The Massachusetts Daily Collegian tuesday, may 3, 2011Arts“Good luck exploring& the infinite abyss.”L - Andrewiving Laregman, “Garden State” [email protected] WWJW: What would Jesus wear?

S. P. Sullivan/Collegian The Collegian’s own Andrew Sheridan models the “I love Jesus” boxer briefs from New York Designer Jason Sutherland, founder of the company “Piss & Vinegar.” Their line of “I Love...” underwear also includes “Buddah,” “Girls ” and “Boys,” with a style to suit any wearer. The iconic undies are all about humor and self expression.

By Andrew Sheridan thing you can to find the energy needed to be some- Upon arriving at my church, I was informed that Undeterred, I continued my trek and headed to Collegian Staff thing and more,” said Sutherland in a recent interview. the children’s message I had been roped into partici- Chinatown to meet up with a girl who staunchly Sutherland is a pioneer in the industry, doing to boxers pating in had been called off. Someone lost the script, claimed that her middle name was, in fact, “danger.” (Editor’s note: This story was originally published and briefs what Hot Topic has done for t-shirts. so I didn’t have to do a thing. I chalked that up to a My omnipotent shorts must have known my inten- on January 17, 2010.) While he does see the humor in his over-the-top win for the man with God in his pants, and sat back tions with this young lady were impious, because These days, symbols of faith seem to be in high fash- designs, Sutherland uses iconic figures for a pur- and listened to the day’s sermon. my luck stayed bad. Lunch was a series of lousy ion. From religious pendants and “What Would Jesus pose and wants his customers to be able to express From there, the day went well, rounded out with a dishes and hot oil burns, but I wasn’t about to lose Do?” bracelets, to crucifix tattoos and Buddhist symbols, themselves genuinely. visit to my grandmother’s house and other chores of faith just yet. style is very important for those who believe. But while Right away, I was intrigued by the idea of a family man. I wasn’t sure if I felt good because of Just as I was getting the feeling that God’s judg- just about anyone can sport a Star of David around their expressing myself through religious underwear. my lucky charm or because I was playing Mr. Nice ment had me by the balls, my underpants gambit final- neck, not every man has the cojones to rock their faith I couldn’t help but wonder, would it serve as a Guy, but seeing the tortured face of Jesus every time ly paid dividends. Back at “Ms. Danger’s” apartment where it really counts – in their pants. reminder, sort of a “WWJD” meets Fruit of the I unzipped was certainly startling. The Bethlehem I was finally able to see the light: The briefs’ most “I Love Jesus” boxer briefs are the latest incar- Loom, or would it simply keep my equipment briefs had been supportive so far, but the test was far important feature is that they’re hilarious. I wouldn’t nation of fashion’s holiest trend. The briefs were warm? I decided to do an experiment: I would wear from over. usually be happy if a woman laughed when I took off created by New York designer Jason Sutherland, the the Jesus briefs twice, with one day spent as piously The next day, with underpants freshly folded, I my pants, but in this case I made an exception. The founder of the underwear company Piss & Vinegar. as possible, and the other spent being evil. What suited up and headed out first thing in the morning holy yet comical shorts ended up on the floor for a In their company tagline, Piss & Vinegar asks, “Do would having the Lamb of God strapped to my groin for a full day of shameless debauchery. First thing on you think you have enough?” For the consummate do to my luck, and to my conscience? I aimed to the agenda was to get some liquor in me, so I headed good long while. consumer of religious iconography, the answer is find out. into town with a couple of friends to hit up a bar. My By the time I got home, the verdict was in: Jesus a resounding “no.” Piss & Vinegar’s newest line is The first morning of the experiment was a Sunday, luck was sour right off the bat, as the bar we picked wanted me to be good. Sporting an image of the Son called “I Love…” and for the first time, it allows men and I put on the sacred shorts right under my Sunday gouged me on mediocre beer and put a serious dent in of God while trying to get laid falls into the category to really show where their loyalties lie. While the “I best. The first thing that struck me was that they were, my deviance budget. of desecration of the Host, and I seem to have paid for Love Girls” and “I Love Boys” shorts make a state- in fact, quite nice briefs. I have always been a box- Next, I hopped on the subway in Boston, trying my transgression. However, there is something to be ment that should be apparent by the time the pants ers man, and the tighty-whities got me a bit closer to cheat the system by using an illegally acquired said for making a statement, expressing how you feel come off, Sutherland anchors the line with the “Jesus” to the Host than I would have liked, but the material discount T pass. Once again I was foiled, as a pair no matter who sees it. And to those who are offended, and “Buddha” models, intended for those who want to – 95 percent Pima cotton – was very high caliber. of undercover Massachusetts Bay Transportation remember: God gave us the free will to choose. Don’t hide their shame but not their religious beliefs. Emblazoned brightly with “I heart Jesus,” the flam- Authority officers grabbed me on my way in and cited get your undies in a bundle. “Piss & Vinegar is about living from the heart, ing Sacred Heart replaced the standard Western love me for fare evasion. Did the underpants know? Were Andrew Sheridan can be reached at asher1@stu- making sure you personally push yourself to do every- emblem and made quite a bold fashion statement. they working against me somehow? dent.umass.edu. Pokemon is back in ‘Black’ ‘ Pokemon White’ gets it right

By Nick O’Malley features that round out the game, I had my eye on the trash bag, By Andrew Sheridan up with an insulting, vulgar ers, chandeliers, kami spirits and Collegian Staff here we’re going to look at the key candle, ice cream, dark hydra Collegian Staff name for yet another rival, I even ice cream cones. changes that make B/W different and giant construction worker got a visit from the hometown There is of course the occa- (Editor’s note: This story was orig- from the rest of the franchise. Pokémon. The candle and con- (Editor’s note: This story was professor, there to present me sional throwaway, such as use- inally published on March 31, 2011.) A new, unique 150 struction worker ones have originally published on March with my first Pokémon. No, they less rodent Pokémon in the fields Under all of its layers of Pikachu Every new generation of panned out wonderfully. 31, 2011.) haven’t come up with a better and rock Pokemon haunting the mascots, card games and television “Pokémon” games has flaunted a TMs are reusable As someone who has followed Pokémon delivery system, but caves, but as a whole the level of shows of a boy that hasn’t aged at new set of new Pokémon to draw A major change in item uses the Pokemon series with a nerdy hey, this time it’s a woman! It’s inventiveness is high. all in 14 years, the Pokemon fran- in new players. However, what a lot comes in the form of technical loyalty over the span of its life, always good to have more active As for the version-specific chise has consistently remained a of the games boil down to is ending machines (TMs) which can now be I have been concerned for some female characters, and this one features, the main selling point well-designed, finely-balanced role- up with a lot of familiar Pokémon in used as many times as you want, time that the franchise has been has daddy issues, making things for White Version is the White playing game. your party that you know are good like hidden machines (HMs). This resting on its laurels. It is always even more interesting. Forest, a heavily wooded area With the advent of Wi-Fi multi- and roll through the games with ends the days of hoarding TMs you a gamble to tamper with a win- Once the plot elements have accessible only after defeating player battles, the franchise has now the same Alakazam and Gyarados get early on to save for Pokémon ning formula, but after 13 years fallen into place, it’s time to the Pokémon league. Black has produced one of the best and most you’ve been using since you were you’ll get later. and 16 handheld games, their get down to the real meat of the Black City, a comparable area popular metagames in the market. 9-years-old. Due to these changes, TMs cookie-cutter layout had grown game: combat. As Nick already with buildings and trainers, but That’s not saying much, though, stale. Racing your rival to beat B/W, though are the first games now play a much larger role in mentioned, until you beat the no wild Pokémon. since its only tangible competition eight gym leaders and become completely devoted to a new set the game. Rather than relying on main story you cannot encoun- The layout and population of comes in MMORPG form. the league champion, fighting off of Pokémon, meaning that no an individual Pokémon’s moveset, ter any Pokémon from previous the forest will change depending However, such discussion, no a greedy gang of poke-thieves Pokémon from previous versions players can focus more on type games, and this new 150 and on how many days it takes the matter how well-deserved, about along the way, and running into will appear until the Pokedex’s setups for their teams and statis- change are a definite new breed. player to reach the forest, so those the game’s battle mechanics and Zubats in every last cave was national mode is activated once the tics. The reusability factor also Not only are many of the type who are tempted to mess with metagame in a diluted market is getting old. It needed more than main storyline has been completed. means that moves can be swapped combinations and abilities new, the DS’s internal calendar should ignoring the No. 1 reason that a few new species thrown on the This is an enormous factor in a in and out for certain battles. but the statistics layout of the be wary. Doing so could leave 22-year-old college seniors still play number of areas, the first being that heap to breathe new life into it. Pokémon have changed as well. Drastic shift in story your forest barren of life. Playing a game that popular culture will con- caves no longer involve fighting 15 This is something that my coun- Enter Black & White. The To start, there is now a clearer the game normally, however, and tinue to ridicule them for playing. Zubats and Geodudes in a row. terpart will go into further detail names refer not only to the fran- gap between the fast and the connecting to other games using “Pokémon” is video game crack. The lack of older Pokémon about, but the fact that there has chise overhaul they represent, but slow. Whereas a high speed used the wireless feature, results in a All other things aside, means that there’s a limited pool been a seismic shift in the plot also the questions of moral ambi- to be a given among powerful forest that is plush with tall grass “Pokémon Black” is another of Pokémon that you’ll encounter from the rival and gym leaders to guity that permeate the game. Pokémon (unless they were rock and water features. These are installment of the franchise that throughout the main story mode, the Team Rocket equivalent (the For the first time ever the entire or steel-type), that is no longer millions will continue to purchase meaning that more Pokémon will vaguely Crusades/PETA-themed concept of forcing Pokemon to the case. Brawlers such as the home to an unprecedented 30 ver- as long as it continues to churn be featured more often. What this Team Plasma) of the game. The fight for our amusement is called psychic Pokémon Reuniclus have sion-exclusive Pokémon species, out 100-plus new characters every means is that there are fewer “trash” story ventures from kiddy plot to into question. Is the main charac- speeds so low that in order to use all from previous generation. time it bumps up a generation. Pokémon that you catch and hide in JRPG plot at times, but it makes for ter a friend and ally of his poke- them in their lineup a player has Other White-only species Fortunately, “Pokémon Black” Box 1 for all of eternity. a completely different plot experi- partners, or simply an elemental- to take speed into account. Low include the bald eagle Pokémon and “Pokémon White” do more Even the normal-type dog ence and it’s really a fresh change themed Michael Vick? speed can be used as a strategic Braviary, the mitosis-based than that. The latest installments, and dark-type cat encountered 15 for the games. This question lies at the heart advantage, but only by players Solosis family and the storm god now in Generation V of the fran- feet away from the protagonist’s Whether or not you should buy of the game. It shifts the focus who are paying attention. This Thundurus. chise, don’t try to change the house are seen later on in the this game really comes down to away from fighting gym lead- and other trends in stats seem to When improved layout and formula too much. Instead, B/W game. The latter is even used by whether you’re looking for some- ers and puts it on Team Plasma, be aimed at people who enjoy the interface are taken into account, makes a solid amount of key, sub- one of the Elite Four. thing new in Pokémon or some- a morally questionable group strategy aspect of the games and Pokémon Black & White repre- stantial changes while still main- Another feature of the new thing refreshing. If you haven’t who seek to free these creatures want more options. sent a fresh start for the series. taining that same infrastructure Pokémon is a better type balance, played since the Red/Blue/Yellow from the clutches of self-serving Trying to get off of the beaten Taking everything that fans love that has brought the series this far. with the rarer Bug, Steel and Dark era and want something similar, humans. The NPCs feel more path, the designers have come about turn-based cockfighting and The intrinsic question, though, types getting more legitimate rep- you should shoot for “Pokémon like co-habitants of the world up with some seriously creative changing up most of the stale ele- as it is with every “Pokémon” game resentatives. As opposed to other SoulSilver” or “Pokémon than set pieces standing in your creatures. Examples include ments, the franchise that took the is still: “Why should I buy this ver- versions, especially “Pokémon HeartGold.” If you want some- way, and the characters that could Eelektross, an electric eel with 90s by storm feels new and interest- sion over any of the others?” This is Sapphire” and “Pokémon Ruby,” thing new, B/W is the freshest be described as “rivals” have no weaknesses, and Darmanitan, ing. Nintendo has succeeded where especially important for people that there are fewer normal Rattata re-visioning of the game that the their own problems to deal with a fire-type beast that transforms George Lucas and Coca Cola failed; already own a version of the game. and Spearow types and more of franchise has ever seen. besides one-upping you. into a psychic statue at low they took a classic, and made it new. While my counterpart focuses the “holy crap what the hell is Nick O’Malley can be reached Shortly after breathing a sigh levels of heath. You can also Andrew Sheridan can be reached on the plot points and gameplay this” types. Entering the game, at [email protected]. of relief for not having to come find Pokémon based on anteat- at [email protected]. www.DailyCollegian.com The Massachusetts Daily Collegian Tuesday, May 3, 2011 7 Anastasio, Phish still phresh after 25 years By Ben Silverman cleaner, played a vacuum solo over Syd Barret’s jagged crescendo of distorted chords, and launches Collegian Correspondent “Love You,” using the hose of the cleaner as a into a building minor jam, which peaked with pure mouthpiece, while changing the size of the opening energy and cacophony before ending on a dime and (Editor’s note: This story was originally published of his mouth to alter the pitch. After a few self-dep- reverting to the original chords. on October 25, 2010) recating remarks he made about the abrasive sound “Set the gear shift for the high gear of your soul! UMass hasn’t looked or felt like this since 1995, of his vacuum and annoying nature of his solos, he You gotta run like an antelope… Out of control!” when Phish last played here. Thousands of fans gath- sat back down at the drums. was what Trey left the Mullins Center with before ered outside the Mullins Center to try to buy, trade and Trey picked his guitar back up and began the set break. sell Phish tickets before the show began. A dreadlocked “Possum,” causing the audience to whip out their Set two began more modestly, with simpler, more family of four stood together with a sign that read: tickets (which have a painting of an ugly possum) standard rock songs. While the songs were less imag- “Who’s got our Saturday tickets?” A grown man stood, and wave them around while chanting the lyrics. inative than the previous set’s, the following jams did crying in the box office after losing his tickets, and not The “Possum” jam lasted five energetic minutes, not disappoint. It wasn’t until “The Lizards”, a long being able to get any more. A young Hampshire student but never climaxed quite as powerfully as it has masterpiece that explored the history of the mythical waited eagerly at the front of the line after arriving at in the past (listen to the August 17 version for an land of “Gamehenge,” that the set took off. noon to buy an original poster and t-shirt. example). The set ended with “Tweezer Reprise” More high energy tunes followed, and the show At least 15 minutes before Phish even came with lyrics from “Meatstick” substituted in. ended with the long-awaited “David Bowie,” which onstage, thousands of audience members stood peace- After a 15-minute break, the lights dimmed for mixed tightly composed jazz with improvised heavy fully, eyes closed and smiling, nodding their heads to the second set, and the quartet once again took their metal shredding, climaxing in the biggest peak of the invisible, but present energy that they were collec- places on the stage. Noise poured out of the stage the tour. The encore of “Chalkdust Torture,” a blis- tively experiencing. Phish refers to this energy as the and filled the room with the bubbling, murky wall of teringly intense song about the woes and stresses of “vibration of life,” the steady buzz of seven beats per sound that could only mean “Down With Disease” education, served to remind UMass that after all, it second that energize you…for the rest of the evening.” is first up. An old favorite, “Down With Disease” is a school night, and it’s time to get some sleep. When Phish played the Mullins Center in 1994, guitar- is a funky rock tune with an extended, meander- The “Chalkdust” jam sealed the deal on this show’s ist Trey Anastasio took a break in a song to explain the ing jam, which rocked nicely for a few minutes, place in history, and left fans deeply satisfied and “vibration of life,” adding that “you gotta be careful but never quite found its energy last night, as it ready to download their copy of the show to cherish Hannah Cohen/Collegian with this stuff… it’s powerful stuff.” Whether it is has in the past. Any concerns about Phish’s energy for years to come. coincidental that seven beats per second equals 420 quickly subsided when they began “My Friend, My Last October, Phish played two sold out shows in Ben Silverman can be reached at bsilverm@ two nights at the Mullins Center. beats per minute is still unknown. Friend,” a delicately constructed piece that begins student.umass.edu. About an hour after the show was scheduled as a triumphant, classical sounding piece suitable to begin, guitarist Trey Anastasio, bassist Mike for an action movie soundtrack. It continued into Gordon, keyboardist Page McConnell and drummer an unsettling, dark segment, possibly referring to Jon Fishman made their way to the stage, greeted Shakespeare’s Macbeth. with uproarious rejoicing, laughter, applause, and the A few more songs passed, including a notably shouting of nicknames and song titles. Trey scratched high energy “Maze,” and an always appreci- a few sounds out of his guitar, Fishman loosely fol- ated “Piper,” but it wasn’t until “Harry Hood,” lowed him, and the rest of the band gradually joined an extensive, complexly arranged classic, that the in with the upbeat, chirpy chord progression of audience knew the night would end in glory. After “Meatstick,” which segued into Fishman drumming a long, palette-cleansing jam, Phish segued into the introduction to “Party Time,” a new song that he the familiar intro arpeggio to “You Enjoy Myself,” wrote for their 2009 album “Joy.” It was a festive, arguably the band’s most beloved and interesting simple, even silly song of boisterous drums, organ, composition. Through several tightly composed and the repeating line “Party Time! Party Time!” sections, a choreographed trampoline dance, and a Perhaps they played it because of UMass’ party fiery jam, “YEM” ended with the usual vocal jam, school reputation; more likely, it was to let us all an eerie, improvised a cappella that finished with know we were in for a party all weekend. piercing, unison screams, then faded to nothing. As soon as it ended, Phish dove into more famil- Night one was over. iar territory with “Golgi Apparatus,” written by Night two began with “ACDC Bag,” which con- Anastasio in eighth grade. A short, energetic gem firmed the predictions of the audience, who had been of a composition, “Golgi” has been a crowd pleaser expecting it as the opener all day. Phish moved into since its 1986 debut. Next came “Kill Devil Falls,” a “Camel Walk,” another eagerly awaited and predict- new, simple, rock-based song that Phish has insisted ed early set piece, but shocked the crowd by segueing on playing frequently over the past year. into “Divided Sky,” an old, emotional, and incredibly Next up was “Tweezer,” an old classic, as if to say precise composition followed by an intricately struc- “sorry for all the new stuff!” Debuting twenty years tured jam with a wailing, sustained solo. ago, “Tweezer” is a simple, pentatonic-based riff that More beloved pieces followed, including the evolves into a lengthy jam, often reaching abstract, simmering, Latin-influenced “Stash,” “Fee” (sung atonal points at peaks. After the crooning, lounge- through a megaphone), and the new, multifaceted jazzy “Lawn Boy,” sung by McConnell, a speedy, progressive rock composition, “Time Turns Elastic,” bluegrass tune, “Sparkle,” and a furious and punk which took Phish fans a year to learn to embrace and rock “Big Black Furry Creature From Mars,” came enjoy. Next was “Cavern,” an anthemic celebration Phish’s famous rendition of “Hold Your Head Up,” that convinced the audience the set was closing until featuring Trey on drums, and Fishman on vocals. the opening doodles of “Run Like An Antelope” let Next came a rare moment, surely one that will the crowd know there was still more life in this set. go down in “phishtory.” Fishman, famous for play- Starting with a loosely arranged instrumental intro- ing not only drums, but also the Electrolux vacuum duction, “Antelope” suddenly begins its jam with a

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