Off Yer Rockers rocks Co-op

A motley crew of UConn faculty representing various majors rocked out at the Co-op Monday, entertaining unsuspecting shoppers and passersby with rock 'n' roll hits spanning decades. Off Yer Rockers, UConn's very own faculty rock band, played their annual Co-op gig. David Miller, professor of psychology, was on vocals and rhythm guitar for the evening. The performance was a fundraiser for the Covenant Soup Kitchen in Willimantic. "It's right near the holidays and the shelves are very nearly empty," said Miller. "We want to help." Off Yer Rockers is comprised of Miller, sociology professor Davita Glasberg on lead vocals, chemistry professor Harry Frank on bass guitar and vocals, mechanical engineering professor Eric Jordan on drums, and political science professor Ernie Zirakzadeh on lead guitar. The band was joined Monday by chemistry professor Robert Birge on the keyboard. The band has been together for 18 years, said Glasberg. She, Jordan and Zirakzadeh are the founding members. Since he was on the verge of turning 40, Zirakzadeh suggested that they not quietly accept another year gone by, but instead greet the new decade head-on with the help of music. "The only way to run 40 is to rock it," said Glasberg. Zirakzadeh rounded up faculty members who played instruments, as well as Glasberg, who wanted to give singing a shot. Since their first gig at Zirakzadeh's birthday party that year, the group has performed not only at UConn for fundraisers, but at private events as well. Their "world tour" is listed on Off Yer Rockers' official Web site. Various gigs include wedding receptions, graduation parties and former state Rep. Sam Gejdenson's nomination party in ceremony in 1998. Monday's set included many well-known classics, starting off with Casey McGill and the Spirits of Rhythm's "I'm Gonna Love You Tonight." A rousing rendition of "Dancing in the Streets" followed, starting off a set that was more familiar to the student audience passing by. "I knew that song in Cantonese," said Addison Zhao, a 1st-semester psychology student. "I had never heard it in English before." Other hits included "Every Breath You Take" by the Police, "I Feel Fine" and "I Saw Her There" by the Beatles, and Betty Everett's "It's in His Kiss." "They were excellent as always," said May Miller, David's mother, who came to support her musician son. Zhao also came to support Miller and the faculty. "It was good for professors. I mean - wow," Zhao said.

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