I was quite enthralled when I first heard the band, Unofficial, play. What surprised me more is that three students that I attend IAIA with, two of whom I attend class with, and one that I see on campus, make up the band. Personally, I would have never guessed this trio was rocking out while I busily attend classes.

Recently, I had the privilege to hear this lively band when they opened for Blackfire in the auditorium at the IAIA campus on April 11. As the band started their first song, “Unreliable,” the catchy riff had some students whistling in the crowd, some head-banging, and some close friends taking snapshots of the band. I couldn’t help but move my body to the rhythm of Unofficial, which I have not done in a long time. The lead singer and guitarist, Orlando White, described the band as “rez-brown-boy-guitar-oriented-punk-rock.”

Sure enough, White’s description of the band was apt as the band’s music reminded me of punk rock bands that I have not heard in a long time, such as The Clash and Sonic Youth. White’s voice and guitar playing were true to what punk music is. I also enjoyed Doug Two Bulls’ enthusiasm while he rocked out with his harmonious and hard-edged, melodic bass playing. And of course, the music would not be complete without the drums, which Michael J. Schweigman thrashed with an amazing pulse.

Expressing With Music

These punk rockers not only share some things in common, but show diversity in their character, as well as their background. They are not your ordinary, class-going students; they each express themselves through music and being involved in school.

“I just hope Unofficial influences other students on the IAIA campus to start a band because music is honest,” said White, who is from the Diné tribe from Sweetwater, Ariz., and has been attending classes at IAIA for four years. He said that playing in a band lets you be yourself, and that as long as it is good and has passion, “It’s authentic.” White said that his songwriting comes from what others made him feel back in high school, so it’s a comment on those who picked on him.

White said that the band was originally named Misled when two other students and he got together one day to play some music. Gradually the band formed as they decided to play punk rock in October, 2001.

A Diverse Trio

Other than being a singer and a guitarist for Unofficial, White displays his diversity in school activities. He currently is the vice-president of the NDN Writers club, involved with The Cool Side of Hell Theater Troupe, participates in poetry readings, conducts poetry workshops with high school and college students, and works part-time in the creative writing studio.

“Being in a band right now is pretty cool because it gives me an outlet to experiment,” said Two Bulls, who is a member of the Oglala Sioux tribe and originally from Rapid City, SD. Two Bulls, who also is a creative writing major and has attended IAIA for two years, said that he tries to be active in school activities as much as possible as long as he is having fun. Other hobbies include going to restaurants and smoking cigarettes with friends, reading, and playing chess.

“I started (instruments) when I was in the fifth grade,” said Schweigman, who also is an Oglala Sioux from Rapid City, who now has been attending classes at IAIA for two years, majoring in 2-D studio art. When asked what he would like to accomplish with the band, he said, broken strings and drum sticks, which expresses his love for music. Schweigman is also involved with the Doldrums Art Club and collects Polaroid cameras.

What Others Are Saying

“I thought the show was great. We should have at least two to three bands on campus. IAIA is an art school and we need things like that,” said Jon Davis, creative writing professor. Davis thought that Schweigman “really rocked out” and that White and Two Bulls had a great stage presentation. He said that White reminds him of Lou Reed, the lead singer of the 70’s pre-punk band that was associated with the Andy Warhol era.

Having a band is “a great idea,” said Sergio Rivera, a first-year student. “We should have more bands here on campus. It’s a great way to express feelings, and it keeps students out of trouble.” Rivera said that it would be nice to see a music studio on campus so others could be influenced to start up a band.

Currently Unofficial has a demo out, which was recorded in March, 2004, by West End Recorder (http://www.geocities.com/westendrecorder/) in Tuba City, Ariz. The song, “Lack of Interest,” was also recorded in 2004 by Letter Records (http://www.redletterrecords.org/) in Santa Fe.

 

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