the band. 

Guess the girls can’t get enough of those skinny jeans because one happy girl went home with a souvenir.

Erica Colbenson can be reached at [email protected]