The Concert on the Commons series is featuring the upcoming band, Breaking Laces. Breaking Laces is a band that has been compared to Ben Fold’s Five, Fountains of Wayne, The Lemonheads and Weezer, but certainly has a unique sound of their own.

Campus activities program coordinator Krista Harrell organizes the Concert on the Commons events. “This year’s Concert on the Commons series is a little different. In the past, it has been the same people over and over again or bands that were never heard before they played at UNCW. Over the last year, I wanted to mix it up. Although it is important to have local bands, I also wanted to see regional bands and bands breaking nationally. For me, music opens doors. Exposing students to different artists and genres and offering an interaction with the band gets music out there and this is important. Breaking Laces is a must see – the music is solid and original. The show is going to be a good time,” said Harrell.

Making their way from New York City, Breaking Laces considers themselves to be “nothing if not geeks…who rock,” according to the bands website, www.breakinglaces.com. The three-member group consists of William Hartong on guitar and vocals, Rob Chojnacki on bass guitar and vocals, and Seth Masarsky on drums and percussion.

Breaking Laces is currently on the road playing shows in areas ranging from Kentucky, Ohio, Virginia, to New York. The main purpose of the road trip is to promote their latest twelve-track album, “Sohcahtoa,” which pertains to a trigonometry acronym. The first song on their album is entitled “God in Training” and is filled with truly unique lyrics: “I’ll have more friends than I can count/ It’s kind of dizzying/ No time for fornication/ but once I quit my paper route/ she’ll want my body.” This song has systematic changes from electric to acoustic guitar, keeping a steady beat throughout with the help of consecutive handclaps.

Throw in raw talent, a passion for music, and a great sense of humor, and Breaking Laces becomes a band that can be enjoyed by everyone. However, this is not the band’s first album. Their previous album, “Operation Income,” was released in 2003.

So come take a break on the way to class for some free live music and food at 11:30 a.m. on the commons on Oct. 14, 2004.