FOR LOOK ENT EV YOUR ARTY P AND PICS
MARCH2016 1 On The Cover
THEG-VEGASMAGAZINE
HARDWORKINGSTAFF Editor-In-Chief
Kevin Howard - gvegasmagazine@hotmail.com
Design
Eduardo Vargas - www.vargas-design.com
evargas@vargas-design.com Photography Trey Singletary - treyfromecu@aol.com Randy Moore - rpmoore1@wmconnect.com Mark Manna - mrmannaphotography@yahoo.com
3 Party Pics 5 What to Pack For Spring Break
9 August Is Ours 11 Studying Abroad 13 From Gloom to KABOOM 15 Party Pictures
Contributors/Writers
16 Party Pictures
Barefoot Wade - barefootwade11@yahoo.com Arran Wright - oncuepr0m0ti0ns@yahoo.com Brian Goings - poet_antidote@yahoo.com Nathan Black - nblack252@gmail.com Randy Moore - rpmoore1@wmconnect.com Travis Jones - jonestra12@students.ecu.edu Christina Rendano - rendano@whereuparty.com
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7 Ladies, Find a Real Gentleman For Once
Eric Rutland - BigEazyPhotography@gmail.com
Mick & Blando - blando@99thex.com
ON THE COVER
AUGUST IS OURS
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17 McKenzies Mill & Southern Fried Rock ‘n’ Roll 19 St Patty’s Day Fun Facts 21 SPAZZFEST 7
GLOOM
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23 Deadpool Party 25 The Funeral Portrait 28 Party Pics 30 VENUES SPAZZFEST 7
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FASHION
WHAT TO PACK FOR SPRING BREAK BY NOELLE SMITH
The most dreaded part of vacation preparation for most of us... Packing! What to pack, what to leave at home and hope you don’t need later. Well, this year, we are here to help with that. We have compiled a list for your most fashionable spring break yet. Are you ready to pack for that perfectly planned beach or pool-side vacay? We all know to pack the essentials, so let’s just focus on the fashion aspect and let’s get started…
1.- Cute swimsuits- The most obvious must-have: an adorable swimsuit, or 3. You can’t just wear the same one all week, right?
2.- Beach cover up- Want to go in that cute beach-side shop? You’ll need a coverup for that, bring a few, too. One for each swimsuit of course.
3.- Wide brim hat- How do you keep the sun out of your eyes
will sitting next to the pool or on the beach? That’s easy, invest in an inexpensive wide brim hat. Fashionable and functional.
4.- Comfortable sandals/sneakers/heels- The hot sand to much for your feet? Bring along some comfortable, slip on sandals. But don’t forget cute sneakers for those days of exploring, and a cute pair of heels or wedges for a night out!
5.- Airy tanks/Light weight tees- A few must haves are some
lazy day basic tees that you can dress up with simple jewelry. Don’t
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forget an embellished tank or two also.
6.- Skirts/Shorts- Skirts and shorts are an obvious for Spring Break, but which ones? Bring a pair that has a pop in color, and of course, the basic denim shorts, too. Maybe 2 pairs. And bring a skirt or two as well: a simple striped one or maybe a pretty floral print to match one of those basic tees.
7.- Light weight jeans- Of course you will want a pair of jeans
in case it gets a little breezy, but don’t bring the thickest pair you have, just bring a simple light weight pair.
8.- Versatile dress- Have a night out planned? Bring an adorable yet versatile dress. One you can dress up with jewelry and a cardigan, but also wear with sneakers and a chambray shirt tied around the waist for an exploration day.
9.- Light jacket/cardigan- For those chilly nights, you’ll want a jacket. Bring that one that goes with everything in your closet.
10.-
Chambray shirt- You just can’t go wrong with bringing a chambray shirt. Tie it around your waist, wear it over a tee, vamp up that dress. So many options. So, there it is, our simple but totally fashionable Spring Break packing list.
n u e v lI
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LIFE
Ladies, Find A Real Gentleman
For Once BY RANDY MOORE
Any man can claim he’s a gentleman, but if these behaviors come second-nature, he’s a true keeper. The women who are actively taking part in the dating world may already have a grasp about the various types of men available. There is, of course, the exciting and adventurous “bad boy” guy, a man who you don’t want to introduce to your family, but sparks up the romance in every woman. On the other side, there is the “nice guy,” a man who showers you with carefully chosen flower bouquets or other lavish gifts, but is kind of bland or even boring when compared to the bad boy. But there is the third type of man. He’s the one that, in reality, every woman is looking for but just doesn’t come across so often. He is the true gentleman, the courteous guy who does open the door for you, is especially attentive and is careful about his and your image. He’s educated, has excellent manners and knows how to treat a lady to make her feel special at all times. This sounds like the perfect guy, but what are the signs to look for to know if you are dealing with such a man? Let’s take a closer look: A Gentleman Looks Past Your Beauty. You won’t hear compliments or remarks about your different body parts from a true gentleman. This is a quite visible first sign, as almost all men seem to focus on just this side of you, and will likely create awkward situations. Real gentlemen value you for your intelligence, personality, kindness and your passions or dreams. He looks for those special things that make you beautiful, attractive as a person, and feminine, and he will not just check if you got lucky in the gene pool. A Real Man Has Interests And Hobbies. This doesn’t mean that you are or feel neglected by his hobbies or personal interests. Instead, this type of man will get you curious about a variety of activities and interests. Moreover, having a guy who has his own life with passions and interests means that he will not become clingy, desperate or create his life around a relationship. He already has his own interesting life and the relationship just completes his happiness. GVM | 7
He Doesn’t Feel Intimidated By Your Ambition And Success. It goes without saying that successful or powerful women have it harder in the dating world, just because many men feel uncomfortable with a woman who seems more accomplished than them. However, a true gentleman will never feel ostracized by this and will be supportive and a powerful, faith ally to have alongside your dreams and passions. He is the perfect mate to create the ultimate power couple, thus helping you both to achieve whatever goals you have envisioned. A True Gentleman Says Exactly What He Thinks. To put it simply, you know you found yourself a gentleman when you know what he wants, because he tells you. He is direct and there will be no pathetic mind games or sleazy manipulation tactics in your relationship. Honesty is his middle name and he will make it obvious through his actions. A Real Man Trusts You And Advises You. This type of man isn’t paranoid about your phone agenda, your messages or your e-mails. He doesn’t try to invade your personal space or inquire you about everything you do. Your privacy is a strict place where just you hold the secret key, and he knows it. Furthermore, he is a trusted adviser on intimate or sensible issues and doesn’t ask awkward questions. On the other hand, an insecure man tries to destroy your confidence and ruins your relationship’s foundation. He is calm, responsible and composed at all times. It’s obvious that when going out to a bar or a party, a woman will likely be hit on by other guys. This is a situation where most men fail the test and act like angry gorillas toward other males and may make a scene out of it. The true gentleman, however, makes his opinion known and solves the issue with the utmost tact and diplomacy. There are no creepy bar brawls, a situation in which no woman wants involvement. Instead, he already knows that you are his girlfriend. And at the end of the night, you are going home with him.
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SOUND
AUGUST IS OURS INTERVIEW WITH JT ACKERMAN BY BRITTANY TAYLOR
Photography by: Connor Frederiksen and Kyle Berry
August Is Ours is an independent Alternative Folk band that originated right here in Pirate Nation. At the end of last year they released their EP, Fool’s Gold, and started this year off right by releasing an acoustic album, Heart in the Stars. Guitarist and vocalist, JT Ackerman, talks about the band’s success and busy schedule for 2016. Brittany Taylor: How long has August Is Ours been touring together? JT Ackerman: “This is actually the first year we will be touring as a full band. Last summer all of the original members left only 2 weeks before our ‘July Is Yours’ tour and I was forced to complete the tour as a solo act under the name of August Is Ours.” BT: Do you guys have any favorite local venues? Where and why? JA: “The Blackened Kraken has to be our favorite local venue. It’s just an easy going venue that has a really cool vibe and it’s always a true pleasure playing there.” BT: How do the members of the band collaborate to write lyrics/music? JA: “I usually write the lyrics and the melody lines of the guitar and how the song goes. Then Joey Hunike (Drums) and Matt Elton (Upright Bass) work their magic and make their ‘grooves’ happen. What’s funny is that no song ever turns out the way it’s originally envisioned. Which is honestly one of the best parts of making music.” BT: August Is Ours is an independent band- Is that something you guys enjoy? Do you see yourselves looking for an agent or label to sign with anytime soon?
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JA: “Yes, we are an independent/self-managed band. We have been offered record deals by some reputable record labels before, but we always chose to decline. We’re waiting until the right one reveals itself. With that being said, we are going to be looking for a manager after our upcoming ‘Luminescence’ 2016 U.S. tour this summer.” BT: Tell me about the Fool’s Gold EP. Where did the inspiration for the songs come from? JA: “To be honest, it is hard to remember what inspired each and every song I have written. Because of my ADHD, I get distracted during the writing process of each song by a line my mind may put in my head, which then leads the song off into another direction. Love has a key role in all of my songs whether it’s being in love, a heartbreak or even love for a relative. It always seems to be a main component in every song. Including all three tracks of our Fools Gold EP.” BT: What about the latest album, Heart in the Stars?
JA: “Heart in the Stars is a 5-track solo acoustic album consisting of love songs I wrote over the years. Most of which were never published except for ‘Maine’, which was the first song AIO ever released, and ‘Sun & Moon’ which was off our Fools Gold EP. When I put all 5 of the songs in order it
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came out telling a story of the growth of love between two people. When it came time to record, I actually won a free 5 song acoustic recording session with Music and More Studios our of Wilson, NC. The prize was received after winning a talent contest called ‘Clayton Idol’ out of Clayton, NC. So, we used the session to record the Heart in the Stars album.” BT: Are you guys looking forward to the European tour?! How did the band gain that opportunity? JA: “Yes, I am very excited to tour Europe in the spring! The opportunity arose from a friend and respected musician by the name of James Walker (a singer/songwriter from the UK) that I connected with through an international online broadcasting site called ‘YouNow’. Both of us are declared as ‘Editor’s Choice’, which means we are recognized musicians with a significant amount of following. I think it originally came about as a joke, but as time progressed we started getting more and more serious about it. James bit the bullet and started booking some shows around the UK. Later, he asked one of the Netherlands best female musicians, Kira Dekker. Kira was able to extend the tour into Europe and now it’s happening. Even though I have already purchased my ticket, I am still in total disbelief about this happening. Luckily our new album Luminescence, which we’re currently in the studio working on, is scheduled to release 2 weeks before I head overseas.”
BT: When will the 2016 US tour begin? JA: “Just like last year’s tour, the ‘Luminescence’ tour will be happening the full month of July, except this time it will be the full band along with a full crew completely made up of ECU students.” BT: Is there anything you would like your fans, friends or family to know? JA: “We are so incredibly blessed for all the exposure, recognition and support we have already received this year! We would like to thank every last one of you from the bottom of our hearts for believing in us and helping our dreams in music come true. This upcoming ‘Luminescence’ U.S. tour is going to be the opportunity of a lifetime, for all us involved, but it’s not going to be easy. With no major sponsors we are left with having to raise all the funds for traveling by ourselves. With that being said, we do have a Go Fund Me account for those who would like to donate and help us out on gas, transportation and other necessities. We are incredibly gracious to have already raised about $500 on our GoFundMe, but every dollar counts! You can find more details about it on www.gofundme.com/augustisours.”
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LIFE
STUDYING ABROAD BY SHAKYLA BETTON
If you have ever considered studying abroad now is the time to do so. You are young, in college, and don’t have anything to lose by studying abroad. It may seem scary leaving your home country for a few weeks or months to live in another country, but it is well worth it. The experience of studying abroad in another country is a once in a lifetime thing. If you are granted the opportunity you should take it without a doubt. I studied abroad in Argentina this past summer and needless to say it was definitely the experience of a lifetime. Being a communications student at East Carolina with a passion for Spanish made me want to study the Spanish language and culture. That is why I chose Argentina. While in Argentina I was able to earn my Spanish 3 and 4 credits, all while immersing myself into an unfamiliar culture. I visited wine factories, went horseback riding in the Andes Mountains, swam in natural heated pools, and even got to experience the world’s biggest waterfalls at Iguazu. Not to forget the nightclubs, which were simply amazing! I stayed with a house mom that only spoke
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Spanish, which made the study abroad experience that much more challenging and unique. Even eating traditional home cooked meals and tasting the various alcoholic beverages was a blast! There was always something new to discover and learn every day. By studying abroad you gain so much, and you don’t even realize it. You gain new experiences, new friends, new outlooks on life, and, in my personal experience, I gained a new language. Studying abroad not only benefits your resume, but it benefits you as a person. You discover your ability to take risks and adapt to a diverse society. It opens your eyes to new things and gives you an itch to travel more. It may be overwhelming at times, but being able to adapt to a different culture gives you capabilities that you would have never thought you possessed. I would recommend everyone to study abroad at least once in their lifetime. It is all about expanding your horizons, and stepping out of your comfort zone. So, get out there and experience a culture other than your own!
Open a ‘barcode scanner’ app on your Smartphone. Point your phones camera at the code and scan.
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MUSIC
Things went from GLOOM to KABOOM BY CHRISTINA RENDANO
Shane Crump has been a part of the music scene for many years as the bassist for Raleigh, NC’s based band, Alesana. A little over a year ago, Shane started working on his own project, The Ivory; a beautifully blended sound of pop and rock which differs from the hard rock and unclean vocals that accompany Alesana. Since then, he has released his debut EP, “GLOOM.” Shane has also worked with his friend and director, Adam Ferguson, on the release of his lead single “I’m a mess,” which was released in the summer of 2015. On February 12th, 2016, I was able to witness live for the first time ever, at the Kaboom Art Gallery located in Garner NC, The Ivory perform their debut. To me, I witnessed history. The Kaboom Art Gallery has a very intimate and underground basement type setting, which was perfect for The Ivory. Everyone stood patiently as Shane and the rest of the band stepped up to play. I had to put all my biased opinions (they’re AMAZING) aside for a moment to really take in Shane’s full performance. During the set, Shane’s heart was poured out and into the microphone with each and every song. I was mildly taken aback from the reaction of the crowd. Shane and his band had each and every person in the room hooked and hanging onto every word that was spoken. It was mesmerizing, almost like it was the first time we had all ever heard The Ivory. I had an opportunity to sit down with Shane after the band’s set;
THE IVORY - GLOOM 1. Be Young, Be Free 2. I’m a Mess 3. My Bitter Sweet 4. I Miss You 5. Torn AVAILABLE AT
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I was faintly unprepared. I had assumed that after his debut, he would be flying on cloud nine with the rest of us and too excited to answer a bunch of questions, but man was I wrong. Shane sat down with us, completely relaxed, calm, and very humbling. We spoke candidly about love, life, heartbreak, and of course his set, The Ivory. I asked what he thought of his first show being known as “The Ivory.” With the biggest smile and utmost enthusiasm, he responded “EXCELLENT!” In return, he asked if we had enjoyed it? Our response matched his. The music was exquisitely meshed with deep lyrics and an amazing voice. Shane was very proud and the look on his face when he talked about writing Gloom is something I will never forget; the passion, the love, it was breath-taking. Furthermore, Shane went into detail about each song and explained how they were written during a very dark time in his life. The Ivory was for no one else but himself. He explained that he had been into the heavier side of the music scene for quite sometime and when he started writing songs for the EP, they became more pop rock and personal. There aren’t words to express how humble and down-to-earth he was about everything so be on the look out for our interview that will be airing soon and check him out for yourself. I guarantee you’ll enjoy getting to know him better because I, for one, unquestionably did.
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LIFE
McKenzies Mill & Southern Fried Rock ‘n’ Roll BY BRITTANY TAYLOR
PHOTOS BY CHRIS RAWLS Making one of their multiple stops on their 2016 tour at The Buccaneer this past month, country-rock duo Mckenzies Mill entertained the crowd with their “holler and sallower” toasting tradition, friendly sibling banter, and their original “Southern fried rock ‘n’ roll” singles. If you aren’t familiar with McKenzies Mill, just tune in to 95.1 WRNS and you are bound to hear their recently released single, “Middle of Nowhere.” Justin and Ryan Harris connect with their North Carolina natives by painting a picture of their hometown of West End: corn fields, dirt roads, bonfires, and “livin’ it up” until the sun rises. But don’t let their small town upbringing fool you; these guys are already hitting it big in Nashville. The brothers have been on a roll since winning Bud Light’s National Battle of the Bands in 2012 and followed up a couple years later by being named the “Who New To Watch” Artist in the CMA “Close Up” publication in 2014. In 2015, the band took a huge step when they signed with Rock Ridge Music and have been working with New Voice Entertainment (who has also produced music with Parmalee) for their new EP, which does not have a scheduled release date yet. Part of the postpone, according to Ryan Harris, is so the band can promote and market their songs during their 2016 tour. Not surprisingly, these guys have spent the majority of their career touring, “I think we’ve pretty much been on tour for 10 years it seems, I mean, it’s just kind of what we do,” says vocalist
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and guitar player Justin Harris, the oldest of the two. Though they have shows from Georgia to Wisconsin, they don’t forget about the places that helped them in the beginning. They make it a point to play at O’Donnell’s Pub in Southern Pines, where they played their first gig, at least once a year. Ryan adds, “We’re proud North Carolina boys and ECU alumni, and love coming back to the area and watching it grow.” McKenzies Mill must have taken a few pointers from their days as Pirate undergrads; they put on one hell of a show! Their set consisted of a range of covers from crowd pleasers like “Copper Head Road” by Steve Earle, to their rendition of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers’ “Mary Jane’s Last Dance” and ended with one of the world’s greatest guitar solos from Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Free Bird.” And that was just the first set! The guys introduced one of their original works after a few covers and the crowd at The Buccaneer responded with applause and praise. While a few songs have more of a modern country sound, their self-labeled “southern fried rock ‘n’ roll” shines through with Justin’s husky vocals and Ryan’s harmonica accents. The guys will be playing at the CMA Fest for the third year in a row this June, so check them out while they’re still rising in the ranks. They will be back in North Carolina March 5 at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino in Cherokee and will be welcomed back at The Buccaneer on April 5.
FASHION SHOW The color trend forecast this coming spring transcends cultural + gender norms. Vivid brights give way to excitement and optimism, though quiet stability prevails in this season’s palette. This spring you can expect to see exposed shoulders, peasant style silhouettes, bold florals, suede, pleating and fringe to name a few. It’s all about the released hem + distressed denim for spring. The color trend for spring denim includes classic blues, shades of grey, mint and more. Trending for accessories you’ll see organic textures + shapes to tassels + pendants as well as rock quartz, agate + layering. The doors open at 7PM + the show starts at 7:30! Attendees will enjoy complimentary light bites + drinks throughout the event. Reserve your seat today for the fashion show by contacting the store at 252-756-3090 or at arlington@bevello.com
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LIFE
st pattys day
10 fun facts 1. WE SHOULD REALLY WEAR BLUE
9. COLD WEATHER HELPED SAINT PATRICK’S LEGEND
Saint Patrick himself would have to deal with pinching on his feast day. His color was “Saint Patrick’s blue,” a light shade. The color green only became associated with the big day after it was linked to the Irish independence movement in the late 18th century.
In Irish lore, Saint Patrick gets credit for driving all the snakes out of Ireland. Modern scientists suggest that the job might not have been too hard – according to the fossil record, Ireland has never been home to any snakes. Through the Ice Age, Ireland was too cold to host any reptiles, and the surrounding seas have staved off serpentine invaders ever since. Modern scholars think the “snakes” Saint Patrick drove away were likely metaphorical.
2. SAINT PATRICK WAS BRITISH Although he made his mark by introducing Christianity to Ireland in the year 432, Patrick wasn’t Irish himself. He was born to Roman parents in Scotland or Wales in the late fourth century.
3. THE IRISH TAKE SAINT PATRICK’S DAY SERIOUSLY As you might expect, Saint Patrick’s Day is a huge deal in his old stomping grounds. It’s a national holiday in both Ireland and Northern Ireland.
4. SO DO NEW YORKERS New York City’s Saint Patrick’s Day Parade is one of the world’s largest parades. Since 1762, 250,000 marchers have traipsed up Fifth Avenue on foot – the parade still doesn’t allow floats, cars, or other modern trappings.
5. CHICAGO FEELS LUCKY, TOO New York may have more manpower, but Chicago has a spectacle all its own. The city has been celebrating Saint Patrick by dumping green dye into the Chicago River since 1962. It takes 40 tons of dye to get the river to a suitably festive shade!
6. IT USED TO BE A DRY HOLIDAY For most of the 20th century, Saint Patrick’s Day was considered a strictly religious holiday in Ireland, which meant that the nation’s pubs were closed for business on March 17. (The one exception went to beer vendors at the big national dog show, which was always held on Saint Patrick’s Day.) In 1970, the day was converted to a national holiday, and the stout resumed flowing.
7. IT’S THE THOUGHT THAT COUNTS Not every city goes all-out in its celebratory efforts. From 1999 to 2007, the Irish village of Dripsey proudly touted that it hosted the Shortest Saint Patrick’s Day Parade in the World. The route ran for 26 yards between two pubs. Today, Hot Springs, Arkansas claims the title for brevity – its brief parade runs for 98 feet.
8. THERE’S A REASON FOR THE SHAMROCKS How did the shamrock become associated with Saint Patrick? According to Irish legend, the saint used the three-leafed plant as a metaphor for the Holy Trinity when he was first introducing Christianity to Ireland. GVM | 19
10. THERE’S NO CORN IN THAT BEEF Corned beef and cabbage, a traditional Saint Patrick’s Day staple, doesn’t have anything to do with the grain corn. Instead, it’s a nod to the large grains of salt that were historically used to cure meats, which were also known as “corns.” All of the Saint Patrick’s Day revelry around the globe is great news for brewers. A 2012 estimate pegged the total amount spent on beer for Saint Patrick’s Day celebrations at $245 million. And that’s before tips to pubs’ bartenders.
source: mentalfloss.com
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SPAZZFEST 7 BY NATHAN BLACK
Within the thick of waning winter in North Carolina, one event seems to bring a moment of pleasure and pause for celebration throughout our little space amongst the rest of the state. That event is Spazzfest, a music festival started in the closing of underground venue the Spazzitorium.
ing through the 20th. The event will include an opening barbeque that will be free to anyone, at Crave. A literature and poetry event, a round robin, vinyl record fair, comic book show, and a sunday brunch (free for those with golden tickets) and outdoor finale at Christy’s Europub.
The Spazzitorium was where many reputable acts did their earliest shows, including, but not exclusively, The Charming Youngsters, Lonnie Walker, Rebekah Todd, Spirit Molecule, and Future Islands, just to name a few. Upon the closing of the venue, the hole the Spazzitorium left was immense considering how much talent it had nurtured not just from the area, but also acts it had attracted from abroad (The Protomen, Dan Deacon, The Death Set, etc.).
Golden tickets are available now at www.spazz-fest.com and will allow people, who purchase one, access to all events, including drink specials, VIP after-party perks, and the aforementioned Endurance Brunch.
Presently, through the efforts of Jeff Blinder and several fellow promoters and workers, Spazz Presents events have kept going through the city of Greenville ever since its closing several years ago. The largest of these events culminates every year in one grand weekend in mid March known as Spazzfest. This year’s Spazzfest VII will be comprise of five days, instead of the usual four or three, starting on wednesday, March the 16th and go-
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Spazzfest will feature such acts as Zack Mexico, Matt Phillips and The Philharmonic, Sternum ft. Parallels, Hank and the Cupcakes, WOOL, No Brainer, Psylo Joe, Paleface, Rebekah Todd, and special guests Snails (featuring members of Future Islands). As always, Spazzfest will be a joint effort between several locations throughout Greenville, including Crave, Art Venue, Christy’s Europub, Player’s Retreat, Blackened Kraken, Scullery, Trollingwood Taproom and Brewery, Crossbones, and The Greenville Museum of Arts. All attendees should check the official website for the complete schedule, links to bands’ music, and further details. The website again is www.spazz-fest.com.
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MOVIES
deadpool party BY NATHAN BLACK
Deadpool, a once b-list villain from the pages of--no, not X-Men, but-X-Force, has now exploded with his own movie that is currently breaking box office records for an R-rated movie. So what does this mean for the superhero genre? With the era of comic book movie franchises still in full swing, a press to keep such films accessible to both older and younger audiences has been more the common formula overall. With the grand success of Deadpool there have been claims that its strength comes from originality, following the source material better than most films, it’s daringness to break rules and be self-referential, and so on. The greatest compliment most give is that it is willing to be an R-rated movie. Some even grossly claim it to be the first comic book movie to be rated R. In our Twitter, Vine, Facebook, social media age, the attention span of most people can be measured in seconds or how many shiny bouncy balls can fly passed someone’s face before they completely forget what they were doing five minutes ago. Let’s get this out of the way first, Deadpool is not the first rated R comic book movie, so stop thinking that. 300, The Crow, Watchmen, Punisher, A History of Violence, Blade, Dredd, Kick-ass, etc, the list goes on. In fact it could be said the first comic book movie of the modern era rated R, is Blade. From Blade grew the interest of collecting comic properties and from this grew the trend in movies that is prevalent today. Deadpool’s originality is brought up as a strength, all it’s fourth-wall breaking references to the fact that it’s just a movie slaps to the director and production company for not giving them more money to
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add more cameo characters (a nice touch). The nonlinear shape to the story, that fact that Deadpool isn’t really a hero at all. These are all cited as strengths and wholly original to this one movie. But, didn’t we have much of these same fourth-wall laps in Fight Club, Kick-ass, and Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (which they did acknowledge at the end)? For a film to add something original it would have to be something unseen before its release, or something spun in a new way or new perspective. Granted, watching a movie that is so aware of its “movieness” is genuinely captivating and worthy of applause. Here’s where I praise the film: the fact that Deadpool can take a lapse from being so in the moment and not barking some ostentatious storyline to us about how mutants or werewolves or flavor of the week paranormal monster can exist amongst shopping malls and not being spotted by any dope with an iPhone is admirable. Deadpool doesn’t take itself serious and thus knows how to make that a strength while still not completely taking us out of the movie entirely. We can return to the movie at anytime, in this case when Deadpool assumes it necessary. We are somewhat taken into the vortex of his train of thought, which is surprisingly clearer and more understandable than some hardcore fans would lead us to believe. Still, half the time the humor is somewhere between straight to DVD Rob Schneider slapstick and Bugs Bunny outtakes sans-crossdressing--although I think they added something like that in their anyway, so yeah, exactly like Bugs Bunny. The other half, the jokes are excellent and find their mark. TJ Miller is exceptional as Wade’s (Deadpool) best friend and confidant, who delivers some of
the funniest lines in the trailer, and doesn’t disappointment by delivering even more within the movie itself. That was a fear going into this movie, that maybe all the best lines had been in the trailer, thankfully that was not the case. There were plenty of moments and quips in the movie that were not presented in the trailer. Final thoughts, what made this movie work? It wasn’t originality. It wasn’t the R-rating. It wasn’t the great story--it really is a story we’ve seen before even if we didn’t recognize it. What really makes Deadpool a hit is the studio’s willingness to allow the artists to be as creative as possible and how the creator’s respected the source material. The director and writers really seem to know what makes Deadpool tick. Not to forget that they cast the greatest choice for the character. Ryan Reynolds is Deadpool from here on out, there’s no doubt about it. Totally down for him hosting SNL as the character. Go check out the petition online. The formula for adapting a comic book film should be easy, see what sold best, listen to the fans, read the source material, and then add something new to it. This seems to be what most people want, and they’re not wrong. Deadpool does all these things in spades, and even more, gives the audience things they didn’t expect or realize they wanted. Deadpool as a whole isn’t the greatest show ever, nor the best comic book movie, but it is a great step in the right direction for how comic book movies should be handled. Final Grade: B-
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SOUND
The Funeral
Portrait (C’est La Vie) BY CHRISTINA RENDANO & LACI LOU PARKER
Like almost everyone else on this planet, I discover new bands and music through, drum roll please, social media! With access to the Internet, anyone can find pretty much anything, from singing cats to hidden talent. My friends are constantly sending me links and videos and a lot of the time, I just happen to stumble upon an up and coming band on tour alongside one of my all time favorite bands. This brings me to The Funeral Portrait, a band I personally discovered from Atlanta, Georgia. The band began touring with one of my personal favorites, Alesana, in October of 2015. They are signed to Revival Recordings, a record label born and bred in Raleigh, North Carolina by Shawn Milke, the lead singer and guitarist of Alesana and long-time friend, Nick Onorato. Revival Recordings, a label run by artists whose motto is nothing short of perfect: “Good Music, By Good People. I watched the music video, Casanova (C’est La Vie), directed by Justin Reich, and that was it. I was hooked. I ended up listening to every track off their studio album “For The Dearly Departed.” I instantly fell in love with their uniquely fresh sound, for lack of better adjectives. Their music is hard to define; it’s a little rock and roll mixed with metal entangled with well-scripted lyrics of love, loss, anger, and grief and sung by a beautifully dramatic voice. This
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mixture is how I would define The Funeral Portrait’s music. I was ecstatic to see them perform live, hoping to get lost in the sea of life through song and I was more than fulfilled by the time I left. The Funeral Portrait bombarded the stage and brought their music to life in a way that was far different from many bands. When both Lee Jennings and Juergie Landstrom sing together, my mind was metaphysically and spiritually blown. They sang in such a way that I honestly don’t have words to describe the feelings I sensed. One thing I can say though, is that I rarely see that kind of beauty in many artists’ vocals today, especially in duos. Lee Jennings is the perfect front man; dramatic when singing but also an awe-inspiring crowd pleaser. Their fans become a part of their show, melodically following along and feeling the mood of the melody through their every fiber. Swaying, singing, and adrift in the music, now that’s the life. I was more than excited when I found out they were playing at the Kaboom Art Gallery in Garner, North Carolina. There are very few bands, that when seen live, I walk away wanting more. That is not such the case for The Funeral Portrait, not even a little.
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VENUES List of entertainment venues, Restaurants, and nightclubs In Greenville NC. ■ Tavern on 4th
110 E 4th Street Greenville, NC 27858
■ Halfway House
420 Cotanche Street Greenville, NC 27858
■ Scullery
431 South Evans Street Greenville, NC 27858 (252) 321-1550
■ Winslow’s Tavern
120 West 5th Street, Greenville, NC (252) 364-892 www.winslowsdeli.com
■ 5th Street Distillery
■ Sup Dogs
■ Buffalo Wild Wings 426 E Arlington Blvd Greenville, NC 27858 (252) 758-9191 ■ Tie Breakers
1920 B Smythewyck Dr. Greenville, NC 27858 (252) 439-0555
■ Buccaneer Music Hall
120 East 5th Street, Greenville, NC (252) 757-3034
2120 East Fire Tower Road Greenville, NC 27858 (252) 756-8474
■ Chico’s
■ A.J. McMurphy’s
521 Cotanche Street Greenville, NC 27858 (252) 757-1666 www.chicosrestaurant.com
1914 Turnbury Drive Greenville, NC 27858 (252) 355-7956 www.ajmcmurphys.com
■ Club 519
■ Hooters
519 Cotanche Street, Greenville, NC (252) 752-4313
■ Michaelangelos Pizza 200 E. 5th Street Greenville, NC 27858 252-227-4425
■ MacBilliards
517 Cotanche Street Greenville, NC 27858 (252) 752-6728
■ Pantana Bob’s
513 Cotanche Street Greenville, NC 27858 (252) 757-3778
■ Stilllife
511 Cotanche Street Greenville, NC 27858 (252) 329-9991
SAT. OCT. 19 10PM
213 East 5th Street Greenville, NC 27858 (252) 752-7682 www.supdogs.com
GIVE US A CALL!
252-916-9276 LEASED PARKING
For More Information On Rates And Obtaining A Parking Permit
• Catch a few minutes extra sleep. • Convenient parking for Vidant professionals. CHOOSE • Don't worry about waiting on the buses to be work on time. LINDY’S • Park and walk into the front door within minutes.
PARKING IS AVAILABLE OFF OF STANTONSBURG RD ACCROSS FROM CHILDREN HOSPITAL .
316 Greenville Blvd SW Greenville, NC 27858 (252) 353-5995 www.hooters.com
■ Crossbones Tavern
114 E 5th St, Greenville. NC (252) 689-6199
■ Christy’s Euro Pub 301 S Jarvis Street Greenville, NC 27858 (252) 758-2774
■ Grumpy’s
111 East 5th Street Greenville, NC 27858 (252) 758-2774
■ The Blackened Kraken 123 East 5th Street Greenville, NC 27858 252.215.8822
■ Uptown Saloon
218 East 5th Street Greenville, NC 27858 GVM | 30
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