Pink Floyd tribute band to swing by JMU

Blame It On the Train Productions brings The Machine to Harrisonburg

By Jess Novak, senior writer
Posted on December 3, 2007

Looking for a way to let loose one last time before finals week and not feel guilty about it? Blame It On the Train Productions has just the distraction.

Thursday night, The Machine, a popular Pink Floyd Tribute Band and Light Show,  will perform at Memorial Hall in a charity event benefiting Susan G. Komen for the Cure. The event was organized, planned and promoted by student representatives of Harrisonburg’s most recently founded concert production and promotion company, Blame It On the Train Productions (BIOTT).

“Everyone should come out,” said BIOTT representative Allie Shroeder. “They’ll get to see a great show for a great cause.”

The Machine has been commemorating Pink Floyd for 20 years, selling out theaters and clubs across North America, Central America, Europe and the Middle East, and has stopped by Harrisonburg twice before. The group mixes well-known classics with lesser-known tracks and professional lighting effects to create a total multi-sensory event.

Members of the The Machine, Todd Cohen, Joe Pascarell, Ryan Ball and Scott Chasolen released Two Nights at the Keswick, a DVD/CD combo in 2004 and Unplugged, an acoustic recording from their performance at B.B. King’s in New York City in 2006. Future plans include a European tour and new material to be released early in 2008.

“Pink Floyd has always been a favorite of mine and The Machine is the next best thing,” said BIOTT representative senior Whitney Woolwine. “The Machine is dead-on and the interstellar light show is amazing.”

The BIOTT team hopes people will come out and support the good cause, as well as enjoy the music.

“It’s a great way to have fun right before finals and donate to a great cause,” BIOTT representative Taylor Vaughn said.

Blame It On the Train Productions members have been hard at work for months raising funds to bring this major act back to Harrisonburg. Events have included on-and off-campus shows and events including a “Breast Stroke for Breast Cancer” swim-a-thon and the Future Fashion Show.

“The entire team has worked really hard these past few months to put on some great local shows in preparation for this major event,” BITT representative senior Renee Montmeny said. “I know that all the hard work will pay off in the end a great cause will be supported.”

Tickets are currently available for online purchase at blameitonthetrain.org or at the Warren Hall box office. The concert is scheduled for Thursday at Memorial Hall Auditorium. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. and tickets will also be available at the door.