From the depths of dorm rooms, apartment buildings and haunted houses, fans dressed as witches, goblins, vampires and other creatures to attend a musical Halloween celebration at Beer:30 on Saturday night. The Slack Theory, a band based in Emporia, and Carlos Pringle, graduate history student, performed.

“Carlos Pringle is very established as a musician,” said John McCracken, Emporia resident. “He has been playing for several years as a good vocalist and guitar player. His music has a bluesy riff to it.”

Members of The Slack Theory include PJ Stevenson, senior integrated studies major, on vocals and saxophone; Colin Jones, sophomore music major and bass guitarist; Riley Day, senior music major and guitarist; John Gilmore, an alumnus of ESU and drummer; and Wade Crump, Emporia resident and guitarist.

“The Slack Theory and Carlos Pringle are really good musicians – they are incredible,” said Jared Olson, co-owner of Beer:30. “They have a jazzy, funky, old school feel.”

Although the musicians put a lot of personal time and effort into their music, they said that their experience at Emporia State has helped them through their careers.

“A lot of the music classes that we took made it easier for us to learn the music that we play,” Stevenson said. “We learn music faster as a result of the education that we have.”

Stevenson said that Andrew Houchins, professor of music theory, composition and digital audio recording, provided a notable amount of guidance to the student performers.

“Anytime that the members of Slack Theory would struggle, he would find a way to make it relate to a way we look at music so we would understand,” Stevenson said.

Stevenson said The Slack Theory plays at Beer:30 about three times a year.

“We play on holidays (and) specific dates, such as when school starts up,” Stevenson said.

Stevenson said that Slack Theory performs pop, soul and some funk.

“The whole idea of Slack Theory is to get people back into dancing while listening to a band,” Stevenson said. “We do not play anything slow – it is an hour and a half of go, go, go.”

Both Pringle and members of the band expressed the impact music has had on their lives.

“Music is what I do,” Pringle said. “Music is what I will always be.”

Stevenson said that music is the most important form of expression.

“Music evokes emotion so it is a good release for what you are feeling and what you are thinking,” Stevenson said. “For people who play music, it is the best way to have a good time.”

Bright Giant will play on Nov.19 at Beer:30.

Simone Cosper