Guster will be returning to Brandeis for the first time in 9 years for this year's fall concert. The band formed at Tufts University in 1991, when guitarists and vocalists Adam Gardner and Ryan Miller and percussionist Brian Rosenworcel met during their freshman orientation. Since that fateful day, the highly talented band has become an important and popular group in the alternative and indie rock world, performing extensively across the country and around the world. Guster has released six studio albums to date. The band remained relatively underground after the release of their first two full-length albums, Parachute (1991) and Goldfly (1997).

Guster achieved mainstream success with the release of their third album, Lost and Gone Forever (1999), which included the popular singles "Barrel of a Gun" and "Fa Fa." Since then, they have continued to grow in popularity. Their most recent album, Easy Wonderful, was released in 2010 to positive reviews, receiving four out of five stars from Allmusic reviewers, peaking at No. 22 on the Billboard 200 and reaching No. 2 on Billboard's Alternative Albums chart.

Guster has a large and varied fan base, making them an excellent choice for Brandeis' fall concert. Their sound usually stays within most alternative, indie pop and rock tendencies but uses a wide range of instrumentation, including violin, banjo, ukulele and trumpet, in addition to guitar, keyboards, bass and drums.

Along with their impressive instrumental skills, the band's vocal talent is a force to be reckoned with. Gardner was a member of the popular all-male a cappella group, the Tufts Beelzebubs, which was recently featured on the television shows The Sing-Off and Glee. Guster's live performances are renowned for their high level of musicianship, as well as for their unique and subtle humor.

Rosenworcel adds to Guster's distinctive sound by playing his drum set with only his hands during some live performances. The band's tight vocal harmonies and unique percussion sounds have become two of its trademarks. The band members also rotate instruments, both in the studio and during live performances, highlighting the musicians' multi-instrumentalist abilities.

With regard to its live shows, the band is perhaps most famous for its quirky live traditions. These traditions include "Airport Song," after which audience members sometimes throw ping-pong balls at the stage as a reference or homage to the studio recording, in which listeners can hear a table tennis game going on in the background.

Guster is well known for maintaining a close relationship with its fans, often meeting and chatting with fans and signing autographs after shows. The band's humility and personable nature allow its members to connect with their fans in a way that not many other bands can.

Many Brandeis students have been longtime devoted fans of the band. Adam Lapetina '12 said of the band, "I've seen them twice, and they always put on a very good show, always with a few surprises. They have a very good sense of humor toward their music and their stage presence."

The concert promises to be a great one, from the band's remarkable vocal talent and musicianship to their unusual, yet fun, live concerts.

Guster will perform on Sept. 24 in Shapiro Gym in the Gosman Sports and Convocation Center. Tickets for the concert will be available at the Shapiro Campus Center box office.

Be sure to pick up your tickets early for this concert! It's not going to be one to miss.