Casper and the Cookies

(Power pop/experimental/rock)

Where: Maintenance Shop, MU

When: 9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 2

Cost: $6 students, $8 public (tickets increase $1 day of show)

Hear them at: www.myspace.com/casperthecookies

Members: Jason NeSmith – vocals/guitar/keyboard, Kay Stanton – vocals/bass/keyboard, Jim Hicks – vocals/guitar/keyboard/bass, Joe Rowe – drums/keyboard

Casper and the Cookies, from Athens, Ga., have been together since 1999. Having completed tours across the U.S., Canada and Japan, the band’s Web site describes its style as “a matter of science meeting the absurd with a little OCD thrown in.”

Their story: The Cookies are constantly finding new things to add to its music. Its new album has a European style to show its Catholic beliefs. Its two albums, “The Optimist’s Club” (2006) and “Oh!” (2004) are available in the U.S. and in Japan.

What is the best part of being in a band? “Every night we try to find a new way to interact with the crowd. Sometimes one of us gets bruised,” NeSmith said.

To show its fan dedication, the band held a contest to let a fan name one of its songs. This song is now known as “Barking in the Garden of Ill Repute.”

– Robin Lehner,

Daily Correspondent