Serrated Intellect

jason mascow We’re coming closer and closer to one of the most important days of the rest of our lives. i know you’re probably sick and tired of hearing it by now, but it’s something we’ve just got to suck up. I mean, letz face it, there’s a hell of a reason to. November 2, 2004. Election day. I hate to introduce WAV magazine’s long-awaited second issue with a topic sure to elicit more jeer than cheer, but I trust you can respect itz immediacy. Immediacy that has prompted the artists and personalities we love, hate, and admire, to dedicate a good chunk of their obligation to. Of the countless events we attended over the past few years, there has existed at least a brief moment, often times full-on ‘speeches,’ dedicated to speaking up against the direction our beautiful, once- not-too-long-ago respected country is headed. And they do it out of pure passion and heartfelt belief, many times angering the businesses, marketers, government, corporations, sponsors…basically the money… behind them. and wasn’t that the idea in the first place? scare us into thinking that the only right way was their way? But still, the artists feel they just have to. After seeing a steady stream of this at just about every club I walked into, every festival lawn I frolicked on, every stage, theater, and coffeehouse I visited, I realized that i was not alone…and with this empowerment, I started to become less and less afraid. The world truly is a beautiful place, something we all have the potential to notice and share by simply stepping out of our bubbles, if for just a moment. Look at the sky, groove to the beat, laugh at the flick, laugh at your friends. now shouldn’t everyone have the right to that? i don’t know about you, but i’m sick and tired of being afraid all the time. Les’ DO dis!!!! Wasim Muklashy

Few will have the greatness to bend history itself, but each one of us can work to change a small portion of events, and in the total of all those acts will be written the history of this generation.

- Robert F. Kennedy The mighty HELMET returns for the George W. Bush and His Corporate the area is suitable for inclusion in the release of their first new music in 6 Pals are Plundering the Country and protected national park system, it is years!!! “” hits record stored Hijacking our Democracy, a book that is not “feasible because sufficient land is September 14, 2004 with a new line- shaping up to be the green community’s not currently available to the NPS; and up that includes , Chris Fahrenheit 9/11. Concentrating his strong opposition from area landowners Traynor, (formerly of reproach on the Bush administration’s makes it unlikely that effective NPS Zombie), and (formerly of disastrous environmental rollbacks, management could occur.” To see how Anthrax). Drop D never felt so good. the usually politically shy nephew of you can help protect all that’s left of our the late President John F. Kennedy valuable coastline, please visit www. Supersonic Soundwaves (adbusters) has inadvertently joined the ranks gaviotacoastconservancy.net/index. – Next time you drop a dollar for some of Michael Moore, Al Gore, and Al html some Doritos…ask yourself…did you Franken as an vociferously outspoken really want them? Or was the vending proponent of the current direction our They’re finally taking real notice. 2005 machine sending subliminal supersonic country is headed, and has embarked will mark the first year that a Best audio signals into your brain telling you on extensive speaking and lecture tours Electronic/Dance category will that you did? Sounds far-fetched, but to help fill the campaign coffers of John be added to the Grammys. this frightening technology is already Kerry. being tested in Tokyo. Imagine the A few flix to check out: possibilities… Activism network MoveOn.org strikes up Bukowski: Born Into This – A scathingly And if you’re in L.A., now through the anti-Bush with a compilation look at the man, the myth, the September 6, you can learn more about CD titled Future Soundtrack for America, monster…genius alcoholic fucking another frighteningly promising super due out in August. The project was beatnik Charles Bukowski. science that works on the scale of a spearheaded by avant-pop group Rock Fresh – A definitive look at the billionth of a meter, nanotechnology, at ’ John Flansburgh, evolution and world of the grafitti artist. the County Museum of Art. who has been working with director The struggles, the triumphs, the culture, (www.lacma.org) Spike Jonze to benefit MoveOn, Music the techniques, the legends. Real For America, and Common Assets. history. Thanks to new Los Angeles based Original material by R.E.M., Death Cab Freestyle: The Art of Rhyme – DJ Organic Clothing of the American Mind, now For Cutie, Bright Eyes, Blink-182, David documents the story of a group of you can shop AND help get Bush out Byrne from Talking Heads, will.i.am underground hip-hop Mcs and Djs from of office! The not for profit apparel of the , Ben Kweller, the early 80s til now. In the process, company is raising funds for Democratic Nada Surf, Elliot Smithand of course, figures like , Freestyle Fellowship, organizations such as MoveOn.org, They Might Be Giants, who “did an , and many more explore its Peace Action, and Kerry. The fun and electronic version of a from the expressive links to everything from jazz innovative t-shirt line includes slogans 1840s called “Tippecanoe and Tyler to gospel preaching. such as ‘Corporate Apologists,” “Axis of Too,” says Flansburgh. “It was originally Evil Doers,” “Halliburton Overcharges,” used during the Harrison-Van Buren Puffy Politics? Say it ain’t so. Then and “Unilateral Cowboys,” as well as an presidential race, and it’s really harsh, again, if P.Diddy’s plan to make voting exclusive line of VOTE tees, underwear, like a drinking song. It was the very first ‘fashionable’ will help get Bush outta and shorts…courtesy of sweatshop-free hip campaign song!” here, bring it on! I must admit P.Diggity, American Apparel. Look good and feel it’s a much better idea than attempting good at www.ClothingOfTheAmerican The fight for the preservation of the a dance record that’s for sure! Mind.com Gaviota Coastline has intensified. A recent National Park Service report Bjork the Godmother of Noyze? No thatz Elliot Smith’s final album will be labels the last remaining stretch of can’t be right. Can it? Rahzel spitz his released by Anti Records on October undeveloped Cali-coastline as “one beatbox percussion while Bjork provides 19, a full year after his death. From of the rarest global biomes. it is the her acapella seduction in Bjork’s new, A Basement On The Hill was pulled only location in the nation that features voices only album, Medula, while Tom together from three years of studio an ecological transition zone between Waits, yes, you heard right, Tom Waits work and is largely made up of northern and southern Mediterranean puts away the and beatboxes previously unreleased material. plant communities.” Nevertheless, the his way through his coming record Real planned development of upscale and Gone. God gave you a voice…use it…I This August, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. will exclusive communities gained a victory guess. Hey, guyz, I think it’s hitting me. release Crimes Against Nature: How with the NPS’s conclusion that although You guyz feeling anything?

“Punk.” A term that gets –Scott, Chatanooga, TN answer that question. gay tossed around more than eat it with mayonnaise people love us though... cow chips in Wisconsin. go figure. WAV wonders, does it Are you guys always really still exist? And if that drunk? –Tracy, Do you guys have any so, who will lead our Carbondale, IL pre-show rituals yet other misguided angst ridden its all an act. every band then alcohol and sound delinquents of today? needs a shtick. check (if that). –Lana, Enter L.A.’s The Bronx… W.Covina, CA survivors of overdoses, Do you think Gilby’s in our rider we have a car crashes, and other jealous that you guys meditation room and we assorted atrocities along are way harder than any have a mantra we all say their musical paths. Ask band he’s ever been in? before we play. if I told them and they’ll tell you –Donahue, Louisville, KY you what it was you would “punk” is dead though. I am hard... wait... what? I be immediately struck After releasing their self- mean I use my computer by lighting. a monk took titled debut in 2003, for emailing... that weird us aside in indo they’ve struck a nerve, a xxx stuff is for a school and said that we would lot of power chords, one report or something... um... become a popular band another, and anything what was the question and be able to open else within 50 feet of the again? bank accounts if we said stage. it before every show. still Have you ever picked waiting. The Bronx is part Joby up one of those black J. Ford (), a slab a transsexuals on La Brea does anyone in the world James Tweedy (bass), a and Santa Monica? actually like George W. generous portion of Jorma –Manuel, Los Angeles, CA Bush? –Big D, Venice, CA Vik (drums), an earful of being African American I Europeans don’t. they are Matt Caughthran (vocals), take offense at that. very vocal about this. we and a bloody overload then pull the Hitler card on of hyperkinetic psychosis I saw you guys at SXSW them. pretty classic.. did threatening to blow up in in Austin, Texas and Matt you know that it is illegal to your face at any moment. chucked a beer bottle even utter the word Hitler Doesn’t hurt that Axl-victim into the crowd. It hit the in Germany? - you go to Gilby Clarke produced bartender who looked jail. the album…turns out he super pissed off. Go just let the entire band figure. Did he ever try to finish this sentence: when loose in his studio, hardly kick your ass? You know, my band is huge I twiddling any knobs at all. when the bass player will use my fame and Now, that’s “punk”. WAV from Queens of the Stone huge pocketbooks to __ wuz able to reign in Joby, Age did that, Josh Homme ______, and when and who in turn tore the Press called it the last straw if I make it to my forties Pass of our neck and threw and kicked him out of the I will ______. Rolo, Los it out to the pit! Hide the band. –Millinger, Queens, Angeles, CA woman and children… NY that question kinda sux. here come The Bronx bitch! it was actually the owners wife he hit. he was pretty what’s the last good music What are we supposed to upset. then we explained video you saw? Jenya, do with that that to him that the shiner on Inglewood, CA comes with the CD? And his wife’s face is instant I don’t really watch TV. I don’t say shove it up your cred points with other saw some pretty sweet ass. beer guzzling rednecks in techno videos in a hotel Texas, and that he is going room in Europe one day. to get mad respect from mad glitch beats. the locals if he tells them he smacked his bitch up. Does Jorma Vik still puke during your shows? Ever WARNING! TECH think about displaying QUESTION! What are you it on a jumbotron above guys playing through on the stage? –Sebastian, the album? (, amps, Eagle Rock, CA fx). –Matt, Chula Vista, CA yeah. fuck. I forgot about modulator half pack, 2 that jumbotron we have in whacked out sub pre’s, our trailer. keep meaning couple o half hitches, and to break that out... one.. we built a drum set out of of... these... days. yes. gilbys guns and roses pin ball machine. Have you tried to talk Gilby into getting the band back What’s better? Great sex together? (me). that you can’t remember or no. horrible sex that won’t get outta your head? –Chris, Modesto, CA For more on The Bronx: since all of us repulse www.thebronxxx.com women, I can’t honestly The best alternatives to standard materials for creating healthier home and work spaces––sustainable, all natural, non-toxic, refurbished and recycled product solutions. Building and finish materials, home furnishings, resources for more information. Products to finish out any room and decorate it too.

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Michael Franti DOES THE MIDDLE EAST

your records will sound the same, and while that may work wonders for some DAVID HASSELHOFF BLOWS – bands, we really aren’t interested in wasting our time putting out the same sounding album over and over.

What do you say to people who write off your music simply because they By: yolanda can’t understand any , or all TheDillingerEscapePlan they hear is a bunch of noise and banshee screams?

Don’t listen.

Who are you guys compared to most often?

We get compared to that movie E.T. because our drummer () resembles the guy who played E.T.

Describe your songwriting process with regard to structuring out the myriad of fast, intricate riffs and odd timings?

Actually we do have a few on the new album that are in reasonable timings! Honestly, we don’t set out to purposely write difficult or technically intricate songs. We all just happen to be fucking geniuses, therefore the stuff we write reflects our masterful com- mand of the universe. Where’s the fucking hard-core these ing , to Miss Machine. days? Can’t anyone capture that feel- (Editor’s note: If you don’t know who I saw you in March in Austin and by ing, you know the one where you’re Mike Patton is don’t bother reading this the second song the drum set was at wits‘ end and all you can do to interview or this mag for that matter broken and the stage lights were dan- stay close to sane is go agro, break - thanks) gling, how does anything survive? shit, punch your friend and smile a (Editor’s Note: those lights were on the black-tooth grin at the end of it all? It’s been five years since the last full ceiling people – no joke) Somebody help us! length and there is really no excuse for that (laughs). It’s pretty much due to the It doesn’t. We just continue to be broke Thank the Gods for THE DILLINGER fact that the Irony and poor because all our money gets ESCAPE PLAN. Progpunk-- EP really boosted used to pay for bro- mathmetal madness comes to a head our profile and ken equipment and with their highly anticipated second consequently we knocked out teeth full-length album Miss Machine (they had to tour more and so forth. have two EP’s as well) on Relapse than we thought Records July 20th. Amidst a slew of we would, and What comes first, comparable bands like The Locust and you don’t get the music or the The Blood Brothers, the DEP reign much downtime lyrics, and what are supreme when it comes to ballzout when you are your songs about? musicianship and inciting beautifully touring, it’s only cathartic riots. an hour here and Generally speaking there, and an hour the music is written WAV caught up with lead singer Greg isn’t much time to write anything good. and pretty structurally complete, and Puciato on the verge of Miss Machine’s You need at least two or three hours then I start writing phrasing and lyrics, release, marking his first complete of writing pure trash before anything but I do have a big bag of lyrics ready record with the band, helping to awesome starts to happen. In terms of to go that I can pick from if I need to. cement DEPs legacy as pioneers in a growth? That’s another reason we take Usually I just write and have no idea burgeoning hard-core scene. our time. We all feel that it’s necessary what I’m writing about, then as I’m to inhale enough to make exhaling writing I realize what’s coming out of Describe the band’s growth musically worthwhile you know? If you don’t take me and where it’s coming from. It’s and personally from the last record, your time to explore new influences all pretty good, like letting your subcon- 2002’s featur- scious look into a mirror. How much of your ics and phrasings, and How do your overseas crowds compare time is dedicated Brian (Benoit, guitar) to those stateside? to your hard-core and Liam (Wilson, bass) electroni-punk take what Ben and Chris They’re all pretty similar, but some side project Error, write and add the let- places have more ridiculous accents featuring Atticus tuce, tomato and mayo. and languages than others. Since earlier Ross (program- We keep each other in you inferred that you can’t understand mer for Nine Inch check by any means what the hell we’re saying anyway, Nails) and Brett necessary, including full what with all the screaming, then it Gurewitz (Bad force right hooks to the doesn’t really matter what language Religion)? face, dirty sanchez type you speak does it? I think that if you get maneuvers, and forming our vibe you get it, regardless of where Error is something secret alliances behind you’re from. But then again, David that me and Atticus one another’s backs. Hasselhoff sells millions of in would love to keep some of those countries, which shows doing. Both of our So Reagan died, did any- that those sneaky bastard foreigners schedules are so one of you cry, cheer, can’t be trusted at all. busy though, mine or just change the damn with touring and channel? How much At the end of the day what do you want his with getting of a difference does his people to remember about The Dillinger Trent Reznor’s cof- death as opposed to Ray Escape Plan? fee, that Error just Charles’ recent passing happens whenever affect musicians like Remember the good times man. Hey... it can. We would your selves? you remember that one time when we love to get a full went to your grandmother’s house and length out and Reagan really wasn’t she let us play video games until like possibly even play alive. Don’t believe that 3am? Those were great times. The best shows one day, but it really all depends hype. Just because zombies walk and times man...the best. on scheduling. If our album does well talk and shit doesn’t mean they’re and Trent doesn’t invest in a coffee actually alive. I can’t believe you were maker it could be a while. fooled. And as for Ray Charles, the www.dillingerescapleplan.com only thing that changes for him is that With so many band member changes, now he can’t hear anything either. Look forward to the upcoming North who has what role? Who’s “in charge” American tour entitled “Fucking with of what? How long has the current Howz the new tour bus working out? Is the Lights On” featuring DEP, The lineup been intact? your concentrated flatulence any more Bronx, and Planes Mistaken for Stars tolerable given the advent of more among others, starting mid-July. This current lineup has been struggling square footage to pollute? to stay intact for about three years Log on and listen to soundWAVs at now. Ben (Weinman, guitar) and Chris No. We upped the output to match the www.wavmag.com write most of the music, I write the lyr- extra space. The SLICKER Plan: A John Hughes film…er…album By wasim muklashy ROBBERS ON HIGH STREET STEAL 6TH STREET By Wasim Muklashy

If you have yet to find yourself in the As Ben, Jeremy, and Tomer recall “Hmmm…Ben wears panties” midst of the debaucherous insanity the birth and maturation of “I play all of Steve’s guitar parts,” surrounding the annual South By Robbers On High Street, we were replies Ben, “and he likes to hump SouthWest (SXSW) Music Conference, frequently interrupted by the random inanimate objects.” make it a point to do so before your incoherencies decipherable only “Hey,” Steve fumes back, “what is all next life begins. 5000 bands and artists to the inebriated faces pressed this Steve bullshit?” cramming their various sets into the against the window yelling them “You started it by saying I wear panties handful of bars and clubs lining the on downtown Austin’s 6th Street. “Itz man” intimate streets of downtown Austin, insane how many people are here,” “But you do!” some already established, many still Tomer cheerily fumes. “It’s hard to “But I don’t want that shit to get hoping to be heard and embraced. walk down the street cuz you keep out!” Each year, only a handful of these running into people. It took us 45 “But they’re so pretty man. The red bands leave Texas stuck in the minds minutes just to get to the next block lace ones? Man, they’re so hot! You of the thousands of industry folk to pick up a slice of pizza.” Less than should be proud of that!” and fans that attend, and this time 100 yards away, we find ourselves around, one of those standouts was parked in ‘the van,’ smack dab in Ahhh…the life of, like, a serious Robbers On High Street. the middle of the madness, directly rockstar! in front of RockStars, the bar that With their inventive blend of rock doubled as their stage later that www.robbersonhighstreet.com and melodic punk, the boys behind evening. “They don’t just let anyone this band are poised to make quite play there,” a facetiously arrogant Log on and listen to soundWAVs at an impact rockin’ and rollin’ through Ben professes. “You have to be, like, www.wavmag.com their punk rock future. Growing up a serious rockstar.” together in upstate New York, guitarist Steven Mercado and guitarist/ SLAM! keyboardist/vocalist Ben Troken, who The door to the van violently pops since moved to the city, reunited open and in rushes (hurriedly and “in January of 2002, we finally and excitedly): put a band together and made a “OH MAN YOU MISSED IT! It was little demo,” explains Troken. “Tomer fuckin’ hilarious! I was leaving (Danan) was playing drums and we that bar, right, and I had a different bass player briefly at bumped into this girl, first, but once we got Jeremy (Phillips), and as my hands went the name, and started playing out, up, I grabbed her tit! So it’s been this lineup.” I was like, ‘sorry’, but her friend laughed, Since the current team has been so she was like ‘oh together, they’ve put out the “Fine grab my tit again’…I Lines” EP on New Line Records… just booked out! It sorta. “We originally thought we was fuckin’ nuts!” were signing with Scratchie Records,” The entire van as if Tomer explains, “but they turned out on cue: “You didn’t that they were more like an A&R go for it again? You source for New Line.” While the band should have gone for thought that everything would be it again!!!” handled by Scratchie, things didn’t “Oh, no man, it was quite turn out that way. “But it’s okay,” nice. It was short and he continues, “they were the first sweet you know?” people to ball for us with any kind of That’s when he finally money and they promised to buy us notices me. a van, so we were like, shit, let’s do it!” “Oh…hello…” The band is currently recording their bashfully,“I’m Steve.” full-length album, to be released later “Hello Steve. Nice this year. “None of the tracks from the to meet you. Tell us EP are gonna be on it,” prides Tomer. something about the “It’s all new stuff.” band that no one yet knows.”

FEAR THE BEAVER by sauceysack TRANSMISSION FROM THE SQUAWK BOX: Directly after he touched down every nook and cranny we can from a full-fledged east coast fit it into. If there’s one thing this tour, I had a chance to share a band loves, its playing shows. libation and shoot the shit with This fall we will begin touring all singer/guitarist Dave Harris of over the country, backed by a Planeside. The band has been radio campaign in support of together for close to four years MILK. I can’t fucking wait! and have managed to bang BY STEPHEN BABYAK out a self-titled EP, a split 7”, and When you’re not playing how do a full-length entitled For Motion you keep yourself busy on tour. PLANESIDE Discomfort (Surreal Records). Eat! Eat! Eat! Preferably BBQ! We Many have commented on the even bring out a small propane unique sound and pile-driving grill that we set up in parking lots live show of this relentless three- and baseball fields. We grill up piece. chicken, steak, and veggies… We also cart along some razor Is there an advantage of being scooters that we recklessly ride a three piece band? Was that around shopping centers while the original plan? we check out the local pretty One less ego! [laughs] It’s gals! funny because we originally considered another guitarist but You guys run your own I guess we never got around to independent label, Surreal, with auditioning one. We just wrote your management company and arranged the songs for Kingsize. How do you handle a three piece and thought it promotion without the support worked. Playing in a three-piece of a major label? band forces you to make good Well, everyone gets involved and use of dynamics. We try not we all work very hard together. to over-play. It puts more focus We do all our own booking and ÿÿ ÿ ÿ ÿ on the melody. Every song has the shows are all promoted with ÿ ÿ ÿ ÿ space that needs to be filled the help of our street team, The      and sometimes filling up too Autopilots. They stay on top of   ÿÿÿ ÿ much of it can kill the song. radio requests and flyering. We recently got national distribution ÿ ÿÿ ÿ ÿ How far has the band come through CHOKE which makes ÿ ÿ ÿ since you first started? our music available through      Well we are a lot busier now. special order anywhere in the  ÿÿ ÿ ÿ Not just playing more shows, US. That’s always good! but maintaining the website ÿ ÿ  (planeside.com), booking You really don’t seem to be shows, and making sure they associated with any one image are promoted. It’s a lot of work. or sound. What’s your deal? Musically, I think we explore We are not out to change the more possibilities than we had world or start any new trends. before. We pay more attention I think we have this sincerity to getting different sounds and that comes across in our songs tones. If you listen to the newer and at shows. We’re just three songs, you can hear it. guys who love to play music and drink beer…and we have Do you have a favorite song to a blast doing it. We don’t write play live? songs about hating our parents Right now I would have to say or anything like that because “The Day the Wheel Kicked Out.” that’s not what we’re about. At I get to scream my balls off! the end of the day, we are a rock band that loves to sweat Tell us about those new songs balls on stage playing as hard you mentioned before? and honest as we can. That’s We’re currently in the studio something the audience picks with producer John Seymour up on and relates to…I wouldn’t (Bouncing Souls, Mighty, Mighty say we are too concerned with Bosstones) working on our next an image. I mean shit, we once album simply titled, MILK. It played a show wearing bras! sounds really big and in-your- [laughs]. face! They’re some of the best songs we’ve ever done. Any final parting words for the The album will drop early this readers of WAV? fall…and yeah we’ll tour the shit “A flute with no holes is not out of it. a flute…and a donut with no holes is a danish.” Ok lets talk about life in the van. You have toured extensively up www.planeside.com and down the east coast and mid-west. Will dates include a Log on and listen to soundWAVs at full on west coast tour? www.wavmag.com We plan on taking our van to  SIGNS OF THE TIMES By wasim muklashy & micah lashbrook

“What the hell are we doing? Where are we going?”

My partner-in-crime and I were attempting to follow directions to the home of Ulises Bella, sax/ clarinet/keyboard/requinto jarocho/background vocalist multi-instrumental-extraordinaire for Los Angeles based Afro-Latin-salsa-hop-funk group . Sound like a mouthful? It is. With a band that currently boasts 10 full-time members (see OZO Roll Call), all of which frequent many more than a single instrumental talent, sensory overload is all too appropriate in Ozo territory. Named after the Aztec God of Dance, they’ve got quite a reputation to live up to, and not surprisingly, they pull it off without a hitch. Pick a show, any show, and the first thing you’ll experience is everyone in the house bobbin’ and wigglin’ and shakin’ and getting’ down, and it doesn’t stop until well past the final note. “This is the house!” So in swoops an eager Concord Records, “Are you sure?!?” and out comes Ozomatli’s third and most “Lemme see…right street…right address… ambitious studio album to date, Street gotta be!” Signs. In addition to a much anticipated ROLL CALL reunion with their original MC , Though the signs pointed the right direction, who joins them on uptempo tabla booty we still couldn’t help but feel like cops in a bouncer “Who’s to Blame?”, and DJ Cut bagel shop…close but no cigar. Our sense Chemist (now both part of hip-hop pioneers of expected-rockstar logic was thrown a Jurassic 5), among those the band invited bit off-kilter as we pulled up to children to join them were legendary Latin jazz playing in the street, cars propped up on & salsa pianist Eddie Palmieri, veteran cinderblocks with their wife-beater clad Moroccon sintar master Hassan Hakmoun, owners fiddling under the hood, painted French-Jewish gypsy violinists Les Yeux bars on the windows, you get the picture… Noir, and Los Lobos singer/guitarist David the barrio in all its grandeur. Forgive us Hidalgo, spicing up ‘’Santiago” with his for being a bit baffled to find ourselves soulful solos. “That dude’s on some weird Jiro Jabu in what many would consider one of the silent genius tip. He’s fuckin’ amazing” Yamaguchi Vocals less-savory neighborhoods in the county. declares Uli. After all, we were headed to see a man Percussion who not only played with Carlos Santana, Perhaps the most interesting collaboration but whose band has been called ‘the was their tech-inspired numbers with the future of music’ by the man himself. By now, Prague Orchestra. “We recorded that shit we should have known, it’s all a matter of via internet bro,” Ulises explains. “At first perspective. we were just thinking a small ensemble of strings…at most a chamber orchestra, but “Ah, home sweet home.” we never figured a full fuckin’ orchestra! We sent them the tracks and the charts, As Ulises welcomed us into his home, signs and they recorded it live via the internet. of the creature comforts of a recognizably There’s like a 2 second delay so you can Asdru grounded and familiar life lie strewn be like ‘you know what, play back that Trumpet / Justin Nino about the house…a coffee-table littered part…lay back a little more here.’ Stuff Lead Vocal Poree with magazines, matchbooks, and junk like that. It was crazy! And they did a Percussion mail…an overcrowded bookshelf…a good job man.” collection of ‘Simpsons’ figurines. The one discernable difference was the dusty One of the more intriguing aspects of Grammy marinating on the mantle. “They the record was not only the methods, wouldn’t let me sell it,” he jests. “It’s illegal but the timing of itz content. There or some shit like that.” was intentionally more than just a hint of North African and Middle Eastern Since he was supposed to be in Amsterdam influence. This sound played such a with the band until a last minute snag in pivotal role in Street Signs that they Raul tour preparations, he figured he’d console open the record with “Believe,” a track Michael Pacheco himself by bringing a bit of Amsterdam emblazoned with a Middle Eastern Duffy Guitar / to himself, and the comfort level only vocal approach and soaring strings. Drummer Sotto Voice rose as he made his peace offering. After “People have been into that music for / Congas casually relishing in this impromptu session, a minute, ever since the second record. we figured it was a good We felt like, especially with time to begin the actual what’s going on right now in interview session. We the world, with the stereotypes started by talking about that are being shoveled, and where Ozomatli currently the basic dehumanization of stands in their career and a culture and a population, the path that got them we have to represent.” DJ Spinobi here. Turntables Reflecting upon a darker period in the band’s history, Shef Considering the melee Ulises confides “the worst was Trombone surrounding the 9-11 the 6 months right after 9-11, / Vocals release of their second when any sort of criticism was studio album, 2002s frowned upon. I remember Grammy winning Embrace Wil-Dog did an interview that the Chaos (Interscope), mentioned that as tragic and the group figured it would “... what we want fucked up as 9-11 was, there be a good time to start to do is inspire was a reason why whoever a new. New sounds, new people to reflect was crazy enough to fuckin ideas, starting with a new on what good do that…to do it. You have label. Due to a post-911 they should to at least analyze their be doing.” industry-wide slump, most reasons and the history and Ulises Wil-Dog were unaware of the the circumstances before Saxophone/ Electric Bass release. It was at this point you jump to conclusions. He Clarinet/ / Baby Bass that Interscope’s commitment waned, started getting all kinds of hate mail Keyboards/ / Vocals forcing an inevitable need for change. “It and death threats and shit so we Requinto felt like they just didn’t really know what to were trippin’ out playing in New Jarocho/ do with us, and it was a mutual decision,” York. It was this really weird feeling. Background Ulises says of the split with Interscope. “It It was like walking on eggshells, but was just better.” at the same time, if there was any Vocals

time to really stand your ground, it was critical and satirical rendition of George that time, and we did it.” W. Bush, and this was their first stop on obey shepard fairey a community-by-community campaign In the face of a nation filled with fear, to take these posters around the nation. Ozomatli felt it their duty to soldier Hosted by KPFK’s (www.kpfk.org) Jerry on, holding firmly to their beliefs and Quickley, this particular evening’s eventually witnessing, if not contributing entertainment included S.T.U.N., DJ Z-Trip, to, an inevitable shift in the tides of Medusa w/Feline Science, Culture Clash, popular belief. “Now, even the slowest of and, of course, Ozomatli. us can finally see that there’s something funny going on. Sooner or later it’s the “One, it was just one of those things we ordinary people that are paying for this had to make time for,” explains Ulises. war, especially if we stay there a long “Shepard and Mear and Robbie? Robbie’s time like Vietnam. It’s going to get ugly.” fuckin’ legendary in L.A.” It was a way of telling people not to lose hope or feel Ozomatli are no stranger to political defeated in the face of an administration protest and social activism. In fact, that has continually ignored the needs they were born from it. Bassist/vocalist and pleas of its people. Describing His thoughts on PostGen: Wil-Dog and Ozo’s original drummer rallies and protests and gatherings as a Antoine “were hired by the California ‘catharsis,’ Ulises suggests that the reasons “I had followed Robbie’s Conservation Corps, a program set up behind all those people being there lie work since seeing his Reagan to give jobs to high-risk youth, but they much deeper than the banners they would never let them work enough to stand behind. “All those other people contradiction poster when I was get their benefits, no medical, nothing, are there for a group re-affirmation. We 18. He was one of the people yet all the management got that. As all fuckin’ feel the same together, and that most inspired me to do what a form of protest, they did a sit-in especially when there’s more and more I do. He was able to combine at the building. They lost their jobs, people involved. That’s when the energy politics, humor, art, mischief, all but they got to keep the building, so of those numbers makes whatever it is into one thing, and I was really they opened up this community center inside of you that makes you a human excited about that. Mear was a called the Peace & Justice Center as a being…it fuckin’ boosts that shit up!” artist that I actually had spot for anyone to go up in there and some static with when I first do their stuff, whether it be graffiti, Though this dedication to spreading a moved to LA, so this is sort of a art, skateboarding, poetry, music, positive message oozing global unity reconciliation thing. The three of anything.” These were the breeding has catapulted Ozomatli to new heights grounds that gave birth to Ozomatli. both musically and spiritually, not much us were all united on the idea of has changed about these cats except Bush not getting reelected…that A n y o n e t h a t h a s e v e r w o r k e d i n a g r o u p the sheer number of fans and followers itz an emergency. We figured setting knows how difficult it is to keep they’ve managed to accumulate over the let’s do something as a group, everyone on the same page without years. It all boils down to their unwavering where we’d have an even larger butting heads and personalities, and, commitment to the people and to their audience, so decided to make as you can imagine, it’s no different roots. “I think we try to be as specific with some anti-Bush images and for a 10-piece band comprised of whatever we feel is the most important throw this event for awareness. Chicano, Black, White, and Asian at that moment, so lately, itz all been descent, but it is Ozo’s perseverance about the war and the occupation. I “A lot of people just hear the and outlook that makes them think that (the world population) knows rhetoric about ‘Saddam’s gonna unique. They have managed to that not everybody’s down for it, but it swim over here with a bomb on keep their eyes, ears, and hearts gives it much more validity when we’re his back and kill everyone, and focused on a much deeper and speaking up and talking about it and more satisfying sentiment than making it important.” Ulises eyes widen as the CIA said it so itz true.’ They personal difference. “Our music is he recounts a recent show at the Istanbul need to get the facts. Wake up all about inclusion, not exclusion. We Jazz Festival in Turkey, where Ozomatli because people have agendas all have a potential…we have the “mentioned the war and how we felt and they’re manipulating you. potential for destruction. We can about it, and it raised the energy up in the The thing that people complain really fuck things up if we wanted to, show in a totally positive way…like ‘wow, about the most, but also do the but we have the potential to do the we are all in the same boat. Even though most, is OBEY. They just kinda opposite, and I think what we want we’re from L.A. and you guys are from fall in line, follow the path of to do is inspire to do the opposite. here, we all have this thing that connects least resistance, sleepwalk. Inspire people to reflect on what us right now.’ It was dope! I figure while people are young good they should be doing.” enough not to be jaded, it’s “There’re a lot of things the government a good time to talk to them. PostGen does that we know are wrong and they try to pass it off as right. So forget about what I’m hoping they’ll become a The Avalon in Hollywood they consider patriotic or unpatriotic or bit educated and spread the recently played host to a unique morally evil or good, because whatever word to some other friends and event mired in reflection of measurement they’re using is on some see that this is a celebration. these politically charged times wacky shit. Everyone’s laughing at us. The Being political doesn’t have surrounding this pivotal election world is laughing at us, and the way I feel to be all about being dour year. PostGen (www.PostGen. about it, the last thing I want is for Bush and depressed. You can come com) graced us with the launch to win again. I can’t handle him being together and have a good of “Be The Revolution,” a poster president anymore.” time and be conscientious. trio by legendary urban artists , Shepard Fairey (see “A few people being dilligent sidebar), and (“I about this sort of thing can make came out of retirement for this…I figured it was a good reason”). an incredibly dramatic impact.” Each artist provided their highly www.ozomatli.com www.obeygiant.com

Waxman: They have been mislead.” Yet, despite the alarming very protective of the Bush implications of these revelations, Administration, and have refused to Congress will not investigate it. Waxing look at a whole range of issues like the fact that several Saudis were conflict of interest able to leave the country right after n : a situation in which a public 9/11 for which we really haven’t official’s decisions are influenced Poetic: gotten an adequate explanation… by the official’s personal interests and some of them were in fact CONGRESSMAN HENRY relatives of bin Laden and members Waxman: I think that the obligations WAXMAN GRABS THE of the Saudi royal family…They of public life and public office [are] have failed to probe allegations to represent the public interest. What BULL BY THE HORNS. that administration officials misled Congress about the costs of the by Jim Sullos Medicare prescription drug bill. And they have ignored the ethical Meet Congressman Henry lapses of administration officials, Waxman. If you live on the west such as the senior Medicare side of L.A., chances are, he’s official who negotiated future the one representing you up in employment representing Washington, something that he’s drug companies while been doing since 1974. And if drafting the prescription you’ve got a few questions for the drug bill…They have [also] Bush Administration, chances are, refused to investigate the he’s one of the few up on Capitol Hill claim that Iraq is trying who is actually asking them. As the to get nuclear materials ranking member of the Government from Africa, which was Reform Committee he has been in the President’s State a constant thorn in Bush’s side, of the Union address vigorously following up on every which turned out to single discrepancy between public be absolutely bogus. statements by senior administration The CIA knew it to be officials and the internal findings of bogus at the time the their respective departments. (And President used that when you’re dealing with the Bush statement, and others in Administration, this can be quite the administration made an undertaking). We sat down and it, which was the basis for asked him why it is that he is so their argument that Iraq relentless in his pursuit of the truth was very close to getting when so many of his peers seem nuclear weapons. content to let the White House do as it pleases. Despite Condoleeza Rice’s repeated assertions that the Waxman: I am the top Democrat on Administration simply did not the committee that has jurisdiction know that the evidence was for oversight investigation –that’s an a forgery when they cited it important Congressional function, as justification for invasion, her because an important part of the deputy, Stephen Hadley, conceded authority of Congress is to find at a subsequent press conference out what the executive branch is that the CIA had made it very clear doing. Its been frustrating because to him, in both written memos and the Republicans are in charge a personal phone call from CIA and rather than try to investigate head honcho George Tenet, that I see happening more and more with matters that are really important, the uranium claim was based on the Bush Administration is that they they have seen themselves more “weak” evidence and should not are recommending professionals as Republicans first and leaders be used in any speech or report, that are their campaign warriors/ of an independent branch of months before the President’s State contributors and political friends. government that is supposed to of the Union address. The State We found this out when we were provide checks and balances Department’s Intelligence Bureau looking at the Enron issue. Enron, of second… our founding fathers expressed similar concerns around course, is a huge corporation that expected that we have these the same time in a report that went bankrupt and the chairman checks and balances. was widely circulated throughout of that corporation, Ken Lay, was the White House. And as Waxman a leading contributor to President WAV: Can you give some so delicately put it in a letter to Bush’s election before he became examples of how they’ve put the National Security Advisor Rice, President. They had a great deal of Republican agenda ahead of their “These circumstances raise obvious influence over this administration. Congressional duties? questions about whether your When Vice President Cheney public statements were intended to decided to take on the responsibility of setting up a task force to establish Vice President Cheney, to find Americans don’t really have the an energy policy…he relied on Ken out information about his energy time…If they followed things more Lay and Enron for a lot of advice. He task force, Vice President Cheney carefully, they would’ve noticed also went to other energy industry invited Justice Antonin Scalia on that the energy bill that was officials oil, gas, coal…what was Air Force Two to go on a hunting proposed by Vice President Cheney interesting was that he wasn’t even trip… and pushed by the Republicans in talking to the environmentalists…or Congress was a huge giveaway considering alternative fuels…or The trip caused quite an uproar of billions of dollars to the energy ways to try to preserve energy in the media. The Sierra Club, companies. And not very mindful rather than waste it. We asked along with some Democrats and of our need to…prepare ourselves the General Accounting Office many legal ethicists, requested for our long-term energy needs to find out how this energy task that Justice Scalia remove himself down the road. It wasn’t a well from the case due to the apparent thought out energy policy, at all. conflict of interest. Scalia refused, It was a giveaway to those in the asserting his ability to remain industry who had contributed i m p a r t i a l . O n J u n e 2 4 th, the Supreme to this Administration. And that’s Court decided that a lower court true of so many other areas as should spend more time sorting well, [for example], the Medicare out the White House’s privacy prescription drug bill. Rather than claim, thereby ensuring that use the leverage of millions of the administration would not seniors buying drugs through the have to reveal any details Medicare program to get better of the task force before prices, which I think would happen the election. Scalia voted if you got many customers working with the majority. together, the Bush Administration insisted on writing another provision WAV: Last year a study by into the bill saying that the Washington’s Center for government could never negotiate Public Integrity revealed with the drug companies to get that 9 out of the 30 lower prices. Well the bill, I feel, members of Donald emerged as another giveaway to Rumsfeld’s Defense the pharmaceutical industry and Policy Board were insurance companies. Over and affiliated with weapons over again, we see special deals contractors who made, for major corporate supporters of collectively, a cool $67 this Administration. A lot of what billion dollars on the they’re doing, and what they’d like war in Iraq. The DPB is to do, is to contract out work done Rumsfeld’s top advisory by the government, have private panel. It was the first to contractors do the work and then allege Hussein had ties have these private contractors to Al-Qaeda, and it was come back and support them adamant in its claims that financially. That’s certainly been Hussein had weapons of mass true with Bechtel and Halliburton. destruction -- allegations that its members screamed all over A quick Halliburton refresher CNN before the war and that course: After serving as Secretary have since been disproven. In the of Defense during Bush the Elder’s meantime, then-chairman Richard administration, current VP Dick Perle’s investment firm, Trireme, Cheney decided to make his first received $20 million in investment foray into the world of business. funds from Boeing, a company He landed the plum spot of CEO force was operating. It appeared that received $16 billion in Iraqi of Halliburton, a company that to be operating in secret. The Vice contracts. Blatant, inexcusable specializes in energy and oil President refused to answer any of conflict of interest. So why is it that services. During his last year there, the questions from the GAO and the majority of Americans don’t Halliburton received $1.5 billion was sued by the GAO. That’s the recognize the inability of these in federal loans and insurance first time that’s ever happened in people to act in the best interest of subsidies – a 1500% increase over the history of the Union. He was the American people due to their what they had received during the also sued by the National Associate vested financial interests? five years before Cheney became Defense Council, the Sierra Club, CEO. Also during his stay there, and Judicial Watch. The GAO lost Waxman: I think it’s difficult for Halliburton pleaded guilty to the early stage. The other lawsuits people to follow all the issues. They criminal charges of violating a U.S. are now being decided by the don’ t follow politics all that carefully. ban on exports to Libya by selling Supreme Court and there’s an They may know that President Bush Col. Qaddafi six pulse neutron interesting story behind that... was involved in the oil industry and generators, so-called “dual-use” Right after the Supreme Court that Vice President Cheney was devices that can be used to survey decided to take the case against the head of Halliburton, but most oil fields AND to detonate nuclear weapons. Also during this time the So I asked about that contract and action on the sole-source contract number of Halliburton subsidiary was told that Halliburton [already] in the days before it was awarded.” companies in offshore tax havens had a plan to put out oil well fires Once again, Waxman has caught a increased from 9 to 44. One of [and that’s why it was awarded senior official in a lie of monumental these subsidiaries, incorporated the no-bid contract]. It turns out implications, and yet once again, in the Cayman Islands, has been the more I got involved in it that the he is getting stonewalled by the used since 2000 to get around contract was much more than that. Republican-controlled Congress sanctions on doing business in It was for many years and worth not when trying to delve further into Iran. When Cheney left to become hundreds of millions of dollars but the apparent contradiction. Vice President, he was given a billions of dollars. And it wasn’t $33 million severance package. just to put out oil well fires but to WAV: Do you think that we are Since then, the company has rebuild the oil infrastructure of Iraq witnessing war profiteering? gone on to become the world’s itself. After we examined them…it largest diversified energy services, finally came to the point where Waxman: I think it’s quite likely. [The engineering, construction, and the Pentagon audit included on Administration is] not accountable. maintenance company, with some the record that Halliburton had They’re very deceptive. They’re $15 billion in revenues annually. been overcharging for meals they overpaying for work private never served, gasoline imported contractors are doing and now Waxman: [Halliburton and Bechtel] from Kuwait…[inaudible] …and the administration realizes that have been big supporters of the that they have no clear way of they have a very difficult problem administration and they’re getting keeping track of what they’re to deal with. Rather than provide multi-billion dollar contracts in Iraq doing and how they’re charging- competition to bid for projects, but we’re running into un-chartered -complete systemic failures in the they’ve given monopoly contracts territory when we’ve contracted way Halliburton handles things. to Bechtel and Halliburton, and out what the military used to do. they’ve tried to make sure that they Since this interview, Rep. Waxman can audit reports after the fact. This is a fairly new development has been fighting vigorously to But the Pentagon is saying they in U.S. military history. The military get the testimony of six former don’t have enough auditors to do now contracts out almost every Halliburton employees before the it, so what they’re proposing now possible aspect of its work to Committee on Government Reform. is to hire other private contractors private corporations, from food Two of the employees maintain that to review the work of the private preparation to janitorial services Halliburton would regularly remove contractors. Well there’s a cry of to camp design and construction, the spare tires from their brand-new outrage over this idea because thanks to an initiative implemented $85,000 trucks, and that when the some of the private contractors in the early 90’s by, guess who, trucks would get a flat, employees they’re going to hire…are business then–Secretary of Defense, Dick were instructed to abandon or partners with [the contractors that Cheney. torch the trucks. Another employee they are supposed to oversee] in described, and offered to provide other activities – it’s a conflict of Waxman: Halliburton…was given documentation of, subcontracts interest. We can’t trust them to a contract without anyone else under which Halliburton paid $45 do the job. We need government competing for the job. The contract per case of soda and $100 per auditors to do the work not private was on a cost plus basis so that 15-pound bag laundry. Another contractors…And in the Abu Ghraib the more taxpayer dollars that employee described how he and prison…we’re trying to sort through Halliburton spends, the more profit it other employees were instructed how much of the interrogations makes, even though Halliburton has to bill 12 hour days for 7 day weeks were done by private contractors had a history of overcharging the despite that fact that they had who we may not even be able to U.S. government on other contracts. done virtually no work while over hold accountable for their actions in Iraq. Both the Defense Contact if they broke the law. Some of these Audit Agency and the GAO private contractors are costing us have corroborated many of their a lot of money and are taking the allegations. best military people they can. They all have military people working Waxman also questions the for them to provide the security Administration’s claims that there and [are] over charging us for that were absolutely no contacts security. And, they can pay these between the VP’s office and the people far more than what they government officials responsible make when they’re in the military, for awarding the no-bid contracts. so they are more likely to take these In a June 15th letter to Cheney, private jobs. It all means that the Waxman wrote, “I have learned… private contractors, who seem to that your chief of staff, I. Lewis be unaccountable to anybody, are “Scooter” Libby, was briefed in making huge sums of money that October 2002 about the proposal they collect, in my mind, unjustly. to issue the November 11 task order to Halliburton…[and] recent press To find out more about what accounts disclosed the existence Congressman Waxman is doing, of a Pentagon e-mail indicating check him out on the web: that your office “coordinated” www.henrywaxman.house.gov @ A GLANCE: THE WAV THINK TANK // ecolibrium SOLAR POWER Our climate’s savior could also be saving you dollars

By Micah Lashbrook

A typical PV system for a family of 3 might take up 300 square feet of south-facing space on your roof.

In our country where the average citizen consumes 4x as to determine the initial costs and the “good stuff” for the much energy as our counterparts in the third world, it is appropriate setup. incumbent on us to discover ways to correct this imbal- ance. If we’re unwilling to change the lifestyle we’re accustomed to, at the very least, we can alter the way we produce and consume electricity. Surprisingly, our most HOW BIG SHOULD MY SOLAR PV SYSTEM BE? reliable and efficient renewable energy source is the one that has always been there – the sun. To determine the optimum PV system for your home, we would first need to figure the average electricity usage in ECOLIBRIUM weighs the pros and cons of the most com- terms of kilowatt-hours per day (kW/day). This is easily done mon consumer-level solar energy system, Photovoltaic by looking at your monthly energy bill and dividing the total (PV), in order to determine just how tangible the option is number of hours by the number of days in that month (see for both environmentally conscious homeowners as well as ‘TRY IT YOURSELF!’). my fellow penny pinchers. “A typical family of three might use 12kW hrs/day. Take this WAV enlisted the aid of Peter Parrish, the President of number, divide it by 4 and that will be the size system you California Solar Engineering Inc., to help us understand need to become essentially independent of energy from how to size a PV system and how much it can save us on our the grid. Thus, in this example, you will need a 3kW system.” energy bills. Ironically, the least sexy aspect of PV technol- Granted, larger families will need a bigger system, but ogy is also a main selling point, the financial aspect. “There they usually aim to only supplement their grid use. Parrish are tax credits, accelerated depreciation allowances, acknowledges the most common systems he installs are special designations in the historical market, property tax 3kW systems, which take up about 300 square feet (roughly exemptions, all that good stuff”. We’ll begin by calculating 100 sq. ft./1 kW) of roof space. An added benefit of a roof- the energy needs of an average size family and use that mounted PV system is that it shades the roof, extending roof life and reducing air conditioning bills.

TRY IT YOURSELF! Size up your own PV system OK, HOW MUCH WILL MY PV SYSTEM COST?

The price of a 3kW PV system might cause a case of “sticker shock”, but when the electricity bill savings set in, things start to become quite attractive. “If you were to ask what the costs were before rebates, etc. it would be about $7/watt (including installation).” That would set our average family back about $21,000, but what most people aren’t aware of are the sizable discounts available from the California Energy Commission (CEC) as incentive to install renewable energy systems. “About $7,500 of that will be rebated to you by the utility company. Now we’re down to $13,500 for the system. Residential customers can then take a 7.5% tax credit for the year in which it was pur- chased, so that’s roughly another grand.” This brings the net cost to about $12,500 for the whole setup. Business owners can also take advantage of Federal tax credits and accelerated depreciation, to further reduce the cost of PV systems. This is my LADWP bill for my home with four people living in it. My “Daily Average” of electricity use is given. By dividing this number by 4 it tells me WHAT HAPPENS IF YOUR PV how big my PV system needs to be for my house to be independent of SYSTEM PRODUCES MORE the grid: EX: 18 kWH / 4 = 4.5 ELECTRICITY THAN YOU NEED?

Therefore a 4.5 kW PV system would completely satisfy my home’s Virtually every utility in the State of California energy needs for this bill period. must conform to the Net Metering Law whereby excess electricity is sent back out

38 | WAV MAGAZINE ecolibrium \\ onto the grid for someone else to use causing your elec tric- over; including the Intergovernmental Panel on C limate ity meter to spin backw ar ds. You also r eceive cr edit for this Change (IPCC) formed in 1988 solely to document this phe- exce ss elec tricity a t the full retail ra te. nomenon. Let’s not forg et that 2 9 out of 34 of the worl ds’ bigge st pollu ters ratified the in famous Kyoto Protocol bu t Solar Po wer companies will install your PV system for the US couldn’t because it “w asn’t in our be st intere st”. Well, “a bo ut $1/ watt”; do-it-yo urse l fers co ul d also p urcha se it’s ce rtainly in the global citi zen’s best inte rests. entire so l ar energy s y stems on li ne for self-i nsta ll at ion. “ F or example Solar Depot (www.solardepot. com) can ship you just about ever ything you need in a ‘kit’ to your door.” But it is worth noting that in order to receive the full reba te Once again, it’s left up to us to let our leaders know how officials require profe ssional installa tion. Financing is always important it is to make the necessary adjustments be fore avai lable, and sola r roof top systems a re el igible fo r home it’s too late, starting by devoting what is in our countries im provement l oans as we ll as being exem pt from property be st intere sts, dollars, towards green energy. It would be a ta x until at least 2006. Check with your fi nancial i nstitut ion signifi ca nt fir s t step i n weani ng our selves f rom foreign oil, for more in fo or visit the C EC’s website (see SOLARS OURC ES and setting a good example not only for our c hildren bu t sidebar) for a l i st of el ig ible i nstitutions - ca l l 800-5 5 5-7 794 also fo r the wo rld. for a fr ee br ochur e . With the aid of solar profe ssionals like Dr. Peter Parrish and HOW LONG DO PV SYSTEM S LAST ? HOW DIFF ICULT ARE THEY a l it tle Q & A, the complex ities of a sola r energy system TO M AINTAIN? quickl y fa ll to the wayside, and the proven realities that purc hasing one of the se systems is the ‘smart money’ Thanks to e xtensive solar cell developmen t and testing c hoice becomes clearly evident. One thing is certain; the by NASA, the longevity and maintenance of PV systems sun will continue to burn for another thousand millennia, so is prac tically a non-issue. A standard warranty specifie s your investment is as “good as gold”. Invest in Solar Power, that after 25 years, the solar panel’s output mustsleep not easy, fall save money, brea the better, and in the immor- below 90% of its original capacity. “It’s like a Sears Diehard tal words of George Harrison “Here come s the Sun …do do battery. If you’ve had one for 12 years and it begins to fail,do do”. you can buy another one at half the then-c urrent price.” Anothe r great benefit i s the m i ni ma l ma i ntenance: hose off the pa nels once a year a n d keep it cl ear of debri s. “Sin ce PV systems do not have any fluids or moving parts the prob- SOLA R SOURCES: ability of them breaking down i s very m in ima l.” Cal ifo rnia Sola r E ngineering HOW DO I FI GURE OUT MY RETURN ON INVES TM ENT (RO I )? www.calsolareng.com

By now, you’re probably asking yourselfCalif “how ornia Energyquickly Commission doe s the system pay for itself?” The bene fit-cost analysis www.energy.ca.gov depends on rebates, tax benefit s a n d the cos t of e l ectri city from your utility. However, it’s safe to say that many large Calif ornia S olar Center commercial systems pay for themselves in 5-7 years and www.calif orniasolarcenter.org residential-class systems can pay fo r themselves in 10-12 years. Si nce a we ll-designed system will provide elect ricity US Green Buil d i ng Council for more than 25 y ears, the y pay for themselves man y times www.usgbc.org over. Home Power Magazi ne WHY SHOULD I INVE ST IN SOLAR POWE R? www.homepower.com

Summe rti me is upon us and the Fede ra l E ne rgy Reg u latory Sol ar Today Magazi ne Commission (FE RC) is already warn i ng Ca l ifo rn ians of a www.solar today.org possible repeat of the state’s 2000-2001 energy short- age-induced ro lling b l acko ut s due to h i g h AC use and an Kyoto Protoco l Watch d og unex pectedly low hydropowe r supply on the West Coast. www.c limn et.org/EUen ergy/ratification S o when the lights go ou t you’ll be sitting pretty in your PV powered house (as long as you also buy a ba ttery bac k-up International Panel on Climate Control syst em). Just make sure t o make enough room and f ood f or www.ipcc.ch clamoring neighbors in search of refuge… or get a nasty guard dog to keep them at bay. M A JOR UTILITIES IN CA LIFO R N IA: Another good reason is, quite fr ankly, ‘account- LA Department of Water and Power ability.’ It’s d i sturbing enoug h www.ladwp.com that the U S i s the l arg est si ngl e emitter of carbon dioxide in Southe rn Ca lifornia Edison the world. While only account- www.sce.com ing for 5% of the Earth’s popu- la tion , we are re sponsible for Pacific Gas & Electric 25% of CO2 (the most abundant www.pge.com and i m portant greenhouse gas) produced annually. Su re the San Diego Gas & Electric recent bloc kbuster “The Day www.sdge.com After Tomorrow” is just another over the to p H o ll ywood doom s - NATIONWIDE: day flic k, bu t the science of an impending seve re global cl imate For Incentive s available in other S tate s , visit shift, man-made or natural,the in DSIRE website: the co m i ng gene rations is rec- www.dsireusa.org ognized by au thoritie s the world

WAV MAGAZINE | 39 WHAT’SWHAT’S GOINGGOINGONON HEREHERE!?!!?! By Nigel Richards

It seems that things are finally cans of Red Bull, but the majority of guess what…it was slammin (catchin’ beginning to change in our precious my elation was from an enthusiastic on yet?)! The heads were there and it scene. I, like most traveling DJ’s, have crowd feeling and fueling an exciting was definitely rockin’, and that’s what relied on our love for dance music 3 hour set. The next night, I was almost counts! I ended the night on the mic for many years, so the diminishing dreading the rave-boog party I was thanking everyone from Local 13 for interest and activity in the scene have in for. I was stuck in a shitto hotel and putting the show together, and the hurt us greatly. Income is down, even not looking forward to the party until people for attending and sticking for us veterans, as are the number of I realized that Carlos Soul Slinger, a around till the end (6am). When I events. However, this summer, I swear great old friend, would be there, and closed by confidently pronouncing something magical has happened. to my pleasant surprise, the party was “We’re back!”…I meant it, and damn I have had successful gig after gig ROCKIN! HUGE! 1500 plus people in a that felt good! after gig. Clubs and parties (we don’t huge theater in Kansas City, Missouri. use the ‘R’ word anymore) have all Unbelievable. What was happening? And this exciting resurgence isn’t been slammin. How slammin? Let me Was there seriously a revival sprouting limited to the clubs and the bars, tell you. right in front of me? Hmmm… or even the cities! What do you get when you throw a couple of thousand I kicked off the summer at the DEMF Though I was still a bit skeptical, the people into a camp-site with a main ( Electronic Music Festival). It next gig was at Five in DC, a spot stage naturally carved out of a rock was great to see people pack the that’s always a great time with the into a cave? ANOTHER amazing big-bad-euro-techno-line-up night crazy DC late-nighters. But, get this: time! Last weekend, I found myself of the Tronic party series, and it was these past 12 months have been in Murphysburgh, Illinois, two hours a lot of fun to reconnect with familiar their best year EVER! It was great! from the closest airport, for a show faces from all over the mid-west. With old ‘r-word’ heads mixed in that Woody McBride put together. Then, in Kentucky, an old friend, who with shiny shirt clubbers altogether Dieselboy, Grooverider, Woody, and threw the party, asked me to play getting’ down with ‘sophisticated’ myself all had amazing memorable an old school acid house style set DC peeps…paired with all drink and sets from the inside of the rock and advertised that. Sho nuff, there dance, I couldn’t help but wonder formation. It was truly a natural old were some true ‘heads’ in there and out loud…WHAT IS GOING ON? school festival community vibe, with boy…ACEEEED…we had a blast! random people offering food and The following night, I headed up to water and a spot by the campfire as Next in line was Tabu, a new venue Rhode Island for another rave out, you walked by. in Minneapolis. WOW! Intimate bro. “Pahk tha cahhh that shit is club setting of about 4-600 people, retahhheded!” All the old school I guess what I’m trying to convey is slammin’ room, lovely ladies dancing peeps like JJ Blades and Dirty Ol that if we all act a bit responsibly all night, excellent energy, techno Frank were up in that piece. I was and accept the fact that things have fans...I didn’t know what hit me! Sure, shocked to play to a mixture of slightly changed, we may find that they some of it may have been the several guido northeast club peeps and ‘r- have in fact changed for the better. word’ers…new, fresh, and rocking out Above all, we may still be able to to some guy they’ve never heard find ourselves dancing! Take it from of. Lets face it, it’s quite likely that a me…someone who has been there, 20 year old ‘raver’ from a town that done that, and, fortunately, still doing has a sporadically inconsistent party it…”We’re back!” scene, may not have ever heard of me, but new fans, old fans, any fans Nigel are all FANS and it’s sure exciting to see new people dancing to our music! Shameless plug: Check my website: www.NigelRichards.com That brings us to July 4th weekend, for pix and more. and with it came Bang 4 in Philly, and The Los t^ Angeles Times !"  #$          

the opposite. An offspring, if you 5 to bring the sitcom back on The Passion of the Charles? will, to wash us of our greatest the air as part of their late-night sins.” syndicated lineup. Jewish Community slams beloved 80’s sitcom Silverstein’s theories also centered around a major cast Moore and Mouse It all became overhaul that occurred between crystal clear seasons 3 and 4 when the brown- for Robyn haired/brown eyed Pembroke Make Nice Silverstein at family was replaced by the 1:28 a.m. on a blonde haired/blue eyed Powells. Moore Conspiracies balmy summer “What was so wrong with the Tuesday night. Pembrokes? I guess in the end, Michael Eisner as Dan Enright. At 38, she they were just a little too uppity The Los Angeles Lakers as thought she had for the producers who jettisoned Charles Van Doren. That’s seen everything their dark skin and questions for the way Herbert Stempel, I when in fact she future Skinamax sex-pot Nicole mean, Michael Moore saw it realized she had Eggert and her gaggle of more after witnessing the Laker’s seen nothing docile WASPs. At that point, I miraculous comeback in Game at all. “There I think we all know who was in 2 of the NBA Finals on ABC. was watching charge.” “If you thought Quiz Show was the superstation bad, you ain’t seen nothing yet”, WGN when it hit Silverstein saved her strongest Moore said as he announced me like a tidal evidence for her closing remarks, plans for his next documentary, wave. The song, focussing on Charles’ best .4, which refers to Derek Fisher’s controversial shot that had the the character, friend, Buddy Lembeck. “Poor th the message. Willie Aimes (Buddy) probably Lakers headed towards their 4 Charles In never even saw it coming. For NBA title in 5 years. Charge was and all he knew, he was playing the is anti-semitic good natured party guy who was Shaking his head, Moore, a propaganda the wacky to Charles’ straight. native of Flint, Michigan, was produced by right But make no mistake about it, convinced there was something wing Christian the short, curly haired character fishy going on. “Well, apparently fundamentalist.” who at every turn tempts Charles the rules of physics don’t apply with women, drinking and to Fisher’s shot. Then there’s “You know they worse certainly played the role tonight. No team comes back may have won of Charles’ greatest foe when from 6 points down in forty the battle, but he needed a friend. Early in the seconds. And don’t even get me they haven’t show’s run, the writing was clever started on Shaq. Does he ever won the war”, enough to mask this apparent foul out? You’d think he was Silverstein Judas as one of Satan’s minions, George Bush with everything the preached to but just as the Pembrokes were referees let him get away with. Eisner has already sandbagged a budding ‘downstairs’ on Earth instead of shipped out, there is no doubt female legion of Jews Against that the producers felt the need my movie (Fahrenheit 9/11), but up in Heaven with his Father. he isn’t going to get away with Propaganda gathered at Kanter’s And this fresh face was supposed to hammer home what Buddy Deli in Los Angeles, CA. “Our really represented in coming doing the same to my beloved to not only take care of us, but Detroit Pistons just for ratings voices were definitely heard over be in charge of our days, nights, seasons. Who can forget that Mel Gibson’s The Passion and particular offensive episode sake and personal spite”, Moore wrongs and rights?” She shook explained. although that filth is now the her head as cheers erupted from where a beat-red sunburnt Buddy number one grossing R-Rated a brisket-scarfing crowd. wailed in pain each time Charles movie of all time, we will not touched him? It doesn’t get much Apparently not. Not being able to afford any more heat due to back down. We will get Charles Seeing a few disbelieving eyes, more blatant than that does it? In Charge off the air!” Ladies, anti-semitism is running the fallout from the recent Pixar Silverstein systemically broke debacle, rumors swirled around down the show, constructing rampant in this country right Silverstein whipped the crowd now. Hollywood, democrats town of an alleged meeting taking her case starting with Charles’ place at Eisner’s behest between into a frenzy as she drew parallels Father. “What about that, huh? supporting Palestinians, Arby’s! between Scott Baio’s seminal Someone’s got to put a stop to it the embattled Disney President You know, the Father who is and Moore the day before Game character Charles and the lord never seen or heard from as if he or next thing you know we’ll all Christ. “I mean, it’s all right be speaking German!” 3. Although neither party admits didn’t exist on this planet? Was to attending such meeting, Moore there in the theme song. ‘New Charles immaculately conceived boy in the neighborhood, lives When reached for comment has since abruptly called off plans by Lilly, played by a hook-nosed for .4, citing “budget constraints” downstairs and it’s understood, Ellen Travolta?. I think it follows Al Burton, former executive he’s there just to take good care producer and composer of the and the NBA Champion Pistons a certain logic that if Lilly could rode a tidal wave of suspect of me.’ We’re not stupid people. spawn the Antichrist(John classic TV theme song, denied Charles may as well have been accusations of Charles having officiating to a 5 game rout of Travolta) who took such glee the Lakers. Actor/benchwarmer sitting on a donkey when the in unleashing Battlefield Earth an anti-semitic agenda, but was Pembrokes opened the door for happy to report that he recently Rick Fox said (continued on page on an unsuspecting public, then 49) him as he made his new life naturally only she could produce began negotiations with KTLA

unmistakable and distinct, incorporating an unmistakable entrancing Orb formula is array of styles and showcasing his unique still ever present, and boy does it still work! blend of filtered nu-disco funk and ethnic From the playfully serious Paulett-esque samples fused with well produced house vocal style of MC Soom T on “Aftermath,” beats and rolling basslines. This album is to the relentless robotic chase thru the solid all the way through, with each track titanium-enshrouded halls of the future in is favorably different in style from the next “From a Distance,” The Orb are prepared to and if you’re a DJ, then you’ll be glad to lead your emotions on an all-night joyride. know that this compilation is tracked out so Bicycles & Tricycles includes tracks that are DJ NU-MARK that you can add some real choice cuts to appropriate for all party times, from the Blend Crafters your arsenal. (-JT Taylor) sunset (“Gee Strings,” where you swear Up Above Records you almost even hear the sunset waves crashing just before the nightfall winds Attention all graduates of the old-skool come a’howlin’), through the peak midnite and students of the new-skool: take hours, where tracks like “Hell’s Kitchen’s” note. Jurassic 5 DJ Nu-Mark, along with drama horns in full effect reinforce the his production partner Pomo, have put feeling that something big is happening, together a little masters lesson in the art all the way til the wee chill out moments of the break. 11 cuts of true and timeless of dawn’s break where the ambient and hip-hop productions ranging from the moody “Kompania” and “Dilmun” gently smooth eerie chain-gang prison field hymn reinsert you into the world you knew before vibed “Bad Luck Blues” to the James Brown V/A the party started. (-wasim muklashy) influenced and DJ Shadow reminiscent Party Keller (compiled by Florian Keller) “Lola” through the jazzy vocal breakz Compost Records strategically sprinkled throughout “Pow” and finally into a haunting horn-infused Well, you’ve got to believe me when I say rendition of Lennon’s “Imagine.” Blend this album is like listening to the beginning Crafters (Up Above Records) is a perfect of creation… of dance music within the example of the meticulous art of original last thirty years. Every consecutive track is production lacking in today’s A.D.D. hip- sure to remind you of a junior high school hop world. Leave it to a seasoned veteran. dance song, or a current chart topper, The only thing wrong with it is that, clocking or even an all time favorite hip hop tune, in at just over 30 minutes, it wasn’t long and this is because each song has been THE SEAMONSTERS enough. I wanted more. The packaging influential and has played a pivotal role The Turning Tide does say Volume 1, so you better believe I’ll in the evolution of dance music. There www.peterecords.com be waiting… (-wasim muklashy) is a surprise around every corner and the groove is tight from the get go. This Undulating guitar chords, reverbed riffage, compilation is sure to rock house parties of overdriven bass lines that morph into leads, all sorts with it’s hip hop/downtempo feel and an almost spoken word type vocal and for the DJ, this is a definite eclectic delivery make The Turning Tide a pleasantly addition to the good ol’ bag of wax. Florian serene listen beginning to end. It’s border did a great job not only with his selections line pop but the searching dissonance of rare, hard to find records but also in of singer Matt Clatterbuck’s quivering his ability to showcase some of the great voice gives the record a cool solemn tunes that have launched the underground vibe that’ll keep your head on a pensive dance community into what it is today. (-JT swivel. And anybody who can pull off JUNIOR JACK Taylor) an ‘entropy’ reference, as in “2nd Law of Trust It Thermodynamics”, will have science geeks Nettwerk America (Darwinism rocks!) eating out of the palm of his band. With his chart topping singles, a jam packed touring schedule and a consistent flow Formed in 2001 amidst a burgeoning of remix requests, it’s no wonder why this Long Beach music scene, there are three Globe-trotting DJ/producer has been an voracious Seamonsters in all; Matt sings international success. His sound is definitely and plays guitar, complimented by his what dance floors around the world are highly capable bass player Sam Stroosma craving. ‘Trust It’ is the highly anticipated, and inventive drummer Peter Deeble. As a debut artist album from Italian artist Vito THE ORB classic three-piece they’ve already learned Lucente aka Junior Jack and is a compilation Bicycles & Tricycles by their second album how to fill and not fill of his already successful singles and some Sanctuary Records up the spaces between the notes, allowing that are new and unreleased. At first listen, each other room to shine and emphasize Vito’s formula for groovy infectious house is Nothing spectacularly re-inventive but the the myriad of urgent sing-song chorus lines // reviews

that anchor each tune. For ‘artistic merit’ John S. Hall and his crew are finally living up way. Nevertheless, it’s still worth checking you can take note of four versions of an to their name and taking phallical sarcasm out. After all, it is the Roots we’re talking instrumental melody throughout the album, to unchartered lengths. With a feeling of about. (- micah lashbrook) signifying different states of the ocean’s being on “the brink of disaster,” this time tide. Pretty and noisy all at once, check around, with verses like “Amer ica totally kick s out Turning Tide for a quality rock record in ass…Nobody can kick our ass…nobody the same vain as a subdued Coldplay (sin can intimidate us because we don’t give piano) and a Strokes CD with more group a fuck. We’re not really criminals because oriented song writing. (-micah lashbrook) there’s no international law…because we refuse to recognize any court that might ever try to stop us from doing whatever the fuck we want,” King Missle III are taking aim at the chaotically subversive core of the Bush Administration. Furthermore, with lyrics like “We need more ass-fucking…I’m MIKE THE POET: talking about women fuckin’ men in Rockin’ the Populace the ass with dildos” and “I fucking love “I am alive in Los Angeles cheesecake!,” III cement their here in the wild wild west. position as one of our generations most as the warm wind hits my face SONIC YOUTH twisted and twacked mutherfuckers. And I walk across stained concrete. Sonic Nurse you know wut? As primitive and immature I cry tears of joy on Flower Street” Geffen this groundbreaking and genius home- --”I Am Alive in Los Angeles” spun record may seem, there’s something no, this is not an album called sonic quite satisfying about it. Mike Sonksen knows landscapes-- youth by a band named sonic nurse, but geographic and literary. This became it rocks anyway. Remember that period, evident during a recent road trip through way back in ’97, after Washing Machine, Crenshaw, Inglewood and South Central which happened to have been the last with the homey himself…Mike the Poet. As truly remarkable album they produced he pointed out urban jewels throughout – well, if you don’t remember let me remind the cultural terrain -- places I didn’t even you – the so-called marginalized genre know existed -- I realized why Mike is such of ‘art rock’ collapsed and drowned in a revered artist among the boho and experimental noise that could never gather ghetto glam. He lives his art, knows this itself in a series of SYR releases (SYR 1 is city like the back of his hand, and he really fucking good though). And much takes the listener along on the journey. to the chagrin of Sonic Youth fans such THE ROOTS as myself, NYC Ghosts and Flowers should The Tipping Point This lyrical street soldier is about to shake have been released by a band named Geffen up the spoken word scene with his vibrant sonic nurse instead. The newest one sounds debut “I Am Alive in Los Angeles.” Painting like a continuation of the appetizer album The Roots make it a habit of putting out one topographies of imagination concerning Murray Street released just a year earlier… sonically varied album after the next and the City of Angels, Mike’s style fuses Sonic Nurse is endearing, mellow, and easily their seventh studio album The Tipping Point hip-hop and jazz, smoothed out on the digestible even for new fans who couldn’t is no exception – they thrive on pushing the electronica tip. “The aim of my work is train their ears to their older more defining boundaries of what hip-hop is “supposed to make people think about their local stuff. It flows smoothly on it’s own plateau… to” sound like. Bump it alongside 2002’s landscape, the world at large and their like experienced rockers who have visited trip-hop Phrenology, or 1999’s Things Fall place in it,” says Mike. “The album is a the sun on magical flying carpets and Apart and you wonder if you’re listening to musical exploration of Los Angeles.” have come back without getting burned. the same group. While Rahzel and Skratch’s In other words, it’s an essential rock album human beatbox squawks and squibbles On hot joints like “Hollywood” and the of the millennium. (- S. Ghil) are noticeably absent, ?uestlove’s rock title track, he critiques the same city solid soul drumming and Hub’s ‘in the he loves with a palpable urgency. On pocket’ funk bass definitely hold it down. “The Emperor Wears No Clothes,” he KING MISSLE III But it’s Black Thought’s cadence and unveils frontin’ fashionistas: “Bourgeois unmistakable delivery that cements this bohemians drinking espresso/turn their Important Records record as a tribute to the “Golden Age” of nose up at the ghetto/But wanna be hip-hop and serves as testament to his MC ghetto fabulous at Fred Segal” This King Missile III, the genius spoken-word- supremacy. All the same, The Tipping Point, conscious brother also knows how to get psych-experiment-gone-awfully-awry rock isn’t quite up to snuff with the rest of The down with the party people. His shout mindz behind such unforgettable American Roots’ catalog. Even their epic 70+ minute out to club culture, “Dancin’ Times,” will folk classics as “” and format has been put to rest for a sleek 50 have your head nodding. On that cut, “” are absolute, albeit minuter that slips by safely without fully he passes the mic to his creative cohort, necessary, frickin’ loonies. With Royal Lunch, setting a mood or an agenda along the Phillip Martin, aka Philharmonic. The two

44%WAV MAGAZINE reviews \\ have shared a longtime poetic academia and underground friendship, and Philharmonic music culture with two new books laces six tracks on the CD with his on the horizon. One is a collection immaculate rhyming skills. of poems and essays on LA, and the other is a book of essays on Mike is a writer on a mission. His the many brilliant musicians, work has been published in the poets, DJs and artists in the Los Los Angeles Times, LA Weekly, The Angeles underground. Mike draws Book Los Angeles, 562 Magazine, inspiration from these visionaries Jointz Magazine and numerous and the telling of their stories. “I online publications. Along with am surrounded by genius,” he Shlomo Sher, he co-founded the says. “I celebrate the creative submainstream socio-political e- renaissance of 21st century artists.” zine, getunderground.com. The self-proclaimed poet journalist is I’ve also discovered that Mike is known throughout LA, not only as a inseparable from his journal. With wunderkind on stages from Venice one eye on the road and the other to Ventura, but for hosting poetic deep in his notebook, he spits events and art shows since the verses as we weave through traffic mid-90’s. His cultural influences are on Slauson. But Mike is far from as eclectic as his sound, ranging being a driveby poet. He got love from Walt Whitman, James Baldwin for LA whether giving verbal tours and Mike Davis to Common and A of his favorite haunts or changing Tribe Called Quest. lanes on the 405. This native son breathes life into this postmodern Rooted deep in hip-hop and metropolis…rockin’ the populace. literature, the Long Beach native (- Nicole D. Sconiers) is bridging the gap between

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