EDITORS NOTE: Photos taken in collaboration of Zaire Breedlove, Gabe Powell, and Sam Pipes
With amazing hit indie bands, the KSU Musicians Union strikes with a hit fundraiser show that brought fans out from all around campus to listen at the Legacy Gazebo.
The legacy gazebo at Kennesaw State was alive with the sounds of Georgia’s underground music scene as the KSU Musicians Union held a fundraiser show, featuring bands like DogFight, Menth4l, Green Ways, and Clae Mansion
The evening was filled with high-energy performances, a lively crowd, and an undeniable passion for local music.
Jordan Scruggs, president of the KSU Musicians Union, explained how the organization came to be, pushing the idea for a legitimate music space on campus saying, “I saw bands like Corduroy Beach, now known as Menth4l, playing in the central parking deck on campus. My buddy Jack Morris had also set up shows there, but we wanted to be able to do it legally, with permission, so we started the club.”
The Musicians Union’s mission was set in stone: to bring attention to KSU-based and North Georgia bands. “We’re trying to bring awareness as much as possible,” Scruggs said. “We made a mixtape for all the bands affiliated with our club, and we’re working on even more ways to promote the music around here.”
For many attendees, the concert was a spontaneous and exciting experience, on a whim compared to usual days. Adrianna Toolsie, a KSU student, decided to check it out. “My friend told me about the concert, and it sounded fun because we were right next door. We thought, ‘Why not?’”
Kim Sandusky, the friend who introduced Toolsie to the show, had a leading encounter that brought her there. “When I was walking to my first class today, some guy stopped me and said, ‘I like your Korn shirt.’ I said thanks, and he told me about the concert—how there’d be bands similar to Korn, kind of new-metalish. That sounded really sick.”
Rachel Manizone, another student, felt similar excitement about the event. “It just sounded like a cool little activity I could do for about 30 minutes before my class at 6:30. I like music, I like the gazebo—so that’s why I’m here!”
Cole Regina, a first-time attendee, heard about the concert also through friends. “I missed the last one, but I was determined to come to this one because it sounded awesome. I don’t personally know any of these bands, but I’m in a band myself with some friends, so I’m excited to meet new people.”
For some students, the concert was part of a larger effort to restore KSU’s once-thriving music culture. Aiden Growe, a freshman and member of the Musicians Union, gave The Sentinel his reasons on why rebuilding the scene is so important.
“I’m into music, and I really love hearing new stuff and seeing new people, so this is pretty cool.” He noted that before the pandemic, music was a big part of KSU life, but things quieted down in the years that followed. “Everyone’s trying to get people involved again.”
The energy at the Gazebo was electric. Green Ways opened with a set of acoustic works for songs they had prepared, while Clam Martian got the crowd moving.
DogFight brought the raw intensity of hardcore punk, setting the stage for an epic mosh pit. Menth4l, closing the night, delivered the final blow for moshing, leaving the audience screaming for more.
Jack Webb expanded on his band and their plans going forward, saying, “Yeah, we’re recording a demo tape currently. It’s going pretty well. We just gotta record the vocals for it. We probably just got a few weeks left on that. And we’ll just release it as soon as possible.”
Webb also went into their next show, revealing it’ll take place at the South Bend Commons to help with a fundraiser at a Music Shop. “And then we’ve got a gig at South Bend Commons on March 29th and that’s the next one we’re playing.”
When asked where he would tour out of the state of Georgia, he said, “I would say probably, you know, maybe Asheville. I really like Asheville. Yeah, that’s just a great place to be, but. Yeah, that’s all I could really think of.”
From headbangers to casual listeners, the crowd was enthralled with the passion of performers. Moshing broke out a couple times, forming tight circles of controlled chaos, feeding off the heavy riffs and thunderous drumbeats.
With a successful fundraiser show under their belt, the KSU Musicians Union shows no signs of slowing down. Scruggs encouraged students to get involved. “If you come out to a show, it’s likely you’ll find something you like. And if you want to hear something different, hit us up on GroupMe, Discord, or Instagram.”
As KSU’s music scene continues to rebuild and thrive, one thing is clear: the Musician’s Union is determined to keep music alive one concert at a time.
To stay in contact with the KSU Musician’s Union, follow their Instagram at: @musiciansunion_ksu
