Rick Pniewski appreciates good old-fashioned rock ’n’ roll bands - which is why he’s excited about American Hi-Fi performing at the Fairchild Theatre tonight.
“It’s just good basic rock ’n’ roll,” said Pniewski, manager of CD Warehouse, 228 Abbott Road. “There aren’t too many out there anymore.
“It’s not pretentious, there’s no turntables, no rappers and there’s nothing extra - just plain and simple four piece rock ’n’ roll.”
The Boston-based quartet, led by Stacy Jones (former drummer of Veruca Salt and Letters to Cleo), is touring in support of its self-titled debut effort.
The band’s first single, “Flavor of the Weak,” has been kept on constant rotation at radio stations across the nation.
Max Gosling, director of campus entertainment company Pop! Entertainment, said his group was lucky to get the band to play here.
“They’re always on (WWDX 92.1) The Edge and they get spun a lot on (WBDM) The Impact,” the advertising senior said. “They’re huge with pop culture right now.”
“They’re very identifiable, especially to college kids.”
The band also contributed a tune on the recent “American Pie 2” soundtrack.
Jessy Qussar is the local College & Lifestyle Marketing Representative for Universal Music and Video Distribution.
“I think it’s going to be great and there’s going to be a lot of at-the-door sales,” the apparel and textile design senior said. “It’s cool to have shows like this on campus and not have to drive an hour and a half to shows in Detroit.
“It’s especially going to be good with 19 Wheels and Phantom Planet opening.”
Gosling said he has been getting phone calls from all over regarding Phantom Planet.
“There’s been a lot of interest in them so far,” he said. “Usually they just play on the West Coast, so this is a special treat for people to see them around in Michigan.”
Gosling said as of Monday, most of the seats at the front of the venue had been sold.
“There will be tickets available the night of the show no doubt,” he said. “I really don’t know what to expect - we’ve had a lot of visibility over campus the past few weeks.”
Pniewski said this is a great opportunity for students to see a national up-and-coming act so close to home.
“There’s not a lot of national acts who come through town,” he said. “Most of the bars don’t usually book them so when you get the chance to see someone like (American Hi-Fi) at a good price, you should take advantage of it.”
Pniewski said ticket sales have “been a lot better than I expected.”
Doors for the all-ages show open at 7 p.m. Tickets are $5 in advance and $10 the day of for MSU students and $10 in advance and $15 the day of for nonstudents.
Tickets are available at Flat, Black and Circular, 541 E. Grand River Ave., CD Warehouse and Lower Level Records, 611 E. Grand River Ave.
For more information, call Pop! Entertainment at (517)355-7733.
