- Makeshift performs in the Crow’s Nest during STAND: Concert in the Crow’s Nest on Feb. 9. The band has played there many times since they formed 10 months ago.
“The crazy thing is that we’ve been together 10 months and can already make an album,” said sophomore Daniel Cribb of Makeshift, a budding band made up of five CNU students.
Although they have only just began their journey into the music world, Makeshift has played numerous shows and will begin working on three to five new songs in the near future. A large part of the reason this band has been able to evolve so quickly is the chemistry between the members; their relationship seems like they are five brothers who have known each other their whole lives.
Sophomores Julian Rosen and Kendel Conklin met freshman year, discovered a shared interest in music and talked of forming a band. Sophomore Daniel Cribb was brought in as their guitarist after the three of them bonded over a concert they attended that year. Freshman Ben Johnson grew up and went to high school with Rosen. The pair got together to play a lot prior to Rosen going to college. Once Johnson finalized his decision to attend CNU, Makeshift was born.
Makeshift is self described as not fitting in just one music genre. Some of their influences include Jimmy Hendrix, the Foo Fighters, the Goo Goo Dolls and Guns N’ Roses.
Last October at Alpha Sigma Alpha’s Rock-A-Thon, Makeshift played their first performance together. At the benefit concert, they played six songs, the last being a song they had been working on and ending up improvising part of their final song. The song, “Half Past” was a success and is now a regularly played song.
This semester freshman Oliver Thomas joined as their bass guitarist, which will allow for the evolution of the band’s music. He is described by the other members as being a great bass guitarist with a great sense of humor. Johnson is described as the most reasonable in the group, and contributes the most with the formation of songs. Rosen’s talents includes being able to easily improvise lyrics as well as being extremely creative. Cribb brings a background of blues and jazz which adds diversity to their music. “Conklin is usually the first one to speak up when something in a song needs to be fixed to sound better,” said Johnson.
On Feb. 9 in the Crow’s Nest, Makeshift came together to play a show for the first time with all five bandmates. They said that performances at the Crow’s Nest have been a hit with students, drawing large crowds each time. So far the largest show Makeshift played in was the “Support the Troops” benefit show at the Gaines Theatre last semester.
While the band has had different opinions on the directions they want songs to go, they’ve never had a heated argument. According to the band in a group interview “having different views on where a song should go makes it sounds better in the end.”
Future plans are still undecided as they enjoy their time at CNU, but they mention goals involving getting signed and going on tour. “Overall the goal is to get a label and have a large stadium tour,” Cribb said.
So far the most challenging part has been for Makeshift’s members to find places to practice, since all five of the members live in the residence halls on campus. They manage to find a places to practice once a week in various places around campus, like in the study rooms on their halls . “I like how we all just throw ideas out there at each other during practice; we all take it into perspective and don’t shoot the idea down or anything,” Rosen said.
Makeshift’s next performances include a fundraiser for Kappa Sigma on March 20, a show at Schooners Bar and Grill on April 7 and CNU’s Relay for Life event in April.
Meet the Band
Oliver Thomas-Bass:
Freshman Oliver Thomas is the newest member of Makeshift. He was part of a hardcore band, as well as the marching band, before joining Makeshift. Since fourth grade he has been playing guitar and has a background in Jazz and Blues. His favorite bands include the Counterparts, Structure, Stevie Wonder and James Brown.
Ben Johnson-Rhythm Guitar/Vocals:
Freshman Ben Johnson’s musical background includes six years of piano starting in first grade. In sixth grade he decided to switch to guitar. He also took voice lessons and was active in choir, school talent shows and plays. Some of his favorite bands and influences on his music include the Beatles, Dave Matthews Band, The Goo Goo Dolls, Eric Clapton and the Police.
Julian Rosen- Vocals/keyboard
Sophomore Julian Rosen’s previous music training includes piano, particularly because of its importance in his family and his mom is a “semi-professional.” He has also taken violin and singing lessons. Rosen is currently also the Treasurer and beatboxer for University Sounds, CNU’s mixed acapella group. Some bands he likes are Sum 41, Jimmy Hendrix and the Foo Fighters.
Daniel Cribb-Lead Guitar
Sophomore Daniel Cribb, “DC,” has had no formal training, but has a strong interest in music. He is a self-taught guitarist and has attended almost 70 concerts. A few of his favorite bands are Gun N’ Roses, Bon Jovi, Led Zeppelin and Alter Bridge.
Kendel Conklin-Drums
Sophomore Kendel Conklin has been playing drums since seventh grade. He also just received an ukulele for Christmas and writes and creates songs. Some of his favorite bands or artists include classics such as the Beatles, Queen, Billy Joel and Led Zeppelin.
