ENTERTAINMENTpage 17 Technique • Friday, September 15, 2000 • 17 Pepsi Girl or Antichrist? ‘Almost Famous’ Love her or hate her, that curly- Cameron Crowe directs a movie that ENTERTAINMENT headed kid is everywhere you turn. closely parallels his own life story. Two Bits Man explains... Page 18 Opening today in theaters. Page 21 Technique • Friday, September 15, 2000 Start boiling the macaroni; Barenaked Ladies are back By Jamie Schulz your foot or bobbing your head the mayhem that followed. But Switching back to PSB quotes to many of the tracks on the not to worry, that’s probably the album. only melancholy track out of Artist: Barenaked Ladies The only problem that exists the lot. Album: Maroon is the social commentary that The other tracks flirt with Label: Reprise Records the band performs. It waffles from humor as they run the gauntlet Genre: Rock/Pop tongue-in-cheek to throwing the of topics from cheating on a lov- Tracks: 12 (plus a bonus track) er to the dreams of a Hollywood Rating: yyyy starlet. “The Humor of the Sit- There’s enough uation” deals with the former, It’s a rather jumbled cacoph- as the adulterer rushes home to ony of selections, Maroon. Not lightheartedness in find that his wife has chucked that that’s a bad thing, mind the lyrics to make everything on the lawn. “Sell you. It’s just that the style flip- Sell Sell” covers the latter, with flops from a somewhat skew- even the dourest of the Oscar-caliber actor getting ered performance of “The Old subjects enjoyable. drawn from Broadway to Cali- Apartment” found in “Too Lit- fornia only to wind up doing tle Too Late” to an XTC/OMD- commercials. “Conventioneers” inspired “Conventioneers” to the handles a one-night fling and country-rock “Go Home.” But whole lot on the table, as they the morning after, with Page mus- the question remains: “Will I do in “Helicopters,” (a kind of ing “It’d be great if you trans- like it?!” This reviewer did. The “Don Juan” for the latter part of ferred out of state.” songs are all catchy, but not in the twentieth century). In this, “Back Seat” has its adulter- the horrible manner of so many Steven Page (lead vocals) remi- ous overtones, with the older By Ralf Strathman / REPRISE RECORDS Backstreet Boys songs. You’ll nisces on the day that the Allies It’s been a mere two years since the Barenaked Ladies released Stunt and the probably find yourself tapping came to bomb the village, and See BNL, page 23 album’s hit, “One Week.” Their new album, Maroon, should be another success. Love goes the way of Babylon By Steve Hsu processor. reminiscent of Gainsbourg. The Wonders what to have for lunch This particular collection of entire collection never really hits pre-Love Songs collaborations fever pitch. It comes close dur- Artist: The Sixths climbs even closer to the pinna- ing the souped up Gary Numan Album: Hyacinths and Thistles cle of what pop music can be by track, but even that is a bit se- Label: Merge Records combining exotic influences, dated. Instead, the songs are con- Genre: Rock/Pop ironic wordplay, and a sense of structed for the diverse, Tracks: 14 authenticity on the topic of love accentuated voices of his collab- Rating: yyyyy that has been long absent in many orators and the musical land- of his contemporaries. It out- scapes are clean and lush with all After three or four years of shines the new albums of The kind of synthesizers, bongos, fla- dormancy, Stephin Merritt has Gothic Archies and Future Bi- mencos, zithers and toy pianos. burst back into the limelight— ble Heroes (other Merritt Included on the long list of releasing six full length albums, Projects). It’s not that 69 Love contributors are Sally Timms taming the anticipation of an Songs didn’t have all the above from the timeless, thrashing eager audience, and threatening woven in neat threads, but Hya- Mekons, Bob Mould of punk to occupy a few inches of space cinths and Thistles has it in spades, rock lore, Miho Hatori of Cibo on every record shelf and in ev- and displays the diversity from Matto, early synth-pop shining ery bin. Most notable of these which 69 was derived. star Gary Numan, Katherine contributions to the pop world The songs here are even more Whalen of the Squirrel Nut Zip- is 69 Love Songs. Released under “off Broadway,” as another crit- pers, and the ever alluring voice the umbrella of The Magnetic ic described it—more sensitive of Saint Etienne’s frontwoman, By Sarah Graybeal / STUDENT PUBLICATIONS Fields and composed and per- and wry. His willingness to in- Sarah Cracknell. A common sight on the SAC fields in the afternoon is the Georgia Tech formed almost entirely by Mer- dulge in the sweetest pop jan- Merritt now makes his home marching band, diligently practicing for the coming week’s halftime show. ritt, it made the top ten list of gles and then wrap them up in every critic worthy of his/her word sharp, ironic twists is even a bit See Sixths, page 23 How do you heat up a crowd with every spice in the rack? By Alan Back mix of Latin and Caribbean The blend of styles is no acci- Does his lab work with dynamite musical elements. Salsa, mariachi, dent. In 1996, lead singer/per- flamenco, ska, reggae, rock- cussionist Jesse Lauricella spent Musical fads have a very short steady—if it comes from south of six months in Guadalajara study- shelf life these days. Think about the border or anywhere in the ing Spanish literature following disco, second-wave ska, grunge, Gulf of Mexico, it probably shows his graduation from Georgia State swing (or what passed for it), or University. When he returned any of a dozen other trends that to Atlanta, he decided to draw have come and gone over the on his time down south and his past 20 years. It can be hard for a “[Latin music is] like experience with the Go-Steadys, new band to settle on a style that one of the main ska bands in will still be popular next week. country music…it’s this area at the time. For Atlanta’s Mandorico, the part of a culture, With the help of guitarist answer is simple: draw on styles Mark Solano, he set about that have endured for years in part of a lifestyle.” assembling a group that could other parts of the world. This Jesse Lauricella handle whatever ended up in self-described “eight-man mo- Mandorico the melting pot. The original bile dance party” has put in a lot lineup also featured bassist Chris of nights fine-tuning a combi- Culver, drummers Erich nation of sound and fury that Netherton and Luis Gonzalez, keeps shaking people out of their up on these discs. Add a healthy and the horn section of Kevin seats and onto the floor. dash of rock and punk and the McKinney and Travis Tingle. Both of their albums to date, result sounds like something the The full band has been active the 1998 EP Familiar Places and Mighty Mighty Bosstones could since early 1997. By Alan Back / STUDENT PUBLICATIONS this year’s Afrocubanhip- have done if they had cut their teeth Mandorico will bring their fiery Latin/Caribbean dance grooves to Smith’s tonight for hopcaribbeanrock, feature a lively in Mexico rather than Beantown. See Mandorico, page 23 Band to Band Combat. Pictured are Jesse Lauricella, Jim Harmon, and Alan Marcha. 18 • Friday, September 15, 2000 • Technique ENTERTAINMENT ...01010101010101010101010101010101010101010...... Two Bits Throughout the ages, there have adorable icon for a fizzy beverage. people fear and loathe the Pepsi Girl. you over the head with this fact She still ends up being as annoying been many things that have split For the other three quarters, she’s The routine where she walks into while shamelessly plugging their own as a 24-hour Barney marathon. humanity. People will forever ar- the Antichrist. The Two Bits man the saloon and unleashes her wrath cinema. While she may be annoy- Nonetheless, the Pepsi Girl is far gue about such riveting issues as is a little confused about the latter. I with a water pistol is much better ing at times, the Pepsi Girl was a less bothersome than any other pre- politics and religion, they will con- have friends who want to see her as than the old pre-movie ads to make refreshing change. It was good to show cut. She is far better than the tinue to debate the grave issue of the target for lawn-darts and killer you shut up and buy soda. As an see such a well-acted clip inviting stupid roller-coaster thing, and cer- whether you should squeeze the bees, and I have others who believe moviegoers to buy Twizzlers. tainly beats the falling music notes. toothpaste tube from the end or that she is the spawn of Satan, cause The other reason the Pepsi Girl For that, I give her the honorable from the middle, and they will toil for another crusade. is such a great advance in modern Two Bits Salute. over the paper or plastic bag issue. The reason that the Pepsi Girl For about a quarter of cinema is that I consider her to be In the grand scheme of things, I While these issues do carry monu- comes up today is that the Two Bits the population, the one of the finest post-Shakespeari- don’t really guess it matters that mental social importance, I speak man saw a movie over the weekend Pepsi Girl is an an actresses of all time. Despite her much whether or not you like the to you today about the most power- at the Purple Theater. I feel confi- diminutive size, her vocal range is Pepsi Girl. She may be the Anti- fully moving issue I know, one more dant that you know which one I adorable icon. For the spectacular. The Two Bits Man is christ, but she does offer a welcome socially polarizing than a conversa- mean, because if you’ve never been other three quarters, understandably impressed by one change from what used to be my tion between Ralph Nader and Pat to the Purple Theater, you proba- woman who can so adroitly shift least favorite part of a movie. Be- Buchanan. That’s right folks—I am bly haven’t left your apartment long she’s the Antichrist. from a tiny soprano to the aggres- sides, I think the real problem plagu- talking about the Pepsi Girl. enough to reach the Student Cen- sive bass of a Western outlaw. After ing America’s fine theaters is the It seems as though everyone has ter. Anyhow, during the introduc- all, even Jim Carrey has to limit glaring lack of Junior Mints. Why some opinion about the curly-haired tion where the girl tells you not to himself to voices within his tenor doesn’t anyone sell them any more? tyke. For some strange reason, this talk, drink, or use your cell phone, a avid movie buff, I used to dread the range; clearly, he pales in compari- Of course, I can save fretting about little girl has caused an uproar of friend of mine started quivering and requisite promotion for the theater. son to the Pepsi Girl. candy for another time. Until next freakish proportions. For about a muttering “Die you Antichrist, die!” Obviously, you shouldn’t talk while Of course, I’m probably giving week, I am the Two Bits Man, and quarter of the population, she’s this Personally, I just don’t see why you’re at the movies, but they beat the Pepsi Girl way too much credit. these are my thoughts.

Does Alan feel all alone? (grumble grumble grumble curse) ENTERTAINMENT Technique • Friday, September 15, 2000 • 19 Crossword What a State-meant! DOWN 1. Their mascot’s a roaring lion 123 456 789 2. Crafts partner Get out. Hear music. Have fun. 3. John Lennon’s wife 10 11 12 13 4. ______Culpa COTTON CLUB (152 Luckie St.) 9/20—The Pilfers, Bargain Music, 5. Hoover or Beaver (404) 874-1993 Primative Reason 14 15 16 6. 34 DOWN, in Madrid (abbr) 9/15—Cee Knowledge, Cosmic Funk 9/21—Project Logic 7. Slightly open Orchestra, Getaway People 9/22—Zakk Wylde and the Black Label 17 18 8. Pitchfork locale 9/16—Lounge Fly, Slam, Film, Bend Society, Crowbar, Sixty Watt Shaman 9/19—Nelly Furtado Web site: www.masq.com 19 20 21 9. Prefix meaning outer 11. She had Pebbles 9/20—Queens of the Stone Age, Vast, Like Hell 9/22—Brand New Immortals, Audiobridge ROXY (3110 Roswell Rd.) 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 13. Dealer’s singular for 13 ACROSS? (2 wds) Web site: www.consopro.com/cottonclub.htm (404) 233-7699 9/16—Sound Tribe Sector 9 29 30 31 15. A matter of interest? DARK HORSE TAVERN Web sitesite: www.consopro.com/roxy.htm 16. Nautilus captain (816 N. Highland Ave.) 32 33 34 35 36 20. T-bone, e.g. (404) 873-3607 SMITH’S OLDE BAR (1582 Piedmont Ave.) 21. Engine (404) 875-1522 37 38 9/15—Blacklight Posterboys, Chain (404) 875-1522 22. Bad, to La Bonne Poets, 13 Stories 9/15—Mandorico, Modern Hero, Ode to Abbey 39 40 41 42 43 23. Prefix for warrior or terrorist 9/16—Mindseye, Staryard, Modeltones 9/16—Soulhat, Buffalo Nickel 24. Tommy band 9/20—Shut Eye Records Showcase 9/17—Morgan Rowe, Doug Hoekstra, 44 45 46 47 48 25. Is able to 9/21—STB, Stereo Popsicle, Jeniphoria Laura Blackley, Shane Hines 26. First name in spy novels 9/22—Elephant, Loud American Tourists, 9/18—Grift, Wilshire, Ice Cream Desert 49 50 51 27. “Ed, _____, and…” Soulbread 9/19—Jackson Rohm, Francisco Vidal Band 9/20—Dexter Freebish, Something 5 28. “Help!” 52 53 54 ECHO LOUNGE (551 Flat Shoals Ave.) 9/21—YG 33. Eastwood and Petty (404) 681-3600 9/22—Tommy Thompson Band, Five 34. Polite title 9/15—Royal Fingerbowl, Hanging Pound Bass, John McVey By Kit FitzSimons 22. Augusta Muppet’s shout? (3 wds) 35. Joan of mystery fiction Francis, Wonderlust Web site: smithsoldebar.citysearch.com Monster of the grid...iron 29. Huh, to Hans 36. One onstage 9/16—Penetrators, Stimulants, Moto- 30. Take a bite out of 39. Crazy bird? Litas, Indicators,. Kenny Howes & STAR BAR (437 Moreland Ave.) ACROSS 31. Hubbub 40. Elvis’ middle name Blake Rainey (404) 681-9018 1. Month of flowers 32. Boston boy’s boast? 42. Famous Trebek 9/19—Bella Morte, The Last Dance 9f/15—The Vendettas, Catfight! 4. Drs. 37. Tibetan butter source 43. Pottery material 9/20—Shonali & Michelle, Greg Thum, 9/16—Drive-By Truckers, Blacktop 7. Honest prez 38. Word with ball or room 44. License-losing offense (abbr) Molly Bancroft, Joel Burkhardt Rockets, Redneck Greece, Chillbillies, 10. Cultivate 39. Never-Never (Land) (hyph) 9/21—Blue Jays, Amy PIke, Holy Smokes Slim Chance Experience 45. Eisenhower, on his buttons 9/22—Tyro, Telepathics 9/20—Smithwick Machine, Slam, Johnny Iron 12. Maize unit 41. GT’s Lit-like major (abbr) 46. Fiver Web site: www.echostatic.com/echolounge 9/21—Kenny Howes and the Yeah!, 13. Trojan War hero 44. Six words needed to Lan-sing? 47. Had for lunch Michelle Malone Stars, Monochrome 14. Helena Hemingway height? (2 49. Courts and wins 48. Medieval cutting tool EDDIE’S ATTIC (515-B N. McDonough St.) 9/22—League of Decency wds) 50. Baby fox (404) 377-4976 Web site: www.cloun.com/starbar.html 17. Star Wars surname 51. Used the text Answers on page 21. Crosswords are 9/15—Danielle Howle, Michael Winger 18. Deserve 52. Hostel quickly becoming a regular feature! 9/16—John Mayer, Michelle Penn, TABERNACLE (152 Luckie St.) 19. Partners for pas 53. Canberra-Sydney dir. Email all comments or complaints to Christian Anthony (404) 659-9022 21. LXX x XXX 54. “Look at that fly!” (abbr) [email protected]. 9/17—Dappled Grays, Mandoloar 9/19—Tracy Chapman Quartet, Tom Feldman Web site: www.tabernaclemusic.com 9/19—Hugh Peacock, Omine, Anita Livaditis 9/20—Paul Melancon, Sue Witty, Tammy Fowler VARIETY PLAYHOUSE This week on the GT Cable Network 9/21—Alastor, Angela Motter, Mimi Thompson (1099 Euclid Ave.) 9/22—Ellis Paul, Christopher Williams, (404) 521-1786 By Rebekah Bardwell hip-hop clothing line. ta’s airwaves as she transitions from Don Conoscenti 9/15—Zen Tricksters, Deep Banana Blackout GTCN Correspondant Phat Videos takes you on a vis- V.J. to D.J. Web site: www.eddiesattic.com 9/21—Lyricist Lounge Tour it of WREK 91.1, the Institute’s Flava 101 comes on Mondays 9/22—Leon Redbone Flava 101 takes you inside the own 40,000-Watt radio station. at 3:00 and 7:00 p.m. and Thurs- MASQUERADE (695 North Ave.) Web site: www.variety-playhouse.com mind of Universal Recording Artist Kara gets a tour around the sta- days at 7:00 p.m., and Phat Vid- (404) 577-2007 Miracle. Get a taste of Miracle’s tion and a peek inside one of At- eos come on Mondays at 3:30 and 9/15—Mr. Natural Check out the Tourdates Web site new album and find out about lanta’s largest collections of vintage 7:30 p.m. and Thursdays at 7:30 9/16—Nickelback, U.P.O., Full Devil (www.tourdates.comwww.tourdates.com) to find out where your Miracle’s soul food restaurant and albums. Kara also takes to Atlan- p.m. on GTCN’s Channel 21. Jacket, Isle of Q favorite bands will be playing next.

“What are you guys doing?” “Making out.” 20 • Friday, September 15, 2000 • Technique ENTERTAINMENT Cameron Crowe film ‘Almost Famous’ is almost perfect By Amanda Fazzone circumstances, 15-year-old William shine as William’s overprotective U-WIRE lands a job writing for Rolling Stone, mother and fly-by-night sister. The touring with and interviewing Still- as-yet underrated Billy Crudup is (U-WIRE)—There are only a water, a Led Zeppelin/Allman Broth- irresistibly magnetic as Stillwater’s few people in the world who can ers amalgam. tortured lead singer, Russell Ham- honestly say their life is a rock and It’s fun. It’s fast. There are rock mond. But Crowe may have left too roll fantasy. But Cameron Crowe— songs, boob shots and a mélange of much exposition on the cutting- the screenwriter/director who effervescent screen stars like Jason room floor. For example, there is brought you such classics as the Lee, Philip Seymour Hoffman and no explanation as to why Russell’s Oscar-winning Jerry Maguire—is one Frances McDormand. Essentially, Stillwater bandmates resent him, of those people. it’s a prepackaged, on-paper block- other than their own jealousy. This A California native, Crowe got buster. But while it’s fun to watch a flaw could have been easily over- his big break at age 15 writing mu- looked if this subplot hadn’t been sic reviews and articles for Creem, the focus of so many scenes. Playboy and Penthouse. As if those The talented and beautiful Kate gigs weren’t enough to fulfill any It’s fun. It’s fast. There Hudson, the 21-year-old daughter adolescent boy’s fantasies, at 16 he are rock songs, boob of Goldie Hawn (and new fiancée became a Contributing Editor for of the Black Crowes’ Chris Robin- Rolling Stone and later, Associate shots and a mélange son), makes a splash as non-groupie Editor. His dream job went on to of effervescent screen groupie Penny Lane. As the love include interviewing and/or tour- interest of both writer William and By Neal Preston / DREAMWORKS PICTURES ing with the hottest acts of the day, stars. singer Russell, Hudson is physical- Almost Famous stars Patrick Fugit (second from left) as William Miller, a including Bob Dylan, Neil Young, ly and emotionally compelling. young man whose life closely parallels that of director Cameron Crowe. Led Zeppelin, Eric Clapton and the However, Fugit doesn’t give the Allman Brothers. When it came time audience enough reason to believe tunes on one disc, plus originals Despite its hard-rocking exterior, it to write his own pseudo-biopic, the ’70s band on the road, there are a that a studmuffinette like Penny that Crowe penned with his wife, does contain the requisite amount man who made his name penning few too many unrealistic elements Lane would hang out with a dorky ex-Heart singer Nancy Wilson, who of cheese to earn a spot in all three of teen movie hall-of-famers (Fast Times of ’90s humor and updated lines kid, even if he does write for Rolling wrote the film’s score. The sound is those categories. After all, it’s hard at Ridgemont High, Say Anything, from the Zeppelin biography The Stone. And while Fugit does have beautifully crafted around the ac- to get more mainstream than Cam- and Singles) naturally made a movie Hammer of the Gods—not to men- some great lines and reaches a star- tion, and thumping, concert-style eron Crowe. But despite any weak about teens and music. After all, tion outmoded powerful man/sub- tling clarity during conversations bass gives the audience the pre-con- spots in the script and cast, Almost you write what you know. servient woman images—to take this with Philip Seymour Hoffman, he cert rush that can only be compared Famous blasts other recent “rock” In Almost Famous, we get to be film to the Jerry Maguire level of doesn’t dredge up the emotion and with actually feeling drops off sweat movies like High Fidelity clear out flies on the wall as Crowe relives his national acclaim. intelligence worthy of being Cam- fly off the lead singer’s bandana. of the water—starting with the laugh- rise to fame as a teen rock critic Even still, there are one too many eron Crowe. Be forewarned that this film is: ter-inducing opening credits. So next through the eyes of his fictional al- fine performances to watch Almost The film’s soundtrack is more 1) a memory piece; 2) a coming-of- time Cameron Crowe asks you to ter ego, William Miller (Patrick Famous at the matinee price. Frances than a throwaway marketing gig— age tale; 3) was written by the same show him the money, you probably Fugit). Through a series of wacky McDormand and Zooey Deschanel it has some of the all-time best ’70s man who wrote, “You complete me.” should.

MAY MDS ABE GROW EAR AJ AX MT K I L A MA NJ A RO SOLO EARN MA S MMC MEWANTCOOKI ES ACH EAT ADO L OOKMANOHANDS YAK REC LALA STAC DOREMI FASOL L A WOOS KI T READ I NN ENE XYZ

join the technique. see girls in poofy shiny skirts. see weddings. see sharky o-fish-iate them. eat cake. cake that says “sarah and christina rock” on it. with yummy whipped icing. eat our cake!! and if you don’t like cake, well, there’s always pizza. too much pizza. anyway. tonight, alan back is my hero because he cuts like a madman. and yes, I ran u-wire despite having oodles of stories, because I needed an article about the biggest movie coming out this week, and my writer didn’t come through. atlanta traffic. you know. yeah. so. I could really get used to the whole writing-psa thing. oh! I still have to write teasers. guess I better get on it, so I can go home. till next week then...

I just can’t be psychotic every day. Sorry. ENTERTAINMENT Technique • Friday, September 15, 2000 • 21

do whatever it takes to bring it to Mandorico from page 17 them? That’s exactly what Mandorico Sixths from page 17 has been doing for the last four years.” The current lineup consists of Nearly everybody involved has Lauricella; Gabriel Bennett (guitar); somewhere in London, perhaps tak- had to learn a little Spanish in order Allan Soave, Jonathan Lloyd, and ing another holiday from record pro- to keep up with Lauricella, who writes Steve Farmer (horns); Alan Marcha duction to contemplate the next set a good deal of his lyrics in that tongue. (drums); Jim Harmon (bass); and of lullabies and irresistible dance “It’s just a matter of overcoming Dmitri Gosatchinski (keyboard). At tracks to occupy our turntables and that fear of sounding like an idiot first glance, the idea of a Moscow CD players. Though the profundi- when you don’t speak the language,” native in an Atlanta band that plays ty of his recent releases will be hard he said. “But they do a good job at amped-up Latin/ska crossbreeds may to match, there is a sense that his it, and I think it’s such a beautiful seem strange, but Gosatchinski has kind of songwriting—stripped of language. Honestly, if I didn’t live made himself at home for the past year. pretense and drawing from such a in the United States and the band He came to Atlanta after spend- wide musical gamut—can do no wasn’t based out of Atlanta, I probably ing five years in Mexico studying By Alan Back / STUDENT PUBLICATIONS less than extract smiles, incite the wouldn’t write a word in English.” Afro-Cuban jazz, and when the band Left to right: Steve Farmer, Jonathan Lloyd, and Allan Soave of Mandorico. occasional bout of laughter, and He continued, “Unfortunately, advertised for new players, he turned a chance to win exposure outside right stuff…It burned people’s ears endear himself to all who appreci- people get upset if they don’t un- up at one of their shows. “He kind their home markets. At first, the out, for the most part.” ate the simple love song that’s no derstand what you’re saying, so we of hopped right in, and he knew a idea put Lauricella off somewhat. Still, he has no worries that he longer quite so simple. try to keep a nice balance between lot of the reggae and the salsa…He’s “I’m not big on competitions or band will suddenly find itself out of the languages.” The audiences—and an incredible musician; this stuff is talent shows or anything like that; I work one day down the road. “It’s the band members—go equally crazy cake for him,” Lauricella noted. think music is a very subjective thing.” like country music, in a way. BNL from page 17 whether or not everybody in the The roster of groups that have When a friend of his at a local book- Country’s been around forever; it’s room knows what all the words mean. shared stages with Mandorico is ing agency told him about the money part of a culture, it’s part of a lifestyle, woman luring the younger boy out Keeping a stable core of musicians enough to make fans of any form of involved, though, he began to see even. So is salsa, so is all this Latin of his treehouse. Sure, the track’s together long enough for them to Caribbean-based music drool. Toots Band to Band in a different light. “I stuff. It’s not going anywhere. over the top, but that’s the entire get fired up has been a bit of a and the Maytals, the Skatalites, and was like—not for the fans, not for Whether or not it gets embraced to point. They’ve taken the media scan- challenge. Mandorico has endured the late Tito Puente are some of the the accolades—but, ‘Man, I could the fullest extent in the United States dals from the news recently (like a high rate of personnel turnover most prominent names that Lauri- use that cash right now!’ We’re go- is irrelevant. It’s going to keep going.” the teacher who seduced her stu- since coming together. Only five of cella and his crew have supported. ing to give it a shot, and I think there What keeps Mandorico going is dent) and gave them the raspberry. the eight players credited on Opening for a big name is a mem- are some really good bands in it.” simple: “You’ve got to just keep tell- Perhaps the best track out of the lot Afrocuban had been on board since orable experience, he said, but the Groups that try to hit the big ing yourself that it’s not about how is “Tonight is the Night I Fell Asleep the beginning. Three of the eight are band’s best moments come when time just to fill their pockets have many people are jumping up and down at the Wheel.” Death by a car acci- still in the group today, and Lauricella everybody in the room is there just always been a threat to artists who in the clubs. I love the music we’re dent is no laughing matter, but when is the only remaining founding member. to hear them. “The first time you go care about the music they play. Latin playing, I like the guys I’m playing the song’s set to a Polka tune, well, “Mandorico got to a point where back to a city and sell out a club all and ska are no exceptions; look at with, and we’re having a good time.” it’s smirk-inducing. people were having to make deci- by yourself—that’s awesome, man. Ricky Martin or Reel Big Fish as opposed When enough people are danc- Maroon is a great assortment of sions like, ‘Do I want to be in school I don’t care if it’s only a 300-capac- to Arturo Sandoval or the Specials. ing and stomping to make the floor tracks. The way Barenaked Ladies right now, or do I want to be on the ity club. That’s huge, much bigger Lauricella stated, “I would say vibrate, the spice flows freely for coupled each topic with the correct road with the band?’ The money’s than playing in front of 30,000 people that you’d be hard pressed to come all—and no one has to chug down a music style is great. And there’s not very good, it never has been with UB40 or whatever.” up with a ska band that’s going to bottle of Mylanta the next morn- enough lightheartedness in the lyr- very good, so that’s not really a perk,” Tonight’s show at Smith’s Olde really make something happen these ing. ics to make even the dourest of sub- he said. “If you feel like you’ve got Bar is a preliminary matchup for days. Latin—I think that the media jects enjoyable. For those out there something solid, something that peo- this year’s Band to Band Combat and all these record labels and peo- Mandorico will be performing with with doubts concerning the CD, if ple are interested in and want to series. The compeition, sponsored ple did the same thing that they did Modern Hero and Ode to Abbey at you’ve seen (and enjoyed) the video hear, then the bottom line is, how by Lucky Strike cigarettes, is de- with swing: they’d just shove it down Smith’s Olde Bar tonight. Call (404) for “Pinch Me,” that’s pretty much long are you going to grind it out and signed to give promising new bands people’s throats, and not even the 875-1522 for more information. how the rest of the CD goes.

I promise not to mind if you go your way and I go mine; I promise not to lie if I’m looking you straight in the eye; I promise not to try not to let you down.