Rejects Rock Jorgensen

It took the headlining band two and a half hours to start the show. Verizon Wireless's Campus Tour featured the All-American Rejects with opening acts Damone, Under the Influence of Giants and IMA Robot.

On Tuesday night at the Jorgensen Center For Performing Arts, a crowd of mainly high-school-aged students accompanied by their parents barely filled the venue.

Opening act Damone took the stage in a complete 80s hair band get-up including fringed leather jackets. Since the bass at the Jorgensen was cranked to the max, listening to the lyrics was impossible. Unlike most concerts, not all fans were there for the headlining act.

"I came here mostly for Damone," said Rob Scalise, a 3rd-semester bio molecular engineering major. "They are probably one of the best bands I've seen in a while."

Many fans there to see All-American Rejects discovered new music such as IMA Robot and Under The Influence Of Giants. Many attendees had newly-purchased albums from the opening acts.

The overwhelming number of security and staff intimidated the adolescent crowd by searching bags and banning drinks. Those of age, however, hovered around the Jorgensen bar while dodging the persistent Verizon promotion team.

During the 10-minute breaks between acts, teenagers convened in the basement. Since the bass was turned up so loud, the starting of the next act could be heard from downstairs. The shaking of the walls prompted the crowd to wander back upstairs.

Aaron Bruno, lead singer of Under the Influence of Giants, took the stage in a trench-coat-length coat and a scarf. With the congesting effect of the fog machine, the atmosphere inside the theater was hot and sweaty like the gymnasium of a middle school dance.

Bruno made an effort to increase the band's Myspace "friend" count by asking "How many of you guys are on Myspace?"

Finally, at 10:30 p.m., the All-American Rejects took the stage. The strange entrance involving blue lights seemed more "Kasabian" than All-American Rejects. Fans did not mind the wait, however.

"I expected it," said Eric Weitz, a 5th-semester finance major.

Lead singer Tyson Ritter started several "UConn" chants and even commented on the attractiveness of Storrs.

"There are like four girls in the front row I would totally take home tonight," Ritter said.

The band played an hour-long set that began with favorite "Dirty Little Secret."

One interesting aspect of the show was that audience members were encouraged to text in and vote on what songs they would like to add to the band's set.

"Eyelash Wishes" beat out "Kiss Yourself Goodbye" and "Straight Jacket Feeling." With the 20-minute tuning session in between the headlining band and the opening act, one would expect technicians to adjust the bass volume, but no such luck.

"I thought the bass was overpowering and took a lot away from the vocals and the concert as a whole," said Erin Andersen, a 7th-semester coaching and administration major.

The All-American Rejects were able to pump up a crowd that had been standing on the vibrating floors for two and a half hours, which took talent. Concertgoers stood for the entire show and many sang along. Most audience members stood and did the token head bobble and knee dip moves.

The band appeared to have expected an encore, because they did not play the hit "Move Along" during their regular set, but saved it for their return.