INsite Atlanta April 2007 Issue by INsite Magazine

April 2070F7REE

Vol. 15, No.

ntertainment Monthly E s ’ a t n a l t A tlanta.com www.insitea

INTERVIEWS: Mark Wahlberg Kobe Bryant Richard Gere

FESTIVAL ISSUE

Atlanta Dogwood Festival • Atlanta Jazz Festival • Decatur Arts Festival • Renaissance Festival Inman Park Festival • Screen on the Green • Warped Tour • Fox Film Festival Bonnaroo • New Orlean’s Jazz and Heritage Festival Atlanta Steeplechase • Atlanta Film Festival

Plus, We Talk to My Chemical Romance about the huge success of The Black Parade

An Oustanding Sports Club Value.

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ALPHARETTA/WINDWARD | 678.393.2733 5530 Windward Pkwy.

HOLCOMB BRIDGE | 770.640.8137 1475 Holcomb Bridge Rd.

SNELLVILLE | 770.979.1288 2279 Pinehurst Rd.

TOCO HILLS | 404.248.2998 2880 N. Druid Hills Rd.

ANSLEY MALL | 404.249.6463 1544 Piedmont Ave. NE

JOHNS CREEK | 770.623.9433 11720 Medlock Bridge Rd.

SOUTHLAKE | 770.960.0393 7057 Mount Zion Circle

ATLANTIC STATION | 800.730.9957 261 19th St., Suite 1140 AUSTELL | 770.432.4262 1025 E. West Connector #2

KENNESAW/TOWN CENTER | 770.427.9668 2801 George Busbee Pkwy. LENOX/BUCKHEAD | 404.233.8311 3232 Peachtree St.

BUFORD | 800.730.9786 Upcoming Sports Club - Join Now! 1600 Mall of Georgia Blvd. NE, Suite 858

MIDTOWN | 404.249.6404 75 Fifth St., NW, Suite E

CAMP CREEK | 404.344.1248 3755 Carmia Dr. SW, Suite 700

NORTHLAKE | 770.414.0651 1990 W. Exchange Place

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CONTENTS • APRIL 2007 • VOLUME 15.7

INTERVIEWS

12 12 MARK WAHLBERG 14 RICHARD GERE 15 ISLA FISHER 23 MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE 25 SEAN PRICE 26 TRAVIS SMILEY 27 EL-P 14 28 THE QUEERS 29 HOT FUZZ CREATORS 35 KOBE BRYANT

FEATURES 10 OUTDOOR DINING Places to head to when looking to dine outdoors 13 BRUNCH Perfect places to celebrate Easter Sunday,

Mother’s Day, graduations and more

30 FESTIVAL GUIDE

Top attractions in the Southeast this Spring

34 MLB PREVIEW

Who’s hot and who’s not for this upcoming season of Major League Baseball

COLUMNS

06 ON TAP 07 UNDER THE LIGHTS 08 AROUND TOWN 16 MOVIE REVIEWS 18 BOOKS 18 VIDEO GAMES 26 19 VIDIOTS 20 CONCERT CALENDAR 22 ROAD WARRIORS 24 ALBUM REVIEWS 37 FANATIC 38 HOROSCOPES 38 WANTON DISTRACTION 35 www.insiteatlanta.com PG 4 • insiteatlanta.com • April 2007

LOCAL EVENTS

On Tap for April EMAIL EVENTS TO ONTAP@INSITEATLANTA.COM

April 13 - 15: 71st Annual Atlanta Dogwood Festival Spring is just around the corner and that can only mean one thing in Atlanta: the Atlanta Dogwood Festival is back! The Dogwoods will be in full bloom, and hundreds of artists from around the country will fill the walkways of Piedmont Park for the 71st Annual Atlanta Dogwood Festival. . Virtually every kind of art imaginable is represented at the festival, with a nationally renowned-juried Fine Artist Market that includes sculpture, paintings, pottery, jewelry, photography and much more. For more info, head to: www.dogwood.org.

April 13: Wild Bill’s Fight Night You've watched the UFC on Spike TV and PPV, now come watch live fights in your own backyard at Wild Bill's! Rory Singer, three-time UFC Vet and star of the TV show The Ultimate Fighter, invades Wild Bill's as he headlines Wild Bill's Fight Night 8 on Friday, April 13. The night of fights will play host to no less than a dozen total fights including UFC vets, female fights, Hooters girls and plenty of action. Get your tickets early by calling the Fight Hotline at (404) 626-2126 or visit any Ticketmaster location. More info available at www.WildBillsAtlanta.com or www.UndisputedProductions.com.

April 14: The Atlanta Steeplechase

The Atlanta Steeplechase, the region's premier spring social event, combines unmistakable style and entertainment with the thunderous and exhilarating sport of steeplechasing at Kingston Downs each year. The quiet Northwest Georgia countryside comes alive with thousands of spectators enjoying tailgate parties, Jack Russell terrier races, an air show, hat contests, and the running of some of the finest and fastest steeplechase horses in the country. For more info, head to: www.atlantasteeplechase.org.

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(404) 523-0100

5964 Roswell Rd.

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$3 OFF any purchase of $10 or more

April 19 - 28: 31st Atlanta Film Festival The 31st Atlanta Film Festival will include an eclectic mix of docs and features: films that feature Southeastern regional interest (BLOOD CAR, GREAT WORLD OF SOUND), established festival hits (HANNAH TAKES THE STAIRS, ZOO), and celebrated international works (TAXIDERMIA and 12:08 EAST OF BUCHAREST). The festival also features shorts programs, two renowned animation showcases, and filmmaker panels. For more info, head to: www.AtlantaFilmFestival.com.

April 21: Stage 6 Finish Tour de Georgia Stone Mountain Park has been selected as one of 12 host venues for the 2007 Tour de Georgia. The Park will be the Stage 6 finish for America's premier cycling event and rolling festival, on April 21, 2007, with the winner more than likely emerging here. The Stage 6 race begins at noon at Lake Lanier Islands with athletes riding 113.5 miles through Hall, Gwinnett, Barrow, Walton, Rockdale and Dekalb Counties. The race will pass through the village of Stone Mountain and enter Stone Mountain Park at the west gate for two laps inside the Park. The estimated finish is 4:00 - 4:45 PM. For more info, head to: www.stonemountainpark.com.

April 28 - 29: Inman Park Spring Festival Atlanta's eclectic and revered Inman Park Spring Festival is back again for its 36th year, Saturday - April 28 through Sunday - April 29, offering food, music, fun, the city's largest street market, and its most outrageous parade - selected as the Best Neighborhood Parade and Best Festival by several polls. Admission to all Festival events is FREE. Tour of Homes tickets cost $15 in advance, a $5 savings over at-Festival price of $20. For more info, head to: www.inmanpark.org/fest2007.php. PG 6 • insiteatlanta.com • April 2007

April 2007 Volume 15.7

INsite Magazine of Atlanta 2250 North Druid Hills Rd. #100 Atlanta, GA 30329-3118 phone 404-315-8485 email feedback@insiteatlanta website insiteatlanta.com

Advertising Information Call 404-315-8485

President Stephen Miller National Managing Editor Bret Love Art Director Michael T. Local Events Editor Rav Mansfield Local News Editor Glenn LaFollette Sports Editor DeMarco Williams Web Design Kalico Productions Contributing Writers / Interns John Davidson, John Moore, Russell Fisher, Zena Scott, Margo Aaron, Andrew Gilstrap, Mathew Goldberg, Kim Guelcher, Andrea Hatter, Tom DeFreytas, Richard Marsh, Tracy Gould, Mark Fitten

INsite is published on the first Friday of the month and is distributed free on 23 college campuses and at over 1,000 locations throughout metro Atlanta. Editorial content of INsite is the opinion of each writer and is not necessarily the opinion of INsite, its staff, or its advertisers. INsite does not knowingly accept false or mi leading advertising or editorial content, nor do the publisher or editors of INsite assume responsibility should such advertising or editorial appear. No content, i.e., articles, graphics, designs and information (any and all) in this publication may be reproduced in any manner without written permission from publisher.

Under The Lights

THEATER PREVIEW

What’s Happening on Stage in Atlanta All Shook Up! April 24 - April 29 The Fox Theatre 404-817-8700 www.ticketmaster.com

ombining all-time favorite Elvis Presley songs with a surefire rock'n'roll story, All Shook Up, the musical that took Broadway by storm last season, will ride into Atlanta for a strictly limited engagement of eight performances at The Fox Theatre from April 24 April 29, 2007 as part of the Fidelity Investments Broadway Across America Atlanta 2006-2007 Season. Headed by newcomer Joe Mandragona along with Jenny Fellner, fresh from Broadway's Mamma Mia, and TV, stage and screen favorite Susan

Cuttin’ Up April 11 - May 13 Alliance Theatre 404.733.5000 www.alliancetheatre.org

rom new fades to dreadlocks, from old school to youngblood, all men come to the neighborhood barber shop for a haircut, or a shave, and a slice of life. Explore the lives and laughter of the well-groomed and celebrate the community, customs and traditions of African-American men in Charles RandolphWright's soulful comedy Cuttin' Up. Awardwinning Associate Artistic Director Kent Gash will direct this poignant new play, infusing it with memorable rhythms of life and pure fun. Cuttin' Up is a chronicle of African-American

Anton, All Shook Up tells the romantic tale of how a young girl's dream comes true when a guitar-playin' roustabout rides into a square state and turns the town upside down with his hip-swivelin', lip-curlin'and sexy song singin'. All Shook Up's clever book is written by Joe DiPietro (I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change), with direction by Tony Award-nominee Christopher Ashley (The Rocky Horror Show). The production features 24 of Presley's classic hit songs including "Heartbreak Hotel", "Burning Love", "Jailhouse Rock", "Blue Suede Shoes," "It's Now or Never," and "Don't Be Cruel." Sergio Trujillo, who is currently represented on Broadway with the hit musical "Jersey Boys," choreographs this well- tuned, hot-rod musical that took Broadway by storm and guarantees to men in a barber shop in Atlanta, based on the book Cuttin' Up: Wit and Wisdom From Black Barber Shops by Craig Marberry (the author of Crowns). The play traces the entertaining lives of Howard, self-made owner of the barber shop; Andre, a talented charismatic barber with a troubled past; Rudy, an eager young barber cuttin' on the cutting edge; and the many clients, friends and neighbors who pass through the shop each day. Charles Randolph-Wright is one of America's pre-eminent playwrights and directors, best known for the film Preaching to the Choir and the off-Broadway hit Blu. In Cuttin' Up, he portrays the barber shop as a cornerstone in the foundation of culture and as the site of many rites of passage. Using jazz, hip-hop and old school rhythm and blues in his play, Wright

have your entire family jumpin' out of their blue suede shoes!

All Shook Up Photo: Joe Mandragona (center with the company) in ALL SHOOK UP. Photo credit: Carol Rosegg

creates a humorous and touching celebration of African-American men, their history and this most local of businesses.

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RESTAURANT PROFILE

Buckhead Village. The “Loco’s Beergarden” featured, is a prime people watching location

Outdoor Dining!

Some of the Best Patio Scenes this Spring Agave

an ecelectic southwestern eatery & tequila bar 242 Boulevard S.E. 404.588.0006 www.agaverestaurant.com

great outdoor patio. Their patio is the place to be Friday nights as their live Mariachi band plays to the crowd. Coyote’s menu offers fine Mexican cuisine with emphasis on the grilled fair. They are also known for their long list of tequilas. Sample one of their exotic brands on the rocks or try one of their 7 giant flavored margaritas, all made with real fruit and Sauza Gold. Be sure to come early to get a table outside for Cinco de Mayo as they will be offering drink speacials and giving away prizes along with a live band all day long!

El Azteca Named for the blue agave plant that is the heart and soul of the finest tequila, Agave ships the freshest seafood, beef and produce in daily. The tables on their romantic patio with fireplace and southwestern design are a first choice in spring. Agave's unique blend of eclectic southwestern cuisine, extensive tequila bar and wine list coupled with exceptional service makes this one of Atlanta's top restaurants. With creative daily specials, award winning margaritas and great ambiance that is high in energy and excitement one can see why guests keep returning time after time.

Coyote’s Mexican Grill

2730 East College Ave. 404.373.9383

Since moving from Decatur to Avondale Estates, Coyote’s has built up a loyal following. The new location offers more seating indoors and has a

Overlooking Ponce De Leon Avenue, the patio at El Azteca is one of the most happening spots to be in spring. This long serving neighborhood restaurant serves all the standard Mexican dishes you'd expect, such as starters like chips and salsa and entrees including burritos, chalupas, enchiladas and a wide selection of vegetarian dishes. El Azteca boasts a renovated interior in case you can’t get a table outside. However if you are lucky enough to grab one, there is nothing better than to hang out on their patio with one of their over-sized margaritas.

Multiple locations

Patio Perfection VOTED

Atlanta’s Best Patio Dining 2001–2006

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and can be reserved for private parties. Loco’s serves up some of the best chicken wings and sandwiches in the city. They have plenty of great beers on draft and multiple TV’s to watch the Braves this year.

Front Page News

4058 Peachtree Rd. 404.266.1661 1770 Peachtree St. 404.687.4766

1104 Crescent Ave. 404.897-3500 1351 Moreland Ave. 404.475.7777

Mellow Mushroom

939 Ponce de Leon 404.881.6040

Fellini’s

Steaks, Seafood, Salads and Traditional Tavern Fare with a Distinctive New Orleans Touch

As The Varsity is with hamburgers, Fellini’s is to Atlanta for pizza. They offer a simple menu that focuses on quality that can’t be beat. But as well known as they are for their terrific pizza, Fellini’s is also known around Atlanta for their great patio’s. Almost all include a fountain like the Ponce location shown, and are always bustling with people.

1104 Crescent Ave. 404-897-3500 351 Moreland Ave. 404-475-7777

Upon entering Front Page News you immediately get the sensation of being in New Orleans with its laid back and inviting atmosphere. Their award winning cuisine is both Cajun and Creole along with a contemporary American fair. The patio has the feel of an ancient New Orleans courtyard offering an inviting and lively alfresco dining experience. The French Quarter feel is enhanced by the bubbling fountains, lush foliage, wrought iron fences, fireplaces and flickering gaslights.

Loco’s Deli & Pub

3167 Peachtree Rd. 404.233.1989

With a great deck overlooking the view on Peachtree and a new dining area inside, Loco’s is the place to be this spring. They are located at the hot new North End of

Since 1974, Mellow Mushroom has been the place for the best hand tossed pizza and calzones in the Southeast! All of their products are made fresh to order with our natural springwater dough, and it's hearth baked, like pizza's supposed to be! They offer a variety of specialty pizzas includeding a house, veggie, pesto, mighty meaty and the ultimate shroom pie. There are four calzones on the menu from the house (spinach, shrooms, and tomato), cheese, steak & cheese and grilled chicken. Both featured locations, Buckhead pictured above and Brookhaven have awesome patios. They are packed with people come weekday nights in spring, Friday afternoons, and on weekends during Braves games. They have multiple TV’s to catch all the Braves action and free Hi-Speed internet is available at both locations.

Mo’s Pizza

3109 Briarcliff Rd. 404.320.1258

You may know about the burrito chain with the same name, but the original Mo’s resides on the corner of Briarcliff and Clairmont Roads. They have been serving up great pizza for over 25 years! Mo’s menu isn’t limited to pizza either: sandwiches, subs, wings, nachos and salads ensure that anybody who comes here can find something they like. Ingredients are not purchased in bulk because as owner Kevin says, “the freshness of their pizza is more important than saving a few bucks on a case of lettuce.“

Come to Mo’s to watch the Braves this Spring. They have a great deck to hang out on, and plenty of new plasma TVs. Mo’s is one of the longest running pizza joints in Atlanta, come in and see why they are one of the best!

Redfish, a Creole Bistro

687 Memorial Drive 404.475.1200

The Red Door Tavern

3180 Roswell Rd. 404.846.6525

The Tavern at Phipps

3500 Peachtree Rd. 404.814.9640

Now in their third year, The Red Door Tavern has quickly become a favorite watering hole among locals in North Buckhead. They are located on Roswell Road, one block north of the Roxy Theatre.

Preserving the art of Cajun- Creole cuisine with an emphasis on fresh seafood and great wines from around the globe, Chef & Owner Gregg Herndon offers a diverse menu with extremely fresh, daily ingredients. Recently named best new restaurant and best cajun-creole by Creative Loafing. Redfish features a full bar, extensive wine list, fireplace and outdoor patio. Reservations are recommended for this popular destination restaurant.

Sabroso

351 Moreland Ave. NE 404.475.8888

The Red Door Tavern features a large outdoor deck in the front of the tavern that offers a great view down Roswell Rd. into Buckhead Village. While on the deck, check out their “Bucket Specials” of Bud, Bud Light and Bud Select. They also have a “Draft Tower” a glass featuring 120 ounces of beer. On hot days, try a Slush Puppie, their are ten flavors to choose.

Sweet Devil Moon

980 Piedmont Ave 404.347.3600

Radial

As Atlanta’s ‘Hottest Spot for Cool Cocktails” and “Best Happy Hour” The Tavern at Phipps is the place to be this spring. Their menu features aged beef cooked on New York broilers, New Orleans po' boy sandwiches, Baby back ribs (double rack), Oven Roasted Salmon, Sicilian Style Broiled Trout and more. Full menu and bar are served on the patio overlooking Peachtree Road at Phipps Plaza in Buckhead. Check out The Tavern’s Tennis Team serving nightly on the patio. It is the hottest place in town during Friday afternoon happy hour!

Zocalo

Decatur 404.270.9450 Midtown 404.249.7576 Grant Park 404.635.9930

1530 Dekalb Ave. www.radial.us

This popular brunch destination is located in a an eclectically renovated warehouse complex on Dekalb Avenue on the border between the historic Edgewood and Candler Park neighborhoods. They offer daily specials during the week as well as brunch specials on the weekends. They offer a quaint patio out front for outdoor dinning during the season. Radial is open Monday thru Friday 8am – 4pm and Saturday and Sunday from 9 am – 4pm.

Nestled in the heart of Little Five Points, Sabroso Mexicano is one of Atlanta’s newest and most exciting Mexican restaurants. Located on Moreland Avenue just north of the new Edgewood Target shopping center. Sabroso Mexicano offers traditional Mexican and Latin dishes as well as a variety of Tapas & small plates with exceptional flavor combinations. Along with fresh Mexican & Latin cuisine Sabroso Mexicano offers signature margaritas and mojitos. The lush Sabroso patio garden and outdoor bar is unique among Latin restaurants in Atlanta, a tropical oasis, the perfect place escape from the ordinary. Sabroso Mexicano also offers unique live entertainment on weekend nights.

Sweet Devil Moon serves authentic Peruvian Tapas. Located in the heart of Midtown, they offer a great enclosed patio to enjoy the view of the bustling scene. Inside you will find a Wine Bar with an excellent selection of wines from around the world. They have Tapas ranging from seafood, chicken, veggie and meat lovers. Be sure to check out their Paraiso International Thursday nights starting at 8PM. It is free to enter and offers a variety of Salsa, Samba, Euro House and Merengue. Friday Latin Andean Music features Mauricio Amaya and Saturday Sweet Devil Moon offers live Flamenco dancing.

Frequently ranked among the city’s best Mexican restaurants, Zocalo appeals to those who like to sit down with a hearty meal and a great margarita for a relaxing dining experience. Rated one of the Top 12 tequila bars in the country by Fortune magazine, you will find a variety of tequilas and beer to choose from, along with moderately priced food. What makes the experience even more attractive is the restaurant’s funky design highlighted by art and hanging baskets which line the amazing Midtown patio, adding to the décor.

Catch the Braves On Our Multiple Screens! Buckhead has HD on the patio. ��

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FILM INTERVIEW

HOW MARK WAHLBERG FOUND HIS WAY OUT OF THE DARKNESS AND INTO THE LIGHT BY ALEX S. MORRISON

HOUGH ROLES IN FILMS SUCH as Invincible have elevated him onto the A-list of Hollywood’s leading men, it’s unlikely that Mark Wahlberg would have been voted among Tinseltown’s Most Likely To Succeed even as recently as a decade ago. Born the youngest of nine children in the working class district of Boston, he dropped out of high school at the age of 14 (three years after his parents divorced) and turned to a life of petty crime and drugs. At age 16 he was convicted of assault against two Vietnamese men during a robbery attempt, and wound up spending nearly two months behind bars in Deer Island Penitentiary. It was there that he found the motivation to abandon his life of crime in favor of following older brother Donnie, who was then topping the charts with New Kids On the Block, into the world of entertainment. “Not to sound like a saint, because I’m still far from one,” admits Wahlberg, “but those two months in jail were where I had

upbringing may have initially given casting directors a shorthand method of finding roles for the novice thespian, and several of his earliest film efforts cast him as tough characters not far removed from the reality of his troubled youth. But he admits that fighting against being typecast has been a major struggle over the course of his film career. “I’m always trying to do something that isn’t expected, something a little different from the norm,” he acknowledges. “The first role I was really recognized for was Basketball Diaries, then Fear, and both those characters were extremely dangerous and violent, so I was pigeonholed as that guy. Luckily, we found Boogie Nights, which showed a sweet and vulnerable character. Before Boogie Nights I only wanted to play the tough guy, because that’s the only type of guy that was accepted in my neighborhood. That movie was pivotal, because I realized I wanna take what I do seriously and show people I can do anything I want. I knew what my limitations were and what I was capable of, but that was when I

ACTING IS REALLY JUST ABOUT CONVINCING SOMEBODY, AND I’VE ALWAYS BEEN TRYING TO SELL SOMEBODY SOMETHING. IN THAT SENSE, I’VE BEEN DOING IT ALL ALONG. an epiphany. I knew that I didn’t want to spend the rest of my life locked up. I might have been acting like an animal, but I didn’t want to be a caged one. I started lifting weights in jail and went from 130 pounds of scrawniness to 170 pounds of muscle that year.” Upon his release, Donnie offered his brother a chance to join his successful singing group. But while Mark yearned to abandon thug life, “I didn’t want to be bouncing around on stage with five or six pretty boys, either.” Instead, Donnie arranged meetings with some of his record producer friends, and soon Marky Mark & the Funky Bunch were making the pop charts with rap-influenced dance hits like “Good Vibrations,” while Wahlberg’s well-sculpted physique became iconic via a series of high-profile underwear ads for Calvin Klein. Still, though he was no longer living a life of petty crime, Wahlberg’s bad boy mystique lingered, and he remained a tabloid favorite via rumored fights (including a notorious run-in with Madonna’s entourage), allegations of homophobia and racism, and charges for allegedly assaulting a security guard. After his second album tanked, in 1994 a humbled Wahlberg was cast in a small role in director Penny Marshall’s Renaissance Man. Though the movie failed to make much of an impression and Wahlberg was dismissed as yet another has-been pop star trying to cross over, the acting bug had bitten hard, and the former Marky Mark has never looked back. Asked whether his hard-knock background had helped or hindered his attempts to make a career for himself in Hollywood, Wahlberg acknowledges that, “It certainly helped me in many ways, because I have so much real-life experience that I can tap into. Indirectly, I’ve been acting my entire life, even if I was just talking my way out of trouble. Acting is really just about convincing somebody, and I’ve always been trying to sell somebody something. In that sense, I’ve been doing it all along.” If anything, Wahlberg’s rough ‘n’ tumble PG 12 • insiteatlanta.com • April 2007

decided I had to stop worrying about what the kids in the neighborhood would think.” The result was a richer and more rewarding film career, working with respected directors such as Wolfgang Peterson (The Perfect Storm), Tim Burton (Planet of the Apes), Jonathan Demme (The Truth About Charlie) and David O. Russell (I Heart Huckabees). But according to Wahlberg, the biggest change in his adult life had nothing to do with his film career: It was the 2003 birth of Ella Rae, his daughter with live-in girlfriend Rhea Durham, a former Victoria’s Secret model. “It puts it all into perspective,” he recalls, his voice warm with emotion. “The enormity of the responsibility is just overwhelming at times, ya know? You’re holding that little girl, and if you put her down and leave her there she’s gonna die. You’ve gotta take care of your child every second of the day. Luckily, [Rhea] is a superhero, cuz I don’t know if I could do it on my own. I dunno how my mother raised nine kids. But I feel this enormous responsibility to go out and provide, even though I’m pretty well off. I’m like, ‘I gotta make sure that her future’s secure, and what about her kid’s kids?’ I immediately jumped into work mode.” He also returned to the Catholic faith in which he’d been raised. “Where I come from,” he recalls, “you drive down the main avenue and there’s 12 churches within 10 square miles. Of course, there are also 30 bars, but church and faith are all around you. We went to church as kids, but I didn’t find it exciting or appealing in any way because there was so much going on in the streets that fascinated me. It was when I started to focus my faith that good things started happening for me. And I don’t mean professionally, but personally.

It helped me get to a place where I can do what I was supposed to do with my life, which is to help kids like myself and influence them to love one another and respect one another and focus on what’s important.” Indeed, the last several years have seemed somewhat charmed for the 35-year-old actor. His first major project as a producer, Entourage, became a cult hit for HBO almost immediately, following film star Vince Chase (a character loosely based on Wahlberg’s life) as he navigates the vapid terrain of Los Angeles with a close circle of friends and his trusty agent. I Heart Huckabees, in which he played a character written especially for him based on conversations with director Russell about his views on faith and spirituality, earned Wahlberg the best reviews of his career. Last year’s Invincible– based on the true rags-to-riches story of a down-on-his-luck Philadelphia Eagles fan who shows up for an open tryout for his

favorite NFL team, only to see his wildest dreams come true– earned more than three times its paltry $17 million budget. Then there’s Martin Scorsese’s Boston-based crime thriller The Departed, arguably the most critically acclaimed film of 2006, for which Wahlberg earned both his first Golden Globe nomination (for Best Supporting Actor) and an Oscar nod. It’s been a long, strange trip for Mark Wahlberg– from teenage hooligan to teen idol, from novice actor to accomplished thespian– and the birth of his second child (a son, Michael) in 2006 only seems to have strengthened his resolve to make the most of the immense opportunities he’s been given. “I know I have some explaining to do [to my kids],” he admits, “especially with movies like Boogie Nights. If I had a chance to do it again, I’d probably have to say no [to that role], even though it was a great thing for my career. Knowing how tough kids can be, I know mine will eventually understand when they reach a certain age, but I don’t want them to have to deal with that. I don’t have to just do kids movies from here on out, but if it’s immoral there had better be a real serious lesson at the end of it.” Grounded in family and faith, Wahlberg seems content these days to choose his roles carefully and spend more time behind the scenes. Aside from this month’s Shooter, in which he plays a marksman coaxed back into action after being framed for an attempt to kill the president, he only has one other major film on his 2007 calendar (We Own the Night, with Joaquin Phoenix and Robert Duvall). What’s more, he doesn’t seem concerned in the least about any lag in career momentum that may result. “I’ve been doing this for too long to care anymore,” he admits matter-of-factly. “I’ve always looked at my career as an athlete would look at his. I know I won’t play forever. Some don’t know when to walk away, but the smart ones do.”

RESTAURANT PROFILE

Taste of the Month-Brunch Just in time for Easter Sunday, Mother’s Day and Graduations!

J. Christopher’s

14 Metro Area Locations www.jchristophers.com

J. Christopher’s was founded in 1996 on a very simple idea: to provide cheerful, relaxing neighborhood eateries serving all your traditional breakfast favorites and a few new ones. There are 14 locations with the two newest serving Ponce de Leon and Decatur with Buckhead and Midtown coming soon. Their restaurants stand out for their bright and contemporary casual dining and classic breakfast items. Their signature brunch item is the Eggs Benedict. The poached eggs and Hormel Canadian bacon are served on a English muffin smothered in Hollandaise. Another popular poached eggs dish is the Eggs Christopher. This is served on a bed of smoked turkey, crispy bacon and sliced tomato with the English muffin. There are also some southwestern egg dishes on the menu including the Breakfast Burrito and the Sunrise Quesadilla. J. Christopher’s is also known for there many skillet dishes. Among them is the Route 66, which is a skillet full of corned beef hash and roasted red potatoes capped with sunny side up eggs. If omelets are your thing try the San Bernadino with diced chicken, avocado, tomato, chives and mixed cheeses. You can’t have a brunch without some great breakfast dishes. They have various pancakes, waffles and cereals on the menu. J. Christopher’s is open from 7am to 2pm daily and private rooms are available in most locations.

Flying Biscuit Cafe’ Candler Park Midtown 1655 McLendon Ave. 1001 Piedmont Ave. 404.687.8888 404-874-8887 www.flyingbiscuit.com

One of Atlanta’s favorite homegrown gems has two metro locations with a third on the way. The original in the heart of historic Candler Park is about as happening on a Sunday morning as a nightclub on opening night. Since their opening in 1993, the restaurant has tripled in size and features a bakery next door, so you can pick up some of their famous biscuits for the road. Their Midtown location near Piedmont Park allows for dining inside or on their corner patio and is surrounded by windows offering great views of the bustling midtown scene. Their signature dish is the Flying Biscuit Breakfast served with two large farm-fresh eggs with freerange chicken and sage breakfast sausage. They feature several omelets including the health conscious Hollywood Omelet made from egg whites, spinach, mushrooms & mozzarella cheese topped with a warm tomato sauce. You can’t leave without trying at least one of their biscuits in which they are named after. Both locations open at 7am daily and close at 10pm weekly (10:30pm on Fri. and Sat.). They have daily specials and events. Check out their website for details.

Radial 1530 Dekalb Ave. 404.659.6594 www.radial.us This popular brunch destination is located in a an eclectically renovated warehouse complex on Dekalb Avenue on the border between the historic Edgewood and Candler Park neighborhoods. Radial is a part of the community and reserves space on their walls for local artists with new work rotating

monthly. They offer daily specials during the week as well as brunch specials on the weekends. One of the brunch specials that is very popular here is Mom’s French Toast. This dish is made using thick sliced challah topped with their homemade strawberry and rhubarb sauce. Their signature Radial Omlette is made with three eggs, red peppers, mushrooms, green onions and pepper jack cheese garnished with sour cream and tomato, served with toast. Another favorite is their Red Flannel Hash made with corned beef or turkey and onions, peppers, sage-roasted potatoes with two eggs and a side of toast. Also try their Vegetarian Biscuits and Gravy, Garlic Leek Burger and Poached Chicken Salad. Radial is open Monday thru Friday 8am – 4pm and Saturday and Sunday from 9 am – 4pm.

Goldberg’s

1272 W. Paces Ferry Rd. 404.266.0123 Colony Square 404.888.0877 Chamblee-Dunwoody Rd. 770.455.1119 4383 Roswell Rd. 404.256.3751 www.goldbergsdeli.net

Breakfast, Brunch & Lunch

14 LOCATIONS! ALPHARETTA 3000 Old Alabama Rd. 770.360.0970

DECATUR 250 E. Ponce De Leon Ave 404.378.2662 PONCE DE LEON 774 Ponce De Leon Ave 404.892.6262

Atlanta’s best loved delicatessen since 1972. Goldberg’s is the recipient of many rewards including Best Bagels, and Best Deli. They offer a full breakfast, brunch and lunch menu. Here you will find a variety of pancake offerings, French toast and omelets. Their omelets are served with three eggs with a bagel or toast and a choice of potato latkes, fresh fruit or tomato slices. They have a variety of Breakfast specials including their popular Lox Platter, Smoked Whitefish Platter and Matzo Brie. Off course if you are looking for an authentic deli sandwich you won’t find one any better than at Goldberg’s. They have a wide selection from Hot Corned Beef and Pastrami to Tuna Salad and Egg Salad. There are also various tossed salads on the menu. Goldberg’s offers take-out and is a perfect catering option for parties large and small.

Murphy’s 997 Virginia Ave. 404.872.0904 www.murphysvh.com

CRABAPPLE 10930 Crabapple Rd. 678.822.0129 DUNWOODY 5482 Chamblee Dunwoody Rd. 770.395.1642

DULUTH 3294 Peachtree Ind. Blvd 770.622.4775 POWERS FERRY 1247 Powers Ferry Rd. 770.953.0002

WINDWARD PKWY. 3070 Windward Pkwy. 770.740.8571 PEACHTREE CITY 264 Commerce Drive 678.216.1010

SANDY SPRINGS 227 Sandy Springs Circle 404.531.0242 ROSWELL SQUARE 605 Atlanta Street 770.640.5548 EAST COBB 1205 Johnson Ferry Rd. 770.579.6800

SAVANNAH 122 East Liberty 912.236.7494 TAMPA, FL 14366 N Dale Mabry Hwy 813.908.7023

MIDTOWN (The Plaza Midtown) AND BUCKHEAD (Buckhead Two Plaza) LOCATIONS COMING SOON! Celebrating over 27 years of service, Murphy’s is one of Atlanta’s best-loved restaurants. Located in the trendy Virginia Highlands, Murphy’s is the choice destination for visitors seeking the epicenter of the district’s shopping and nightlife. Tom Murphy’s acclaimed restaurant brings in the crowds with the perfect combination of upscale comfort food, unpretentious service, a cozy, high-energy setting and excellent value. Every meal at Murphy’s is pitch-perfect, and especially for brunch, Murphy’s has gained the reputation as an Atlanta hotspot. The interior combines rustic, exposed-brick and French café doors with modern design elements for a light, airy effect by day and a warm, sparkling atmosphere by night. A new renovation adds a sophisticated martini and wine bar and a sleek retail wine shop that showcases an extensive and user-friendly wine collection and hosts weekly wine tastings and seminars.

NOW HIRING FOR ALL POSITIONS AT BUCKHEAD LOCATION!

7 Days a Week from 7am–2pm www.jchristophers.com

PG 13 • insiteatlanta.com • April 2007

FILM INTERVIEW

Lies, and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them RICHARD GERE ON “THE HOAX” BY MATT GOLDBERG

ICHARD GERE ENTERS THE room and he’s already sick. Not necessarily of journalists (although we are his last interview of the morning) but from the flu. Wearing a long dark coat, Gere has a quiet demeanor about him. As someone who has worked in Hollywood for over twenty years, Gere has the quality of a man who has heard every question asked every way asked plenty of times. But he’s still listening and with a subtle humor and almost unnerving detatchement, we talk about the lies of Clifford Irving, the lies of Richard Gere, all the time, the sound of Halls cough drops clacking around his movie star smile. Can you talk about your decision not to meet Clifford Irving? It was a momentous decision. There’s just so much matererial on him. There was a 60 Minutes piece, Orson Welles’ F for Fake. There’a lot of stuff there to play with. The script is not intended to be a documentary. It’s about Nixon. It’s about American. It’s about lying. I didn’t want to be influenced of how it should be. He’s obviously a very manipulative person. He would admit to that. But it’s not a big deal. It’s just a choice. What drew you to this film? It was a great script, a really great script. A great director; we were friends before and always wanted to work together so we had that. A great cast. There’s a lot of parts in this and none of them are terribly developed so you need great actors to make them come alive in one scene or two scenes and show a whole range. You and Alfred Molina seem to be having a lot fun together in the film. We did. We had a great time. You read the script, you see the movie and you see it’s about these two guys. It’s a love

story between these two guys. So if that doesn’t work, you can’t fix it. If that kind of ease isn’t there, you can’t fix it by cutting. And we had enormous respect for each other even though we’d never met before this movie. And as soon as we started working, it was clear we had that ease and trust with each other. As someone who experienced the Clifford Irving hoax first-hand, how did the event impact you back then? Well we didn’t know the connection to Watergate at that point because Watergate hadn’t happened yet, to begin with. But at this point, I’m not surprised by that. Things we see with some regularly; how we are lied to. How what we saw in the first election of W; how the Supreme Court was manipulated. Now who ever thought you could manipulate the Supreme Court of the United States? And clearly, he was President of the United States because the Supreme Court was manipulated. Now if you can do it on that level, why couldn’t someone whose more benign than that, like Bill Gates or Ted Turner or powerful rich people can influence everything. Do you think our need for entertain-

ment has eclipsed our need for the truth? I think the volume of information has somehow taken the value of quality. Just the massive amount gives the illusion that there is quality with the mass and that’s not the case. I suspect everything because I’ve been inside it and I know The Machine lies constantly. We all lie, in big ways and small ways. And this thing with the Internet: Google it to check it and there’s this assumption that whatever comes back is the truth. But someone showed me something about me on the Internet that was totally false about almost everything: birthdates,

Do you see any connection between the way Clifford lied and what you do as an actor? Oh, totally. That was one of the fun aspects of this. I get paid very well to lie. But I have to be honest when I lie. It has to be believable. You have to feel it from your heart. “Instinctively, beyond thought, I believe this. It’s true.” If an actor doesn’t achieve that then the whole film falls apart. There’s nothing about a film that’s real. It’s light being projected against a screen and it’s usually phony sound that’s been put in

I GET PAID VERY WELL TO LIE. BUT I HAVE TO BE HONEST WHEN I LIE. IT HAS TO BE BELIEVABLE. YOU HAVE TO FEEL IT FROM YOUR HEART. where I grew up, about what I said, about this and that. But the Internet said it was true. Of course it’s true. Now in some sense it’s probably more true than the truth because more people believe it. What’s the biggest lie you’ve seen about you? Oh, there’s no end! It’s like a big garbage heap! There’s a place, Fishhills, in Staten Island, where they dump all the garbage. There’s fifty years of garbage there. That’s what it’s like. How can you pick out just one piece that’s worse than another. There’s just a mound of it. How do you feel when you see a lie published about you? Well I see constantly but at this point, nothing. What really bothered me; well, I assumed it with the lesser magazines, the tabloids. You expect them to just make up things. But when reputable magazines and newspapers print it, it’s like finding out the President of the United States is a liar, which we all know now. We’ve had other Preisdents who are liars. And it hurts you because they’re these authority figures you’re supposed to believe in. They’re just as human as us but the stakes they’re playing are much larger than we play.

afterwards and it’s probably been cut out of sequence. It’s all illusion. It’s like a magician but the audience has to give itself to the magician’s trick to be taken in. And if the magician doesn’t give you all the right cues then you’re “Well, I want to give into this but I just can’t.” and it fails. Can you give us an example of how Clifford Irving lies? I looked at this inteview he did on 60 Minutes many years ago with Mike Wallace over and over. This was before it was known to be a fake. They were interviewing him as one of the “extraordinary people of our time,” and I’m looking at this and I’m going “He’s lying.” I can see all the tell-tale signs of it. And I found myself so emphasizing with him and it’s about the actor’s process. Sometimes you watch a great actor and you don’t even think “He’s lying,” or “He’s telling the truth,” or “He’s acting.” You just go with it. But this was a moment of him doing some very bad acting. I knew it because this is what I do as a job. This is my life. You guys do what you do. I do what I do. You guys know when someone does a bad job at yours, I know when someone does a bad job at mine. But I found it so incredibly human, so embracing, that it’s almost like watching a child fuck up. You just want to go “Oh, it’s okay.” Which is a good quality and I wanted to get that with what I did with him. I don’t know if Clifford knows that about himself but that what I wanted to get with this character: that sense of “Aw, it’s okay. Oh, don’t do that. You’ve gone too far with that. It’s not going to be believable.” This sense that there was still a child there trying to be believable. What do you go for as an actor when, like Clifford, you try to ramp up that tension but unlike Clifford, not take it too far? You just go there. You don’t have to think about that. It’s in the structure. You know what the scene is. As an actor you just have to be pretty clear. There’s a mystery to it just happening. I’ve been doing this long enough, the other actors in that scene have been doing this long enough, that you see a scene, you see a dynamic and go with it. And it will happen. And if it doesn’t, for whatever reason, you have to know what that scene is all about. What does the character want in this scene? What are the obstacles getting it? How does he overcome the obstacles? And how far is he willing to go to get what he wants? What does it mean to be Richard Gere in the movies today? I don’t think about that. My vision is much more personal. So I don’t think about power like a scooper. It’s a personal relationship. 1-on-1 things are much more interesting to me.

PG 14 • insiteatlanta.com • April 2007

Sexy Time

FILM INTERVIEW

Isla Fisher is Ready for Her Close-Up BY JOHN B. MOORE

ITH ALL OF THE BEAUTY BUT NONE OF THE CRAZI NESS she displayed in her breakout role in Wedding Crashers, Isla Fisher (pronounced EE-la) sits down next to me. The red-headed lass’ latest role is a complete 180 from her Vaughn-raping, girl-next-door as this time she plays a femme fatale without the fatale in The Lookout. We caught up with her to talk about her rising star, her relationship with Borat, and playing a character called “Luvlee Lemons”. Rather than a femme-fatale, you play more of an earthy, nurturing character. Was that by design? Totally. I really wanted Luvlee to be the one character who didn’t have an agenda. I felt like everybody else in the movie clearly wants something but I wanted her to be an innocent. One of those women who doesn’t have a strong sense of identity and mirrors the men she’s with and has never really belonged anywhere. That’s why actions ultimately lead her into a bad situation. I don’t think Luvlee is a particularly smart character. I think she’s just kind of lost and disassociated from herself.

going to be one of thoes directors, as a lot of writer-directors are, who are married to the language and don’t want you to change a single line and come down on you very hard if you change a single line. But Scott was the opposite. He was so happy to throw out his amazing, brilliant dialoge for whatever nonsense I would come up with! Did you come up with the name “Luvlee Lemons”? No, that was his idea. And you accepted that? Yeah! I really liked it! I thought there was a lot of comedy in the script and I thought that was funny. So what’s happening on your film with Amy Poehler, Groupies? Well she’s actually working with Tina Fey right now on her hiatus and I hope to get her on the next hiatus. We really had a great time together. You were born in Oman. What were your parents doing

obviously I do enjoy comedy a little more. Can you talk a bit about your role in Definitely, Maybe? It’s actually a really interesting role because I get to play a girl, April. I start out in the movie in late-teens and by the end of the movie I’m 35. And that’s just really exciting: doing the research for the time period. To read about everything you can: all the popular culture events, all the events you’ve missed or forogtten about. And she’s just really sparky and it’s a really interesting role. I don’t want to talk about it because it’s not edited yet and you never know how your going to end up but it’s written by Adam Brooks who writes really great female characters so I felt really blessed to get that role. Are there any actresses you particularly admire from either the past or the present? I love Cate Blanchette, Naomi Watts, and Nicole Kidman. I love the Aussie girls! I mean they can throw a barbacue and they can act. It’s a great combination!

I TEND TO ENJOY PLAYING ROLES AND AM ATTRACTED TO ROLES WHERE I HAVE NOTHING IN COMMON [WITH THE CHARACTER] JUST BECAUSE IT’S MORE INTERESTING TO INHABIT THE EMOTIONAL LANDSCAPE OF SOMEONE THAT YOU HAVE NOTHING REALLY IN COMMON WITH.

You’ve made a name for yourself in the past few years with work in supporting roles. Are you anxious to take the next step into leading roles? I never think size of the role is the important part. I’m much more attracted to the filmmaker and the material. I see it much more as an ensemble and I always have. But obviously I’m not adverse; if there was a great female role, I’d love to play a lead.

Do you think there’s enough of those roles out there? Comically, definitely not. Most of the scripts I read for comedies, the man gets to be wacky and make jokes and the woman either rolls her eyes or looks sexy and that’s frustrating because I feel there are a lot of talented female comedians who would love the opportunity to make fools of themselves but are just sort of stuck in a single mold. But dramatically, I think there are. I’m in a very good age group. I can’t complain. A lot of roles I read has material for women in my loose age brackett. How has life changed for you since you brokeout in Wedding Crashers? I just have more opportunities, really. Professionally, I’m able to meet with people I previously wouldn’t have been able to get into a room with. Personally, I guess I’ve been given more free clothes (laughs). How was it working with Scott Frank on his directorial debut? When I got the job, I had a meeting with him in his office in Pasadena and he sort of sat down and started explaining the movie and you just know, I can’t explain how, but you just knew he was a proper filmmaker and not some writer who was trying it. He just had such a strong sense of the imagery. He obviously does dialogue so brilliantly and my fear was he was

there? My dad was a banker and he worked over his career with WorldBank, the UN, and would do jobs for them and as a result we were all born in various countries. Do you ever get back home to Perth (Western Australia)? Well Perth is where my heart is but my family and my brothers emigrated to Greece. My mother married a Greek-Ausrtralian man and my dad now lives in Germany, he married a German lady, so I’m kind of more based in Europe now. Do you get home to Australia very often these days? It’s terrible to admit but the last time I was there was the press junket for Wedding Crashers. Obviously I’m dying to get back. But I just haven’t had the chance. What do you have in common with your character? I tend to enjoy playing roles and am attracted to roles where I have nothing in common [with the character] just because it’s more interesting to inhabit the emotional landscape of someone that you have nothing really in common with. Do you think people will see you as more of a dramatic actress after this role? I don’t think of comedy and drama as that different from each other. I think you come from a real place in both and if you’re not real in both, they don’t work. It’s just that in comedy, if the character is intrinsically funny then by being real, you manage to get laughs. But I do have a comedy coming out and a drama coming out after that called Definitely, Maybe with Rachel Weisz and Abigail Breslin. But I’m happy to be working with interesting filmamkers on interesting material and I’m not a beliver that one genre is better than the other. Although

What draws you to a project? More often that not, it’s a dialogue. It’s just the hardest thing in the world to say badly written dialogue. It’s just painful! It makes you want to do anything else for a living. Just painful. So when I read a script and things pop off the page, and I feel inspired, then that’s usually the first ingridient and then on top I’ll think of the filmmaker’s experience and the cast and you have a bunch of people trying to advise you, but you always go back to your first instinct. Have you ever had badly-written dialogue? Oh, are you kidding me? I was on a soap opera!

And aren’t soap-operas really good training ground for actors? Well we all did them in Australia: Naomi Watts, Heath Ledger, Russell Crowe, Guy Pierce. In Australia, back in the day, there’s not a million movies being made so people get their training ground on soap operas. You have to say lines you cannot believe you are saying. I once had to say, “I love you so much. Wild horses couldn’t drag me away from you.” And I sat in my room for an hour and a half paralyzed by this line. And you have to make it work. And you just find ways. And you don’t have the luxury of time that you do on a film where if you have an emotional scene you can sit and listen to your iPod and look at photographs and work and work to get there. On a soap opera, you do fifteen scenes before lunch and they’re probably all crying. So you become more disciplined, you become better at controlling your emotions in a shorter period of time, and you become very quick to deal with line changes and all that kind of nonsense you don’t have on a film. You’ve done writing yourself. Have you written anything recently? Well with Amy Poehler, we wrote Groupies and then we attached Erica Rivinjoa to finish the actual script and we sold that to Paramount. And I just recently collaborated on another projected called “Cooking Queen” so I guess I’m trying to have a little more control over my career and the choices I get to make. PG 15 • insiteatlanta.com • April 2007

FILM

�� BLACK SNAKE MOAN:� �� – Tom DeFreytas BLADES OF GLORY:�� – Matt Goldberg GHOST RIDER:� �� PG 16 • insiteatlanta.com • April 2007

�� – Matt Goldberg THE HOAX:� ��

Will Ferrell has covered soccer, NASCAR and naked jogging. So why not give ﬁgure skating a whirl? Check out Ferrell and Napoleon Dynamite in “Blades of Glory.” �� – Matt Goldberg HOT FUZZ:�� Z Z T FU �� f HO o g eg �� on P Sim ��

�� – Matt Goldberg IRAQ IN FRAGMENTS:�� – B. Love I THINK I LOVE MY WIFE:��

�� – Matt Goldberg MUSIC AND LYRICS:� �� – Matt Goldberg THE LOOKOUT:��

�� – Matt Goldberg

Terrence Howard of PRIDE

PRIDE:� �� – DeMarco Williams

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PG 17 • insiteatlanta.com • April 2007

Book Review BY JOHN B. MOORE ALTERNADAD by Neal Pollack

A nyone who read pop culture writer Neal Pollock’s last book, Never Mind the Pollacks, can pretty much guess what he’d be like as a dad. Those who didn’t can pick up his latest memoir, Alternadad. Like just about every other Gen X-er who’s busy popping out kids today, Pollack and his wife try their best to fight against corporate America’s spoon-fed kiddie crack, such as McDonald’s Happy Meals and The Wiggles, in an effort to be hip parents. Organic fruit and veggies are the preferred substitute for fast food burgers and fries in the Pollack house, and ska oddballs The Aquabats and punk legends Ramones serve as musical stand-ins for Barney. The book is amusing at times, but far from an original idea, having already been covered relentlessly in various blogs,

articles and even other similar books. Though Pollack keeps the memoir interesting by adding a steady stream of confessional themes regarding his family’s financial worries, you can’t help but wonder why Pollack or his artist wife never bother to get real jobs and continue to shop at the ultimate in yuppie grocery stores, such as Whole Foods. Even more puzzling is his decision at the end of the book to pack up the family from Austin and relocate to Los Angeles, which seems like a particularly asinine move after reading 300 pages of gripes about their precarious financial situation. Grade: B-

Game Review BY MATT GOLDBERG GOD OF WAR II PS2

Kratos, the anti-hero who slaughters most of Greek mythology, makes the Spartans of the popular film 300 look like pussies. Oh, the 300 have their moments, to be sure, but they don’t jump on giant eagles and hack off their wings in mid-flight. They don’t charge cylopses and pull out their eye (do it twenty times to unlock a bonus!). They don’t pick up wounded soldiers and throw them into giant gears because that next area isn’t going to unlock itself. No, Kratos is not a nice fellow, but he will get your bloodlust going. Picking up right after the first God of War, Kratos has replaced Ares as well, the God of War. Unfortunately, he’s gone a tad overboard and is leading his Spartan people (seriously, with this and 300, I’m converting from Jew to Spartan. However, I probably will need to get my foreskin back…) and the Gods of Olympus decide that it’s time for Kratos to go. But even a sword to the gut from Zeus himself can’t stop our hero and it’s up to Kratos, with the help of the Titans, to find the Sisters of Fate and give all of Olympus a heafty dose of disembowlment. At the end of the system’s lifespan, God of War II pushes the PlayStation 2 to its limits, calls it a bitch, and makes it go even further. The level of detail and graphical power of the game are simply astounding. But the graphics are more than just shiny pixels because the art design is so wonderously imaginative. Sure, Zeus looks a little cliched (white dude with a long white beard) but you won’t know what to expect when you come face-to-face with the Sisters of Fate or the Steeds of Time. The music

and the score perfectly compliments the epic scale, with a full chorus, every brass instrument known to man, and sound effects that make every bonecrunch and snap all the sweeter. But none of this works if the gameplay weren’t just as solid. Fans of the original God of War won’t be disappointed as Kratos will be employing all his old moves, plus a few new ones, like being able to move while firing arrows or turning your opponents into wack-a-moles with a giant hammer. However, there is one new addition that will have you dying more times than is really fair and that’s the Icarus Wings. Intended to give you the power to glide over large areas, the ability is poorly implimented and you’ll find yourself either not activating the wings when you need them or accidentally deactivating them when you’re over a giant pit of lava. Also, some of the puzzles go beyond the reasonable and will have you going online to figure out the answer, especially near the end of the game. Still, God of War II is an absolute must-buy for any owner of the PlayStation 2 console. If you don’t like action-adventure games, get over it and buy this game. If you don’t like Greek Mythology, then you’re weird, should get over it, and buy this game. If you don’t like insane amounts of violence, I understand, I sympathize, but get over it, and buy this game. Grade: A-

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PG 18 • insiteatlanta.com • April 2007

Someone gave Mark Wahlberg a really big gun and a script with holes -- maybe from the forementioned gun. Check out “Shooter.” SHOOTER:� �� – Matt Goldberg 300:��

�� – Matt Goldberg WILD HOGS:�� – Zena Scott

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Vidiots This month’s DVD & VHS Releases

CHARLOTTE’S WEB – A delightful live-action interpretation of E.B. White’s classic children’s story in which even those not-so-cute species become adorable and believable. Julia Roberts provides the voice of Charlotte, the misunderstood spider with a heart of gold, while Oprah Winfrey (Gussy the Goose), Cedric the Entertainer (Golly the Goose), Reba McIntire (Betsy the Cow), Steve Buscemi (Templeton the Rat) and others providing voices for the scene-stealing supporting characters. As Fern, the little girl who refuses to let her pet pig become back bacon, Dakota Fanning proves versatile, mature beyond her years, and a true star. With its classic story and impeccable cast, Charlotte’s Web is a great ﬁlm for all ages that is sure to leave you laughing and, in parts, perhaps even crying. Grade: A –TG

CURSE OF THE GOLDEN FLOWER – Director Zhang Yimou’s (Hero, House of Flying Daggers) latest film is a Fabergé egg: Its exterior is beautifully adorned, but the inside is hollow. The Empress (Gong Li) is planning to usurp the throne from her husband (Chow-Yun Fat), who is poisoning her daily medicine with a substance that will make her go insane. But she might have been nutty to begin with, as she pines for the affections of her stepson while he romances the daughter of a mysterious woman. This all leads to a Helm’s Deep-sized battle, with CGI characters dressed in gold armor fighting CGI characters dressed in silver armor. If it sounds like Curse gets laughably bad, then it sounds correct. Unlike Hero or Daggers, Curse lacks a compelling story and interesting characters, and the way these characters behave makes it seem like the tale of trailer trash with too much money and power and set in 10th century China. While the film is Yimou’s most beautiful to date, it’s also one of his worst stories. Grade D+ –MG DÉJÀ VU – The secret to enjoying the latest pairing of director Tony Scott and Denzel? Check your logic at the door. The story is rooted in techno-babble about an invention that allows feds (led by Val Kilmer) to watch the events leading up to a major terrorist attack as they unfold, in real time, four days in the past. It’s like a time travel TiVo, providing unlimited access inside any home, any building, even the ferry that will be rigged to blow up if Denzel and company can’t figure out a way to change the past. When the film unveils its

Opens Nationwide Friday, April 20 PICKS OF THE MONTH NOTES ON A SCANDAL

– Judi Dench plays Barbara Covett, an uptight schoolmarm too busy judging everyone else’s life to reconcile her own desires. But when the naïve teacher Sheba Hart (Cate Blanchett) enters her life, Covett develops an infatuation that only deepens as she stumbles upon Hart’s salacious affair with a 15-yearold student. Hart doesn’t love the boy, but loves the feeling and feels entitled to her affair. An even deeper character study is required of Covett, a woman wrestling with concepts of love, obsession, and control. Notes on a Scandal features the sadness and desperation of solitude with a dash of resentment, anger and humor thrown in for good measure. Even half-decent actors might fumble this confusing concoction of human pathos, but Dench and Blanchett weave it into some of the finest performances of their respective careers. –MG

THE QUEEN

– Helen Mirren’s stunning, Oscar-winning portrayal of Queen Elizabeth II is the brightest light in this brilliant behind-the-scenes look at Britain’s Royal Family in the days following Princess Diana’s death. Her performance captures the subtle blend of stoic regality and a repressed resentment that bubbles beneath the surface as she is urged first by new Prime Minister Tony Blair (Michael Sheen), then her son Prince Charles, and finally the entire British commonwealth to address her nation and publicly grieve the death of “The People’s Princess.” Director Stephen Frears’ latest film is not a pretty portrait of monarchy, but it is a provocative look at an empire teetering on the threshold of crisis, and the dysfunctional royal family at the center of it all. –BL

most unreal sci-fi silliness, Denzel stands his ground as the voice of reason. Unfortunately, Scott’s latest film is just a conventional action flick beneath all the smoke and mirrors. Despite nifty special effects, a chase scene is still a chase scene, an unexplained love is still an unexplained love, and a caricature of a terrorist (Jim Caviezel) is still just another excuse for producer Jerry Bruckheimer to blow things up. Grade: C –BL

LAST KING OF SCOTLAND – Nicholas Garrigan (James McAvoy) is a doctor in 1970 Scotland who’s not about to follow in his M.D. father’s massive shadow, so he spins a globe on his desk and decides to go wherever his finger lands. He winds up in Uganda, ignorant about its leader, Idi Amin (Oscar winner Forest Whitaker), and his iron-clad political approach. All Garrigan notices are sick children, their beautiful mothers and another doc’s hot wife (Gillian Anderson). Garrigan, a fictional character, becomes Amin’s private physician, but it turns out the charismatic dictator needed a shrink more than anything else. McAvoy is super as the physician-turnedconfidant, but Whitaker is even better, with Amin’s every nuance, hollow glance and extra pound worn to perfection. Grade: A –DM NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM – Ben Stiller plays Larry Daley, a failed entrepreneur who takes a job as the new night watchman at a museum of natural history to show his kid and ex-wife that he can hold down a steady job. At night, all of the exhibits, from the TRex in the lobby to Attila the Hun, come to life inside the museum. Though Stiller is good, it’s the cameos and supporting actors that really bump the film up to great. Robin Williams as Teddy Roosevelt, Owen Wilson as a Manifest Destiny-era cowboy and British comedian Steve Coogan as Roman gladiator Octavius all manage to play their parts as over the top as expected. The result is a smart comedy masquerading as a kid’s movie - free of fart jokes and predictable pratfalls - that has no age limit. Grade: B –JM SMOKIN’ ACES – Writer/director Joe Carnahan’s (Narc) latest film revels in its ludicrous plot: Buddy “Aces” Israel (Jeremy Piven) is about to self-destruct, and his self-destruction is leading him to rat out a mob boss to the FBI. A hit is contracted against him, and the world’s most dangerous assassins descend on his hideout to see who can claim the Bin Laden-sized bounty, while FBI and bondsmen are also in pursuit. Not only does every single member of the massive cast pull their weight, but expect to join the fan club of some previously underestimated actors. I don’t agree with all of Carnahan’s choices: The opening exposition and character introductions are a little too dry, and even if you can figure out who’s who, you still have to process the backstory. If the film’s rollercoaster of motives and tonality throws you for a loop, you’ll find yourself wanting to get off this ride ASAP. But if you can keep up with Carnahan’s bizarre pacing and storytelling, you’ll find an ultimately enjoyable piece of action insanity. Grade: B+ –MG PG 19 • insiteatlanta.com • April 2007

�� Jupiter Watts, The Great Horned Owls �� Richard Bicknell, Denice Franke, Jeff Talmadge �� The Jumpin’ Jukes �� Sam Mcpherson �� VNV Nation, And One �� Blood Brothers, Celebration �� Jared Ashley �� Corey Smith �� Modern Skirts, Florez, The Rewinds �� The Black Lips, Ocha La Roacha �� Elemental Harmonics

CONCERT CALENDER �� Buck Buckley Band �� Jen Chapin, Morwenna Lasko, Jay Pun �� Backwater Creek �� Derek Black �� Cosmic Charlie �� Houserocker Johnson �� Fat City Wild Cats �� Flyleaf, Skillet, Fair to Midland �� The District, The Status, Skinny �� Francine Reed & The Shadows �� Brothers of a Feather �� J.T. Speed �� Kotton Mouth Kings, Dog Boy, Sen Dog & Mello Man Ace, King Spade �� Sean Lennon, Women & Children, Kamila Thompson �� The Shadows �� Peeping Tom �� The Electric Six, Test Your Reﬂex, Night Kills The Day �� No More Kings, Y-O-U, Helios, The Breakdown �� Chicago Joe Jones �� Bleu Edmondson, Scott Little Band �� Wayne Hancock, Slim Chance & The Convicts �� Brothers Of A Feather

�� Ed Gray �� Backwater Creek �� Sebadoh �� Fat City Wild Cats �� Flickerstick, Flurish, Autovaughn �� Whiskey Shit Vomit, The Despised �� J.T. Speed �� Humanwine �� Ratatat �� Cute is What We Aim For, Circa Survive, As Tall As Lions, Envy On The Coast �� Feeding Fingers, Blue Flashing Light, G-Roc �� Nas �� Spontaneous Release, The Jackstraws �� Gringo Star, Phonograph, Morning Star �� Alice Peacock, Peter Bradly Adams, Craig Cardiff �� Chicago Joe Jones �� Anti-Flag, Alexis On Fire, Big D & The Kids Table, Set Your Goals �� September Son �� Benjy Davis Project �� Citizen Cope �� Antibalas, The Flaming Lips �� Hot Ice Live �� Adult, Parts & Labor, Auditioning Alice �� Richard Shindell �� Chicken Shack �� Delta Moon �� A3C Independent HipHop Fest �� Haste The Day, Alesana, From Autumn To Ashes, Maylene & The Sons of Disaster �� Hightide Blues �� Tishamingo �� Mic Harrison �� Stone Sour, Lacuna Coil, Shadows Fall

�� Sundogs �� Trans Am, Zombi, Psychic Paramount �� Caroline Aiken, Freebo �� Black Cat Bone �� A3C Independent HipHop Fest �� Johnny Lives, Bangkok 5, Daredevil Jane �� The Breakfast Club Jag Star�� (4-5) �� Chris McCarty Band, Y-O-U �� Lust, Courtesy Murder �� The Rippingtons w/ Russ Freeman �� TV On The Radio �� Jag Star, Dan Marshall Project, Klik �� Drift �� The Cazanovas �� Bad Magic Number, The Long Shadows, �� Dang Dang Dang �� Frontiers (Journey Tribute) �� Letters To Mary, Trina & Tomi �� The PJ Morton Band CD Release �� Chicken Shack �� The Green Hit, Passafire, �� The Yonrico Scott Band, Bam Rats The Bastard Suns, Groove Stain �� Plain White T’s, Boys Like Girls, �� Mother’s Finest, Deep Blue Sun, Lovedrug, Dear & Headlights, Crash Boom Bang, Hidden Agenda One Way Letter �� Estradasphere, Goons of Waxing Gibbous �� Radio Cult �� Terry Flynn, Matthew Ryan, �� Johnny Sketch & The Dirty Notes, Gurufish Moe Loughran �� Kevin Lawon & South 70 �� The Greasy Spoons �� Randell Bramblett �� A3C Independent HipHop Fest �� Brass Knuckle Surfer, Side Sead Driver �� 1994, We Fly Standby, �� Dave Matthews Tribute Band Punchdrunk, Red Line Verdict �� Hello Dave �� Southern Hauler �� Under The Porch, Temple of Awareness �� Del Castillo, Connor Christian & �� Thee Crucials, Bang! Bang!, The Morning Star Revival Attractive Eighties Women �� Patty Griffin �� Robinella, Darden Smith, Mare Wakefield �� Tommy Isobee �� Coy Bowles & The Fellowship �� Junior Boys, San Serac �� Daughtry �� Cowboy Envy, Griffin House, �� Maudlin Ash, Seven Envy, Chris Trapper Mother, Earth, Sun �� Backwater Creek �� 17th Floor �� Passafire �� Corey Smith �� Over The Rhine �� Tab Benoit, The Squirrelheads �� The Von Erichs �� The Decemberists �� Pink Nasty, The Black, Sea Lions �� Fat City Wild Cats �� James Morrison �� Grayson Hill �� Gringo Starr �� Mike Watson, Tea Leafs, Tony Tyler Trance, �� Brand New Wet Willie

PG 20 • insiteatlanta.com • April 2007

�� The Films, The Modern Society Eastern Conference Champions �� Melissa Ferrick �� J.T. Speed �� Vienna Teng �� George Thorogood & The Destroyers �� Piebald

�� Brightblack Morning Light, The White Lodge �� Fat City Wild Cats �� The Lower Class Brats, The Crum Bums �� U-Melt, MC Obey, Dirty Digits �� My Chemical Romance �� J.T. Speed �� David Springer, GSU Recital �� Paramore, The Almost, Providence �� Roger Clyne & The Peacemakers �� Susan Tedeschi

�� Brand New �� My Siamese Self, Can Can, Anna Nicoleminer’s Daughter �� Tyler James, Andy Davis, Gregory Douglass �� Chicago Joe Jones �� Socratic, The High Court Court �� Phillip Glynn �� Bob Schneider, Sharon Little �� Clap Your Hands Say Yeah

�� Aereogramme, A Northern Chorus, The Winter Sounds �� Ryan Montbleau Band �� Chicago Joe Jones �� Static X, OTEP, 2 Cents �� The Nekromantix, Time Again, The Heart Attacks, Orange �� Michael Stacey �� Jimmy Buffett & The Coral Reefer Band �� Kenny Wayne Shepherd �� Balkan Beat Box, Golem

Fall Out Boy�� (4-19) �� Watermelon Slim �� Turnstyle �� Captured! By Robots, Teddy Bear Orchestra �� Billy Joe Shaver, Larry Jon Wilson �� Chicken Shack �� WRFG Fundraiser �� Fall Out Boy, +44

�� Eddie Shaw & The Wolfgang �� Dr. Dan �� Gore Gore Girls, The Coathangers �� Kevin Burke, Cal Scott, Jamie Laval, Ashley Broder �� Chicken Shack �� Ian Radley, GSU Recital �� Lifetime �� Wes Loper Band �� Chris Knight Acoustic �� Mel & The Party Hats �� Sol Driven Train �� Web Weilder �� The Hiss, Dead Confederate �� The Night Shades �� Celeste, Taking Lottie Home, Joy In Tomorrow, Crimson Adict �� Blackberry Smoke �� Lazyeye �� Disguise The Sky �� Norah Jones & The Handsome Band �� Val Emmich �� Joe Nichols

�� Scion Live Metro Tour - De La Soul �� Total Chaos, The Ghouls, Complete Control �� The Locust, Daughters, Cattle Decapitation �� Poptart Monkeys �� Rose Hill Drive, Earl Greyhound �� Brandi Carlile �� Pasadena �� Slippery When Wet �� Mercy Me �� Beautiful Mess, Crane, Elliptical �� Atlanta Rhythm �� Acid Mothers Temple, Mammatus �� Clay Book’s Birthday Bash �� Andy Makely Band �� Dubconcious, Samadha �� Empire 44, Amazilla, Jack Hammer �� Vedera, This Is Me Smiling, Classic Case, The Ruse �� Grayson Hill �� Mat Kearney, The Feeling, Rocco Deluca, The Burden �� Gaelic Storm �� Twinkledome �� Butch Walker & The Let’s Go Out Tonites, The Honorary Title �� The Books �� Golden �� Terri Clark �� Kinchafoonee Cowboys �� Loretta Lynn �� Donkey Party �� Charity Spring Prom �� The Mighty Habbibal, Delia Gartell, Hermon Hitson & The Buckboard Express �� Susan Werner, Danielle Miraglia �� Frankie’s Blues Mission �� Adams Township �� Tryone Wells, Baby Loves Disco �� Satyricon, Daath, Abigail Williams �� Swami Gone Bananas �� Atlanta Rock Reunion �� Warm In The Wake, Superhorse �� Victor Wooten Band �� The Julia Dream, James Hall, Rantings of Eva

�� Michael Jackson Tribute �� Unscripted 2007 - Stryper �� Big 10-4 �� Fishbone, End Rezult, Guruﬁsh, Kingrat �� Magnapop, Sleep Therapy, The Yum Yum Tree �� Michelle Malone & The Low Down Georgia Revue, Abi Tapia �� The Casanovas �� William Reed Blues Band �� None The Weiser �� Stephen Stills �� Five Eight, Homeroom, The Leavers �� Antiseen, The Depised, Das Manics �� Matt Wertz �� Rick Dang �� Angela Motter, Tin Cup Prophette, Adam Klein, Steve Reynolds �� Backwater Creek �� Lee Roy Parnell, Jay Boy Adams, Lefty Williams �� Kristin Hersh �� Fat City Wild Cats �� Bury Your Dead, Suicide Silence, Stick To Your Guns, Since The Flood �� Drew Emmitt Band, Jr. League �� The Toasters

�� Ben Trickey �� Kate Campbell, Storyhill �� Backwater Creek �� The Movement �� Everything Is Energy �� Amos Lee

NO COVER Tuesday –Thursday �

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Friday, April 6

HELLO DAVE

TBA • TBA

Saturday, April 7

GRINGO STARR TBA • TBA

Friday, April 13

TBA

TBA • TBA

Friday, April 14

GROOVE STAIN

The Bastard Suns • Passaﬁre The Green Hit

Friday, April 20

ELLIPTICAL

Crane • Beautiful Mess

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Saturday, April 21

DONKEY PARTY

Show at 6pm

Friday, April 27

SOL DRIVEN TRAIN

TBA

Saturday, April 28

BIG 10-4

949 Peachtree Street 404.888.9200 ��

�� Every Wednesday

GARETH ASHER

Thursday, April 5

MIC LARRY & CHAINLETTER

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Friday, April 6

BRIAN WILTSEY & WES YOKAM

Saturday, Arpil 7, 14 & 28

THE BRIAN WILTSEY BAND

Thursday, April 12 & 19

GARETH & WILTSEY Friday, April 13

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SCOTT LITTLE & SHAWN ARNOLD

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Ask About Atlanta Room for Private Parties

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MATT MAUTZ & JOHN THRASHER Saturday, April 21

10TH ANNUAL DONKEY PARTY DOORS @ 4PM • LIVE MUSIC ALL DAY • MIKE LEE & HANK BARBIE 10:30-CL, JIM HODGSON 8-10 AND JEFF AND ALLIE 4-7 Thursday, April 26

STEVE Q. & CHRISTIAN Friday, April 27

BRIAN WILTSEY & GARETH ASHER

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�� PG 21 • insiteatlanta.com • April 2007

Road Warriors This Month’s Hottest Shows BY JOHN DAVIDSON 04/01 JET

Tabernacle It’s pretty clear that Jet probably won’t cut another track as great “Are You Gonna Be My Girl?” but history is littered with bands who’ve stumbled upon lightning in a bottle and don’t have a career to show for it. Then again, most bands never ever have a song that great to start with, let alone a couple dozen more that are far from crappy. Plus, Jet kicks pretty good ass from the stage.

04/03 CHRIS ROBINSON/ RICH ROBINSON

Center Stage Twenty years into a career that’s long ago metastasized into nostalgia, the brothers have given up on the Black Crowes and appear to be trying to figure out what to do next. It’s an ugly cycle, and it’d be much worse if either of these two guys were talentless. They’re not; they just came up in a time when the Faces and the Stones were on a career renaissance.

04/04 ELECTRIC SIX

The EARL Despite working the garage rock angle pretty thoroughly and having a bit of the White Stripes’ coattails to ride on a few years ago, the Electric Six

have never gotten much due. Rugged, ballsy, and brash, the Electric Six have always sort of hidden their lack of fresh ideas with an abundance of energy. Last year’s Switzerland was more afterparty than party, but they remain a compelling live act just the same.

04/06 THE DECEMBERISTS

Tabernacle Nearly as soon as the Decemberists signed their lives over to a big corporate record label, a nation of haters waited with baited breath to pounce. Surprisingly, the band’s first release (The Crane Wife) in their new label home is far from predictable. In fact, it’s probably as oblique as the Decemberists have been in years. See them perform it live and decide for yourself if the band has changed for the worse.

04/08 SEBADOH

Variety Playhouse Lou Barlow started Sebadoh when he was fired from the seminal 1980s indie rock band, Dinosaur, Jr. Sebadoh was initially not much more than a home taping experiment, where Barlow eeked out sensitive songs and set the stage for what became emo. He’s squeezing in some shows with Sebadoh before heading out this summer with…Dinosaur, Jr.

04/11 CITIZEN COPE

Tabernacle Clarence Greenwood, aka Citizen Cope is sort of a mix of G. Love, Wyclef Jean, and even Everlast. He’s a white dude kicking out bluesy jams with a distinct tinge of hip-hop in the mix, and if you’re not obsessed with vacuous amounts of authenticity, he’s pretty damn good at it. His gritty songs about urban life occasionally transcend, but he always seems a few steps away from delivering a knockout blow.

04/13 TV ON THE RADIO

Variety Playhouse The most critically adored band (they rock! they groove! they’re ethnically diverse!) of the past several years returns to the ATL in what amounts to a victory lap for their performance in 2006 year-end polls. And while Return To Cookie Mountain pretty much lives up to the massive hype, the best part of TVOTR is their live show.

04/18 CLAP YOUR HANDS SAY YEAH

Variety Playhouse The most surprising breakout of last year had to be Clap Your Hands Say Yeah— surprising that so much hope was attached to an act with so little innovation. Yes, they sold tens of thousands of CDs without a record label and yes, they play a pretty mean version of the Talking Heads, but this is exactly the kind of cultish, insidery band that the Internet was made for. If you can possibly take an open mind to this show, you might even ﬁnd out that you like CYHSY.

WE GOT NEXT ASOBI SEKSU

04/19 BRANDI CARLILE

Variety Playhouse Carlile is an anomaly in that she makes her music for a behemoth like Sony Records and they act like they don’t have her phone number. Which, of course, is exactly the way she likes it. She’s toured incessantly behind her debut, and with a follow-up of similar Americana rock due out any day, her forward progress will still be measured by the number of long-term fans she makes at each outing. Carlile is the real deal.

04/22 THE KILLERS

Fox Theatre Despite not really doing anything altogether unique or especially great, the Killers found themselves perched in the catbird seat after their 2004 debut (Hot Fuss) became a breakout hit. Apparently drunk on ambition, they released the sweeping Same’s Town last year and, by most estimations, way overshot the target. Filled with heavy-handedness and a head-smacking lack of subtlety, the thing might have worked if the band had tried to earn a megaphone first.

04/26 GORE GORE GIRLS

The EARL These girls are sort of like the Donnas except that they’re better and they play garage rock instead of recycled Sabbath riffs. The Gore Gore Girls trend towards kitchsy, what with the campy dress and girl-group harmonies, but they play a tight set and generally, serve up great songs. And with their namesake recently taking home an Oscar, there’s never been a better time to drop a new album.

Artists on the verge of making it big

Latest Project: Citrus Why You Should Care: Energetic, fuzzy dream pop never goes out of style For Fans of: My Bloody Valentine, Yo La Tengo, Cibo Matto

BY JOHN DAVIDSON

MERGING FROM THE ASHES of the attacks on 9/11 and the revitalized New York music scene that followed, Asobi Seksu didn’t much follow the post-punk script of the Strokes or Interpol. Instead, the band bore its fruit from the guitar-fueled shoegazers of the early 1990s and paired it with the cherubic vocals of singer/keyboardist Yuki Chikudate. Her Japanese heritage not only informed the stylish album cover, the American-raised Chikudate even started a habit of singing in Japanese from time to time. The result? Buzz was born. That said, Asobi Seksu (the moniker loosely translates to “playful sex” in Japanese) doesn’t sound like anything like Puffi AmiYumi or any other kitschy band peddling Asian stereotypes. Chikudate says the decision to play up her heritage isn’t a gimmick. “I wouldn’t say it’s an attachment to the culture,” she says recently from her apartment in New York, “but I do love the language and the sounds and the way it flows in music. It was really more of an aesthetic decision to sing that way from time to time, a textual decision. I wouldn’t say that I’m trying to introduce Japanese or anything to a more mainstream audience or anything like that.” “I never really even thought of singing in Japanese until people in the band said I should do it,” Chikudate continues. “And at first, I was really, really hesitant because I didn’t want people to take it the wrong way or that it was a gimmick. My bandmates helped convince me that it would be a net plus.” And since most of the lyrics—none of the band’s songs are sung entirely in Japanese—are sung in English, the ones that aren’t seem more like longer, PG 22 • insiteatlanta.com • April 2007

expressive vowels anyway. Maybe the more notable aspect of Asobi Seksu is that it’s a woman fronting what amounts to a guitar band, similar to Lush or maybe the Cockteau Twins. Much has been made of rock music’s patriarchy, and while it’s something that Chikudate is aware of, she takes it in stride rather than make it her calling card.

and ﬁnally were ﬁnding small footholds to climb upward, but their rhythm section wanted out. Chikudate is empathetic about having to change the lineup in the midst of songwriting. “Touring is not for everyone,” she says. “It’s a rough situation, and either you sail or sink. You have to make a choice whether you want to do it or not. That was really all it came down to; they hated touring.

I ENJOY MAKING MAKING MUSIC, AND THIS IS THE WORLD THAT I ENTERED INTO SO I’M KIND OF WILLING TO DO WHAT I HAVE TO DO TO MAKE IT HAPPEN. “Maybe, probably, I’d be treated differently if I were a male, and unfortunately still a big boys’ club,” she says. “You just have to kind of figure out your way, and gender politics is a big part of it. You have to kind of roll with it, and it’s not for everybody. I’m okay with that. There are some things that still kind of piss me off. Like club bathrooms!” Chikudate laughs then adds, “But what can you do?” For 2006’s Citrus, the band faced turmoil on several fronts. They had been touring extensively

“We scrambled for awhile, and panic set in for sure,” she laughs. “We were at a point where people really didn’t know about us and it was hard to find people to make a commitment when you’re at that level. We kind of slapped it together just to keep it going.” And when they finally finished the album, new band in tow, they realized that another marriage was falling apart: the one with their record label. Asobi Seksu has always been determined to

make the band a success, and discontent quickly rose with the release of Citrus. They were touring heavily, wanted to tour more, and felt like they were the only ones leading the charge. “It hasn’t really worked out well, let’s put it that way,” says Chikadate. “I mean, we gave it a try, but we just have to go our separate ways. She laughs, but acknowledges the obvious by saying, “It’s too bad, but it’s unfortunately the case. We’re looking for a new home, but we have had some interest. We’re coming out on labels in Europe and Japan and some other countries, so we’re excited about that.” The band has plenty of reason to be optimistic and conﬁdent, what with near-unanimously positive reviews of Citrus, heavy touring ahead, and a growing fanbase. As they continue to grow, Asobi Seksu gets more feedback and criticism for what they’ve been trying to accomplish. When asked about the inevitable categorizing and comparing that gets done in the press, Chikadate is matter of fact. “Sometimes I have no idea where people get their comparisons, but for the most part it’s expected. Every band goes through this, being surprised why they get compared to someone else. But everyone needs a reference, so it makes sense,” she says. Which begs the question: if someone asks you what you sound like, what do you say? “First, I have to explain the band name several times,” she laughs. “I have to repeat the band name, repeat it again, tell them that it’s Japanese, tell them what it means, blah blah blah. That part takes ten minutes, so by the time they get to the part about what we sound like, I’m too exhausted to answer!” She declares, with a dash of smirk, “The only way to ﬁnd out is to listen!”

MUSIC INTERVIEW MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE RIDES THEIR LOFTY AMBITIONS INTO CRITICS’ HEARTS BY JOHN B. MOORE

RANK IERO, GUITARIST FOR MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE, knows the backlash is coming. You simply don’t follow up a million-plus selling album with an ambitious concept album (which itself goes on to sell millions) without landing on someone’s radar. Iero has always been realistic about the group’s fate among critics: Even as he, frontman Gerard Way and their bandmates settled in last year to write The Black Parade, their ambitious goth/glam concept album that’s equal parts Queen and Ziggy Stardust, Iero warned that people would hate it, no matter how great the finished product was. Oddly enough, the backlash still hasn’t yet arrived. The record was met with praise from critics (reluctant praise from some, but praise nonetheless) and even managed to land on many “Best Of ” lists at the end of the year. The band’s equally ambitious stage show has only made the praise louder. As The Black Parade marches on, Iero took time recently to talk about the story behind the concept, a sober lead singer and, of course, the inevitable backlash.

kept saying to everyone, “Even if it’s a great record, people are going to hate it because it’s time to hate our band.” Honestly, it’s just shocking that people do like it and aren’t afraid to say that they like it. Did you do anything different when writing the record to make sure the concept would stick, like go off-site and remove yourselves from everyday life? Yeah, but we did that with the last record, too. We moved out to L.A. for a good six months and locked ourselves up in a house. We really didn’t have any kind of contact from the outside world. What you have to understand about our band is that it’s kind of a brand new band. We’re really only maybe two years old with Bob as our new drummer and

was really hard to make but we’re so happy with, playing to thousands of people that actually really love the songs and are singing them back to us. We’re putting on a show like Kiss, with fire and lights... it’s ridiculous! Every day I wake up and pinch myself. We don’t ever forget how lucky we are. Did you have any idea that the album was going to be this big? Absolutely not. People say things to you, but they have to. “You guys are going to be fucking huge!” Thanks, but that doesn’t mean anything coming from you. People always say that just because they feel they need to say something. I really thought everyone was going to hate this record. I told the other guys to be prepared for that. Then all of a sudden

You had to pull out of the overseas tour last month, didn’t you? I did. Right before we left for the tour I got all four of my wisdom teeth taken out. I thought I’d be fine, and the doctor said,“Don’t worry about it, you’ve got four days to heal. You’ll be alright.” Apparently what happened was that one of my wisdom teeth was so impacted that, when they ripped it out, they ripped out part of the wall. On the plane it ruptured and caused an infection. When I got off the plane in Japan I had a 104º fever, I was bleeding from my nose. It was terrible. Let’s talk about the new record. What’s the general concept behind The Black Parade? The main character, his name is The Patient. He’s kind of like your everyman and he’s on his deathbed. Death comes for him in the form of one of his earliest memories– the memory of his father taking him to the parade as a kid. This parade comes for him, and it’s a Black Parade that takes him through the journey of his life. And as this parade takes him away he starts to see different people he met along the way, different decisions that he’s made and different aspects of his life that maybe he’s not that happy with. Where you nervous at all about turning in a concept album? It seems like it would be easier just to turn in another version of Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge. We weren’t so nervous about doing a concept record. We were more nervous about the record being good. We had tried to make a concept record with Three Cheers, to tell you the truth. It was more of a loosely-based concept, because we were new with it and also because real life started to creep in. When real life starts to happen around you and you’re not a seasoned writer, songs start to be about other things and the concept seems to break apart. With this, when real life would happen, we tried to put that into the concept. So it was our second concept record, and I

Gerard being sober. It’s a brand new entity. Gerard has been pretty open in the past talking about getting sober. Do you, as both a band member and his friend, see a big difference in him? Yes, absolutely. He’s smarter. It’s weird because I thought he was a fucking genius before, but the kid is sharper. Some of the stuff he comes out with, I don’t know... It’s surprising.

people started to like it and we were like, “Wow!” Like we knew it was something special, but we didn’t think anybody would admit that it was. When creating a piece of art, there’s always something that you look at when you’re done with it and go, “That’s not what how I wanted it to be.” There’s always something that’s not as good as you thought it would be. On this record, when it was all said and done, every second was better than I thought it would be. That’s how I knew it was special.

EVERY DAY I WAKE UP AND PINCH MYSELF. WE DON’T EVER FORGET HOW LUCKY WE ARE.

I know it’s still a little early because the album hasn’t even been out a year yet, but do you have plans to do anything more with The Black Parade, like turning it into a play or movie? Well, yeah, there has been some talk. But, like you said, it still is early. We’re just having fun right now bringing it to life on stage. Well, tell me about that. What does the show look like? Man, the show’s awesome. We’re just like kids in a candy shop. Right now we’re on tour playing songs that we love, from a record that

Were you listening to anything different when you guys were writing this time around? You know what? I wasn’t listening to anything at all. Was that a conscious decision? It was. Going into it, we listened to The Wall, Sgt. Pepper’s, The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust, Queen’s Night at the Opera. These were like our staples going into it, because we knew we were undertaking something

grand. These are records where artists really put their foot down and went off the deep end with things in a genius way. We really wanted to learn from the past in order to do something brand new. So we listened to those records a lot before writing the record, but once we started writing I didn’t listen to anything. What I drew upon was stuff my dad made me listen to as a kid– lots of T-Bone Walker and a lot of old blues, like Muddy Waters. That, and a lot of film. Even something as dumb as Nightmare on Elm Street. There’s a song that didn’t make the record, but it’s a B-side, where everything I wrote was inspired by that movie. Getting back to the stage show, do you play the entire record from beginning to end every night? Yes, we do. We decided it would be easier to drive the point home if we played it in that order. We thought if we changed certain things, we could leave the listener with a different idea of the outcome of the Patient. We thought that might be kind of cool, but didn’t want to confuse anybody. You’ve been in the band since the beginning. Aside from obvious lineup changes, how has the band changed since I Brought You My Bullets? Well, that was a band that had just started. We’d been together maybe three months before we decided to make that record. I was in the band about three weeks and it was like,“We need 10 songs for this record. Start writing!” Whatever we had, we recorded, and we had nine days to do it. It was rushed, and I don’t think the guitars were even recorded through real amps. It was all done on the computer, and really it was just for us. I remember the first pressing was 100, and then it went to 1,000 and we were like, “Oh man, we’re going to lose all our money!” People consider us a wellthought-out band, but it wasn’t. But there was something about the songs that was great, even if they were literally written 10 minutes before we recorded them. On the song “Early Sunsets Over Monroeville,” I wrote my part in the van outside the recording studio because we just didn’t have time. Having done this for a while, are you more confident about your songwriting now? I’m definitely more confident now. I learned a lot from every experience, from every producer we’ve worked with, and from every person we’ve met along the way. As a band, we don’t feel like [just because] we’ve done this for six years, there’s nothing more we can learn. We’re still learning. I’m still learning about my instrument, about different fingerings and recording processes. I’m not a gear-head, so I’m still learning about amps and pedals. I’ll always be learning. And that’s what I think is one of the cool things about this band: As good as we could become, we’re still like these little sponges that soak up everything anybody has ever told us. That’s what I think we used on this record. There are five members of this band that are best friends, and there’s no getting past that. When you’ve toured as much as we have and you’ve seen as much as we have and you’re under a microscope as much as we are these days, you learn that that’s your true family, and that you can count your friends on probably two hands. You just look out for each other. PG 23 • insiteatlanta.com • April 2007

MUSIC

��

By B. Love, DeMarco Williams, John Davidson, John Moore, Tom DeFreytas & Richard Marsh

LUCINDA WILLIAMS – WEST (Lost Highway) Americana love songs. �� MOVE.MEANT – THE SCOPE OF THINGS (Wax Paper) Moving hip-hop in the right direction. �� PG 24 • insiteatlanta.com • April 2007

�� THE BROKEN WEST – I CAN’T GO ON, I’LL GO ON (Merge) Outstanding power-pop.

JAMES MORRISON – UNDISCOVERED (Interscope) He’s smooth, because he’s gonna get you naked.

PHAT KAT – CARTE BLANCHE (Look) Phat rhymes.

��

�� Y O U – FLASHLIGHTS (Please Rock) �� Good, but not great �� ELLEN ALLIEN – THE OTHER SIDE BERLIN (Deaf �� Dumb + Blind) �� A diverse overview of German techno. ��

THE FRATELLIS – COSTELLO MUSIC (Cherry Tree) Music to sell iPods to. �� PERMANENT ME – AFTER THE ROOM CLEARS (Stolen Transmission) Yet another pop-punk band writing about teenage crushes. ��

�� LEONARD COHEN – SONGS… REISSUE SERIES (Sony) The other Bob Dylan. ��

�� REDMAN – RED GONE WILD: THEE ALBUM (Def Jam) The simile-poppin’, joke-prescribin’ Funk Doctor will see you now. ��

�� MAXIMO PARK – OUR EARTHLY PLEASURES (Warp) New Wave Brits even stronger on second outing. ��

�� MICHAEL PENN – PALMS AND RUNES, TAROT AND TEA (Sony) Classic singer-songwriter stuff. � ��

MUSIC INTERVIEW

The Price of Fame BY DEMARCO WILLIAMS

ANNA TALK ABOUT HIGHS? As one of the more charismatic members of the popular mid 90s hip hop ensemble The Boot Camp Click, the MC born Sean Price (who then went by Ruck as part of the twoman crew, Heltah Skeltah) grabbed a few dollars, got at a few groupies and graced a few magazine covers. Wanna talk about the lows? When the late 90s turned hip hop into this name-dropping, ass-giggling party, the BCC’s gritty, in-your-grill style fell out of favor, leaving Ruck and his partner Rock without a whole lot of options. Price turned to the streets. He peddled a few unmentionables on street blocks. He spent a few nights behind bars. Solo rap projects bubbled but always popped in his face. That was until ’05, when his reinvigorated label, Duck Down, collaborated with the rap collective The Justus League for a three-album project. P’s part in it all was the well-received Monkey Barz. Spring ‘07’s Jesus Price Superstar is even better. INsite recently caught up with Sean, clearly on an upswing in his peak ‘n valley-ﬁlled career, to get the raspy one’s thoughts on going broke, going solo and going at this bizness for over a decade. We ﬁrst heard about you and your crew in ’96. It’s ’07 now. How were you able to stay relevant for over 10 years? Ah, man, working. Putting that work in. Working on your craft. All of that plays a big part. Do you ever wish for Grammy performances and endorsements as a show of all this hard work? Uhh, I mean, sure. Why not? But it’s not like if I don’t ever get it, it’s not like I’m going to be

disappointed. Everybody wanna get rewarded for their craft, of course. But if it never happens, I’m ﬁne with that, too. I’ll live. I don’t do it for the accolades; I do it because I love it ﬁrst. Secondly, everybody wants to work and get paid for doing something they love. If I catch a commercial or this, that and the third, sure. Why not? That’s more money so that I can feed my family. How many children do you have? I got three kids but I only treat one of them good though.

League-aﬃliated producer] Ill Mind and said, “Yo, you need to get on this Sean P album.” Then son blessed me.

You’ve gone through a lot of ups and down in your career. Things seem to be picking up for you. Aside from being in the booth with 9th and Khrysis, what sorts of things put the biggest smile on your face? When the bills come in and knowing I got the bread to pay for them. And knowing that I still have money after that. That puts a big smile on my face, to look at a bill and go, “Oh, that’s nuthin’.” That’s the best feeling in the world. That’s a GREAT feeling! Being outta the red is a great feeling.

WHEN I WROTE MONKEY BARZ, I WAS ASSED-OUT BROKE! YOU GOT JESUS? WHEN I WROTE JESUS, I HAD SIX FIGURES IN MY ACCOUNT.

What’s wrong with the other two? They bad as hell. What was it about Justus League producers 9th Wonder and Khrysis that made you want them for Jesus Price Superstar? On my ﬁrst album [Monkey Barz], I got 9th and Khrysis on three tracks. Those are the tracks that took my album over the top. So, I went down south [to their home base of North Carolina] and 9th and Khrysis just went in. Khrysis called [another Justus

Let’s say you’re not able to pay those bills. Is that then the best time to record, when things are bleak? Or, is it best to write when stuﬀ is going well? That’s for you to decide. Do you got Monkey Barz? When I wrote Monkey Barz, I was assed-out broke! You got Jesus? When I wrote Jesus, I had six ﬁgures in my account.

What do you miss most about the Boot Camp’s mid 90’s heyday? I don’t miss those times at all. I was so young and so stupid. I was just happy to be there. I don’t miss those times at all.

You don’t miss the camaraderie, the fans, nothing? Nah, I was just stupid. But on the real, P, why didn’t the Boot Camp Click’s ’06 album Last Stand take hip hop by storm like it should have? You know what? I don’t know, but that shit don’t even discourage me because the album was tight. We’re going to do another one and it’s going to be just as good as that one. Hopefully, it won’t go on deaf ears, you know what I mean? Y’all gonna approach it any differently? Nah, if it ain’t broke. You know the motto. What artists outside of hip hop do you really respect? I like Cody Chesnutt. We listened to the John Legend on the road overseas. Umm, I like Bilal. He ain’t put out nothing in a while but I like Bilal. I’m mostly an old head, man. I listen to Curtis Mayfield, Barry White and all of that. And you can kinda hear that love streaming into your music. I love all of that David Ruffin and all of that. What’s on tap for the rest of the day with you? Man, I’m just gonna smoke my life away and think of some rhymes… PG 25 • insiteatlanta.com • April 2007

HOST INTERVIEW

The Man With a Plan Tavis Smiley’s Agenda for Getting America Back on Track

BY ALEX LASSITER

uch like Al Gore, talk show host-turnedauthor Tavis Smiley claims he has no interest in running for public office. But from his actions of late, which include hosting his annual State of the Black Union symposium in February as part of the commemoration of the 400th anniversary of Jamestown; releasing the bestselling book The Covenent In Action, a sequel to last year’s The Covenant With Black America; and announcing plans to host two presidential forums to be broadcast on PBS this summer, it’s clear Smiley genuinely wants to make a difference. What follows is a transcript of our in-depth discussion on matters ranging from the African-American imprint on American history to the sorry state of our nation’s political system, and what each and every one of us can do to help fix it.

How did you initially get involved with the 400th anniversary Jamestown celebration? I was asked by the governor and the people of Virginia to get involved in this, primarily because when the story is told of the founding of America, it is most often told through the eyes of the immigrant arriving at Ellis Island. That is a powerful and poignant story that needs to be told, but it is not the only story that needs to be told. There is this place called Jamestown, Virginia, where my ancestors and the ancestors of millions of other African-Americans first arrived. Before the Plymouth pilgrims, you first have the Jamestown Africans, and that untold back-story of America needs to be told. These Africans, and others, oftentimes arrived at Jamestown against their will, and this year marks the 400th anniversary commemoration. I try not to say “celebration” because, for African-Americans, there’s nothing to celebrate here per se. But it is a commemoration of what it means for black folk to be on this journey in America for 400 years, which is pretty significant. Considering that controversial past, why did you decide to hold your annual sy posium at Jamestown this year? To try to raise awareness of what Jamestown means and what the African-American imprint on America is all about. That imprint is undeniable, and hopefully in this poignant year of our being here we can get some conversation going about this other story that makes American what she is. Organizers solicited advisory councils representing black Americans, who wanted an important national symposium. Did they have a specific agenda in mind when they asked you to host it, or did basically they turn it over to you and let you do your thing? The latter. For eight consecutive years during the month of February, which of course is Black History Month, I have organized and moder ated what has become the preeminent conversation about the critical issues that confront black America. We call it the State of the Black Union, and they televise it annually on C-SPAN. Interestingly, the two people who first made contact and asked me to do this happen to be two well-known actors who live in Virginia, Tim Reid (best-known as Venus Flytrap on WKRP in Cincinnati) and his wife, Daphne. They own a TV studio in Virginia, and Daphne happens to be on the state committee, so they asked me to go to lunch a few years ago when I was giving a speech in Richmond. They had been dispatched by then-governor Mark Warner to talk to me about my interest in being involved, so it just became a matter of using Jamestown 400 as a backdrop for our conversation. Did the historical context of Jamestown add anything to this year’s event? Absolutely. The timing worked out perfectly, because we released The Covenant In Action, the companion to The Covenant With Black America, which went to #1 on the New York Times bestseller list last year. The setting, timing and everything just worked out perfectly, with about 15,000 PG 26 • insiteatlanta.com • April 2007

coming to Virginia from all across the country. It was by far the largest gathering we’ve ever had, with overﬂow rooms and people who couldn’t get in and had to turn around and go home. I actually clocked this in the car I was riding in, and traﬃc was backed up for over three miles at 7AM with people just trying to get into the parking lot. How would you say the state of black America has changed most in the years since you started hosting the symposium? There’s one school of thought inside black America that says that what we do is talk too much; that all we’re doing is talking, but not acting. I don’t subscribe to that. I think that there is value in having rich dialogue. I think what’s wrong with America, quite frankly, is that we are too often caught up in monologue and never get around to having

Do you think it’s helping to change the way people in the black community view this sort of intellectual exchange of ideas? I really do. C-SPAN has gotten more requests for this videotape than any other show for eight consecutive years. All across the country, there’s a ripple-like domino effect, with this national conversation inspiring African-Americans to conduct local conversations, like the State of Black Cleveland and the State of Black Atlanta. But what’s changed most dramatically is the fact that, now that these two bestselling books have come out, it has raised a whole level of appreciation inside the publishing world for the fact that African-Americans read. A few years ago, with the impact of Terry McMillan, they discovered that black people read fiction, but now they know that we read nonfiction as well. And now we have an agenda around which black

I THINK THAT THERE IS VALUE IN HAVING RICH DIALOGUE. I THINK WHAT’S WRONG WITH AMERICA, QUITE FRANKLY, IS THAT WE ARE TOO OFTEN CAUGHT UP IN MONOLOGUE AND NEVER GET AROUND TO HAVING MUCH DIALOGUE. much dialogue. When you go to Washington, on every other corner in the nation’s capital, you see a Conservative think tank, from the Manhattan Institute and AEI to the Heritage Foundation. There’s really only one black think tank, called the Joint Center for Political Studies, which is centered around and dedicated to the issues of black people. I’m not casting aspersion on [Conservative think tanks], but I’m saying that they understand the value in dialogue, reading, writing and research. Our symposium essentially becomes like an annual black think tank, empowering the millions of people who watch it on television.

people can start to act, with books outlining what the agenda is and how to put it into action. I literally just got oﬀ a conference call: When we were at Jamestown, the president of PBS joined us to announce that this summer I’m going to be moderating two presidential forums live in prime time. The ﬁrst will be the Democrats at Howard

University on June 28, then at Morgan State on September 27 for the Republicans, and we’ll be talking about the issues in these books with all of the candidates. That is historic in and of itself. Talk to me a little bit about your Covenant with Black America: How do you hope to impact the lives of African-Americans over the next few years? If you take the word “black” out of the covenant, what you get is a progressive agenda for moving America forward. We see this as no different than what Dr. King did during his era. His leadership came out of black America and was on behalf of advancing black America, but the whole nation benefited from it. So what I’m hoping people will get out of this is the fact that you are the leader you’ve been looking for. That’s the message we keep delivering. Make a covenant with yourself, your community, your creator, to use the skill and talent you have to make a meaningful contribution. I believe that our love and service to each other is the rent we pay for the space we occupy. Dr. King, Gandhi and Nelson Mandela all changed the world as we know it, but at the center of the message was this notion of loving and serving everyday people. I’m hoping that this text will inspire people to care for even the least among us, and to realize that everybody has value and has a contribution to make. A strong community does not need a leader, because if everybody becomes a committee of one, it fundamentally and unapologetically changes the definition of leadership. I’m not trying to run for office, so it’s not about that, but I do want the people who are running to understand these issues. We live in a world where, if we don’t grab hold of the reality of people being responsible for making some sort of contribution, if we keep thinking all these problems are somebody else’s, we’re going to literally and figuratively explode, as a nation and as a planet. How do you feel about the state of the American political system as we enter the early stages of campaigning for the 2008 elections? I think our democracy is dysfunctional and everybody knows it. The reason a guy like Barack Obama can get the traction that he’s getting is that people see him as a panacea, a fresh face, something new. I’m hoping that the energy that has been infused into the campaign season already, in part because of who’s running– Hilary, Barack, a Latino like Bill Richardson on the right, and Giuliani– in part because of the condition that we find our country in after six years of President Bush, and in part because of the Covenant, will energize this contest in an interesting way. For young people reading this story who might be frustrated with the entire American political system, who maybe feel that their vote doesn’t matter or their voices aren’t heard by the powers-that-be, what advice would you give them on effecting positive change? When you study history, there is no major movement for social change, whether in this country or anywhere in the world, that did not have at its apex the involvement of young people. Nothing ever changes for social progress without young people at the nucleus. Dr. King may be the greatest leader we’ve ever produced, but the Civil Rights movement didn’t really turn until young folk took to the streets. If you go to South Africa, Nelson Mandela was another great human being who went to prison for 27 years, but when those kids took to the streets of Soweto, it changed the conversation about apartheid. In Tiananmen Square in China, when those kids laid their bodies out in the streets in front of those tanks and dared the tanks to run them over, it changed the conversation. The point is that the courage, conviction and commitment of young people is absolutely essential to any real movement for social change, and I think it’s important for young folk to understand just how valuable their contribution is.

MUSIC INTERVIEW

DEF BUT NOT DUMB - Why EL-P’s Def Jux is the Tightest Ship in the Hip-Hop Biz

BY B. LOVE

spiring music moguls could do a lot worse than to follow El-P’s lead. Formerly one-third of influential underground hip-hop group Company Flow, the artist formerly known as Jamie Meline has emerged in the last decade as one of the genre’s most distinctive producers and talent scouts, signing a string of blazing-hot artists– Cannibal Ox, Aesop Rock, RJD2 and Mr. Lif chief among them– to his Definitive Jux label. And while he’s only released two solo LPs in the last five years, the new I’ll Sleep When You’re Dead proves he’s still just as unique in front of the mic as he is behind the mixing boards. We recently caught up with El-P as he prepared for a Paid Dues festival set that would find him reuniting with former C-Flow bandmate Mr. Len.

How did the things you learned from your time on Rawkus Records affect the way Def Jux does business? Well, it took some time, but I wanted to create a label that was transparent in terms of the way it did business with its artists. It took about a year into our operations, but we wanted to have it so that, at any given time, the artist knew where their money was and we were accountable for that. It really wasn’t about what I learned from Rawkus, it was just about my desire to work with certain people and create my own team. When you started the label, was there some sort of manifesto outlining your mission? When we first started Jux, all we had were these ideas. We were just a couple of dudes running the label, and we just threw it out there. All of a sudden, we were like, “Oh, fuck!” We were selling records, but we didn’t have business management or accountants or any of that shit. Our artists were like, “What the fuck?!” So I had to get real serious real quickly, cuz that was exactly what I didn’t want. But it took a second to go from being just an artist-driven thing to realizing that, in order to do it correctly, you really have to become serious about being a pro. You have to have all these things in place, cuz if you’re putting other people’s careers in your hands, you have to make sure that you’re very responsible. How would you rate the label’s progress to date? Well, now I feel like we’re absolutely one of the tightest, most well operated ships in the business. That’s the thing I think has separated us from a lot of other independent labels, even when we weren’t putting a lot of records out. But really, the only thing I ever wanted to do was just put out great records and have an A&R idea based on supporting cats who create, not a commercial hit or something they thought was viable in the marketplace, but their own distinctive voice. I wanted to figure out how to take them at their absolute best and most creative– their masterpiece– and bring it to the public. So was that your unofficial mission statement when you created the label? That basically is it, yeah. My mission statement is to support and nurture everyone else’s artistic statements; to help guide them and give them the type of environment where they feel comfortable really expressing themselves, really going for it creatively and musically, knowing it will be good for their careers. You always hear all these cats on major labels doing interviews where they kind of admit that they don’t really even wanna do this type of music, but they’re just doing what’s hot. People keep arguing about why people aren’t buying the music any more, and it’s because we’re not creating a culture of music. We’re creating a culture of money.

You worked with Matthew Shipp and other jazz artists on High Water: What do you get out of a project like that? I got to tackle my fear. When they asked me to do it, I had no idea whether I’d be able to, so I was petrified. But one of my personal guidelines is that, whenever I think something’s too scary for me to do, I’ve got to do it. We need to walk bravely. If I’m given an opportunity like that, who am I to say no just because of the possibility I might fall flat on my face? It helped me a lot with the idea of structure, which I have an endless fascination for. The new album features some fairly surprising contributions from non-hiphop artists like the Mars Volta, Trent Reznor and Cat Power. Why did you want to get them involved on the project? If you were to pick any of your favorite hip-hop records and list all of the samples used on those records, they would be from artists you’d never expect anyone to be working with. I would challenge you to find one album that defined your love for hip-hop music that didn’t have some sort of sample or reference from another form of music. For me, as a collector and a connoisseur of ideas, I’m inspired by all of this shit. I have a wide variety of tastes, and I’ve either worked with these people or been friends with these people, and I heard moments that I thought would be cool to include on the album. It was an organic thing– I didn’t write a plan down on paper– that just happened in the right way for me. I wasn’t attempting to create a collaboration; I was trying to incorporate people that I liked and thought could enhance moments on the record. It’s the first time I’ve ever done that, and it was really about me bringing them into my world and working them into the ideas I already had. Most of hip-hop’s greatest indie labels have wound up getting swallowed up by major labels. Is that something you’d ever even consider? I’ve always been open to ideas, and there’s a side of me that’s a businessman who’s open to taking meetings and listening to what people have to say. I have done that over the years, virtually every year, with everyone from major labels to major indie distributors. The fact of the matter is, right now I’ll stick to my guns and say no, I don’t think that would be a good idea. If you run a record label, you’d be stupid not to be some sort of student of this business. I am, and I’ve seen too many times what happens. Up until now, we’ve somehow managed to pull through some years just by the skin of our teeth, while in other years we’ve had great windfalls. We’ve never panicked, and I think other labels get bought out too soon because they panic. As the strange illuminati symbols align, as oil companies and record labels merge and shit, I don’t know what the hell’s happening, but there’s some sort of almost ecliptic convergence of all things money-related right now. Frankly, I prefer to have my money in my pocket. (Laughs)

What do you see as the indie label’s role in that culture? Independent labels are the only sanctuary for artists to even attempt to support all the shit they have in their heads and their hearts. You will never hear from anyone at Def Jux, “Yeah, it’s cool, but where’s the hits?” That’s a big deal. I mean, I like hits (laughs), but there has to be other types of records to balance it out. There has to be the type of record that hits you emotionally, and stays in your life. When we were growing up, we all loved Michael Jackson, but then you also had that Prince record that was like, “This motherfucker made me cry!” My goal is not to perpetually make people cry, but it is to push people’s buttons and to make human records. There’s so much music out there, there’s gotta be enough room for those types of records, and I’d like to provide those for people.

INDEPENDENT LABELS ARE THE ONLY SANCTUARY FOR ARTISTS TO EVEN ATTEMPT TO SUPPORT ALL THE SHIT THEY HAVE IN THEIR HEADS AND THEIR HEARTS. How do you balance managing your own career with the day-to-day stresses of running one of hip-hop’s most respected labels? Well, I have a really good team around me and we all work at it all the time. But at the same time it’s a constant battle for me, trying to figure it out, although I am getting better at it. The fact of the matter is that I am making certain concessions. I can’t be too selfish: I sometimes have to wait in line. When I first started the label I thought, this is great, I’m just gonna do my music all the time now! (Laughs) That’s not the case, but I’ve grown to love the other part of my life. Most artists’ lives are singularly about themselves at all times. With me, it’s a little bigger than that: What is Aesop Rock doing? What is Cage doing? What’s Mr. Lif doing? I have to worry about that, but I really do care about it. Then every once in a while I just put it down for myself, because what I’m about is making music. I didn’t grow up fantasizing about having a record label. The label has an amazing track record. What do you look for in a Def Jux artist? I look for people who have a sound and an idea, who aren’t gonna just throw the first piece of shit that they create out. I try and put records out with a little bit more of a uniform production, when an artist works with a group of producers to create a unique sound for a record. I think that’s a big thing that’s missing in the music industry, where too many albums are just a hodgepodge of songs that have no connection, thematically or musically. You can pick ‘em apart as singles and they work well, but I think the artform of the album is an honorable one that gets ignored. I’m trying to support that idea. You don’t walk into a movie theater, watch three minutes and walk out saying, “That was a great movie!” I grew up being transfixed and transformed by albums, sitting in the dark and listening to records front to back, and that became a huge part of my life. I want to support records like that. It’s been five years since Fantastic Damage. How would you say you’ve evolved as an artist in that time? With Fantastic Damage, you heard pure spite and rage, and a lot of the rebellion and arrogance that comes with being that age. I still have a lot of that, but now I think it’s tempered. I think this character you’re following that I’ve been creating, which is sort of an amalgamation of myself and my experiences, has a little bit more of a resignation to it. I don’t think that I can change everything anymore. It’s the idea of being defeated, but still kicking and screaming and struggling against it. I think that, to some degree, is what this record is about. It’s also about trying to be a regular motherfucker and navigate terrain that’s unique for our generation. We’ve had it easy to some degree, but these are our defining times. PG 27 • insiteatlanta.com • April 2007

MUSIC INTERVIEW

WON’T BACK DOWN The Queers Keep It Ol’ School, Dis the New School

BY JOHN B. MOORE

LONGSIDE BANDS LIKE THE Descendents and Screeching Weasel, The Queers were one of the most consistently solid pop-punk bands of the ‘90s. There were no deep political messages behind their songs, no rallying cries to the moshpit; just quirky threeminute bursts of wry (sometimes juvenile_ humor, picking up where The Ramones left oﬀ. Nearly two decades later, boasting a roster of nearly 30 current and former members, The Queers are still churning out solid pop-punk

opinions about the current punk scene? I remember you making reference at some point to the Dropkick Murphys. Right. We had one song that was loosely based on them, called “Little Rich Working Class White Boys.” I’m just not into that scene. It’s not the music so much. I don’t think they’re anything special at all compared to my heroes, but that’s just me. That whole scene, at those shows, it’s so violent. I look around, like, “Oh man, nobody’s learned anything from this fucking trip we’re on!” I remember I was in Australia at this radio station and there was a poster of the Dropkick Murphys.

THE PUNK-ROCK SCENE IS KIND OF DUMB AND REALLY INSULATED. IT’S LIKE IF YOU DON’T WORK BY THESE GUIDELINES, THEN YOU’RE A PUSSY OR YOU’RE NOT COOL OR WHATEVER. songs. With a new DVD (The Queers Are Here) and a new record (Munki Brain), The Queers are about to spend the better part of 2007 trekking the globe to promote both. Joe Queer, the band’s one constant member, recently spoke about the group’s beginnings, The Ramones and the current state of punk-rock. How much has the band’s sound changed since the early days? Well, like a lot of bands we started with fast, short, kind of angry stuff, and we grew from there. We’ve had people come and go, so it’s almost like a solo project now for me. I always loved the pop stuff and the Beach Boys stuff, so the longer I go, the more I’m into that type of stuff and not so angry. Playing longer, you just dare to try different stuff. You’ve got more of the surf guitar sound on the newer records. Yeah, ever since we did Don’t Back Down, which was about 10 years ago, we started doing more backing vocals. I don’t know, the punk-rock scene is kind of dumb and really insulated. It’s like if you don’t work by these guidelines, then you’re a pussy or you’re not cool or whatever. To me, my music always started with The Ramones. They were always like a good punk twist on the Beach Boys to me. So what does your audiences look like nowadays? It’s funny because we’ll get pretty normal people, a lot of girls and kids with Mohawks, because we do a lot of the fast stuff live, so we kind of cross over. Each album has some of the in-your-face fuck-you songs, then you’ve got some poppy things with Beach Boy harmonies. It’s kind of a weird thing. A lot of younger punk bands today seem to cite Green Day as an influence, but don’t really go back further than that. Right. They don’t do their homework and see what the influences were for a lot of bands, or go back to the early days of punk-rock– the Sex Pistols, the Damned, the Clash, Black Flag– and listen to that stuff. To a lot of these bands now, Black Flag and The Ramones are more like a clothing line almost. If you grow up and really live that credo of bands like Black Flag, the Dead Kennedys, the Ramones and the Angry Samoans, it doesn’t give you much of a stomach to tolerate much bullshit in the punk-rock world these days. People always think I’m shooting my mouth off, but there’s a difference between shooting your mouth off and talking the truth. PG 28 • insiteatlanta.com • April 2007

Have you gotten any ﬂack from others for your

It was a drawing of a kid in a wife-beater with a studded wristband on, cocking his fist back to fight. I thought, what kind of fucking message is that?! I mean, the world’s full of assholes, but we don’t have to give them a platform to exhibit their stupidity and actually glorify it on a poster, do we? Having said that, I know Al, their singer and the guitar player. He’s a good guy and he always comes to our shows. So I don’t hate them personally. Then again, some of the shit they do is questionable, but that’s what makes the world go round. They make different decisions than me. People ask me about Billie Joe from Green Day wearing eyeliner and I say, “Well, I wouldn’t, but I don’t think he’s any less of a person because he does.” Did you have any idea when you started some 20 years ago that you’d be able to make a career out of this? No. The band really got together in 1990– Hugh and me and B-Face. Up until that point it had been more of a jokey thing, and we’d go a year without playing and have different lineups. We played around Boston and opened up for the Ramones, the Descendents, the Dickies and the Samoans... those were the biggest gigs we got. We never toured. It’s an acid trip to start thinking that you could tour around and do this shit. Then all of a sudden we met Ben Weasel (of Screeching Weasel) and he got on Lookout (Records), then Lookout wanted to do an album with us. Then we did a couple of tours and started getting royalty checks and thought, “Good god!” Because, before that, really the best you could hope to do was be some loser kid in a band on a Black Flag-type tour. Yeah, you could do it, but it wasn’t viable economically. Then we went on tour with Screeching Weasel, then we did one tour with Rancid and we’d get a royalty check for something like $2,200 and we were like, “Whoa, are you fucking shitting me?!” It’s like that old George Burns thing: by the time we realized we had no talent we were already famous, so we kind of stayed with it. Some people drifted off and some died and... I don’t know. I’m still doing it for a few more years. We never thought we could do it this long. You’ve got a new record and DVD. What are The Queers doing next? We’re going to be touring two weeks in April, then we’ve got three weeks in June, then off to Europe in July. We’re doing a bunch of festivals opening for Marky Ramone, and Dave (the Queers’ bass player) and I will play with Marky, too, so that will keep us busy for July. No idea what’s up in September, but October is back to Europe and in November we go to Brazil and Japan. It’s like my year’s all shot now!

FILM INTERVIEW

Here Comes The Fuzz: THE CREATORS OF SHAUN OF THE DEAD RETURN

BY MATT GOLDBERG

few years ago, I was introduced to a film called Shaun of the Dead and I instantly became a fan of everyone who was involved with its production. Then I found that these guys has previously done a show in the UK called Spaced. I watched both seasons in a matther of days and fell even more in love with writer/director Edgar Wright, cowriter/actor Simon Pegg and actor Nick Frost. Now all three are sitting across from me, having just complimented my Back to the Future t-shirt, and offered me a cookie. With so much talent, kindness, and humor in the room, I try not to trip over my own words. So both Hot Fuzz and Shaun of the Dead have a very unique structure where everything in the first half comes back in the second half, but in a different context. What’s the process of creating that structure?

And in fact you know, a lot of the actors in the film are not only British Institutions as actors but also played baddies in Hollywood genre films. Pegg: And also, sort of the important thing for us is that we’re making British films. If we wrote a story where an American character credibly came into it, of course we’d do that. As Edgar said, the idea was the populate the village with people we’ve seen before in American genre films.

films like The French Connection and L.A. Confidential and get straight to Point Break and Bad Boys II. Danny doesn’t even know there’s a Bad Boys I. Frost: Is there? Are there any action films you think people should see that don’t really get the attention they deserve? Wright: All the obvious ones people know well like Dirty Harry, French Connection, Die Hard, Lethal Weapon. There are films that I think are undervalued, like The Last Boy Scout although that’s not strictly a cop film but is definitely an inspiration to me. I really that 70s Gordon Parks film The Super Cops with Ron Leibman which is a real lost gem. There’s a great film by the Korean director of The Host called Memories of Murder which is excellent. It’s funny because there’s sort of echoes of The Wicker Man in the film but on the flipside there’s that film Dead & Buried, the Gary Sherman film, which is another kind of classic “creepy town” kind of film. So we watched something like 138 films while we were writing as kind of just the process as just total immersion in the genre. We wanted to get that point where chimps can turn out Steven Segal scripts. Where we’d seen so much generic dialogue that we could come out with some of the zingers from Out for Justice ourselves.

IT WAS JUST GREAT TO DIRECT THESE PEOPLE YOU’VE BEEN FANS OF BUT ALSO TO MIX IT UP AND HAVE SCENES WITH OLDER AND YOUNGER ACTORS BEING FUNNY TOGETHER. THAT WAS REALLY EXCITING FOR ME.

Simon Pegg: Well you know, it all starts out on index cards and flip charts and the ideas for reoccurances come up. I think the idea is to give the audience something to do; something to spot because they watch it but it is quite a complex process, isn’t it? Edgar Wright: Yeah, it’s much like your t-shirt (I’m wearing a t-shirt that reads Flux Capictor + DeLorean + 88mph = THE FUTURE); it’s a bit of a math problem. By setting things up, we know what kind of jokes we want to do. And some of them are just thematic things. I think it kind of comes from watching films like Raising Arizona and I’m not just saying this because of your t-shirt, but probably the ultimate set-up/pay-off film is Back to the Future. That’s one of the great screenplays of all time and Bob Zemeckis and Bob Gale, I think all their early screenplays are in that vein and a big inspiration to us.

What was it like managing and working with such a large and talented cast? Wright: I think when you’re setting up, you have to let everyone know it’s an ensemble and make sure everyone’s on board with that idea. I think all of the cast got that aspect of it and enjoyed that aspect of it because you got at least twenty people in the film who would be leads in other films. But I think everyone really appreciated the scale of the script and the ensemble factor. It was just great to direct these people you’ve been fans of but also to mix it up and have scenes with older and younger actors being funny together. That was really exciting for me.

In buddy-action films there tends to be a homoerotic undertone and with this film, you guys decided to make it an overtone of the relationship. Why not just go full-on and make it sexual as well?

Pegg: It was really exciting for us as well. To work with people we admire, like Jim Broadbent: Oscar Winner.

Nick Frost: Because that’s when The X-Files fucked up: when Mulder and Scully kissed. Simon and I have such great sexual tension in our private life that if it were on screen, who knows what would come out of it. Pandora’s…

Wright: Do you contractually have to say he’s an Oscar winner?

Pegg: Box.

Pegg: Yeah. I was interviewed and I didn’t say it and I got in trouble. I wish I could say someone was an idiot but everyone was so nice.

Frost: Pandora’s dirty cockbox. Wright: There’s the title of the article right there!

Wright: The swan?

Pegg: That’s when it would have become spoof then. If we had gone that far, it would have become like—everyone knows there’s homoerotic tension in these buddy films to see that exists. But also, it’s not quite as simple as them fancying each other. There’s also something going about about men just loving each other and showing and just having a genuine affection and not being able to show it because they’re crippled by their own masculinities. So I think if we had them suddenly start kissing, it would have descended into something else that we weren’t interested in doing it.

Pegg: The swan was a fucking idiot. But you can see why these people are good at what they do and why they get work time and time again. It’s not just because they turn up to set and are good at delivering a line. It’s the whole package. It’s being a gentleman or being a lady and just being a professional. I think a lot of the strength of both Hot Fuzz and Shaun draws from a genuine admiration for the genre. Do you think it’s a contributing factor?

Well what I found interesting is that if Danny (Frost’s character) had been a woman, there would absolutely be a sexual relationship with Angel (Pegg’s character). Pegg: Well we did originally have a character in the script called Vicki who was a love interest for Angel. It dawned on us through the writing process that she was really quite token and that the central relationship was the most important thing and should have the most screentime so we cut the character but we didn’t cut her lines. We just gave them all to Danny. In American action films, we always seem to make the villain European. Was there ever a temptation to have the main villain be an American? Wright: I think it was more the flip of that and “lets get ALL the British baddies in here. Let’s have a British Baddie Party.”

When making this film, was it difficult to draw the line between making a British film and referencing American action movies like Point Break and Bad Boys II? Wright: Well most of the film isn’t directly referencing films; it’s sort displacing the genre. Kind of taking that overblown American cop film and transplanting it to the English countryside and that IS the joke. The scene with the Bad Boys II and Point Break we’re being much more explicit because they’re watching those films and we like the idea that Nicolas Angel is a character who had never seen any cop films so out of all the films Danny chose to show him, he showed him those two. We thought it would the ultimate Cliffnotes in action. And you know, we can skip all the Oscar-winning

Pegg: Well people will definitely say, “Is it difficult to parody and affection?” or rather to the comedy and the seriousness. But if you don’t have that admiration, then you can’t help but make it an outright spoof. When you spoof something you don’t like, you’re just sneering, but we never sneer when we’re writing. We’re always writing with a great big smile on our faces. Wright: You sometimes sneer when you go out and get coffee. Pegg: That’s because you’re jealous of my ass. Wright: Simon lost like twenty five pounds. I inherited them. Pegg: I left them in a jar and Edgar drank them. PG 29 • insiteatlanta.com • April 2007

LOCAL EVENTS

Spring Spring Festival FestivalGuide Guide Great events Happening throughout the Southeast Atlanta Dogwood Festival

have come to love including crawfish, jambalaya, creole and po' boys. Some of the headlining acts performing this year include Harry Connick Jr., Rod Stewart, John Mayer, Steely Dan, Norah Jones, Van Morrison, Ludacris, Bonnie Raitt, Allman Brothers Band and Jill Scott. The New Orleans Jazz Fest is an event that is not to be missed. For more information visit: www.nojazzfest.com

Piedmont Park

APRIL 13,14 AND 15

Now in it's 71st year the Atlanta Dogwood Festival is the oldest continuing event in Atlanta. It provides a wonderful display of arts and entertainment in Piedmont Park. The nonprofit “Springtime Celebration of the South” is

Atlanta Film Festival APRIL 19-28

offered at no cost to the general public. With past attendance reaching more than 400,000 this award winning festival continues to draw Atlanta natives, as well as visitors from across the country to Piedmont Park for three days filled with art and entertainment. This year's festival will take place the weekend of April 13-15. The Artists Market is the main attraction at The Dogwood Festival. It includes booths of more than 200 of the country’s top painters, photographers, sculptors, glass blowers and craftsman. The U.S. Disc Dog Southern Nationals is the largest Frisbee Dog event in the world and always attracts large crowds. The Publix Kids Village has become a Dogwood staple and favorite to many. It is an interactive zone complete with hands-on-art projects, games, face painting and activities for children of all ages. Another popular attraction, The Rhythm Tent will be located in the Meadow near 10th Street and Monroe next to the main stage. This interactive drum circle will invite Festival fans to participate in a drum circle led by a facilitator.

The Dogwood Festival will be offering two stages of live music this year with performances throughout the day. Zydefunk and Beatlemania Live will headline the Michelob Light & Coca Cola Main stage Stage Saturday night. This year’s festival marks the return of the popular Rhythm & Blooms party. This is the second year for the festival’s signature fundraising party. Hors d’ourves, wine, beer, celebratory martinis and special seating are the fare. Tickets for the event are $100 per person. For more information on tickets, call 404.817.6642 or visit www.dogwood.org

Georgia Renaissance Festival Exit 61 -Peachtree City / Fairburn

APRIL 14 - JUNE 3

This spring come join the merriment at the most spectacular party since Camelot. The Georgia Renaissance Festival returns for its 22nd anniversary run on weekends and Memorial Day, April 14th through June 3rd. Inside the gates of the 15th Century Kingdom you will find castles and cottages, unique treasures, swordswallowing, jousting, dancing, music and so much more. Grab a drink at one PG 30 • insiteatlanta.com • April 2007

of their cheery pubs or shop from one of 150 elaborately adorned vendor booths. You’ll feast like royalty on a huge variety of delectable delights including their enormous roasted turkey legs! Experience a full day of fun with ten stages of non-stop sword swallowing, rope walking, juggling, music, dancing, comedic storytelling and interactive shows. New to the festival this year are the Aerial Angels. These high flying circus artists perform feats of grace, beauty and strength while suspended in air. For a rollicking good time this spring visit the Renaissance Festival, just minutes south of Atlanta on I-85. For more information: www.georgiarenaissancefestival.com

Atlanta Steeplechase APRIL 14 Kingston Downs near Rome, Ga.

Saturday April 14 the Atlanta Steeplechase will celebrate it's 42nd Anniversary with their annual race. In what has been called "The Largest Lawn Party in Georgia" thousands of spectators will come to tailgate and take part in the festivities.

Atlantic Station Regal Cinemas

Since 1977, the Atlanta Film Festival has brought independent and international works to increasingly diverse Southeastern audiences. As the largest and longest-running film festival in the Southeast, the Atlanta Film Festival serves to develop audiences for new, independent, and under-represented media by showcasing works by emerging filmmakers. Featuring prestigious juried awards the Atlanta Film Festival is an Academy Award® qualifying festival. Opening this years festival is “LAST DAYS OF LEFT EYE” is the newest film in the VH1 Rock Doc franchise. VH1 Rock Docs are high-end feature-length documentaries that each reveal an untold story in the history of rock and hiphop music, combining never-before-seen footage with a unique and unconventional narrative approach. LAST DAYS OF LEFT EYE will screen on Thursday, April 19 at 7:30 p.m. Special guests will include members of Lopes’ family, and a roster of Lopes’ industry friends and peers. The VIP event screening will be followed by an exclusive Opening Night party at nearby hot-spot, Strip. For tickets and information go to www.AtlantaFilmFestival.com, or visit the Main Ticket Box Office at the Landmark Midtown Art Cinema. For additional information call 404.352.4225.

Inman Park Festival APRIL 27-29 and Tour of Homes

The Steeplechase is the event to see and be seen. As Spring heralds in warm days and sunny skies, every fashion statement from designer dresses and showy hats to flip flops and halter tops can be seen at Kinston Downs. Gourmet food and tailgate parties are the staple of the event. Between races, spectators partake in picnic fare prepared by some of Atlanta’s finest restaurants. This year's field of horses and jockeys will compete for over $175,000 in purse money. Along with the racing of some of the finest steeplechase horses in the country attendees are treated to Jack Russell terrier races, an air show and the hat contest. Information and tickets available from: www.atlantasteeplechase.org

New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival APRIL 27-29 AND MAY 4-6 The 2007 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival presented by Shell is set for April 2729 and May 4-6 and will feature over 100 local and national artists spanning such diverse styles as rock, jazz, reggae, blues and zydeco amongst others. Along with great tunes you can expect to find dancing, arts and crafts and paintings from locally recognized artists. Vendors will treat festival-goers to all of the great New Orleans style cajun food you

Atlanta's eclectic and revered Inman Park Spring Festival is back again for its 36th year, Saturday - April 28 through Sunday - April 29, offering food, music, fun, the city's largest street market, and its most outrageous parade.

opment. Come see how the old is blending seamlessly with the new. You can view the Home Tour from noon to 4 on Friday, April 27 as well before the Festival crowds arrive on Saturday morning. Admission to all Festival events is FREE. Tour of Homes tickets cost $15 in advance; $20 atFestival. For information about the Festival or Tour of Homes, call their hotline at 770-2424895 or visit www.inmanpark.org/fest2007.php

Atlanta Jazz Festival MAY 26-28

Memorial Day Weekend Piedmont Park

Celebrating the 30th anniversary of presenting excellence in jazz, the Atlanta Jazz Festival is back for another year of legendary performances, fine dining and eclectic jazz events all over the city. While the festival culminates Memorial Day weekend at Piedmont Park, the Jazz Festival actually runs the entire 31 days of May, offering exciting events throughout the city. The Atlanta Jazz Festival has become one of the premier free jazz events in the country! The 30th annual Atlanta Jazz Festival offers the opportunity to submerse yourself in the cool sounds of electric performances, fine dining and memorable events. The month long schedule of events features internationally renown jazz artists and activities throughout the Metro Atlanta area, culminating with a 3-day festival of showstopping performances at Piedmont Park. This year's line-up will feature such critically acclaimed artists as Vijay Iyer Quartet, Charles Tolliver Big Band, The Bad Plus, Herbie Hancock Quartet, Flora Purim & Airto, and Bobby Hutcherson. The Festival is produced by the City of Atlanta Office of Cultural Affairs and a majority of events are FREE and open to the public. Jazz staples like Churchill Grounds and Apache Café will host shows all month along with special events to take place at the High Museum of Art, the Carter Center and the Rialto Center for Performing Arts. For more information visit: www.atlantafestivals.com

Decatur Arts Festival MAY 26-27 Founded in 1889, just two miles from downtown Atlanta, historic Inman Park is the city's oldest suburb. The Festival is sponsored by the Inman Park Neighborhood Association (IPNA) - the non-profit association established in the early 1970s - to raise funds for local schools, theaters, libraries, and to improve and maintain area trees, parks and greenspaces, along with other community improvements and beautification projects. The city's quirkiest and colorful parade, led by the Inman Park Butterfly, and followed by floats, clowns, jugglers, and the legendary Kelly's Seed and Feed Marching Abominables. Another favorite of festival goers is the Kid's Area, which is sponsored by Publix Supermarket and includes slides, games, and other amusements located in Springvale Park. Grand Marshall for the 2007 Parade is "Baton Bob," the city's Ambassador of Mirth who can be seen regularly twirling his way through Midtown and Downtown. The festival's home tour includes 14 residences that range from the classic Victorian-era treasure and Craftsman bungalows to stunning modern lofts. Also on the tour are two town homes located in a new, award-winning devel-

Memorial Day Weekend Decatur Square

The City of Decatur invites you to be a part of the 19th annual Decatur Arts Festival set for Memorial Day weekend, May 26-27, 2007. A number of festival events will take place throughout the month of May leading up to the final weekend. This interactive, inclusive arts extravaganza includes art and artists from all disciplines and features hands-on participatory art as well as demonstrating and performing arts. Scheduled venues include:

Outdoor Artists Market - Saturday, May 26, 10am-6pm, Sunday, May 27, 11am-6pm - Over 140 artists set up tents to display and sell their works on the Square in downtown Decatur. This juried show offers the best talent from all over the nation.

Performing Arts Stage - Saturday, May 26, noon- 4pm, Sunday, May 27, 11:30am-4pm Continuous performing arts every hour from the community bandstand on the square. This year's schedule includes performances by The Dappled Grays, Doria Roberts, Nicole Chillemi, Kristin Markiton, Geoff Achison, Conundrum, Kemba Cofield, KUKU, Morgan Rowe, Bonaventure Quartet, and Delta Moon. Children's Arts Festival - Saturday, May 26 ONLY, 9:30am-2pm - Plenty of fun for kids of all ages with lots of hand-on art projects, performers and ponies! The day's activities begin with a Children's Parade led by the city fire department. Other scheduled events will be held at various locations throughout the month. All events are free. Call 404.371.9583 or go to www.decaturartsalliance.org for more information.

Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival APRIL 5-JUNE 3 A flower-festooned pirate ship will drop anchor and Disney princess topiaries will color the landscape at the 14th annual Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival April 5-June 3 at Walt Disney World Resort. The first-ever pirate ship topiary will feature Peter Pan and his nemesis, Captain Hook, plus Tinker Bell -- all as intricately designed topiaries. Pirate Mickey Mouse and Princess Minnie Mouse, plus Cinderella and Prince Charming, Belle and her Beast from "Beauty and the Beast," and other popular char- Photo: Disney/Diana Zalucky acters make topiary appearances throughout the park. Each evening, Flower Power concerts will rock the park with live entertainment from top acts of the 1960s and '70s. This year's scheduled acts include The Guess Who, Davy Jones, Jose

Feliciano, The Box Tops and more. Some of the kids' activities for this event include an upgraded, fun-filled Tinker Bell's Fairy Garden, the new Pluto's Play Zone with climber, Disney character meet-and-greets and daily ladybug releases. More information call 407/W-DISNEY (9347639) or visit disneyworld.com/flower. The festival, including all gardening programs and exhibits, is included in regular Epcot admission.

Atlanta Botanical Gardens Big Bugs & Killer Plant’s APRIL 28-OCT. 31 The buzz begins at the Atlanta Botanical Garden April 28 when thirteen gargantuan insects sculpted from hardwoods electrify and thrill Garden visitors. Zoologically accurate, sculptor David Roger’s Big Bugs popular exhibition provides insightful perspective on insect predators, pollinators and beneficial critters. The sculptures, many the size of small planes, vary in weight from 30 to 1200 pounds, and range in size from 7 feet to 25 feet in length.

Come early to see the movies and join in a new Atlanta tradition: Wine Tasting at the Fox beginning at 5:30 p.m. Relax and unwind between work and the show, meet your friends and mix and mingle! Dates and shows were not availbale as of press time but for information about the Coca-Cola Summer Film Festival or the Fabulous Fox Theatre visit their web site at www.foxtheatre.org. Nestled amongst trees in the quaint suburbs of Mableton, Georgia, the award-winning Mable House Barnes Amphitheatre is a beautifully landscaped and covered amphitheatre which boasts of intimate dining table seating protected from the weather, more than 1200 covered, oversized seats, spacious aisles and a cozy lawn to lounge on. Some of this years performances include The Manhattan Transfer (May 19th); The Little River Band (June 8th); Kevin Eubanks (June 16th); LOVERBOY (July 20th); and Three Mo’ Tenors w/ The Cobb Symphony Orchestra (July 27th). For more information visit www.theMHBA.com

Fox Theatre Film Festival

Bugs aren’t all that are new this spring, killer plants are highlighted in this outdoor exhibit as well. The Garden displays living bogs filled with carnivorous and companion plants outdoors in the conservation garden. For more information on the Atlanta Botanical Garden , please visit www.atlantabotanicalgarden.org or phone 404-876-5859.

Mable House Barnes Amphitheatre

5239 Floyd Rd. Mableton, Georgia

Taste of Alpharetta MAY 17 Old Milton Pkwy. @ Wills Park

The largest "Taste of" festival in the South moves to an ALL NEW LOCATION for its 17th year! Dine at over 70 restaurants in one unforgettable night that's become an annual tradition for 70,000 families, foodies and festival-goers. Sample delicious appetizers, entrees and desserts, experience the new Culinary Arts area featuring chef's competition, cooking demonstrations and exhibits. Bring a blanket to the new concert lawn for live jazz, rock and contemporary music. Play at the Kids Zone or Fun Zone for older kids. Party with12 metro radio stations. After dinner, stroll the Artist Market for one of a kind finds or visit the new Community Corner. Free admission and parking. Info: www.alpharetta.ga or (678) 2976000, ext. 1006.

High Museum of Art MAY 19 The Artful Garden Tour

The Coca-Cola Fox Film Festival Series offers an outstanding line-up of the year’s biggest realeases as well as some of the classic movies of all time. Last season featured blockbusters including Crash, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Brokeback Mountain, King Kong, Breakfast at Tiffany’s and V for Vendetta.

High Museum of Art’s “The Artful Garden Tour” will feature six of Atlanta’s finest gardens showcasing traditional garden art, modern and classic outdoor sculpture, and whimsical art in contemporary, traditional, formal and informal garden environments. The Tour highlights local and regional artists such as Martin Dawe, Glen Dair and the late Christine Sibley. In addition to art pieces with-

PG 31 • insiteatlanta.com • April 2007

VOTED BEST CAJUN - 2006 Insite Magazine VOTED BEST NEW RESTAURANT & BEST NEW CAJUN - 2006 Creative Loaﬁng

in the gardens, additional artists will paint during the Tour and potters will dress the garden tables. The gardens selected for this year’s Tour are located in Druid Hills, Decatur, Northlake, and Stone Mountain. The Tour will be held on Saturday, May 19, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets are $15 in advance; $18 day of event; $10 groups of 10 or more. Tickets may be purchased online at: www.high.org/gardentour or at retail locations listed on the site on or before April 1

ASO Classic Chastain

4469 Stella Dr. NW; Chastain Park

Chastain Amphitheatre is one of the great outdoor concert venues in the country. It is a place where wine and cheese among candle light converge with often raucous concerts. This year’s line-up will not disappoint. Top performances include: David Sanborn (June 20); Natalie Cole (June 27); Diana Krall & Chris Botti (July 18); Morrissey (July 20); and OAR (July 21). For ticket information visit www.classicchastain.com

The Warped Tour JULY 18 Hi Fi Buys Amphitheatre

The Vans Warped Tour returns once again to our fair city this summer with another solid lineup. The Warped Tour is well established as America's longest-running touring festival, breaking up-and-coming indie talent as well as showcasing established artists for the past 12 years. It has played a major role in bringing punk-rock/skate/action sports culture from the underground to the forefront of American youth culture. Bands for the 45-date tour that Alternative Press readers voted the "Best Tour/Festival" of 2006 and Rolling Stone called "America's most successful festival" (2005) have been revealed via the tour's website: www.warpedtour.com/warpedtour/band.asp. Some of the bands confirmed to appear include Everytime I Die, Underoath, NOFX, Motion City Soundtrack, Against Me, The Casualities, Hellogoodbye, Silverstein, Bouncing Souls, Rise Against, Senses Fall, Saves The Day, Helmet, and Joan Jett and The Blackhearts. Many more performers are being added along with tons of skaters and BMX riders. For ticket and show info visit: www.warpedtour.com

Screen on the Green Piedmont Park

Begins MAY 31

Bonnaroo Music Festival JUNE 14-17

The sixth annual Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival will take place June 14 - 17. The threeday camping and music festival will once again be held on the same 700-acre farm in Manchester, TN, 60 miles southeast of Nashville. The three day camping event is described as a "one of a kind cultural happening" featuring cross-genre musical artists playing to feverish crowds. In addition to the dozens of musical acts, a wide array of art, entertainment options and food and beverages are available. Highlighting this year’s festival is the much anticipated reunion of The Police. Other notable acts include Tool, Widespread Panic and Ben Harper. For ticket information go to: www.bonnaroo.com

A Van Michael Cut for

$25!

PG 32 • insiteatlanta.com • April 2007

Find the flip-flops and unpack the cargo shorts: Atlanta’s favorite weekly summertime experience, Screen on the Green, is coming back for an eighth year at sunset Thursday, May 31, in beautiful Piedmont Park. Turner Classic Movies and Piedmont Park Conservancy will kick off the annual film festival, which last year hosted more than 75,000 moviegoers, with one of the most romantic films of all time – Casablanca (1942), starring Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman. It will offer Atlantans five consecutive Thursday evenings perfect for picnicking with friends or family on a swath of park land in front of a 45-by-24-foot movie screen. The complete viewing schedule for 2007 is as follows: May 31 Casablanca; June 7 Car Wash; June 14 Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid; June 21 Funny Girl; June 28 E.T. Piedmont Park’s “meadow” area, directly behind The Park Tavern, will play host to Screen on the Green’s five-week run. The nearest park entrance to the screening area is located at 10th Street and Monroe Drive. Local bands will start playing at approximately 7 p.m. and all movies begin at sunset, approximately 9 p.m.

Decatur! For hometown festivals, fun, food and shopping

Buckhead Atlanta

Decatur

Stone Mtn. I-20

�� Decatur Arts Festival • May 26 & 27 • All around the square in downtown Decatur, Georgia • www.decaturartsalliance.org

�� Decatur Beach Party • June 15 • 5 pm ’til midnight. Purchase advance tickets at xorbia.com; $10 at gate • www.decaturdba.com

�� Free concerts Wednesdays and Saturdays in May • See what’s new on the square! • Free Shopping, Dining & Services Guide

��

We have nearly 200 shops, boutiques, restaurants, pubs, galleries and salons offering hometown service you just can’t ﬁnd at the mall. We’re easy to ﬁnd, inside I-285, just minutes south of Buckhead. We’ve got plenty of parking and most destinations are a short, pleasant walk from our downtown square at the intersection of Clairemont and Ponce de Leon avenues.

404-371-8386 • www.decaturga.com Decatur_Insite_April.indd 1

Advertising funded with proceeds from the Great Decatur Beer Tasting Festival.

3/28/07 5:43:21 PM

SPORTS PREVIEW

Building a Winner Boston did it in ’04. The Chicago White Sox shocked us in ’05. St. Louis, even with the injuries, won last year. Does your favorite team have all the necessary parts to win in ‘07?

BY DEMARCO WILLIAMS

HOSE DRESSER DRAWERS AT Target and IKEA look so nice on the display and appear so easy to assemble from looking at the box, don’t they? But as soon as you get home and realize screws don’t fit and parts have been nailed in backwards, you realize doing the task properly is actually quite challenging. That’s kinda what it’s like being a general manager in the Major Leagues. Look, all you need is a great offense, they say. Riiiight. And exactly how did that work out for the Yankees last year? With enough quality pitchers on the hill, you can’t be beat! Sure. The Cleveland Indians, even with their AL-leading 13 shutouts, didn’t come close to making the postseason a year ago. To put together a championshipcaliber squad, GMs are going to need lots of things: a cell phone with great reception, some antacids, a few dependable bats, steady arms in the bullpen, a touch of the White Sox’s ’05 spunk and a smidgen of St. Louis’ ’06 good luck. Of course, we won’t know exactly which teams have what until mid June. Until then, keep a close eye out on your team, watch out for that dream Boston/Chicago Cubs match-up and hold on to your receipt, as you might want to return everything you bought in April by the July all-star break. GOT IT ALL TOGETHER 1. BOSTON RED SOX- Unless you live in the Bronx, there’s not a whole lot not to like about this team. They hit (David Ortiz, Manny Ramirez, J.D. Drew), pitch (Closing sensation Jonathan Papelbon gives it a go as a starter) and speak with great Asian accent (Japanese superstar Daisuke Matsuzaka). The two-year curse is over. 2. CHICAGO CUBS- If the injury bug (1B Derrek Lee and pitchers Kerry Wood and Mark Prior missed most of ’06) doesn’t bite as bad, the Cubbies are in excellent shape for an October run. We hate seeing manager Dusty Baker go (Lou Piniella’s the new skipper), but we love seeing lefty Ted Lilly and super outfielder Alfonso Soriano come. NEED MINIMAL PARTS 3. LOS ANGELES ANGELS OF ANA HEIM- Their name sucks. Their pitching does not. And you have to love a team with workhorses in the infield (Orlando Cabrera, Chone Figgins) and stallions in the outfield (Garret Anderson, Vladimir Guerrero, Gary Matthews Jr.). 4. NEW YORK METS- There isn’t a team competing with the Mets on the offensive end in the National League—maybe all of baseball. But for all the wondrous things Carlos Beltran, Carlos Delgado and David Wright do, none can do anything about all the question marks coming from the starting PG 34 • insiteatlanta.com • April 2007

pitching. 5. DETROIT TIGERS- The hurlers are young (Jeremy Bonderman), gifted (AL rookie of the year Justin Verlander) and talk smack (Kenny Rogers). With the addition of Gary Sheffield’s active bat, the reigning AL champs should be thinking repeat. 6. LOS ANGELES DODGERS- What you want, power? Nomar Garciaparra and Jeff Kent still have some. Speed? Juan Pierre’s got plenty. Youth? Andre Ethier and Wilson Betemit have more than bright futures. Clutch pitching? Jason Schmidt and Derek Lowe are working on that. 7. NEW YORK YANKEES- The starting rotation is a beautiful mess (Chien-Ming Wang can throw 96; Mike Mussina is nearly 96!). The all-world batting order (Hideki Matsui bats 7th!) is just beautiful. Toss an indecisive Roger Clemens potentially into the fold and a first World Series since 2000 seems within reach. 8. FLORIDA MARLINS- There’s potential all over, be it on the mound (Josh Johnson), at short (Hanley Ramirez) or in right (Jeremy Hermida). As long as “old timers” Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis can keep’em focused, the crafty Marlins will mature nicely. 9. ST. LOUIS CARDINALS- Everyone knows how great Albert Pujols (.331/49/137) is. We all know that the Cards’ regular season mark (83-78) was one of the worst ever by an eventual World Series champ. Most realize the weight on righty Chris Carpenter’s shoulders as the staff leader. Nobody’s expecting a repeat. 10. CHICAGO WHITE SOX- If the Sox’s top-shelf pitchers (we’re thinking Mark Buehrle, Jose Contreras and Jon Garland) each get 15 victories, Chicago will win the AL Central. If they don’t, Jim Thome, Jermaine Dye and Paul Konerko have their work cut out for them at the plate. 11. MINNESOTA TWINS- The team can’t dwell on last year’s postseason collapse, Brad Radke’s retirement and Francisco Liriano’s season-killing injury. What it should look towards, however, are great numbers from starter Johan Santana, closer Joe Nathan and MVP winner Justin Morneau. 12. TORONTO BLUE JAYS- Vernon Wells is the real deal at centerfield. The same thing can be said about Frank Thomas’ resurgence at the plate. Roy Halladay is official on the mound. Too bad he rubs pitching shoulders with a bunch of fakes. 13. HOUSTON ASTROS- Though future stud Hunter Pence was sent to the minors in late March, there’s plenty to look forward to in Houston. For starters, Carlos Lee and Lance Berkman in the 3-4 holes. And when it comes to finishers, Brad Lidge is still one of the best in the game. SOME ASSEMBLY REQUIRED 14. CLEVELAND INDIANS- If you don’t know Grady Sizemore (ML-leading 92 extra-

base hits) and Travis Hafner (42 HR, 117 RBI) by face now, blame the Indians PR department. If you don’t know them by August, blame your own ignorance. 15. TEXAS RANGERS- We really like veteran speedster Kenny Lofton at the top of this lineup. He’ll complement the meaty bats of Mark Teixeira and Michael Young nicely. It’s just too bad Lofton can’t liven up the lethargic pitching roster. 16. ATLANTA BRAVES- So, this is the first time since 1992 that the Bravos won’t show off a new division crown placard at the Ted. Perpetual pros John Smoltz and the Brother Joneses will do all they can to change that for next season. They’ll need LOTS of help from kids Brian McCann, Jeff Francoeur and Scott Thorman. 17. OAKLAND A’S- You do realize the cash-strapped Athletics won 96 games last year? You do know that dandy pitchers Dan Haren, Rich Harden and Huston Street were all born in the 80s? You do understand that DH Mike Piazza still has some thump left in his bat? 18. PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES- We’re huge Chase Utley fans around here. Call us old fashion, but we love guys that hit for average and hustle every play. We’re also big into fellas who can hit it 500 feet (NL MVP Ryan Howard) and smash 50 doubles (Jimmy Rollins). 19. BALTIMORE ORIOLES- The O’s have a good-looking, young pitching staff (lefty Eric Bedard has more power than a chainsaw). Miguel Tejada is now backed by Aubrey Huff in the lineup. They’re still too far back of the Yanks and Sox. 20. SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS- Calling all gossipers! We’re in for one very interesting year at AT&T Park. Hmm, what’s going to attract more headlines, Barry Zito’s 20-win season or Barry Bonds’ controversial march towards Hank Aaron’s career home run mark? Don’t answer that. 21. MILWAUKEE BREWERS- If you’re looking for a sleeper pick in ’07, the Brew Crew might be it. They’ve got the pitching (Ben Sheets, Chris Capuano), power (Bill Hall had 35 HRs a year ago) and potential star (Prince Fielder). They’re approaching .500. Promise. 22. PITTSBURGH PIRATESMan, this blue-collar bunch is just one sturdy bat away from seriously competing in the NL Central. Until the front-office locates that piece of lumber, LF Jason Bay and one of the league’s more hard-working rotations will be putting in overtime. 23. SAN DIEGO PA DRES- Having Greg Maddux come in to win a few games and mentor a couple of future pitching gems (Jake Peavy, Chris Young) was very smart. Whoever was the jackass that thought this lineup could put up offensive numbers needs to lose his job. 24. Cincinnati Reds- One

thing about Brandon Phillips, Adam Dunn and most of the Reds hitters: they don’t get cheated at the plate. Sadly, Ken Griffey Jr’s injuries have cheated him of even better career numbers. The only way this team gets into the playoffs with their current pitching is by cheating. 25. SEATTLE MARINERS- Like Ichiro Suzuki some years back, spell check is going to come in handy when getting flashy shortstop Yuniesky Betancourt’s name correctly. Adrian Beltre and Richie Sexson spell p-ow-e-r, but the M’s can’t get pitching right to save their lives. COMING APART BEFORE THE START 26. KANSAS CITY ROYALS- The butt of more jokes than Britney Spears’ head, the Royals are well on their way to respectability. And it’ll come sooner rather than later if free-agent pick-up Gil Meche throws strikes and 3B prospect Alex Gordon lives up to the hype. 27. TAMPA BAY DEVIL RAYS- See the Sports Illustrated story on the D-Backs being the hot team for 2010? It was only half kidding. Delmon Young, B.J. Upton, Jorge Cantu, Scott Kazmir, Carl Crawford and Rocco Baldelli are superb young talents. 2007, tops! 28. ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS- The starting pitching –NL Cy Young winner Brandon Webb, Livan Hernandez and prodigal son Randy Johnson- is good enough to win games. The middle of the order –Chad Tracy, Conor Jackson and Eric Byrnes- is far from it. 29. WASHINGTON NATIONALS- The Nats are building a $611 million stadium for the ’08 season. As for this year’s Capitol Hill highlights, beyond Obama’s presidential announcement and Ryan Zimmerman’s (47 doubles, 110 RBI) pop, there aren’t any. 30. COLORADO ROCKIES- Honestly, the lineup (one with ready-to-bolt Todd Helton and the ready-to-be-a-star Matt Holliday in the middle) ain’t that bad. But truthfully, that inexperienced pitching and that milehigh climate are.

SPORTS NEWS

A Reason to Like Kobe BY ANDREA M. HATTER

ON’T TELL ME YOU LIKE HIM,” my cousin said, referring to my newfound respect for Kobe Bryant. “He makes me sick,” she said. And alarmingly – or for some not so alarmingly – that is the consensus among several thousands of sports fans on the former media darling. Recently, during a game trip to Philadelphia, he was booed. A reporter attributed it to Philly’s sense of city pride, the fact that many of its citizens have not forgiven Kobe for leaving. “As if he had a choice,” the writer penned. But my [unscientific] research on the matter has found otherwise. Court talent notwithstanding, because so many sports enthusiasts overlook his off the court troubles in appreciation of his hardwood dominance, Kobe has become a bit of an “O.J. guy.” He alienated women by cheating on his wife. The rape allegation further estranged the demographic, and though the case was ultimately dropped, several still see the veteran with a jaundiced eye. Intellectuals saw past the legal stuff, but disdained his naïveté about the situation, considering the absence of prophylactics and his reported ignorance about pre-ejaculation to be foolish. A cadre of NBA professionals and sportswriters found him cocky and prima donna-like. Then,

project of his Vivo Foundation, to bridge the gap between the African-American and Latino communities, two demographics suﬀering from staggering levels of economic and social disparities, though nationwide there are concerns about “black-brown tension.” “Absolutely. It’s goin’ on out here as well. It’s a shame to see because [blacks and Latinos are] in the same boat. My wife’s Latina, our children are African-American/Latino babies, so it hurts us to see that goin’ on, so we want to try to limit that as much as possible.” He is afraid of the new black nativism that has reared its ugly head in American society. It mirrors the sentiments espoused by white supremacy: anti-immigrant, anti-anyone diﬀerent. Recently, at an AFC/NFC championship watch party, I overheard a woman say that she didn’t care about Lovie Smith winning because his wife isn’t black. “That’s ignorance. Just ignorance,” Kobe stressed. “We as black people, if we want to get to a place where there’s truly equality, and we truly don’t look at race, then you have to get beyond looking at race yourself and start looking at things in a colorblind format. Not identifying Tony Dungy as a black coach, or Lovie Smith as a black coach – just look at them as coaches. Then, when you, yourself – you personally – get to that point, then society will follow, but it has

WE AS BLACK PEOPLE, IF WE WANT TO GET TO A PLACE WHERE THERE’S TRULY EQUALITY, AND WE TRULY DON’T LOOK AT RACE, THEN YOU HAVE TO GET BEYOND LOOKING AT RACE YOURSELF AND START LOOKING AT THINGS IN A COLORBLIND FORMAT. on top of everything else, his violation of locker room code really grated guys’ skin. One of my co-workers told me, “It was totally unnecessary to bring up Shaq. He put that man’s business in the street. That was a punk move.” By 2004, he’d become a public relations nightmare. McDonald’s and Nutella terminated their endorsement contracts with him. The Lakers broke up, sending Shaquille O’Neal to Miami, and Phil Jackson left as well. Months later, Jackson released a book labeling Bryant “uncoachable.” Kobe haters everywhere delighted in what seemed to be karmic retribution. Despite a public apology, almost four years, and an ESPN heart-to-heart explaining his regret over the Shaq debacle, he remains the target of aggregate antipathy. Even after snatching 81 points last year against Toronto, thus reclaiming his highlight reel prominence, he was labeled a ball hog. It seems he can’t do anything right. “It was hurtful to hear that kind of stuff,’” Bryant said in his ESPN interview. He also talked about the rape case and how the media hoopla started getting to him. “[Phil] told me, ‘Let it roll off your back.’ So I tried. But it was a long summer.” Then, brick by brick, Kobe rebuilt himself. Most people remember the gargantuan apology rock he bought his wife, Vanessa. With the Lakers, he took a new role as the authoritative leader who gets everyone involved, choosing to hand the ball off (to chumps who’ll miss) instead of taking the shots himself. Outside, he aimed to be more approachable. He changed his number to 24 to signify a change. Maturity, if you will. Started calling himself The Black Mamba, after the snake. (There’s also a comic book character by that name.) He says the new number represents 24 hours a day, one day at a time. (I think it’s more of his man-crush on Jordan. 23, 24 anyone?) With it, he’s regained the #1 selling jersey in the league, which is great to know but since Adidas owns the league jerseys, and he’s a Nike man, it’s not a top-drawer topic for him. These days he’s really focused on education and society. He started the Vivo Del Mondo program, a

to start internally. “My parents raised me to be worldwide. I grew up in Italy. So I came back not knowing color. That’s how they raised me.” So he wants to open the world to children here that wouldn’t normally get the chance to see The Louvre or Michaelangelo’s David, to not only read about history, but touch it, and see that people aren’t terrorists simply because they’re immigrants. Kobe is adamant about having the kids to learn independently and evaluate information on their own, rather than digesting what’s given to them. “What we try to do is give them an opportunity to broaden their horizons, goin’ over to Europe, for example. For me, growin’ up over there just opened me up to a whole other world. So that’s what I try to do with them. A lot of times, what I see with kids is that their scope is confined to what they see and only the world that they know. So what we want to do is broaden that world. Take them to Italy, to Spain, France, Asia, and expose them to another culture. Hopefully inspire them.” In this day and age, television is the center of the household. It’s become the single most important tool of thought control in the world, which is scary when you think of how much pointlessness is actually aired in America. When Oprah was looking for a place to open her school, she first looked to inner city kids. School after school, she asked the children what they wanted. Each answered, resoundingly, with dreams of superfluity. “I became so frustrated with visiting inner-city schools that I stopped going,” she said. “The sense that you need to learn just isn’t there. If you ask the kids what they want or need, they will say an iPod or some sneakers. In South Africa, they don’t ask for money or toys. They ask for uniforms so they can go to school.” It doesn’t take long to find that Kobe sees the same problem. “There’s a treadmill theory, where kids are pretty much running in place in the inner city,” he explained. So a very aggressive second undertaking is a school for inner city kids, called The Vivo Academy.

“We’d like to start it in Philadelphia. The reason being, a lot of the kids I knew growin’ up weren’t fortunate enough to [attend] a Lower Merion High School. If you go to Lower Merion, and get a 3.0, 3.8 gpa, that opens the doors to Harvard, Stanford, so forth and so on. You go to public school in the inner city, and get the same grades, that doesn’t open the door as much. So there’s the eﬀect of just running in place, it’s always an uphill battle. So what we want to do is build an academy, give it the toughest curriculum possible, and put it right there in the inner city. And for kids that go to this school, you get a 3.0 or 4.0 here, it’s gonna open the doors to everything. Whether you wanna go to college or not, that’s your choice, but you will learn and you will be armed and you will have weapons to make the choices yourself. And not have society or culture make the choices for you.” The passion in his voice about a subject so important to the thread of our nation – education – superceded, at least to me, all of the highlight nonsense on the sports channels. All of the questions about whether or not he’s a cool guy…out of the window. It’s not important. What’s important to Kobe is being alive and getting to know this world in which we live, which is noble enough to respect. Just days after our talk, I ﬂipped on the tele

PHOTO: ANDREA M. HATTER

and found the flashy lip flappers busy labeling Kobe as a dirty player. Sure, every guy has their way of intimidating opponents – i.e., the wild whipping motions that most players make after rebounding a ball in the pivot – and he’s no different. Or it could actually be the way he shoots, a la Reggie Miller’s swim shot. I think real NBA watchers would agree that when it comes to dirty, he’s no Karl Malone! However, in today’s media, there’s always a reason to hate Kobe.

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PG 35 • insiteatlanta.com • April 2007

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“Tubby couldn’t figure out how to fix it, so now Tubby is gone to Minnesota, and I’ve got news for the good folks at Minnesota who clearly haven’t been paying attention to the details at Kentucky: Unless Tubby changes his ways, he’ll flop at Minnesota. I mean, he’ll be a complete and total failure. If he couldn’t attract marquee players at Kentucky -- Kentucky for God’s sake -- how is he all of a sudden going to bring them to maudlin Minnesota?” –CBS Sportsline’s GREGG DOYEL on the Gophers’ hiring of former Kentucky head coach Tubby Smith MARSHALL FAULK, a seventime Pro Bowler and future hall of fame running back, ended his illustrious NFL career with a retirement announcement in late March. While football fans know about most of his eyepopping stats, Fanatic’s found a handful you might not have know about the super man in the #24 jersey. Faulk Fact 1: Marshall is number 18 on the list of career receptions in the NFL.

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A Monthly Sports Wrap-up “The decision by Roland Garros today closes one chapter in the history of tennis and opens an exciting new one that will positively impact opportunities for women and girls in sport and society.” –LARRY SCOTT, WTA Tour chief executive, after French Open officials announced the tournament would give male and female participants equal pay for playing. Faulk Fact 4: During a brilliant senior year at New Orleans’ George Washington Carver High, the versatile Faulk intercepted 11 passes. No matter how they finished in the Women’s NCAA tourney, the Marist Red Foxes should wag their tails proudly. Upsets over No. 7 OHIO STATE and No. 16 MID DLE TENNESSEE STATE could easily qualify as the biggest surprises –women or menof the postseason. Faulk Fact 5: In his rookie season with the Indianapolis Colts, Marshall was responsible for 40% of the team’s total offense.

Marshall Faulk announced his retirement in late March. And finally… During the March 22 Lakers/ Grizzlies game, the Memphis/Texas A&M NCAA game was “Remember that suspension two weeks ago? I think this shown on the jumbotron before officials asked that it not has motivated him. I don’t know if we like to have suspen- be shown because the crowd’s reaction was distracting play sions all of the time work for us, but there were some things on the court…England’s just-opened soccer facility, Wembthere that motivated him.” –LA Lakers coach PHIL JACK ley Stadium, cost over $1.5 billion to build… Anybody else SON, referring to Kobe Bryant’s one-game suspension think the lightning-quick signing of Kentucky’s Randolph for hitting Minnesota’s Marko Jaric, after his star’s fourth Morris by the Knicks seems fishy… Only 4% of participants straight 50+ game in last year’s College World Series were black… Yeah, what Kobe’s doing is amazing, but the late Wilt Chamberlain Faulk Fact 2: In 1992, the San Diego State sensation fin- once scored 50+ in 12 games over an 18-month span… In ished second in the Heisman Trophy voting. early March, the Dallas Mavs became the first team in NBA “When we first learnt of Bob’s death a wave of sadness history to earn 51 wins in a 56-game span within a single washed over the whole of the cricket community. That sad- season…Dallas inquired about the possibility of Reggie ness has now been replaced with a profound sense of shock Miller coming out of retirement to play the remainder of at the news that his death is being treated as murder and the season… UNLV’s Lon Kruger, Vanderbilt’s Kevin Stalleveryone connected with this event will assist the police ings and Southern Illinois’ Chris Lowery might all here in any way possible to ensure the truth emerges.” –Interna- from Michigan about its men’s hoops coaching vacancy… tional Cricket Council Chief Executive MALCOLM SPEED, Sochi, Russia, Salzburg, Austria and Pyeongchang, South just days after Pakistani coach Bob Woolmer’s body was Korea appear to be the front-runners to host the ’14 Winter found in a hotel room during the sport’s World Cup Games…And yes, the Elite 8 match-ups really were some Faulk Fact 3: From ’99-01, Faulk was either the No. 1 or No. of the most exciting late-season college games we’ve seen 2 ranked fantasy football player. in a long time.

Top 5 Games This Month The Masters

April 5-8 (Various, CBS) Barry Bonds and pharmaceutical jokes. The Atlanta Hawks and fourth quarter collapses. Tiger Woods and the azaleas at Augusta National. Some things simply go together.

LA Lakers at Phoenix

April 13 (10:30PM, ESPN) Though they’re playing just five days earlier in Cali, this second match-up should be even more bananas, thanks to some of the craziest fans in all the NBA over in the desert.

3 4

NFL Draft

Buffalo at Pittsburgh

April 27 (3PM, ESPN) JaMarcus Russell, Calvin Johnson or Brady Quinn? Either way Oakland goes with the first pick, they can’t possibly be any worse than they were a year ago this time.

New York Yankees at Boston

April 22 (8PM, ESPN) You’re just getting over Duke/UNC and here this rivalry stirs back up? With these two potent lineups, we promise all the early-season hype will be worth it.

April 3 (7PM, Versus) The best team (the Sabres) vs. the best player (Penguins’ Sidney Crosby). A six-man brawl in the third period is the only thing that could make this game any better.

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CELEBRITY GOSSIP

Wanton Distraction Skewed Views on Entertainment News BY MATT GOLDBERG COURTNEY LOVE has brought attention to the fact that Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie’s plans to work as camp counselors for the ﬁfth season of their television The Simple Life is illadvised seeing as drugs were readily available at Hilton’s recent birthday party. Ladies and Gentlemen, when Courtney Love has become your voice of reason, then it’s time to step back and reconsider your existence.

The popular Web 2.0 encyclopedia WIKIPE DIA tried to kill comedian Sinbad last week by claiming that he had passed away. Sinbad responded that rumors of his demise were greatly exaggerated. However, suspicions were raised that this may just be a publicity stunt when the writer of the comment was discovered to have the screen-name “WomenBeShoppin4Eva”.

BEST BUY and UNIVERSAL PICTURES have teamed up to give away $15 million in film tickets for the “inspirational” film Peaceful Warriror. The film was released last year and no one saw it. And this is what happens when one executive says “I couldn’t give tickets away for this movie!” and the producer says “Oh yeah?” and then I get to write a short blurb making fun of it. Everyone wins. Except those two guys. Really, it’s just me who wins. Which is just as cool if not moreso.

Nip/Tuck adds a lot of celebrities to this coming season. nately, Chippy is in talks for an hour-long drama over at Fox. NEW LINE CINEMA has aquired the ﬁlm rights to the popular XBOX 360 game, Gears of

CAPRICORN

CANCER

The sun is shining brightly in your house of domesticity this month, offering a chance to strengthen family bonds, redocorate, or simply do that spring cleaning you’ve been putting off.

Focus on your career this month, as Saturn begins to move foward in your finance sector, encouraging you to make positive changes. It’s a great time for a new job or negotiating a raise.

AQUARIUS

LEO

Early April will likely prove a bumpy ride for many Aquarians, but the road will be a lot smoother if you can find a way to let go of something that’s clearly not working for you.

Feeling a bit of wanderlust lately? This is the perfect time for a weekend getaway or a big vacation, as activities outside your usual environment will prove highly rewarding.

PISCES

VIRGO

Mischievous Uranus may make it seem like circumstances are beyond your control this month, but trust that this turn of events is a result of your deepest subconscious needs.

With Uranus wreaking havoc, Virgo life this month will be anything but boring. Expect change in a relationship, whether your partner gets a new job or someone new enters your love life.

ARIES

LIBRA

With the sun in Aries, this is a time of rebirth, renewal and making future plans. Expect heightened balance and insight, with the pieces of your life seeming to fall into place.

With the sun highlighting your relationshiop zone, your love life may either take a bold leap forward or come to a halt. Either way, allow situations to unfold fully before adding your 2¢.

TAURUS

SCORPIO

Dec. 22nd thru Jan. 20th

Jan. 21st thru Feb. 19th

Feb. 20th thru Mar. 20th

Mar. 21st thru Apr. 20

Apr. 21st thru May 21th Venus’ sweetness and light will soon be replaced by a desire to hide yourself away. It’s OK to focus on your dreams, but don’t become such a hermit that you miss opportunities.

July 24th thru Aug. 23rd

Aug. 24th thru Sept. 23rd

Sept. 24th thru Oct. 23rd

Oct. 24th thru Nov. 22nd This month brings an emphasis on work, offering an opportunity to improve your financial situation. But even if you get a new job or promotion, be careful to save rather than

SAGITTARIUS

With Venus entering your sign and the sun in your collaboration zone, you’ll be on top of the world this month. With your wit and charm, expect people to be drawn to you like a magnet!

The sun is in your pleasure zone this month. But despite your best efforts to balance your work, social and family obligations, don’t be surprised if others prove less than enthusiastic.

May 22nd thru June 21s

War. The totally fucking awesome game (that’s not me being vulgar; I have to describe it like that or Microsoft will take my thumbs; and I need my thumbs), focuses on a post-apocalyptic world where creatures called Locusts have destroyed

June 22nd thru July 23rd

GEMINI

PG 38 • insiteatlanta.com • April 2007

ANGELINA JOLIE is set to join Mr. Tumnus (better known as James McAvoy) in the adaptation of the comic book Wanted. Written by Mark Miller, the book tells the story of a loser who discovers he’s the progeny of a supervillain and the world is run by supervillains and he can do anything he wants. It’s a terribly written book that no one---wait. The Geico Cavemen just got their own sitcom? Nevermind. FX’s NIP/TUCK continues to be the popular place for celebrity cameos. This season Madonna, Nicole Kidman, and Sandra Bullock are already rumored for roles on the plastic-surgery drama. By the way, if you’re looking for a way to turn your cosmetic surgery into a tax write-oﬀ, might I suggest appearing on Nip/Tuck?

LANCE BASS has decided to writing an autobiography where he discusses his time in N’Sync, his attempt to go into space, and his coming out of the closet. Some copies of the book have already leaked. Sources say it’s a children’s pop-up book and that it’s wildly inappropriate.

The GEICO CAVEMEN will be the basis for a new sitcom on ABC. Based on the ﬁfteen second ads where the Caveman mock political correctness, the pilot narrowly beat out a show based on the squirrel who can ride on water skis. Fortu-

Earth and as Marcus Fenix, you and your ragtag team of soldiers are humanity’s last hope. Unfortunately, you look exactly like the Locusts from a distance and that’s why I keep killing my own teammates.

Nov. 23rd thru Dec. 21st

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Speaking to a film class at Cal State University at Northridge, MEL GIBSON was addressed by Assistant Professor of Central American Studies who told him that his film inaccurately and negatively depicted the Mayan culture. Gibson, with all the aplomb and dignity of a true scholar responded, “Lady, fuck off!” When asked for comment, Gibson’s publicist said the woman was a heckler who was rude, so it’s all good. Whether Gibson will issue an apology for his comments or for Apocalypto being a ridiculously terrible film, remains to be seen.

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PG 39 • insiteatlanta.com • April 2007

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INsite Atlanta April 2007 Issue

Articles inside

TRAVIS SMILEY

THE QUEERS

MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE

SEAN PRICE