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VOLUME 66, ISSUE 44
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F U L L E R T O N INSIDE
SOFTBALL: Titans split doubleheader with No.15 Long Beach State.
—See Sports page 8.
T H U R S D AY
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Proposition 227 sparks more dissent n EDUCATION : The initiative
to eliminate bilingual education lacks supports in a panel discussion Tuesday. By KEITH MASON
Daily Titan Opinion Editor Dozens of Cal State Fullerton students and professors turned out Tuesday evening to hear three panelists question Proposition 227, a.ka. the “English for
Starving students now less in debt
the Children” initiative. If passed by popular vote on the June 2 ballot, the initiative would limit elementary school teachers to conduct lessons in mainly English with few waivers of exception. The panel consisted of an elementary school teacher, a university professor and an education consultant, all of whom reject the premise of Proposition 227. There were no speakers who supported the controversial proposition. Stephen Crashen, professor of education at USC and author of the book
“Under Attack,” urged the community to quash the initiative. “Bilingual education is one of the best things we can do for education,” he said. The most popular argument for killing bilingual education, Crashen said, is that the sooner children learn English, the sooner they can begin to learn other core subjects like math and science. “This is America. We speak English,” Crashen said, relaying the message of bilingual education foes. But he said research proves that chil-
dren learn quicker if they learn in their own language. “First make the child literate in his own language,” he said. Students who develop an understanding of their primary language learn their second language faster and better than students who are immersed in Englishonly classes, Crashen said. He also said research indicates bilingual education results in fewer dropouts, but learning a second langauage takes longer than the six months—three to four years on average—of bilingual edu-
cation the Unz initiative would permit. “Education is not a race. We help each student as best we can,” Crashen said. Although most of California’s 27 school districts do not provide instruction or even tutoring in more than a few secondary languages—Santa Ana offers three languages, Anaheim offers only Spanish as a secondary language, and Fullerton has no program at all—Crashen argued that schools should remain free to teach in two languages wherever possible.
“Whether you like bilingual education or not, Proposition 227 is a disaster,” Crashen said. “Once the public finds out what is in 227 I think they will be against it.” Jacqueline Rojas has taught elementary education, from kindergarten through eighth grade, for 29 years. “Many times common sense is not what will work best,” she said. “Institutional programs should never be judged by common sense.” Rojas compared the proposition to a
see PROP 227/
DIRECT FROM AQAUBANIA, IT’S THE AQUABATS!
n FINANCE : Recent gradu-
ates are paying off their school loans in a timely manner; default rates decrease by half. By Amy Baldwin
Knight-Ridder Newspapers Good news, Uncle Sam. Fewer college graduates are defaulting on their student loans these days. In the early 1990s the default rate peaked at about 22 percent. By 1996, it had been sliced in half. That should make the federal government, which has issued 8.6 million loans, very happy. The value of those outstanding federal loans is $32.4 billion, according to USA Group, the nation’s largest administrator of student loans. Nonfederal student loans total $1.5 billion, a figure that pales in comparison to what the government loaned. Default occurs when loan payments are more than 180 days in arrears. Here are some actions that can be taken against students who do not pay up: -Income tax returns can be intercepted by the government. -10 percent of your wages can be garnished. -The lender can sue. The decline in the default rate may be due to mandatory interviews that students go through before they take out loans and again before they graduate and have to start paying them, according to one university official. “Schools have just done a better job of keeping their students informed,” said Lynda George, director of student financial aid at the University of Kentucky. Congress passed a law in 1993 requiring universities and colleges to counsel students accepting loans. Before students get their diploma in one hand, they receive a student loan repayment schedule in the other. They are told which lender they have to pay and when. The writers of the book Take Control of Your Student Loans (Nolo Press, 1997) credit fewer defaults to Congress, giving defaulting graduates “a way out.” Until 1992, there was no law that would allow student borrowers to get out of default. “Congress faced a crisis. While members did not want the guarantee and collection agencies to get soft on borrowers in default, they knew they had to enact legislation that would provide an incentive for student borrowers to repay their loans. Since 1992, student borrowers have been able to get out of default by simply making 12 consecutive payments. And clearly, it’s working.” (Knight Ridder Newspapers researcher Linda Niemi contributed to this report.)
Attention all true believers, the Aquabats strike again! In an attempt to gain total world dominance through music, The Aquabats took over the Becker Amphitheater Wednesday. The ‘Bats destroyed all who stood in their path. The lime green invaders pelted the crowd with marshmellows, chicken tostadas, water and plastic baseballs. Needless to say, concert-goers bowed before the fury of the ‘Bats. Clockwise from left: The Bat Commader leads the crowd in cheer; Prince Adam casts an evil glare to all who try to discover his true identity; and a teenage superhero sacrifices himself to the crowd to appease the invaders. PHOTOS AND CAPTION BY MYLES ROBINSON
Giving ‘shadows’ the spotlight n OUTREACH : Event
introduces local high school students to engineering and opportunities at CSUF. The aim is to motivate kids to attend college. By MELISSA MORRIS Daily Titan Staff Writer
Eager Anaheim High School students followed college mentors around the Cal State Fullerton campus yesterday as part of “Shadow Day,” an event through the Promotion and Awareness of Careers in Engineering and Science Program. “I want to learn more about my career and what it is going to be like,” 16-year-old student Kai Kanu said. Sponsored by the Society of Mexican American Engineers and Scientists (M.A.E.S), “Shadow
Day” focuses on recruiting Latino high school students to CSUF. Throughout the year, CSUF students interact with Anaheim High School students by tutoring them in various subjects, providing guest lectures and mentoring a program. “Engineering is fine if we can get them to do that, but the main goal is to get them interested in college,” said engineering major and program director Tom Perez. The day began at 8 a.m. as students were ushered into the Titan Student Union Titan Theater for a welcoming speech by Dean Richard Rocke. Rocke said the day’s activities gave kids a chance to check out the campus. “This is their opportunity,” Rocke said. Approximately 70 high school students paired with college students from different fields of study and accompanied them to classes throughout the morning. Later, high school students were introduced to the Engineering and Computer Science department where they participated in an Internet workCopyright ©1998, Daily Titan
shop and a penny float contest. M.A.E.S. officers Gilbert Castillo, Jaime Bermudez and Armando Solis said they owed a lot to the program. Castillo said through the program, he learned, “OK, I can handle this. They really pushed me.” Aside from the “Shadow Day” event, the program also organizes a benefit soccer game that raises money for scholarships that assist students in paying for their college education. “Kids think ‘I can’t afford it.’ A lot of times that’s what holds a kid back and that’s kinda sad,” Perez said. M.A.E.S began planning for the event in January. The group was able to acquire sponsors from campus organizations and the community, but the event still cost the group $1,500, Perez said. What did high school students think of the campus and the day’s events? “It motivated us and we saw how college life is,” Hazel Peraza said.
JEFF CHONG/Daily Titan
Antonio Garcia’s foil boat won the Shadow Day competition by holding 138 pennies.
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A GUIDE TO WHAT’S HAPPENING
BRIEFS
All-night studying
The Titan Student Union will extend its hours to help students prepare for upcoming spring semester finals beginning May 18 and continuing until 11 p.m. on May 29. The “All Night Study” program has been around for more than 10 years in the Titan Student Union. The program will begin Monday the week before finals and continue until the last day of final exams. Several lounges and study areas will be available for individuals as well as study groups to work on projects and prepare for finals. The Information and Services Desk, the Mainframe computer lounge and the Games and Recreation areas will also extend their hours for late-night customers. For more information, contact the Titan Student Union’s assistant director for operations, Kurt Borsting, at 278-7719.
Find out how to get jobs after graduation All those interested in public relations are invited to the last PRSSA speaker meeting on May 12 at 7 p.m. in the Titan Student Union Gabrielino Room with Chip Shafer of Shafer Public Relations. He will be discussing “Jobs After Graduation.” The PRSSA Dinner & Awards Ceremony takes place on May 16 at 7 p.m., at Chase Suites Hotel next to CSUF. The dinner celebrates the organization’s
efforts in public relations activities in school, work and other projects. Members will be receiving their honorary membership certificate on this night. Many will receive honorable mentions as PRSSA’s gratitude for their hard work. Reservations can be made with Sandy, (909) 394-1834, or Mia, (714) 590-2260 by Sunday, May 10 with checks for $22 each payable to PRSSA. Checks may also be submitted to Mia’s or Sandy’s folders at the Communications Office, second floor of the Humanities Building.
Brea's Farmers Market Today is opening day of Brea's Certified Farmers Market. The spring brings fresh produce: ripe strawberries, sweet melon, juicy oranges and a variety of vegatables. Exotic items in the family of plants, flowers and honey will tantalize your taste buds and refresh your senses. The farmers openly deliver secret recipes and tips on eating, canning and serving their delicious products. The market will be held every Thursday, rain on shine all year from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the parking lot of Brea Community Center. The festive market will provide music special events and entertainment for the community to enjoy. Free giveaways, prize drawing and tasters will be available for family fun. City officials aand Southland representatives will be on hand to celebrate the festivities and answer questions.
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May 7, 1998
THURSDAY
CALENDAR OF EVENTS Associated Students Productions presents “Great Expectations” tonight in the Titan Student Union Titan Theatre at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. Admission is free. Associated Student Productions presents skanksters Low Pressure today at noon in the Pub. Admission is free. Spanish Cultural Festival will take place on Friday at 6:30 p.m. in the Titan Student Union Titan Theatre. The performances will include a play
in Spanish, “El burlador de Sevilla,” and a folkstyle musical and dance performance. Admission is free. For more information contact Lydia Velez in the Foreign Languages Department, 278-4192. University Singers will perform in the Little Theatre on Friday at 8 p.m. For more information call the Performing Arts Box Office, 278-3371. Admission is $8, or $5 with Titan ID.
and bebop opens Friday at 8 p.m. For more information call the Performing Arts Box Office 278-3371. Admission $25 and $20 ($2 off with Titan ID). The Society of Professional Journalists has invited Jeff Kramer, a humor columnist for the Orange County Register, to speak about his experiences in journalism. The meeting will be held on Monday at noon in University Hall, room 204.
“The All Night Strut,” a sassy musical with blues, jazz
The Women’s Choir will perform an all-Baltic music concert in the Little Theatre on Sunday. For more information call the Performing Arts Box Office, 278-3371. Admission is $8, or $5 with Titan ID. A Candidate Forum will be held on May 12 and 13. The forum will include two candidates: Republican U.S. Senate candidate Darrell Issa at 3 p.m., May 12 in the Titan Student Union Portola Pavilion A; and
Insecure cheaters never prosper Dear Rebecca,
I need your help. I have been dating this girl for over two years. She was planning to go out of town on a trip with friends (all girls) to San Francisco. I wanted to be the one to take her there first. Neither of us had never been. We got in a fight over it right before she left for the trip. While she was gone I slept with another girl and it was one of her friends. Actually it was one of the girls in her sorority. Both the girl and I talked after about how it was a mistake and just a one-time thing. My problem, is every time I see the girl, I am afraid she is going to tell my girlfriend. My girlfriend knows there is something annoying me and keeps asking me what is
wrong. I want to tell her, but I do not want to lose her. What should I do?
This is truly a multidimensional answer—depending on everyone’s moral and ethical beliefs, which in turn shapes an answer. I will give you a couple of viewpoints on the question, but they are neither right nor wrong. I posed a similar question to a Stanley White, who has Ph.D. in psychology. His said if a person cheats on their significant other for the first time and now knows what a huge mistake it was and won’t ever
do it again, they should not tell. It is better that you live with the guilt than knowingly impose that much hurt on someone you supposedly love. It would be selfish to tell, because you get to clear your conscience at the same time but hurt the other person in the process. Now if you intend on making this behavior a habit, be fair to your girlfriend and let her find someone who won’t disrespect her in this way. My take on the subject is not quite the same as White’s. Anyone who cheats has a problem with respect and/or commitment. If you are not ready to be in a committed relationship, get out of it. Respect and trust are important in any relationship—love or friendship. If you cheated on your girlfriend
ability to invoke 1960s civil rights laws in the 1990s arena of computer-transmitted threats. A similar case in Michigan failed to go to trial, making the Machado case the first successful prosecution over hate e-mail. One of the attorneys who prosecuted Machado’s case praised the sentence as a victory for federal authorities seeking to crack down on hate crimes in cyberspace. “We were very pleased,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Mavis K. Lee said. “We think the conviction and the sentencing sends an important message that hate crime, whether sent by mail, phone or e-mail, will not be tolerated.” Judge Alicemarie Stotler also ordered Machado to undergo racial-sensitivity training, and to stay away from both the UCI campus and the recipients of his message. But she didn’t impose conditions requested by the government that would have barred Machado from using or owning any technology with access to the Internet. Public defenders who represented Machado said they plan to appeal his conviction in the next few days. “We’re glad he’s no longer in custody,” said Sylvia Torres-Guillen. Defense lawyers had portrayed Mach-
ado as a bored and troubled teen-ager who sent the message as a prank. Attorneys said Machado, distraught over the murder of his eldest brother, had flunked out of college but was too ashamed to tell his family. At the time Machado sent the message, a brother was still driving him to the university, where he spent his days in the computer lab surfing the Net and sending messages. In his e-mail to Asian students, Machado threatened to “personally make it my life career to find and kill everyone of you personally. OK?????? That’s how determined I am.” He sent the message twice to make sure it went through. Prosecutors countered with testimony from students who said they were terrified by Machado’s message, and with statements Machado made to campus police. Machado told police there were too many Asian students at Irvine, and that they studied too hard and threatened his own ability to succeed. UCI’s undergraduate population is 58 percent Asian, the highest proportion on any UC campus. Machado was tried twice. His first trial ended in a mistrial last November after the jury deadlocked over whether he acted with criminal intent.
—Help Me Dear Help Me,
Ask and I’ll Tell
Rebecca Sulages
because you were mad, then you have already answered the question. You obviously are not mature enough to be in a committed relationship. You need to separate from your girlfriend and go sew your wild oats and let her find a mature man.
UCI student gets sentence for Internet hate crime
n PUNISHMENT : Richard
Machado was sentenced to one year in prison, probation, a fine and psychiatric counseling. By Sarah Lubman Knight-Ridder Newspapers
SAN JOSE, Calif. - A former University of California student became the first person in the nation Monday to be sentenced to prison for committing a federal hate crime over the Internet. With credit for time served in custody, the maximum one-year prison sentence from a U.S. District Court judge in Santa Ana means that Richard Machado is free, but with plenty of conditions attached including one year on federal probation, a $1,000 fine and mandatory psychiatric counseling. Machado, 21, was convicted in February of violating the civil rights of 59 Asian students at UC Irvine to whom he sent threatening e-mail in. The message, signed “Asian Hater,” warned that all Asians should leave campus or the sender would “hunt all of you down and kill your stupid asses.” The case became a test of prosecutors’
Observers who had followed Machado’s case greeted its end with mixed emotions. Dan Tsang, a UCI librarian and campus activist, said thegovernment should have dropped the case after the mistrial. “This guy was not an aggressive person,” Tsang said of Machado. “He needs help, not a prison term.” Barry S. Steinhardt, executive director of the San Francisco-based Electronic Frontier Foundation, pointed out, “The line between protected political speech and illegal threats can be very fine.” He added, “But generally, if—and that is a big if—Machado made credible targeted threats of violence against specific individuals, it doesn’t matter whether those threats were made over the Internet, the telephone or in person. Threatening conduct that is illegal offline is also illegal online.” The U.S. Attorney’s office in Los Angeles district is currently investigating a new case involving a student at California State University’s Los Angeles campus who allegedly sent an anti-Hispanic e-mail message to professors.
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bandage. “Would you use a Band-Aid on a burn? On a bullet wound? On a scratch? There is no fix-all solution,” she said. “It’s like telling a construction worker, ‘You are going to build that house there, but without the foundation.’ You take the essential tool away from him,” he said. She pointed out that the California PTA and the liberal-leaning California Teachers Association are against the initiative. “In spite of what the press says the research shows, (bilingual education) is really effective,” Rojas said. Jalani Bikari, an educational consultant, related more from his personal experience than hard research. Bikari was taken out of English in fifth grade and enrolled in a German class. He said he understands the effect of immersion programs on students. “No matter how they tried to intensify things to me, I did not learn any better from it,” he said. He also brought up the racial element of the debate. “What is the difference between English-only and white-only?” asked Bikari. The chair of Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlan, Carmen Gonzalez, emphasized that the cooperation between student groups on campus helped make the panel possible. MEChA and MESA Cooperativa worked together to present the three speakers, who were not paid to attend the discussion. “We are all fighting the same issue,” Gonzalez said. Gustavo Mejia, a CSUF Mathematics major, suggested fighting the political process itself. “The problem is the political process of America,” he said, pointing out the irony of a monolingual businessman writing an initiative concerning the future of bilingual education in public schools. “Unz doesn’t know anything about it. He’s just influencing people so he will benefit from it in the long term,” Mejia said. But Bikari was more concerned with the initiative’s potential to strip students of their culture. “We need to seriously consider what they are doing when they are trying to strip (the students’) language.” “Big brother does not always know everything,” Bikari said. “It’s someone who does not live in your community telling you how to live. I look at immersion as drowning. Stick their heads under water until they can’t breathe anymore.”
NEWS n
THURSDAY
Los Sabios del Norte LEFT: Los Sabios del Norte played in the quad Wednesday as part of the Cinco de Mayo celebration. BELOW: Adriana Sandoval and Roberto Ortiz dance to the music of Los Sabios del Norte. PHOTOS BY JEFF CHONG
3
Sports
Thursday, May 7, 1998
Softball season closes out n SOFTBALL: Team splits
with Long Beach State in last night’s doubleheader at home. By JEFF HOWE
Daily Titan Staff Writer Pitcher Donna Coombes made her final game as a Titan a memorable one as she shut down the Long Beach State offense, scattering four hits in Cal State Fullerton’s 3-0 victory Wednesday in game two of a doubleheader at Titan Softball Complex. On the day, seniors Coombes and catcher Rocky Medina were honored with a ceremony between the two games where their careers were revisited. The younger players showed their support by making the last game one to remember. LBSU is in position to advance to regional play, while the Titans’ season is over. Shortstop Stacy Pierson provided all the offense CSUF would need, driving in two runs with a one-out single in the third inning.
“We’re playing really well,” said Titan Head Coach Judi Garman. “I just wish the season wasn’t over.” First baseman Stephenie Little added a mammoth home run in the sixth inning for the final run. Coombes, a senior, pitched seven shut-out innings and only walked two. “It was good to see our seniors play well tonight,” Garman said. Medina went hitless on the night but contributed a flawless performance behind the plate. Before their final victory of the year, the Titans (32-29, 16-16 in the Big West) had to struggle through a 2-0 loss in the first game. CSUF starting pitcher Jana Oetgen lasted all seven innings, allowing two earned runs while walking three and striking out two. Amber Griego was the difference for the 49ers, as she followed a single and a walk with a base hit of her own, driving in the game’s first run. Jennifer Spigner added a home run in the sixth for added insurance. “We just didn’t hit in that first game,” Garman said. “You have to give (49er
pitcher Kristi) Fox credit.” Garman added that she will not dwell on this season. “One good thing about coaching is there’s never time to get discouraged because you have to start planning for next year,” Garman said. Garman went on to praise her two seniors. “Both Donna and Rocky are superior young ladies,” she said. “Some coaches are lucky to have players who don’t give you one problem and they are just that. “If there was a wall with the names of the nicest people on it, those two would be on there.” There was one story about Coombes that Garman had to add. Before moving on to play for the Colorado Silver Bullets, a professional women’s baseball team, Coombes’ sister Missy played as an All-American for the Titans in 1989. During that season, Donna was the bat girl and told Garman she would come back and play. “I told her that was nice but that I would be retired,” Garman said. “Now, she really did come back and I am still here!”
MATT LEWIS/Daily Titan
Senior Rocky Medina, (18) hugs teammate Kati Franck during last night’s senior recognition ceremony. The Titans went on to lose the first game 2-0 and to win the second game, 3-0.
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California State University, Fullerton
Musicwith
arts arts & & entertainment entertainment May 7, 1998
There’s a lot more to Christian music than church hymns
Meaning By STEPHANIE GUERRA
S
ay goodbye to performers like DC Talk, Carmen and Michael W. Smith. These bands are playing to a younger, hipper generation who are accustomed to listening to bands like Radiohead and No Doubt. Christian music has always had that reputation of being cheezy and outdated — popular in the Bible belt, but lame everywhere else. Christian bands are held to a different standard than other bands because of this reputation, but if given a chance to prove themselves worthy, these bands will blow you away while telling you how cool Jesus is at the same time.
THOMAS VILLA/Special to the Daily Titan
The ISREALITES
Nick Garrisi of QUAYLE
Christian musicians, not a christian band “It’s like I have to convince people that I love God,” said singer Nick Garrisi, 19, of Quayle, a band who draws heavily from Radiohead, Superdrag and the Afghan Whigs. Amazingly enough, Quayle’s self-titled album never mentions the tiniest scrap about Jesus or His message. Songs mainly consist of heartache and dealing with relationships. “Let’s play keep away/ it’s been a long time/ it hasn’t been that long/ asking you to come back turned out wrong/ I feel like a cheater/ am I wrong?” Garrisi said the songs are obviously about going to God for direction on how to deal with life's problems, although they don’t blatantly come out say it. “I won’t write about sex or drugs, but I write about how to get through everyday life,” he said from his home in Whittier. “Christian lyrics have become a cliche, you’ve heard it all 12 times before,” said Billy Coker, ex-bassist of Quayle who now runs a graphic design business where he has designed shirts and compact disc layouts for Christian bands like the Israelites and the Supertones. see MUSIC / 6
FOLD ZANDURA
In the Beginning there were original O.C. punksters, By STEPHANIE GUERRA Daily Titan Staff Writer Flying spit. Stabbings. Angry skinheads. These are the things that once encompassed a Vandals show. The days of riots (remember the infamous IceHouse of Fullerton riot?) are over for the under-rated, under-appreciated legends of punk rock, according to Joe Escalante, bass player. “We like playing for younger people,” he said in a phone interview, “we didn’t like the crowd before. They thought punk rock was about causing problems.” AVandals show, circa 1998: Teenagers dance and sing along to their favorite epic songs, girls are groped as they float on top of hundreds of hands, and band members can walk freely through the crowd before and after the show without fearing for their lives, but are stopped for autographs.
The band played two songs off the upcoming album, “Hitler Bad, Vandals Good” which is scheduled to be released June 21, at their latest gig at Corona’s Showcase Theater. They played a great set even though it seemed like they weren’t even trying. Their main objective was to get the filming done for an upcoming punk movie that is being put out through Kung Fu Records. The yet-to-be-titled movie stars Escalante and Warren Fitzgerald. Its plot is ever-changing, but it should be released straight to video next January, according to Andie D’Avino, publicist for Kung Fu. The soundtrack and movie will be sold through the Kung Fu catalog. So why haven’t they reached the level of commercial success that other Orange County bands have, like No Doubt or even the Offspring? Their latest albums have done, at best, 50,000 in sales. Maybe it’s because the band barely
the Vandals started touring two years ago. Or maybe it’s because band members all have second jobs. Escalante, the most calm and reserved quarter of the Vandals, has been the cofounder and president of Kung Fu records for the past year-and-a-half. He tirelessly spends a lot of his time recruiting new bands. “We’re not getting rich, but we’re putting out good records,” he said. Dave Quackenbush, longtime singer and the epitome of cool in his own goofy way, owns an alcohol distributing company. Warren “the mutant boy,” (probably nicknamed for his chronic exhibition escapades, wearing of tight pants and amazing double-jointed body), is a guitar genius who speaks subliminally through his instrument. He uses his talents to produce albums for his coowned Kung Fu label. see VANDALS / 5
May 7, 1998
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Superdrag
... not a drag ...
By JEREMY SCHERER Daily Titan Staff Writer In 1996, John Davis of Superdrag asked, “Who sucked out the feeling?” With their latest album, Superdrag have tried to put the feeling back in. Superdrag’s major label debut, “Regretfully Yours,” released on Elektra records, thrust the band into the starlight, yielding a hit with “Sucked Out” and the band has returned with “A Head Trip in Every Key.” The band’s second major label offering is the result of a lot of hard work that came about through a grueling tour schedule of over 250 dates and quality time spent in the studio. The band has been playing several of the songs off of the new album since the first leg of the “Sucked Out” tour and spent a lot of time in the studio getting the sound they wanted for the album. Last year the band’s guitarist Brandon Fisher said, “We spent a long time in the studio. With the last album (Regretfully Yours) we had to make the record in two weeks and we felt really rushed. This time we took our time and tried to make the best album possible.” The band spent that time wisely incorporating string sections, piano and even sitars in their essentially guitar-based rock style. Superdrag’s style of music uses heavy guitar noises reminiscent of early Catherine Wheel but is based in deep roots of the Beatles, Big Star and the Zombies from the 1960s, with the band striving to equal that level of pop genius. The new album begins with “I’m Expanding My Mind” which starts off like a ballad, moves quickly into a 1960s throwback song and just as suddenly moves into an almost country direction. It shows that the band is definitely past the four-chord structure of hard rock. To prove the band has not forgotten how to kick a party into overdrive they come right back with “Hellbent,” which starts with singer Davis’ familiar “Yeah” scream and moves the listener from there. The early success of Superdrag seems to have taught Davis a lesson that comes with a bad aftertaste. During interviews
and concerts Davis attitude to fame was slightly noticeable and the new album hides his disdain for success in no way. “Do the Vampire” is a clear response to success as Davis croons, “Do the headcase/ Do the vampire/ Dead on the inside.” In case the listener does not get the point of “Do the Vampire,” the next four songs continue along the line of bittersweet fame with the subject matter of “next big things,” bad alternative radio stations and ultra cool hipsters with the song “Mr. Underground.” Though some people may have dismissed Superdrag because they think of the band as a one trick pony, true fans of pop music can appreciate each of the 13 pop gems that brightly shine on “Head Trip In Every Key.” Lucky fans will also appreciate their intense live set as they tour the nation with several bands, including a special show at the Palladium with Ben Fold’s Five this
VANDALS • from page 4
Josh Freese, Orange County’s most wanted drummer, has worked with everyone from the Disneyland Terrace band that rises out of Tomorrow Land to Devo. He’s currently working with Guns N’ Roses. Who ever said punkers were lazy worthless slackers? These guys work hard and they’re the best at what they do. “We spent 10 times more money and time on this album. The songs are better and we’re hoping it sells more,” Escalante said. “People That Are Going To Hell” and “Cafe 405,” a song about having a crush on a girl who works at a famous mall food chain, show the Vandals ability to play pop-punk songs that can be danced to. “Hitler Bad, Vandals Good” could be their breakthrough to radio. Sending an album to a station like KROQ is a first for them because older Vandals albums were deemed “inappropriate.” Vandals publicist Andrea Luna Reece said that they aren’t intentionally going out of their way to reach the level of success that No Doubt has. In a way, they’ve already reached their success, but The Vandals will inevitably get what they deserve: recogni-
5 tion. Bands like No Doubt and Pennywise site them as influences. No Doubt covered their song “Oi To The World” last winter, taking it all the way to KROQ and MTV. When will the day come when we see The Vandals on the cover of Rolling Stone? “We appreciate it,” Escalante said of the other bands, “we influence each other.” Like the Offspring and No Doubt, The Vandals will probably always be known as “that Orange County band.” Although Escalante admits that it does help sell tickets and records. The Vandals’ Australian promoters specifically emphasize the bands’ ties to Orange County in order to pump up sales. “We like it here,” Escalante said, “There’s so much punk rock from Orange County, people think ‘Oh, Orange County is really big,’ but I think there’s more good bands from L.A. County.” Escalante speaks for the band, saying they want to play with Rancid and the Beastie Boys when touring for the new album. The band will undoubtedly play bigger venues while stopping at “hole in the wall’ clubs along the way. “We like to do both,” Escalante said, “a long time ago, we couldn’t have done that because kids wouldn’t go
6
Detour
May 7, 1998
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MUSIC • from page 4
“The idea that Christians can only write music with Christian themes is ridiculous,” Coker said. Is mainstream Christian music possible? Remember Amy Grant and Jars of Clay? Vaguely. So where are they now? Flashback to 1993, when highschoolers, MxPx, would only play gigs on the weekend because of school during the week. Songs like “Want Ad,” a song about looking for a Christian girl, were on their album, whereas today songs like “Chick Magnet” are one of the bands most catchy MTV and radio-friendly singles. When did the crossover occur from being a Christian band to now just a band full of Christians? “They were 16 when their first album came out and they were talking about what was affecting their lives at the time,” director of publicity and radio for Tooth and Nail Records, James Morales, said concerning MxPx’s lyrical change of direction. “They’ve moved on to a lot broader issues,” he said. Contrary to popular belief, Tooth and Nail Records is not what people like to think of as a “Christian Music Label.” “We honestly don’t do music for ministry, we just want to be a successful record company,” Morales said. The label is not a company “by Christians, for Christians,” it simply is a company that happens to be owned by christian people. In four years, the label has gone from selling 10,000 to 250,000 records per major act. Most of it’s success had to do with the popularity of two of their biggest bands, MxPx, who is no longer with the label, and Orange County’s the Supertones. “The number one thing for us is the music,” Morales said, “saying that we are solely a Christian label is like saying there are Christian restaurants and football teams.” “Most of our bands just rock out, they’re not trying to convert anyone,” Morales said. “MxPx music today is more honest,” Coker said, “I don’t think they should be tied down (to only christian themes).” Whereas some might think of their actions as being hypocritical, leaving many of their Christian fans feeling deserted. Others may think that it was just a smart business move in order to excel in the music industry. So what does it take to be a Christian Band? The electronic and Oasis-influenced Fold Zandura writes songs about life, love, the pain of relationships and how God
ties it all together. “It takes a lot of faith to be a sincere Christian band,” Jerome Fontamillas, 30, said. “You don’t want to candy-coat the music just to please the crowd,” he said, “some of our music can drive you to tears.” Take “Stormy Hill” for example, a song about a breakup. “If only I could run away into the words I”ll never say/ it would be easier than this my soul facing you/ and only know we share the weight . . ./ I fell awake into the love that slipped away sadly,/ I need more time Their songs are more emotional, music to think, learn, and escape to. Members of Fold Zandura decided to become a Christian band because they found it is easier to relate to one another on a personal level. “I feel bad because people look up to me (and the band) and put me up on a pedestal,” Fontamillas said, concerning being a role model. “We’re human and we stumble, our fans should look to Christ.” Christian Music is about God, plain and simple It’s a cold soggy night and the Israelites are having a record release party for their new album, “Montego Bay (The Jamaican Persuasion).” Friends and fans gather in an empty warehouse in Santa Fe Springs to skank the night away to the Christian sounds of the Israelites, other dancehall reggae bands, and Havalina Rail Co. The show feels more like a community of good friends gathering on a Friday night, than an actual gig.
with prospective bands, eating at Denny’s and going to Bible study are just some of the things that vice-president Trusty will do before signing a band in order to determine if they are dedicated.
THOMAS VILLA/Special to the Daily Titan
Javier Hernandez, Kevin Pollard, Nick Garrisi and William Coker of Quayle. Children play with a rubber ball while their parents (yes, parents) sit back and enjoy the music. Worrying and stressing out about writing songs exclusively with Christian themes is a “waste of time” to Rich Carlstedt, guitarist and songwriter of the Israelites. It comes naturally to him. “I’m at a point in my life (he’s 31) where everything I do should be for God,” Carlstedt said. Carlstedt, who founded the band eight years ago, said it’s important to stay humble in the Christian music business. “I can’t judge the motives of MxPx,” he said, “the question is, how many of those bands are giving their 10 per cent tithes? I do.” Even the bands’ instrumentals are
Christian songs, specifically titled and given a Bible verse sub-title, to tell the listener what the songs are really about. A love song to God can be heard in the song “I Don’t Know Why,” sung by Peter Trusty and Carlstedt’s wife, Jackieblu. “Remember when you held my hand/ and you helped me understand/ then one fine day, this life will end/ and I’ll be with you in the promised land.” Four years ago, Carlstedt formed Kingston Beat Records with his singer, Peter Trusty, in order to sign Christian bands. “We have a nest of bands that want us to sign them, but if they’re not ministry-oriented, we want nothing to do with them,” Trusty said. Hanging out
Staged performances? Some bands begin a set with a standard opening prayer, proceed through a couple of songs, make an alter call, sing a praise song, etc. There are certain ingredients the audience expects to be exposed to when attending a “Christian concert.” “We try not to can it, we go with what God is leading us to do,” Trusty said. The Israelites have a procedure. Prior to the show, the band will communicate in order to find out if any band member feels convicted. If so, they’ll play specific songs, maybe even a praise song so that the audience can participate. “We’re ministers from the stage, but we also do one-on-one ministering,” Trusty said. Although in secular clubs, the band will not inherently minister to the crowd, but let the lyrics speak for themselves. “When people come up to us after the show, that is, when we have the one-onone (ministering),” Trusty said, “I give out my pager number and e-mail address so that people can talk to me if they need to.” A band that is still wet behind the ears Cal State Fullerton held it’s first Jesus Week this March, and Revelation, a new band from Fallbrook provided the entertainment. “We want to accurately portray what
it’s like to walk with God,” Sean Papiro, 20, lead singer said after the performance at the Titan Student Union. Their music, which Papiro describes as “godly, heavenly music,” does not fit into any kind of marketable sound, but Papiro and his bandmates are hopeful. “If one person in here is touched, it’s worth it,” Papiro said, although the band has only been playing gigs for the past two months. At first glance, Revelation can be mistaken for a reckless hippie band with their long hair, flared jeans and birkenstocks. Papiro, who sports thick dreadlocks and plays a Flying V (think “Spinal Tap”) guitar, quit smoking along with the rest of the band, when they decided to play together. Touring / New Albums Quayle and Fold Zandura are in the middle of touring trough the midwest up until mid-May. “We haven’t really worked for anything,” Garrisi of Quayle added, “we got signed right away because we’re catchy.” His dream is to tour through the hole-in-the-wall clubs just like any other successful band has done. Their self-titled album, out on SubLime records, can be bought at small indie record stores or just about any Christian book store, although some are sending the copies back because of the “non-Christian” lyrics. Same goes for Fold Zanduras’ “Ultra Forever.” The band can be reached at Foldzandura@ earthlink.net. The Israelites will leave to tour for two months on June 18, traveling to New York by van. They will also play