WATER FIGHT The Keflavík Report Life in Egilsstaðir The Foreign Monkeys Jakobínarína Steal SxSW Complete Guide to Reykjavík ISSUE 04 / 07APR - 05MAY 2006 ISSUE THREE: APRIL 7 – MAY 5 YEAR 4 Articles The Reykjavík Grapevine crew 06 The Unspeakable Brought to the Living Room The Reykjavík Grapevine Kompás, Iceland’s 60 Minutes, on exposing perverts and even hospital management Faxaskála, Faxaporti, Faxagötu 2 www.grapevine.is [email protected] The Fatter, the Funnier? 08 Published by: Fröken ehf. 14 No Blood for Oil! Now, Where Did We Park? Editor: 540-3602 / [email protected] Anti-war protests on March 18th Advertising: 540-3605 / 868-8187 / [email protected] Marketing: 540-3603 / 869-7796 / [email protected] Distribution: 540-3601 / 694-2538 / [email protected] Production: 540-3608 / 849-5611 / [email protected] eatures Listings: 540-3600 / 847-7335 / [email protected] F Subscription: 540-3601 / 694-2538 / [email protected] 16 Save the Water! Publisher: Hilmar Steinn Grétarsson / [email protected] Editor: Bart Cameron / [email protected] How the water debate allowed Iceland’s parliament to act, instead of taking action Marketing Director: Jón Trausti Sigurðarson / [email protected] Production Manager: Oddur Óskar Kjartansson / 18 The Ghost Town on the Coast [email protected] Collateral damage from the base’s departure Staff Journalists: Gunnar Hrafn Jónsson / [email protected] Paul Fontaine-Nikolov / [email protected] Sveinn Birkir Björnsson / [email protected] Columnist: Þórdís Elva Þorvaldsdóttir Bachmann / ssentials [email protected] E Advertising Sales: Aðalsteinn Jörundsson / [email protected] Helgi Þór Harðarson / [email protected] 12 Grapevine’s Government Guide Director of Photography: Guðmundur Freyr Vigfússon / [email protected] Photographer: Óskar Hallgrímsson / [email protected] 35 Purchases That Justify Existence Art Director: Gunnar Þorvaldsson / [email protected] 36 Dining, Eating and Grubbing Proofreader: Erika Wolfe Distribution: Jóhann Páll Hreinsson Cover Photo by: Gúndi Music & Nightlife Make up / Hair / Styling : Sóley Ástudóttir Model : Hildigunnur Thanks to Leifur Rögnvaldsson and Laugardalslaug 22 Heady Days in Austin, Texas Deep thoughts from Jakobínarína on the festival that got record contracts from suits Printed by: Ísafoldarprentsmiðja ehf. # of ground copies: 30,101 31 An Evening of Listening and Restraint Live Music Review: José González We are always looking for articles. 33 Grapevine Album Reviews Send your submissions to : [email protected] You may not like it, but at least it's not sponsored. Outside Reykjavík (No articles in the Reykjavík Grapevine are pay-for articles. The opinions expressed are the writers’ own, not the advertisers’.) 39 At the King’s Feet in Memphis Part 4 of 4 of Touring the American Egypt 42 Jobs, Yes. Women, No. Visiting the Icelandic Klondike 43 We Live to Be Radical Brooklyn Goes A-Type Welcome to Arnarstapi á Snæfellsnesi - the official home of chilly mornings. Population 37. SOUR GRAPES Complaints, criticism, suggestions, praise, money, anything at all: Contact [email protected] or send your mail to: The Reykjavík Grapevine, Faxagata 2, Faxaskála við Faxaport, 101 Reykjavík. Sportacus How Dare You! My grandmother once told me it Many thanks for bringing up the I was reading you latest copy of was better to say nothing unless you subject of the LazyTown invasion. (G)rapevine issue and came across have nothing of substance to say. I I do realize that there are things out a very offensive comment. You said see beauty in the small talk which there that may have a more negative that Brain Police (A very bad band) fills your days. I’ve learned that the influence on my kids, but there are had a rhythm section that would weather talk , the token “áttu kaffi?” , few things as eminent and persuasive make RUSH jealous!!! I find that and the endless discussions of where for them as this LazyTown craze very offensive because Rush are gods the price per kilo on lamb is cheapest, these days. After each episode, I among men and shouldn’t be put keeps us connected. I once found have to spend hours on playing down in a sentence with a gay band like quite baffling the unwillingness to expectations about McDonalds ham- Brain Police. I should sue you, but discuss things of importance like burgers (ad running just before the we are not in America so I won’t emotions or feelings . Yet with time show), pink plastic shoes and vita- do anything. Except hate your lame I realized that life just is. Time passes mins with aspartame that no healthy magazine for many Aeons to come, like water over black stones, polished and well fed kid will benefit from. you aging hippie liberal douche. smooth by eons of small talk. And what’s with Stephanie’s dress? I am glad I am leaving before the Pass her a few Lato’s to buy a longer Sincerely: disgusting emptiness of consumer- one. Your hateful non-friend - Ape Shaw ism along with the nauseating smell Hanna of capitalism become rampant and Dear Ape, run over this land like blood. Like Hanna, I’m sorry for offending you. I was refer- a plague. It’s begun. You do see the Birkir’s piece in the last issue, Hey ring to the fat-ass Canadian Led Zep- signs. It is a hard thing to point your Sportacus, Leave My Kids Alone, pelin cover band Rush, not whatever finger at, but I would urge you to brought up some key issues of the Lazy- band inspired your devotion. As for my grind to a screeching halt the pro- Town discussion, issues that were echoed age and political leanings- I think you’re gression of your simple life to a life in the Icelandic-language media-- confusing me for another Bart. I’m the filled with meaningless objects, and ahem, without any citation or reference 29-year-old Democrat who would vote the glimmer of a better life of more to our own writer, specifically in a for Bill Clinton for a third term, if pos- money hanging over the mouths of lengthy column in Fréttablaðið. This sible, putting me in the moderate camp; hungry, tired, bitter people, with no is an excellent service the Grapevine I am not the aging hippie who did those hope. That is America. You don’t provides Fréttablaðið readers. dirty things to your mom at the Jerry want that. Pay attention to your own But let us return to LazyTown—yes, Brown campaign rally and put them politics. They are leading you like there are creepy aspects, and it is good on that More Reasons to Hate Bush a herd of sheep. Iceland is unique to mention them. I guess I really don’t website. Glad to have you as a reader. beauty. Save it. You don’t need big understand the argument fully… what Regarding lawsuits, the press is more buildings to be beautiful or power television show do you think should raise open to lawsuits in Iceland than they are for that matter. Money doesn’t make your children? in America, so sue away. You could be a nation happy. Be happy that your the next Bubbi. children enjoy a freedom which a Love Your Online child in America will never know. Be Reykjavík Grapevine Letter to the Editor satisfied that when you are sick you Thank you for a wonderful online Goodbye Iceland can go to the doctor. Be happy that publication! Really enjoy it. Will be I am returning to my home, America. you don’t have to become hard and visiting your neck of the woods for I will miss your serene atmosphere. cold to suffering around you. Selfish- several days come this weekend. The simplicity I encounter in your ness and greed are enough to corrupt Can’t wait to experience it. Your small towns. The smell of the ocean the innocent. Read this paper. It is articles are doing well to prepare us which greets me in the early morn- the one place you are getting non- for what may come. ing. I now understand the awe of slanted journalism. Turn your TV Esja. When my life is troubled I will off. Throw your Fréttablaðið out. Best regards to you and your staff on miss the comfort she brings me. The And start talking about what matters! a very professional effort to inform green hills and calming sound of B.R. Neal the people. water falling on rocks. This landscape Warmly, has forever changed me. It will be Dear B.R., Loredana :) the place my mind returns to when I Oh. Now that’s the kind of hippie talk need tranquillity. It took some time that Rush devotee Ape Shaw loathes. He We do our best, which is to say that Paul for my instant gratification personal- says aeon, you say eon. Nikolov, Gunnar Hrafn Jónsson and ity to accept the type of silent friend- Sveinn Birkir Björnsson get the news up ship you offered. I eventually learned Anyway, we get loads of these Goodbye, by noon, Icelandic time, each day, while that you show love by just being. Iceland, letters, and the authors of these I drink coffee and babble incoherently. Constant. Strong. Like the old stones letters don’t call us douche bags. They that dot the countryside like remind- often give extremely condescending I do believe that the Grapevine will ers of the past. I feel connected to and sanctimonious advice to the noble prepare you better for all aspects of Rey- something everlasting. My footprints savages of Iceland, and warn against kjavík than any other publication. on untouched land. The purity of becoming… whatever the authors are. your spirit. LULU EIGHTBALL EDITORIALS No Tears Over These Lost Jobs I have only been on one military base in my life, who lived in Keflavík, and who had a keen aware- you will wince and maybe even stop reading.