Drummer Bill Shaltis admits that it’s more difficult to play acoustic than electric with his band, everything’s fine.
“There are a lot of things missing in an acoustic set that you can add in an electric set,” said Shaltis, a music education junior said.
“An acoustic set is more intimate and there’s a lot more crowd interaction - it’s more like putting your heart on the line.”
Everything’s fine performed Friday night at Caffé Latte, 110 Charles St., for a sizeable crowd.
Journalism sophomore Andy Kryza books bands for the venue.
“This is probably the second most I’ve ever seen in here for a band,” Kryza said. “They seem like they have a pretty solid sound - really tight altogether.”
The band had a notably original sound, but occasionally the drums drowned out the rest of the band - a predictable hazard considering the low volume of the string instruments.
For the most part, band members showed their familiarity with each other, jamming to each song with confidence. Music performance senior John Martinich said it was obvious they were having a great time.
“I like all the rhythms and the singing is OK,” he said. “I think it could be a little bit better - the backup singer seems really good.”
It seemed at times as if the band was competing with the caffeine- (or alcohol) intoxicated fans, but in actuality, it added to the accessibility of the band. The musician-crowd interaction was phenomenal, with lead vocalist and urban planning sophomore Adam Freck often exchanging lighthearted remarks - sometimes in the middle of the songs.
Guitarist and backup vocalist Shane Pitmon, a business sophomore, contributed some solid vocals occasionally, which molded well with Freck’s.
Another local band, Tension, opened the set, performing mostly cover tunes, including quality renditions of tunes by Kid Rock, Stone Temple Pilots, Creed and an amazing version of Pearl Jam’s “Better Man.”
Shaltis describes the name of his band as sarcastic.
“The name of our first album is ‘Awkward Silence,’ and everything is not fine with (an awkward silence),” he said.
“We want to record an EP of our new stuff soon and we’re trying to get electric shows,” he said. “Hopefully we’ll play Mac’s (Bar, 2700 E. Michigan Ave. in Lansing) or some place like that.”
For more information on everything’s fine, visit www.efband.com.
