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The Lion's Roar

The Official Student News Media of Southeastern Louisiana University

The Lion's Roar

The Official Student News Media of Southeastern Louisiana University

The Lion's Roar

    ‘Waterline’ released to aid flood victims

    Esteemed faculty members by day, rock stars by night. Impaired Faculties is made up of members Randy Settoon, Dan McCarthy, Joe Burns, William Robison and Ralph Wood. According to Burns, all members sing lead on songs during live performances. The five-piece performs on their own schedule, usually for charitable causes.

    Esteemed faculty members by day, rock stars by night. Impaired Faculties is made up of members Randy Settoon, Dan McCarthy, Joe Burns, William Robison and Ralph Wood. According to Burns, all members sing lead on songs during live performances. The five-piece performs on their own schedule, usually for charitable causes.
    Courtesy of Joe Burns 

    Vocals, guitar sequences and lyrics: these are just a few of the things one can expect with “Impaired Faculties.”

    The band, composed entirely of professors at the university, recently released a new song titled “Waterline.” Currently, “Waterline” is available for purchase through the band’s website, and according to guitarist Joe Burns, it is now on iTunes and Google Play. 

    Burns emphasized the importance of fans purchasing the song.

    “It’s great that people are listening to the song, sharing it with friends on Facebook,” said Burns. “The band appreciates all of those things. But people have to buy the song. It’s important because all the proceeds are going right to flood victims.”

    According to Burns, making the song was a group decision. Because Settoon flooded and all other members were surrounded by floodwaters, the band felt a burning urge to do something when the disaster ended. 

    “I kept thinking to myself, ‘What can we do? What can we do that’s in our hands?,’” said Burns.

    “Waterline” describes the flood, how people felt during the flood and how they are coming together in the aftermath. Burns provided main vocals with Robison providing backup vocals and all members playing their instruments. According to Burns, the song was written in a few hours after inspiration struck. 

    “I was playing with my kids one night,” said Burns. “The word waterline suddenly popped into my mind. And it made sense since that’s what we always use to measure the effects of major water. So later that night, when I finished playing with my kids, I went ahead and put the song to music. I had already come up with most of the lyrics.”

    The band was formed in 2014 and “Waterline,” is only their latest release. Impaired Faculties consists of five members, each of whom is a professor here on campus. All of the members would see each other in a professional setting, but once they realized their musical knowledge and talent, the band was formed. 

    Burns shared how the five-piece officially started.

    “Dr. Robison is the one who really noticed all of us faculty members could play instruments,” said Burns. “So he put out a call for anyone who could play to come to Fayard and basically audition. By the time the auditions were over, it was the five of us.”

    The band is still made up of the five original members. Professor of Communication Joe Burns provides vocals and plays the guitar. Department Head of History Dr. Bill Robison also provides vocals and guitar. Ralph Wood, Assistant Dean of Nursing and Health Sciences, plays drums. Dan McCarthy, Dean of the College of Science and Technology, plays guitar and provides vocals. Randy Settoon, Professor of Business, plays bass and does vocals. They have produced multiple songs, all of which can be found on their album, “Lipstick and Whiskey.” The album is available on iTunes, Amazon and impairedfaculties.com. 

    “Waterline” can be purchased for $1. All money raised from the purchases will benefit flood victims.

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