Scott Pine & the Conifers

"Scott Pine and the Conifers (4:30 p.m., Town Square at SteelStacks; outdoor but could move inside) flat out wins the competition for Best Band Name at Musikfest. But the music is killer too, from what I've heard of it — energetic rock/pop/alternative that's often sweetened with 80s New Wave-style synths. And I urgently need to download this song:" - Lehigh Valley Music Blog

"Our Music Picks: We caught these local indie rockers at Artsquest’s Nowadays festival and enjoyed their set. Playing: Monday, August 6th from 4:30pm to 6pm at the Air Products Town Square"
- The El Vee

Unheard Undergrad veterans, Scott Pine and the Conifers are back with their independently released album, Kissing in Brackets. (DL) The album features two songs already featured on Unheard Undergrad; We are the Lovers, of which I was fortunate enough to hear the live in-studio version during my interview with them last year and South Bethlehem Love Song. (Full Podcast and interview)

However, even with the encore of two songs, the Conifers give us a wider spectrum of sounds than we got in their last EP. The signature Conifers sound is retained throughout, but this time with much more mellow undertones. The instrumental accompaniment is slowed down and yet you're still given to swing your head to most of the songs, especially, Switzerland (Blow Pops for Big Kids), I'll include it below. But, as always, a Scott Pine and the Conifers album release comes with promises of quirky song titles and quirkier yet well-written almost allegorical lyrics over bright (for lack of a better word) instrumentals and the Conifers did not fail to deliver. - Unheard Voices of the Undergrad

Unheard Undergrad veterans, Scott Pine and the Conifers are back with their independently released album, Kissing in Brackets. (DL) The album features two songs already featured on Unheard Undergrad; We are the Lovers, of which I was fortunate enough to hear the live in-studio version during my interview with them last year and South Bethlehem Love Song. (Full Podcast and interview)

However, even with the encore of two songs, the Conifers give us a wider spectrum of sounds than we got in their last EP. The signature Conifers sound is retained throughout, but this time with much more mellow undertones. The instrumental accompaniment is slowed down and yet you're still given to swing your head to most of the songs, especially, Switzerland (Blow Pops for Big Kids), I'll include it below. But, as always, a Scott Pine and the Conifers album release comes with promises of quirky song titles and quirkier yet well-written almost allegorical lyrics over bright (for lack of a better word) instrumentals and the Conifers did not fail to deliver. - Unheard Voices of the Undergrad

Even before I actually met the band, I was smitten by their music. Obviously, on Unheard Undergrad there's a clear inclination toward hip hop. But, I do enjoy most types of music. Scott Pine and the Conifers have a very distinct sound that you can't help but shake your head to and smile at.

William Weber or Mr. Weber as they used to call him when he was their high school English teacher, the vocalist, guitarist and keyboard-ist (?), also writes most, if not all the lyrics. Weber said, " A lot of the stuff I write are kind of like love songs to my fiance of one year." Regardless of the content of the song, Weber and the band are very determined to stand out as a band lyrically.

If you listen to their music, this goal is undoubtedly accomplished. Scott Pine and the Conifers are a quirky group of guys, each with their own aptitude in music.

Karina Medina, a friend that I took along for the interview said, "You can totally see their personalities come out when they perform."

According to their facebook page, "the band has independently released an EP, the Amelie EP, in the summer of 2009 and a full length debut in the current summer of 2010, It’s Getting Early."

It's Getting Early was a great way to debut their music. It shows a substantial amount of personality and distinguishes the band's style and sound.

The new project that they're working on, The Great Egret Sessions, however, is probably their best work yet. Which, of course, shows progression and growth. It's the type of music that you want to blast in your car on a long and endless road at the beginning, middle and end of a great day.
- Unheard Voices of the Undergrad

Scott Pine & the Conifers surprised Saturday's crowd at Battle of the Bands when it won the opportunity to open for Wiz Khalifa at Sundaze on April 10, even though it seemed like the show was locked in for The Peeled Labels, which played an encore performance.

After announcing the winner, Shawn Gutman, '13, said the final decision was between the Conifers and The Peeled Labels, in an attempt to comfort the large fan base of the latter.

Pam Oyerbide, '12, University Productions Music co-director, said the judges had a difficult time making the decision and that both bands are very talented and gave strong performances.

"It was a really tough decision for the judges," said Matt Adams, '13, a member of UP Music. "They all said they were not going to be able to sleep that night."

The winning four-man pop/rock band from Bethlehem is comprised of William Weber, Erik Kelechava, '11; Mike Decrosta, '11; and Zack Biro, '11.

"We knew there would be a lot of competition," said Scott Pine drummer, William Weber. "We were confident but didn't necessarily expect to win."

The band often plays in Bethlehem's Terra Café on New Street and is excited for the opportunity to perform at Sundaze.

"It's just going to be really cool to get to play on a stage in front of so many Lehigh students," said guitarist Decrosta. "It's definitely going to be the biggest show we've played by far."

Judging the show were three students. C.J. McCollum, '13, and Gabe Knutson, '13, from the basketball team and Harry Paul, '11, critiqued each band on three points: musicianship, showmanship and originality.

"I thought Scott Pine & the Conifers had a very complete and original sound," Knutson said. "There were many talented bands, and it was a tough decision, but in the end, they pulled through with my vote."

The main thing they were looking for was a band that is capable of opening for Wiz Khalifa, said Ben Singer, '11, president of The Music Box.

Seven talented bands of many different genres competed Saturday night. Some played only original material, while others covered songs ranging from The White Stripes, to Cee Lo Green and Radiohead.

"We had a couple of different genres, so that was nice," Adams said. "We had a rap group, and we even had an orchestra for the last band."

"We had great attendance. There were a lot of people there," Oyerbide said.

She said audience members came in and out of Lamberton throughout the night to support their favorite bands.

The line-up was Spitting Images, Roth, The Down Low, Scott Pine & The Conifers, The Northern Lights, That and the Vatican, and The Peeled Labels.

"We're going to play a cover of a cover," said Tom Lenehan, '11, from Spitting Images as they opened the show. "This probably makes it the most unoriginal song ever."

The band started off with a hard rock version of "Smooth Criminal," much like Alien Ant Farm's version. Its set list also contained an original song, and it finished off with its signature cover of "Zombie" by The Cranberries.

Roth was the second act on the bill. A trio of sophomores, the music sounded pure and raw with the same musical style and energy of The White Stripes. The band covered "The Hardest Button to Button."

The Down Low played next and got the crowd fired up as they covered "F**K You" by Cee Lo Green. The band then took out the harmonica and keyboards and took a softer approach with its original song, "Day By Day."

Scott Pine & the Conifers played at the middle of the bill with only original material. The band opened with "South Bethlehem Love Song," which had a great energy, a catchy melody and a groove that makes you want to get up and dance.

Ironically, the crowd was the smallest for the winner of the competition, despite many attempts to move the crowd closer.

Last year's and 2009's winner, The Northern Lights, comprised of one current Lehigh student and two alumni, had to follow without its drummer, who couldn't make it to the event. Nevertheless, the band played to a drumbeat and to the most roaring crowd of the night.

Some people were upset that The Northern Lights would not perform at Sundaze for a third year, but many were ready to give another band the opportunity.

"They won the past two years, but I think people wanted to see a variety in the acts we have for Sundaze," Oyerbide said. "We have two hip-hop acts already, so it's nice to have another genre to add more variety to the line-up."

That and The Vatican closed the traditional rock setting of the competition with an original sound resembling that of Radiohead.

There was a 15-minute break as the last band, The Peeled Labels, rearranged the stage to accommodate its eight musicians. The entire audience sat on the floor or in chairs up close to the stage and watched as the pop/jazz band delivered an incredible set with its own songs "Philadelphia" and "Creep."

At the end, the crowd wasn't finished with them, and they demanded an encore. Kwesi Kankam, '11, happily obliged and started strumming on his acoustic/electric guitar as his band mates retook the stage.

UP and The Music Box sponsored the event, giving Lehigh bands a venue to play live to showcase their music, as well as providing instruments and amplifiers. Additionally, The Music Box has sponsored three shows this semester, both on and off campus.

"All of [the bands], but one, The Northern Lights, who won the Battle of the Bands last year, have played a Music Box event," Singer said.

Seventeen bands submitted applications to compete. Each had to send a demo of their work in order to compete. This year, Bethlehem's own will represent at Sundaze.
- The Brown and White

Members: Erik Kelechava, Zack Biro, Billy Weber, Mike DeCrosta

•Style of music: Indie Pop Rock

•Where based: Bethlehem.

•When formed: October 2008

•How band came together: Mike, Erik, and Zack met while attending Liberty High School and they now go to Lehigh University. Billy Weber was an English teacher at Liberty High School and met Mike, Erik, and Zack while there.

•Our music in four words: Fun, Dance-able, Quirky, Invigorating

•Influences: Wilco, Ted Leo and the Pharmacists, the Decemberists

•You'll enjoy us if you like: Ted Leo and the Pharmacists, Death Cab for Cutie, Bare Naked Ladies

•Our best original song: "Running in a Skirt," This song embodies the spirit of the band and shows how much fun we can have while playing music.

•Our best cover song: "Kiss Me" - Sixpence Non the Richer, This song was a lot of fun for us to play and people enjoy listening to a song they haven't heard since 1990s.

•Our latest CD: "It's Getting Early"

•Our audience: College Kids

•Biggest gig: Dickinson College Radio Showcase

•Our best moment: When kids at Haverford College had a dance-off during our set.

•Favorite venue to play: Wildflower Cafe

•Dream venue: Super Bowl Halftime Show

•Funny moment: We were playing a show at the Ice House and some people in the audience started seeing smoke in the room. We were running around trying to make sure that nothing was on fire. We eventually figured out that Billy had been stomping on the floor while we were playing and all the dust he was kicking up looked like smoke.

•Worst onstage screwup: Billy breaking eight guitar picks and two guitar strings in the same show.

•We hate when audiences: Sit and stare at us during our set. Get up and dance!!!!

•Goal: Record deal

•Comments: We enjoy meeting new people and sharing our music so come check out one of our shows!

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