Out Of The Blue

Sports Feature Motocross Local Zack Ames Exclusive Interviews Concert Coverage RevCo Shinedown Helmet MewithoutYou Anti-Flag Nine Inch Nails The Academy Is Warped Tour Less Than Jake Ministry Motion City Soundtrack Local Band Profiles, Columns, Album Reviews, Movie Reviews, Poetry Out Of The Blue

Exclusive Interviews Band Profiles Concerts Sports Feature RevCo Hangtime Shinedown Helmet Animosity MewithoutYou Motocross Anti-Flag Scales of Emotion NIN, Bauhaus Local Less Than Jake Scene Of The Crime Warped Tour Zack Ames The Academy Is Project Defective Unknown Ministry Motion City Soundtrack Pietasters

Indie Album Reviews, Indie Movie Reviews, Columns, Poetry, Art Out Of The Blue P.O. Box 388 Skate Park comes true for youth Delaware OH 43015 Delaware Battle Of The Bands 4 in the works www.myspace.com/ out_of_the_blue646 For a number of years Delaware, Ohio’s youth have been searching for a place to skate freely, without interjection from pointing fingers defying Publication Creators in 2001 their presence. Tiffany Cook Well, it has finally happened! Three consecutive Battle Of The Bands Neil Shumate (BOB) annual events, held at the Delaware County Fairgrounds, have con- tributed to Project Skate Park. Editor-in-Chief An entire 17,000 square feet dedicated to skating is being constructed Neil Shumate this summer. The 2006 BOB raised $4,100 in advance ticket sales, totaling $6,000 Copy Editor including raffle ticket John Shumate sales. An estimated 650 attended this Writers year’s event. Mike Couburn The ’06 BOB win- Josh Davis ners were Circleville’s Nick Messer Deaf Child Area, tak- Tony Rowe ing home $500; second Neil Shumate place was Grand Mar- John Shumate shall from Buckeye Valley High School, Columnists winning $150; and in Sagabu third place was the SINthetichead3000 yo ungest band— Unclassified from Layout and Design Delaware Willis Inter- Neil Shumate mediate, who took home a $100 prize. Publicity Contacts A thousand youth Neil Shumate dedicated their time to organize and hold this Cover Photography year’s BOB. The entire Neil Shumate three-year BOB event has raised $12,500. Back Page Design The continuous Mike Couburn project struggle has Plagued On Earth opens BOB 3 at the been publicly known; Delaware County Fairgrounds. thus, major contribu- Photo by Kyle Wagner tions by Delaware An independent Eagles, Rotary, Weyerhauser, Verizon, and other anonymous publication donations have totaled $70,000. That still wasn’t enough money. looking beyond A Delaware City Council member said, “If we keep requiring these kids the mainstream--— to raise the funds for this skate park, it will be 4 or 5 years before they for the fans, have enough. We don’t require soccer kids to raise money for the soccer by the fans fields, nor swimmers to raise money for the swimming pool.” City Council finally decided to pitch in over $200,000 to make up the Out Of The Blue is a copyrighted difference for the $400,000 total project cost. independent publication, Organizer Greg Snouffer wrote in a press release: “we are proud to including all photos, announce that the Fairgrounds has invited us back for BOB 4 the last unless otherwise noted. Saturday in April 2007! So, to all the musicians out there, GET READY for BOB 4! We will be announcing in the fall, an all new youth-oriented JULY, 2006 service project to benefit from the fourth DELAWARE BATTLE OF THE BANDS!” —Written By Neil Shumate Local races motocross professionally

Zach Ames was three-years-old when he first set eyes on the rough sport of motocross. Fourteen years later, seventeen-year-old Ames has placed in numerous top five national amateur awards, three World Championships at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, placed 8th in the National Arena Cross Professional Series, and has raced parents and friends “trust me, and know that I know professionally throughout the United States. what I am doing now!” The skill involved is unquestionable. Zach shows that dreams can come true with Motocross racers must maneuver around encouragement, persistence, and determination. The bumps, position to balance their bodies to maxi- confidence behind Ames is proved when he told us his mize speed, complete risky jumps and battle to biggest motivator is “winning” and that he “never ignore flying dirt and dust. doubts my [his] abilities.” His favorite quotes are Marion County’s Prospect, Ohio houses one of “never give up” and “win it or wad it!” the nation’s youngest, most talented motocross Other than motocross, Zach’s favorite hobbies are racers in the United States. “cars and girls!” He also snowboards in the winter. Zach races his 2006 Suzuki 450 four-stroke Sometimes Ames uses music as a motivator, and his 2006 Suzuki 250F with a number of preferring “everything but country and most rap.” national sponsors backing him, including: F&S, Ames likes rock music the most, including the alt-rock No Fear, Suzuki, Spy Goggles, Alpinestars, Royal band Avenged Sevenfold. Purple, Fass Gass, DC Shoes, Dunlop Tires, Zing, In October, 2005 Ames placed 4th in the Toyota Tech Care Suspension, Freze, Vortex Sprockets, AMA National Arena cross in New York. Zach told Pro Circuit, Universal, EVS Protection, RK us to watch for him again this fall. Chains, and many others. “Starting in October I am goin’ to be racing the The primary inspiration was derived from a National Arena Cross series again, and if y’all want to race Zach and his dad attended when he was see me then, tune into the Speed Channel, and I’ll be younger. Zippy (nickname given by his mom) on there. My number is 8. And, ladies, if you read thought: “I’ve got to do this!” Considering the this, give me a call!” —Written By Neil Shumate dangerous nature of the sport, Zach says his Two-Stroke engine, invented in 1860.

1st known MX race held in the UK in 1924 Used in some motorcycles, mopeds, s Motocross, originally called “Scrambling,” by the French lawnmowers, chainsaws. e Motocross derived from “motorcycle” and “cross-country” i Sessions are called “motos,” two motos per session k Four-Stroke engine, invented in 1876.

c Tracks can be 1-2 miles and hold up to 40 riders Contains four steps: intake, i compression, power, and exhaust.

u Suzuki formed in 1909 Kawasaki formed in 1896

Q Honda formed in 1948 Yamaha formed in 1955 Categories: Motocross (MX1/MX3), Motocross Lites (MX2), mini two- FIM (Federation Internationale de Motocyclisme) governs the sport stroke, and supermini two-stroke “I don’t give a damn ‘bout my bad reputation” Vans Warped rolls into Germain! Exclusive interviews with Less Than Jake, Motion City Soundtrack, The Academy Is

The Vans Warped Tour’s “JR” Wasilewski told me “you distractive groundwork ought to see it here at eight in the appropriately compliments morning! Everyone’s walking the chaotic DIY punk lifestyle. around like a bunch of fucking Upon entrance a convoy of zombies trying to find things! It’s tents bearing the names of various fully a summer camp.” sponsors lead the way to a mirage Idle time is unacceptable at of music, vendors, games, and fans Warped. While walking around sporting Sid Vicious, meticulously (oblivious of the fact that well- styled, colorful mohawks. kept-hidden-inside pallid visages This, the second stop of a 49 would soon be erased by the an- city trek across the country resides tipathetic, inescapable fireball here, in Columbus, Ohio. The casting rays of intolerable heat eight stages scattered throughout from above) fans can read posters Germain Amphitheater house the plastered throughout the venue, sit From Bizkit To First From Last, Wes Boreland. music of every explored musical and rest at the myspace tent, pick genre in existence. up condoms at the Trojan canopy, The feature of indie label bands meet random Warped performers, is abundant—from Fat Wreck and play video games or fosse ball, Fueled by Ramen to Vagrant and receive a makeover with face Victory. paint, and have the opportunity to Kevin Lyman’s eleventh year skateboard. run of the Warped Tour features What about a set list? Nobody nine hours of back to back music was predictably handed a sched- with 78 bands traveling in over ule—instead an enormous blow up 120 tour buses, motor homes and balloon posted band names, stage vans that crawl across the United names, and set times. Fans were States covering over 17,000 miles. provided sheets of paper with On the side, Lyman co-owns an empty spots to fill in their favorite indie record label and also organ- acts to catch for the day. izes the Taste Of Chaos Tour The two main stages (The Jack- every Fall. N-The Box and Teddy Bear) are Bouncing Souls’ Attonito. In reference to the atmosphere, housed atop a parking lot, for- Mike Carden, The Academy Is merly known as Germain VIP bass player, told me “it’s like be- Parking. ing in a carnival; it’s a great life, These stages carry the majority just different. Everyday is exactly of attention considering veteran the same. I wake up, find our set performances by Less Than Jake, time, play the show, do interviews Buzzcocks, Helmet, NOFX, Joan and autographs, then eat dinner.” Jett, and Bouncing Souls. Carden said a difficult part of The same stages also share the the tour is keeping clean. “Yea, likes of new wave metal punk core we have to like share three show- acts including: Anti-Flag, Senses ers between hundreds of people! Fail, Motion City Soundtrack, It’s been five days for me so far!” From First To Last and Underoath. After noticing the location of the Smaller Warped stages feature showers near the press area, newbies such as rap trio Gym Carden commented, “yea, I’ll Class Heroes, AFI affiliated probably hit those real soon!” Aiden, Listed M.I.A., and Amber Less Than Jake sax player Peter Pacific. Motion City Soundtrack’s Justin Pierre. The Academy Is’ Carden said give a fuck about my reputation!” “small stages act as an incubator Jett, the first female to launch her toward reaching the main stage.” own record label, also preformed The possibility of witnessing “Cherry Bomb,” and closed with every act is 0/78, but we were able “I Love Rock and Roll.” to catch some between interviews. Illinois’ The Academy Is, fresh From First To Last, fresh off tour from sharing the stage with Fall with Hawthorne Heights and Fall Out Boy, Panic! At The Disco, and Out Boy, is more appropriate for Hellogoodbye, pleased fans with Ozzfest—all members wearing their smoldering combo of punk, black with matching body paint. rock, and pop. Former Limp Bizkit bassist Bass player Mike Carden Wes Boreland pranced around in joined vocalist William Beckett in his black underwear while throw- 2002 after their individual rival ing out killer note for note clarity. bands split up. Carden told me Fifteen years and running Less they plan to release a new album Than Jake preformed a mix of ska following the Warped Tour in and punk off their classic Pezcore early 2007. “It’s real hard writing and current album, In With The on the road, but right now we’re “I Love Rock ‘N Roll!” Joan Jett. Out Crowd. working on writing. We’re ready JR commented about their long to do something new.” lasting success: “I’m shocked Highly energized Motion City everyday that kids still come to Soundtrack played Warped with look at us and play. They always the distinct moog synthesizer expect to hear ‘Johnny Quest’ and aligned with a catchy, rhythmic, ‘(All My Best Friends Are) Metal fun, danceable, head bopping beat! Heads!’” It’s the Johnny Cash rule Motion City’s animated stage man—no matter what, he always presence exceeded the barricade. closed with ‘Reign of Fire,’ people Bass player/backing vocalist expected that!” Matt Taylor told me he recently Buzzcocks and Bouncing Souls watched Nine Inch Nails perform represented the closest form of and “that show changed me for- true old school punk pulling it off ever. It was a cathartic experi- CBGB’s style. ence, and I admire those shows as Less Than Jake takes the stage. JR on sax. Buzzcocks hit the stage with a performer practicing.” “Ever Fallen In Love” and hits off Lead singer Justin Pierre, A Different Kind of Tension from sporting finger-in-the-socket hair, success, it’s about fans who attend 1979 as well as their current said he can’t believe how artists consistently, every year. release, Flat-Pack Philosophy. like “Superchunk [can jump] up JR from Less Than Jake told The endurance of this late Sex and down and [manage] to main- us, “When I was younger, I Pistols era band was hallucinatory. tain note for note. They act as role thought it (success) was to sell The Manchester band burnt down models. Them and Flaming Lips. tons of records. But, that’s not it. the house with a Mod-like But, I still need more practice,” Real success is being able to do anarchist style. laughed Pierre. what you want to do, no matter Bouncing Souls’ lead Greg Pieere’s advice to local bands how much money you make, and Attonito sported a blue business starting out: “Play as much as you see kids still come to our shows. tie with an untucked casual shirt. can. Leave your jobs, go on tour! Kid’s get jaded, but they know The band threw out fast-paced Try it and keep doing it. Go ‘till they can always count on music.” hardcore songs from The Good, your broke then come back home, If you missed the Columbus The Bad, and The Argyle and find a new job, make money, and date, there is still time. Warped mixed in some current tracks off do it again and again. A lot of will visit Cincinnati on July 26th The Gold Record. luck is involved.” and Cleveland on August 11th. When Joan Jett and The Black Motion City just released a —Written By Neil Shumate Hearts took stage everyone piled deluxe edition of Commit This To in front to watch the 46-year-old Memory on Epitaph Records. All Photos By Kyle Wagner Runaways punkstress sing “I don’t The Warped Tour is not about

COVER STORY voted & picked by you

Scene Of The Crime delivers powerful driving rock to Central Ohio

S.O.T.C.’s Stan, Kyle, Anthony, Omar, Dustin

A full throttle force of unstoppable syncopated power bass grooves, face-punching guitar slaps, smashing drum patterns, and energized vocals that could intimidate Chino’s harmonious tones and fracture the deep aggressive pitch of Killswtich’s Howard Jones—these are the sounds which reside in a mass senior citizen home called Marion, Ohio. Scene Of The Crime represents a new brand of hardcore with a well-experienced, talented five member lineup. The individual experiences originated in ex-Marion bands Five People and Decliff. Stan (drums) and Dustin (guitar) belonged to the late Decliff and Omar (bass) along with Kyle (guitar) were two of Five People. Anthony E (vocals) from Newark currently lives in Columbus and fits in tight with S.O.T.C.’s August, 2005 formation. The origin of the band’s name was put in the hands of Anthony (Alien Robot God). “It just sounded kinda cool

R and I love sci-fi and horror films. It’s about the struggle for mankind, and it fits well.” The lyrics of “Crucial” display the horror film interest: “No matter where you run to, we will find you/ the

O nightmare is real, the realization hits you.” As a group, Sevendust is a big influence. Eleven-year experienced drummer Stan admires 36 Crazyfists and

C Deftones. Dustin is influenced by Pantera and Killswitch. Anthony laughed and said he actually likes Coheed and Cambria, even though the rest of the band might disagree! Anthony added, “The real stuff, the good stuff, is local. Local stuff is where it’s at.” R Despite the impact of national acts on style, S.O.T.C performs all original material. The band writes and learns together through trial and error. Dustin said, “every time you turn on the radio it all sounds the same. You gotta A be unique. We’re true to ourselves, it’s all original.” Outside of music S.O.T.C.’s Omar jumps on a motorcycle while other members enjoy the solitude of a Scene Of The Crime recently H opened for Hed P.E. and 36 Crazyfists.

video game, watching zombie movies, or just kicking

back and relaxing. However, the primary focus resides Here’s a list of Upcoming Shows in the band. The dedication brings the members together every week to practice and maintain their tight

N June 22nd Benefit For Cory unit to blow it up on stage. 2496 Pleasant Hill Road, Marion, OH Witnessing a live set will further prove the band’s musical capabilities. Anthony, sporting a trademark W August 5th at Buckaroo’s in Newark black outfit with a phantom of the opera bandanna shielding his left eye, works up the audience by jump-

O August 18th at High Five in Columbus, OH ing off stage and touring the venue while maintaining heavy-melodic vocal clarity. Dustin and Kyle commu-

T August 26th at Time Out in Mansfield, Laver Road nicate an even structured bouncing- off-each-other - guitar effect, while Omar grooves the thick pounding September 15th at Cityside Auditorium bass riffs. A non-electronic drum machine is powered 505 Park Street, Wapakoneta, OH

M by Stan, with a mutually energized connection. Marion’s Scene Of The Crime will please any fan of November 17th at The Blue Cat Club talented musicianship. With a demo recorded at John in Bellefontaine, OH Schwab studios in Columbus and performing over eight live shows a month, the band is achieving the due rites www.myspace.com/sotcband of passage in time. —Photos / Article By Neil Shumate COVER STORY Experimental grooves of the unique voted and picked Ghengis Green prescribe dose of escape by you

manipulated drums. Chris cur- well with Ahlteen’s vocals, In November 2005, four friends rently maintains the successive Cheeseman’s drums, and came together to produce a background beats. McClain’s bass grooves. Dustin metaphoric everlasting gobstopper The Cheeseman is influenced gives kudos to Queen and The form of music—each color by Pink Floyd, Frank Zappa and Beatles. transition reflects the psychedelic “prog-rock.” Outside of music, some take up sounds of Ghengis Green, fit to Chris, sporting an Austin drawing, watching movies, and the complement the relaxed environ- Powers look, said the writing necessities of sleeping and eating ment of drinking a cup of Joe. usually “starts with an acoustic when time permits. The Lewis Center, Ohio quartet guitar.” Ghengis Green just recorded a produces an well rounded experimental demo. attempt to To obtain share the a copy, con- qualities of tact them on The Flaming myspace. Lips, King Ghengis C r i m s o n , refrains from and Beck. representing For live the everyday, gigs, singer/ o r d i n a r y guitarist b a n d — Ben Ahlteen r e f r a i n i n g sports a from typical mirage MTV genera- of colorful tional sounds. outfits The local i n c l u d i n g , group but not continues to Ghengis Green’s Ian, Ben, Chris, and Dustin. —Photos / Article By Neil Shumate limited to, a grow with blue shirt, yellow tie, and yellow Ian McClain on bass gives quality live performances, booking pants. credit to Led Zepplin, Radiohead numerous monthly shows since Ben’s soothing vocal style of and King Crimson as major their first show in February, 2006. medium pitched, even tones com- influences. You may get lucky and hear the bines a mix of Elliott Smith on the Dustin White brings the distinct exceptional live covers “Mellow layering of “Not Going Back” and sounds of his keyboards. The Yellow” and “Clint Eastwood!” a rap style in “Out Of Orbit.” hollow spaceship sound mixes Ahlteen told us he’s influenced primarily by his father and The Upcoming Shows Beatles. Ahlteen writes most of the lyrics for the Gheng Bang which is “something that comes +August 4th The Scarlet and Grey Café in Columbus, OH from within, and [he] write[s] +August 10th Brenie’s Distillery in Columbus, OH mostly in school.” +August 17th The Clubhouse in Grove City, OH The band’s name is derived from Ghengis Kahn and gangrene. +September 15th UMC Coffeeshop in Columbus, OH Ben said, “they’re both about tak- ing over, and that’s what our aim is!” www.myspace.com/ghengisgreen Chris “Cooter” Cheeseman is merchandise: www.cafepress.com/ghengisgreen the band’s drummer who replaced Ben’s eight-year-old computer With prominent focus on the negativity and brutality of society, it’s a challenge to form a positive vibe in the music industry. One band has conquered it! Hangtime is worth checking out if you want to dispose of all the media’s force-fed harshness. Four friends put together this hardcore punk band that hit the streets of Columbus, Ohio, Delaware, Ohio and beyond in the fall of 2004. Since the first live gig at Bernie’s in Columbus, Bryan/Edison (vocals), Kevin (guitar), Jimmy (guitar), Anthony (drums), and Nick (bass) have released a demo and full length album, Make It Happen. The album was recorded just a few months ago at Ohio’s Electric Angle Studios with Grant. Hangtime just returned home from their first national tour (alongside Dayton, Ohio’s The Pledge) which kicked off in mid-June. Nick took time out to tell us about the tour while in Georgia. “Well, for starters we are traveling in a van with no trailer, except Kevin’s cab. Edison pretty much put the whole tour together. We are in GA right now, just got done playing at Sector 7G! We only had to sleep in the van once so far, so that’s pretty nice. People have been nice enough to let us stay in their house and feed us while we were there. It’s just the five of us on the open road, and it’s really hard to get from place to place when some shows don’t turn out too good.” The band’s influences are innumerable. Some include Floorpunch, Ten Yard Fight, xLooking Forwardx, and any fast, old style hardcore. Kevin mentioned his current favorites of Set It Straight, Under One Flag, Ceremony, Down To Nothing, and Sinking Ship to name a few. As far as writing material, Kevin said: “Either Jimmy or I just come up with riffs then play them at practice for everyone. Once we have the guitar parts written for a song, Anthony comes up with the drum tracks and so on. Our way of writing is pretty simple, and we like it that way.” The future looks promising for this tight-knit band. Kevin said, “We just want to keep doing shows. If a label shows interest in us, great. If not, it’s no big deal, we’ll still keep doing what we’ve been doing.” Outside of music, Hangtime hangs out, skateboards, and sport their love of piercings and tattoos. At live shows, the dynamic persevering band primarily performs all original music. At a show you might hear the adrenaline pumping “Hangtime Hardcore” and “Respect.” Hangtime is also working on www.myspace.com/hangtimehardcore a solid cover of some Judge songs and a Ten Yard Fight song. Using the internet to distribute music is becoming the UPCOMING SHOWS easiest, cheapest way to be heard. Kevin told us, “I love downloading. I think too many artists get caught up in the money aspect and would rather just sell CD’s. Sure, July 18th @ 294 E. 14th Ave in Columbus OH with downloading you might not make as much money, but is that really the point?!” July 22nd @ Bernies in Columbus, OH Check out the Hangtime posi’s killer, energetic live shows that will be sure to make you jump up, sing along, August 8th @ Bernies in Columbus, OH and slam dance all night long! “Keep a positive outlook / keep a positive attitude / August 12 @ The Brickhouse in St. Albans, WV make positive choices / and we’ll make a positive change / HANGTIME HARDCORE!” —Written By Neil Shumate —Photos, Headline Graphic Courtesy of Kevin / Hangtime Album Review Inkwell release Stars Cali’s Animosity with and Monsters July 25th

OOTB’s Mike Couburn Indie Florida rockers Inkwell offer up a main platter of punk rock with a side of catchy seasoned choruses on their second Mike: So you guys are from the Bay Area, how are the local shows around release, These Stars Are Monsters. there, do they get pretty crazy? Inkwell is production moguls Animosity: We really got it great here in the Bay. Our musical Travis Adams and Dave Pierce community is nearly completely free of all of the bullshit that gives metal who create a full four member and hardcore a bad reputation. Our scene is focused on music, friends and band sound. fun; as opposed to fashion, popularity and being tough. The shows out here Opening track “Just Take The are pretty awesome. The honest, gimmick-free bands thrive out here, Money and Leave” opens with a whereas fake ass trendy conformists are ignored. Jimmy Eat World sound and breaks off to a minor chord pro- Mike: How long have you guys been a national touring band? gression with keyboards and cello. Animosity: I started the band about 6 years ago in of 2000, We have been The time signatures rapidly touring ever since I was old enough to have a driver’s license, which has change in each independent track. been the past 4 years. “No You Drop It” is sure to gain fans with its catchy mellow Mike: What motivates your lyrics? claps, drum backings and hypnotic Animosity: Unfortunately, my lyrics are usually motivated by the bebop vocal layering. sickening, horrible shit I see in the world. By no means do I carry around The entire album welcomes a mindless hatred and anger with me everyday—I can't just ignore the variety of instrumentation—from harshness of our society. Our latest album Empires has a focus on acoustic and electronic to piano international and societal issues of domination and abuse of power. I and xylophone. expect my future lyrics to be much more personal as a lot has happened to Inkwell is currently on tour me since the last album, and my mind seems to be in another place at the with Mae and The Spill Canvas. moment. Get ready for the ear pleasing, poetic and melodic duo’s release Mike: Do you have any crazy “on the road” stories you’d like to share? on One Eleven/East West Animosity: One time in Nashville, TN this dude named "trademark" Record’s July 25th release. poured gasoline on himself and lit his face and legs on fire for us after the —Written By Neil Shumate show...Another time in Nevada we were getting on the highway and this dude hopped out of the passanger seat of the car in front of us and drop- kicked an infant onto the side of the road, and then drove off. We called Check these out the police, but I don't know if they got him or not. That shit was crazy. Neurosonic, Drama Queen Canadian group brings smooth Mike: What song would you say is industrial mix. Album drops your overall favorite to play live? September 5th on Bodog Music. Animosity: ”Thieves” Placebo, Meds Mike: If you guys could open for one Back Again with mesmerizing vocals band, still in existence or not, who would it be and why? Dresden Dolls, Yes, Virginia... Animosity: I don't really know...I Pianos, sex, and catchy drumming guess Jimi Hendrix...because that Angles & Airwaves, We Don’t would just obviously rule. Need I explain? Need To Whispter Ex-Blink 182 tames down, great sound Animosity. Photo Courtesy Animosity. Mike: What bands would you say Flaming Lips, At War With influences Animosity the most? The Mystics Animosity: Frank Zappa and the Mother of Invention, Super sweet combo of Frank Zappa, Jimi Hendirx Experience. All kinds of Metal, Punk and Hardcore. David Bowie, and Neil Young Local duo Online Chat with Zac / SH3K from Project Defective Unknown Following stories of depressive, drug related memories, we begin: unleashes full Me: So now you’re 28 and sober, mi- nus a few beers here and there? frontal stylistic Zac: That’s right. I used philosophy to rebuild myself and my son Xavier raps and rhymes was the seed. Me: Who do you study? Project Defective Unknown Zac: Eastern shit. Thich Naht Hahn, culminates a sense of style one The Dalia Lama. Anything Zen, Tao- could only believe to originate in ism, I Ching. I mainly lean toward the streets of New York or Detroit. Taoism and Buddhism. Who knew LaRue, Ohio could Me: How do your past experiences represent old school Wu Tang and influence your writing? Run D.M.C. combined with new Zac: What I write comes from a com- school KMK and ICP. bination of personal, philosophical, This rap duo with profound and mildly political aspects. I also energetic talent graces the under- find what I write to be good learning ground scene with incredible free- material. I try to spread knowledge a style raps, catchy choruses, and bit, for people who have come from a danceable beats. life of hell much like I have. I like to In May 2006 two best friends, show people that one person can in- Thomas Montis (Nite Tha deed bottom out completely, and then Grrness), 19, and Zac Tennar rebuild themselves from the inside (SINthetichead3000), 28, spent out. It’s all about acquiring knowl- hours in Montis’ professional re- edge and discovering yourself. cording studio to dub tracks, sam- Me: So when did you get into free- ple, record, loop, warp and edit to style/ MCing? perfection. Zac: I used to run with a few black Montis takes on the roll of guys and they would always sit Berry Gordy Jr. producing the around and spit rhymes ‘n shit. So tracks to create incredible clarity one day I figured I’d give it a shot. Top two photos, SINthetichead in the ex-Thumpfluid recording And when I did, mouths dropped! So Bottom photo, Nite Tha Grrness studio, set up by Montis’ father. ever since then I knew I was on to Montis also records some spots something. on the tracks with background Me: How did you and Grrness meet? vocals. Tennar writes the rhymes Zac: We met at a Micki D’s. We worked the graveyard shift and we’d and perfects them to a create a spit rhymes at each other to pass the time. Later on we found out that we smooth vibe reflecting his personal both lived in the same town. range of influences, including Me: When you rap do u freestyle over the beats, or write first, then the Public Enemy, Lords Of Acid, Mr. beats? Lif and Nine Inch Nails. Zac: Sometimes both. I freestyle a few times prior to writing in order to Project Defective Unknown get the feel down, and after that, it's like a molding process but with words. plans to release an album of music Me: What’s your future goals with your music? in the future, and maybe get some Zac: Success! I have so many ideas and so many songs written that I want live gigs going. turned into songs. I have the stuff I do with Grrness, and then solo ideas. Zac plans to do solo work on Me: So you guys don’t refrain from political correctness and vulgar lan- the side and is currently looking guage? for a band to collaborate with on Zac: No, we feel that obscenities are sometimes necessary to fully express some tracks. what it is you wanna say. You can check out P.D.U. on Me: Where do you think the music industry is going now? myspace at www.myspace.com/ Zac: A lot of music seems to be cloning itself. You see numerous artists defectiveunknown to hear doing the same thing. It sells like a product. Most music has to meet these “Samsara,” “Flawed,” and “Tha certain “requirements” so that it appeals to a young audience. Forecast.”—Written By Neil Shumate —Written By Neil Shumate —Photos Courtesy of Zac and Thomas Album Review Scales Of Emotion is an Between The O.K. band (pun intended) Buried And Me’s The Anatomy Of Oklahoma may seem an together for quite some time. unlikely stomping ground for indie But don’t let the modest broth- Not many bands can be consid- rock talent (sans Esther Drang and ers Skelnik fool you–they know ered epic before they are even at The Flaming Lips), however; on how to rock as well as speak their the height of their success; second glance, there’s quite a bit minds. however, Between the Buried and of musical activity in the Midwest These songs aren’t the typical Me is defiantly one of those bands. panhandle state. sad bastard tunes on the iPods of With hits like “Selkies: The One of the first experiences I teenagers with shaggy black hair- Endless Obsession and Mordecai,” remember from my time there was cuts and black framed glasses. they have left there mark on the an annual Tulsa Halloween Dealing with homelessness, music scene. tradition called MurderFest, the adolescent psyche and exhaustion The new CD The Anatomy Of DIY equivalent to pagan revelry. at a young age, Scales shine a light is special in its own way because it Imagine 10+ hardcore and metal of hope on such dark and mysteri- is full of timeless covers. bands…ok, you pretty much get ous places with occasional sarcas- Not many bands can pull off the idea already. tic realisms. covering Pink Floyd or Queen, but Sandwiched between the pleth- “We’re afraid of silence, of Between the Buried and Me did ora of loud chugga chuggas and disconnecting from the world and just that. the ensuing floorpunches, losing track of all that is. Truth is, They covered “Us and Them” spinkicks and whatnot, a band the times that we allow this quiet- flawlessly and “Bicycle Race” was called At All Costs (soon to be ness to be are when we really start right on. renamed and reformed as Scales of to live.” And on the record, when it Motion) stuck out as a proverbial The new seven song EP came time to turn up the old sore thumb. Through a Glass, Dimly is full of gnarly knob, they were right there Not only were they incredibly uplifting and inspirational nuggets to crank out some “Blackened” by melodic, but forceful and unbe- like this; It almost sounds like a Metallica and “Forced March” by lievably simple; with just a guitar, self-help CD. Earth Crisis. bass and drums their music was With giant moving riffs and some To wrap it all up they slay your anything but sparse and fun bass lines, this band would be ears with “Cemetery Gates” by everything but lackluster. right up the alley for fans of Pantera. And that is not even half And yeah, they could easily be Further Seems Forever, etc. of the songs. This CD is a must- pigeonholed as an “emo” or After being together for nearly have if you’ve ever heard music! “post-punk”; I swore I even heard five years, multiple recordings and —Written By Mike Couburn a breakdown or two. But its bands countless regional shows, Scales like Scales of Motion that leave of Motion hit the road for their Have your band featured: VFW showgoers scratching their first tour. My question was: what heads and bumrushing the merch took so long? www.myspace.com/ table. So when I heard that Scales Chris, bass and vocals, re- out_of_the_blue646 would be in Columbus last month, sponded that this was their first Send demos / press kits: I nearly jumped at the chance. such opportunity. And that’s The boys ripped through their exactly the humility and truth to Out Of The Blue set with dazzling ease. It’s very expect from his music. P.O. Box 388 apparent that they’ve been playing —Written By Nicholas A. Messer Delaware OH 43015 Check out Cleveland’s engaging, blissful rockers We let you to pick the cover band for Out Of The Blue. Keep up-to-date on www.curseicon.com our myspace site. Ministry and Revolting Cocks bring the MastabaTour of brutality A decision must be made: powerful messages, sounds, also founded by Al in 1985. should I celebrate our country’s guitars, synths, drums, samples, RevCo is known for its ever- birth at Red, White, and Boom? digital effects, and distorted vocals changing line up and features Or, should I see Ministry and the compiled into a right speaker and a surprise guest appearances at Revolting Cocks live? left speaker, resulting in pure every live show, similar to the The decision is quite clear if brutality. Ministry affiliated Pigface. you know me well enough, As my face was being forced It’s nothing but a dance party although the old dude walking by into my chest from the onstage with covers and industrial chants, Newport Music Hall with a Flag fury, images of Bush appeared on including the hit shout “Steers, hat, Flag outfit attempting to sell a screen behind Jordison through- Beers, and Queers!” Past RevCo patriotic Flags made me lean out the set, featuring comparisons members included lead Christ toward the downtown celebration. to Hitler and murderous motiva- Connelly, Trent Reznor, Dead Are you Kennedy’s Jello kidding me! The Biafra, live word m o s t b r u t a l samples approved American Flag by Timothy Leary, d i s i n t e g r a t i n g and Cheap Trick’s rocksters are go- Robin Zander and ing to take stage Rick Neilsen. in five hours at the Tonight’s RevCo best place in the fit seven members country to see any on stage including band! Now that’s f o u r s i n g e r s : reason to cele- Jorgensen, RevCo brate. founding Belgian The title of the member and Front tour would make 242 vocalist Luc Dr. Ruth proud: Van Acker, Phildo The Masterbatour! Owen from The year I was Skatenigs and Snow born is the same Ministry’s 2006 line up including Joey Jordison on drums. Black, and Josh year metal Photo Courtesy BuckSatan, 13th Planet Records/Megaforce Brad ford fro m madman Al Stayte. On bass was Jourgensen gave birth to a little tions. Jourgensen’s collaboration Anna K formerly of Drain S.T.H., project known as Ministry. with William S. Burroughs on Opiate For The Masses drummer Eleven albums and five record 1992’s “Just One Fix” may have Seven Antonopoulos, Society 1’s labels later the industrial metal rubbed off a bit much considering guitarist SIN, and Stayte’s makers take on Columbus, Ohio the acid trip lighting—the nonstop keyboardist Clayton Worbeck. with an elaborate anti-Bush theme flashing lights of green, red, and The fun atmosphere is unlike show. blue made the clarity that much anything else. The Cocks Stepping on stage: Slipknot’s harder to follow. performed an Iggy Pop/Jorgensen drummer and Murderdolls Jourgensen’s screams and collaboration called “Fire Engine” founder/guitarist Joey Jordison, moans wailed behind the sound found on the new album Cocked ex-Danzig guitarist Tommy that could impress Phil Spector, and Loaded. Victor, Killing Joke’s bassist Paul creator of the Wall Of Sound. The cocks paid homage to Rod Raven, and the man, the sinner The hatred of President Bush is Stewart with “Do Ya Think I’m himself, Havana, Cuba’s cowboy obvious as the t-shirt designs Sexy” to close the set with Colum- hat wearing, Al Jourgensen. feature a black and white bus chicks dancing on stage. The intensity and aggression is caricature of Bush with oil rigs This is officially the loudest indescribable. As I was standing and missiles in the back ground concert I have ever witnessed. there on the side witnessing may- with a thorned halo around his Three days later, my ears remain hem at it’s finest, I was having head.. Prior to Ministry’s show home to the sound of a mosquito complications digesting the was the legendary Revolting Cocks, brothel. —Written By Neil Shumate drumming of “Gave Up,” fist NIN dominates Germain with Bauhaus fucking “Wish,” and Reznor, Pigface collaboration “Suck.” The climate couldn’t have been with pneumonia, ultimately the The light show was top notch, more appropriate: overcast with seed to the band’s breakup. with various color effects cast on rain, wind, and lightning. Bauhaus ex-members David, the occasional lowering of the Creatures of the night piled into Daniel, and Kevin formed Love steel barricade. Reznor’s sobriety Columbus, Ohio’s Germain Am- and Rockets two years later while has proven effective with vocal phitheater to witness an all star Murphy released solo albums. intensity and guitar jams. cast of Goth rock. It was pure pleasure to be in the Reznor’s gone through his fair Peaches opened the evening presence of the talented fathers of share of tour buddies; however, with Lords Of Acid-esque pre-industrial. this talented band line up marks samples, raps and rhymes. the best. Thirty-eight-year old Drummer Josh Freese has Merrill Beth Nisker a range of credible experi- (Peaches) jumped on stage ence. In the past, Freese has clad in a pink two-piece drummed for The Vandals, bathing suit. (Wait a sec … Devo (as a permanent and are we at Sirens?) current member), A Perfect Peaches indeed hides Circle (as a permanent mem- very little with her enthusi- ber), and Suicidal Tendencies astic stage show, accompa- Bassist Jerodie White nied by two keyboard/ joined NIN after auditioning guitarists sporting match- for Metallica and Queens Of ing outfits, and a chick The Stone Age, as well as drummer who rolls out performing as Twiggy in samples and dance beats. Marilyn Manson’s outfit and Peaches writes, produces lead bass on A Perfect and performs all recorded Circle’s Emotive. tracks on her three albums. Alessandro Cortini on Peaches performed the keyboards is the lesser known Lost In Translation track Is a caption necessary? Photo Courtesy of Interscope member, who happened to “Fuck The Pain Away” and impress Reznor after a live showed off her guitar capabilities Fans dried out after Bauhaus and audition. In the past Cortini has with “Rock Show.” prepared for headliners NIN. performed as tour guitarist for Lawn fans were soaked head to As trademark, Trent Reznor Everclear and The Mayfield Four. toe as the stage evolved into a runs onto stage when least The youngest member of tour- smoke-filled cavern. expected—halfway through sound ing NIN is twenty-six-year-old The rare, fortunate chance to check, cutting live into the Aaron North on guitar, who sports witness the Godfathers Of Goth ceremonial speaker juke box with a red handkerchief in his back with Peter Murphy became a the presence of house lights re- pocket. reality. Bauhaus formed in 1978 vealing startled fans. North sports the most onstage and introduced a new sound of After two minutes into energy as he flips his guitar around dark hypnotic beats, creating a performing The Fragile’s opening his back and front again, just in British style mixed with the glam track “Somewhat Damaged” the time for his part. rock of David Bowie. house lights finally flick off, North tends to be the only “Double Dare” opened the allowing the sight of an enormous member to destruct his instrument show as Peter Murphy stepped barred steel cage holding NIN. The Who-style. onto stage wearing an eloquent The band was tight as ever, Trent is much tamer now. No British outfit that could easily suit performing Reznor’s span of more breaking bulbs, or throwing Bela Lugosi’s corpse. seventeen years, for over an hour shit around, with the exception of “Bela Lugosi’s Dead” was the and a half. tossing the mic stand during Goth-rock crowd pleaser of the NIN surprisingly touched roots “March Of The Pigs,” matching night. Murphy reinvented the with “Down In It” and “Get Down the music video. cryptic sounds with precision. Make Love.” A focus was placed continued on next page In 1983 Murphy was struck on Broken including the fast-paced NEW ALBUM Until There’s Nothing Out Of continued from previous page Left Of Us The Blue NIN closed with “Head Like A RELEASE interview Hole.” Trent and Co. did perform August 1, 2006 with Kill The Atlantic recording artists bring “Hurt,” but the song no longer Hannah, back New Wave with “Believer,” concludes the set. One of the best albums next issue. The evening was complete. “Lips Like Morphine,” and to check out this summer. Reznor has reportedly mentioned “The Collapse.” writing new material and releasing another album after this tour. We continue to wait patiently, Al Jorgenson VS. Trent Reznor anticipating Reznor’s next step, 48 years old 41 years old and hope for yet another phenome- Formed Revolting Cocks Formed Nine Inch Nails nal tour showcasing his “nothing and Ministry Collaborated with can stop me now” lengthy career. Former Live touring Revolting Cocks —Written By Neil Shumate members of Ministry and Pigface formed Pigface Current tour drummer, Current tour drummer, Josh Freese Joey Jordison Named band in 1988, Released a 1985 album Nine Inch Nails called Twelve Inch Singles Received a Grammy Nominated for a 2000 for Best Metal Grammy for “Bad Blood” Performance of “Wish” Ministry made a cameo in Made a cameo in Spielberg’s A.I. in 2001 Light Of Day in 1987 Ministry’s 4th NIN Pretty Hate Machine Album released on released on November 14, 1989 October 20, 1989 Worked with producer Worked with producer Cage with NIN. Photo by Cheryl Shumate Adrian Sherwood Adrian Sherwood

shows multiple talents. The CD again all in one song. The next Album Review explodes with the metal infused best thing to “Blindfolds Aside” is Protest The Hero’s Kezia song “No Stars Over Bethlehem,” one of my favorite songs, “Turn then jumps into the almost radio- Soonest ToThe Sea.” Born out of the ashes of tradi- friendly single “Heretics & Kill- This tale of life, death, and tional emo music comes a band ers.” “Heretics & Killers” is murder is amazingly haunting. The with a little bit more to offer to lighter than most of the album, but guitar parts ring so clear and the emo’s somber teenage fan base. still gets the job done with a very vocals, especially in the bridge, Protest the Hero combines a nice metal breakdown. will leave chills in your spine. By mixture of different genres of The third song, “Divinity far one of the band’s best songs. music. Within” might lead you to believe Finally, the band slams their Their music is a kind of me- this is a CD about God, but it’s music home with the fierce yet lodic harmony, which emo bands just a neo-metal CD with religious beautiful song, “A Plateful of Our are known for, but with a punk undertones, not a sermon. The Dead.” The song proves to be a twist, and in-your-face new-school next few songs are taken from the fitting end to a fitting album. metal guitars. playbook of older metal. PTH’s Kezia is a great change The album shows good musical Here, PTH shows it’s not all of pace for people looking for talent and a lot of depth. PTH Christ and Love. The middle part something beyond the status quo. plays on the whole emotional of Kezia contains the two best If you like Killswitch Engage, aspect that emo music uses to grab songs. “Blindfolds Aside” talks 36 Crazyfists, and A Static Lull- its fans, yet they don’t refrain from about life changing events, and aby, I strongly recommend listen- throwing down like a seasoned does it with heavy guitars and ing to Protest the Hero. metal band. melodic vocals. —Written By Tony Rowe PTH’s album Kezia covers a lot Unlike other bands, PTH dem- of musical ground. At first, listen- onstrates their ability to go from For more, visit ing to this CD it appears to be all metal to acoustic guitars and heav- www.protestthehero.com metal, but when you get into it, it enly women’s vocals, and back Helmet frontman Page Hamilton talks music, education, and latest album release Minor keys full of distorted that, I mean, there is talent, but it’s vocals and guitar riffs combine not hard stuff to do.” This shed ripples of syncopation to create a light into Helmet’s March, 2006 distinctive metal groove. Sinking decision to change from Interscope farther, the inner ear canal be- to independent record label War- comes engulfed with water, creat- con Records for their new release, ing muffled time signatures. Monochrome. The innovator of this divergent “We just didn’t fit into the metal sound recently took time to machinery anymore. We’re not sit down with me. 21-year-olds with hot tits any- Helmet founder/guitarist/ more!” Hamilton mentioned a The artist draws the picture, it singer/writer Page Hamilton is no doesn’t matter how you get there newbie to the music scene. to focus, or what gets you there. With six Helmet albums under For me, that now is Coltrane.” his belt, playing past guitar parts When asked about music in for David Bowie, and producing education, Hamilton believes mu- records, Hamilton can no doubt sic should be encouraged much share insight to current trends. earlier in schools as a way of free “Right now there is a huge expression. indie scene, Pro Tools has opened “It’s a simple lesson: Mozart, up many opportunities. Computers a fucking genius, Brittany Spears, allow for easier recording. I mean, not a genius!” some bands are complete crap for In 1999 Helmet split up and the that!” Hamilton mentioned Radio- founder toured with David Bowie head and Linkin Park as examples. playing guitar. He also worked “Radiohead kept progressing. I with Nine Inch Nails and more mean Pablo was iffy, then The recently produced songs from Bends was okay, then Kid A totally Gavin Rossdale’s new band blew me away. Technology to- Institute. tally worked for them in a unique Sharing the guitar series with way. But, for Linkin Park, that’s Metallica’s James Hetfield and all cut and paste. Anyone can do recent music video shoot. Slayer’s Jeff Hanneman, ESP gui- The video director requested tars and basses recently announced more close-ups. Hamilton a new signature Page Hamilton laughed, “Our band manager guitar using DiMarzio pick ups turned around and said, ‘C’mon instead of Seymour Duncan. man, he’s not fucking Jessica Despite all the industry Simpson!’” changes, band set backs and side Helmet’s Monochrome is in projects, Hamilton’s heart is stores now and Hamilton told me instilled in Helmet’s music. Proof the album is “a stripped down can be heard with the band’s refor- back-to-basics rock album.” The mation on 2004’s Size Matters. recording welcomes back Strap “I never cared about being on It On and Meantime’s producer/ the cover of Rolling Stone. Play- engineer Wharton Tiers to reform ing music is still my top motiva- Helmet’s early 90’s sound. tion. Music makes the world go Hamilton’s personal influ- around.” Catch Helmet on a solo ences include a wide range of tour following the Warped dates. artists with a jazz focus. “I’m open to all forms of music— —Written By Neil Shumate —Photos By Kyle Wagner Nugent, Led Zepp. But moreso, I like to play like John Coltrane. Mister Peanut (that yellow monocle, top hat bastard) sits on a heap of newspapers in an anonymous urban alley. He mumbles something about the IRS and throws an empty Colt 45 forty against a dumpster and he stud- ies his Mickey Mouse gloves, caked with boogers and gravel and urine and he listens to the steady hum of City traffic with road rage curses and anti- lock brake moans and he recalls how he once traveled through the same streets in a limousine with DVD monitors and mini-bars and he recalls how his face once graced interstate billboards and tin can labels of salty honey enticement and he sees. He sees Big Dave hobbling down the alley with a fifth of Mad Dog and back-issues of TIME Magazine stuffed in his sweatpants and he despises his elation his happiness his excitement in meeting Big Dave with a fifth of Mad Dog, because he knows he knows he knows he will be drunk soon. Mister Peanut's knees crack as he grunts and Drawing By Nate Burns stands to welcome Big Dave to his heap of newspapers, and bits of moldy dumpster sandwich slide down his yellow nut-shell abdomen. His back pops as he straightens his posture and he adjusts his monocle which is cracked and smeared with the businessman semen he had to milk in order Echotic to buy a forty last night. He licks his soiled index finger and slicks his Blossoms of lime are prominent eyebrow and all this, all this with Big Dave TIME- crinkling his drifting in time Passion of radiance, way through the rubbish, waving his 40 proof prize and smiling with stub- hypnotic, sublime ble chapped lips and no teeth. Twisting like dreams "How goes it P? Gots some nourishment here for us, I do." Big Dave's upon sparkling offering oozes out of his mouth and floats toward Mister Peanut's grimy streams face in wavy green stink lines, which Mister Peanut deftly dodges at the Her voice is a last possible second. Peanut accepts the bottle and chugs until his eyes whisper even when she screams water and Big Dave takes his turn as they squat on the heap of newspa- Written By Kyle Smothers pers. Ten minutes of silence and gulping pass and Mister Peanut is drunk enough to enter the confessional period of the binge—he feels inclined to remind his esteemed guest, of course, that "Things weren't always this bad for me, you know." To which Big Dave nods and squints and farts and says: Peach Skin the peach, "But things ain't so bad. At least we have each other, right?" But this is underwater barely audible on account of the sputtering machine-gun fart which accom- A glass of chardonnay panies the statement, like some lewd chorus from a B-movie soundtrack. for your daughter Mister Peanut vomits his Mad Dog into his lap in response to the stench, Richness of the heart wipes chunks of moldy dumpster sludge away from his right-angle nose. is my supplement Big Dave sees Peanut's puke distraction and he lunges and he's on top of Through the water’s Peanut, who screams for help and kicks his wiry legs but Big Dave is too surface her reflection is bent heavy, too filthy, too strong and too drunk and he licks Mister Peanut's Written By Kyle Smothers salty body and he forces his warty testicles down Peanut's throat, along with a TIME article about the dangers of insider trading. Written By John Shumate You And I As I lay here Gazing into the darkness Beholding your face Though it is only a vision I can see every beautiful line Every inch of your skin Even the colour of your eyes They cloud my vision with thoughts of you I can feel your hands gliding over my body Your body close to mine I can hear your voice Strong and powerful Guiding me down deep Into a hell of nothing Today I rode my bike to the shop from Sarah's Into a vast spectacle of pleasures One only sees in dreams house. It is just over 16 miles. It takes me an hour And pulling from me or so to ride and I was soaked within the first five Screams and moans never before heard minutes. I was going through puddles so deep that By myself my shoes where going under water as I peddled Nor anyone else down. The ride down Broad Street to downtown was Do you know what you do? Do you dream of me? rough—I had a head wind all the way. However, the And if you do fact that I was playing in a thunder storm made Do you see what it is you have done? up for that. Once I hit High Street and headed And when you are alone north, I was kicking ass. I had the wind at my Do you think of me back and off in the distance was the most awesome And pleasure yourself? And if you do storm clouds I had seen in a while. With a flash of Know that I feel you lightning, every twenty or thirty seconds, and my I feel what you do headphones blaring eighties metal, I felt like I was And I can fit within you at my own private laser light show. That’s my Just as if I were your very soul kind of bike ride! When I got to OSU campus, and And know that the sky changed from day to night, and the wind When the daylight fades And the darkness of sleep changed directions, I didn't even look for tornados. Overtakes you I just turned up the music. I will be within your dreams -Written By Dave Kelso- Your nightmares Your fantasies And within those You and I Will Be One Written By Susan Nix

SUBMIT YOUR ORIGINAL ARTWORK, POETRY, PHOTOGRAPHY OR SHORT STORY Out Of The Blue, P.O. Box 388, Delaware OH 43015 With your submissions, please include your contact information. Include, if you would like, your name or pen name to be published. Only original material will be accepted. Some submissions may not be published. Drawing By Nate Burns mewithoutYou: poetic and moving? Movie Review mewithoutYou sucks Tucker’s TransAmerica Never trust internet directions. Overall, intensity is the name How many times had I heard of the game for this band and I From gender bending, lies, that? At least ten? don’t believe it can be fully appre- deceit, and manipulation comes a I found it out the hard way on ciated until seen live. conservative’s socially unaccept- my recent trip to Cleveland’s This was my second mewith- able tale of a man who is now a elusive Grog Shop in the Euclid outYou show and it’s no surprise woman. Director Duncan Tucker Heights area. to those experienced that it is defi- introduces us to a comedic- Sure, the internet is an informa- nitely Weiss’ show. something-seen-before film. tion superhighway chock full of Occasionally spreading flower Bree, played by Felecity Huff- blogging communities, World Cup petals, wearing a tambourine as a man (is she really a real woman scores and porn, but when you’re hat and constantly prancing around anyway?) meets her teenage son out on the open road, I ask you, stage might seem a bit much for (Kevin Zegers), whom she is the where is your precious internet? the first time, but his fervor and father to. In a last ditch effort – suppos- zeal come only second to his Bree drags out the secret edly contradictory to the laws of message; showgoers can almost revelation along a journey across man–I stopped and asked for di- rifle off lyrics faster than Weiss the country; a journey in which the rections…thrice. Finally, a kindly himself. His ramblings have strong final destination marks Bree’s employee of the local coffee shop themes, such as community, final “man to woman” alteration. pointed me the right way; so much suicide, romance and the meta- Some comedy creeps in as the for human interaction as well. physical life, yet he doesn’t neces- two spend the night at a hotel with The sound of the night for me sarily wear his heart on the sleeve not-so-edge-of-your-seat suspense was Philadelphia indie rock band of his sweater. played upon the realization that mewithoutYou. You get the feeling that Weiss she is indeed a he. Spawning from the creation of is sincere and authentic; he’s sing- The son falls in love with his lead singer Aaron Weiss, he ing and dancing to his life. Vivid father/mother/tranny friend. Then, wanted a band that made music for imagery, in particular the biblical of course, the weak suspense can him to “holler over.” And holler and Christian spiritual references, no longer be held—the truth must he does – for those of you unfa- give us an environment as to be told, otherwise the boy would miliar with mwY, the focal point gauge the pieces. “O brother, let’s become a fatherfucker—and is Weiss’ concentrated recitation go down/Let’s go down, won’t ya there’s no need for that, or a of a somewhat beat poetry. come on down/…Down to the TransAmercia II. Think of a middle class library river to pray?” The most comedic portion card-carrier leading a cacopho- He sounds less like an indie comes toward the film’s close: nous, unruly art punk band, but let rocker and more like a you know Bree’s sister’s sarcastic bluntness it be known that the music doesn’t what, albeit none of it is convict- is enough to crack a gut. necessarily sink into the back- ing–at least not in a pious sense. Maybe John Waters could have ground. I overheard many a conversa- done something more respectable? With heavy influences of early tion during their set. Some called Nevermind, I forgot about Pink 90s indie punk (Frodus, Jawbox it “moving” or just plain “good.” Flamingoes! Although, Felecity and even At The Drive-In), there Others found it hard to get used to Huffman does play a better chick comes an expectation of higher poetry in such an intense punk than Dustin Hoffman in Tootsie. creativity and exploration, and rock setting. One guy even But no one can beat Wesley mewithoutYou delivers. mentioned that Weiss “had his Snipes in Too Wong Foo, Harland Churning guitars with driving own thing going.” How many Williams in Sorority Boys, Robin bass and drums can easily tran- times can you say that about a Williams as Mrs. Doubtfire, Rob spire to cascading air within the band? Be that as it may, mewith- Schneider in The Hot Chick, or the same piece, yet the melodies pro- outYou is an interesting listen and Wayans Brothers in White Chicks. duced early in the songs are catchy an exciting watch. I guess gender identity and self- and downright haunting (i.e. I once was lost, but now am discovery is a Hollywood hoot. twothirtyeight). found. Hallelujah. —Written By Neil Shumate —Written By Nicholas A. Messer Feature Indie Film Pick Amateur filmmakers capture what Nick’s Picks mainstream news media neglects Love Liza It was about two weeks ago that I turned on the CBS Evening News to see a A grieving, gasoline-huffing blonde bombshell– complete with British accent–reporting on Darfur, a region Phillip Seymour Hoffman in the western Sudan war torn and stricken with poverty. laments the suicide of a wife Apparently the fighting had lasted for quite some time, yet news agencies while trying to handle the in developed countries had neglected the fact that a war was in existence. confrontation of Open a paper and you’re sure to see the front page coverage on the war in his mother-in-law. Iraq, yet nameless African casualties are shoved on page thirteen, after sports and entertainment. Shrugging their shoulders, sipping their lattes, some shoot The Adventures of the lost cause answer of “Well, that’s Africa.” Sebastian Cole Righteous indignants explain that exposure is “dangerously consumer Seventeen-year-old unfriendly” in which the masses are unprepared to handle. In either case, does Sebastian’s stepfather Hank it really take three inexperienced college students from San Diego with an expresses his wishes to eBay camera to bring us the news from Uganda? Invisible Children: Rough undergo a sex change Cut (the final cut should be out later this year) documents the life and times of operation. The family hits the those living in Acholiland, the region of northern Uganda terrorized by road, but Sebastian eventually insurgent faction The Lord’s Resistance Army. moves back to the now Led by Joseph Kony, a self-proclaimed spiritual witchdoctor, the LRA is Henrietta and begins steeped in an unusual interpretation of millenarianism and will stop at nothing the adventures in his to destroy the Ugandan government and set up a state of their own. senior year of high school. Since 1987, their rebellion has led to the displacement of 2 million civilians and about 12,000 casualties, with more passing due to malnutrition and Leonard Cohen: disease as a direct result. Using fear and intimidation, the LRA kidnaps and I’m Your Man brainwashes children, some as young as four or five years old, in order to use Canadian poet/novelist turned them as soldiers or sex slaves. singer/songwriter, Cohen loves It is estimated that about 30,000 children have been abducted; it is impossi- to hear cover versions of his ble to say exact numbers because most of the internally displaced children tunes, and there are quite a few have no documentation or records. of them, crossing virtually all In order to protect themselves, every night thousands of children walk genres. See performances (sometimes up to 12 miles) to well-lit areas in towns and cities just to sleep in by Rufus Wainwright, peace. Since no one seems to know or care about them, the directors have Nick Cave and U2. dubbed them the “invisible children.” I know you’re thinking this is just another bleeding heart Africa film (in the Sleepaway Camp vein of Soldier Child or Faces and Voices) with a different name slapped on it, Survival Kit Boxed Set but Invisible Children is unique in the fact that it is focused almost solely on Cult camp slasher flick with youth. I was amazed with the solidarity and spirits of the children; you’ll see tons of features, kick ass songs and dances with the directors swarmed in the mix. After all, Jason heavy metal and Bruce Russell, Bobby Bailey and Laren Poole are but kids themselves—humorous, Springsteen’s sister. See naïve and unrelentless in searching for the truth. immoral teens get what they They admit early on that this is their first film, where they “just opened up deserve in the most dreadful [their] lens and tried to capture any story,” and yes, at some points it is and perverse of ways. Rock! apparent. Hopefully, it won’t be their last. Since their return, Invisible Children has become less of a movie and more of a movement. The Horse’s Mouth The boys now raise funds and awareness by sending teams to show the film Alec Guinness (Obi Wan from in schools, universities, cultural centers, churches and virtually anywhere that the original Star Wars) plays a it can be shown. Volunteers even visit Uganda to help former child soldiers weathered, arrogant artist dur- reintegrate to normal life through education and psychological evaluation and ing a financial dry spell in this treatment. On April 29, 2006, kids worldwide joined the children of Uganda Criterion Collection comedy. in making their trek to the middle of major cities and sleeping outside. This guy will do just about The Global Night Commute attracted about 80,000 participants in 130 anything for a buck – espe- major cities, showing the film and raising awareness, specifically asking cially finagling the rich. people to write their congressmen and women. To learn more, visit www.invisiblechildren.com and be sure to keep your eyes peeled for the full-length feature! —Written By Nicholas A. Messer petition will protect our children in case of a draft or any future Anti-Flag’s Justin Sane talked to us about involvements with the military. Enough petitions will create an his label change, war, and advice to bands overturn.” To access the petition visit Anti-Flag’s homepage Justin snickered and replied, www.anti-flag.com. “This is the most political record Sane is also involved with the we ever made! The core base is Global AIDS fight with the ONE still there, things are exactly the campaign and a petition for same with the indie label. Except Congress to adopt The Depleted now, we have more access to Uranium Munitions Study Act. media outlets, which is good to “We need to look for other promote what we are saying.” solutions other than the military. The message is clear: Bush The military will not solve sucks, stop the war. The charis- problems, but only create more matic guitarist/vocalist elaborated problems.” his viewpoints with profound Anti-Flag’s gunstar logo, intelligence. composed of five broken M-16 “Eye for an eye will not make rifles, was created after the 9-11 things even. It won’t bring an end events. to anything. The White House has Soft-spoken with a taste of created an enemy to sell guns and depression Sane explained, benefit themselves. Look at the “The White House image of the Carlyle Group in D.C. Look at American Flag was everywhere, who all this is benefiting from the but this tragedy could have been economic side—it affects the prevented. We didn’t relate to the people who put him in office, but flag anymore, we were no longer we’re certainly not benefiting, Americans, so we created our own we’re dying.” symbol to show how we were Sane touched his meticulously feeling.” shaped black mohawk as he To lighten the serious conver- looked away and told me about an sation causing obvious depressive Dressed in black and escorted encounter with an ex-war soldier. aggression in Sane’s eyes, I asked by a lovely female, Anti-Flag’s “I spoke to a soldier [while on about Sane’s independent record tall, slender lead singer Justin Sane tour] yesterday and it was pretty label A-F Records. reaches to shake my hand. amazing. He told me his whole “Yea! We work on that full- He then places himself on the platoon rallies with Anti-Flag time when we’re home. We sign couch with exhaustion, following music! He doesn’t support the community and area bands around his energized Warped tour set just war—most join for college money, Pittsburgh and some overseas acts an hour prior. health care, or just to get out of a including Austria. We’re “Things are great,” commented bad situation.” open-minded with our artists.” Sane, “yesterday I actually got to Anti-Flag and Representative To conclude the interview we sleep after three days!” Jim McDermott (In 2004, McDer- discussed local bands and what Pennsylvania’s Anti-Flag have mott praised Anti-Flag for encour- advice the political guru may serve been putting out hardcore punk aging children to vote in a U.S. up. albums since their 1996 debut, Die House of Representatives speech) “Play in a band for fun, don’t for the Government. Their latest have teamed up to form the do it to be famous or be a rockstar! release For Blood and Empire “Military Free-Zone” petition Don’t get frustrated even though it doesn’t shy from the theme of sign-off. can get difficult.” their first album’s title. The No Child Left Behind Act With that, Sane stood up, The only difference is, this requires schools to turn in private smiled, thanked me, shook my album was the first recorded by a information to the U.S. Military hand, and walked straight-edge major label, RCA—some fans unless parents and children opt alongside his female friend. believe it was a bad move, or shall out. —Written By Neil Shumate I say, not very punk of them. “This is non-profit and the —Photo By Kyle Wagner Pietasters show Cleveland what The Running Man dance is all about A needed review that will welcome hilarity, for your reading pleasure Like many dance steps, The concert at The Grog Shop clearly kind of alcohol it is. As long as Running Man is deceptively did. I was also an old ska fan, they get some. simple on the surface, but open to which was something of a rarity I felt old as opening bands one plenty of variation and nuance for early on in the festivities, as the and two went through their mo- the experienced ska fan. dark, smoky bar was slowly over- tions. The kids felt these bands One must practice his or her run by high school kids. deserved excessive Running Man Running Man before attending a I remembered being one of veneration, but I was not ska concert—I chose the elevator those kids, and I was both terrified impressed. in the Hampton Inn, near down- and reassured that another genera- Yes, I felt old as the teenagers town Cleveland, as my Running tion of ska freaks were creeping gyrated and hollered and bumped Man Practice Area, though any out into the night, to get their two- into each other and straightened location will do. tone fixes. their ties and fiddled with their First, step out with either foot. This was my twentieth ska mowhawks, but when the third Slide said foot backwards, without concert, and my girlfriend Casey's opening act came on (Big D and leaving the ground. Repeat with first ever. We had three opening the Kid's Table), I felt positively the other foot, hence giving the acts to stand through before The ancient. illusion of running while essen- Pietasters took the stage. The kids rushed the stage as a tially standing in the same place. Ska, as a genre, has been thin, shirtless guy began scream- The arms are free to do virtu- around for two decades and some ing into the microphone, accompa- ally anything, but the traditional change. First, there was punk. nied by a bassist, a drummer, a Running Man consists of an exag- Then, there were British punk trumpet player and a saxophonist. gerated motion, lifting the elbows rockers (such as The Specials and I had no idea who these people high in the air, to further the comi- Madness and The Toasters), who were, and I had very little interest cal illusion that the dancer is run- thought it would be cool to stir in a in the schlocky, pseudo-punk, ning very, very fast. little reggae and big band into their overly screechy noise they spewed When the arms are forward, punk. forth. But these damn kids, they wiggling the hands in a friendly Those said British punk rockers ate the shit right up! waving gesture is also acceptable. then put on suits and ties andbegan They were frantic, mad, crazy To achieve a perfect Running doing the Running Man, because it over Big D and his Kid's Table. Man, one must be clad in a black just seemed like the proper thing They jumped up on stage two suit, black tie, with white dress to do when singing punk mixed and three at a time, doing the shirt underneath. To complete the with reggae and big band. Running Man and knocking over ensemble, a pair of dark sun- Thus ska was born, shipped the trumpet player's microphone. glasses and a fedora are appreci- overseas, and marketed to folks In the middle of the set, a ated. such as myself, who immediately roadie appeared on stage, holding On the elevator, doing the ate it up by the spoonful. a digital camera. Running Man, preparing for my Ska is punk-lite. Ska is also "We're recording this tour for first Pietasters concert in nine anti-racist. There once existed a our DVD," the lead singer years, I was, regrettably, not clad social clique known as The Sharps announced. "So if you wanna in the standard ska suit, hence my (Skin-Head-Anti-Racist-Punks) make the cut, you better make it Running Man was inherently which would frequent the ska happen now!" sub-par. scene, yelling at unruly high I don't think he was prepared But my lack of ska attire was school kids who insisted on mosh- for the mob that ensued: a human forgivable, because I have never ing when The Toasters were on mountain formed, piling on top of been a hardcore, dedicated ska fan. stage (ska bands are also anti- the lead singer. There must have I listen to ska on a regular ba- violence, and so moshing in their been twenty, thirty stomping and sis, of course (from The Specials presence is a big no-no). whooping teenagers on the stage. to The Bosstones to Madness to Ska bands have a favorite in- Somehow, though I could no Reel Big Fish to The Pietasters to ebriant: alcohol. Any alcohol at longer make out the vocalist in the The Toasters), but I do not live all will do. They often sing about throng, he managed to keep and breath and eat and shit ska, as this. Really, they don't care what singing all the same. some of those attending the continued on next page continued from previous page "Well I woke up this morning song, Jackson was undoubtedly When the spectacle ended, the to your bang-bang-bangin' at the the Drunken Master. There was teenagers dispersed, which blew front door," Jackson reported in no denying this; there was only my mind. They were all leaving, his raspy, gritty voice, singing one bopping up and down and smiling even before the Pietasters of my all-time favorite Pietaster and wishing you were the Drunken appeared! Curfew ended their fun songs, a little tune called "Girl Master. early, apparently, being a Wednes- Take it Easy," about a fella who As Jackson left the stage I day night and all. Shame for got a bit sloshed the night before, turned into a high school kid, them. The poor bastards couldn't and subsequently woke up in a which was, of course, the point of even stay for the main event. hotel bed, next to a lovely lady. "I coming to see them. For every dispersed teenager, a thought to myself a-God what Jackson stomped off the twenty-something drunk appeared. have I done? I've been drinkin' platform and walked into the Suddenly, I was with my own again, and havin' too much fun." crowd, passing right next to me. I people, my own generation, my Stephen went on, the whole time grinned a huge grin and slapped own gang of burnouts who re- (the whole performance, really) Jackson right on the shoulder. I membered a sweeter time, before holding a bottle of beer, which he was completely stoked. Big D had even considered form- managed to nurse without spilling Starstruck. Pleased and ing his Kid's Table. a drop. amazed, elated by being there, This was a calmer, nostalgic "Remember to tip your bar- right at that moment, to make crowd, wishing, as I was, to enter tenders, ladies and gents," he physical contact with one of my a time machine and return to high belted out between numbers. favorite singers of all time. I had school, via our Gods for the night, This was not the first time I've touched a ska legend. Mission The Pietasters, who unceremoni- heard him say this. "If you don't Accomplished, as far as I was ously filled the stage at eleven tip them nice, they'll never let us concerned. o'clock sharp. come back again. Be kind to your The band waited in a dark Stephen Jackson, vocalist, bartender, lushes. Without him, corner behind the small stage as strolled up to the mic, surrounded where would we be?" fans cheered for them to take the by a saxophonist, trombonist, This comment was followed stage for an encore. trumpet player, bass player, lead by a Pietaster classic—a ska In the end, one voice shouted guitar player, drummer, and key- version of the old drinking song above all the others, and this was board player. "Maggie Mae," from Ireland, I the one which convinced the "We are the Pietasters, and believe. Pietasters to return: this one goes out to all the alcohol- The longer they were on "Pietasters!" A man somewhere ics in the audience." stage, the more I felt I should be near center-stage screamed, with a Most of their songs go out to drunk. I didn't partake, however, clearly British accent. "Pietasters! the alcoholics, or the lushes, or the because I had to drive back to the I came all the way from London to potheads in the audience. This is hotel. hear you fuckers! Get back out standard. A fan handed Jackson a glass here!!" Jackson is a huge, muscular of booze in the middle of the "Now that," I said to myself, "is man, and he was wearing his tradi- show, which Jackson guzzled dedication." tional black suit with traditional down in one shot. —Written John Shumate plaid button-up underneath. "More beer here," he said after He doesn't wear a tie. Techni- recovering from the liquor. "More Interested in submitting cally, this is against the rules. But alcohol over here please." Imme- Jackson is allowed to break the diately, all band members were your own review rules. After all, he helped make graciously supplied with more or column? them. bottles. It didn't take long for me to The band erupted into a song figure out this was a greatest hits I was not familiar with, entitled Send them our way! tour. They covered their classics, "Drunken Master." The tune went, one after the other, and I had the essentially, something like this: "I Out Of The Blue pleasure of singing along to them am the Drunken Master. I am the all, while Casey just kind of Drunken Master. I am the Drunken P.O. Box 388 bobbed up and down and smiled. Master. I am the Drunken Mas- Delaware OH 43015 Everybody was smiling, in fact. ter." I agreed. Ska tends to do that to you. By the time he made it to this [email protected] Free usable tips offered to aspiring musicians 3: Dress to fit the fashion of the songs. Bigger guys, wear black. No baseball caps. Take a shower. Try to wear a smile the whole time. Stand fucking tall, as if you are the best there and you know it. 4: Performance advice: a: Everyone: Eye contact is man- datory. Each band member must, and I stress this, MUST make eye contact with each and every per- son watching at least twice in each song. If you look out and see someone looking at you, look them back in the eye and smile, After many moons of being a musician myself, 700+ attended shows wink, tongue, point, etcetera. This (local and large), seminars, conversations with managements, A&R`s, pro- is a key rule. You are telling a moters, etc…, I have a lot I want to share with all for FREE! story with your music, and this Though I cannot cover it all in one article, I’ll start with what I feel is will bring the audience closer to important. Read it, learn it, live it, use it. that story. Live Performance Issues and Cures b: Don’t turn your back on the This is a simple list of tips that will improve overall live performances, and audience unless you have a really gear a good band for larger venues or showcases. nice ass and want to flaunt it (there If a band can follow these steps live, the performance will surely improve are exceptions ya know). and the chances of landing better crowds, larger venues, management, and c: Do your best to avoid looking at a label will increase. each other on stage. When mem- 1: Have roadies who know everybody’s equipment and habits, how to tune bers look at each other, mainly for a guitar, and trouble shoot any situation that may occur during a show and progression changes, it shows in- with quickness. competence. This is something 2: Equipment: Don`t use junk or overkill. done at practice and not on a stage. a: Guitarists: Make sure the guitars are warm and tuned before ever seeing If you don’t know the song, don’t the stage. The stage is not the place to tune a guitar. It’s also best that all play it! It’s ok to look at one an- of the guitars are tuned by the same tuner. If a guitar cannot hold a tune other, if it’s just being goofy or for the duration of a show, throw it on ebay and buy one that will. Make part of the show. If you must look sure the strings are fresh and bright, stretch them good when installing. at one another, make a goofy face Make sure your straps are fastened well and your cords are good and at- or something. It’s always cool to tached, so they won’t pull out. I always recommend a tuned back-up guitar see some sort of synchronization and cords that are ready to use if needed. If possible, warm the tubes in for showmanship’s sake. your head--it makes a huge difference in warmth. If you do not have tubes, d: Perform the songs back to back. WTF? Make sure that ALL batteries are fresh. Tape the cords to the Dead air space is not entertaining stage. Picks should be within reach. in the slightest. It shows that you b: Drummers: Have at least two sets of new sticks. Don’t show up with are unprepared. Jokes may be ok if shit drum parts. The stage is no place to tune drums. If your symbols are being a comedian is your goal— junk, borrow some. unless it’s a damn good joke and c: Vocalists: If you have a mic that works well with you, and better than part of the show, don’t do it! Prac- any mic you have ever used, bring it. Not every vocalist carries the same tice the songs you plan to use in frequencies nor projects the same power/air. No two mics ever seem alike. order, and nail them. If you are up with today’s onstage vocal effects and are planning to use e: Try not to trip. If you do, make them, make sure all cords are good, the levels are correct, and the cords are it part of the show and don’t stop taped down so you don’t trip on them--although it makes for good enter- playing. Lick your wounds later. tainment to see someone fall, they don’t want to see that here. f: If someone fucks up, don’t look d: Bassist: Pretty much follow the guitar rules. I know that new strings are at them. Play on like it never hap- outrageously priced, but they do make a world of difference. Trust me. pened. Covering up booboos is an c: Keyboardists : Make sure the signal levels are not too hot and your pro- art only time can tell. grams are ready. Tape down the cords (make sure they are all good first). —Written By Sagabu Read More Tips from Sagabu in the next issue! Just two hours before a show in listened to Stayte and saw a live Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Revolt- DVD taping, he called Clayton ing Cock’s singer Josh Bradford and I up and asked us to join took time to speak with me on the Revolting Cocks! He flew us to phone. ElPaso where we lived with Bradford and keyboardist Clay- them for about a month, prac- ton, from California band Stayte, ticing and prepping. It was were announced as the newest about being in the right place at RevCo members by founder and the right time. Ministry creator Al Jorgensen on Me: So, what’s it like touring with April, 2006. Bradford is also the Ministry? man behind his personal project, Josh: I’m a huge Ministry fan. Simple Shelter. Huge Chris Connelly fan. It’s big shoes to fill in front of Chris 6:34PM, Sunday, July 9th, 2006 and Al. Everyone on the tour is Josh: Hey man! You had great great though. To tour with timing. I’ll be walking around, Ministry is amazing. Working so I hope there’s not too much with Al is amazing. interference! Me: Was it difficult to transition Me: No worries, it shouldn’t be a from Stayte to the legendary day, and I’m the only singer that problem! Cocks? warms up! Me: I saw the show in Columbus, Josh: It’s up the same alley Me: What bands are some of your Ohio on July 3rd, and it was which is cool, and it was real major influences? unbelievable. The energy on stage natural for me to step on stage. Josh: Nails and Ministry looked like a hell of a lot of fun! The big difference is Al’s writing growing up. Janes Addiction When you’re on stage you wore a style. We were performing songs and Porno for Pyros. David tux with a bow tie. Is this some- already finished. RevCo and Bowie is the biggest influence. thing you brought to RevCo from Ministry may sound pretty As a singer, it’s too embarrass- Stayte? straight forward, but all the ing to tell you, well, because I’m Josh: That is from Stayte. I counting is very strange and in RevCo! always play in a pink stripe suit intricate. Al will do a little break Me: You worked with Peter from or sometimes I dress like Harry between verse chorus, then a Ponro for Pyros on Simple Shelter. Potter or something. I love to sample three times, then sample Josh: Yea he is an amazing, perform looking nice, especially four times, then sample seven amazing guy. He was battling with that music. It’s just the times. He keeps it very interest- cancer, and he’s such a role opposite of what to expect. I ing. There are little things that model and just keeps on going. mean, when Stayte was heavier, are subliminal that makes him He’s terrific. I would go to a metal bar and an amazing Me: Is there any current band that wear a dress, looking like an songwriter. has caught your interest? idiot! Me: Is there anything you do continued on next page Me: How did you and Clayton before a show to become part of RevCo? pump yourself Josh: We used to be managed up? by Vicki Hamilton who broke Josh: Nothing! out Guns and Roses. She is You just step friends with Angie who is Al’s up there and wife and they were hanging out the energy is and saw us [Stayte] play. Angie there. Al’s wanted Al to hear us and she right beside sent Al the CD, he wanted to you, Luc Van sign us on his record label. He Acker is there. really loved our stuff, so we were It’s easy. Ritu- going to be the opening act of als go on the tour. The more and more he throughout the continued from previous page young like me and yourself, poli- feature local bands in Out Of The Josh: To be completely honest, I tics doesn’t play a huge role un- Blue. You guys have been together stopped listening to the radio til we’re older. I mean OGHR in your own projects, as well as and TV years ago. The music and Al, the first thing they do is others, for close to ten years. Do industry is so desperate. I mean, flip on the news. So they’re ex- you have any advice to offer our I’m sure there is some excep- pressing what their life contains. local musicians? tional stuff out there, but I hon- Me: How do politics impact you? Josh: The biggest thing is, if estly don’t have the energy to sit Josh: I don’t feel a lot of you’re going to do it, do it with down and plow through all the impact. I keep myself isolated all your heart, no regrets and for shit out there. Bad music and from politics, I know the no other reason than your heart the same old crap, and watching importance and effects, not only and soul. If you’re gonna do it the music industry struggle is in politics but in corporate half-assed, remember the the biggest bummer. I would America and advertising. dangers. It’s a serious decision, love to find a band that rocked That’s my political side. It’s like the music industry is very my world, and I hope we can do advertising and buying into difficult, it’s taken me over 10 the same for others. Right now I things. Politicians and corpora- years to get here, it’s very tough. usually hear of bands from other tions have their claws dug deep Don’t look back. people. into people. I mean, even this 7:02PM, Sunday, July 9th, 2006 Me: When you write lyrics for phone conversation we’re hav- Stayte or Simple Shelter, what’s ing. Think about the guy at The MastabaTour is coming to the source of your inspiration? Verizon and how much we’re a close on July 20th; however, the Josh: Simple Shelter is more paying for this. Even the Revolting Cocks, Stayte and personal and intimate for me. government can track what we Simple Shelter all have big plans Stayte tries to be fairly personal. are saying now! We’re giving in the near future. I’m a big fan of good poetry, so I our power away just by talking Keep up-to-date with the love imagery and try to paint a on cell phones. If you make a myspace links: picture with words. I have a choice not to buy into fashion www.myspace.com/stayte strong political view, but never and advertising, you take a lot of www.myspace.com/simpleshelter been able to capture that in your power back, those are music. I don’t really like the things I focus on. —Written By Neil Shumate term “political”—it’s a label for Me: It’s like conformity. —Photos Courtesy of Sarah someone or an idea for someone Josh: Yea. It’s good to be and 3QuarterMoon who is enlightened, but I do awake and aware, but it’s also respect it in music when artists good to enjoy yourself. can use politics. Me: So, the tour ends in Texas in Me: Do you think politics are a couple of weeks. What’s the sometimes overdone in music? I first thing you’ll do when you get mean, I saw the Skinny Puppy back home? show and they played on the anti- Josh: First I’m going back to El Bush, anti-war theme pretty heavy. Paso to help Al edit the live Min- Do you really think all this will istry DVD I’ve been helping make a difference? film. And then I’m going Josh: As long as it’s good music, surfing for a week! I’m not even it has the ability to affect all. I a surfer really, I was for a think it’s amazing when an art- couple of years, but I’m gonna ist has gained money and power find a spot and just be me in the and takes responsibility for that water. No clubs, no people, just money. I respect what Al is do- me hearing the sound of crash- ing and I hope that always ing waves, that’s all I want. continues. But you always need Josh laughs. And then I’ll find balance. I caught the Skinny some crack cocaine and a couple Puppy show too. The tricky of whores! thing is, if you wanna go see Me: Of course! That’s what Skinny Puppy and you don’t rockstars do man! wanna take in the politics, it Josh: Oh yea! makes it difficult. If you’re Me: Okay, one more question. We Blitz Bash welcomes Shinedown and Trapt Album Review Detroit’s Love Arcade releases debut August 8th

DIY has taken on a new defini- tion with Detroit, Michigan’s art- rock-funk-pop Love Arcade. The persistence of Marvin Gaye caused Barry Gordy, Jr. to crack and nine- On a sun-beating Saturday, teen-year-old Snowhite (Christian) the show started out with the imposes the same determination. Billiards Club Battle of the Snowhite is the producer, writer, Bands winner: Varian. These recorder, singer, guitarist, bass guys are new to the scene but player, keyboardist, drummer, host some potential. With a engineer, mixer, videographer and strong vocal front they opened up graphic designer for this royally Blitz Bash '06! After a brief fun self-titled debut album. Past intermission, Sighlo took stage. comparisons of Love Arcade in- Sighlo put on a great show, clude Beck, Weezer, Supergrass, with their hit song "My Calvary.” and Cheap Trick. Despite some technical Opening track “Keep It difficulties at the end of their set, Comin’” welcomes a mirage of they were energetic and fun on happy toned lyrics, backing stage with a great sound. synths, rhytmn guitars and crisp Next was the first national radio-friendly textures. The bub- act, Halestorm. Female fronted, ble gum style evokes a positive with a sort of Southern Rock attitude with intricate writing, in- meets 80's vocals sound, they tertwining comedic gestures. The rocked the LC. Back to the local mature sounding “Moses” intro- stage, This Fires Embrace put on duces a serious side with a moving an amazing show with a special guest appearance from 99.7 the Blitz’s piano background and high- very own Hannibal during "Home Again.” Their cover of Killswitch En- pitched Mick Jager vocal variation gage’s "End of Heartache" is a crowd favorite. Evans Blue took over display’s Christian’s groundbreak- main stage, opening with their single "Over.” Their music was on key with ing talent. Butch Vig and Shirley their album; however, the visual show was a bit lacking. The guitarist Manson would approve of this seemed more interested by a hat being tossed around than his own music. track. Also check out “Candy” Their cover of Pantera’s "Respect" caused a rather intense crowd reaction. and “Open.” The hit single "Cold (but I'm still here)" was followed into their closing On stage Chrisitan is known for set... a switch to the local stage, wearing a white suit with fluffy Bobaflex just finished setting up. These West Virginia natives were angle wings, putting on a show of thought to be better off on the main stage, and their show proves that. happy dance and laughs! Chris- Goofy faces and signature stage moves aside, these guys rocked the stage. tian has assembled four young After winning a few rounds against major name bands (including taking musicians (including his uncle and out SLAYER) on the Blitz, they took the stage with "Better Than Me.” cousin) to bring his music to life Shinedown then took the stage and owned it. Playing a powerful show on tour, soon hitting the road with with hit's such as "45," "I Dare You," and "Save me" among others. These Yellowcard and Morningwood. guys really shined at the LC. Closing the local stage, Volume Dealer per- Love Arcade has already set up formed. The headliner of the night, Trapt, started with the hit "Stand “Arcade Brigade” street teams Up,” and the crowd stood up, indeed! They followed with "Head Strong," across the country. Experience the "Victim" and "Disconnected (Out Of Reach).” diversity of Love Arcade on their The band was rather stationary though. Their $300+ wireless systems Gotizm/East West Summer release could have been put to better use. Each member seemed to stick to one part —Written By Neil Shumate of the stage, barely venturing out of their safety box. The Blitz Bash proved to be one of the summer’s best concert collaborations. —Written By Josh Davis / Sixner —Photos By Neil Shumate Introducing SINthetic Edits Column: We leave you with this witty piece of mind

First off, I would like to thank Then you can continue rambling The world is a serious place, I Neil for giving me an opportunity off like some cellulite-ridden hope you know, and our corporate to write some shit in this much crackwhore bitching at her land- masters don't really like it when needed magazine. lord for putting an eviction notice we spend too much time smiling The man devotes himself to on her fisthole-splintered front and gigglin n shit like little school creating a way for local musicians door. girls talkin about how hot Usher and various other sorts of artists Creative writing (or random is. We have to remain obedient. and poets and psychotic dwell- nonsense as it were) can be much Anyway, as it were.... fuck abouts like me to get some sort of more enjoyable to read than let's Usher and fuck our corporate mas- attention. I personally feel that the say...Sports Illustrated or Life- ters!! It's soul suckers like that dude has got a vision, and I truly styles of the Fake and Souless. who try and mold, design, and respect what he’s doing. Hootchie mags such as YM and influence every aspect of our daily Anyways, he's the journalist Cosmo also have a tendency to lives for the sake of profit, domi- not me. It's his job to observe and bore the shit outta me. To be hon- nance, and control. report and it's mine to just spill est though, I read through one It scares them when individuals whatever twisted ideology, every now and again just to see such as myself decline their way points of view, sexual innuendos, exactly what it is some young of life and choose to take our own urban philosophies, and witty dumb bimbo wants me to do to her routes, but then again when they fuckin’ humor that is compiled in the bedroom. see that what we "do" and within my uniquely furnished These magazines dilute, cal- "achieve" appeals to people they braincase, so without further ado I cify, brainwash and manipulate try to grab it up, put a price tag on must welcome you...mutants. American women into trading in it, market it, and tax it for the sake I realize that when people their inner sense of pride for the of them getting to suck down more stumble onto magazines and arti- sake of looking like calendar girls Singapore slings in some fuckin cles, and publicized shit of that with the morals of a slut on acid. hot tub somewhere in a hotel sort, they usually know what to I guess you could say it works room, getting sucked off by a expect within. I personally feel for me too...by reading through coked-up hooker, while talking on the same way from time to time, these magazines I can gain a gram the cell phone with their corporate and I get bored easily when I try of pseudo-wisdom that will enable buddies on topics such as "How and read something only to see me to feed one of these bimbos hard they ass-maimed little Harold that it's the same ‘ol shit, same ‘ol exactly what it is they wanna hear. at the office and fired him, fucked styles of writing, same ‘ol anal Moving along now right into his wife, and framed the sono- retentive attempts at trying to the next thing, which I have a ten- fabitch for crimes such as fraud mold explanations and evaluations dency to do so bare with me (or and embezzlement.” into idealized articles of opinion- fuck off, I could really care less These are the people who run ated perfection. which you choose to do). I just our lives ladies n gentlemen, so Whatever you wanna call it, it's wanna shed a little bit of light on don't expect the future skies to boring and it makes me wanna nothing for a moment, much like clear up anytime soon. learn witchcraft, black magic, or the art of meditation. The world is made up of vari- some form of voodoo so I can Just so you know that last line ous different groups, corporations, place curses on these fucks and was not a swipe at Buddhism or by origins and cultures and we pick turn them into brain dead mastur- any means a sarcastic gesture, but each other off for the sake of com- batory zombies that have abso- the one about your fat mother that petition, greed, fear of change, lutely no use for writing, much I am now writing is, so joke's on dominance and most impor- less even trying to think. you shithead. tantly...... our right to survive. When it comes to capturing a Anyway, work with me here reader's attention through writing, and wipe that ridiculous grin off T i l l n e x t t i m e , you have to wield vocabulary like your face. You can't very well a clenched fist that busts a fucker keep reading on with your head all SINthetichead3000 (Zac Tennar) in the mouth at random inter- wobbly from laughter...you look vals...yeahhhh. silly attempting it so just take a Gotta make 'em say, "What the second and "breathe," and then hell was that for?" and then you continue reading. notice you have their strict and undivided attention. Top left, going across: Sighlo, Shinedown, Halestorm Middle left, going across: All Of Eve, Aiden, NIN, Evans Blue Bottom left, going across: Bobaflex, Halestorm, Joan Jett guitarist Photos by Neil Shumate, except NIN, Aiden, and Joan Jett guitarist by Kyle Wagner Check out the myspace page for updated pic content after every concert Out Of The Blue covers! www.myspace.com/out_of_the_blue646 Special thanks to the following local businesses for allowing distribution of Out Of The Blue:

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