Full EFFECT Titan Entertainment Guide
MUSIC: Mae album makes listeners warm and fuzzy MOVIE: ‘Ring 2’ familiarly eerie, brings back gore from original F FASHION : Style Scout searches through spring break baggage
For the love of music Indie stores provide rare finds, underground albums Page 4
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Contents
News Briefs-The Buzz Book- Getting by on minimum wage Movies— Movies—Disney princess hits ice, falls flat Feature—Eclectic tastes savor indie music stores Movies—’Graduate’ ignites a classic affair ‘Ring 2’, a successful scare Food—Chinese food for cheap Style Scout Scout—Forget the baggage during spring break Music—Creativity key on debut album
ON THE COVER: Music lovers help support, allow independent music stores survive.
Full Effect FULL EFFECT EDITOR KYM PARSONS EXECUTIVE EDITOR MARTI LONGWORTH ADVERTISING SALES DIRECTOR KEVIN COOK PRODUCTION KYM PARSONS SEESON MAHATHAVORN, KEVIN COOK ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES DAISY NOELLE, KIMBERLY LEUNG CAN SENGEZER, JESSICA LEVENTHAL, VANESSA RUMBLES, RICK LEON
The Daily Titan 714.278.3373 Full Effect Editorial 714.278.5426 fulleffect@dailytitan.com Editorial Fax 714.278.4473 Full Effect Advertising 714.278.3373 ads@dailytitan.com Advertising Fax 714.278.2702 Full Effect , a student publication, is a supplemental insert for the Cal State Fullerton Daily Titan. It is printed every Thursday. The Daily Titan operates independently of Associated Students, College of Communications, CSUF administration and the CSU system. The Daily Titan has functioned as a public forum since inception. Unless implied by the advertising party or otherwise stated, advertising in the Daily Titan is inserted by commercial activities or ventures identified in the advertisements themselves and not by the university. Such printing is not to be construed as written or implied sponsorship, endorsement or investigation of such commercial enterprises. Copyright ©2004 Daily Titan
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Daily Titan March 24, 2005
BY NIYAZ PIRANI Daily Titan Asst. News Editor
Nine Inch Nails fans can get a little “closer” to With Teeth in the upcoming weeks. The band will be hosting listening parties across the U.S. to launch its new album that is scheduled to drop on May 3. Guests who preorder the album at the party will receive a limited edition vinyl of “The Hand That Feeds.” Listening parties in California will be March 26 in Los Angeles at The Music Box and March 30 in San Francisco at Slim’s…The Notorious KIM, Lil’ Kim, has been convicted on charges of perjury and conspiracy for lying to investigators after a shooting at New York’s Hot 97. The rapper now faces up to 20 years in prison…In other legal battles, G-Unit’s Young Buck has had his court date postponed until April 18. The rapper is under fire for a stabbing that took place at last year’s Vive Awards…American Idol Fantasia Barrino will return to the show that started her career. The winner of last year’s competition will perform her new single “Baby Mama” on the show on April 6…At the Drive-In will make its return to CD on May 24. The band that disintegrated into Sparta and The Mars Volta will be releasing This Station is NonOperational. The album will feature rarities, b-sides and live performances from the now defunct El Paso band…Hot Hot Heat will be celebrating the release of Elevator by playing acoustic sets in music stores throughout the country. The band will be making their Los Angeles stop at Amoeba Records on April 7… T.I. will meet up with Ryan Atwood and Seth Cohen while they are on spring break in Miami. The Rubber Band Man is currently shooting a pool-side performance for an episode of The O.C. that will air in
Nine Inc Nails
late April or early May…Star Wars creator George Lucas has decided to release all six films in 3-D after “Revenge of the Sith” hits theaters on May 19. A release date for the new versions of the films has yet to be announced but will be in a galaxy near you soon… “The Butterfly Effect 2” has been given the green light by New Line Cinema. The sequel, which should be in theaters sometime next year, will be trucker hatless, as Ashton Kutcher will not be in the film…“The Incredibles” smashed the record books last week to take the top spot on the DVD charts. The film sold 5 million copies in one day…“The Ring Three” is in the early stages of development by DreamWorks Pictures. Director Hideo Nakata may once again take the reigns and produce the prequel for the series. Nakata previously directed “Ring Zero” in Japan before taking his work stateside…Naomi Watts, her creepy son and a girl in a well took the top spot at the box office this weekend. “The Ring2” made approximately $36 million and toppled “Robots” and “The Pacifier” in the process…CD releases for March 29 will be Guero by Beck, The Bravery by The Bravery and Lost and Found by Will “The Fresh Prince” Smith…DVD releases for March 29 will be “After the Sunset,” “Closer: Superbit Edition” and “Orgazmo: Unrated Special Edition.”
REVIEW ETC
Getting by on mimimum wage BY APRIL MILLER Daily Titan Staff
“Nickel and Dimed” gives a heartbreaking look at people struggling to find a piece of the American Dream. The book opens a window into a life many of us never think about— living day to day not knowing if we will be able to pay the rent at the end of the month or buy meat to go with our dinner. Getting her hands dirty was the best way author Barbara Ehrenreich thought she could determine if a minimum wage worker could make ends meet. She went undercover worked long hours, invaded
people’s lives, took notes and wrote about her life as a minimum paid worker. Her book, “Nickel and Dimed,” takes a behind-thescenes look at employers paying minimum wage and the people they hire. When interviewing for a job and when asked about her past, she said she was a divorced homemaker trying to find a job. Given her situation, if she failed to earn enough money to live on, she knew she had a home to go back to and could quit the investigation at any time. However, real minimum wage workers don’t have that luxury. Ehrenreich lived in three states and selected a dif-
ferent type of job in each state. The jobs she found paid about minimum wage: waitress, maid and clerk at Wal-Mart. Her waitress job in Florida paid $2.43 an hour, plus tips, which she found is legal, as long as tips brought her pay up to minimum wage. Besides serving customers, she controlled the number of butter pats given to customers, assembled salads, swept the floor and filled sugar, salt and pepper containers. The maid job in Maine paid $6.65 an hour. To supplement her income, on weekends, she worked as a dietary aide in a nursing home, where she ate meals for free, after the residents had finished eating
and after she had washed all the dishes. Wal-Mart offered her $7 an hour. Her job was to stock women’s clothing, get cartloads of rejected clothes from the fitting rooms and return them to their proper racks. Here, she was not allowed to talk to other employees or she could get in trouble for time theft. Ehrenreich found that people keep low paying jobs because it is better to know the evils of one job than to step into another job, which could be worse for a little more money. After reading this book, you may be a little kinder and tip a little better.
Disney princess hits ice, falls flat BY LAURA GORDON Daily Titan Features Editor
I want to know who decided to put Kim Cattrall in a Disney movie straight off the set of “Sex and the City.” No, seriously, who made that decision? In Disney’s latest flick, “Ice Princess,” Casey Carlyle (Michelle Trachtenberg) and Tina Harwood (Cattrall) work as a skater-coach duo training for an ice skating championship. In the film, Cattrall’s portrayal of a coach is anything but trophy-worthy. Trachtenberg, however, definitely earns the gold for playing a math and science smarty who undertakes ice skating for a scholarship project. Trachtenberg, who also showed up on the big-screen in “Eurotrip” and worked on the television series “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” proves in the film that she can hold her own as a movie’s main face. True, Trachtenberg is no stranger to the camera; she did her first movie, “Harriet the Spy,” in 1996. But today, at 19, Trachtenberg steals the screen with her teen beauty and loveable character. Now if only “Ice Princess” was as good as its star. The movie is not interesting enough to entice Cal State Fullerton students. Disappointingly, the film doesn’t stray past the expected, and the one aspect that would draw college students in – Kim Cattrall – fails to impress. Only in one entertaining scene, when Cattrall’s character argues with Casey’s mom (Joan Cusack), does the audience get to see what Cattrall portrays best: bitchiness with a side of sass. Joan Cusack nails the upset mom persona, especially after the argument scene with Cattrall when she feels the need to defend her daughter. Flashback to a friend’s bitter mom in high school. That scene took me back to the old days and made me laugh out loud. Moviegoers who want to leave the theater feeling warm and fuzzy should see “Ice Princess,” but people seeking a movie that offers more than that should save their cash or go rent another Disney movie (“Ladder 49” anyone?). Step by step, Trachtenberg is moving up in Hollywood, but if Cattrall continues to take on these types of films, maybe she really should have considered that “Sex and the City” movie after all.
Daily Titan March 24, 2005
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MUSIC FEATURE
Eclectic tastes savor indie music stores BY KARI HAMANAKA For the Daily Titan
When Radiation Records storeowner Nat Hall talks about the “network,” he is not referring to a businessperson’s Rolodex of important names and phone numbers. He is talking about something far more obscure, which is the lifeblood of many independently operated stores throughout Orange County. “The network can be anything: underground labels, underground distribution, underground pressings—everything the corporations don’t even know exist,” Hall said as he placed stickers on the piles of new inventory stacked atop a yellow counter. For Hall, his Anaheim record store stemmed from his interest in record collecting and love for music. Hall is in various bands, runs a mail order catalog and label under the name Puke ‘n Vomit and prints shirts for local bands. So, as he put it, opening a record store that housed local, national and imported punk music just made sense. The devotion of those who work at or own small record stores is what separates large music retailers from smaller shops. Something as
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specialized as how a store’s employees categorize music can be the telling mark of a specialty record store. Walking into the La Habra Borders Books and Music, customers will find the music of Agent Orange and Bikini Kill mixed with Britney Spears and Jessica Simpson under the “pop rock” genre. To some, this filing system is of little significance. However, walk into Bionic Records in Fullerton and an Agent Orange album is under the “punk” section, Bikini Kill is in the “indie” section and the music of Spears and Simpson is nowhere in sight. “Top 40 stuff like Britney Spears and Ashlee Simpson doesn’t sell [at Bionic]. We try to specialize in music that’s not carried at Tower or Sam Goody,” Bionic night manager Shane Oakley said. Bionic, like Radiation Records, offers music fans an alternative source for buying vinyl or the works of local bands that a larger store may not carry for fear the album will not sell. “They always have everything that I’m looking for here. There’s just something good about supporting your local indie store,” Bionic customer Paul Betancourt said. While some argue that small stores offer cheaper prices, chain stores are becoming competitive. For example, Borders sells Rancid’s “…And Out Come the Wolves” for $11.99 while Bionic sells the album for $12.99. “Loyal music fans will still shop here. Our biggest fear is people not being interested in the music anymore,” Oakley said. Jeff Hale, of Greene Records shares Oakley’s optimism; Greene will celebrate its 10-year anniver-
Daily Titan March 24, 2005
LAUREN HARGROVE/Daily Titan
Rob M. of Fullerton searches through Bionic Records’ bins of CDs in search of just the right one.
sary in June. Adding to the eclectic feel of Greene, its staff is made up of people who are in bands themselves. Hale, who plays the guitar for Kelly Osbourne, said being in a decent band is part of what it takes to work at Greene. However, like his counterparts at other small record stores, a love for music rather than money is what it takes to work at such shops. “The money’s going back into the music,” Hale said. “You don’t open an indie store to make money. I’d definitely rather shop at a small business just because I know where the money’s coming from.” “The difference between [indie
stores] and the chains is that they do it for the love of it. Everyone tries to make money, but it’s a question of to what extent you’ll do it for,” said Toole, who works for Machine, a goth-industrial club in Huntington Beach. “When you’re content with store sales, you lose touch with the scene so you’re not keeping up with the new bands. You’ve got to know what’s going on with the kids. You don’t just stop selling stuff just because a trend stops,” said Hall, as he helped a customer with questions about a silver-plated, bullet belt. As fanzines and fliers advertising local bands and shows are to the left of the doorway, looking around Radiation, the store’s ever-
expanding inventory is already growing out of the space Hall moved into a little over a year ago. Bondage pants hang from the walls. A stack of posters leans against the counter. Some might call the store cluttered; it does not have the fancy display bins or signs behind plastic cases that can be found in larger music stores. “The corporate world is taking over,” Hall said, as he leaned back on a stool, “but as long as those people [in the network] continue to distribute, the network will continue; it will never stop. It’s the independent store’s job to buy those records so that the network will survive.”
REVIEW MOVIE
Flashback Favorite
‘Graduate’ Graduate’ ignites a classic affair BY NOURA AL ANBAR Daily Titan Staff
As a timeless reflection of affluent and aristocratic society, the 1967 film, “The Graduate,” starring Dustin Hoffman, takes you through the story of a confused young man growing into an adult. Based on a novel by Charles Webb, it is a brilliant tale of a world filled with fast cars, hot girls and cocktails. The humorous and fascinating film techniques helped launch Dustin Hoffman’s career and shape an entire generation. The movie features a young graduate named Benjamin Braddock (Hoffman) who struggles to find himself and what he values most in life. He is swept into a fiery affair involving a family friend by the name of Mrs. Robinson (Anne Bancroft). The affair soon turns sour after Benjamin is introduced to Mrs. Robinson’s daughter Elaine (Katharine Ross). Out of jealousy, Mrs. Robinson threatens to reveal their affair to her husband and daughter. After being forced by his parents, and pressured by Mr.
Robinson (Murray Hamilton), Benjamin takes Elaine out for the night and realizes his love for the young and vibrant Miss Robinson. When Elaine finds out from her mother a warped version of their dirty secret, she escapes to graduate school to forget about Benjamin. Heartbroken, Benjamin drives in circles in hopes of finding his lover and marrying her despite Mrs. Robinson’s threats. Benjamin finally finds the location of the wedding and in screams awaits his lover’s reply. The uniquely funny classic with its awkward form of satire has humored generations for more than 30 years. The confused young boy in “The Graduate” represents the confused, anxious and experimental attitude some people exhibit on the road to adulthood. The movie took its audience through the eyes of a young boy walking the road to manhood, love and self-discovery. Simon and Garfunkel’s “Mrs. Robinson” continues to be a classic hit coupled to the exceptional movie that was meant to portray the changing American values, “The Graduate.”
Dreamworks
Rachel Keller (Naomi Watts) tries to protect her son Aidan (David Dorfman from the vengeful Samara in DreamWorks Pictures’ horror thriller “The Ring 2.”
‘Ring 2’, a successful scare BY ANNA LOUSTAUNAU For the Titan
“No one could escape the power of the ring.” Rachel Keller thought it was over, but little did she know that the worst horror was yet to come. DreamWorks’ “Ring 2” frightened numerous audiences this past weekend with its familiar eerie television fuzz effects, an in-depth look into Samara’s well, a shocking reindeer scene, more grotesque deaths and a large identity crisis transforming good into pure evil. But in truth, it does not quite compare to the imaginative and fearful quality of the first flick. For example, there is only one introductory scene involving the well-known nightmarish video that kills within seven days. The rest of the film follows an entirely new path of family trauma, adoption, possibilities of abuse and Samara’s early background. Any further discussion of the tape is nonexistent to the audience.
Nevertheless, “Ring 2” is a fantastic scary story to indulge in for the chilling finale of the story of Samara’s life. Horror-flick icon Sissy Spacek and Simon Baker add to the already talented cast of Naomi Watts, young David Dorfman and the wicked one herself, Daveigh Chase. Although the plot is quite intelligent and unique in its own perspective of horror, director Hideo Nakata’s (also director of the original Japanese film “Ringu”) filming techniques assume more of a Japanese artistic point of view rather than the American version we all know and fear. In short, “Ring 2” was confusing and a bit choppy at times, but not bad for Nakata’s American film debut. The film takes place just six short months after the tragic consequences of Samara’s tape, with investigative reporter Rachel Keller (Watts) and her son
Aidan (Dorfman) moving away from Seattle to the small coastal town of Astoria, Ore. for a fresh start. Too soon after their arrival, Rachel discovers a few peculiar clues about how a local young teen’s death in front of his television very closely resembles her own haunting experiences of the young girl in the well. She does the only thing she should not do: she burns the tape. Shortly afterward, Aidan begins to adopt bizarre temperaments and unexplainable symptoms that can only be Samara’s way of telling Rachel she wants to live again, and that she has chosen Aidan’s body for her merciless commands. It’s up to Rachel to save the day (again) and to see if it is truly possible to stop Samara from returning from beyond the grave once and for all. Though Watts gives yet another excellent performance as the emotional mother/reporter, it’s Dorfman who shines in the film with his ability to transform from one character to another in the blink of an eye, and talented Spacek who sets the stage for a night of uncanny coincidence and terror. “Ring 2” is guaranteed to scare the hell out of you with its new eye-popping action, shocking twists, jittery jumping scenes, loud music and the classic favorite: Samara climbing out of her well to get you. (A side note: Her climbing techniques may leave you wishing to have a nightlight in your room for the next two weeks). “Ring 2” is a great source of fun for any day of the week, perhaps better to be seen in broad daylight by some, but overall, it is a great sequel of electrifying spookiness and much intelligence.
Daily Titan March 24, 2005
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FOOD REVIEW
Chinese food for cheap BY ANNA LOUSTAUNAU For the Daily Titan
Wing’s Chinese Restaurant is the perfect setting for people anticipating a romantic date, family dinner or relaxing meal with affordable prices and excellent food. For the past 29 years Wing’s has represented the true classicism of an authentic delectable meal in a peaceful atmosphere. Wing’s is obtainable to anyone, whether they are anticipating a quick bite in the afternoon or a nourishing nighttime feast. Wing’s offers a wide array of entrees, from moo shu pork and Mongolian beef to pineapple chicken and barbeque roast duck. A large assortment of family-
Gabriel Alonso
style dinners is available for people to try, such as time-honored soups, appetizers and entrees personally chosen by the chef, with the option of vegetarian dishes for those wanting to avoid meat. One of the family style dinners (and a special recommendation of mine), designed for two people at $8.25 per person, is called the Phoenix, which provides a variety of different foods for a small price. Included in the Phoenix meal are an endless supply of tea, fantastic egg flower soup, a plateful of egg rolls, Bar-B-Q ribs and fried wonton appetizers. The Phoenix dinner consists of three full platters piled with yummy sweet and sour pork (my personal favorite), great chicken
chow mein, brown fried rice and topped off with crunchy fortune cookies and tasty almond cookies for dessert. Along with dinner specialties, Wing’s offers a lunch menu with enjoyable mini-meals resembling the family-style, including the Business Person’s Special for $5.29 a piece and the Wing-Ding Lunch Works platter for a one-person feast. Wing’s atmosphere is truly lovely with its variety of cultural Chinese foods produced by impeccable chefs, service by friendly waiters and adorable Chinese decoration to gaze at while eating. It’s a wonderful place to kick back and pig out, all for the under $10.
El Pus leaves some listeners craving more BY KRISTINA RIDENOUR Daily Titan Staff
The rock-rap outfit of El Pus didn’t know that on one fateful day an act of thievery of its sampler would ultimately change the fate of the band’s sound. The sound that manifested itself in this five-piece band is like something you have heard before, but has been mixed up and blended into a whole new punk/rap hybrid. El Pus is a band that does not fit into a mold, and with its new CD Hoodlum Rock: Vol.1, they combine their mentors of N.W.A and Led Zeppelin. The band’s influences have helped this eclectic band fuse rap and rock seamlessly. The 13 songs in the collection have a strong energy and good hooks that get you singing along even if you can’t rap. The party vibe that is echoed on the majority of tracks, gives a sense of how captivating the band would be playing live. Two songs that capture this live, raw energy are showcased on
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Daily Titan March 24, 2005
“Monday Morning” and “Suburb Thuggin.” The first song fits the mold of a party anthem, while the latter song shares the band’s dislike for people who try to be something they are not. Switching it up on “Days of the BK’s (I Remember),” the band reminisces about its childhoods where “British Knights and neighborhood fights” were what they knew and “summer nights, it all felt right” was their mantra. This song shows the diverse style of the band, bringing it down a notch into more melodic tunes. El Pus has been around since the late ‘90s, but is just now showing its capacity to get out there in the mainstream, with the band being shown on MTV/ MTV2’s Advance Warning special in April. The rap/rock genre has had short-lived popularity in the past, with bands such as Korn and Cypress Hill, but El Pus seems to have a fresh outlook on the scene and they therefore should not be overlooked.
FASHION PITSTOP
STYLE SCOUT
SALOME’S STARS ARIES (March 21 to April 19) An unexpected problem should be handled as quickly as possible so that it doesn’t cause too much of a delay. Someone who knows what you’re facing could provide needed advice. TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) An unsettling situation seems to be taking forever to be resolved. Fortunately, your Bovine aptitude for patience is strong this week, so you’ll be more than able to wait it out. GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) Taking a stand against an uncalled-for situation involving a friend or co-worker isn’t easy, but somehow you’ll rise to the challenge and do it. Rely on advice from someone you trust. CANCER (June 21 to July 22) There are still some questions on all sides that need to be dealt with in order to allow hurt feelings to heal. Get your workplace tasks done early so that you can devote more time to loved ones. LEO (July 23 to August 22) Consider a new spring makeover that will show all
you Leos and Leonas in your best light. A new hairdo and some fashionable new clothes can help put a fresh glow on your image. VIRGO (August 23 to September 22) Some stormy, emotional weather can blow up in the workplace when an irate co-worker has strong words for you. But if you believe right is on your side, you’ll be able to ride it out. LIBRA (September 23 to October 22) Creating more balance in your life is especially important now so that you’re not distracted when you get into projects that will make demands on both your physical and mental energies. SCORPIO (October 23 to November 21) As much as you enjoy being right when others are not, show your generous side by offering to use what you know to everyone’s benefit. This way, you gain admirers and avoid resentment. SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21) This is a good week for the Archer to aim at healing relationships. Whether it’s at home, at work or among
your friends, get everyone to set things straight and make a fresh start. CAPRICORN (December 22 to January 19) Although you like things done your way, this is a good time to listen to ideas from others. You might even find yourself agreeing with one or more of their suggestions. AQUARIUS (January 20 to February 18) Aspects favor positive action to reclaim your ideas from someone who might want the glory without doing any of the work. Expect to find many people rallying to support you. PISCES (February 19 to March 20) You might feel uneasy about taking that step forward at work or in your private life. But who knows better than you that while treading water keeps you afloat, it doesn’t get you anywhere. BORN THIS WEEK: You have a way of creating positive attitudes and making people feel good about themselves. (c) 2005 King Features Synd., Inc.
TRIVIA TEST By Fifi Rodriquez
1. U.S. STATES: Which state’s nickname is the “Silver State”? 2. THEATER: When did the play “The Odd Couple” debut on Broadway? 3. LANGUAGE: What is a sirocco? 4. HISTORY: How did American patriot Nathan Hale die? 5. GENERAL KNOWLEDGE: What is viticulture? 6. MYTHOLOGY: According the Greek myth, who was the blind soothsayer of Thebes? 7. GEOGRAPHY: The Dolomite Mountains are a part of which larger chain? 8. U.S. CITIES: In which city would one find the Verrazano-Narrows bridge? 9. MEDIA: In which decade was the first “TV Guide” magazine published? 10. LITERATURE: Who wrote the novel “Billy Budd”? Answers 1. Nevada 2. 1965 3. Warm wind 4. Hanging 5. Growing grapes 6. Tiresias 7. Alps 8. New York 9. 1950s 10. Herman Melville
Answer’s to this week’s puzzle will appear in next week’s Full Effect
Forget the baggage during spring break BY KELLY HICKMAN Daily Titan Columnist
If I’ve learned anything from my travels, it’s that I pack way too much. I’m betting most of you are like me, and tend to pack a month’s worth of clothing for a five-night stay. The buzz kill for any long-distance traveler is over-packing and then lugging around heavy luggage while waiting an hour or two for the plane to start boarding. On spring break, the last thing on your mind is carrying all that baggage; the following is a list of the real essentials (aside from the day and night outfits, make-up, shampoo/conditioner, toothbrush and toothpaste and of course, plenty of underwear) for that week-long getaway. Sunscreen— Most spring break travelers forget to bring sunscreen. It’s one of the most essential items you need in order to avoid the sun’s harmful rays (the skin cancer risks you’re taking by not wearing sunscreen is definitely a NO). For destinations with definite insect issues, I also recommend bringing sunscreen with insect repellant (sunburns and mosquito bites will ruin your vacation!) Bathing suits—I always bring three bikinis. I think five is pushing it. All you really need are three varied suits: a basic, a fun print and a sexy suit with embellishments and/or animal print (which is so hot right now). Same goes for guys, just bring three pairs of board shorts. Unless you’re an exhibitionist, STAY AWAY from all-white board shorts. But if you must insist, make sure the short is doublelined. Sunglasses—Try to bring one pair, but if you’re a true partier bring a back-up because you just might lose that one pair (trust me, you will). Avoid bringing your expensive designer shades; one of the worst feelings in the world is realizing your pair of fairly new Coco Chanel’s has sunk to the bottom of the river bed. Flip Flops— All you need is the one pair that will go with all of your outfits. Camera—To capture all of your spring break moments, bring a camera. If you’re going on a beach vacation, bring a disposable or better yet, a waterproof disposable. Bringing your $500 Canon to a beach vacation only runs the risk of losing it, breaking it or getting it stolen. ID— Sometimes packers get so excited they forget to pack their IDs and/or passports. Lugging around heavy luggage is one thing, but missing your flight because you left your passport at home is another. Don’t forget to bring these as well as enough cash. The Extras— My beach vacation bag isn’t complete without a sarong or two. The sarong is a pivotal piece; you can wrap it around as a skirt, use it as a shawl, beach blanket, or if you’re really crafty: tie it into a sexy halter or dress. Also bring one beach towel; some hotels charge a few dollars to rent theirs which resemble hideous oversized bath towels. Better to bring yours with the fun colors and prints. For all the sun-worshippers don’t hesitate to bring along a hat. And lastly, a few over-the-counter medications like Tylenol or Advil, for the hangover and headache pains and Midol, for the (ahem) other pains! Kelly Hickman is a print journalism major. Catch her column every week in Full Effect.
Daily Titan March 24, 2005
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MUSIC REVIEW
Mae warms hearts with ‘The Everglow’
Creativity key on debut album BY KRISTINA RIDENOUR Daily Titan Staff
The rock-rap outfit of El Pus didn’t know that on one fateful day an act of thievery of their sampler would ultimately change the fate of the band’s sound. The sound that manifested itself in this 5-piece band is like something you have heard before, but has been mixed up and blended into a whole new punk/ rap hybrid. Once El Pus’ sampler was stolen, they decided to use their musical skills to their advantage and jammed with instruments in their Virgin Records debut. El Pus is a band that does not fit into a mold and with their new CD, Hoodlum Rock: Vol.1, they combined their mentors of N.W.A and Led Zeppelin. The band’s influences helped this eclectic band fuse rap and rock seamlessly. The 13 songs in the collection have a strong energy and good hooks that get you singing along (even if you can’t rap). The band comes from At-
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lanta, as does Outkast, which might bring some comparisons of the two. While they both skew the normal hip-hop mentality with their music, they are not one
“ The party vibe that is echoed on the majority of tracks gives a sense of how captivating the band would be playing live.
” and the same. El Pus is much more rockdriven and would be more at place on KROQ than on Power 106. The party vibe that is echoed on the majority of tracks gives a sense of how captivating the band would be playing live. Two songs that capture this live, raw energy are showcased on “Monday Morning” and “Suburb Thuggin.”
Daily Titan March 24, 2005
BY BRIAN TAYLOR Daily Titan Staff
The first song fits the mold of a party anthem, while the latter song shares the band’s dislike for people who try to be something they are not. Switching it up on “Days of the BK’s (I Remember).” the band reminisces about their childhoods where “British Knights and neighborhood fights” were what they knew and “summer nights, it all felt right” was their mantra. This song shows the diverse style of the band, bringing it down a notch into more melodic tunes. El Pus have been around since the late ‘90s, but is just now showing their capacity to get out there in the mainstream, with the band being shown on MTV/MTV2’s Advance Warning special in April. The rap/rock genre has had short-lived popularity in the past, with bands such as Korn and Cypress Hill, but El Pus seems to have a fresh outlook on the scene and they therefore should not be overlooked.
If you’re looking for a CD filled with trunk-rattling bass and lyrics about cash, guns and ho’s, go buy one of the latest releases from the G-Unit camp, because this one’s not for you. But if you’ve ever been in love and experienced the emotional highs and lows that go hand-inhand, then do yourself a favor and bask in the warmth that is the The Everglow by Mae. Writing songs about romance’s failures and triumphs are nothing revolutionary to the music world. But the Virginia-based group has composed more than simply an hour of wasteless notes, chords and lyrics commonly found in today’s sound-alike, look-alike era of made-for-MTV music. Everything about the album has been carefully planned out, forming a melodic journey through the fairytale land of The Everglow. Constructed similar to a children’s read-a-long book, the CD opens with a prologue and finishes with epilogue that are of ingenious creativity. The 13 tracks in between are guided by the soothing voice of singer Dave Giminez. Mae’s sound is nearly impossible to categorize. The lead track,
“We’re So Far Away” is a beautiful ballad to which Giminez is accompanied by only keyboardist Rob Sweitzer. Two tracks later you’ll be tapping your foot along to the rhythm of “Suspension.” Mae’s ability to switch tempos makes The Everglow a very enjoyable experience. But the amiable stories told over the top of the musical compositions are even more impressive. One listen through the album and you’ll find at least one track that describes a familiar relationship scenario. “Someone Else’s Arms” is an anthem for every hopeless romantic longing to wake up next to a companion. Some might call it indie or emo but Mae defines its musical style as melodic, energetic rock that is a melding of its childhood favorites U2, The Beatles and Depeche Mode. It’s been two years and almost 70,000 albums sold since their debut album Destination: Beautiful. But The Everglow is worth the wait and won’t disappoint those who already enjoy bands such as Dashboard Confessional or The Ataris. There’s no sophomore jinx for the fellas from Virginia Beach, look for The Everglow to start turning heads March 29.
