Bloc Party rocks Euclid house after Juice Jam gig

By: Dan Kaplan

Posted: 9/8/08

John DeNapoli couldn't believe it.

Bloc Party frontman Kele Okereke had taken a break between songs at Sunday's Juice Jam festival to ask the crowd where in Syracuse to party.

DeNapoli, a third year architecture student at Syracuse University, dismissed the question as mere rock star foolery. Even after getting past security and jokingly holding up an addressed sign to the band members, he and his roommates at 418 Euclid Ave. had their doubts.

"They came out, joking around, so we walked up to them like 'You guys want to have an American toga party? Let's do it!'" DeNapoli said. "Fingers crossed, you know, nobody believed me. We went out and started preparing, and then we're just sitting there doing nothing, we get a knock on the door, and it's Bloc Party."

The band members scattered throughout the house and mingled with party-goers. Despite the many photo requests from star-struck fans, Okereke and drummer Matt Tong said they were enjoying themselves.

"It's great to be in Syracuse," Okereke said. "The show was quite good, but the party's really awesome. The party's the best thing about it."

Most of the party took place in the house's first floor and attic. With music blaring and multiple drinking games set up, the band members were able to fit right in with the college crowd, said resident Neeraj Agrawal, a junior policy studies major.

"I've been thoroughly impressed by the way they just blend in, as if they're one of the guys," Agrawal said. "The accents are tough to get used to, but generally they just fit right in."

Caitlin McCarthy, a junior accounting major, said she had met the band members while playing drinking games at the party.

"Everyone was freaking out," she said. "But it was fun, I got to play flip cup with them. I talked to Kele and the drummer."

With guitarist Russell Lissack and bassist Gordon Moakes nowhere to be found, Okereke and Tong were the only constant band presences at the party. And even with the extra attention, Tong said the experience was thoroughly enjoyable.

"It's very professional," he said. "They've got a bar set up, and when I demanded a toga someone just went up and tore the sheets off their bed for me. I'm having the best time."

sdkaplan@syr.edu