March 23, 2004
Guster will headline Spring Thing Concert
CARBONDALE, Ill. - The seventh annual Spring Thing Concert at Southern Illinois University Carbondale will feature the Boston-based alternative rock trio Guster.The Student Programming Council sponsors the event, set for April 17 in Arena Lot 18. Past concerts featured, among others, Ziggy Marley, George Clinton and the Parliament Funkadelic, Digital Underground, Buddy Guy, Black Eyed Peas and Wilco.
Guster got its start in 1992 when Ryan Miller (vocals, guitar), Adam Gardner (vocals, guitar) and Brian Roseworcel (percussion) met as freshmen at Tufts University. Their unique musical line-up, incorporating two acoustic guitars and bongos, attracted a dedicated live following. The band soon began playing gigs around Boston, winning a grass roots following and a handful of Boston Music Awards.
After years of success as independent artists, Guster signed a major-label deal with Hybrid/Sire Records in 1997. The band worked with producer Steve Lillywhite, who smoothed out some of the band's rough edges and fleshed out their sound with brass and woodwind, while managing to retain their left-field character and melodic wit. Guster released its fourth album, "Keep It Together" in June 2003. The band's resume includes opening for the Barenaked Ladies and Dave Matthews Band and it will be the opening act for John Mayer on tour this summer.
Gates open at 2 p.m. and the show will kick off at 3 p.m. The outdoor event is free and open to the public. For more information contact Matthew Brooks, SPC Director of Concerts, at 618/536-3393 or http://concerts@spc4fun.com.