Courtesy of Kids These Days

Members of Kids These Days (above). The Chicago-based band will perform at Gargoyle on Wednesday.

While our grandparents may quietly complain about how different kids these days are from kids back in the day, we don’t expect to hear any complaints from our grandparents about the Chicago-based band Kids These Days, who the Gargoyle and Kuumba TV will bring to campus on Wednesday, Feb. 1.

Take a look at Kids These Days, and you will get the sense that they aren’t your average band. KTD, as the band is popularly referred to, consists of seven members: Liam Cunningham, Lane Beckstrom, Greg Landfair Jr., Macie Stewart, Vic Mensa, Nico Segal and J.P. Floyd. The band members are relatively young, ranging from 17 to 21 years old, but other than that, it seems that all they have in common is a love for eclectic music. Per this point, KTD consists of a rapper, a female vocalist, a blues/rock trio and a horns section. These musical elements don’t really seem to mix, but KTD’s success proves that they must have made it work.

Kids These Days met in high school, when Cunningham and Beckstrom decided to start a jazz/funk band. Soon, they added Segal to the mix, and the band just grew from there. Due to their mix of instruments (both musical and vocal), KTD cannot be classified within one genre. Mensa’s rapping obviously lends a hip-hop vibe to some of the band’s music, whereas Stewart’s classical training leads to more melodic stuff. If you attend the show, be prepared to be surprised by the music mix you will hear. Opening for KTD is local band Rhyme N Reason, making the show even more worthwhile.

Mariam Shahsavarani | Student Life

Greg Alsop of Tokyo Police Club plays the Gargoyle on Monday night.

The night began with supporting act Union Tree Review, an indie pop-rock act from St. Louis. They kept the crowd entertained with a mixture of effervescent, lighthearted melodies, powerful ballads and entrancing harmonies. However, it was obvious that near the end of their set the audience was itching for the real attraction of the night, which could not seem to come soon enough.

Indeed, Tokyo Police Club entered the stage to loud cheers and began their energetic set with their most recent single, “Favourite Colour.” With its instantly appealing chorus and danceable drumbeats, it was a suitable start to a show filled with Tokyo’s trademark fast-paced, charming indie-pop. Vocalist David Monk managed to artfully maneuver his intriguing, boyish voice through a maze of high-pitched harmonies and deeper moments of reflection, especially on songs like “In a Cave” and “End of a Spark.” Some more highlights of the night included the lively, almost-breathless “Tessellate” and “Bambi,” an infectious mix of electronic bleeps and staccato rhythms, made all the more energetic in the live setting.

After “finishing” the night with arguably their best-known song, “Your English is Good,” the band left the stage for only a short time before they were called back by shouts of, “One more song!” They gave the audience even more than they had asked for, rounding off the night, ironically, with an encore of two of their earliest songs: “Cheer It On” and “Citizens of Tomorrow.” It was a fitting end to a great night, and although the crowd might have seemed a little sparse at times, Monks commented on how much he liked playing smaller venues like the Gargoyle. Seeing them in such an intimate setting was certainly enjoyable, and it was a fantastic, exhilarating show from start to finish.

Tokyo Police Club

Tokyo Police Club plays at the Gargoyle at 8 p.m on Monday, Sept. 12, 2011.

They Might Be Giants might be getting old, but they’re still as much of a college staple as Ramen noodles. Since forming in the late ‘80s, They Might Be Giants has become an important part of the alternative/pop scene, and their newest album, “Join Us,” follows their usual pattern of quirky and catchy songs. The band’s music ranges far and wide, and their lyrical non-sequiturs are always entertaining. After nearly thirty years of playing to college students, They Might Be Giants know what they are doing. (9/24, 8 p.m., The Pageant) – Trevor Leuzinger

Aretha Franklin and Jay Leno – Okay, so this one’s more of a gala than a concert, but it’s still worth mentioning. The Peabody Opera House is reopening after a 14-month renovation process, and these two celebrities have been called in to celebrate the premiere affair. It may be a bizarre mix of semi-stale comedy and some rocking by the Queen of Soul, but the benefit promises to be a good time. Proceeds go to the John L. Trotter Multiple Sclerosis Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital. Maybe it’s not for our generation, but this event definitely deserves some r-e-s-p-e-c-t. (10/1, 8 p.m., Peabody Opera House) – Andie Hutner

Death Cab for Cutie – The good news is, Death Cab for Cutie puts on a fantastic show. For a band with multiple radio hits, a song on the Twilight soundtrack and several mentions on “The O.C.,” Death Cab has somehow mystically managed to retain its cool factor. The latest album, “Codes and Keys,” pretty much sticks to what Death Cab does best: a mellow, alt-rock sound and choruses you can sing along to, but with a slight new edge of electronica. The bad news is, the show at the Pageant is already sold out. St. Louis just loves Death Cab too much for its own good. (10/2, 8 p.m., The Pageant) – Nora Long

Arctic Monkeys – “Suck It and See,” the title of Arctic Monkeys’ latest album, succinctly sums up what their sound is all about. With Alex Turner’s in-your-face vocals and Jamie Cook’s raw guitar riffs, Arctic Monkeys is an act that you need to take in live to understand why crowds go wild at every one of their shows. The band is set to rock The Pageant with new material like the fiery “Brick By Brick” and the heavier, slower anthem, “She’s Thunderstorms.” Of course you can expect some staples off of their classic album “Favourite Worst Nightmare,” like “Fluorescent Adolescent,” to be played as well. For anyone in the mood for some pop-inspired Brit-rock, this show is not to be missed. (10/4, 8 p.m., The Pageant) – Matt Freilich

Wilco – This show at the Peabody Opera House will bring to St. Louis a unique combination of old and new. Formed in Chicago 17 years ago, the alt-rock band Wilco has been compared to Radiohead and My Morning Jacket. Its members have honed their performing skills with many years on the concert circuit. They are slated to release their newest album, titled “The Whole Love,” a week before the concert, meaning that there will be fresh, unfamiliar songs not only for the curious new Wilco fan but also for the long-time Wilco devotee. The show is already sold out, but tickets can be found for elevated prices online; regardless, no one should miss this extraordinary band’s performance in this unique and historic location. (10/4, 7:30 p.m., Peabody Opera House) – Joe Bernardi

Matt Nathanson – Before some of the freshmen were born, Matt Nathanson released his first album, “Please.” Now, 18 years later, he’s back with “Modern Love.” Nathanson pushes the boundaries of his usual sound with a rockier flair, especially heard in songs like “Mercy” and “Queen of (K)nots.” On the All Night Noise Tour, you’re likely to hear some old favorites like “Come On, Get Higher,” along with new songs that feature Nathanson’s breathy voice mixed with more up-tempo beats. Nathanson promises to bring a beautiful fall Night of Noise. (10/18, 8 p.m., The Pageant) – Alieza Schvimer

Doors for the Gargoyle’s 18+ show open at 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 14. Tickets are free with a Wash. U. ID and $10 for the public. Male Bonding will kick off the show at 8 p.m.

1) Psych Experiments. These babies pay $10 dollars an hour. I do five a week and it pays for my week’s worth of mimosas and pantyhose. You can sign up for a variety of times to fit your schedule at http://experimetrix.com/WU. They are always easy—sometimes awesome and sometimes boring. Amazing source of spending money for students with busy, unpredictable schedules.

2) Nude modeling in the art school. Um, yeah. Owed some people some money. Yeah. $20 dollars an hour, for a three hour studio. Highest paying campus job in the history of campus jobs. And that is why I no longer go to casinos.

3) The Gargoyle. Some way, somehow, those trendsetters at our very own campus concert venue (the Gargoyle, idiot) have a knack for bringing bands to WU that are on the brink of great fame and success. I have seen Animal Collective, Wolf Parade, Diplo, Cascada and Band of Horses there; acts such as Ben Kweller and Peter Bjorn and John have come in the past. And tickets are dirt cheap. My freshman year, a cop tasered some dude during a Girl Talk show in front of about 500 students. It was awesome.

4) The Music Library Reserves. The music library has AMAZING music reserves, specializing mostly in classic rock, jazz and classical music. I have found extremely interesting live CDs in there, and even a bunch of special edition re-issues and such. Here’s what you do: go on the “libraries” part of wustl.edu, search the Gaylord Music Library for whatever music you want, write down the call number, give it to the librarian, steal the music on your computer and return it. I walk in there on a nice Friday afternoon and turn into a straight up pirate for 2-3 hours. Right on campus property! Literally right there in the music library! And I’ll never get caught! Hey, librarian: I’M STEALING MUSIC RIGHT UNDER YOUR NOSE. WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO ABOUT IT? Like I said, underrated.

5) Law School/Architecture Grad School Happy Hours. So I’m sitting in the Law School sophomore year reading on a Friday afternoon (took a break from music pirating), and the next thing I know, I am surrounded by cheese, crackers and beer. Within minutes, the entire main room is filled with people eating and drinking. So—and kids, don’t do this at home, especially if you’re from a strict immigrant family—*I got drunk*. Ended up making friends with this law guy from Omaha who talked to me for an hour about how he dated his TA in undergrad and fell in love with her and then she broke his heart and he hasn’t been the same for two years and went to law school to forget about her. You know what? Maybe you shouldn’t go after all; it’s kind of sad. But hey, can’t argue with free beer (Note: beer is $1 at Architecture Happy Hour).

6) The DUC shower. Second floor. *Offers the most spacious, private place to have sex on campus*. Also best place to get clean in the middle of the day. Some days you may need both. And, my young friends: That is always a good day.

7) MFA Readings in Hurst Lounge (in Duncker Hall). Maybe you want more out of college than sex and drugs. I know I do. I discovered that MFA (Master of Fine Arts) students studying creative writing have periodic showcase readings of their own stuff in this lounge. Wine and food generally provided. Just some amazing work out there, and the readings always bring an eclectic, interesting group of people from the Wash. U. community—generally not undergrad—together. Try it once or twice a semester. Even if you just go once or twice, I promise you will enjoy it. See the English department website for details.

8) Jazz at Holmes. My personal fave. Even more than the nude modeling. Every single week, there is an intimate jazz concert in Holmes lounge (the building next to Eads, where the carvery station is). Our school goes above and beyond to bring in amazing talent from the St. Louis area, all over the U.S., and even international people. Once or twice a year, a true jazz giant will come to WU for a special performance. The atmosphere and acoustics of Holmes are unrivaled by anywhere else on campus and it’s a great way to start your Thursday night, reflect on the ending week and the week ahead, and maybe even do some homework or read. It’s every Thursday during the semester from 8-10 p.m. And if you come by, say hi to me—I’m the guy drinking mimosas and wearing pantyhose.

(Courtesy of Patrice Jackson)

1. Where are you originally from and what is the best food you can get there?
I’m from Omaha, Nebraska, and am unabashedly proud of it. We’re pretty renowned for our beef, but my personal favorite is a toss-up between Ahmad’s, which is Persian cuisine, and this fantastic Ethiopian restaurant I just discovered that’s aptly named Ethiopian Restaurant.

2. What is your year and major?
I’m a junior specializing in the Language, Cognition and Culture track of PNP. And I’ll probably go for a French minor, too.

3. What’s the coolest class you have taken at Wash. U.? What did you like about it?
It’s a close call. I was pretty crazy about my Abnormal Psychology class because Professor Oltmanns is such a babe—in the most intellectual sense of the word—and is one of the most engaging and well-spoken professors I’ve had.

4. What is your favorite beverage, and where in St. Louis do you get it?
I’m a huge fan of Thai iced tea, and since I frequent Miss Saigon every couple weeks, I just get it there.

5. Do you have any pets? If so, what?
My two best friends and I applied to be foster parents for kittens, which basically requires that we take care of them for one or two weeks while they’re super tiny and adorable in order to socialize them and make sure that they don’t die.

6. What is the most ridiculous spur-of-the-moment decision you have made in the last year or so?
Deciding to make the six-hour drive from Nashville to Columbia to meet up with a friend who was touring as the sound tech for the one of the openers for Gogol Bordello, and ending up being serenaded by two Mexi-gypsies backstage.

7. What are you involved in on campus?
I book bands for the Gargoyle Committee, DJ a show on KWUR, and used to write for Eleven Magazine—but I also child-sit every now and again as part of the Night Off program, and am currently trying to get involved in the Burning Kumquat.

8. What exactly is the Gargoyle, and what are its goals?
The Gargoyle Committee is the group that operates Wash. U.’s student-run, on-campusmusic venue. Our goals are to bring great mid-range shows to St. Louis and to subsidize ticket prices so that they’re either free or no more than $5 for members of the Wash. U. community.

9. What have been your various responsibilities/positions with the Gargoyle?
The first two years I was on the Gargoyle, I was nothing more than a steadfastly devoted volunteer. I’d do all sorts of mundane tasks: cut out cardboard stencils so the older kids could spray-paint the office, haul garbage bags full of ice back to the green room, etcetera. It was only this past summer that I started booking for the Gargoyle.

10. How are the bands that come to the Gargoyle chosen?
Sometimes, an agency will e-mail us the availabilities of the artists they represent for a given season, and I can pick and choose which ones I want to make offers on. On other occasions, I can simply look up an artist that I know will be touring or that people have been requesting, and ask their agent whether they have any availability during the semester.

11. What is the basic rundown of how you go about attempting to book a band for the Gargoyle?
Before I can confirm a show at the venue, I need to make sure that the cost is within our means, that it’ll draw a good crowd, that the date doesn’t interfere too much with other events happening on the same night, etcetera. Booking a show requires a lot of back-and-forth between the agent and the Gargoyle. Once both parties have signed the contract, we’ve sealed that deal.

12. What is the most fun part of being on the Gargoyle Committee?
I think the best part of anyone’s job with the Gargoyle would have to be seeing all of our hard work pay off on the night of a show. I know how much some shows move me, so it’s kind of mind-boggling to know that we probably helped to create that experience for someone else.

13. What is one of the least fun parts of booking?
Like I said before, this job is far from glamorous. It’s a lot of e-mailing and pressing people to get things done, which takes up quite a bit of time.

14. What’s a funny story you remember a Gargoyle performer telling you?
When the president of the Gargoyle, [junior] Kristen Schlott, and I went out to greet the band Girls as they were pulling into the parking lot, we noticed uproarious laughter coming from inside the van. We didn’t think anything of it at the time, but they later told us that when we walked out, Christopher Owens, the lead singer, was like, “Wow, those girls are pretty cute.” Then, their peculiar little guitarist, Ryan Lynch, pointed to Kristen and goes, “That one looks like me!” It’s really only funny because it’s absolutely true.

15. Why should students come to Gargoyle shows?
I’d encourage people to come to Gargoyle shows because we bring in talented artists that put on great shows. Also, the concerts tend to be pretty intimate and fun, and the bands are usually stoked to be playing for enthusiastic college students.

16. Besides the Gargoyle, what is your favorite venue to take in a concert in St. Louis, and why?
My favorite place to go for a full-fledged concert experience would probably have to be Pop’s, which is out in Sauget (Ill.). It’s seedy, tacky, nestled in between three strip clubs, and is located in the midst of the most desolate, dangerous, industrial part of St. Louis, so you’re basically guaranteed an interesting night.

17. Who’s the craziest/ most bizarre, famous/ semi-famous musician you have ever hung out with?
[One time], my dad treated my sister and me with tickets to a concert (Motion City Soundtrack). Halfway through the show, we were pretty bored and chatting with some friends when this skeleton of a boy called us over to where he was sitting by the merchandise table. He introduced himself with a heavy Southern drawl as Trace. We ended up spending the majority of the night dancing with him and chatted with him at length after the show. The next morning when I woke up, my sister was poring over her computer, clearly amused. “Chloe, Chloe, do you remember that guy from last night, Trace?” “Ha, yeah, he was such a sweetheart.” “Did you know that he’s Trace Cyrus, Miley Cyrus’ brother and Billy Ray Cyrus’ son?” Needless to say, it’s always amusing for me to hear “Shake It” on the radio.

18. How would you describe your musical taste?
It’s trite to say, but I think it’s fairly eclectic. It changes and progresses with time. It’s probably most informative just to tell you what I’m listening to right now: I’ve got “The Best of The Pixies” in my car, Boards Of Canada’s “The Campfire Headphase” in my bedroom, a Motown compilation in the dining room, and a live album by The Sonics on the record player.

19. What shows are coming up that you are really excited about?
We have The Books scheduled to perform at the 560 Building on March 25 and Yeasayer scheduled for April 26, both of which will be fantastic shows. But, we’re still working on bringing a couple more in before the end of the semester, so keep your eyes peeled.

20. Do you have any hidden talents?
I have a really keen sense of smell. If the music industry and clinical psychology career don’t work out for me, I can always apprentice a perfumer in Paris.

21. What is your favorite fairy tale?
“The Legend of Sleepy Hollow,” both Washington Irving’s story and Disney’s cartoon rendition of it.

Several student groups still use Mallinckrodt for varying reasons despite the dominance of the Danforth University Center (DUC).

For example, students in Carnaval rely on Mallinckrodt because the show takes place in the Edison Theatre located there. The lower level of Mallinckrodt, including the former food court area and the Gargoyle, is also still used for rehearsals and as an area for performers to wait before going on stage.

Senior Nadia Abouzaid, co-chair for Carnaval, worries that renovating Mallinckrodt could render the meeting spaces inaccessible for performing groups. The old food court area is very useful now that the University made changes to it, according to Abouzaid.

“Once [the University] renovated it, it became a really prime space on campus to use for practice,” Abouzaid said.

Other performances, including Diwali, Lunar New Year Festival and Black Anthology rely on Mallinckrodt for similar reasons.
Abouzaid also noted that the DUC lacks any large spaces to practice.

“I feel like the University did a really poor job of planning when they built the DUC, because [there was] news that they wanted to tear down Mallinckrodt or renovate it, but they didn’t provide any alternate large practice spaces for students to use,” Abouzaid said.

Abouzaid is concerned that the University will close Mallinckrodt so that it can  do the planned renovations, leaving Carnaval performers with no place to practice.

“I have no idea what [Carnaval] isgoing to do if Mallinckrodt’s not open to them,” Abouzaid said. “I was really nervous about where our dancers were going to practice, but thankfully they didn’t do that.”

While performers may use the building frequently, most students go there much less often.

“I feel like Mallinckrodt as a building has become less central, because when the food court was situated in that building, I think it was really the center of campus life, and now it’s not as much. But for me, our dance groups definitely utilize those spaces for practice,” Abouzaid said.

With a maximum capacity of 499 as determined by the fire code, the Gargoyle is almost unmatched on campus in its ability to host events with large audiences like concerts.

Mallinckrodt also continues to draw students to the building’s many businesses, including FedEx Office, the Danforth Campus Bookstore and Bank of America.

“To me, [the Mallinckrodt Center is] basically where the campus store is and Bank of America is. Those are the only things I routinely use Mallinckrodt for,” sophomore Ben Ingell said. “The DUC doesn’t really replace it, all it seems to add to me is a new place to eat.”

Ingell also said that he rarely uses the DUC for anything other than the food areas and that he still goes to Mallinckrodt because he uses the businesses located there.

The University had planned to renovate the Mallinckrodt Center and provide additional space to the businesses that will remain there, but the plan was put on hold in response to the recent drop in the school’s endowment.

The renovation would have cost the University $20 million.

The University has not indicated when new construction projects will resume.