Rock University sets out to school Bluebird

Before school is officially back in session, the Chicago-based cover band Rock University will take the stage at The Bluebird Nightclub.

Rock University’s education will begin 10 p.m. Saturday. Admission is $5.
With covers ranging from Def Leppard to Alanis Morrissette, Rock University performs some of rock’s staples from the past 30 years to educate fans on the different ages in music.

Dave Kubiak, manager of the Bluebird, said he is confident the band will bring a large crowd of rock disciples.

“Freddy Stahmer (lead guitarist of Rock U) has played the Bluebird countless times with his previous band, Hairbanger’s Ball and always drew a nice crowd,” Kubiak said.

“We hosted Rock University back in August, which attracted students and Bloomington residents alike.”

The reason for such a well-rounded turnout is the familiarity of the songs Rock University performs, Kubiak said.

The band chooses to cover a wide variety of artists and songs.

Stahmer said these choices are simply because that is the type of music he and his
bandmates enjoy.

“I grew up listening to Van Halen,” Stahmer said. “That is what first made me pick up a guitar and peaked my interest in ’80s rock ’n’ roll.”

The concept of Rock University developed as a fun way to pay homage to some of the most influential rock songs of their time, Stahmer said.  

“The idea to make our band like a school was more tongue-and-cheek than anything else,” Stahmer said. “We are just a band that likes to jam and play good music that the fans can sing along to.”

According to Stahmer, the new year is only going to bring more opportunities for Rock University.

“We are looking to add more tour dates and traveling to our schedule,” Stahmer said. “Rock U as a whole is looking to expand and do more shows outside the Midwest.”

The band hopes to play in places such as Nashville, New Orleans and Las Vegas.
Even with aspirations of becoming one of the leading cover bands in the country, the members of Rock University haven’t lost sight of why they love to play other people’s songs.

“We always joke that we aren’t real rock stars,” Stahmer said. “We just love to play them on stage.”