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SON OF A REFUGEE Patriarch spits political hip-hop under the knife Closed Heart Surgery gives rap an emo face-lift what’s the buzz reviews of the latest in film, music and stage 2 BUZZ 03.15.07 daily.titan

RAP IN OPERATION pg.4 Rap duo Emcee Rocomm and Emcee Ross G take an emo spin to the hip-hop world with their band Closed Heart Surgery.

ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR DEMOCRATIC CONVENTIONS pg. 5 Jickie Torres Arab-American rapper Patriarch dithches the pretense and goes straight for the political jugular. EXECUTIVE EDITOR Adam Levy

DIRECTOR OF ADVERTISING SENSE AND SEXABILITIES pg.4 Emily Alford Maggie Hauser dishes sex, love and life with her weekly ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF ADVERTISING column. Beth Stirnaman

PRODUCTION Jickie Tores WHAT’S THE BUZZ? pg.7 Find out who’s hot and who’s not, this time with stage and ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES show reviews. Sarah Oak, Ailin Buigues

The Daily Titan 714.278.3373 The Buzz Editorial 714.278.5426 [email protected] Editorial Fax 714.278.4473 MORE ONLINE! The Buzz Advertising 714.278.3373 [email protected] Check out the The Buzz online at dailytitan.com for Web Advertising Fax 714.278.2702 The Buzz , a student publication, is a supplemental insert for the Cal State Fullerton Daily Titan. It is printed every Thursday. exclusive articles with Shawn Wayans and a review of the The Daily Titan operates independently of Associated Students, College of Communications, CSUF administration and the band Razorlight. CSU system. The Daily Titan 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 activities or ventures identified in the advertisements themselves and not by the university. Such printing is not to be construed as written or implied sponsorship, endorsement or investigation of such commercial enterprises. Copyright ©2006 Daily Titan COVER SHOT: As the son of palestinean reugees, Patriarch wears his colors proud. daily.titan BUZZ 03.15.07 3 INTERSECTION: MAIN ST BUZZ GARDEN GROVE Calendar by misa nyugen buildings that date& back 60, 70 even Daily Titan Staff Writer 100 years, line downtown. Pass [email protected] the local pawnshop, barber shop, Revolutionary Rhetoric pet grooming, bank and dental Today 7:3op The smell of fresh kettle The office, to find the best place fora The Museum of Latin smell of fresh kettle corn and roasted sandwich. Zlakets Food Market American Art presents Di-

MAIN ST. peanuts fill the air every Sunday hides their deli in the far back alogues with Che Guevara, morning at the Historic Main Street corner of their store. A couple steps a multimedia presentation Farmer’s Market. Just west of Euclid down, Azteca Mexican Restaurant, organized in conjunction Street. and north of Garden Grove with an Elvis Presley themed decor, with the museums Sin Boulevard, the spot is a hidden gem serves traditional family recipes Repturas exhibition about unknown to outsiders, but treasured with favorites like shredded chicken Cuban culture in America by Garden Grove locals. enchiladas and beef tacos. And Take the family out for a walking when night falls, the restaurant Popular Opinion tour and enjoy the generous offerings opens Crooners Lounge for those in Friday 8:oop of a wholesome small town. Within need of a good margarita. Relentless Theater Compa- this three-block radius, the farmer’s Although these blocks offer ny with the help of South N market fills a morning with fresh variety in food selection, they also Coast Repertory presents produce, clowns, jazzy musicians provide visitors with places to shop Jigsaw Nation a play of over- and international cuisines. and sites to see. The Viet Art Center, lapping monologues culled GARDEN GROVE BLVD Vendors provide visitors with an displays Vietnamese watercolor from “man-on-the-street” international flavor palette with paintings and offers custom type interviews conducted tamales, Hawaiian barbeque and framing, art classes and there’s even throughout the nation ask- American pork ribs or chicken with a gift shop. With so many things to ing citizens: “What does potatoes and baked beans. see, eat and buy, it is no wonder that America mean to you?” Any time between Monday and the local community is proud to call Saturday, the real personality of this street of Garden Grove a piece the street gets noticed. Commercial of their history. Merry Eire Saturday 8:ooa Best Place to Eat: Best Movie Theatre: The Merry Wives of Wind- Zlakets Food Market Gem Theatre sor and the Poxy Boggards This hidden deli offers the best cold cuts and a sandwich of the month. Try Gem Theater, located north of all the stores, is definitely a gem in the come to the Galaxy Theater March’s special: corned beef on rye. Quench your thirst by creating your rough. This remodeled movie house provides an upstairs cafe for visitors to in Santa Ana to perform con- own six pack of glass bottled sodas. Henry Weinland’s Vanilla Cream is a discuss show critiques while sipping hot coffee. temporary interpretations familiar favorite for many. of classic Irish folk tunes. Best Sunday stroll: Prison Stories Best Antique Store: The Farmer’s Market Saturday 8:oop Gary’s Woodcrafts Country Store The Farmer’s Market offers delicious treats for hungry visitors, balloon Tim’s Robbins stage adapta- Gary’s Woodcrafts Country Store gives visitors an eclectic environment to animals for children, soulful beats for music lovers and fresh flowers tion of Sister Helen Prejan’s shop for household goods and furnishings. Gary’s Woodcrafts Country Store and produce for all. Bask in the sun’s warmth as you pick out your own book Dead Man Walking sells hand-carved wooden crafts, antique signs and hand-stitched table linen. bouquet. makes it to the CSUF stage and runs through April 14. Robbins was approached by the author to write the Serious rantings and pop culture complaints of the best (and play version in 2002. He decided to offer the pro- Today- worst) of the week’s events that can’t help but make you duction to the school sys- Steffy scream ... WHAT THE F! tem instead of Broadway TSU Pub 12:00n in order to encourage 1. Law & Order: CI is continuing it’s “ripped Sweden, don’t let the pipe in the house if is rehab! Solidified by the fact that style discourse on the matter. Friday- from the headlines” M.O. with an episode you’re not gonna smoke the bowl. guru Marc Jacobs just joined the crew by Roland Dyens, guitar that will mirror the events of the Anna cheking into a rehab facility in Arizona. Meng Concert Hall 8:oop Nicole Smith saga. Maybe finally we’ll be 5. Dubai, we know you’re the richest of Classic Choir Sunday- able to make sense of it all. all the emirates and are an unstoppable 8. YouTube is getting slapped with a Sunday 3:oop booming capital for real estate and billion dollar lawsuit from Viacom which Alexander String Quartet The Vienna Boys Choir 2. Leonardo DiCaprio and his bodyguards tourism and all, but beware: Halliburton claims that the site has purposefully performs at the Cerritos Meng Concert Hall 4:00p caused a riot at Israel’s holy Western Wall and Michael Jackson are moving to town. neglected to remove copyrighted Center for the Performing Saturday- when Leo’s muscle men scuffled with materials. Ironically, all the crazies and Arts. The world-renowned US Air Force Band paparazzi mobbing for a picture. C’mon Leo, 6. Names of this year’s new batch of Rock ‘n’ Roll wannabes still get famous for free. choir was formed in 1498 Meng Concert Hall 8:00p like the nation isn’t assaulted enough already. Hall of Fame inductees were announced this by an Austrian Emperor Wednesday week with Grandmaster Flash and the Furious 9. Former American Idol reject Mario and has carried on a tra- - 3. Snoop Dog was busted by Swedish Five being the first hip-hop acts included into the Vasquez is being sued for alledgedly Stacy Clark dition performing clas- police for being under the influence of eniviable roster. It’s about freakin’ time. masturbating in front of an Idol staff Becker Amphitheater 12:00n sical vocal compositions narcotics. Snoop was in town to perform accountant. WTF? There weren’t any other throught the world since. for the Pass the Puff Festival. Seriously 7. By now the hottest thing in fashion sexier departments to jingle the johnson to? daily.titan 4 BUZZ 03.15.07

A New Rap Operation Closed Heart Surgery brings emo to the hip-hop table BY JENN BROWN music not on image,” said Emcee Recline, and created a Myspace Music travails of love and relationships, and “We haven’t made a CD yet Daily Titan Staff Writer RoCom. “It forces us to make our page. Drawing from influences as their fan base spread across the US. because we want to put out [email protected] music that much better.” varied as Atmosphere and Cursive, the “I think everyone can relate to something worth purchasing, Ross G and RoCom dreamt up duo began recording songs about the what we write about,” Ross G said. with the recording quality and Emo rap? It almost sounds like an Closed Heart Surgery near the end “We just rap about how we feel. distribution as good as possible,” oxymoron. It’s not possible to blend of 2005, when RoCom made an It’s about using emotion and our RoCom said. They shipped their the two genres together, right? offhand comment to Ross about the medium is rap,” said RoCom. demo to several indie labels, but It is, thanks to Orange County- state of indie hip hop. “The song that gets people is are confident that if they stay true based hip hop duo Closed Heart “I told Ross, a lot of underground Bleeding Hearts Club,” said RoCom. to the music they make, a label will Surgery. These two manage to hip hop that I’m listening too isn’t Based on the independent film come to them. combine heart wrenching lyrics and that impressive, if we put our minds London, Bleeding Hearts Club Closed Heart has recorded 50 to catchy beats into one body of music. to it we could make something retells a story of heartbreak and loss, 60 songs since Seats Don’t Recline The group consists of Emcee cool,” RoCom said. and is wildly popular with Closed was released in Dec. 2005. There RoCom and Emcee Ross G, two “After that, I went home, found Heart Surgery fans. is no database of all the music, but men who refuse to show their faces an old Ghostface Killah beat and The group occasionally samples between their Snocap music store, to fans and foes alike, in order to wrote some bars,” Ross G said. music from other artists when it keep the emphasis on their music. Soon after, Closed Heart Surgery photo courtesy of Closed Heart surgery creates its beats, and those songs are “The focus needs to be on the recorded their first track,Seats Don’t always free downloads for fans. SEE Emo - PAGE 8

ense &

exabilityBY MAGGIE HAUSER S The First Time Everyone remembers their of not being able to get it up, first time, whether they want but one thing was the same to or not. Maybe it was in for all of us – the time spent the backseat of a car, in your in preparation. bedroom while your parents As young adults, we spent were away for the day, or even hours, days, maybe even years in the bathroom at a house thinking about having sex for party, but no matter what, the first time. Where would nobody ever forgets when they we do it, with whom would lost their virginity. we do it, what would it feel Last week, some friends and like? Films like the 40-Year- I were comparing stories about Old Virgin and the American when we each lost our virginity. Pie franchise were built on Some of us told about how we stories about those on a quest were terrified of getting caught to lose their virginity, and by our parents, terrified of getting pregnant, or terrified SEE The First Time- PAGE 6 daily.titan BUZZ 03.15.07 5

BY JESSICA DOLES Daily Titan Staff Writer [email protected]

He is an Arab-American from the It’s always been a West Coast, Bay Area, Hayward to be exact. At East Coast thing; just recently it has a young age, he developed a speech become a Dirty South thing. But what impairment that slowed down his about a Middle Eastern thing? Can an ability to communicate with others Arab-American rapper roll with the around him. As time passed, his punches in today’s music industry and impairment was miraculously fixed still be respected for his craft? with the help of his grandmother’s “People respect me because of my prayers. Now in his debut album Son style, my music and because of what of a Refuge he writes songs about I talk about. I am coming from an his love for his grandmother and the educated point of view. I’ve never had bloodshed in the Middle East. a problem with people accepting my Patriarch, real name Ibrahim music because I’ve studied it and I Batshon, is the son of a refugee, did it right. And I know what I am hence the title of his debut album. saying is going to be respected in a With Palestinian colors gracing his predominately African-American album cover and industry, our the background people have the of a country at same struggles,” war, Patriarch’s he said. conscious lyrics On his 18 and political tracks, a few well- opinions are known artists based upon lend their lyrical his struggles of content; these being an Arab- include Kurupt, American. The Outlawz “Just because and one of the I am an Arab- most politically American doesn’t vocal duos in mean I’m a h i p - h i s t o r y, minority here Dead Prez. Photo courtesy of Moxiestar in America. Although many You’re looking of his tracks are contemporary world isues. harmonious hooks. held in the West Bank. for a culture to geared to educate “I am a political person and it’s just ArabAmericanNews.com had “It was amazing,” Patriarch told the associate yourself those who are natural for it to rub off in my music. this to say about Patriarch: “Perhaps Oakland Tribune in 2006, “Just to see with because not aware of the But I am more a reality rapper; I talk Patriarch’s greatest strength is his these young Palestinians waving their you’re Arab and war in Palestine, about the reality of life, even if it’s in a ability to seamlessly blend the hands in the air in the name of hip- you’re American. Patriarch puts fun sense or a horrific sense,” he said. struggles of Palestinians under military hop.” Arab music has a his “Bay Area, “Whatever it is, I am going to give occupation with the racism, poverty, Those youngsters weren’t the only lot of rhythm and yes, I am hyphy” you the graphic details of what I’ve and deteriorating social conditions ones praising Patriarch. Many college drums, a lot like touch on a song seen and experienced. It’s real life.” that many African-Americans and students were surprised with the hip-hop,” said Photos courtesy of Moxiestar called “Crunk Still fresh up to the mic and making Latinos face in American cities content of his music. Patriarch. Being Revolution.” the crowds rock out, Patriarch has today.” “I listened to a few songs, and an Arab-American has influenced Another track is dedicated to only been in the game for two-and-a- Since finishing his album over the you can sort of tell he’s from the Bay him in many different ways. Growing the all the beautiful Arabic women half years. “I had to teach myself how past two years, Patriarch has been Area because some of the songs make up in a predominately African- called “Aywah.” In the song he tells to rap because I was an activist turned traveling to spread his message of American and Latino neighborhood all women to stand tall and know rapper, so I had an agenda,” he said. peace and unity. He went to Palestine he embraced diversity and hip-hop’s their worth. But most predominant Patriarch, half rapper, half activist, along with a few other rappers and SEE POLITICAL - PAGE 6 unity among all cultures. is Patriarch’s political standpoint on screams his views through verses and organized the biggest free concert ever 6 BUZZ 03.15.07 daily.titan

POLITICAL: Arab-American rapper ense & :The First Time (From page 5) life,” said 21-year-old human services “The beat is hard, but so are his major Helen Hoang. lyrics. Most of the time you hear nice (from pageexability 4) you want to get hyphy, but when I On the other hand, her boyfriend, beats, but crappy lyrics … talking came across Closing Pandora’s Box biochemistry major Raymond about the club or spinners on their theyS probably told it in the most do something about it, so we I immediately wanted to put it on Fernandez, 20, said his favorite was cars, but not with this guy, it’s good honest, if not entirely realistic, closed the deal on my parents’ repeat. It makes you think about Son of a Refugee. shit,” Fernandez said. way I’ve seen. couch at 2 I’m confident a.m. About 18 that my first ... afterwards I seconds later, time was not “ I decided he

unlike many remember thinking, had about

other people’s ‘Is that what all the as much experiences. I hoopla was about?’”“ rhythm as an was 17 years American Idol old, and had reject, and planned on after wards, saving myself I remember until I was thinking, “Is married; that is, until I met my that what all the hoopla was high school boyfriend. We had about?” talked about it for months, and Luckily, it got better…but we decided it was finally time to that’s a story for another time.

Ditch Work Day March 16, 2007 11am-6pm 50% off ALL BEER daily.titan BUZZ 03.15.07 7 WHAT’S

movies THEBUZZ ?

300 pure violence amid gloomy digital of Hollywood thrown in. While man named Lazarus, whose wife has songs performed by Jackson. Warner Bros. Pictures backgrounds. Many will marvel many will find the bizarre depiction run off with his younger brother, However, the music in this File Under: Burly and Badass at the otherworldly landscapes, of the Persian invaders distracting leaving him emotionally wrecked movie takes a backseat to the highly massive use of sticks and stones and and over the top, it’s important for and alone in his dilapidated house. compelling characters. The film 300 is a raw commentary well-placed dead bodies. Others will the viewer to enjoy the simplicity of Laz wallows in self-pity until the Besides singing, Jackson gives a on human bravery against ridiculous scratch their heads as Xerxes invades 300’s script. day he stumbles across a half-naked thought-provoking performance as odds in the guise of an ugly yet with more beasts and oddities than a Ricci laying beaten in the middle the lost soul trying to find his way beautiful story. It’s an inspiring film Dungeons and Dragons playbook. - Orion Tippens of the road. But when he discovers back. He is superb at conveying the to those who need to compensate for While much of its thespian value Daily Titan Staff Writer the innocent-looking girl is a pain and shame in Laz’s heart that their own weakness by watching a lies in blood spilt, screams and nymphomaniac with a disturbing must slowly learn to heal. bunch of bare-chested men in Speedos freeze-frame stabbings. Much of the past, Laz takes it upon himself to Rae is by far the most dynamic push a giant elephant over a cliff. film’s excellence is off the battlefield Black Snake Moan mend her broken life in the only character in the movie, taking on 300 and its unique visual style is and upon the lips of Leonida’s wife Paramount Vantage way he knows how. dual roles as the greatest hero and based on the hit graphic novel by (Lena Headey) whose few moments File Under: Surprisingly appealing He chains her to his radiator. the greatest villain. Frank Miller (Sin City). The story in the film are captivating and Black Snake Moan marks director Overall, the movie is a surprising itself is a loose interpretation of the memorable. There is nothing like a forty- Craig Brewer’s second feature length success. The story is well-paced, Battle of Thermopylae, where King For those who wish to know about pound chain to cure someone of venture into the dirty South and the thanks to Brewer’s vision, and the Leonidas (Gerald Butler) of Sparta ancient Spartan history and Persian their wickedness. At least, that is music that it has fostered. It is also performances by Jackson and Ricci gathers 300 soldiers to defend the conquest, check your History Lazarus’ opinion the second time Brewer has proven are nothing short of exceptional. border against Xerxes, the Persian Channel listings, for 300 offers more Jackson stars alongside Christina his moviemaking skill. King (Rodrigo Santoro) and his entertainment than educational Ricci in the intriguing and Where Brewer’s Hustle & Flow million-man army. Drum music value. The interpretation is only thoroughly enjoyable Black Snake dealt with the world of rap, Moan and choral chanting ensues. a skeleton framework of the true Moan. is filled with soulful blues music, - Johnathan Kroncke What this movie delivers is event with the fast food additives Jackson plays a God-fearing blues including more than a couple of Daily Titan Staff Writer shows stage two hours to play the majority of his is going to be a fixture in rock music Bright Eyes upcoming Cassadaga album and his for a long time. Considering he tends Life is a Dream El Rey Theater newly released Four Winds EP. to do everything untraditionally, Segerstrom Stage File Under: Indie’s Brigh Lighter Oberst seemed rather removed from those at the El Rey shouldn’t have File under: Fleeting Dream the crowd as he constantly ignored been surprised that the majority of Taking the stage at 10:45 p.m., demands to play his older classics and his set consisted of new material. Just as dreams fade with the rising singer-songwriter Connor Oberst ungrudgingly played whatever he felt With his hostile stage presence and of a new sun, cur tains fall marking and his band Bright Eyes plowed like doing. His new material pulled his refusal to do what others ask of the closing of a production. through a powerful set last week together influences from his extensive him, Oberst displayed that his true Latino playwright Nilo Cruz’s in front of a sold-out crowd at the back catalog and seemed to be more passion is letting his lyric’s integrity dream-like revival of Pedro Calderon El Rey Theatre. Armed with new thunderous than his past work. do all of his talking. de la Barca’s play, Life is Dream band members, ’70s-sounding While some may dislike Oberst’s guitars and an appearance from lo-fi stray from his indie foundation, the - Tom Madden standout M. Ward, Oberst used his concert was proof that Bright Eyes Daily Titan Staff Writer SEE What the Buzz? - PAGE 8

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QN NZTQBDFDPNTIFMUFSTUSFFUXFBS 8 BUZZ 01.22.07 emo: emotional kids can rap too What the BUZZ? (cont’d) (From page 4) who is featured on Neck Romance, instant fame. Ross G. would be and Carved, who created Asphyxiate happy if their music ended up “on (From page 7) kings rose and fell as power was where songs can be purchased, to on Blood with the duo. someone’s iPod,” and RoCom just given and taken away. their Web site, emorap.com, or “One thing we’re never picky about wants to “stay true to the music.” danced across the Segerstrom Stage Since Roy Campbell’s 1959 purevolume.com/closedheartsurgery, is collaborating with people,” said And as for emo rap? of Orange County’s South Coast translation of the play Life has been many songs are available. RoCom. “Two of the most musically “Emo is short for emotional,” Repertory. reworked and revived by Edwin Closed Heart Surgery frequently talented people we’ve met through our RoCom said. “If there’s no emotion, The Spanish drama, which Hoing and now Nilo Cruz. Campbell collaborates with other Orange music are Catfish and Carver.” you don’t have a place making is nearing its 400th birthday, wrote protagonist Seigismundo’s County musicians, such as Catfish, Closed Heart isn’t looking for music.” continued to wow the audience not confession of enchantment to only with its lavish sets but also with Rosaura in Act 1: “The more I see of its updated translation. you, the more I long to go on seeing Director Kate Whoriskey kept more of you.” Life true to its Spanish origin with Cruz tediously reworked this the seductive dance, the Flamenco. line, like each stanza in the play, She included colorful sets and the until it became: “The more I look at tranquil music of the mandolin and you, the more I like to admire and Spanish guitar. contemplate your beauty. Cruz’s translation was like a As all dreams end so did the lyrical lullaby, perfectly fitted to production of Life, its curtains fell Whorisky’s dream-like sets. Sunday. The drama took place far from earth, among the stars, where their movement seemed to dictate the - Rachel Douglass very essence of life … around them For the Daily Titan