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Glasses were raised, toasts were made and about four kegs of Guinness were drained at 11 p.m. Friday as W.B. Yeats Irish Pub patrons participated in the Great Guinness Toast 2006.
The world's largest toast was celebrated at 20 locations throughout Chapel Hill, Durham and Carrboro.
Each business sold "paper pints" for about a week leading up to the toast and donated all proceeds to the N.C. Children's Hospital.
Keith Raitano, manager of W.B. Yeats, says his business probably raised $100 to $200 for the hospital.
Patrons crowded the bar, waving dollar bills and debit cards to catch the attention of the bustling bartenders.
Even after the toast had passed, the night was just getting started. The band The Naturals took the stage, covering songs from the Gin Blossoms' "Hey Jealousy" to Chuck Berry's "Roll over Beethoven."
The drummer's beat hypnotized the hordes. People two-stepped their way to the small dance stage, drinks and dance partners in tow.
Whoops filled the air as the band segued into a familiar Tom Petty song; beer sloshed out of glasses as crowd members raised their drinks in approval. - Daily Tar Heel
Discography
College Radio EP - 2006
Play The Naturals - 2008
(New EP) - Summer 2009
NEW TUNES on Myspace and thesixtyone:
http://www.myspace.com/thenaturalsnc
http://www.thesixtyone.com/thenaturals
LATEST VIDEOS:
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Bio
FROM CHAPEL HILL TO NYC
The Naturals’ sound debuted on fresh college ears in December 2004 in Chapel Hill, NC while Jason Szkutek, Jared Martin, Devin Whiting and drummer Doug Evans were at the University of North Carolina. The next year and half proved to be critical in the formation of their raw Power Pop sound. Jason, Jared and Devin spent countless hours in UNC’s music building composing fragments of melodies, incorporating jazz-standard turn around chord changes and catchy hooks echoing early Lennon/McCartney. By mid 2006 they finished their jangly, 12-string saturated “College Radio EP” which was featured on UNC’s WXYC radio station, were reviewed in the Raleigh News and Observer, and played 100 shows in the triangle area.
When Jason and Jared moved to NYC in 2006, the Naturals took an interesting turn while trying to find their place in the NY scene. With Devin’s move to Korea and drummer Doug staying behind in NC, Jason and Jared carried the flag with a stripped down Rockabilly meets British Invasion sound. While playing the downtown pub circuit, including The Baggott Inn, Paddy Reilly’s and scoring a residency at Manchester Pub, they continued to keep crowds on their feet with fast and catchy 12-bar numbers. Their second EP “Play The Naturals” was finished by mid 2008 and maintained that early British Invasion sound saturated with vocal harmonies.
On September 11, 2008, Jason and Jared teamed up with Matt Santoro of Giftshop and drummer Marc Cusa (both of whom work with Jason at BMG Columbia House) for a debut new Nats show at Otto’s Shrunken Head on the Lower East Side in Manhattan. The new line up brought heavier, faster and overdriven textures to their sound as Jason drew upon more punk infused bands like The Libertines, The Cribs, Superdrag and The Replacements for inspiration. Since then, the Naturals have been in full swing maintaining a few gigs every month at popular downtown venues (including Arlene’s Grocery, Fontana’s, The Bitter End), recording a collection of new songs at Seaside Lounge Recording in Brooklyn and redesigning thenaturals.com.
The Naturals have become a standout on the New York scene. In an ocean of bands that stick closely to three or four favored chords, The Naturals grab you with their infectious and raw power pop brand of musicianship. 2009 is set to be The Naturals' best year yet. Join in on the fun and catch their next gig!
http://www.thenaturals.com
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