Classic covers

Although they only play covers, that didn’t stop 40% Steve from being named Bloomington’s best band.

Senior and communications major Mallory Cameron said she first heard the band her freshman year at IU. She said she liked the band the first time she heard them, and her appreciation of what they do has only grown over the years.

“There is a kind of warm nostalgia that washes over me when I hear they are playing,” she said. “It’s like the feeling you get when you see an old friend, but musically.”
As a Bluebird employee, Cameron has had the opportunity to see 40% Steve more than most people – at least 15 times.

She said that although it is nearly impossible to choose a “best of” in a town with so much local talent, she agrees with voters’ decision.

“I respect that they can play song I love,” she said, “and for a while, I can imagine I am at a Bush concert before they stopped touring.”

While she said she is not surprised by the praise the band has garnered, Cameron said she feels there should be a new category added for next year. She said some people might not think 40% Steve is Bloomington’s best because they don’t write their own music, so she thinks there needs to be differentiation between “best local band” and “best cover band.”

Music business major Brian Binkley first heard the band play three years ago. Since then, he has seen 40% Steve over 30 times. He said he loves their music and they deserve the honor of Bloomington’s best.

Binkley is currently in Iraq with the Indiana Army National Guard, but he will be returning to IU next year to continue his studies. The Jasper, Ind. native said he looks forward to seeing 40% Steve play again.

“They are not only an amazing band, but they show respect to old fans and new just like they were friends for years,” he said. ‘That’s a great trait of any band.”

Dietetics major Molly Clark has seen the band play everywhere from fraternity functions and local bars to philanthropy functions, such as IU’s Dance Marathon and Big Man On Campus. She said she likes them for their willingness to play at charities, but also because their play list covers all kinds of music from different time periods. 40% Steve also does a great job interacting with the crowd and making sure everyone is having a good time.

While Clark has seen the band a lot already, she expects to continue seeing them for a long time.

“In my three years at IU, I’ve seen 40% Steve perform over 20 times and I expect that number to double by the end of my senior year.”