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THELOQUITUR.COM
‘The News’ on pop-punk’s return By Brianna Mack Assistant Perspectives Editor
Paramore’s sixth studio album “This Is Why” debuted at number one on Billboard’s Top Rock Chart on Feb. 22, setting a promising precedent for Fall Out Boy’s eighth studio album release on Mar. 24. It’s been six years since either alternative band released music.
“It’s definitely great they’re still preaching the message,” Spang said about Paramore. Spang admires Paramore’s ability to inspire global introspection and connection in their recent song, “The News.” Hayley Williams sings “every second, our collective heart breaks/all together, every single head shakes/Shut your eyes, but it won’t go away/(Turn on, turn off, the news).”
“I’ve been listening to [alternative music] since about elementary school, middle school-ish because I grew up listening to old-school rock and just rock ‘n’ roll in general,” sophomore writing and narrative arts major, Victoria Rybakowski said. Despite the genre’s unique sound, she connects to punk lyrics the most.
Fall Out Boy bassist Joe Trohman stated on social media that he won’t immediately return to the spotlight due to “deteriorating” mental health. My Chemical Romance’s lead singer Gerard Way said on “My Turning Point” that “mental health reasons” were why he strayed from music. He expressed on the podcast how the time away increased his gratitude for the band.
“[Paramore] was the first one that I was introduced to. I thought that it was really cool that a woman was the lead singer when, at the time, not many women were lead singers for bands, especially heavy metal rock bands,” Spang said. Paramore’s success quickly made lead singer Hayley Williams the face of 2000s female-led rock bands. “I gravitated more towards My Chemical Romance,” freshman writing major, Ruben Bonilla said. “I don’t really consider myself, like, ‘emo,’ but I did like the songs that they made.” He identifies “overcoming” sadness and adversity as relatable themes in their music. Paramore, Fall Out Boy, and My Chemical Romance experienced major success in summer 2005 after Vans Warped Tour, the annual traveling rock festival. Fall Out Boy announced their official hiatus in 2009 citing burnout from overwork. They returned in Feb. 2013 right before My Chemical Romance split that March due to feeling obsolete and disconnected from each other. “The fact that they’re coming back is really cool, especially since when Warped Tour went down all of the emo bands just died out,” senior graphic design major, Misty Spang said. Paramore announced their hiatus one month after the summer festival ended its 25-year run, officially bookending the steady decline of pop-punk.
“They’re both great bands and they still spread the message that I was saying earlier that Paramore is still preaching as well,” Spang said. Photo by Wikimedia/Creative Commons
Prioritizing mental health “I wish they didn’t get as much hate as they did,” Rybakowski said. As punk faded from popular music, stigma around the culture returned. “Emo was not very mainstream at the time. Like, if you were caught listening to it, they would say you’re weird or stuff,” Bonilla said about listening to alternative music in middle school. “I joined a new school and I was kinda like the fresh meat,” Rybakowski said. “It helped me feel like everything will be okay.” Each band’s return is marked by mental health advocacy, though their fans already understood that stance based on punk’s unfiltered lyrics, such as, “a life that’s so demanding/I get so weak/a love that’s so demanding/I can’t speak,” from My Chemical Romance’s “Famous Last Words.”
Entering their comeback era “I feel like when they come back, they might have their sound reinvented in a way to meet the audience of today,” Bonilla said about My Chemical Romance. Their first single in six years, “The Foundations of Decay” echoes their notable sound and invites new fans to settle into the angst. “Maybe it will be well-received, maybe it won’t. Maybe they’ll think it was better back then,” Bonilla said. The success of Paramore’s Feb. 10 release suggests that popular music wants punk to return. Fall Out Boy’s eighth album “So Much (for) Stardust” releases later this month. “I think they’re still relevant. I don’t think they were ever not relevant,” Rybakowski said. “Only time will tell,” Bonilla said.
Campus Ministry creates a home away from home By Hannah Poggi Lifestyles Editor Campus Ministry at Cabrini welcomes its newest addition, Director Antoinette Reaves. Reaves was named director of Campus Ministry on Feb. 10, 2023.
longed to find work in a similar area. Some of her previous positions, include being a principal, assistant principal, and teacher in many schools located in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.
Reaves has worked with Campus Ministry for only a short time. However, she is ready to immerse herself in the Cabrini community and connect with students and others on campus to keep a positive light and spread love.
“Before Cabrini, I worked with outreach and youth ministry. And I worked previously in a university setting years ago and I wanted to get back into the university setting. I came to visit Cabrini last fall and I walked on campus and it felt like home to me. I imagined being here and what it would be like,” Reaves said.
Reaves’ experience so far “So far, it’s been going great. I’ve been meeting a lot of people. I’ve been doing a listening tour and listening to the needs and wants of the staff, faculty, and the students here at Cabrini,” Reaves said. Coming from a religious past and close work with students, Reaves
Reaves is already collaborating with other campus departments and diving into the different elements of Campus Ministry. “I am working alongside the Wolfington Center, DEI, and everybody on campus, because that’s what ministry is,” Reaves said. “I’m already starting to work on the multicultural interfaith prayer services. I know that we have someone who does that, but I want to bring song on campus, with regards to starting a choir,” Reaves said. Faith beyond measure Even though Cabrini is a private Roman Catholic university, all students and faculty come from different faiths, and they are all celebrated. Kerrie Habicht, junior early education and special education major, dedicates her free time to Campus Ministry. “I cantor every other Sunday at 7 p.m. mass. I also have done Cabrini Day, Christmas at Cabrini, and Commencement Mass,” Habicht said. Habicht believes Campus Ministry is unique. “It is important that students of faith be involved in campus ministry because it is a great opportunity to connect with others who share your faith and meet people of different faiths,” Habicht said. “Campus ministry at Cabrini is special because there are a variety of faiths across campus, and it provides every individual an opportunity to explore their own faith and others,” Habicht said. Looking into the future Reaves wants to make Cabrini feel like “home,” and seeks ways to further deepen students’ experiences, despite the ongoing institutional changes.
Photo by Cabrini University via flickr.
“I’m trying to figure out how to weave the thread of home, healing, and hope for Cabrini. Because I understand we are going through some transitioning. And so, how can we really speak to the core values that are here?” Reaves said.
Photo by Cabrini University via flickr.
“I am looking for a place where everyone feels welcomed, loved, that they are at home. I want them to know that it really does exist. I want them to be freely expressed and unleashed with all the possibilities that they can have for their life,” Reaves said. Reaves also acknowledges the on- and off-campus difficulties of the pandemic period. “Coming out of COVID and everything, I really want everyone to say ‘Ok, we are here, we’re on campus.’ I want to see everybody out of their dorm rooms, not hiding in small spaces, but out in the open being their true self,” Reaves said. As time goes on, Reaves’ journey at Cabrini and with Campus Ministry will continue to blossom and be a space where she will provide individuals with joy. “Prayer is in the action. Prayer is in the doing. And when you are doing, you are living your life like Christ,” Reaves said.