Dan Sherman
Feature Editor

The lights dim and the crowd is teeming with anticipation. In the darkness a lone guitar begins to strum some chords, followed soon after by the beat of a drum. Then, with an explosion of sound, the song takes off into full swing.

This is just an example of what listeners might hear at an Against Better Judgment concert.

Against Better Judgment, or ABJ, is a two-man band consisting of Travis Hersleff and Drew Humphrey. Humphrey, a sophomore NIACC student, provides the percussion beats for the dynamic duo from Forest City.

Humphrey began drumming at the tender age of four when he first discovered his dad's old trap set.

"I found that set and began playing a few beats. Next thing you know, I'm hooked," Humphrey said.

Playing nearly every day throughout school, Humphrey met up with guitarist Travis Hersleff. They began playing in garages and eventually decided to form a band.

"We listed off a bunch of names to our friends, and they ultimately decided on Against Better Judgment," Humphrey said.

The two developed a persona. "We were happy with it and it kind of fits our style of music," Humphrey said.

While that may be the case, their style of music is anything but easy to define.

ABJ's music had been compared to such names as Fall Out Boy and Unearth Metal, but even then defining the genre is tough.

"I hate to put a label on our music, but if I had to, I would say it's punk rock or punk pop," Humphrey said.

In the short amount of time that Humphrey has been in ABJ, he has already been able to put out two albums, and has another on the way.

While Humphrey currently has no plans to make music his career, he said he does enjoy the feeling of letting out his emotions through the trap set. These emotions often lead to very unique drumbeats.

Blake Henely, a NIACC student and ABJ fan, appreciates the personal style of music.

"I like how Travis and Drew have created their own sound, and how Drew comes up with rhythms you don't always expect," Henely said.

Always striving to be the best, Humphrey works on developing as many styles of play as possible. He hopes to continue playing long into the future, either for a career or just for fun.

"I've been playing since I was four, and I don't plan on stopping anytime soon," Humphrey said.

Perhaps one day this attitude will lead to large venues where the lights can dim, and Humphrey can entertain thousands with his unique beats and aggressive style.

Alyssa Muller
For the Logos

Sophomore Danielle Hill is an all-around athlete and one busy person who is often running from one activity to the other.

This fall, Hill is participating in cheerleading and the dance team, two activities she said she really enjoys.

Hill said she took dance lessons on and off throughout high school, and although she is one of the few cheerleaders on the squad who was not a cheerleader in high school, her teammates are glad she went out.

"Danielle is really athletic," Katy Nickerson, a sophomore at NIACC, said. "She's a good base and she always keeps people's spirits up. She's just a fun person to be around."

Hill joined the NIACC cheerleading squad last year, and has participated ever since. She cheers for both football and basketball.

"Since I didn't have any experience," Hill said. "I was kind of behind, but it was a lot of fun to learn all the moves and stunts. I was a dancer, so that helped, but cheerleading is a lot different."

But what Hill is especially looking forward to is next spring, when she will get to run track once again.

Hill, a four-year state track meet qualifier in high school at Mason City High School, runs hurdles, 100 and 200-meter races and competes in the long jump.

NIACC didn't have a track program last year, and Hill said that she missed running and is really excited to get back on a track this year.

"I think it's going to be great because it's my first year on a new team," Hill said. "It's always fun to meet and work with new people. Since there wasn't a program last year, we're all on the same page. We're all starting from scratch, but I definitely think we'll have a great season."

Hill will just keep running for now as she moves from one activity to the other.