Scotch for Breakfast may be approaching its last meal

Upon leaving this institution, few Princeton students can boast that they enjoyed their time here not just because of the long established clubs and activities on campus, prefabricated to fit into their busy weekly schedules and look good on their resumes, but because they were intuitive and energetic enough to make their own fun.

Unless, of course, you happen to be one of the six graduating members of the band Scotch for Breakfast, who all cite their experiences with the group as both unique and irreplaceable.

Characterizing themselves as punk metal, heavily influenced by the group Steel Reserve, Scotch for Breakfast has been entertaining Princeton audiences since they formed in spring 1999.

Guitarist Christian Diegel '01 (fondly referred to as Two Tone) recalled how, as a social chair for Quadrangle Club, he needed to recruit a musical act for an open mic night, so he created one himself.

"Chris accused me of knowing guitar," rhythm master Jack Halliday '01 laughed, "and we practiced for a week and got three cover songs down. Our first performance was pretty amazing. The audience was having a good time, and we were all just having a good time."

Today, the band's primary focus continues to be on having a great time with their friendship, rather than just with their music.

"It's not about the music," Pat Malone '01, the lead vocalist, stressed while drawing on his second cigarette. "The band always enjoys a loyal following of campus groupies, who may not come out for music, but for a good time."

To be sure, their performances always allow for plenty of cheering, jeering and moshing. However, this is not to say the group members are just amplified noise-makers. They do harbor the talent of lead guitarist Jim Lee '01, affectionately referred to as "The Man," and Malone himself sings for the a capella group Shere Kahn.

"I'm musical," Malone insisted, "I did well in Music 103."

Although the band has no aspiration of continuing on after college, Scotch for Breakfast estimates that they have earned more than $5,000 from on-campus performances during their tenure.

One such gig included a spot at last year's Communiversity, where their hard rock sounds were positioned right next to the children's pony rides.

"I've never seen a horse buck so far . . . or so many people crying over one of our performances," remembers drummer Bob Longden '01.

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They have also assisted the Student Volunteers' Council in its yearly Battle of the Bands. Here, the members first came up with their tradition of taking off articles of clothing for money — money which they always donate to charity.

The members cite their time with the band as their foremost college experience.

"Everyone should be in a college band. It's an experience you can't replace," Malone said.

The band members insist that there is nothing in the world they enjoy more than discussing their group.

"We talk about it all the time now, and we're gonna talk about it for a long time after we graduate," Malone predicted.

Their manager, who goes by the pseudonym "Sweet Lou," said that he respected the band because they entertained themselves and others without having to rely only on the amusements already offered to them by the University.

Yet at the same time, the band laments that Princeton does not lend Scotch for Breakfast and other burgeoning campus rock groups more support. According to the group, the University and residential colleges continually refrain from granting the band practice space, while refusing to recognize the group as an official organization — a privilege extended to most musical ensembles on campus.

Even when the members tried to bring student bands together and form a coalition called Princeton University Band Initiative Coalition, the University turned them down.

The group feels discriminated against because they are a rock band, not just because of their titular reference to alcohol.

In light of recent attempts to cut back on students' consumption of alcoholic substances, however, such a reference would naturally make the powers that be a bit uneasy. Even for Communiversity, the group was asked to temporarily alter its name. (Bob Barker and the Womanizers, the band's second choice as a permanent label, might fare just as poorly in theUniversity's eyes.)

Although the band has actually tried Scotch whiskey for breakfast, they seem to have learned more over the years than simply that being in a band can win you free liquor or spending money.

Acoustic guitarist Jeff Vogel '01 sees the band as his, "social lubricant."

"It's a great way to get a feeling of performance and how to deal with a large audience," he said.

Longden said he has learned that although most drummers are notorious for getting all the "chicks," he is excluded from the ranks of such lucky musicians.

"Instead, I've just gotten five guys of marginal knowledge," he quipped.

Yet, in the years to come, former Princetonians will always remember this eccentric group of students for their energetic performances and their ability to just have a good time in their own special way.

Diegel warned, however, "If you see us in the future at Reunions, wear gloves."