By Carly Maitlen
Entertainment Editor

It seems like a new era for the Purdue Student Concert Committee. After being hit with a stream of constant criticism for not being able to produce headlining acts to come to Purdue, the Student Concert Committee has responded in a big way by managing to land two big-name bands: Third Eye Blind and the Smashing Pumpkins.

"I think that the survey that we did helped us get a better idea of what groups that would consider coming here would go over well," said Laura Clavio, adviser for the Student Concert Committee. "It helped us convince the bands that they would be popular here."

The committee's procedures haven't changed at all. "We have just been very fortunate this year to have some top bands choose this venue," she said.

The first concert is Third Eye Blind on March 25. For Third Eye Blind, 1,698 students, faculty and staff signed up for an advanced ticket purchasing time. For Smashing Pumpkins, 2,892 students, faculty and staff signed up. However, only half the tickets were given to Purdue.

"The band has given Purdue half the house to sell to them (students, faculty and staff) because we are their only college on this part of the tour and because we are the only place that they are playing in Indiana," said Clavio. "The band insisted that half the house be made available to the general public. Agreeing to that was the only way the Smashing Pumpkins agreed to come here."

Sue Stevens, publicist for Purdue convocations, said the tickets set aside for Purdue sold out on Thursday.

"Remember, the band had us divide the house in half - half to Purdue in advance, half to the general public on Saturday — to give everyone an equal opportunity to buy," said Clavio. "We sold 2,788 today and approximately 2,600 seats will go on sale via Ticket Master at 10 a.m. on Saturday."

There are still 2,255 tickets available for the Third Eye Blind concert. When the band was booked, no opening act was booked with it. Citizen King has recently been booked to fill the opening act spot.

The Smashing Pumpkins will not have an opening act.

"It is an 'evening with' performance, which means it (Smashing Pumpkins) will be the only headlining act," said Clavio.

With a band like the Smashing Pumpkins here, the Student Concert Committee expects to be able to make a little profit, something that happens very rarely in their business.

"Usually a high-profile show like this does allow us to make money," said Clavio. "We are always grateful to be in that situation because it strengthens our position to bring in other concerts and to try different kinds of programming."

Not only does a little extra money help the organization, it can also help pad its situation.

"The SCC tried to bring a comedy concert series this year, but the students did not support it. The rock concerts this year have helped us absorb the losses we took trying something new," said Clavio.