SHANNON URTNOWSKI
A&E Assistant
Alumnus country-rock band Come and Go has big opportunity coming its way that will not only showcase the band’s talent, but also the school from which they formed.
Lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Shannon Hudson, a 1999 graduate, started the band at Pepperdine in 1997 with brother and lead guitarist Shane Hudson, bassist David Freeman, and drummer Chuck Irwin.
They are competing for a spot on the Virgin Mega College Tour, which will feature alternative band Yellowcard. Virgin Records asked about 100 bands to try out to become finalists, Shannon Hudson said.
“It feels cool to be in this situation,” he said.
The Virgin Megastore’s Web site offers coupons with the names of the different finalist bands. These coupons can be downloaded online and offer 10 percent off Virgin purchases.
“The band with the most coupons redeemed in their name will win a spot on the tour. We’re really looking to get on this tour,” Hudson said.
Customers can use the coupons with any Virgin Megastore purchase and can participate as often as they choose.
Come and Go found out about the tour through Sonic Bids, an online company where different businesses go to request bands for tryouts.
“They post any company that needs music, and you can submit an electronic press kit,” Hudson said. “Virgin was looking, so we tried out.”
The tour will have a main stage where groups such as headlining band Yellowcard will perform, Hudson said, and will also have an emerging artist stage where Come and Go will play it wins.
The grand prize of the Virgin Records competition is a prime spot on the emerging artist stage,
Hudson said.
Come and Go hopes to win the competition because “we’re doing it to get change,” Hudson said.
However, he is concerned about the outcome.
“There’s only 16 Virgin Megastores nationwide, so it really depends on the development of the community fan basis,” he said.
But Hudson said he is confident with his band’s talent.
His experience at Pepperdine had a large influence on his musical career.
Hudsonbegan playing the guitar and songwriting because of his overseas experience in Heidelberg his sophomore year.
Hudson played the piano, but he knew he couldn’t bring wuch a big instrument to Heidelberg.
It was then that he decided to pick up a guitar.
“The band was formed from songwriting I did that year,” Hudson said, and the band has been closely tied with Pepperdine since its birth.
The band is primarily made up of Pepperdine graduates, Hudson’s brother being the only non-alumni.
The band finished its first national tour in December.
“We went from Los Angeles to Seattle to Maine,” Hudson said.
They are excited about seeing what happens with the Virgin Mega College Tour, he said.
“Last tour we booked entirely on our own, so it would be great to put all that time and energy into other things,” Hudson said. “This opens us up for that because we can talk to bands, management and labels.
The Virgin Mega College Tour includes 18 dates at universities across the nation April 7 to May 6.
The tour’s Los Angeles-area stop is in Pomona on April 19.
The closest Virgin Megastores are located in Anaheim, Hollywood, Los Angeles and Ontario.
Coupons must be redeemed by today.
03-16-2006
