Red Jumpsuit Apparatus performed on Student Night at the 2013 Soybean Festival.
In the past, bands such as Uncle Kracker and Bowling For Soup have performed on student night.
The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus is an alternative rock band that originated in Florida. In 2006, RJA released their first LP entitled “Don’t You Fake It” and soon after gained national fame. Three of their most popular songs are “Face Down,” “Guardian Angel” and “Damn Regret.”
Anticipation grew Thursday night, Sept. 5, as fans surrounded the front area of the stage, all anxiously waiting for the night’s entertainment. An hour before going on stage, Randy Winter, the band’s rhythm guitarist, took a break from his warm up to interview with The Pacer. Winter shared his thoughts on their current tour.
“We just got back from the Philippines; it was crazy. Security had to surround us because people were grabbing [at] us trying to rip us into the crowd,” Winter said.
While not as intense as the Philippines, there were still shrill screams heard as they opened performing “False Pretense,” the third song on their 2006 album “Don’t You Fake It.” Their set list consisted of 14 songs. The final song they performed was “Face Down.”
As each song played, the excitement among the crowd peaked. The crowd cheered and many sang along in unison to every song performed.
“I sang the words to every song … it was amazing,” said Desiree Douglas, a junior Wildlife Biology major at UTM.
Following the performance, fans waited in line to meet the band; the line at the merchandise table stretched for what seemed like an eternity.
“It was a great crowd tonight,” said Ronnie Winter, the lead vocalist, who retired to the bus immediately after the show.
The gratitude of the Red Jumpsuit Apparatus was apparent when all members agreed that without their fans the band would be nothing.
“We’re blessed to have been given this life,” stated Randy Winter, guitarist.
Without a doubt, the Red Jumpsuit Apparatus was a hit among the crowd at this year’s Soybean Festival. The Student Activities Council sponsored the event and did their best to ensure the crowd was pleased with this year’s performance.
