Oleander awes crowd at exclusive show

Image: Oleander awes crowd at exclusive show::

Andrea Alvarez

On Friday, Feb. 9, the Sacramento-based rock band, Oleander, gave an exclusive performance at Old Ironsides, located at 1901 10th St. downtown.

The performance was organized by alternative-rock radio station, KWOD 106.5, who reserved the venue for approximately 60 loyal listeners and extreme Oleander fans.

Among the group of fans was Sacramento State junior Lee Ann Pederson, finance major.

“I have been counting down the days at work, just waiting for this show to go on,” Pederson said.

Pederson was accompanied by her uncle Gary, who won the passes to the show.

“I was at a live KWOD contest at Arden Fair Mall where they asked me four Oleander Trivia Questions,” Pederson?s uncle said, “I answered them all correctly and won passes to see them tonight.”

Pederson has been an Oleander fan for about a year. Her uncle has been following Oleander around Sacramento since they premiered in 1997. Both consider themselves true Oleander fans.

Oleander is made up of four young and enthusiastic guys: Thomas Flowers, lead singer; Doug Eldridge, bassist; Ric Ivanisevich, guitarist; and Scott Devours, drummer.

The band hit the stage, set up in the back of Old Ironsides, at about 4:30 p.m., and played for about an hour.

“A band like Oleander, in a venue like this is really amazing,” Pederson?s uncle said.

The set list included 13 songs, six of which were from their new album “Unwind” due to come out Mar. 6.

When the band rapped up their set, they graciously took requests from the crowd. The requests included: Stupid, Shrinking the Blob, and Where Were You Then, from the “February Son” album, and Tightrope, from the “Unwind” album.

When the music stopped, the band mingled with the crowd, signed autographs and posed for photos.

“The atmosphere is really laid-back,” Pederson said, “it gives everyone here an opportunity to talk with the band and get autographs.”

Pederson, who got her T-shirt signed by some of the band members, said she really appreciated the low-key atmosphere and the gracious attitude of the band.

“They were great, the entire show was awesome. It?s really cool of them to put on this kind of show for their fans,” Pederson said.