With a lengthy list of LSU functions under its belt and the group including three alumni and two still enrolled, The Terms have definitively filled the role of “mascot band.” The relationship started when The Terms were a band on the bill for Union Late Night in August, 2005. An LSU committee group initiating a campaign to promote the school was impressed enough with the band’s performance that afterward they asked the group to write a rock song for the school. “There was no slogan yet,” said drummer Scott Lasseigne. “[We] had a musical arrangement we’d been messing around with. We put some words with it to submit for the demo. The people from the school saw that we all loved LSU. They liked the track and decided to use it.” The track, “Welcome to the Now,” is on the band’s debut album, “Small Town Computer Crash,” and is featured on the University’s Web site. Lasseigne said it was written specifically out of respect for the school and its students. “LSU has got so much pride and character,” he said “Of course we want to help in any way we can. It was an honor.” The only compensation the band received was in the form of contributions to production costs for the song. In return, The Terms’ video was shot on campus, the majority of which was filmed in the Union Theatre with the Tiger Band providing backup. “Those guys are what every musician strives to be,” said Lasseigne, who repeated that it was incredible to have the opportunity to learn a few drum tricks from Tiger Band drummers in between takes during the video shoot. “The song is about being aware of what your own life needs to become something in this world,” said Greg Ladonyi, the group’s producer and president of Maple Jam/Icon Records. He said that while he hopes the band will be able to explode onto the national scene, the deep connection they have made recently with their hometown will continue to influence them. Maple Jam Records is a Baton Rouge label and was initially created to sign The Terms. “Maple Jam will always be tied to Baton Rouge and will always have ties with LSU,” said Ladonyi. The Terms are currently touring on the east coast and will come back to Baton Rouge and play The Varsity on July 21. The show will be recorded by Ladonyi for StudioLive, a project which will result in an album including single tracks from selected local acts. The compilation is scheduled to be released at the end of 2006. “Studio Live is throwing a lot of great live bands together,” Lasseigne said. “6 Pack Deep is nothing like Elsah, but you bring those fans together and it allows people to branch out and produces a general respect.” StudioLive events will take place the last Tuesday of every month throughout 2006. The Terms will be accompanied on July 21 by fellow bands Spoonfed Tribe, Dash Rip Rock, and We Landed on the Moon.
_____Contact Kelley Crawford at [email protected]