James Alex Snyder He talks about his music, his daughter and for the ‘The Hole Story’ first time, The indie film that won’t about being leave you out in the cold schizophrenic

Locked & loaded for misfire: A fall from superiority to shambles in seconds flat, guaranteed 2 BUZZ 11.15.07 daily.titan

JAMES ALEX A musician finds the SNYDER cure for his mental illness in his daughter THE HOLE STORY

IDIOT PILOT The Buzz Editor: The Daily Titan 714.278.3373 Jennifer Caddick The Buzz Editorial 714.278.5426 [email protected] Executive Editor: Editorial Fax 714.278.4473 Ian Hamilton LOCKED & LOADED The Buzz Advertising Director of 714.278.3373 [email protected] Advertising: Advertising Fax 714.278.2702 FOR MISFIRE The Buzz , a student publication, is a supplemental Stephanie Birditt insert for the Cal State Fullerton Daily Titan. It is printed every Thursday. The Daily Titan operates independently Assistant Director of of Associated Students, College of Communications, Advertising: CSUF administration and the CSU system. The Daily Titan Sarah Oak has functioned as a public forum since inception. Unless implied by the advertising party or otherwise stated, advertising in the Daily Titan is inserted by commercial Production: activities or ventures identified in the advertisements Jennifer Caddick themselves and not by the university. Such printing is not to be construed as written or implied sponsorship, Account Executives: endorsement or investigation of such commercial Juliet Roberts enterprises. Copyright ©2006 Daily Titan

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newport beach

Photos by Evan Corcoran A Mural at Newport Beach there are ample places to rent a bike of stairs to find a bar that stares at there early is recommended; the different and fun. By Evan Corcoran & Edward Peters for the day. Once you get your ride you like the bow of a ship. On the locals like to take advantage of this “We call them Newport Bar Daily Titan Staff Writers set up you are ready to cruise the starboard side of this plateau of beer deal. Nights,” said Josh Benson, a two- peninsula. and booze is a window overlooking “It’s a good scene at the Cantina, year bartender at Sharkeez. Stuck-up, spoiled snobs! This is As soon as you get to Newport the boardwalk and white sands of but the service is awful,” Johnson From country music night to a stigmatism that has fallen upon a Pier, you might be ready to take in the Pacific Coast. On the port side said. college student night, Sharkeez lot of Orange County residents ever the sun and a few drinks. A good you can overlook all of the pool and There is a lot more to do on the is always a hot spot in Newport. since the creation of reality shows place to start is Mutt Lynch’s. It dart games being played. peninsula than just hit the bars. Sometimes the happening place like “Laguna Beach” and “Newport offers a wide variety of food, from So, three bars later and you Since you have already made the trek is not what is on the order for the Harbor.” But tucked away at the pizza to tacos, and has a large haven’t even began to pedal down to the south part of the peninsula, night, sometimes it is a little more end of the Costa Mesa Freeway lies selection of beer. There are plenty the peninsula. Time to unlock the head over to the eastern side. It’s a laid-back and little less beach- Balboa Peninsula, a part of Newport of TVs to check out all the sports cruisers, saddle up and ride. For quick walk that won’t even require oriented. Beach that offers more than just action and a few pool tables as well. you lightweights, I recommend you to hop on your cruiser. Go on down to Pacific Coast hoity-toity yuppies a place to keep There is no get on your strapping on a helmet. There you will find a small, Highway and it will lead to your their yachts. bike just yet. Leave it chained up Head south, and on the way you outdoor amusement park consisting pot o’ gold. Beaches, bars and bike rides! with the rest of the bikes and walk can enjoy the scenery of the beach. of a Ferris wheel, merry-go-round The Shamrock Bar and Grill is an What else could you ask for? Forget the short block down to Blackie’s By And, hey, it is Newport, so feel free and multiple arcade rooms. Small awesome Irish bar with some Irish about the shopping in Fashion The Sea. to check out all the bronzed bodies eateries with walk-up windows serve attitude to go with it. Island, the Balboa Peninsula is a Blackie’s is a small bar frequented enjoying the sun as well. Ringing boardwalk classics such as cotton “It’s quite a good Irish place where you can get away for by youngsters and old-timers just the bell on the handlebars of your candy, hot dogs, frozen bananas and atmosphere. It’s totally authentic, the day and enjoy a relaxing time at the same. A great view of the beach shiny Schwinn is a good way to say slices of pizza. without a doubt,” said Christina the beach. along with wide-open windows hello. Boat rentals are available to Duggan, one of the proprietors of “Everything is in close proximity makes for a nice sunny day down Now that you have made the ride cruise the harbor and even parasail The Shamrock. ... and there is a lot to explore,” on the Peninsula. The place fills up to the south part of the peninsula, for those who want to get a bird’s So, whether you want to enjoy said Ashley Johnson, a three-year quick so, if you plan on spending it would be a good time to quench eye view of all the action happening the beach with a nice ride along the resident of Newport Beach. any time there, get your seat early. your thirst. Right off the boardwalk on the peninsula. Remember not to boardwalk, shake your ass at one of One of the major attractions in Right next door is a bar that puts is Cabo Cantina – a bar specializing wear yourself out. There is still the the many clubs or just enjoy a pint, the Peninsula is the boardwalk – you you right on top of the boardwalk. in happy hour. Every day from 4 bike ride back to where you started. Newport has something to offer. can ride along it on beach cruisers. Enter this white and red-trimmed p.m. to 8 p.m. Cabo Cantina offers Sharkeez is a good place to end, And remember to forget all the If you do not own one, no worries, bar and head up the small flight two-for-one drink specials. Getting with every night offering something stereotypes – It’s not TV-land.

Newport Harbor A day on the beach 4 BUZZ 11.15.07 daily.titan his diagnoses with the utmost care. When he joined Weston at 18, it was a fellow musician who brought the subject of his psychosis to light and proposed that Snyder seek help. Before that, it never really occurred James Alex Snyder uses his mental diagnosis as a creative means and his daughter as a cure to him that something was terribly wrong. By Nikki Donahue “It’s all very real to you when Daily Titan Staff Writer you’re inside it,” Snyder said. “For the first time I realized maybe I’m There’s this little empty space not just a sad kid.” between his top and bottom lashes He entrusts very few people that doesn’t completely marry when outside of his band and family he closes his eyes. His lids don’t shut with the secret of his dementia. all the way. It’s as if his eyes are too He understands what people are big for their sockets. The whites capable of when they get a hold of can still be seen bouncing back and private skeletons. This is the first forth between the outer corners and time he has ever agreed to discuss the tear ducts. his schizophrenia publicly. He’s battling something back It’s quite possible he’s allowing there. that undisclosed undercarriage be For a moment he leaves whatever put on display because of how he’s he was involved in, whether it was a grown to understand and appreciate conversation or some monotonous his mind. He’s doing his best to task, and retreats behind to where redefine sanity. When he was the cones and rods are translating labeled mentally ill, he diligently rays of light and the color spectrum. took medication but stopped. Then, just as quickly as he left, The drugs that doctors’ chicken- a single gasp for oxygen escapes scratch penmanship prescribed his lungs and he suddenly comes put him into such a sedated fog he back. Like pale window shades his no longer felt the ability to write eyelids snap open again. And by the music. He recognizes the delusions embarrassed, awkward and slightly he experiences as sources for artistic terrified look on his face, it’s evident originality. He walks the tragically that for a few seconds he was waging fine line that separates his head a war somewhere back there. between a constant gift and an These ticks, these lapses in time impending curse. It’s the reality of are a normality for him. everyday life that seems to yank at In 2001, after years of regressive the cuff of his pant legs and pull therapy and extensive clinical him to the more difficult prognosis. Photos by rachel borer screening, James Alex Snyder Creatively, he is enamored with it. James Alex Snyder was officially diagnosed with Personally, he hates it. schizophrenia at the age of 26. At the Functioning at a professional time he was the singer and guitarist level, paying rent, calculating for the popular East Coast band, bills, making lunch – existing in Weston. Now, Snyder is the front a relationship with another non- man for his new band, Cordova, fictional human being – that’s and is currently finishing its first the hard part. Snyder explains his full-length and getting ready personal life as having vast amounts to tour nationwide. of love for very brief periods of time. He was the typical case study. As He knows himself to be a daunting a child he experienced depression person to be smitten with. But what and bipolar tendencies. stands as a testament to adoration “They were tell-tale signs of that prevails all is his 3-year-old schizophrenia, but they’re also tell- daughter whom he is completely tale signs of a serial killer,” Snyder and utterly in love with. said joking. “It’s not until hindsight Her name has been left out at his that you recognize them as a request. warning.” When Snyder learned he was And, like many conducted going to be a father, he was terrified. studies have shown correlation to, He admits he didn’t think he Snyder grew up in a severely harsh should have children because of environment that nursed an already- the high genetic risk of passing on fragile mental state into something schizophrenia that doctors warn of. even more self-destructively His concern for her well-being is delicate. undeniable. Why mean-spirited kids target After noticing a few eccentric the soft-natured and gentle is cruel. characteristics, she was tested for Why it continues into adulthood autism. The tests came back showing is even more callous. But Snyder she scored above her educational has been blessed to be surrounded level. by band members who swallowed “You’re looking for something to daily.titan BUZZ 11.15.07 5 be wrong because of me, but maybe It is not until the closing of the it, she sings a song she learned in she just got my good looks, not my interview that the scope to which preschool. On one of the last notes bad mind,” Snyder said half-teasing. Snyder’s mind scares him is tangible she croons out, her tiny voice cracks “Her heart is more important to and heartbreaking. And it is all off pitch. That endearing imperfect me than her head anyway, and that centered around losing her. inflection has saved his life countless seems to be in perfectly in place.” Schizophrenia is a progressive times. He’s writing himself a new The other day she told him she disease. With age, it will almost prescription. His little girl is the wants a pink guitar with the Little inevitablely get worse. At 32 years only cure he knows now. Mermaid on it and that she already old, he already holds detailed “I’m trying to will myself not told Santa to get him a blue one conversations with people who to get worse. I know that seems with Spider Man. She is also already aren’t in the room, let alone even impossible, but I have to try for adamant about getting tattoos exist. He slips into these catatonic her,” Snyder said. like her dad. They are a nearly states that look both emotionally Maybe the theology that a species inseparable duo. and physically painful. He sees adapts to its environment in order to Unfortunately, Snyder’s visits nightmares when he is still wide persevere is true. It’s difficult not to with her have to be supervised due awake. He worries about being 50. imagine that the slight gap between to the possible side effects that could Hell, he worries about being 40. his lashes is there for a reason. It’s ensue when he experiences a mental Not because of how society will possible that his eyes were purposely break. The frustration is palpable treat him or because he might not built too large for his orbital bones when he expresses how badly he be able to take care of himself. He is to encase. Because, when there is wants to take her to a museum, just terrified his daughter won’t want to such a haunting darkness waiting the two of them. But that just can’t come visit him. for the lids to shut, one needs a way happen, he said. “She’s everything to me; to escape. One needs a little light to Regardless, he seems like an everything else can or will go away fight back. incredible father. ... except her,” he said. “If that sours Snyder committed himself into a “She offers up voluntary ‘I love on me, I can’t fathom what I’ll do.” hospital last month. He was released you’s’ so I must be doing something In his car he keeps a recording he a few weeks later. His band will tour right.” made while he gave her a bath. In in Los Angeles come February. 6 BUZZ 11.15.07 daily.titan A director that’s telling ‘The Hole Story’

laugh a little more because of that,” Alexander said. Play Like his character, Karpovsky had a brief stint editing karaoke videos. something “I had a lot of unfulfilling and this week’s concerts sometimes embarassing jobs before,” new 11.15 he said. Released 11.20 The Wiltern- Erykah Badu Karpovsky has also dabbled in Chain Reaction- Daphne Loves stand-up comedy, acting, catering Artist: Sebastian Derby and commercial video game Bach El Rey- Thursday voiceover. He now plans to make Album: 11.16 a career of filmmaking, which can Angel Down The Wiltern- Tiger Army be a challenge, as his character finds Chain Reaction- Knights of the out. Abyss When it becomes clear 11.17 Karpovsky’s character won’t make Artist: Freeway The Wiltern- Tiger Army his breakthrough film debut unless Album: Chain Reaction- Big D and the he can break through the ice of a Free at Last Photo courtesy of newenglandfilm.com Kids Table Minnesota lake, he slowly loses his Alex Karpovsky in “The Hole Story.” Glass House- Teddy Geiger sanity, spending a short period in a Troubadour- The Warlocks By Sarah Mosqueda the Directors Choice Award at the mental health facility. Karpovsky’s Artist: 11.18 Daily Titan Staff Writer Northampton Independent Film character unravels the mystery of the Mike Jones The Wiltern- Hellogoodbye & Festival and the Grand Jury Prize hole with the help of fellow patients Album: Say Anything Art imitates life and Alex for Best Narrative Feature at the – all of whom played by people The Karpovsky’s film, “The Hole Story,” D.C. Independent Film Festival, Karpovsky befriended during his American Chain Reaction- Final Flight Dream 11.19 is a masterful imitation of his own among others. own stay in a mental health facility. The Wiltern- Hellogoodbye & life in some ways. “The Hole Story” “Alex had been to many festivals Karpovsky’s character is depicts a filmmaker shooting an and had won enough awards to pathetically earnest, full of hilariously Artist: Say Anything MGR episode of the fictional “Provincial take up a whole page listing them,” raw self-consciousness. But the Chain Reaction- Unite and Album: Conquer Puzzlers” in Brainerd, Minn., said Bob Alexander, president of character isn’t weak, as his unabashed Wavering on 11.20 where an unexplained hole in an IndiePix. anger demonstrates after a few too the Cresting Heft The Wiltern- Silverchair otherwise frozen lake has brought “One of his special honors many of the town’s signature drink, Glass House- Senses Fail the small town national media was being named by Filmmaker the black hole martini. His sanity Artist: Troubadour- Isis attention. However, when he arrives Magazine as one of the top 25 new cracks as delicately as the frozen to document the phenomenon, filmmakers of the year.” lake because he needs the hole to fill Nine Inch 11.21 Nails the hole has frozen over, leaving While Karpovsky has never another. A big something rides on The Wiltern- Travis Album: Karpovsky’s character quite literally, comically attempted to continue a a big nothing. Karpovsky’s character Chain Reaction- Secret Lives Y34RZ3R0 out in the cold. project, sans subject, he can relate needs to make the film to prove R3MIX3D of the Free Masons The film, featured in over 20 to the aspiring filmmaker’s plight. his worth not only as a filmmaker, Glass House- New Found film festivals, is a fictional account “The character is largely but as human being. Although Glory Artist: of a real mystery and was awarded autobiographical,” Karpovsky Karpovsky’s character ultimately Nicole said. “I share a lot of his fears and gets what he wants, it’s unclear Scherzinger neuroses. And the same dreams whether or not his metaphorical Album: too.” hole has been filled. Her Name is Nicole Karpovsky’s dream for “The ‘We had an alternative ending that Hole Story” is for audiences to was more upbeat,” Karpovsky said. acknowledge their own holes. “But I felt the message was being Artist: “It’s the notion of that void. We compromised. I felt the ending we Seal all have holes,” Karpovsky said. went with is the most honest way to Album: “And I hope people find some parts tell the tale.” System funny,” he added lightheartedly. “The Hole Story” is available “Alex has an exciting career at Netflix, Hollywood Video, ahead of him as a filmmaker and Blockbuster Video, or can be story teller, and we’re all going to downloaded at www.indiepix.net Artist: Shaggy Album: Intoxication

Artist: Six Organs of Admittance Album: Shelter From Ash

Artist: Amy Winehouse Album: Frank daily.titan BUZZ 11.15.07 7 : transforming

Photos by jennifer church By Evan Corcoran Daily Titan Staff Writer Daily Titan Staff Writer

Bringing back the original alternative genre flare, Idiot Pilot’s new album Wolves sets the tone for what’s up-and-coming in the alternative rock world. The band consists of Daniel Anderson and Michael Harris from Bellingham, Wash. The two have been friends since elementary school and began writing music together at the age of 12. Idiot Pilot’s sound is based in alternative rock but also uses ambient and electronic elements to give it a distinct feel and sound. Anderson Marlena Coelho-Sousae, and Harris also brought some of Musical Theater their post-hardcore influences to “I like individuality. I go for their music as well. Photo courtesy of laidbackness.com classy – no short-shorts, no Teamed up with Daniel Anderson and Michael Harris bare midriffs. I’m kind of old- of At The Drive-In and as fashioned with a twist.” producer and co-produced by Mark effects that are very pop-inspired. going too heavy. Idiot Pilot fits well Reprise Records and it is available Hoppus bassist for +44 and Blink- Other songs sound like they have in the alternative genre but also through online retailers. The CD 182, Idiot Pilot was able to stretch tapped into the aggressiveness of offers something a little different. will be available in stores Jan.22, its musical style to new limits. Rage Against The Machine, without Idiot Pilot released Wolves on 2008. “I definitely feel like Wolves is a huge progression for us. Music is ,” Harris said. Idiot Pilot’s first album, Strange We Should Meet , was recorded on pirated software when Anderson and Harris were still in their teens, Wolves, takes a different approach to the recording process. Hoppus and Robinson were not the only outside sources that helped Idiot Pilot with its vision for Wolves. of Blink-182 and the Kacy Wada Transplants joined them in the Art History studio to record a live drum track “I’m somewhat eclectic, and from the Dillinger probably vintage. I like the Escape Plan recorded the rest of the flower child, hippie era. drum tracks for Idiot Pilot. They’re into colorful things, “It was a very different vibe different fabrics.” than just getting a hired drummer; he was very much part of the process,” Anderson said of Pennie’s involvement. Being just a duo, Idiot Plan switched things up in order to play live shows. The live set-up on stage has Harris playing guitar and a live drummer as well. Idiot Pilot has received some noticeable attention overseas and was also on the “Transformers” soundtrack with its song, “Retina and The Sky.” This song can be viewed on You Tube’s Warner Bros. Records channel. Shawn Walker Vocally Idiot Pilot sounds Marketing “My style is sexy-rock. It’s like if Lenny like Incubus’ Brandon Boyd but Kravitz weren’t shopping in New unexpectedly changes gears and York and ran across a bum who stole launches into a hardcore version his jacket. If I took off my hat, then I would look like a pirate with just of alternative, electronic rock. this bandana on. If I took my jacket, Instrumentally, Idiot Pilot has a I would look funny because you’d see lot going on. It has upbeat songs where my gloves cut off.” riddled with all sorts of electronic 8 BUZZ 11.15.07 daily.titan This narrative of giving life and were fortunate. We promised the emotion to inanimate objects isn’t my highest quality of life in exchange entrance into the world of children’s for a little assimilation. books, although I’m sure Pixar could However, with every war that we find some celebrity to play a piece of start, we further disconnect from Waterford crystal constantly being the rest of the world. We don’t speak tested by a turbulent trinket class, what “dim Iraqis talk,” and sure but instead it better serves as my don’t see why they wouldn’t want a view of America. Democracy and identical strip malls By Thomas liam madden There we were, the new world. at every Baghdad corner. We don’t For the Daily Titan God-approved and supposedly see why Wal-Mart can’t sell Chinese- Recall your childhood for a granted. Free of those sinning made burkas at everyday low-prices moment. European’s and most importantly, or why they wouldn’t enjoy a juicy Remember in that one lonely Catholics. No need to conquer McKebba Burger. room that you couldn’t enter or obtain anything from anyone, But while we are busy trying to without removing your shoes and because what can others possibly convince others that our way of stripping away any possible stain own that would matter to the self- living is the greatest, we suffer here. causing fabric? named superiors? Kids gnaw and slobber on lead- Remember how there was always This was (and to a lesser extent based Barbies, our economy packs an expensive bauble or trinket still is) our worldview. The Puritans up for India and the social divide spotlighted and placed upon some came here to establish a “City upon grows. Why wouldn’t they want to Photo illustration by tom madden high-rise wooden dresser, as if it a hill,” so that the rest of the world be like us? We, however, struggle with the of war fail, and your product is an was the beacon of light and beauty can follow and learn from our While in Germany (Google “the “now” and maintaining our elitist unpatriotic generation with a strong in the room, leaving the rest of the morals. We were better from the Fuhrer” to see the coming paradox) position. Of course the poor suffer distaste for its own government, let bland less-important china to sulk start and even if someone asked for this past winter, my cousin and I the most, but in general the youth alone authority in general. and collect more dust? our help we couldn’t assist. were confronted by a thin man, misses out on proper education, Better catch the falling knickknack Remember how if you ever Even Thomas Jefferson believed noticeably beaten from a day spent industries not related to the benefits and place it back on the shelf. brought any object that could be we shouldn’t have any alliances in transit and freezing temperatures. thrown, flung, kicked or hurled or be involved with the outside After assisting him in lighting his into that room it somehow always world. John Quincy Adams said splintered cigarette, he asked us seemed magnetically destined to that America “does not go abroad where we were from. Our response make contact with that pricey in search of monsters to destroy,” prompted the German to ironically bauble, causing it to wobble and and believed we were of such fine answer us back with, “Ah, America lean in slow motion before crashing quality that even communicating the war country.” to the floor with unnerving results? with outsiders tainted our honor. As we try to widen our borders, While you may have been left And even with all these claims, from Vietnam to Iraq, we self- disturbed by your carelessness, I it isn’t the arrogance or bloated afflict. Countries not in the race for bet the rest of the ignored china ego that scares me. Trust me, every global supremacy spend much more and disregarded knickknacks felt culture believes they are supreme, time in other fields of development, indebted and thankful that day, but what makes us different is we which benefit their citizens at home for they soon would receive more spent so much time creating this – not in some distant land most attention and care. sparkling image of ourselves. We couldn’t spot on a map.