Cape May Regional student stars in "homecoming" concert

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Cape May Regional student stars in "homecoming" concert

By ELAINE ROSE Staff Writer, 609-272-7215

Published: Friday, July 04, 2008

LOWER TOWNSHIP - A dozen years ago, students at Lower Cape May Regional High School knew Chris Jay as a member of Yclept, a band that performed on the school stage more than 100 times. Today's students know Jay as the frontman for the Army of Freshmen, a California-based band that has gained a nationwide following among lovers of independent rock music.

Army of Freshmen will give a free concert at the high school Saturday night, a benefit for the music department's scholarship program. The music is scheduled to start at 7 p.m. The date of the concert was listed incorrectly in Thursday's edition of At The Shore.

"It's neat to play in that auditorium... where I played my first concert with my high school band," Jay said in a phone interview from Virginia, where the band was playing a gig. "It's a real coming home, full-circle thing for me."

Both his parents were music teachers at Lower Cape May Regional, said Jay, a 1996 graduate of the school. His father recently retired, and his mother still works at the school.

Adding to the event, his father's all-teacher cover band, "Old School," will be one of the opening acts, Jay said.

"It will be the first time I ever shared the stage with my dad," Jay said.

Jay credited the Lower Cape May Regional music program for his success in the music business. He is more than happy to come back and play to a hometown crowd. Besides, it's a good chance to see his family and friends again.

After high-school graduation, Jay moved to Ventura, Calif., to play music. Army of Freshmen formed in Oct. 1997, and recently released its fourth album, "Above the Atmosphere"

The six-member band plays "very, very energetic" pop rock with some punk elements, Jay said. They plan to play a 75-minute set Saturday night.

Army of Freshmen plays all types of venues, from saloons to major outdoor festivals, Jay said. They are more popular in Europe and just returned from the Download festival in England, headlined by Kiss and the Offspring.

"You kind of go where the people are," he said.

Jay said he isn't bothered that his music is appreciated more abroad than it is at home.

"It keeps you humble at any rate," he said.

After the show, fans age 21 and older are invited for a post-concert party at the Ugly Mug in Cape May, Jay said.

E-mail Elaine Rose:

ERose@pressofac.com