Rumble At Rodrigue's: Security Guard Watches While Students Rage

             On March 5^th, Rodrigue’s Coffee House (Alumni House), Fordham University’s student-run lounge at the Rose Hill Campus held a free live show featuring the Brooklyn new-wave punk band, Japanther. The opening act Juxtapose, an electro-rap trio consisting of a vocalist/rapper, pianist, and drummer began the night with its jazz infused beats. Most people awkwardly stood around or lounged on the mismatched furniture along the walls, occasionally bopping their heads to the music. Having been to several Rodrigue events, I thought the same laidback vibe would continue throughout the night.

 During Juxtapose’s set, the crowd remained fairly reserved, even docile, or perhaps simply stoned. Surprisingly, the passivity started to waver as Juxtapose played its last song entitled “Radio Caroline.” Everyone was chanting; repeating the mantra, “Something else is bothering me.” The collective moment signaled the crowd’s approaching fervor.

While, Japanther’s two members, Ian Vanek, vocals/drummer, and Matt Reilly, the guitarist, were setting up, the crowd tripled and anticipation filled the room. I noticed several guys who looked as if they were preparing for a fight, loosening their shoulders, cracking their necks, sweeping back their hair, hands balled in fists, taking on a combat stance. At its peak, the modest establishment held more than hundred impassioned fans that night, well past the legal occupancy.

Any event at Fordham involving crowds and music usually translates into security guards on power trips, exercising an unnecessary amount of vigilance. But this was Rodrigue’s, a quaint, intimate setting for the hipster/indie/alternative scene at Fordham, so the security department probably figured one man was sufficient, to baby-sit a small assembly of lanky, tight-pants wearing enthusiasts of the obscure for three or so hours. The security department obviously didn’t do any research. For new listeners, Japanther’s music would seem to be mix of genres, and technically it is but if you’re a fan you know it falls into the current underground punk category.

Even with this knowledge, I wasn’t expecting a full- on punk show at Rodrigue’s, a stone-walled cottage sized, miniature loft space, reopened in the fall after a year-long intensive renovation. How would the modest establishment survive a typical punk show complete with a raging mosh pit, crowd surfing, stomping, and other impulsive, injury-prone antics? I knew I had to be cautious not to be caught in the center of the chaos, where everyone aimlessly pushed themselves and others in the contained circle managed by non-pitters. As the ritualized pummeling of displaced rage of post-adolescent angst ensued, I wondered when security would shut it down. But the frenzy continued.

I finally spotted the lone security guard during the middle of Japanther’s set, sitting at the corner of the room, barely conscious. He seemed unfazed by the raucous scene. Perhaps, he had faith in Bobby Cardos, who coordinated and organized the event.

The security guard only intervened when a zealous fan, a male with straight, shoulder length black hair crowd surfed and then proceeded to use the height to climb the wrap-around indoor balcony. The security guard casually pushed through the crowd and signaled Reilly to stop playing. Reilly mouthed “please” several times. Annoyed, the security guard whispered something in Reilly’s ear. Reilly patted Vanek on the shoulder and turned off the synthesizer. Reilly politely announced they couldn’t continue playing until the climber came down from the balcony. The crowd immediately rallied for the unidentified male to comply with the request. And of course he did, or else endure the rage of an adrenaline-intoxicated mob. Japanther played a few more songs, and even few extra impromptu interludes like Notorious B.I.G.’s “Party and Bullshit.”

At the very end of the last song, the climber once again reached the balcony, pulling down the twinkle lights hanging against the wall. The security guard simply shook his head. The show was over and Rodrigue’s remained intact and no one was seriously injured.  The mosh pit proved to be responsible, at least this time.

                                                          Ian Vanek, Matt Reilly