It’s time to pull out your acid-washed jeans as the ’80s cover band U.S performs live at Rick’s CafZ tonight.
Lead singer Kelly Nagy said Starkville is one of the band’s favorite places to play.
“Rick’s CafZ and the students at MSU really made our band. Rick stuck with us in the beginning, and the students have asked us to perform at various fraternities and sororities. Everyone has been awesome.”
The Ontario, Canada, natives formed the band 10 years ago when they were called Us. The guys changed it to U.S when they received a letter from “Us” magazine threatening to sue if the band did not change its name. The guys just made it an acronym, but it does not stand for anything in particular.
“People always ask us where we got our name so we came up with a T-shirt that had the top-10 possible meanings. It was pretty funny and sold quick,” Nagy said.
In 1991 they played in Florida, and from there U.S began traveling all over the Southeast and decided that’s where they wanted to stay. In Key West, Fla., U.S picked up a sponsorship deal with Budweiser in 1992, but U.S pulled away after Budweiser began sponsoring other bands.
“Now we are known as the ‘Rubber Band’ around town,” Nagy said in reference to their new sponsors, Trojan Brand Condoms. U.S is the only cover band in the world the company sponsors. Trojan donates shirts, hats and other free merchandise for U.S to give out at concerts.
U.S makes sure that at least 95 percent of their audience is pleased because they know they cannot always win everyone over. Even with all the ’80s songs out, only 40 songs typically work for them.
“We add new stuff in with our old material, but many times we will get in trouble if we do not play something we have played before,”
U.S never uses a set-list and plays what they think the crowd is feeling. Some of their personal favorites include songs by Guns-N-Roses, “Pour Some Sugar on Me” by Def Leppard and “Livin’ on a Prayer” by Bon Jovi.
What about their infamous song-n-dance number of “Come on Eileen?”
“We tried to figure out a way to get the girls on stage with us. We were not sure if it would work, but it did. Basically girls equals guys and if we could figure out a way to get the girls there, the guys would come with them,” Nagy said.
Nagy said it is easy to pull off the ’80s vibe when they all have the ’80s look. Besides doing covers, lead guitarist Jeff Manns, drummer Richie Wright, bassist Chase Lexi and Nagy all write their own music, which does not sound like the ’80s music they play onstage. U.S has attained a few production deals and showcased for some labels, but nothing worked out.
After playing many clubs around the college scene, their popularity picked up, and money came in. The guys decided it was a big enough motivator to pay their rent and have a good time than to worry with a record deal. U.S plans to release a new CD this summer with their best 18 songs from two previous CDs.
The band gives special recognition to their sound engineer Andy White who also is their webmaster.
“He is awesome! He runs the lights and sound. He does four things at once during our show. He is our honorary fifth member,” Nagy said.
Rick’s CafZ cover charge is $5. U.S CDs and merchandise can be purchased on their Web site at www.uscanus.com for $10 or at Rick’s.