Boulder County’s True Alternative Voice March 2-8, 2006

PUNKS POETS POLITICS

JELLO BIAFRA, THURSTON MOORE & ANNE WALDMAN PERFORM FOR CHARITY BY VINCE DARCANGELO Liberty Beat / 5 News / 10 Hygeia / 13 More state control The perils of burning Acupuncture is not the cure for rubber clinic celebrates 5 health care 10 13 anniversary inside Page 21 / Overtones: Hip-hop eye exam buzzhttp://www.boulderweekly.com/buzzlead.html Page 26 / High Decibel: Sex convention blues

Page 29 / Getting it on!: Sex ProgressiveProgressive Page 35 / Screen: poeticspoetics Delapa handicaps the Oscars cutsbuzz Can’t-miss events for [ the upcoming week ] buzz

Flogging Molly

Thursday Greyboy Allstars—Sax legend Karl Denson delivers the funk, jazz and good-time boogaloo with the Greyboy Allstars. Fox Theatre, 1135 13th St., Boulder, 303-443-3399. was no holiday in Cambodia for Khyentse James when on Dec. Friday Art and activism 21, 2005, she drove her motorcycle into a 10-foot ditch at 90 —More than two decades mph, shattering her right leg into nine pieces. Though an experi- since defining the genre, Napalm enced biker, she was traversing a dangerous, barely accessible Death continues to assault America with its come together to Cambodian jungle in search of rarely seen temples. So remote was brash brand of heavy metal. Bluebird It Theatre, 3317 E. Colfax Ave., Denver, 303- the location that it took eight hours for help to arrive and another eight hours to benefit migrant deliver James to the nearest medical facility—a facility that was unable to treat 322-2308. her injury. It wasn’t until the next morning that she was flown to Bangkok for Saturday surgery. Flogging Molly—Sure, they’re a second-rate More than two months later, James still wears a cast and walks with the assis- Aerosmith to the Dropkick Murphys’ Rolling workers and tance of crutches. But that won’t prevent her from mixing it up on March 9 at the Stones in the realm of Irish rowdy, but Boulder Theater, when three of the biggest names in the realm of art and poli- they’re the best thing going until the Murphys come back to Denver. Ogden tics—, Thurston Moore and Anne Waldman—come together for A Theatre, 935 E. Colfax Ave., Denver, 303-830- Burmese refugees Night of Music and Poetry for Progressive Action. 2525. “Just to have them all together, Jesus,” says James, who is one of three Naropa Sunday by Vince Darcangelo see POETICS Page 22 30 Seconds to Mars—Despite being fronted by a movie star (Jared Leto) and sounding a bit too much like Gravity Kills, 30 Seconds to Mars’ sophomore release, A Beautiful Lie, was one of the more interesting releases of 2005—and it beats the pants off the Bacon Brothers. Gothic Thurston Moore Theatre, 3263 S. Broadway, 303-788-0984. Monday Rap sheet: with Patti Smith. I was over at so many young people saying, Rock art—Albums on the Hill branches out Patti’s, and Anne was there. I ‘What does it matter? into the realm of fine art with this exhibition Claim to fame: Influential noise-rock outfit Sonic was really honored to have Nothing’s changing.We’re still of rock photography and gig posters. Youth met her.” in a situation that’s completely Albums Alcove, Albums on the Hill, 1128 13th Prime cuts: Sonic Youth, Goo, The Whitey Album (as disheartening.’ It does matter, St., Boulder, 303-447-0159. Ciccone Youth) Triple Threat because you always have to Also known as:A poet and collector of under- have your voice out there Tuesday ground literary journals, a self-described “archivist of “[Jello and Anne] are both showing your dissent.That Don’t Call Me—Think your job sucks? Check stapled ephemera” assertive readers, and when I alone is reason enough to do out some of the least glamorous gigs por- Boulder Weekly What’s next: Geffen/UMe will reissue two classic read I’m somewhat modest. I’m it. Be a part of that community trayed in the film Don’t Call Me. Boulder Sonic Youth records and Thurston’s only solo record with these two real fire- of dissent.” Theater, 2032 14th St., Boulder, 303-786-7030. on March 14, and a new Sonic Youth release is brands… When I saw it was expected later this year Anne and Jello, I was like,‘Man, they’re just gonna tear “It’s always encouraging to me to see high-profile Wednesday it up.They’re very articulate. Maybe I’m out of my work being done, even something like Jon Stewart. I Art exhibits—Experience a threesome of fine Says Thurston… league here.’” find it completely amazing that someone who is so art exhibits through April 17 at the Dairy articulate and uses comedy to take to task the outra- Center. The current exhibit includes photog- geous, unethical world of the current administration. I March 2, 2006 On Anne Waldman Artist as Activist raphy, printmaking and a site-specific instal- lation. Dairy Center for the Arts, 2590 Walnut “I first met Anne when I was doing some things “I think it’s entirely important, even though I get see THURSTON Page21 20 Dilated Peoples Jello Biafra

Rap sheet: president since Jimmy Carter when I was still a teenager in Boulder.” Claim to fame: Founder and frontman of the Who’s Counting? Prime cuts: In God We Trust, Inc.; ; “Holiday in Cambodia” and “” “I think preserving our right to vote and having Also known as: Poet, spoken-word artist, target our vote counted is a paramount issue… It’s proba- of the PMRC, 2000 presidential candidate of the bly gotten to the point that Hugo Chavez runs Green Party cleaner elections than we do.” What’s next: Jello is currently in the studio pro- ducing the new record by French punk/electronic Freedom of Speech pioneers, Metal Urbain “My feeling is the best way to counter bad Says Jello… speech is with more speech. I’ve argued this with right-wing feminists in the Green Party who wanted overtones Going Local to have a ban on porn included in the Green Party platform. Granted, there’s a lot of really bad porn http://www.boulderweekly.com/overtones.html “I keep emphasizing to people at my shows that out there, but the only way to show people that even if you’re fed up with the lack of choice of the ain’t cool and that’s not what women are really like two branches of the corporate party—the or what they really want or how they should be RepubliCrats—at the national level, local elections treated is education, not censorship.That never West coast flavor are where it’s at. It’s really important who is on the works.” city council, who is on the school board, who the county commissioners are. Even the state library “Look at the time that old Ku Klux Klan wizard by Chris Clark board has been politicized badly in Colorado. David Duke ran for governor of Louisiana and was Owens appointed a flight attendant who knew noth- ahead for most of the campaign.What did him in, in ing about literature except certain books that Focus the end, was no matter how much he tried to pack- lace a Beat Junkie next to With the release of 20/20, Dilated Peoples on the Family wanted banned, and that’s it.” age himself as a kinder, gentler white supremacist who hated welfare cheats, not black people—you some Evidence and Rakaa on has finally put together a defining work that “Another great one would be if people could know, the code word that Jessie Helms gave us— a stage and you have Dilated will undoubtedly entertain the purists and get organized and vote in a board of regents at CU people said,‘Wait a minute. Look at this book you Peoples. For the last decade the newbies alike. that is willing to abolish the football program to kick wrote. Look what you said about blacks and Jews in this Los Angeles-based hip- But it’s not just studio tracks that charac- there.’ Eventually he got less than 40 percent of the P all the rapists off campus.” hop trio has been terize their quality; vote in the run-off election and was run out of staying atop the west it’s just as much “As much as I liked watching a Coors beer national politics forever instead of being Bush’s vice coast game with about the live show. president or secretary of health or something. baron lose, I’m not exactly jumping up and down at sometimes-humor- On the Bill: After years of heavy how wonderful Ken Salazar supposedly is.As soon You’ve got to let Duke publish that crap in order to ous, sometimes-polit- Dilated Peoples play with Little touring throughout as he gets into office he shepherds through the call him on it later.” Brother and Defari at 9 p.m., nomination of an out-and-out neo-nazi to be attor- ically charged flavor Saturday, March 4, at the Fox the globe, Dilated ney general,‘Mr.Torture’ himself,Alberto Gonzales. Insurrection of the Wallet seldom seen these Theatre, 1135 13th St., Boulder, Peoples have gar- 303-443-3399. There’s just no way you can make an excuse for days. Enjoying two nered much recogni- that.That’s just plain scary.” “I keep telling people at my shows it’s not just a fine MCs and one of Respond: tion because of their matter of insurrection in the street combined with [email protected] the most striking ] high-energy rhyme insurrection in the voting booth. Insurrection of the [ Going Green wallet may be the most important part of all. If turntablists to ever battles, the boggling “Every election, every year, more Greens get somebody wants to, they can just make a vow to grace the decks, craftsmanship of elected to local offices than ever before. It’s brick by themselves,‘I’m not cooperating with corporations Dilated Peoples are a true example of what Babu and the message they emit. What brick… Getting the ideas through is more impor- and their agenda anymore.’ They can’t have me, real hip-hop culture is all about. results is a blast of social and political poetics tant than recruiting individual members into the starting with they can’t have my money. No more After DJ Babu joined the group in 1998, united with choice cuts of bomb beats. party. If a Democrat like Dennis Kucinich wants to money to chain stores. No more money to chain Dilated Peoples solidified themselves as Then there’s the opener, Little restaurants. Keep the money with people who treat rip off the Green platform for his own presidential more than a run-of-the-mill collective. They Brother, one of the hip-hop world’s campaign, great. He would have made a far better their workers better and keep the money in the president than Bush, Kerry or the HillBillaries.” community.” became that group that could both rock the newest rising stars. Since forming in the party and put together solid studio albums, not-so-known Durham, N.C., under- Impeachment of Criminals “It doesn’t require going to a lot of meetings most notably Expansion Tour and 2001’s ground less than five years ago, the trio where people argue till dawn about anarchy or risk- Neighborhood Watch. Although both record- has emerged from the muck with two “The way the Bush junta runs things, they just ing getting your head cracked by lawless police at a ings showcased a group that was well young and capable MCs in Phonte and demonstration.This is a great place the individual dare everyone to impeach him as he breaks law received and adored, they didn’t collect the Big Pooh and a sound far removed from after law after law.At the very least, the high-falutin can start.” moral holy rollers could at least go after Dick commercial success they probably deserved. the typical southern rap. Cheney for going hunting while drunk and shooting “The thing that kind of surprises me is the huge his buddy in the face.” cheer I get from audiences when I tell them I haven’t THURSTON from Page 20 eaten at McDonald’s in almost 30 years. I didn’t suffer The First Punk President for that at all. It just became too humiliating.” find it fascinating. Does it do anything? I think it certainly people who are pro-war just trip themselves up, even in does a lot.The fact that it gives hope to so many people buffoonery kinds of situations like shooting your hunt- “I didn’t ask for that [2000 presidential nomina- The Dead Biafras is a payoff in and of itself that I appreciate. ing partner in the face? There’s just no end to it.” tion]. Some people dug up my phone number and called me up, saying,‘We were at the New York state “Hopefully I’ll be around a good long time, but

“I do think we’re caught in the hands of some Boulder Weekly Green Party convention and nominated you for pres- just in case, I think it’s time for concerned local citi- Youth Movement weird cabal that came out of Reagan’s administration. ident.You came in second to Ralph Nader.Wanna zens of Boulder to campaign to reopen Pioneer “People seem to have the perception of the youth They use incredibly sophisticated devices to get to run?’ I was like,‘Hey, wait a minute, I hadn’t penciled [Columbia] Cemetery for the freshly deceased. I culture being reliant on mass media. I don’t really find where they are as far as owning the White House and in run for president on my calendar this year.’” haven’t decided quite what I want done with me that the case. I find adult culture more complacent. owning Congress. But they certainly don’t own the when I die. I thought about payback to the animal Even conservative youth culture is very aware of the country.The people own the country.” Hillary Sucks rights folks and having my body made into sausages issues and there’s a lot of investigation into what the that people can sell on eBay to raise money for different philosophies and ideas are. I think that’s “She’s scared the living daylights out of me ever Would-be Boulderite charity, or have my corpse simply dripping from a encouraging.” since I was rudely awakened to her existence way cage above the corner of Market and Van Ness in “I’ve always had romantic notions of going to back in ’92.” March 2, 2006 San Francisco to rain flesh on all the yuppies.” “I think that contemporary youth culture is almost Naropa and living the poet-student-teacher life, but I radicalized right now because of the situation.The more was a bit preoccupied with Sonic Youth to do anything “All these people decided to sit on their hands “I think my leading fantasy is, isn’t it time it becomes a voting force, the more things will change.” like that.” and their fat asses over all the impeachable crimes Pioneer Cemetery finally got another lollipop? Not of the Bush administration and said,‘Well, we’ve just just any lollipop, not just a red one that looks like a got to wait until 2008, because then Hillary will save target, like they have now. I want my lollipop to be a PMA? What Can We Expect at the Benefit? us.’ Those people are in for a very rude surprise.” great big eyeball the same size as the red one, only “I get really fatalistic, just because I’m a dad. I see the eyeball slowly moves and follows you as you what kind of world it’s going to be, and the scenario “I’m just gonna read some of my overgrown teenage “I haven’t voted for a Democratic candidate for 21 walk by down 9th Street.” right now just seems too horrific. How many times can acid poetry and then play some noise rock.” POETICS from Page 20

students who organized and produced the promote their cause,” she says. “That expe- event and brought together this trinity of rience made me want to do something Anne Waldman talent. “Jello has enough energy to fill up with Naropa.” that room himself. And then Anne, oh my She started organizing a fundraiser in God. That’s a double whammy. And then August of last year, but the benefit really Thurston…” began taking shape in October, when she She shakes her head and smiles in teamed up with Luis Valadez, the co-edi- seeming disbelief at the list of talent she’s tor in chief of Naropa’s literary journal, helped assemble. Bombay Gin, and Dan Gaytan, the events It’s an impressive lineup, featuring coordinator of the Student Union of three influential performers who embody Naropa. the role of artist as activist—any one of Gaytan works closely with the second whom could sell out Boulder’s largest charity on the bill, La Casa de la venue all by themselves: Biafra is a spo- Esperanza, a local nonprofit assisting first- ken-word artist and former frontman and generation Mexican immigrant families in founder of seminal punk band the Dead Boulder County, offering community Kennedys. He also ran for president in activities and educational classes. 2000 on the Green “The funding Party ticket. Moore is a goes toward bilingual poet, guitarist, singer Buzz Word: parent-teacher and founder of the A Night of Music and Poetry organizations, job influential noise-rock for Progressive Action with training, computer- Jello Biafra, Thurston Moore alternative group Sonic and Anne Waldman starts at 7 tech courses for the Youth and also the p.m., Thursday, March 9, at parents, having the Boulder Theater, 2032 14th founder of Protest St., Boulder, 303-786-7030. English classes over Records. Waldman is a Respond: letters@ the weekend. There [ boulderweekly.com ] legendary beat poet and, are also classes on alongside Allen worker’s and labor Ginsberg, co-founded Naropa University’s rights,” says Gaytan, who does volunteer Jack Kerouac School of Disembodied research on pesticide use for the organiza- Rap sheet: same situation.” Poetics and still heads the school’s tion. Summer Writing Program (SWP). Two James and Gaytan say that the focus of Claim to fame: Poet, professor,“spiritual Power of Poetry years ago her SWP class focused on com- the two charities—one benefiting the wife” of Allen Ginsberg, co-founder of Naropa University’s Jack Kerouac School of Disembodied “You see human beings who are more raw, bining politics and poetics, culminating needy overseas, the other benefiting the Poetics vulnerable up there.This is what drew me from with a final project involving performance needy in Boulder County—reinforces the Prime cuts: In the Room of Never Grieve, an early age to poetry, especially hearing poets activism on the Pearl Street Mall. popular ethos of “think globally, act local- Structure of the World Compared to a Bubble, Civil read out loud. I felt very touched by that human “I think we’re just naturally political ly.” Disobediences: Poetics and Politics in Action vulnerability. It wasn’t a whole show with lots of people,” says Waldman. “It’s part of our “One thing is happening abroad, and Also known as:“Roving Naropa ambassador,” stagecraft, and it wasn’t a movie with all this sup- Chair of Naropa’s legendary Summer Writing port system. It was very low-tech, even the musi- lives to be active and engaged and atten- one thing is happening in our backyard. cians. It’s very human.” tive… That’s what certainly Thurston and Think on those two levels when you want Program What’s next:Anne has been awarded a resi- Jello have been involved with, that inter- things to change,” says Gaytan. “You don’t dency at Rockefeller’s Bellagio Center for April of “I think that can trigger things. People see connection and engagement with the want to ignore what’s happening outside 2006, Naropa’s Summer Writing Program ’06, a someone thinking, someone being intelligent about world.” of the box. It’s still happening. If you can book of short plays, a book of essays what’s going on and with some kind of discrimina- A Night of Music and Poetry for reach out in any way, any way—even just tion and response to the atrocities in the world. Progressive Action will benefit two local thinking about it is worth something. Says Anne… The troubles that we do have, we do have a part in.We’re helping create the world we’re in. nonprofit organizations, Burma Lifeline That’s just as beautiful as somebody who Artist as Activist Nobody’s isolated from that. If you can touch and La Casa de la Esperanza (House of is out there on the line picketing, or lob- some human dimension or sensibility, it can be Hope). Burma Lifeline raises funds to bying, or writing and making music, what- “I think we’re just naturally political peo- very awakening. I’ve felt that that happens to me help refugees who have fled to the border ever it is they’re doing, just wanting to ple. It’s part of our lives to be active and when I hear certain performers—Patti Smith, Bob of Thailand to escape the violent military change and changing. engaged and attentive and trying to do the job Dylan.” government in Burma. The organization “If everyone was to change just a little that maybe other people should be doing—like was founded in Boulder in 1996 when bit, the tiniest bit, almost where you can’t the media perhaps. Bringing attention to the On Jello notion, the role of the poet or the seer, the Inge Sargent, a Shan Princess who was even see it, that would be enough,” Gaytan sense of the poet being the seer and keeping “In the old days of the Jack Kerouac School exiled following her husband’s assassina- continues. “That would be enough.” people awake and alert and seeing into the he used to deliver pizza.” tion, relocated to Boulder. “It’s that simple,” says James. “Not a future and being prophetic.That’s what certain- “They have all sorts of different proj- lot of people have the time or the capabili- ly Thurston and Jello have been involved with, On Thurston ects that they’re working on, but we really ty to do some grandiose thing. What it that interconnection and engagement with the world.” “Thurston is a friend. He’s a real poet maven. want the money to go toward lunch for comes down to is your communication He’s been supportive of a lot of projects here in orphans; medical attention for the sick; with those right in front of you and the “A lot of attention is given to people being New York working with poetry… I’m so excited. food, clothing, shelter for the refugees, the people that you affect on a day-to-day in the environment they’re in. Know your It’s like family.There’s a lot of nice interconnec- basic stuff that people need to survive,” basis. Be present for those people around locals. Know what’s going on in your neighbor- tions.We’ve been trying to get [Thurston] out says James, who has teamed up with you.” hood. Be alert.Work with others, collaborate. there forever. He does a little magazine that’s in Burma Lifeline through Estrojam, a That’s a message that will surely be Applied poetics—how can poetry and poetics the spirit of the old days, handmade. It’s very Chicago-based nonprofit that uses music, reinforced by Biafra, who grew up in be a skillful means to benefit others in the nice. He’s a terrific performer.” community.” art, culture and education to benefit pro- Boulder—especially as it pertains to local While You’re in the women organizations that promote nonvi- politics. “Naturally you’re going to be responding, but Neighborhood olent social change. “I keep emphasizing to people at my you also have imagination, a sense of music, creat- James is founder and co-director of shows that even if you’re fed up with the ing an atmosphere in performance.There are a “I’ll be teaching a practicum at Naropa over Boulder Weekly Estrojam, and it is through that organiza- lack of choice of the two branches of the lot of elements in performance. I don’t think you the weekend, which is focusing on performance tion’s work with Burma Lifeline that she corporate party—the RepubliCrats—at can just reduce it to a subject matter.” and activism.” was in Cambodia when she had her acci- the national level, local elections are where “From my perspective, I’ve been doing this “I’ll be back in May when we’re getting ready dent. it’s at,” he says. “I know I’m preaching to for the Summer Writing Program.” “I went to the Burma-Thai border over the choir about local election issues in for many, many years, it’s just built into the mis- sion as I see it.You have to find work constantly. the holidays and set up some meetings Boulder County, but maybe that’s where I It’s about imagination, language, intention. It’s Holla Back, Boulder with the Shan Women’s Action Network learned the importance of it in the first always challenging.Also, you try to create things March 2, 2006 “I’m thrilled. I think it’s amazing that the stu- and different groups to figure out better that go beyond the moment as well, that can res- dents pulled it together. I hope the community ways that Estrojam could help them and see POETICS Page 23 onate to people who are not necessarily in the will come out and support the show.” 22 POETICS from Page 22 overtones place.” Burma Lifeline will http://www.boulderweekly.com/overtones.html Perhaps Biafra also have a table will be preaching to with T-shirts, CDs the choir at A Night and information On the Bill of Music and Poetry about their organi- Shredding the The Beautiful Girls and the for Progressive zation. Yellow Snow Tour play at 8:30 p.m., Wednesday, Action, but the Aside from rais- March 8, at the Fox Theatre, organizers say that’s ing funds and yellow snow 1135 13th St., Boulder, 303- 443-3399. quite alright with awareness for these by Gene Ira Katz Respond: letters@boulder- them. nonprofits, the [ weekly.com ] “Come sing organizers hope to along with us,” inspire others to laughs Gaytan. “It’s definitely going to be continue with community activism long irst off, The Beautiful Girls by Teton Gravity Research to introduce their a good vibe there. I’m going to feel that after A Night of Music and Poetry for are not a female band. In fact film, The Tangerine Dream, documenting 10 vibe.” Progressive Action has passed. there are no women in the years of gnarly skiing and boarding, on a “It’s a great opportunity to support “Our goal is for this event to inspire group at all. “Where we grew rowdy road-trip through India, Turkey, something you believe in,” adds James. others to put their words and bodies on Fup [in Australia], anybody that Switzerland, France, Alaska, Aspen, Utah, “These people who have been so influen- the line in the struggle for greater sanity played in a band played heavy music—either Montana and California, with some of the tial in the past, come hear what’s on their and justice in the world while widening punk or hardcore or metal or whatever,” says most mind-boggling snow sports action ever mind right now.” the space for future activism work,” says frontman Mat McHugh. “I wanted to pick a captured on film. In addition to the three headliners, James. “There is something really powerful name that was the exact opposite of all that As the headliners on this tour, The Denver’s DJ Yer Mom and Strangers Die about these communities being brought macho posturing and the associated tough- Beautiful Girls will finally get a chance to Everyday, a Naropa band consisting of a together at Naropa to help stop suffering guy band names. And a beautiful girl was build a much-deserved audience here in the cellist, a violinist, a bassist and a drummer, and show how truly interconnected the just about the sweetest, most-appropriate States. Their intelligent mixture of contem- will perform at the event. larger world community really is.” opposite I could think of.” porary styles is sure to capture the ears of “Strangers Die Everyday play instru- It’s also an opportunity to enjoy the This reggae-flavored quartet, with their anyone who enjoys thoughtful lyrics set mental music that’s really rockin’,” says work of three legendary performers and sensible songs and roadhouse rough edges, against the spare driving power of roots Gaytan. “It’s really intense, really involved. dance to an evening of music. Broken leg has been stirring up serious notice Down rock. They played a Halloween show at Naropa, or not, you’ll find James right in the thick Under since coming onto the scene in 2002. “I love hip-hop for its lyrics and groove,” and it felt like a Fugazi show. Everyone of the action. The Girls will be showcasing their latest says McHugh. “I love blues for its despera- was just… their whole body was into it, “I begged them to let me get the cast release, We’re Already Gone, when the Yellow tion and soul. I love dub for its bass lines. I this communal experience.” off for the show,” she says. “I might just Snow Tour comes to the Fox Theatre on pretty much listen to a crazy range of music In addition to the music, poets Andrea fall over a couple times that night, so just March 8, along with the unique, dirty, down- and it all seems natural and beautiful to me.” Gibson and Tom Peters will speak, along don’t mind me.” and-out country stylings of Mishka Shubaly. These Girls manage to blend it all with Inga Sargent of Burma Lifeline. The whole production was put together together and make it work.

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