About a year ago, the idea for this ensemble was born. Its name is inspired by 2002 film “The Count of Monte Cristo.” 

The group has played at Gnat’s Landing and Your Pie in Statesboro. They have also played venues in surrounding areas like Vidalia and Swainsboro. The group has covered songs by many different artists including Pink Floyd, Jimi Hendrix and Elvis. They have also performed original songs written by Wheeler.

Photos Taken by Lauren Sabia

The group was candid about what challenges they’ve faced since they began working together. 

“Direction has definitely been a challenge,” Wheeler said. “My songwriting is more pop, and I want to go in a more pop-like direction with a lot of it, whereas I feel like Myles wants to take it in more of a rock direction.”

“But that’s just personal interest taking a role in how we develop collectively.” Lockely added. “And don’t take pop to mean what the general term means, which is like popular,” he said. “It’s more about the genre of pop. The melody and the beat.”

Wheeler also opened up about struggles faced when sharing an original song with the group. 

“Usually the way that I write music, I write all of the parts out kinda in my head and jot down notes on paper, so in my mind, I have a certain way that I want things to go,” he said. “But when I’m in a band, and I tell them to play this part and it’s different, it’s hard for me to just let it go because my songs are like my babies. So it’s like a difficult thing for me.” 

When asked what their goals for the future were, the boys laughed. “I want 50 number one singles on the Billboard Hot 100 at one time,” Wheeler said.

“But, in all seriousness, the whole thing behind starting a band and writing music is to get it out and make it somewhere doing something that you’re passionate,” Myles said. “That’s the main reason why I play. It’s a passion to play music, and if we can make a living doing that, I guess that would be a goal.”

The group is currently working on getting their name out there and booking more shows. For their latest updates, follow them on Instagram @kings_to_you and like Kings To You on Facebook.

Photos Taken by Lauren Sabia

Color guard certainly did not come naturally. When I first picked up the six-foot pole with 48 inches of silk attached to it at the end of my 8th grade year, I thought something along the lines of “how the heck am I supposed to spin this?” After that first clinic, I went to the car in tears. I thought it was too hard. I wanted to quit before I had even started—I had expected perfection my first try.

Luckily, my dad had been there to pick me up. I explained what had happened, and he convinced me to go to one more clinic. I reluctantly agreed, and, to this day, I’m so glad I did.

The second clinic, everything was so much easier. It was like things were clicking into place.

The second clinic convinced me to spin my first fall season, but it wasn’t what convinced me to stay. What convinced me to stay was my second half-time performance. I say my second performance because my first did not go well. I overthought and ended messing up a lot. The second time I convinced myself that I was just going to do my thing. After all, I knew what I was doing. During that performance, I got a feeling like no other. It was something unexplainable.

A mix of excitement and adrenaline blossomed in my chest. I thought wow. So this is what it feels like. This is why people do it.  At that moment, I knew I belonged on the field.

And, seven years later, I’m still performing.

Photos by Tiffany Kohler from Totally Creative Photography

What is color guard?

Color guard and the majorettes are the auxiliary in the marching band. While the majorettes twirl batons, the guard spins flags, rifles and sabres.

Most people don’t understand how much work it takes. When we perform on the field, every single guard member is counting, spinning, tossing, jazz-walking, smiling all while remembering the show work and where on the field we are supposed to go. 

The secret? Practice. Hours and hours of practice.

You take lots of time out of your summer. You use your whole body to spin all while the Georgia heat is beating down on you. You deal with gnats, humidity and exhaustion. Our last band camp lasted eight days and six of those days were from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. The guard has two guard camps in the summer. We have practice Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 4 to 6 p.m., and the guard has a sectional afterwards at least one day a week. On game day, our “call time” is five hours before the game. This doesn’t even include practicing on our own.

We have a pregame show we perform before every home game as well as multiple halftime shows throughout the season.

I’m not telling you this to complain. I’m telling you this so you have a better understanding of how much work it really takes.

Photo by Tiffany Kohler from Totally Creative Photography

Why do I do it?

For one, it’s for that feeling you get when you perform that I mentioned earlier. Another thing is the people. The guard—and the marching band—is your family. With all the time you spend together on the field, they become your home away from home. They’re there for you during the good times and bad times.

Marching band also teaches you the importance of hard work and determination—traits that you will need throughout your whole life. You can’t be lazy in marching band and expect to get the job done. It doesn’t work like that.

When you perform, you aren’t just performing by yourself. You all work together towards the same goal. Everyone on that field has put in the work to create something everyone can enjoy. I think that’s really beautiful.

All these things make the blood, sweat and tears worth it.

Members Tyler Tam, Tanner Fussell, and Trey Stadler started the band in fall of 2015.

Band Members:

Tyler Tam (left)- lead guitarist, backup vocals, junior education major

Tanner Fussell (right)- rhythm guitar, lead vocals, senior IT major

Trey Stadler (middle)-drummer, backup vocals, senior construction management major

Before the three of them played together, though, Tam and Fussell played local venues including Shennanigan’s and Loco’s as a two-man as an acoustic duo.

Stadler, the drummer, is actually from the same town as Tam. He and Tam grew up in Thomson, Georgia, near Augusta, and would get together in Stadler’s backyard shed and jam. However, it would be a couple more years after Stadler attended the University of Georgia before he moved to Statesboro and began attending Georgia Southern. Thus, the band was born!

The band started picking up more shows as the semester progressed, and the need for them to have a name became more important.

“We were looking for a band name. We couldn’t really come up with anything, and we had shows coming up, so we were just sitting there like googling something, somehow got on old british or english slang terms back in the 1920s,” said Tam. The group discovered the term half sea over.

“It’s like saying someone’s three sheets in the wind, drunk.” Tam said. “It sounds more majestic than it is. We thought it was funny because we were playing mainly bars.”

 

When Half-Seas Over plays bars and other venues, such as local fraternities and sororities, they cover a medley of songs from different music genres.

“We try to play a little bit of everything. By the end of it, everyone’s going to hear something they like. We can go from playing Johnny Cash to Red Hot Chili Peppers,” said Tam.

Each of the guys bring a variety of musical influences into the band. Tam draws from artists like the Eagles, Lynard Skynard, and George Jones. By contrast, Stadler and Tanner draw influence from artists like Led Zeppelin, Kings of Leon and Jimi Hendrix.

Tanner Fussell said that making original songs is a key goal of the band going forward. “I think we all have the ability. It’s just a matter of making time for it. It’s easy when there is a song that’s already written and we have a gig coming up, it’d be much easier to practice that.”

Half-Seas Over will be playing at Dingus Magee’s on May 7. You can keep up with the band via their Facebook.

Photos courtesy of Half-Seas Over and Yasmeen Waliaga.

Record of the Year

Jeff:

“Blank Space” – Taylor Swift

As much as I would like to think that anything is possible at this year’s award show, I have a feeling tonight is going to be the T-Swift show. This song is hilarious and the way she performs this tune is intoxicating. It makes us all channel our crazy-ex-lover and we can’t deny how much we love it.

Yasmeen:

“Can’t Feel My Face” – The Weeknd

It hurts to put this in text, but I can’t deny how well this song was produced and presented. Overall, it rocked everyone’s socks off and showed that The Weeknd has come a long way since “Wicked Games” and he has the potential to make some upbeat music in addition to seductive R&B.

Album of the year

Jeff:

1989 – Taylor Swift

Again, I wish I wasn’t on the Taylor Swift train, but this album is stacked with supremely catchy songs and the writing on them isn’t that bad either. There’s decent variety in pop styles and the album is simply addicting.

Yasmeen:

Sound & Color – Alabama Shakes

I have this eerie feeling that despite how much Alabama Shakes DESERVES it, Taylor Swift might swoop in and grab this award as always. But anyways, Sound & Color literally defines a good album. Alabama Shakes is always changing the game and I dig that this album brought out every emotion in the book. With songs like Dunes, Future People, Gimme All Your Love, and Don’t Wanna Fight; the vibes were electrifying. The feels were contagious. THIS IS WHAT GOOD MUSIC SOUNDS LIKE.

Song of the Year

Jeff:

“Thinking Out Loud” – Ed Sheeran

As grossly overplayed as this song was, it’s a beauty. Also, I think it has nice mass appeal without being overly robotic pop music.

Yasmeen:

“Blank Space” – Taylor Swift

When someone so intently devoted to not jumping on the Taylor Swift bandwagon falls victim to the catchiness of Swift’s hit song, it is obvious that it deserves an award. I hate to admit it, but this sassy song is an anthem for doing whatever the hell you want when it comes to lust and screwing people’s expectations and assumptions.

Best New Artist

Jeff:

Tori Kelly

We have all been sleeping on Tori Kelly for too damn long. Her VMA performance was ICONIC and her voice is stunning. I think she has the vocals and just enough following to earn it. No, Tori Kelly deserves it.

Yasmeen:

Courtney Barnett

It is about time the GRAMMYs acknowledge someone with a distinct sound that doesn’t contribute to the overrated pop genre that pleases people WAY too easily. Barnett’s dry, seemingly effortless vocals mixed with hints of blues in the music makes for several satisfying tracks. Her first album is refreshing amongst the shallowness of most new artists.

Best Pop Solo Performance

Jeff:

“Can’t Feel My Face” – The Weeknd

If I had a dollar for every time I TTFU to this song in the car, I would be able to buy all of the tickets to The Weeknd’s next concert. It’s contagious. It’s fun. It’s everything your pregame could have ever wanted.

Yasmeen:

“Can’t Feel My Face” – The Weeknd

I bet this song is being played by a million different people in hundreds of different places every minute. It’s catchy, relatable, and a party starter. Its also overplayed, “but I love it, but I love it, oh!”

Best Pop Duo/Group Performance

Jeff:

“Bad Blood” – Taylor Swift Featuring Kendrick Lamar

Maybe it was just the star-studded music video, but this song (exclusively the version with Kendrick) is absolutely fire. Their performance of this song is stellar.

Yasmeen:

“Ship To Wreck” – Florence + The Machine

Yes, yes, yes! This song is just a celebration of all things good so it needs to be celebrated with an award.

Best Dance/ Electronic Album

Jeff:

In Colour – Jamie xx

I think I may be biased in this selection, but The xx are one of my favorite groups of all time. I got nervous when I heard Jamie running off on his own, but “Loud Places” is at least three of my Spotify playlists.

Yasmeen:

Skrillex & Diplo Present Jack Ü

This is a hard one. I loved Jamie xx’s album, In Colour, but Skrillex & Diplo Present Jack Ü was a smart move for the constantly evolving EDM scene. This magical collab gave birth to an album that defied ordinary with new sounds across the electronic spectrum. These tracks brought people together, both on and off the dance floor.

Best Rock Performance

Jeff:

“Don’t Wanna Fight” – Alabama Shakes

When I think about Best ______  Performance, I try to consider what invokes the most emotion. Alabama Shakes’ performance of this track is not only emotional, but it’s the closest thing to catching the spirit I have ever experienced.

Yasmeen:

“Don’t Wanna Fight” – Alabama Shakes

I agree with Jeff on the emotion statement. I saw this performed live and it is no doubt, an incredible jam. Not to mention, the aesthetic of this performance is FLAWLESS. There is something to be said about a badass chick with a powerful voice wearing a prom dress and a fur coat and jamming out on a blue electric guitar.

Best Rock Song

Jeff:

“Ex’s & Oh’s” – Elle King

Elle King really ended up with a masterpiece on this one. Seriously, if my roommates haven’t gotten this song stuck in their heads from me singing it in the shower, they will after she wins this GRAMMY.

Yasmeen:

“Don’t Wanna Fight” – Alabama Shakes

Can Alabama Shakes please just win everything tonight?! Alright, simply put, without blues there wouldn’t be rock. And Brittany Howard’s fiery vocals are the essence of that emotional, blues-charged sound Alabama Shakes is all about. And “Don’t Wanna Fight” is the perfect example of that.

Best Rap Performance

Jeff:

“Trap Queen” – Fetty Wap

Now, whether or not “Trap Queen” is a work of art is not up for debate here. The fact is, Fetty Wap had everybody singing, “hey, what’s up, hello” for weeks on end. Seriously, the song is still in my head as I write this.

Yasmeen:

“Trap Queen” – Fetty Wap

Every year, there is “that song”, you know, that song that is referenced in EVERYTHING. This year that song was “Trap Queen”. We pregamed to it. We played it to get pumped up before class. DJs across America loved to play with it and mix it up. Celebrities released videos dancing to it. Even my friends changed their phone passwords to “1738.” Needless to say, Fetty Wap deserves this reward.

Best Alternative Music Album

Jeff:

Sound & Color – Alabama Shakes

This album is diverse and solid. There truly aren’t any bad songs, so I think it’s definitely a competitor.

Yasmeen:

The Waterfall – My Morning Jacket

It’s no surprise that My Morning Jacket killed it again with this album. Somehow, their progressive yet mellow-ish sound is always effectively intense. There are really no artists similar to MMJ. Every song on this album was a success and no two songs were alike. Not only that, but there is a certain depth in this album’s songs that captivates me. My favorites are “Compound Fracture”, “In Its Infancy (The Waterfall)”, and “Believe (Nobody Knows).”

Best R&B Performance

Jeff:

“Earned It (Fifty Shades Of Grey)”– The Weeknd

Sex. This song is pure SEX. If you don’t feel ~something~ when you’re listening to this song, no matter what your preference is, you might need to get checked out. The Weeknd’s performance is beautiful and dreamy. Don’t let the Fifty Shades of Grey connection confuse you. This is romance at its finest.

Yasmeen:

“Planes” – Jeremih ft J. Cole

“Baby-makin’ music” typically isn’t my thing, but this was my jam! With a clean, subtle sound, “Planes” was tasteful and catchy without being too much. Jerimih’s voice was just perfect, not to mention J. Cole’s bangin’ rap solo to pull it all together. “You nasty, oh, oh, you nasty” is forever stuck in my head.

Best Rap Album

Jeff:

To Pimp a Butterfly – Kendrick Lamar

I’m not an expert in this category, so I’m just going to retweet what Yasmeen goes with.

Yasmeen:

To Pimp a Butterfly- Kendrick Lamar

For too long, the world needed an intellectual West Coast rapper and now we have him and couldn’t imagine the rap genre void of his style and depth. There comes a time in every popular rapper’s career when he/she decides to experiment with some groundbreaking sound, either succeeding immensely or failing miserably. For Kanye, it was 808 & Heartbreak. For Weezy, it was Rebirth. For Kendrick, it is To Pimp a Butterfly. With this album, he did something no current rapper has done. He dove into the realms of jazz and it was EPIC. Kendrick Lamar really pushed boundaries with this album and creates art in doing so. It may not be the rap album you turn up to, but it’s worth a listen nonetheless.

Best Dance Recording

Jeff:

“Runaway (U&I)”

Like I said, music should invoke some serious emotion. When I listen to this song, I feel the need to open all of the windows of my car and blare it driving down I-16. Brb, I’m going to Savannah.

Yasmeen:

“Runaway (U & I)”

I’m with Jeff on this one. When this song comes on, I want to runaway (to the club) with a stranger and never come back. If you have ever turned down the volume when this song is on, you are not invited to any dance party of mine!

Feature photo courtesy of Grammy.com

Jeff Licciardello

Jeff is a junior Public Relations major from Kennesaw, Ga. As a cringey millennial, he spends his free time in Starbucks arguing how Britney Spears can’t have a comeback if she never left and exclusively communicates through the phrases ‘retweet’ and ‘can you not.’ He is the Editor-in-Chief. You can find him whining about the cloudy future on Twitter @jeff_licciard.

Yasmeen Waliaga

Yasmeen is a junior Journalism major and Photography minor from Alpharetta, Georgia. She spends her days celebrating tiny victories, freely making reckless decisions, creating playlists for every occasion, and impulsively purchasing funky platforms. With the assistance of cheap champagne and markers, she writes to share her thoughts no matter how obscure or inappropriate. She is the Reflector Online Editor. Keep up with her escapades and opinions on Twitter @yasmeenwallee