ENTERTAINMENTpage 15 Technique • Friday, October 8, 2004 • 15

MOCK THE VOTE ICE, ICE, BABY A lesser-known candidate for the A four-time winner of the Thrasher ENTERTAINMENT presidency has his say after being left out Cup, Tech’s ice hockey club continues Page 16 Page 28 Technique • Friday, October 8, 2004 of the debates this past week. its great success. Ben Kweller opens for Incubus, wins fans By Charbak Mitra tic guitar, he commenced to rally Contributing Writer the audience with a folksy ballad, something that might have caught Last Saturday, the lights dimmed the army of Incubus fans with their in the Arena at Gwinnett Center pants down. and a pit saturated with passionate “Dr. Dre ain’t got nothing on Incubus fans was greeted by an art- me, or the Snoop D-O-double-G”, ist few of them had ever heard of at he assured the crowd. the time. The snide remark was received Ben Kweller, an independent, with laughter. He traded in for an promising and relatively unknown electric guitar and presented the artist, met them with a mission: to audience with “Commerce, TX” rock as many faces as he could and shortly before setting aside the guitar for his third instrument of the night:

“What Kweller “...The experience of must weather is seeing [Springsteen] the current state live led Kweller of affairs in the to verse himself industry and go in an armory of against the grain of musical instruments self-righteous music including the organ, connoisseurs...” bass, harmonica and drums.” make as many fans of his music as possible. What Ben Kweller represents to the keyboard. the industry is a musician in the truest By Charbak Mitra / STUDENT PUBLICATIONS It might be prudent to note that sense of the word. Some might say A rock & roll staple, Ben Kweller enjoys a moment singing and playing the electric guitar backed up by Kweller has a musical advantage that he was born 30 years too late. vocals from his drummer. Kweller opened for Incubus last Saturday at the Arena at Gwinnett Center. instilled in him from his childhood. Yet others might hold that his lot in The Texas native’s six degrees to life is to bring back the idea of the of greater stuff than mortal men, country and hip-hop have precious affairs in the industry and go against Bruce Springsteen were more like rock star from when that term once heroes who mankind has marked few names that may be remembered the grain of self-righteous music con- three and the experience of seeing had meaning. never to die. in the same history books as Elvis noisseurs who don’t hesitate to label him live led Kweller to verse himself There was a time when idolatry One might speculate that at- Presley. It is this challenge that Ben anything and everything they hear. in an armory of musical instruments was fathomable and those who taining that kind of fame is a task Kweller sees as his own. He has to bring back into the world including the organ, bass, harmonica reached the highest levels of fame beyond the bounds of music in the Whether or not he is made of the the idea that music should be taken and drums. became legends in their own right. modern age. In today’s scene, rock same “stuff” as the icons of music for what it is at face value: music. “How Should it Be” from his first These were men like Bob Dylan and is populated with bands that cough history is not a debate. What Kweller Armored in an outfit of denim Jimi Hendrix, who were simply made up little more than a front man, and must weather is the current state of and equipped with an electro-acous- See Kweller, page 17 Larry the Cable Wait to see September Tapes on video Guy: “Git ‘er done!” By Evan Zasoski Larson’s clumsy attempts to play Your favorite (or at the very least Senior Staff Writer detective in and around the city of fourth-favorite) blue-collar comic Kabul. Repeatedly, and with little Larry the Cable Guy performs this Before actually writing the review to no remorse or desire to learn Saturday, Oct. 9. at the Gwinnett for Christian Johnston’s September from past mistakes, Larson not Arena. Show starts a 8 p.m. and Tapes, it would perhaps be beneficial only bungles around wildly, but also tickets cost $40. to explain exactly what this movie is. endangers the lives of himself, Wali September Tapes is what you might and the cameraman. call a hybrid documentary. This seriously tests the limits of You’ll have to look That is, it combines elements of believability as to why these charac- both a traditional documentary with ters, particularly Wali, who have no up for this one a fictional sto- great personal ryline and char- stake in Larson’s With A-10 Warthogs, P-51 acters. The end “The story is film, would stick Mustangs and even a “flying Chevy result is frankly fairly weak and around while truck,” there’s something for every- more than a little this idiot cow- one at the Great Georgia Air Show. confusing. predictable, and boy puts their The show is Saturday from 9 a.m. The film tells the non-fiction lives in jeopardy to 6 p.m. at Falcon Field in Fayette the story of Don time and time County. Tickets cost $13 for adults Larson (George interviews...only again. and $7 for children 13 and under. Calil) who travels After that, to Afghanistan serve to confuse the the film picks up with his guide situation...” a bit with some They really know Wali Zarif (Wali fairly well-shot Razaqi) and ob- action sequenc- how to party viously a cameraman to make a es. With the exception of a few good documentary detailing the hunt for scenes, however, it never really seems Longing for a taste of the culture Osama bin Laden. to get off the ground. that brought you Socrates, Aristotle The film is a little hazy about this, The story is fairly weak and and Zorbo? Then the Atlanta Greek but apparently the ultimate goal is predictable, and the non-fiction Festival just might be right up to, through some serious finagling, interviews interspersed lightly your alley. The festival will be at get a meeting with bin Laden himself throughout only serve to confuse the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the and either interview him, put a bullet situation and by virtue of their very Photo courtesy First Look Pictures Annunciation, 2500 Clairmont in his head or both. short average time on screen, offer September Tapes stars George Calil as Don Larson, a documentary Road N.E. Oct. 7–10. Tickets cost The first third or so of the movie, filmmaker who travels to Afghanistan with the ultimate goal of $3 for adults and $1 for children in all truthfulness, sucks. It details See Tapes, page 19 interviewing Osama bin Laden. under 11. 16 • Friday, October 8, 2004 • Technique ENTERTAINMENT 01001011010010101T0WO01 1B0ITS101001101001011010 Slighted at presidential debates, Two Bits Man speaks out on issues For those of you who watched and their only response has been ical campaign. minor ninth. Many people in the entertain- the debate, you probably noticed to dismiss your run for president As for Bush, I believe that he has Secondly, I would like to sell ment industry have been strongly two things: 1) George Bush looks as a vanity campaign. How do you had reservations about mentioning Waffle House franchises in hostile outspoken in their dislike of the a lot like Alfred E. Neuman when respond to that? me, because my last name has two countries. When you go to a Waffle current president, so I think that he’s debating and 2) They neglected TBM: Well, it’s understandable words in it, and I suspect that his they would volunteer to assist in the to invite me. I realize that this was a that the other candidates would try advisers have told him not to waste vocal training of the world. minor oversight, and after contacting to pretend that I don’t exist. John his time thinking about something “When you go to JL: Aside from terrorism, the Jim Lehrer, he has agreed to interview Kerry has understandably devoted so complex. other major issue in this campaign me personally. So in this Two Bits, I all of his time to the defeat of George JL: Your critics claim that you a Waffle House, is the economy. answer your political questions: B u s h because in- lack the political and foreign rela- the only thing you President Bush will most likely go JL: Mr. Two Bits, the other can- cumbents tions experience necessary to lead down as the first president since the didates have been silent on your can- have his- this nation through the war on can think about...is Great Depression to post a net job didacy torically terror. How do you respond to this what happened to loss during his administration. How m a d e assertion and how would you combat would you go about stimulating the strong terrorism? the waitress’ other economy and creating more jobs? show- TBM: Thank you Mr. Lehrer. teeth.” TBM: The economy is one issue i n g s After viewing last week’s debate, I about which I feel most passionate. i n came to realize that neither candi- As I stated when I announced my a ny date has a clear view of the state of House, the only thing you can think candidacy, I will have the strongest p o - the world. First, regarding foreign about for the next two days is what works program since FDR. I intend lit- relations experience, I would like to happened to the waitress’ other to create millions of new jobs with point out that I know how to cuss teeth. paid White House internships and someone out in 22 languages. In my two-pronged approach, delivery truck drivers for televi- Given our current foreign I intend to fight terror by taking sions that mysteriously fall out of policy, I believe that cussing out hostile peoples’ minds off it. trucks. other world leaders would be a JL: I would like to take this time Given a two-minute limit, I can’t huge step forward from our current to use a 30-second follow up. How fully detail how I will improve the international policy. would you pay for the program re- economy, but my economic plan is Regarding terrorism, I’d take a quired to teach the world to sing in available on the web for those who two-pronged approach. First, I’d like perfect harmony? Can you do this may wish to read it. to teach the world to sing in perfect without raising taxes? JL: You have two minutes left for harmony. I feel that some of the heat TBM: Well, as you can imag- closing statements. would be removed from the United ine, voice lessons do cost money. TBM: It is high time that the States if everyone was working Nonetheless, I believe in the good American people have a president in together on something. People will people of America, and I feel that whom they can feel confident. They have very little time to mastermind squadrons of music teachers would need a president who is not looking human rights violations if they’re be willing to provide this service on after oil interests or condiment inter- trying to perfect a diminished D-flat a volunteer basis. ests and that president is me. ENTERTAINMENT Technique • Friday, October 8, 2004 • 17

brief set with “No Reason” but left the Same” (On My Way, 2004). be an outlet in which he discovers questioning, he validated the nick from page 15 stage for dead after giving it a three- “Ben is our idol…an iconic new meanings to his songs. name. “I am the burger king,” he Kweller course beating complemented by figure,” she said, clearly writhing In response to his label as an indie disclosed. guitar leaps, rapid fire progressions, in euphoria from Kweller’s earlier rocker, Kweller said, “I used to think With further comment, he shared album (Sha Sha, 2002), followed in and an end-all guitar solo in the vein serenade. indie had a sound.” that “most people don’t know that the set. The song is a foot-stomping, of the rock & roll legends he labors He then pointed out that indie about me.” light-hearted reminder of how fun to be. Judging from the audience’s simply meant he didn’t have to an- Looking into the future, Kweller’s music can be. Even Kweller stomped reaction, it’s safe to consider him swer to anyone. “I’m a rock singer,” plans hold to his ambitions and are his feet. Among his other selections one step closer to his goal. “I used to think indie he concluded. sincere to his grand vision. “I wanna were “Wasted & Ready” and the “I heard he was good, but he had a sound.” Kweller even went out on a limb be able to tour around the world,” melancholic “In Other Words.” exceeded my expectations,” Will and gave an implied thanks to file he said. Smith, a junior at Georgia State Ben Kweller sharing for helping people recognize University who attended the event, Singer/musician his songs when he was starting out. “I would have paid said. “I’m a huge fan of iTunes,” he said. “I just wanna keep “I would have paid 200 bucks One aspect of Kweller’s efforts 200 bucks for this. It for this. It was awesome,” John She proudly stated she was a fan that shouldn’t go unnoticed is his being creative...and was awesome.” Bockelman, a concertgoer who of nine months who listened to him political activism. He spent the maybe buy a farm in actually looked suspiciously like every day. previous night performing a show Texas.” John Bockelman Kweller, said. After the show, Kweller nursed for John Kerry. When approached With a fan base as dedicated as a beer and reflected on those who about his political leanings, he sum- Concertgoer his, Kweller is already beginning to played pivotal roles in his musical marized his sentiments in a simple Ben Kweller show the symptoms of a budding direction. He credited his influences statement. “I’m just fed up with our Singer/musician A powerful factor of his charisma rock star. to the Velvet Underground, Violent government,” he said. is his undeniable stage presence, Two such fans are Lauren and Femmes, Johnny Cash, the Beatles Political awareness is something a tried-and-true shot to the head Ashley, Emory students who could and Nirvana. that Kweller sees to be important. He looks forward to putting out of Americana that receives lavish be found in line eagerly anticipating Part of the palpable charm around “We’re gonna inherit this country,” more records and welcomes the idea adulation from his existing fans and autographs. Ben treated them to a Kweller is the unfaltering assurance he said. of receiving more play on the radio. quickly gathers new ones. personal performance of Lauren’s that he gets as much out of perform- Kweller is sometimes referred “I just wanna keep being creative… Kweller ended an unfortunately personal favorite, “Different but the ing live as his fans do. He finds it to to simply as “BK.” Upon further and maybe buy a farm in Texas.”

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We worked hard to earn that title. ENTERTAINMENT Technique • Friday, October 8, 2004 • 19 motion sickness goes and this movie made me a little queasy Tapes from page 15 Ultimately, September Tapes is a film that doesn’t really know what Live in Atlanta very little insight into very much it wants to be and is, on the whole, of anything beyond the occasional a bit of a muddled pile. Echo Lounge (551 Flat Shoals Rd.) 10/13 Joan of Arc 10/11 Fifteen Minutes of Fame Karaoke decent sound You spend a (404) 681-3600 10/14 The Moto-Litas 10/12 Funk Disco w/ DJ Romeo byte. good portion of www.echostatic.com/echolounge Cologne A lso, this “You spend a good the film trying to 10/8 Cadillac Jones Variety Playhouse (1099 Euclid Ave.) movie is just plain figure out when 10/9 Stovall (404) 521-1786 Smith’s Olde Bar (1580 Piedmont Ave.) ugly. Granted it’s portion of the film it’s supposed to 10/13 JapanCakes (CD Release Party) www.variety-playhouse.com (404) 875-1522 supposed to be trying to figure out be a documen- 10/8 Shawn Colvin www.smithsoldebar.com a documentary, tary and when Cotton Club (152 Luckie St.) 10/9 Junior Brown 10/8 The Iguanas, David Childers so no one is ex- when it’s supposed it’s supposed to (404) 688-1193 10/12 Death Cab for Cutie, Sam Phillips 10/9 Kevin Kinney’s Sun-Tangled Angel pecting amazing to be a documentary be just a movie. www.atlantaconcerts.com/cottonclub. Revival camera work, Couple that html The Masquerade (695 North Ave.) 10/10 August Falls (featuring Cole but after this and when it’s with camera 10/14 Tortured Soul with DJ Salah (404) 577-2007 Thomas) movie, you’ll supposed to be just work that’s an Anance www.masq.com 10/11 I Can Lick any SOB in the House look back with epileptic’s worst 10/9 Nonpoint, Skindred, Emery, Brazil, 10/12 Twinemen (featuring ex-members reverence and a movie.” nightmare and The Earl (488 Flat Shoals Ave.) From 1st to Last, Name Taken of Morphine) awe at a simpler you’ve got a (404) 522-3950 10/12 DIO, Anthrax, Fireball Ministry 10/13 The Big Wu time when the calm and steady hand movie that just never really goes www.badearl.com 10/14 Line of Sight behind the camera of Blair Witch anywhere but does so in a frantic 10/8 Dead Moon Star Bar (437 Moreland Ave.) Project controlled what was on your fashion. 10/9 The Orphins (404) 681-9018 The Mark (79 Poplar St.) movie screen. Wait for the rental because smart 10/10 Dunch with the Groundhaws www.starbar.net (678) 904-0050 At the very least this film will money says that this movie won’t 10/11 …And You Will Know Us By The 10/8 The Bitter End, The Lay Down Mains www.themarkatlanta.com give you a headache. I’ve usually lose a whole lot of its luster on the Trail of Dead 10/9 Betty Rebel, The Will Rogers Band 10/8 Surface presents DJ Dan got a pretty solid stomach as far as small screen.

TECH B*TCH COMIX Original Comic Strip

By Erin Gatlin: [email protected] ENTERTAINMENT Technique • Friday, October 8, 2004 • 21

THEME CROSSWORD: THIS AND THAT By Robert Zimmerman 66. Kind of slipper ending United Features 67. “But is it __ ?” 6. Tropical fish 68. Surviving in good shape 7. Spanish card game ACROSS 72. Grew old 8. Actor __ Kilmer 1. Out of the sun 73. Buyer’s burden, at times 9. Significant years 7. Intimidate 75. Spout 10. Heavy on the calories 14. Radio’s Don __ 76. Hurts 11. “Diana” composer 18. Washington high point 77. Offering from 35 Across 12. Textile maker 19. Coleridge’s ancient one 78. Oppose 13. Correspondent __ Pyle 20. Order to broker 80. Patriot __ Hale 14. Publication ID 21. High schooler’s chal- 82. Gallic goodbye 15. Filmmaker __ Gibson lenge 85. Small dam 16. Howl 22. Bruised 86. Homily 17. Their bells may jingle 24. Gielgud and Goodman 87. Leased 18. Indian prince 25. Needlefish 89. Gabriel of “Miller’s Cross- 23. Valley 27. Characteristic of GBS ing” 26. Declare 28. Fired up 90. Emoters 29. Black, green, etc. 30. One of a Latin trio 91. Spring clock setting: 31. Inventor Elias __ 31. Hang overhead abbr. 32. Put back on the heat 33. Slippery swimmer 94. Bounders 34. Having a tendency 34. Knight’s servant 95. Columbus inst. 36. Holbrook, et al. 35. Chicken 97. Letter sign-off 38. Exodus menu 36. Use a strop 99. Verdi specialty 39. Ruhr city 37. Mideast big shot: var. 100. Lyric poem 40. Vichy export 41. Miss Kitt 101. Leading lady 42. Line up 43. Chiffonier feature 105. Tiny 44. Keep going 45. Home in Havana 106. Senator __ Lott 47. Northern lights 46. Windblown clay 107. Really clean 48. __ Beach, Fla. 47. Talisman 110. Farm, perhaps 49. Discharge, in a way 48. Diplomat 112. Draw with acid 50. Renowned puppeteer 50. Paper holder 113. Bureaucracy by-prod- 51. Summarize 51. Roman Forum, e.g. uct 52. Most gracious 52. Not a soul 114. More reasoned 54. Holier __ thou © 2004 United Features Syndicate, Inc. 53. Knick-knack stands 115. Quaker pronoun 55. Prepared for all comers 71. Horse-drawn carriage gas” co-star 102. Icelandic poetry 58. Therefore 116. Lou Grant portrayer 56. Actress __ Brennan 74. Tournaments 88. Pier 103. Fast flyers 59. Good times and bad 117. Wines from Hungary 57. Coasters 76. Cash providers 89. More than tanned 104. Bridge times 59. Guitar sound 79. Interstate: abbr. 92. Sears 106. WWII Japanese naval 62. Motorists find it change- DOWN 60. Handle 80. The Levant 93. Future french fries base able 1. “Seven veils” dancer 61. Let fall: var. 81. Weapons 96. Gaze fixedly 108. Lipinski’s milieu 63. Columbia Pictures 2. Self-important 66. He-man-ish quality 82. Tanker insignia 98. Pro sports big shot 109. Mighty Joe Young, for founder 3. Concerning 68. Transition 83. Fixed on one’s purpose 99. Madison Square Garden, one 64. Texas city 4. Claim 69. More up-to-date 84. With thoroughness e.g. 111. Bill and __ 65. Emulate Leo 5. Auction or mountain 70. Target of certain snakes 86. Cage’s “Leaving Las Ve- 101. Dull pain See Solutions, page 17