Current Release: September 11th, 2007 | Vol. XXIV Iss. 10

InPulse pays third visit to the campus

By Eric Miller

ermiller@vwc.edu

They’re not “just another a capella group” nor are they an updated version of the Backstreet Boys. When it comes to the wonderfully unique and blended sound of InPulse, it can be a bit of a challenge to place them into music genre. Whatever they are doing, it is definitely working.

Back by popular demand for the third time in a row, InPulse performed at Virginia Wesleyan on Wednesday, Oct. 3 in the Marlin Grille. The group is made up of four guys: Gabe Koxlien, Steve Howe, Marcus Hanson, and Matt McDonald.

InPulse takes pride in being a “vocal band” that features Howe as the music. After training for five years, Howe can do everything from an incredibly realistic drum kit to a DJ scratch table using only his mouth and face. That’s what made the concert so good. Each member brings something to it, whether it be the music, sound, or comedic undertone and energy that keeps the show going.

Hanson is the bass of the group, Koxlien the tenor, and McDonald the baritone. Together they are awesome but they’re not too bad at solos either. During the performance, Howe created an explosive drum solo and Hanson gave a great rendition of Johnny Cash’s “Walk the Line” and “Ring of Fire.”

The third time is still the charm at Wesleyan; the crowd was small at first but the rhythm and beat soon got the attention of everyone in the Batten Center. InPulse performed songs from virtually every genre of music, from The Eagles’ “Hotel California” and Michael Jackson’s “The Way You Make Me Feel’ to Rascal Flatt’s “God Blessed the Broken Road” and Ryan Cabrera’s “True.” They even did Queen’s “Fat Bottomed Girls” before transitioning into the party scene favorite “I Like Big Butts.” Students were either slow dancing or break dancing throughout the hour and cheered for more after the final song.

Hanson also composes music. He has written several songs specifically for InPulse including “Pictures on the Wall” and “Obsession,” which are both on CDs and the crowd favorite “Top Five Reasons Why We’re Not a Boy Band.” The last of which explains how they don’t “want it that way,” but they’ve “still got the profit to drive you wild.”

Whichever way they do want it, they seem to be going in the right direction. InPulse has three albums available and is touring across the United States. Their newest album, “InPulse Live,” was released last year. It features some of the most popular songs they’ve done as well as those written by Hanson. All of them, as well as videos and music recordings, are available on the group’s website www.inpmusic.com.