Few recognize what type of inspiration can stem from American literature. On the other hand, if you are a De Anza College student, you may have heard a two person ensemble named The Great American Novelists. On June 3 lead singer Michael Conour and drummer Coree J. Hogan shook De Anza’s cafeteria quad showing what folk punk is all about.

Playing original pieces such as “Ellis Island,” “Drinking Solution” and a cover of Modest Mouse’s “Custom Concern,” the band of two De Anza students drew a crowd of over 50 students. “We want our energy of positivity to be transferred through our audience … ” Hogan said.

When asked how the band was formed, Hogan says, “We discussed lyrics over a bottle of Wild Turkey, killed the bottle and became a band afterwards.” The band draws its name from literature works of art such as “The Great Gatsby,” “On the Road” and “The Catcher in The Rye.” “We are both writers and it just made sense,” says Hogan.

With stage persona influences that can be traced back to David Lynch, John Cassavetes and Woody Allen, The Great American Novelists gave an interesting intermission between each song they performed. “All I saw was this guy with side burns talking about liquor and the devil, I think he even proposed,” said De Anza student Karen Evans.

When asked about how they view their fans, Hogan said, “We love them as well as everyone else … I’d rather see our fans on stage than us.”

The Great American Novelists stage performance demonstrated complex drum beats, original guitar riffs and vocal highs and lows. The Great American Novelist De Anza debut was a success. “Our music influences come from Modest Mouse, Bob Dylan, lates 60s and early 70s,” Hogan said.

“The music performance of the Great American Novelist is one of a kind, I definitely want to hear them more,” said Eva Alcantar, a political science major at De Anza.

“Next year we want to play as many shows as possible, collaborate with more musicians and release a full length album that comes with a zine,” says Hogan.

The band has an upcoming performance slated for a downtown venue..

Hogan says, “Our message is enjoy life. I’m overwhelmed with how much fun we are having because of playing … It’s better than drugs and better than sex.”

Michael Conour gives an energetic on stage performance singing originals and a Bob Dylan cover. (Victor Arredondo)