he Bait e Battalion Aggielife Page 3 • Thursday, November 12, 1998

m Ptigel researchers, The Lighthouse offers fa California-1 ny, are workin outhern 11-year old Be; club goers smoke-free, ffort will takep A College of Ve ,vith the assist ) 12 people, booking alcohol-free atmosphere icity Project s areas of cat BY MARIUM MOHIUDDIN in drinking and smoking,” he said. “I’m ivhich could The Battalion sure there are people who don’t want to be of contracef: Mllet rocks B-CS with surrounded by drinking and smoking. i. I he typical college club scene brings “Every Tuesday at the Central Baptist rid creativity to mind alcohol, smoking and loud Church we have Breakaway and there are ther are perti: hristian music tonight T music. A club without the cigarettes about 2,500 students who attend ... Con­ canine clonir: and alcohol may not seem possible. servatism is here. There are students who loning project BY MARIUM MOHIUDDIN However, The Lighthouse, which is in shy away from alcohol and smoking.” exciting fc The Battalion the Westgate Shopping Center, is setting out Batchelor said one has to look no fur­ . “Imaginatictfe to open Aggies’ eyes to a new form of fun. ther than Sweet Eugene’s Java House, we really neftiB-|H|he lights are dim, the music is pumping, the crowd is Bill Batchelor, owner of The Light­ which has enjoyed great success. ms ofhowi:J|| dancing and in their hands are frying pans. It may house, said the idea for the club emerged “They [Sweet Eugene’s] do not serve al­ oing to beapi||X sound a little weird, but to panheads, fans bringing skil- form the College Station mayoral race. cohol, they do not allow smoking and it is ulture buU iets and frying pans is normal at a Skillet show, “When I was running for mayor in the always packed,” he said. “However, we are an health." P Memphis-based modern rock band will be making a spring, we had a debate in February at presenting a club atmosphere. We have a Istop in Bryan tonight on their Hey You, I Love Your Soul tour KEOS (89.1), a community radio station,” dance floor, billiard tables and lights. 1 it The Lighthouse. PHOTO COURTESY OF ARDENT MUSIC he said. “I asked them (KEOS) if I could “Some of the students asked if they I Bill Batchelor, owner of The Lighthouse, said Skillet ex­ Skillet is(from left to right) Ken Steorts, guitarist, John Cooper, do a Christian rock show. They were kind could bring a couch, but it is not the at­ emplifies Christian music of the ’90s and the type of music bassist and lead vocalist, and Trey McClurkin, drummer. The of hesitant because they were worried mosphere that I am trying to present. 1 i Page 1 ||he Lighthouse will play. band will play with Skypark tonight at The Lighthouse at 7:30. about me preaching. I assured them I hope I never put a couch in here. It is not /iduals shouli I “Christian music is very diverse and covers everything would not be preaching, but it would be set up that way.” - make a differ' ■•om pop, rock, ska, folk and gospel,” he said. “Christian mu­ The band is composed of vastly different backgrounds. Christian rock so the subject of Jesus The music is exclusively Christian mu­ only one per sic is not Amy Grant. It has grown a lot from that. John Cooper, Skillet’s bassist and lead vocalist, grew up play­ would come up.” sic, but Batchelor said The Lighthouse is I in yourowr.|| “The bands playing tonight, Skillet and Skypark, are rock ing the piano, studying the trombone and taking voice In April, Batchelor began the show, and open to everybody. a global socitland punk. It is just that the lyrics are different. The songs are lessons. Steorts played the trumpet and got a master’s degree four weeks ago, he decided to go beyond Jamie Pearson, manager of The Light­ iw, there isa *ositive, and they are not about sex, drugs and adultery. Je- in modern music composition. Trey McClurkin, Skillet’s the radio show and create a nightclub. house and a youth pastor of Fellowship :h one of us- sus is not mentioned in all the songs.” drummer, got his start playing on Tupperware. He began by looking into different Freewill Baptist Church, said the club is s creations. | Skillet has been highly acclaimed by critics in both the Bill Ellis, a writer for The Commercial Appeal magazine, places and found Gary Seaback, who had meeting a need of the students. tendency!C:®hristian and mainstream markets, and their single, said in a press release that Skillet is the best sound to emerge a vacant but fully-equipped club. “I went to a Bible college, but I also its in allobjiLocked in a Cage,” is getting heavy airplay on mainstream­ from Memphis in years Batchelor said he was lucky to find the went to nightclubs,” he said. “I know iness, ignor: rock radio stations. “Where lots of Christian acts appeal to youth by trying to club because he did not have to worry what it is like, and we want to offer some­ 1 Billboard Magazine said Skillet is the newest Christian act play whatever is fashionable, Skillet rocks hard,” he said. about getting the equipment. thing that is not being offered. I really of slavery iiito cross over into the secular world. “I’m sure because they find music as cathartic and powerful “It was all ready to go, and it saved me think it will take off, and I am really ex­ dng,” Pietisill “With many reviewers comparing the band to Nine Inch as prayer. The band’s gutsy spirituality deserves an audience a lot of money and work,” he said. “We cited because we need a place like this. ory representl^jails and Stabbing Westward, many are picking this group beyond the converted.” have a three-month lease, which ends on “I know many who go to The Texas Hall ts descendai j to be the next big cross over,” reports the magazine. “This Opening for Skillet is Skypark, another Christian-rock Jan. 31, with the option for renewal. I am of Fame, because they want to dance, but nust workttj power trio rocks hard, with deep roots in electronica and in- band also known for its popularity in making the cross over leaving the back door open just in case be­ they do not like the environment. It is our iety willcoitj dustrial music, but they also know how to bait an irresistible to the secular charts. cause I am not sure if it will work.” responsibility to offer something they want. ennium. rock hook.” Joey Aszterbaum, lead singer for Skypark, said in a press The Lighthouse opened on Oct. 21 “This club is for those who like to dance jortunity cJ Aside from their diverse sound, Skillet is also known for release the band relates to people because they sing about with a moderate turnout. but don’t like alcohol and,.do not want to all enjoy lit its relationship with its audience and its fans, who are known common feelings “On opening night, we had 300 people have to deal with the temptations.” a'd- j as “panheads.” “The album is about relationships and insecurity,” he said. come in and that was without any adver­ Batchelor said they are trying to create 11 Ken Steorts, guitarist for Skillet, said, in a press release, “This is not a Christian thing or a non-Christian thing. It’s a tising,” he said. “However, on the other a relaxed atmosphere. | there are different levels of the audience. human thing. nights, there has not been that big of a turn “It is mainly an atmosphere to come, re­ I “There are levels in ‘Skillethood,’” he said. “Those who “ It isn’t just complaining and moaning about problems out. So, we are bringing in live music, be­ lax, dance, play games and have fun,” he I |r| Bon’t know who’s who, those who become ‘Skilletfanz’ but it’s an open and honest dialogue between people who cause I know that is what people like. ” said. “It is a party atmosphere. It is not a through hearing our music and then ‘Panheads,’ those who are hurting and God, which is what history consists of.” Batchelor said there is an audience for quiet place because it is a club. It is anoth­ rsity . come to three or four sbipws traveling up to ten hours, bripg- The Skillet/Skypark show begins at 7:30 p.m. at The Light­ r, Managing Wf this type of club and not all students are er way to have fun without the sexual pres­ ton Qpin?tit skillets, banners, writing on their cars and so forth. house. Tickets are $8 in advance at Brazos Valley Christian interested in the same thing. sure and people trying to pick you up.” SportsEdittt f "Of course, we love them all, but we have a special place Books and Gifts and $10 at the door. For more information “You are assuming that among the The Lighthouse is open Tuesday es, City Editor in our hearts for ‘Panheads.’” call 260-7119. 43,000 students, all of them are interested through Saturday from 8 p.m. until 1 a.m. ey, Radio Prodi r, Night NewsE®

Robert McKay, Ml EVERYDAY SPECIAL othy Kang, Robert J' a 1 Large 1 Topping Daily \h >1 ctor Van Scoit, *« Pizza Lunch lanisha ParekM») I''M any Grant, Jody Bill! 2a I $7.99 Specials Flores & Terry Wm tmst L iBp w or Better Ingrediejnts. Better Pizza. ith Patton, Jody Rae *6.99 ibert Strickland & Serving Texas A&M Campus Enroll in the San Jacinto College (after 1 0 p.m.) nt Publications, a MUf!1 13; Fax: 845-264?; l'> “-f! al.and national dispiti'' iceliouisare8a.tl'S?< Mini 846-3600 attalion.FiTstaipyfe^ summer. December 2T, 1 998 - January 8/ ? 999 Pizza By The Slice Off Campus Call ./londaythrougliRirt'- at College Station, ation,IX 77843-1111 Spend the holiday with us and get college credit! Complete three hours of college 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. College Station Bryan work in three weeks/ December 21 - January 8. Weekdays 1100 Harvey Rd. 3414 East 29th St. Computer Information Systems Now Accepting Aggie Bucks 764-7272 268-7272 Economics >ns Board English Geography Government History Legal Assistant Mathematics V Physical Education Psychology Sociology The Northgate Safety Awareness Committee Speech 7, 1999. Present Call today for information! San Jacinto College Central San Jacinto College North San Jacinto College South :,R at the 8060 Spencer Hwy., Pasadena, IX 5800 Uvalde Rd., Houston 1 3735 Beamer Rd., Houston 281-476-1816 281-459-7129 281-922-3432 Northgate Safety Awareness Forum

Daper, Voice your concerns and opinions on the incidents occurring in and 303 0-4 (Editing Surprising San Jac. the Northgate area. YOU WILL BE HEARD! Find out what is going on and what changes are being made. -ancia Cagle Gateway to the Real World aid Building, Open to all. jv. 18,1998. Now on The Battalion’s web page -ions Board Tuesday, November 17, 1998 *8, in room A 24-hour, multimedia news service for the Internet from The Associated Press MSC Flagroom 7 p.m. • A comprehensive, up-to-the-minute news report combining the latest AP stories with photos, graphics, sound and video. • Headlines and bulletins delive[ed as soon as news breaks. Persons with disabilities call 845-1515 to inform us of your special needs. We request notification three (3) working days prior to the event to enable us to assist you to the best http://bat-web.tamtt.edu of our abilities.