You had us at Hello

Jumping on one another, reminding each other of reminiscent sexual encounters and wooing over the opening band, Eli Reed and the True Loves', horn section, Hellogoodbye was due to put forth an immense amount of pent up energy toward a show almost packed to capacity on Friday, Feb. 8, 2008.

The current band line-up consisting of Forest Kline, Jesse Kurvink, Chris Profeta and newly recruited long-time friend, Travis Head, took Keene by storm, backstage and on-stage.

"This is his first show with us, we haven't even practiced together yet," said Kline.

Sipping their Caprisuns and conversing about bowel movements backstage, the guys divulged their current recording plans for a new album and hopes for the future of Hellogoodbye.

"We're just taking it casual and hanging out," said Kline.

Seemingly content with the outcome of their album, "Zombies! Aliens! Vampires! Dinosaurs!," the band is looking to make another album true to Hellogoodbye, but grow in a direction that is both musically progressed and also to create a name for themselves, separate from the bands they've toured with previously.

"We're not just part of the Panic! [at the Disco] scene," said Head.

"They're our bros and we support our bros, but we're trying to break away from that scene," said Kline.

Since the guys are not currently on tour, they have time to experiment, continuing to use different instruments and synthesizers that allow the band to evolve, but still retain the musical artistry they've created thus far.

The two saxophones and the trumpet on-stage roared loudly as the True Loves' set came to a close. People were still piling into the Mabel Brown Room and the awaited anticipation of Hellogoodbye had the audience swelling in their skinny jeans.

Kline rushed the stage with Kurvink, Profeta and Head barreling behind.

"Them baggy sweat pants and the Reeboks with the straps," sang Kline.

The audience shrieked along with the T-Pain song reference. Kline introduced Head to the audience, warning them that they hadn't practiced yet.

Hellogoodbye blasted out, "All of Your Love," while the audience gushed gasps of lyrics and emitted an earnest love for the band.

Taken by surprise by the music played and the musician's versatility, Hellogoodbye was due to impress even those that had never heard of the powerpop band.

Though this nerd chic band was set to impress musically, the lanky dance skills were entertaining.

Igniting an infamous hand sway of the audience members after stripping off his baby blue sweater and combatted with his newly purchased Gretsch from Cheshire Music, Kline began to play, "Oh, It's Love." A sea of heads bobbing and swaying with strum of the guitar, the audience was hooked, line and sinker.

The concert was coming to a close as the band played their last song, a billboard hit, "Here (In Your Arms)." The audience screamed with delight and jumped, making the floors shake.

The band left the stage, as the audience screamed, "One more song!" Hellogoodbye promptly returned to perform another song from their latest album, "Touchdown Turnaround."

The Social Activities Council sponsored concert came to a close, with an estimated 820 happy audience members soaked in sweat and still humming the tunes as they departed.

Amy Howard is a senior double majoring in journalism and theater & dance. Her views do not necessarily reflect those of The Equinox.