Computer Geek Salad
Sophomore Emily Abbott, sophomore Greg Abrams, junior AnneMarie Drolet and sophomore Emily MartinWhere did the name Computer Geek Salad come from?
Emily Abbott: One day last year in the caf, they had these meals, and they liked to have quirky names for the meals. They had a meal named Computer Greek Salad. I think it was a typo. Then later they had Computer Greek Wraps, which is funny since we rap.

How would you describe your sound?
Emily A.: A fart in a seashell.
Greg Abrams: It’s two girls rapping with some keyboards and drums.

What is your favorite place to play on campus?
Emily A.: Not the Greenleaf.
AnneMarie Drolet: Small spaces like that (the Pines or a suite) are really cool because you pack tons of people into a tiny area, and you can’t help but move a little. The sound isn’t good, but the environment is good.
Emily Martin: We enjoy playing off-campus loads more than on campus.

If your band was a dinosaur, what dinosaur would it be?
AnneMarie: It wouldn’t be a triceratops because the one in “Land Before Time” is really annoying.
Emily A.: A t-rex, because he has those little arms. Gnarly.
Anne Marie: They’re supposed to be mean but they can’t even pick things up.
Greg: How about a wooly mammoth?
Emily A.: That’s not even a dinosaur.
AnneMarie: The one that spits in Jurassic Park, because you don’t expect it and you’re like ‘woah, what’s going on?!’ And then we kill our audience. Just kidding.

You can see Computer Geek Salad live on Friday, Dec. ,6 at 6 p.m. at Square One. Square One is located at 1400 Glenwood Ave in Greensboro.

The Eggs
Matt Gibson-Hatcher (on leave), junior Alicia Johnson, junior Ben White and junior Andy Young

What are your influences?
Matt Gibson-Hatcher: Iron Maiden, Taco Bell, Old Milwaukee, Jesus, Flipper, dolphins, The Minutemen. We kind of started as a Minutemen rip-off and continued to do that.

What inspires you?
Matt: I like playing music because there’s not much else to do. It’s a good alternative to partying constantly or working.
Andy Young: it’s just really fun.

What’s it like being the only girl in the band?
Alicia Johnson: it’s fun, I enjoy the dynamic. Before, the band was all guys. I feel like I bring some diversity in more senses than one.
Andy: I thought you meant common sense.
Alicia: I bring logic to the band.

Why are you breaking up?
Alicia: Matt’s moving back to Atlanta, he’s going to school again.

What are your plans for the future?
Andy: I think with the future, we’re all going to try different things. We don’t know. I’ve been having an affair with another band.

If your band was a sandwich, what sandwich would it be?
Ben White: Tofu hoagie.
Alicia: BLT with oregano.
Andy: Burrito. All of those on whole wheat toast, wrapped in a tortilla.

The Eggs will also be playing on Friday, Dec. 6, at 6 p.m. at Square One. This will be their last show.

Will Berry
Sophomore

Why do you play music?
Will: When I was in ninth grade, I saw School of Rock with Jack Black. I came back and asked my mom for a guitar, she said to ask my grandma for my birthday . I saw School of Rock and really wanted to play guitar.

What are your influences?
Will: I’m influenced by a lot of different genres, all of which have to do with guitar. Classic rock, Pink Floyd, Led Zepplin, ACDC. Alternative rock, Coldplay. Acoustic bands, John Mayer. John Mayer changed my guitar life forever. He’s one of the biggest influences on my songwriting.

What are some challenges you’ve faced?
Will: Definitely style. Finding a style that fits me well, finding a style with guitar that fits my voice. I think folk is probably the closest I’ve gotten to finding a style.

What are your songs about?
Will: Identity, peace, love, nature – a lot of things. I try to be poetic without being pretentious, because I think it’s easy to try so hard to be poetic and you just sound like a jerk.

What are your goals?
Will: I want to be an independent musician, I don’t want to be affiliated with a record label. I don’t want to be restricted, I don’t want to work for a corporation. The music industry has become a corporation and I don’t want to be a part of that. John Mayer’s music has become a business and I don’t want that, I want it to be about the music.

Do you have any CDs or shows coming up?
I’m recording over Christmas break, it’ll be done in 2009. I’ve been seriously recording music for about two years, I’ve never had the best equipment but I’m buying a new $150 mic.

Scottie Mitchell
Sophomore

Why do you play music?
I guess it fills me up, kind of.

How would you describe your music?
Melodic, I guess.

What instrument do you play?
Piano and guitar. I play a bunch of instruments but not very well. I don’t know what qualifies playing an instrument, I can strum on a bunch of things but I don’t really know if that qualifies playing.

Do you write your own songs?
Yeah but I don’t perform them, I get too embarrassed. I’ve only played things that I’ve written for a couple of people.

What are some challenges you’ve faced?
Performing my songs in front of people. Stage fright, sometimes. Worrying if my music is too quiet and boring.

What’s the best part of playing music?
Singing and forgetting where I am and people singing along to songs that they know.