INsite Atlanta September 2006 Issue by INsite Magazine

Se p

2006 r e mb e t

Vol. 10, No. 12 FREE

y thl n o tM Atlan ta’s Entertainmen.com ta www.insiteatlan

Fall TV

Preview

Studio 60 On The Sunset Strip The Knights of Prosperity Friday Night Lights Ugly Betty Standoff ‘Til Death The Nine Jericho 30 Rock Shark Smith

NFL AND COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW

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YOU DESERVE MORE DAYS A WEEK! Yo u r S o l e S e a r c h i n g S t o p s H e r e !

CONTENTS

SEPTEMBER 2006 VOL. 10.12 Fall TV Preview

INTERVIEWS 18 ROBIN TUNNEY

22 PISTOLITA 23 OUTKAST 26 SOUL ASYLUM/GOLDEN SMOG 27 SLEEPY BROWN 29 THE CASUALTIES 32 SNOW PATROL 33 ANGIE APARO

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34 THE ROCK

FEATURES 12 CONTINUING EDUCATION GUIDE

Great opportunities abound for recent college grads looking to continue their education, or students of life looking to expand their horizons. Our annual guide explores the myriad adult education possibilities available.

30 ATLANTA’S BEST BURRITOS

Does any food satisfy hunger better than a burrito stuffed with all the fixings? Visit ATL favorites like Chipotle, Coyote’s, Mexico City, Sol y Luna, Tin Roof and Twisted Taco, and we think you’ll agree the answer is NO.

35 NFL SEASON PREVIEW

Will the Pittsburgh Steelers repeat, or will Peyton Manning and the Colts finally go all the way? Our picks for the season’s teams to beat inside.

36 NCAA FOOTBALL PREVIEW

Now that you’ve had a chance to read other publications’ wack predictions, our studied scribe breaks it down for those serious about college football.

COLUMNS 6 ON TAP 8 AROUND TOWN 10 UNDER THE LIGHTS 16 MOVIE REVIEWS

18 VIDIOTS/BOOK REVIEWS 20 CONCERT CALENDAR 22 ROAD WARRIORS 24 ALBUM REVIEWS 37 FANATIC 38 HOROSCOPES

www.insiteatlanta.com PG 4 • insiteatlanta.com • September 2006

The Local Scene SABROSO GOES LUNA! FULL MOON PARTIES BEGINNING IN SEPTEMBER

tarting this month on September 7th, Little Five Points popular tapas restaurant Sabroso. will be holding a Luna Party. The Luna parties will coincide with every full moon and will feature a different theme each month. The theme of the first Luna party is the Brazilian Carnivale. Chef Denise Dunio will be preparing a variety of Brazilian themed menu items to compliment half priced bottles of South American wines, specialty Martinis, and fruit infused Bacardi rum shooters. There will be accompanying entertainment including fire breathers, bellydancers and Latin beats by Diagnostik. Costumes are in encouraged and all who come dressed for the occasion will receive special attention from the chef.

FULL MOON DATES 2006 Thursday, Sept. 7 Saturday, Oct. 7 Sunday, Nov. 5 Tuesday, Dec. 5 FULL MOON DATES 2007 Wednesday, Jan. 3 Friday, Feb. 2 Saturday, Mar. 3 Monday, April 2 Wednesday, May 2 Friday, June 1 Saturday, June 30 Monday, July 30 Tuesday, August 28

PG 5 â&#x20AC;˘ insiteatlanta.com â&#x20AC;˘ September 2006

The Local Scene

ON TAP FOR SEPTEMBER poubqAjot juf bum boub/dpn

September 1 - 4: Dragon*Con Its here Dragon*Con 2006 is Labor Day weekend, September 1-4 at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta, Atlanta Marriott Marquis and Atlanta Hilton & Towers hotels located in downtown Atlanta, Georgia, USA. Dragon*Con is America's largest annual convention for fans of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror, Comics and Art, Games and Computers, Animation, Science, Music, Television and Films. It is also one of the 10 largest annual conventions in metropolitan Atlanta. For more information, head to: http://www.dragoncon.org/

September 1 - 3: Montreux Jazz Festival The FREE Montreux Jazz Festival Atlanta at Underground Atlanta will be a weekend packed with fun activities that the entire family can enjoy. In addition to a variety of music from stages on Upper Alabama, in Kenny's Alley and a stage inside Underground Atlanta featuring blues, the weekend's festivities will also include an interactive Kid's Zone, arts & crafts and food vendors. The streets and plaza that enclose the music festival district will display an open-air market featuring the finest merchandise and most delicious foods from a wide array of carefully selected vendors from around the country. For more info, head to: http://www.underground-atlanta.com/HTML74.phtml

September 3: Counting Crows One of the biggest bands of the 90's is coming to roost at Hifi Buys Amphitheatre. The Counting Crows are a rock band that became extremely popular in 1994 following the release of their debut album August and Everything After, which featured the hit song "Mr. Jones." Band frontman Adam Duritz has hinted that their next studio record may be released as soon as early 2007, which both him and guitarist Dan Vickrey indicating the band recently spent three weeks working in a Hell's Kitchen recording studio with Gil Norton, the producer behind 1996's "Recovering the Satellites. For tickets, head to: www.ticketmaster.com

September 8: Wild Bill’s Fight Night IV Wild Bill's Fight Night IV is scheduled to take place before a crowd that should reach 4,000 plus in attendance. There are currently 15 fights on the card including three female fights! Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fighters Kevin Gittemeier and Cliff Fretwell have become two of the most electrifying fighters in Georgia today and both will fight on Wild Bill's Fight Night IV. Both Gittemeier (9-1) and Fretwell (4-1) had previous high school wrestling experience prior to studying the sport of MMA and have used that knowledge to overcome their late start in MMA and defeat opponent after opponent. For more info visit www.UndisputedProductions.com or www.wildbillsatlanta.com

September 17: Atlanta Falcons Can the Atlanta Falcons knock off the reigning NFC South Champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers? Last year, despite 302 passing yards by Michael Vick and 102 yards receiving by rookie Roddy White. A 45-yard field goal by Tampa's Matt Bryant with less than a minute remaining proved to be the difference in a 30-27 victory for the Buccaneers in week 10 of last season when Atlanta and Tampa last faced off at the Georgia Dome. For ticket info, head to: www.ticketmaster.com

September 22: Tom Petty Tom Petty is bringing his last large scale concert tour to Hifi Buys Amphitheatre. Thomas Earl "Tom" Petty is known for his album-oriented, classicist rock'n'roll. He has also produced numerous hit singles, such as "American Girl", "Free Fallin'", "Into the Great Wide Open" and "Mary Jane's Last Dance", most of which remain heavily played on mainstream radio. Despite this success, Petty is also a vocal critic of the modern recording industry, and the disintegration of independent radio stations. Petty has been supported by his band, The Heartbreakers, for the majority of his career. For ticket info, head to: www.ticketmaster.com PG • insiteatlanta.com • April 2005 PG 6 • insiteatlanta.com • September 2006

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The Local Scene

AROUND TOWN Museums & Exhibits

Art on 5 is the address for the finest in AfricanAmerican art and decor. The vision of respected artist Andre Thompson and prized collector Herb Greene, AO5 is 6,000 sq. ft. of majesty not only used for showcasing artwork, but also perfect for private shows, receptions and banquets. Click www.arton5.com for more info.

Bodies...The Exhibition Advanced ticket purchase is strongly advised for this sure-hit experience blending science and art. Simply stated, Bodies (thru Sept) is REAL human bodies, preserved through an innovative process and then respectfully presented. For info, call 404-5236275.

Agatha’s invites everyone to tune into the Voyeur

Network, satellite programming of nothing but reality TV ran by Donald Trumpet and Martha Pew-wart. Of course, with everything Agatha’s, someone dies, someone has an alibi and everyone (including you) laughs so hard they cry. For info on Must Die TV (thru Nov 1), visit www.agathas.com

Jewish Theatre of the South Recording legend Theodore Bikel (The Sound of Music, Fiddler on the Roof) will open the Jewish Theatre’s ‘06-07 season with a one-week collection of staged readings and an intimate concert, Sept 11-14. For more info, 770-395-2654.

You won’t want to forget Aaron Fink’s undersea photography exhibit “Neptune’s Realm,” showing thru Sept 8. For details, click www.callanwolde.org

Emory University presents the military photo exhibit “The Blur of War: World War II Images by Combat Photographer Dennis E. Wile” through October 15. Click www.arts.emory.edu for info.

Georgia Museum of Art presents, “American Quilts at the Georgia Museum of Art,” an exhibition celebrating the quilts of the mid-19th century as well as casual quilts from the mid-20th century. For more info on the showing (thru Nov 19), visit www.uga.edu/gamuseum

Museum of Design Atlanta wants art lovers to explore the vitality and diversity of contemporary African design with their Morehouse College-copresented “Design Made in Africa. For details on the showing (running through Sept 30), visit www.museumofdesign.org

Theatre & Dance

PG 8 • insiteatlanta.com • September 2006

Atlanta 2-Day Walk for Breast Cancer invites

Cold Stone Creamery guests will be treated to a free 3 oz. serving of the Make-A-Wish ice cream creation by a young boy on Sept 28 (between 58PM). Donations that month at participating Cold Stones will benefit the local Make-A-Wish chapter.

March of Dimes Ride to Save Babies is in its 15th

everyone to get involved in the fund-raising walk and support the Historic Norcross/Peachtree Corners community. In contrast to other breast cancer walks, the Atlanta 2-Day (Sept 16-17) raises money solely for local breast cancer support and research. Visit www.2daywalkorg for details.

year of raising money to improve the health of babies. This year’s event (Sept 29-Oct 1) includes a stunt show, motorcycle rallies, live music, decent grub and a battle of the bands--all at the Lakewood Fairgrounds! For info, click www.marchofdimesride.com.

Special Events

Midtown Arts Cinema showcases some of the best (but least-fussed over) Hollywood talents in smaller pictures this month: Parker Posey (The Oh in Ohio), Ed Norton and Paul Giamatti (The Illusionist) and Ed Burns (The Grooms Men). Call 678-495-1424 for showtimes.

AJC’s Decatur Book Festival From Sept 1-3, the

Callanwolde

Clark Atlanta University Art Galleries is a proud steward of several cultural treasures. The galleries are renowned for their historic and comprehensive collections. To see for yourself, call 404880-6644.

(Southern Football League) gathers teams from all over Dixie to knock helmets on the field. The Aggression, who play a Sept. home game vs. the Georgia Lions (Sept 2), are one of the fiercest groups. Click www.atlantaaggression.com for details.

center of the literary universe will be east of Atlanta. Okay, so that last bit may have been a bit much, but a simple glance of the confirmed authors to the 1st annual fest -Arianna Huffington, Michael Connelly, Emily Saliers- and you see where the excitement stems. More smiles come with the fact the Downtown Decatur event will feature live music, cooking demonstrations and a children’s stage.

The Life Story of Marvin Gaye One of the greatest soul performers of all-time, Marvin Gaye also lived one of the strangest, most depressing lives. This dramatic musical, which features the talents of Keith Washington, June Rochelle and Melisa Morgan, promises to address some of those questions. For info on the Sept 14-17 production at the Civic Center, visit www.atlantaciviccenter.com

Montreux Music Festival returns on Labor Day

Peachtree Battle is the hit theatrical event (held over thru October 1!) everyone’s talking about. A farce about a Buckhead matriarch scandalized by her son’s plan to marry a Hooter’s waitress, Battle’s become a word-of-mouth smash that rumor has is about to go Hollywood. For tix, click www.ansleyparkplayhouse.com

Sporting Events

Atlanta Aggression is minor league football at its finest. Striving to be a place where athletes past their prep/college days can turn, the S.F.L.

Atlanta Food Bank Donors send food to the AFB. The Food Bank stores and distributes food to partner agencies. Said agencies provide groceries/meals to those in need. You (and any other volunteer) comes in at the “storing and distributing” stage. Please consider getting involved by calling 404-892-FEED.

weekend. For the first time in the festival’s history, concerts will take place at Underground Atlanta. Whether you’re in the mood for smooth R&B (Anthony David), urban rock (Thunderkats), arts & crafts or just some good food, Montreux has it for you. For a full listing, call 404-853-4234.

SunTrust Lunch on Broad has expanded to Woodruff Park. Weather permitting, every Friday through Sept 29 (between 12-2PM) a different performer will be on stage while you eat your sandwich. Of course, on days you get tired of leftovers, there are plenty of downtown eateries to choose from. Visit www.atlantadowntown.com for info.

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*Offer only available in participating Comcast systems (and may not be transferred) and is limited to new residential customers (or former customers who have not subscribed to any Comcast service for the past 60 days, with accounts in good standing), located in Comcast Cable wired and serviceable areas. Offer limited to Comcast Enhanced Cable, 6.0 Mbps High Speed Internet Access and Comcast Digital Voice service. Advertised prices only available with subscription to all 3 services. If any service is cancelled or downgraded during the promotional period, Comcast’s regular charges apply for any remaining services. AFTER THE PROMOTIONAL PERIOD, COMCAST’S REGULAR CHARGES APPLY UNLESS SERVICE IS CANCELLED. YOU MAY CANCEL SERVICE BY CALLING 404-COMCAST. Comcast’s current monthly service charges for all three services is $132.89, depending on area. Offer only good for service to a single outlet. Service is subject to Comcast standard terms and conditions of service. Limited time offer. Additional outlets, including a converter and remote control (for certain cable services, current monthly fee is $5.99), cable modem (for High-Speed Service, current monthly fee is $3.00), and EMTA (for telephone service (and which may also be used for High-Speed Service), current monthly fee is $3.00) required and equipment and installation fees are additional. Prices shown do not include taxes and franchise fees, or in the case of Comcast Digital Voice, the Regulatory Recovery Fee, which is not a tax or government required or other applicable charges (e.g., per-call charges). Not all programming and services available in all areas. May not be combined with other offers. Please call 404-COMCAST for restrictions and complete details about service, prices and equipment. Comcast ©2006. All rights reserved. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owner’s. Cable Service: Certain services are available separately or as a part of other levels of service. Basic Service subscription is required to receive other levels of service. ON DEMAND requires a digital converter and ON DEMAND selections subject to charge indicated at the time of purchase. Additional features and services may be purchased at regular service rates. Programming subject to change. High Speed Service: Speeds stated for downloads only and compare Comcast 6.0 Mbps (maximum upstream limited to 768 Kbps) to 256 Kbps DSL and 56 Kbps. Many factors affect speed. Actual speeds will vary and are not guaranteed. Not all features, including McAfee, are compatible with Macintosh systems. Comcast Digital Voice: Unlimited package pricing applies only to direct-dialed calls to locations in the U.S. from home. No separate long distance carrier connection available. Plan does not include international calls. Comcast Digital Voice service (including 911/emergency services) may not function after an extended power outage. Certain customer premises equipment may not be compatible with Comcast Digital Voice services. Caller ID equipment is required. JMY10092 7/06 ©2006 SPECTRUM MARKETING, LLC

September 2006 Volume 10.12

INsite Magazine of Atlanta 2250 North Druid Hills Rd. #100 Atlanta, GA 30329-3118 404-315-8485 Fax 404-315-1755 email feedback@insiteatlanta website insiteatlanta.com

The Arts

Under The Lights

What’s Happening on Stage in Atlanta CIRCUS OF THE SEA

that are more about colorful costumes and laughs than lurid sexuality. Sure, gorgeous gals like Coco, Chinita and Luna Luxx show a lil' skin, their outfits often little more than

Advertising Information

Call 404-315-8485 advertising@insiteatlanta.com President Stephen Miller National Managing Editor Bret Love Graphic Designer Michael T. Local Managing Editor Rav Mansfield Sports Editor DeMarco Williams Web Designer Michael Faber Contributing Writers / Interns John Davidson, John Moore, Erin Semple, Laura Estep, Russell Fisher, Ben Beard, Zena Scott, Margo Aaron, Andrew Gilstrap, & Kimberly Guelcher

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.

Center for Puppetry Arts Thru Sept 24

Known as "That Puppet Guy," Lee Bryan’s inventive takes on timeless tales such as Jack & the Beanstalk have made him a Center for Puppetry Arts favorite. In his latest one-man show, Bryan brings his wacky sensibilities to life under the sea, where colorful characters such as cyclist Cecelia the Seahorse, tapdancer Octavious the Octapus and questionably-motivated Seamore the Shark populate a silly oceanic circus. Like most Family Series shows, Circus of the Sea educates as it entertains, teaching fishy facts about everything from marine conservation and aquatic life to recycling (Bryan's puppets are made mostly of recycled bottles). Stick around after the show, when Bryan will demonstrate the process of making and operating his crafty creatures. Center for Puppetry Arts, 1404 Spring St NW. 404-873-3391. www.puppet.org.

DAMES AFLAME Laughing Skull Lounge Sept 15

The luscious ladies of Dames Aflame are Atlanta's hottest burlesque dance troupe, putting the "tease" back in striptease with shows

well-placed pasties and G-strings. But their monthly residency at the Laughing Skull Lounge (inside the Vortex) is also full of humor, thanks to MC Lucky Yates and the Dames themselves. From a pirate girl who rips her treasure map dress off piece by piece to a girl gladiator doing battle with a lion, the acts are equally silly and sexy, while singing clowns, belly dancers and the voice of Mike Geier make this the wildest variety show since The Gong Show’s heyday. Laughing Skull Lounge, 878 Peachtree St. 404-865-1667. www.damesaflame.com.

REEFER MADNESS! THE “HIT” MUSICAL Dad’s Garage Theatre Sept 22-Nov 4

From the ensemble of irreverent misfits who brought you Debbie Does Dallas and The Rocky Horror Show comes the regional premiere of this Off-Broadway hit about the evils of marijuana. Written by Dan Studney and Kevin Murphy, the musical satire pokes fun at the 1936 film, following formerly wholesome teens Jimmy Harper and Mary Jane as they succumb to the temptations of the "demon

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weed" under the influence of slick pusher Jack and his motley Reefer Den crew. With murder, an orgy and scenes of gleeful Dionysian excess, the show is hardly familyfriendly fare. But for fans of Dad's Garage's distinctive brand of wacky mayhem, rousing musical numbers such as "The Brownie Song" and "Listen To Jesus, Jimmy" should leave 'em rolling in the aisles. Dad’s Garage Theatre, 280 Elizabeth St, Suite C-101. 404-523-3141. www.dadsgarage.com.

ANDRÉ WATTS' CELEBRATION Symphony Hall Sept 28-30

60TH

BIRTHDAY

Born in 1946, the son of an American soldier who’d married a Hungarian woman, pianist André Watts made his public debut 50 years ago, playing Haydn's D Major Piano Concerto with the Philadelphia Orchestra. His major breakthrough came at the age of 16, when Leonard Bernstein asked him to appear at a nationally-broadcast Young People's concert by the NY Philharmonic. When Glenn Gould was forced to cancel a concert with the orchestra two weeks later, Watts was called in as a last-minute replacement, and soon built an international reputation as a pianist whose technical mastery was matched by a selfassured sense of lyricism. Widely regarded as one of the great pianists of the 20th century, Watts will mark his 60th birthday on the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra stage, where Robert Spano will conduct a concert featuring Beethoven's "Emperor" (Piano Concerto No. 5) as well as Vaughan Williams' Symphony No. 5 and Fantasia on a Theme of Thomas Tallis. Symphony Hall, Woodruff Arts Center, 1280 Peachtree Street, N.E 404-733-5000. www.atlantasymphony.org.

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L A R G E S T S E L E C T I O N AT U N B E ATA B L E P R I C E S

Continuing Education

FALL EDUCATION GUIDE Atlanta has plenty of Continuing Education programs to suit practically every field of interest, and our Fall Education Guide highlights some of the best! This Guide profiles a diverse group of schools offering a variety of courses in different fields.

America’s Real Estate Academy, Inc. 770-591-5552 www.education-area-ga.com

affiliation with First Preston and AFR & Associates. Additional business and technology training and courses to give AREA students a competitive edge are offered at the corporate office and classroom facility. AREA services the entire Metro and surrounding Atlanta area with technologically equipped facilities including a computer and data center. Students have even traveled from surrounding states to receive AREA's professional training. Check schedules and register for classes now by visiting AREA's website at www.education-areaga.com or by calling 770-591-5552.

International School of Skin & Nailcare

merica's Real Estate Academy, Inc. (AREA) is one of Atlanta's premier fullservice real estate education providers. AREA surpasses standard academics and offers students functional information as part of the core curriculum. Improved and more relevant education make new and existing licensees more appealing to hiring brokers, appraisers, and home inspectors and more successful entrepreneurs. A recent appraisal graduate stated "After talking to other appraisers about what was covered in their course, I feel that I not only made the correct choice but instead the only choice in taking this course by AREA" Curriculum director, Dick Viti, with over

Unemployment and the Benefit of a College Degree S

ince the economy began its decline in the spring of 2001, I have found myself consoling and encouraging new college graduates who, despite all their hard work, are wrestling with frustration of graduating without a job offer in hand. Those of us in Career Services have always known that the activity in our offices is a perfect barometer for labor market trends. The decline of on-campus recruiting is logically correlated to the decline in employment. To determine whether or not today's college graduates are facing a tighter job market than those who came before them, one only needs to glimpse at the unemployment rates over the past several decades. In tracking national unemployment rates in ten year intervals since 1946, when the unemployment PG 12 • insiteatlanta.com • September 2006

30 years of real estate experience in Georgia and Florida, oversees AREA's instructors. All instructors are professionals who teach while conducting successful appraisal, home inspection, and/or real estate sales businesses bringing realism and practical instruction to the classroom, thereby facilitating a student's entry into the business. In addition to state mandated training, students receive print and digital reports superior to those found in the industry with essential proven terminology to guide them and help them get started. Students receive useful business and marketing tools and tips to assist them in their new careers, which includes access to national professional organization memberships and industry supplies at discounts. AREA bridges the gap between traditional academic programs and the real world. AREA offers an Appraisal Mentor Program and offers real estate agents across the southeast HUD seminars to increase their business through AREA's

National Unemployment Rate

May 1956 - 4.3% May 1966 - 3.9% May 1976 - 7.8% May 1986 - 7.2% May 1996 - 5.6% May 2006 - 4.6%

rate averaged 3.9 %, up through present day, the trend has gone down in recent years. Certainly, a myriad of other social and economic factors have affected the labor market over the past 60 years, so a true apples to apples comparison can't be achieved in the scope of this conversation. However, as it's viewed through the lens of the average unemployment rate, today's job market isn't so bad! The downside is that as colleges and universities crank out more graduates, the value of having a college degree has shifted. No longer the same competitive advantage that it once was; having a bachelors degree is now commonly viewed as a pre-requisite to maintaining a middle class lifestyle. Interestingly enough, Americans who are now in

5600 Roswell Road, N.E. (404) 843-1005 www.skin-nails.com

he International School of Skin & Nail care (ISSN) is celebrating 21 years as a school and day spa in Sandy Springs. ISSN is where all the people get trained that work in Spas, Salons, Network TV, Doctors, Cruise Ships and manufacturing companies. Anywhere skin care treatments are given or nail care beauty is performed. Courses from Classic Facials to Microdermbrasion Facials, to waxing, make-up, to manicures and nail art are taught at the r e n o w n e d International School of Skin and Nailcare (ISSN). Our job placement is excellent and has remained near 100percent for over a decade - no other school is close. Our long experience and being known in the Industry insures the graduate of a good job upon graduation. Over 320 active employers depend on ISSN for Esthetician and Nail Technician staffing. Our programs start monthly for the convenience of today's student. We have morning, afternoon, or evening class in the Esthetician program and day or evening classes in the Nail Technician program. We are conveniently located in the Prado, Roswell Road at I-295. We are an accredited school and approved by the Georgia State Board of Cosmetology. A quick call to our Admission's office can answer all of your questions. When you call ask for a tour of the school. Call us today: Local 404-843-1005 X 1 or email us issn@skinnails.com

Janke Studios 659 Auburn Ave. Studioplex G-9 404-584-0305 www.jankestudios.com

f you have marveled at the beautiful freeform and controlled works of Dale

their 40s and 50s faced far worse economic conditions when they graduated college, but they also graduated at a time when fewer people finished college, giving their bachelors degrees more value in the job search. Despite the fluctuations, we're living in a time when having a college degree will always give you an edge in the job market over someone with out a degree. Most professional level positions do require a degree of some kind. Fortunately, federal and state programs are making this goal easier to achieve. For more information on preparing for college, visit http://www.students.gov By Kimberly Guelcher, Georgia State University Alumni Career Services

Chihuly or watched a glassblowing documentary, you should know that there is a thriving glass blowing community heating up in Atlanta! Janke Studios is Atlanta's premier Glassblowing Studio and Functional Art Glass Gallery. Celebrating 10 years in the metro area the Janke team continues to offer a variety of classes that will fit perfectly into your schedule. Courses are project based and designed for all from the novice to experienced glass craftsman and artist. Try a three hour paperweight workshop to get a feel for the process or if you are more adventurous, but short on time take a two day weekend workshop. During this workshop you will experience all the basic skills and glassblowing floor environment. Create your own paperweight, check out the process and meet new people. For the enthusiast nurture your skills in an extensive five week class or host a Remote, hot glass on your site (demos, classes or educational purposes).

Kaplan Test Prep & Admissions

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s one of the largest part-time graduate schools in the DeVry country, University's Keller Graduate School of Management (KGSM) provides high-quality, practitioner-oriented graduate management degree programs with an emphasis on excellence in teaching and service to working adults. Keller Graduate School offers master's degree programs in accounting and financial management, business administration, human resource management, information systems management, network and communications management, project management and public administration.

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TAKE YOUR SKILLS TO A NEW LEVEL OR LEARN SOMETHING NEW JUST FOR FUN Graphic Design Drawing Web Site Design Cooking and Cuisine Photography Video & Post-Production The fall class schedule is now online! Go to www.aia.artinstitutes.edu and click on Community Education. For more information, call 770.689.4764 or contact us at aiasmartfun@aii.edu. In addition to community and professional education, The Art Institute of Atlanta offers diploma, associate’s, and bachelor’s programs in over a dozen ﬁelds in design, media arts, and culinary arts. For more information about degree programs, workshops, or Creations, the college’s student-run dining room open to the public, call or visit the Web site.

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The Art Institute of Atlanta 6600 Peachtree Dunwoody Rd. 770-394-8300 www.artinstitutes.edu/atlanta

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PG 13 • insiteatlanta.com • September 2006

FALL TV PREVIEW T

he weather's turning cooler, and we all know what that means: Time for the major TV networks to trot out their annual calvacade of fresh lambs for the slaughter. It's pretty amazing how much the TV landscape has changed in the last few years, as cable and the internet have steadily siphoned off network TV's viewers and reality shows have eclipsed dramas and sitcoms as the most bankable bets. But, to quote Prison Break star Robin Tunney elsewhere in this issue, “Television is getting better and movies are getting worse.” Which goes a long way towards explaining the glut of big-name movie stars making the move to television this Fall: James Woods, Virginia Madsen, Ray Liotta, Hope Davis, Erika Christensen, Amanda Peet and Alec Baldwin all have new shows this season. In short, while the networks are ordering fewer new shows than ever before (#1-ranked CBS only has four), the level of quality seems to be on the rise. Following in the footsteps of shows such as Lost and 24, new programs like Smith, The Nine, 6º, Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, Justice and Jericho offer up the sort of mature dramatic concepts that were once the exclusive domain of Hollywood. No wonder so many former film-lovers are staying home in droves...

Jere Burns THE SHILL: Remember the late-'80s sitcom Dear John, which featured Judd Hirsch as a jilted man who turns to group therapy to get over his failed relationship? Jere Burns does, as his was the show's breakout character. Here, he costars with Danson, who plays an obsessive self-help guru who leads group therapy sessions for misfits who are arguably saner than him. THE SKINNY: Danson is reliably funny, but hasn't had a genuine hit since Cheers took its final bow. His latest vehicle sounds like a cross between Frasier and Bob Newhart's old show. In short, not nearly hip enough for today's savvy sitcom-viewing audience.

THE SHILL: Produced by Salma Hayek and adapted from the hit Latino TV phenomenon, this dramedy follows the sweet, smart title character (Ferrera) as she tries to fit into the world of high fashion when she's hired as personal assistant to Daniel (Mabius), the playboy son of a famous fashion magazine publisher. Together, the two newbies attempt to navigate the shark-infested waters of haute couture. THE SKINNY: So many timeslots, and ABC has to put one of its most promising new shows up against My Name Is Earl and Survivor? Move Betty to another night ASAP, or its rapid demise will be really ugly.

BROTHERS & SISTERS (Sun, 10PM)

KNIGHTS OF PROSPERITY (Tue, 9PM)

THE STARS: Lenny Venito, Josh Grisetti, Maz Jobrani, Sofia Vergara, Donal Logue, Kevin Michael Richardson THE SHILL: Logue stars as Eugene, a janitor who dreams of one day opening his own bar. After a co-worker dies, he concocts a scheme to burglarize Mick Jagger's posh Central Park apartment, recruiting a ragtag band of similarly down-on-their-luck misfits to make like modern-day Robin Hoods. THE SKINNY: One of the season's most intriguing sitcom concepts– think My Name Is Earl meets Prison Break. Eugene and company bear an uncanny resemblance to Earl's lower-class antiheros (right down to hot Latina sidekick Vergara), and the story will unfold over the season, with the planning stages leading up to a climactic heist finale.

HELP ME HELP YOU (Tue, 9:30PM)

THE STARS: Suzy Nakamura, Jim Rash, Ted Danson, Charlie Finn, Darlene Hunt, PG 14 • insiteatlanta.com • September 2006

CBS

THE CLASS (Mon, 8PM)

THE STARS: Jason Ritter, Heather Goldenhersh, Lizzy Caplan, Jon Bernthal, Julie Halston, Sean Maguire, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Lucy Punch, Sam Harris, Andrea Anders and David Keith. THE SHILL: This comedy follows a group of 20-somethings who reunite when Ethan (Ritter) plans a surprise party for his fiancé to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the day they met in third grade. From cynical Kat (Caplan) and shy, quiet Richie (Ferguson) to unfulfilled trophy wife Nicole (Anders), the reunion gives these old classmates a chance to see how everyone turned out and rebuild old friendships. THE SKINNY: Like a cross between Friends and Reunion, this heavily-hyped sitcom is designed to appeal to the same crowd that made last year's How I Met Your Mother (for which it will serve as lead-in) such a hit. But without Neil Patrick Harris to steal scenes, this show's success rests on the shoulders of its completely unknown cast.

ABC

THE STARS: Calista Flockhart, Rachel Griffiths, Sally Field, Tom Skerritt, Ron Rifkin, Patricia Wettig, Balthazar Getty, Dave Annable, Matthew Rhys, John PyperFerguson and Sarah Jane Morris THE SHILL: This show follows a dysfunctional family of five adult siblings striving to live up to their parents' expectations whose lives intertwine to form webs of deception, temptation and grief. With Field and Skerritt as the parents, Flockhart as a right-wing TV pundit, Griffiths as a corporate VP who returns to the family business, Getty as a charming cad, Rhys as a gay lawyer, and Annable as the youngest, who grapples with war trauma and addiction, this is one of TV's most talented ensembles. THE SKINNY: The storyline bores us to tears, but take a look at that cast! ABC is clearly trying to build off of Desperate Housewives' audience, but with that show on the decline, Brothers & Sisters will need to come out strong to last. But take a look at that cast!

(where there are 10 men to every woman) in order to research a new book on men, interacting with colorful locals while getting long-distance support from her editor back in New York. THE SKINNY: Created by an executive producer/writer on Sex & the City, this show sounds like Northern Exposure for women. With a cast of relative nobodies and a dead zone time slot, expectations are relatively low, and therefore easily overcome. Could prove a sleeper.

SMITH (Tue, 10PM)

THE NINE (Wed, 10PM)

THE STARS: Lourdes Benedicto, Camille Guaty, Scott Wolf, Jessica Collins, Tim Daly, Kim Raver, John Billingsley, Chi McBride, Dana Davis, Owain Yeoman THE SHILL: Taking a page from Lost, this dramatic character study about a bank robbery-turned-hostage standoff uses flashbacks to tell the backstories of nine people involved in a 52-hour crisis that will leave two dead. THE SKINNY: The critically-acclaimed Invasion couldn't make it in the post-Lost timeslot last season. But this high-concept show from the creator of Without A Trace seems more geared towards the same audience as its popular lead-in. Famous faces such as Wolf (who costarred with Matthew Fox on Party of Five), Daly, McBride and Raver (24) should help it fare better.

UGLY BETTY (Thu, 8PM)

THE STARS: Mark Indelicato, Tony Plana, Ana Ortiz, Ashley Jensen, America Ferrera, William Abadie, Alan Dale, Eric Mabius, Vanessa Williams, Michael Urie, Becki Newton

6º (Thu, 10PM)

THE STARS: Dorian Missick, Hope Davis, Erika Christensen, Bridget Moynahan, Campbell Scott, Jay Hernandez THE SHILL: Rooted in the notion that only six people separate any one person on the planet from another, this drama follows six strangers whose lives are connected, and inexorably altered, by a series of seemingly coincidental circumstance. Ultimately the show explores questions of free will vs. grand design, examining the role fate plays in our daily lives. THE SKINNY: Given the philosophical concept, it's no surprise this show comes from the producers of Lost, and with a cast of experienced film vets it should perform well, getting a nice boost from leadin Grey's Anatomy.

MEN IN TREES (Fri, 9PM)

THE STARS: Anne Heche, Abraham Benrubi, Emily Bergl, Seana Kofoed, Suleka Mathew, Derek Richardson, Sarah Strange, James Tupper and John Amos THE SHILL: Heche stars as Marin Frist, a relationship self-help guru who discovers her fiancé is cheating on her en route to a speaking engagement in Elmo, Alaska. She decides to stay in the small town

THE STARS: Ray Liotta, Virginia Madsen, Franky G, Simon Baker, Jonny Lee Miller and Amy Smart THE SHILL: The rare primetime drama that examines crime from the criminal's point-of-view, Smith stars Liotta as Bobby Stevens, a seemingly regular 9-to-5 family man hiding a secret life as a mastermind leading a crew of thieves who plot and execute high-stakes robberies. His wife (Madsen) is tired of turning a blind eye to his illegal pursuits, but Bobby is desperate to score a few big jobs before leaving the game for good. That is, if the FBI agent on his tale doesn't catch him first. THE SKINNY: An original concept plus an excellent cast should equal primetime success, but the unknown x-factor here is the quality of the execution.

JERICHO (Wed, 8PM)

THE STARS: Skeet Ulrich, Gerald McRaney, Pamela Reed, Michael Gaston, Erik Knudsen, Lennie James, Sprague Grayden, Ashley Scott, Shoshannah Stern and Brad Beyer THE SHILL: This drama follows the social, psychological and physical mayhem that breaks out in a small Kansas town after a nuclear mushroom cloud suddenly appears on the horizon, leaving them completely isolated. With all communication cut off, the town starts to come apart at the seams as terror, anger and confusion bring out the very worst in some residents, and turns other into unexpected heroes. THE SKINNY: One of the more heavily-promoted shows of the new season, Jericho's storyline sounds like a cross between 24 and last season's promising (but failed) Invasion. But with American paranoia at an all-time high and an impressive ensemble cast, well-written storylines could make this apocalyptic drama a breakout hit.

SURVIVOR: COOK ISLANDS (Thu, 8PM) THE STARS: The usual slew of reality TV media whores THE SHILL: Though not technically a new show, the 13th season of CBS's reality TV juggernaut goes where no Survivor has ever gone before, breaking the castaways into four tribes divided along racial lines. Stranded on the Cook Islands in the South Pacific, tribes of African-Americans, Asians, Hispanics and Caucasians will try to outwit, outplay and outlast one another in the quest for the one million dollar prize. THE SKINNY: Though some critics have accused producer Mark Burnett of brazen gimmickry, the bold concept is actually a fairly intriguing social experiment that should go a long way towards challenging widely held racial stereotypes. For reality TV junkies, it's like manna from heaven.

SHARK (Thu, 10PM)

THE STARS: James Woods, Jeri Ryan, Sam Page, Sophina Brown, Alexis Cruz, Sarah Carter, Danielle Panabaker THE SHILL: Legendary scene-chomper Woods stars as Sebastian Stark, a supremely self-confident defense attorney who brings his cutthroat tactics to the prosecutor's office as head of the L.A. District Attorney's high-profile crime unit. Working under his former nemesis (Ryan), Stark is paired with a group of young prosecutors astonished to find that he has no intention of changing his underhanded approach just because he's now working for the "good guys." THE SKINNY: Woods ranks mong the greatest actors of his generation, and he's in a timeslot following Survivor and CSI, two of the highest-rated shows on television. You do the math.

JUSTICE (Wed, 9PM) THE STARS: Victor Garber, Kerr Smith, Eamonn Walker and Rebecca Mader THE SHILL: This critically-acclaimed court drama features a criminal defense dream team from disparate backgrounds who combine their unique skill sets to tackle only the most highprofile cases. Win-at-all-costs showboat Ron Trott (Garber), earnest Everyman Tom Nicholson (Smith), analytical mastermind Alden Tuller (Mader) and sociopolitically conscious Luther Graves (Walker) join forces to tackle the case of realtor-to-the-stars Kevin O'Neil. Accused of murdering his wife, the quartet must use state-of-the-art forensic interpretation, jury consultants, mock juries, experts and masterful media spin to save their client in a trial that plays out over the course of the season. THE SKINNY: The show is produced by Jerry Bruckheimer, the midas touch behind hits such as CSI, Without A Trace and Cold Case, so we wouldn't bet against it even if it didn't feature the dazzling Eamonn Walker, who we've missed ever since Oz went off the air.

'TIL DEATH (Thur, 8PM)

only to wind up getting dumped, fired and finding himself homeless, all in the same day. With nobody to turn to, he meets loveable rogue Larry (Medlin), who's just lost his own roommate, Brad (Faxon), to a cold, controlling fiancée (Denbo). Under Larry's tutelage, Henry begins to rebuild his life while trying to hold onto his traditional values. THE SKINNY: Has anyone even heard of this show? Or, for that matter, any of its stars? The buddy comedy was created by Jackie and Jeff Filgo, the brains behind That '70s Show, but color us extremely skeptical that the duo will make magic happen again this time around.

NBC

HEROES (Mon, 9PM)

THE STARS: Milo Ventimiglia, Ali Larter, Hayden Panettiere, Greg Gunberg and Adrian Pasdar THE SHILL: A disparate group of average Joes (and Josephines) suddenly discover superpowers they never knew they had, from flight and psychic ability to invincibility and time travel. They find themselves called on to save the

20 GOOD YEARS (Wed, 9PM)

VANISHED (Mon, 9PM)

STANDOFF (Tues, 9PM) THE STARS: Ron Livingston, Rosemarie DeWitt, Michael Cudlitz, Gina Torres and Raquel Alessi THE SHILL: Top-ranked negotiators in the FBI's Crisis Negotiation Unit, Matt (Livingston) and Lehman (DeWitt) are complete opposites– he goes from the gut, she analyzes every situation from an intellectual standpoint– who also happen to be sleeping together. While working to resolve kidnappings, highrisk suicides, bomb threats, stalking cases and gang violence, the dynamic duo must also negotiate the treacherous grounds of their personal relationship, which gets them into trouble with their boss (Torres) and creates gossip among their peers. THE SKINNY: Unbelievable premise aside– there's no way these two would be allowed to work together– the combination of suspense and playful banter wouldn't appear to make this a likely hit. Especially when you consider the fact that the show is directed by Tim Story, the hack who made Fantastic Four.

FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS (Tue, 8PM)

THE STARS: Kyle Chandler, Connie Britton, Zach Gilford, Adrianne Palicki and Jesse Plemons THE SHILL: Based on the Billy Bob Thornton movie of the same name, this sports drama centers around a small Texas town where high school football is such a big deal, the entire city shuts down to watch the weekly games. When a major event threatens the fate of the team, their hungry quest for the championship is thrown into jeopardy, setting up the story arc for the season. THE SKINNY: Maintaining intensity and dramatic suspense over the course of a two-hour film is one thing, but can producers keep the grueling gridiron groove going over 24 episodes? And as much as we like him, Chandler is no Billy Bob. Though the premiere garnered big buzz at the annual Television Critics Association gathering, balancing the players' on- and off-field lives will ultimately prove the key to keeping non-sports fanatics interested.

THE STARS: John Lithgow, Jeffrey Tambor, Heather Burns and Jake Sandvig THE SHILL: This sitcom stars Lithgow and Tambor as two New York pals who realize they only have about 20 good years left to live each day to its fullest. THE SKINNY: Just seeing Tambor on a show that's not Arrested Development (R.I.P.) is enough to bring tears to our eyes, but he and Lithgow are arguably two of the funniest father figures in recent sitcom history. Still, the buzz on this one is not good- uninspired storylines, weak scripts and canned laugh tracks that fail to capture the magic of the talents involved. Going up against Lost, hopefully NBC will give this one a quick, merciful death.

FOX

THE STARS: Gale Harold, John Allen Nelson, Joanne Kelly, Rebecca Gayheart, John Patrick Margarita Levieva, Amedori, Chris Egan, Robert Hoffman and Ming-Na THE SHILL: When the beautiful young wife (Kelly) of a GA Senator (Nelson) goes missing, two FBI agents (Harold and Ming-Na), an ambitious reporter (Gayheart) and members of the missing woman's family try to solve the mystery surrounding her disappearance. The result plays out like a cross between CSI, 24 and a nighttime soap, complete with secrets, lies, betrayal and scandal. THE SKINNY: Created by Josh Berman of CSI fame, the show's dense plot requires faithful weekly viewing to keep up. It's got a great lead-in in last season's breakout hit, Prison Break, but we won't be surprised to see Vanished live up to its name before the end of the year.

reports confirm that the all-star cast is terrific, the storylines captivating and the writing is spot-on. Given the amount of money NBC is putting into promoting the show, we expect this one to go the distance.

30 ROCK (Wed, 9:30PM)

THE STARS: Brad Garrett, Joely Fisher, Eddie Kaye Thomas and Kat Foster THE SHILL: Former Everybody Loves Raymond star Garrett returns to primetime as Eddie, a cynical realist of a high school history teacher who's been married to wife Joy (Fisher) for over 20 years. Needless to say, the bloom is off the rose when cutesy-pie newlyweds Jeff (Thomas) and Steph (Foster) move in next door. A veteran of the battle of the sexes, Eddie gives advice to the idealistic Jeff, who also happens to be the new Vice Principal at Eddie's school. THE SKINNY: Network TV needs small doses of this kind of loving cynicism, and with Married With Children and Malcolm in the Middle gone the way of the dodo, Fox could use a new acerbic family sitcom. Unfortunately, going up against My Name Is Earl and Survivor, 'Til Death probably won't last as long as the average drunken Vegas marriage.

HAPPY HOUR (Thu, 8:30PM)

THE STARS: John Sloan, Lex Medlin, Nat Faxon, Jamie Denbo, Beth Lacke and Brooke D'Orsay THE SHILL: Henry (Sloan) moves to Chicago to work with girlfriend Heather's (D'Orsay) family business,

world time and again, but some find being “super” isn't all its cracked up to be. THE SKINNY: One of the season's more intriguing concepts, tapping into pop culture's increasing fascination with mutants and superpowers. Maybe it's the constant spectre of war, or our frustration with our own inability to do anything about the injustices of the world. But regardless, we'll be watching.

STUDIO 60 ON THE SUNSET STRIP (Mon, 10PM) THE STARS: Matthew Perry, Amanda Peet, Bradley Whitford, DL Hughley, Steven Weber and Sarah Paulson THE SHILL: An intriguing concept- a drama about what goes on behind the scenes of a late-night sketch comedy show, including clashes between business and creative interests, backstage politics, workplace romance and egodriven personality conflicts. Sounds like somebody's been reading a lot of Saturday Night Live memoirs... THE SKINNY: This one comes from the mind of West Wing creator Aaron Sorkin, who conquered similar territory with the late, great Sports Night. Early

THE STARS: Tina Fey, Alec Baldwin, Tracy Morgan, Rachel Dratch, Jane Krakowski and Scott Adsit THE SHILL: The always-impressive Baldwin stars as a bullying TV exec who forces the head writer of a sketch comedy show (Fey) to hire an unmanageable movie star, creating workplace chaos. THE SKINNY: With Mean Girls, creator Fey proved she had the write stuff to beat the famous Saturday Night Live curse, and this behind-the-scenes look at an SNL-type show is said to be one of the season's funniest sitcoms. Baldwin's thespian talent has only improved with age, and Morgan's gleefully over-the-top antics should prove a nice comedic foil for Fey's straight man deadpan. Still, it's up against Lost, so don't be surprised to see a midseason time slot change.

KIDNAPPED (Wed, 10PM)

THE STARS: Jeremy Sisto, Delroy Lindo, Dana Delaney, Timothy Hutton THE SHILL: When the teenage son of a wealthy New York family is kidnapped, the father (Hutton) hires a high-priced PI (Sisto) to track the perp down. Unfortunately the FBI gets in the way, stumbling into the case while looking for the boy's missing bodyguard, and the clash between the FBI and the family impedes the investigation as dear old dad attempts to hide some of his own dark personal secrets. THE SKINNY: Though not as massively hyped as some of the season's other big dramas, this stylish thriller has a killer cast and a suspenseful, high-stakes storyline. Coming from the producers of excellent (but failed) shows such as Karen Sisco and Invasion, we're rooting for Kidnapped to be a hit. --B. Love

PG 15 • insiteatlanta.com • September 2006

Entertainment

MOVIE REVIEWS

BEERFEST- After the cult success of Super Troopers, the fellas of the Broken Lizard comedy troupe are back with a vengeance. When American brothers Todd and Jan Wolfhouse (Erik Stolhanske and Paul Soter) are sent to Germany to carry out their grandfather's wishes to have his ashes spread at Oktoberfest, they get drunk under the table by their cousins and return home to plot their revenge. There, they recruit three team members (Jay Chandrasekhar, Kevin Heffernan and Steve Lemme) and start a strenuous training regimen complete with overnight beer-drinking marathon. With one year to prepare for next year's Beerfest, the crew must perfect the craft of alcoholic consumption to show the Germans that revenge, like beer, is served cold. There isn't much of a plot here, but the film was better than you might expect. The characters are a bit spastic, but very memorable, and the beer is accompanied by scenes of topless women, countless brawls and WAY too much testosterone. There are a few gut-busting moments thanks to “Gam Gam” (Cloris Leachman), as she teaches the boys a lesson about the “world's oldest profession.” All in all, Beerfest is an enjoyable romp as long as you don't expect it to be remotely cerebral. (C) –Zena Scott

FACTOTUM- For the purposes of storytelling, films are often patently delineated. Good guys and bad guys fight it out, in one way or another, on the battlefield, in the boardroom, on the soccer field, in the living room. Life, however, is rarely that black and white. Perhaps more relatable for most people is what Charles Bukowski once wrote about himself: "I'm sentimental as all shit. It's my nature. I'm tough, too. I can be a son of a bitch when I have to be, and sometimes I have to be." Factotum offers a glimpse into the life of the poet Bukowski, whose style could be described as diametrically opposite to the oft-loved pastoral poets, his inspirations coming from drinking, women, and soul-sapping menial jobs, rather than the woods and snow and fog. Matt Dillon plays Henry Chinaski, Bukowski's literary doppelganger. While Dillon's looks belie the reality of the scarred and wearied poet, he does capture the duality of a man that is driven to both pour out his emotions on paper and search for female intimacy, while also being sometimes driven to commit acts of violence and unkindness in desperation. This movie, beautiful in its darkness, plays out in dingy hotel rooms and monotonous factories, with Lili Taylor and Marisa Tomei playing dusky rays of flawed female light shining in Chinaski's world. As dark as it gets though, like life, there is humor even in very trying situations, such as when Jan (Lili Taylor), Chinaksi's on-again, off-again girlfriend, thinks of an unusual way to alleviate his STD-induced discomfort. An all-too-brief look at his family hints at elements that contributed to such a fractured man. Throughout the movie, Chinaski is struggling - with himself, drinking, women, bosses, publishers - and it is that murky struggle, which we all can relate to, that makes this movie so memorable. (B+) –Betsy Jones GRIDIRON GANG-

From Rocky and The Bad News Bears to Coach Carter, Hollywood history is littered with sports stories about losers from the wrong side of the tracks who ultimately become winners on the strength of their heart, guts and hard-nosed guidance from firm but loving mentors. In that sense, Gridiron Gang– based on the true story of juvenile detention camp parole office Sean Porter (played by Dwayne Johnson, a.k.a. The Rock)– is hardly original, but its gritty approach elevates the material above the usual clichéd rags-to-riches fare. The film opens by introducing us to one of Porter's young charges, who struggles to go straight upon his release from juvie, only to find himself slaughtered by rival gang members. PG 16 • insiteatlanta.com insiteatlanta.com •• September PG September2006 2006

When the teen's vengeful cousin winds up taking his place behind bars, Porter decides something must be done to provide these troubled youths with an alternative to gang life, so he and his assistant (played by Xzibit) launch a football program in hopes of teaching them discipline and self-esteem. “You're losers,” he tells them in a pivotal early scene, describing how they lost by trying to commit various crimes and getting caught. “But,” he assures them, if they devote themselves to his new program and commit to the team, “by the end of the year you'll be winners.” Of course, before they can do that they have to battle the detention center's reluctant administration, the high school coaches who are reluctant to allow their teams to play convicted criminals and, worst of all, their own self-defeating attitudes. But even the dimmest of audience members knows that this ragtag group of teenage cons will ultimately pull it together and prove themselves the champions Porter knew they'd be all along. Still, the predictable journey proves gripping to watch thanks to passionate performances by Johnson and a supporting cast of relative unknowns, all of whom bring a wealth of genuine emotion to their roles. Make sure you stick around for the end credits, in which portions of the original documentary upon which Gridiron Gang was based prove how closely the film stayed to Porter's inspirational true story. (B) –B. Love

HALF NELSON- If you're one of those blockbuster lovers who only goes to see movies full of action, violence and special effects, this breakout film from the 2006 Sundance Film Festival (where it was nominated for the prestigious Grand Jury Prize) is probably not for you. By day, Dan Dunne (Ryan Gosling) is a passionate history teacher at an inner-city junior high school, educating his young students on landmark events in the Human Rights movement and coaching the girls' basketball team. By night, he's a club-hopping, crack-smoking addict, avoiding calls from bill collectors and old flames while bedding random women attracted to his bohemian scruffiness and intellectualized sociopolitical proselytizing. Distraught over the revelation that his rehabilitated exgirlfriend is engaged, the teacher's life is irrevocably altered when his secret is discovered by one of his students, Drey (Shareeka Epps), with whom he begins to form an unlikely friendship. His world beginning to crumble around him as he struggles with the ravages of his addiction, saving Drey from neighborhood drug dealer Frank (Anthony Mackie) becomes Dunne's distracting obsession, as if by saving her from his clutches he can somehow save himself. The film subtly points out the debilitating influence of dysfunctional families, whether biological (the alcoholism of Dunne's parents is hinted at as the origin of his addiction) or circumstantial (Frank magnanimously takes 12-year-old Drey under his wing, then puts her to work running yayo). As downbeat as writer/director Ryan Flick's film is, its central message is ultimately a hopeful one, implying that sometimes all it takes is one person to make all the difference in someone's life. Gosling and Epps each deliver stunning, award-worthy performances- all moody and introspective subtlety where lesser talents would be tempted to take it over the top- making this gritty, compelling indie one of the most riveting films of the year. (A-) –B. Love HOLLYWOODLAND-

Diane Lane's name isn't always mentioned on the list of filmdom’s most esteemed veteran actresses, but it probably should be. The 41-year-old always carries herself well on the big screen, yet she's rarely acknowledged for it. Lane's Toni Mannix has a name in Hollywood, too, but that's due more to the man she's married to (MGM VP Eddie Mannix, played by Bob Hoskins) than the films she's been in. Even from the other side of the velvet rope, we know how fickle the movie biz can be. So you can almost understand Toni approaching a young, stately George Reeves (Ben Affleck) at a party one night. Neither the cameras, daily papers or her husband were telling her she was beautiful, so maybe the handsome lad might. And he does. In return for all the attention, the powerful Mannix finds the starving actor steady jobs and a new house. Reeves, of course, lands a gig as TV's Superman, a decent gig that, sadly, leaves the actor relegated to capes and tights for the rest of his career. Reeves falls into a state of depression that some say

Ryan Gosling teaching one of his inner-city students the official hipster handshake of his native Canada, in the ind ie drama Half Nelson. may have led to his 1959 suicide. Others, including Reeves' odd mother, feel that foul play had something to do with it. But who on earth would want the Man of Steel dead? More folks than you'd think. Director Allen Coulter (The Sopranos and Sex in the City) sets up the potentials in this noir-ish whodunit marvelously, insisting the lens keep a mindful eye on Reeves' spite-filled young wife, Leonore (Robin Tunney), a heartbroken Toni Mannix and one of her jealous husband's henchmen. Louis Simo (a moresullen-than-usual Adrien Brody) is the unorthodox detective Reeves' mom hires to dig up the truth. Unfortunately, he's got so many personal problems– a bitter ex-wife, alcoholism, other clients– that he can barely stay afloat. Solid acting from Lane (and yes, even Affleck) and stellar cinematography keep the film from swimming into L.A. Confidential knock-off waters. In the end, the story insinuates who Simo feels probably pulled the trigger, but if you've been paying attention, you know that Hollywood itself is the most heinous offender. (B-) –DeMarco Williams

IDLEWILD- Bryan Barber's Idlewild, GA, is a gorgeous place, both in landscape and lavishness. If you were describing the quaint town to visitors, the best you'd probably come up with is a mix of Outkast's "Ms Jackson" video and Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory. At this festive address you'll run into talking roosters on flasks, dancing clocks on walls, no sign of white folk, zero police and lots of free-spirited song and dance. ATLiens this ain't. Pluto? Well, now you might be talking. But here's the thing about Outkast's looong-delayed cinematic opus: It's actually really easy to follow. Sure, pre-teens drive cars and gamble, but honestly, seeing the whole thing play out so vividly on screen, you don't scratch your head any more than you do watching Beerfest or Snakes on a Plane. In fact, the underlying story of two childhood friends– Rooster (Antwan "Big Boi" Patton) and mortician-intraining Percival (a subdued Andre "Andre 3000" Benjamin), whose very different lives only overlap at a hopping juke joint– is pretty standard. It's all the side characters who make the stay at Idlewild so oddly enjoyable. Where does one begin when detailing the supporting players here? Angel Davenport (Paula Patton), maybe? She's the mysterious beauty just riding into town, who has her heart set on two things– making it big with her voice, and winning over Percival. Ving Rhames is Spats, Rooster's fried hairwearing father and the town's biggest bootlegger. Terrence Howard's Trumpy is Spats' right-hand man, with Howard in typical quietly sinister mode, steady plotting with his eyes and economy of words. (There's the occasional "Mane" reference, as made famous in Hustle and Flow, just for good measure.) Besides the colorful cast (Paula Jai White and Malinda Williams play women fighting for Rooster's attention) and playful lens (you'll lose count of all of Barber's neat camera flips and dips), Idlewild works because of its score. It's hip-hop that respects the paths laid by Cab Calloway and Duke Ellington. But those who've categorized this as a musical aren't totally accurate; it's more of a love story. For years, Andre and Big Boi have had a vision of doing a grandiose Prohibition Era flick that was fun, unique and, most of all, telling of the rappers' acting chops. This fascinating

trip to Outkast's version of the 1930s-era South is all of that and then some. Visitors are welcome. (B+) –DeMarco Williams

THE ILLUSIONIST- Based on Pulitzer Prizewinning author Steven Millhauser's short story, “Eisenheim the Illusionist,” writerdirector Neil Burger's period drama is a simple star-crossed love story that– true to its title– is more than what it seems. Set in early 20th-century Vienna, celebrated stage magician Eisenheim (Edward Norton) reunites with his first love, Duchess Sophie von Teschen (Jessica Biel), the fiancé of imperialistic Crown Prince Leopold (Rufus Sewell). Their forbidden affair incurs the wrath of Prince Leopold, and may have caused her death. It's up to the venal but sympathetic police inspector Uhl (Paul Giamatti) to solve the case. The premise sounds typical, but it's actually a murder mystery with a touch of supernatural disguise and political undertones. Eisenheim's tricks are so convincing that the public believes he has supernatural power to call on spirits and subsequently help overturn the power of an Austrian prince. As the resolute illusionist, Norton once again provides a hardhitting performance that proves he is one of the best actors of his generation. Giamatti and Sewell are both effective in their supporting roles, although I had a harder time accepting Jessica Biel as a turn-of-the-century duchess. Great production values and crisp narration elevate the indie film from a conventional period drama into intriguing entertainment that will inevitably prove too difficult to market. (B) --Sean K

INVINCIBLE-

It's well-documented how tough Philadelphia fans can get when that scoreboard doesn't read in their favor. Had Rocky Balboa thrown a jab the wrong way, they'd let him know it. “Hey, coach,” the Eagles contingent blurts during an early scene here, “Thanks for the three wins!” Putting it mildly, the mid-‘70s was not the best time to be a football fan in green and white. But even with the 31-0 scores, Vince Papale (a pumped-up Mark Wahlberg) announces his allegiance. The franchise owner... well, not so much, so he gets hot shot University of Southern California head coach Dick Vermeil (portrayed superbly by Greg Kinnear). Vermeil is a hard worker– “I'll sleep in December”– who brings fresh ideas to the troubled franchise, one of which is a team tryout open to any Schmo who thinks he looks good in a helmet. Scenes with potbelly-carrying, can't-catch-a-cold men on the field are great. Papale, an out-of-work substitute teacher and just-dumped husband, plays ball once a week in these grueling, Ultimate Warrior-type games with his buddies from the bar. He's real

Entertainment good, too. Nice hands. Super quick. But he's also 30, with no college experience. Still, he gives it his all, not just for himself but for his entire blue-collar neighborhood in Philly. Some of those quiet moments with his pals and pop are a tad saccharine for some palates (“When I told you not to get your hopes up, it didn't mean I wasn't,” says Vince's glass-eyed dad during one scene). But you gotta hand it to Disney (Glory Road, The Rookie): The Mouse House knows how to make a sports flick that's entertaining to jocks, yet inclusive to jills. With Wahlberg effectively acting out one of the most fascinating stories in NFL history, most know how the true story ends: Papale makes the team, gets the girl (Elizabeth Banks) and inspires a city. The twist? You smile the whole time the thing's playing out. (B) –DeMarco Williams

LASSIE - I know what you're thinking: Yet another remake of the classic dog movie?! Boring, right? Surprisingly, that’s not the case. Set in 1938 at the dawn of World War II, this British import is a sincere, heartwarming family drama about a struggling family being forced to sell their beloved dog to the Duke of Rudling. Lassie escapes and sets out on a thousand-mile journey to return home from Scotland. Along the way, she meets several unusual characters– some friendly, some banal– but ultimately she makes it back to her family. This is an amiable showcase of unfailing loyalty, with the support of an excellent cast and cameos including the great Peter O'Toole, Samantha Morton, John Lynch and Peter Dinklage. The filmmakers don't attempt to indulge in any modern bells and whistles (i.e. no CGI). Instead, this is good old-fashioned storytelling all the way through. Just don't forget to bring Kleenex. (B) –Sean K. LAST KISS-

Why do the thirties seem so damn complicated? Truth is, every age range has its own set of complications, but once you're in your thirties you begin to take life a little more seriously. Crash writer/director Paul Haggis penned this story about 30-year-old Michael (Zach Braff), who’s successful in business and has a beautiful girlfriend. All seems well, but he begins to question meanings of his exiostence and worries about the disappearance of spontaneity from his life. Michael and his friends find themselves at a crossroads, where college life is over, mid-life is on the horizon and decisions need to be made. Or do they? His girlfriend, Jenna (Jacinda Barrett), wants to settle down and buy a house, but Michael wants to hold on to youth and frivolity. His life grows more compl;icated when he meets another gorgeous girl who wants the same. His friends advise him, his parents throw in their two cents, but in the end Michael has to find some common ground in his own mind, and therein lies attraction of this story. Playing like a cross between thirtysomething and Garden State, the film has an excellent cast (including Rachel Bilson and Blythe Danner) and a killer soundtrack. (B) –Lonie Haynes

S NA K ES O N A P L A NE -

Fueled by a year’s worth of internet buzz for over a year, the web fanatics' fave finally opened at number one with $15 million at the box office, without pre-screening to snobbish movie critics. Not the numbers New Line was hoping for, but nevertheless, it's one heck of a B-movie. It will be a profitable one, too. Costing a mere $30 million to make, the film will undoubtedly sell well in international markets simply because you don't need to understand the dialogue to enjoy it. It's visual, it's simple and it provokes two nearuniversal fears. As Samuel L. Jackson so famously justified, there are snakes and they're on a plane– either you like it or you don't. There is no pretense here: This is a movie that never take itself seriously, and the whole point of watching it is spelled out succinctly in its title. You want to see a shitload of snakes and you want to see them on a plane full of people being terrorized? This is the movie for you. Sure, the script is

“A MAGICAL“ EXPERIENCE UNLIKE ANYTHING YOU HAVE EVER SEEN.

goddamn preposterous, and the point of explaining the plot is moot. It's a bad movie in every sense, but a good bad movie– the kind that leaves you yelling at the screen with your drunken buddies at a late-night showing. The kind you laugh at when a guy gets swallowed by a giant python. The kind in which you scream the fan-inspired line of dialogue right along with badass Jackson, “Enough is enough! I've had it with these muthafuckin' snakes on this muthafuckin' plane!” And if you’ve promised yourself you won't take it even remotely seriously, the kind that’ll leave you having a blast. (B) -Sean K.

Wildly entertaining! It’s a fresh, hip and an imaginative extravaganza that will dazzle and thrill audiences from beginning to end.”

TALLADEGA NIGHTS: THE BALLAD OF R I C K Y B O B B Y - Nobody would ever accuse

Will Ferrell of holding anything back in his pursuit of a laugh. Not since Chris Farley has a comedian been so gung-ho to make a complete and utter fool of himself for the sake of the funny, and whether it's running around in his tighty-whiteys while hallucinating that he's on fire or giving some sweet man-tongue to French archrival Jean Girard (Sacha Baron Cohen), this film finds Ferrell at his most inane/insane. Like many of his best characters, Ricky Bobby is a bit of an ass– a dim-witted redneck who lucks into a slot as a NASCAR driver when the team's regular loser decides to make a pit stop for fried chicken instead of continuing in last place. The initially shy Bobby soon rises to the top and becomes the epitome of loathsome oafs, taking advantage of best friend Cal (John C. Reilly, clearly having a blast), making out with his hot trophy wife (Leslie Bibb) in front of his foulmouthed kids, and generally being an obnoxious redneck stereotype. But he gets his comeuppance in the form of Cohen's gay Formula One driver, who's come to America to steal Bobby's thunder. The riseand-fall storyline (by Ferrell and longtime writing partner Adam McKay, who also directs) is somewhat cliché, but the cast squeezes the most out of every scene, from Ricky praying to the little baby Jesus to a scene in which his loser dad (Gary Cole) uses a cougar to teach Ricky to conquer his fear. It's not smart comedy by any means, but if you liked Ferrell in Old School and Anchorman, chances are you'll love him here, NASCAR fan or not. (B) -B. Love

W O R L D T R A D E C E N T E R - You could almost hear the collective intake of breath when it was announced that Oliver Stone, the director behind controversial films such as JFK and Natural Born Killers, would tackle a story based on the tragic events of September 11. Forget for a moment the philosophical debates over whether five years might not be a bit too soon for our local multiplexes to be inundated with films about one of the worst tragedies in American history. The real question was whether a provocateur notorious for paranoid conspiracy theories and prickly politics could possibly handle such a delicate subject in a respectful manner that wouldn't rub salt in the gaping wounds of grief that remain raw for thousands of families affected by the 2001 attack on the World Trade Center. The good news is that Stone acquits himself admirably, delivering a powerfully moving document of the tragedy that never feels exploitative. Nicolas Cage kicks his usual hammy crap to the curb to nobly portray veteran Port Authority police officer John McLoughlin, who was leading a team on a rescue mission into the WTC towers when the entire thing began to crumble around them. McLoughlin and young Will Jimeno (Crash's Michael Pena) were numbers 18 and 19 of the mere 20 people pulled alive from the rubble, and World Trade Center tells their riveting story with subtlety and grace. Major props go to Andrea Berloff, whose elegant script deftly weaves together the tale of how these courageous men became trapped and what was done to save them with the stories of their families (including Maria Bello as Donna McLoughlin and Maggie Gyllenhaal as Jimeno's pregnant wife) and of Dave Karnes (Michael Shannon), the retired Marine who drove from Connecticut to Ground Zero after watching the towers fall and ultimately found the two officers. Though Karnes is imbued with a sort of mythic brand of heroism that recalls Stone's greatest film, Platoon, World Trade Center largely avoids the temptations of rah-rah patriotism or political finger-pointing. Instead, the director chooses to examine the grand-scale ramifications of the tragedy by focusing on the personal stories of the individuals who were most profoundly impacted by it. This is good old-fashioned storytelling from a master of the craft, and it will hit you square in the heart with a velocity that will leave you breathless. (A) --B. Love

Shawn Edwards, FOX-TV

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PG17 17• •insiteatlanta.com insiteatlanta.com• •September September2006 2006 PG

hicago sits between New York and Los Angeles. Robin Tunney, 34 (but she could play a 24-year-old easily), is a Windy City native who walks with the certainty of a New Yorker and talks with the free-spirited charm of a Californian. Like many before, Tunney (“It rhymes with money,” she exclaims upon entering the room) moved west as a teen to pursue her acting dreams. Unlike most, she's fulfilled them in roles in The Craft, End of Days and this fall's noir-ish crime mystery Hollywoodland. Robin plays the assertive, have-it-her-way Leonore there. Folks who see Robin every week as lawyer Veronica Donovan on the FOX hit Prison Break would call her TV character durable and relentless. Sitting about 20 feet from the pale bombshell, you're inclined to plop the real Robin Tunney somewhere in between the two characters. Playing to both audiences seems to be what she's best at. Now let's see how she fields questions about 40s-era filmmaking and becoming a celebrity through television. Was Leonore ever sunny? Leonore had her moments. She had to be attractive enough that George [Reeves, TV's Superman] would actually want to sleep with her. She couldn't show her sociopath part immediately. She was charming for about 35 seconds. She comes onto the screen like a freight train. Is that something you really sink your teeth in or are you l i k e , “Wow, do I have this in me?” W e were joki n g

PG 18 • insiteatlanta.com • September 2006

Rockin’ Robin Movies? Check! A Hit T V s h o w ? C h e c k ! Fame? Prison Break’s Robin Tunney i s wo r k i n g o n i t !

about this earlier. I don't really have a temper in real life, so I love being able to play someone who has one because you get to let it out. It's funny 'cuz the casting process was really long. They read like 200 girls for my part and they were having a hard time finding the person. I was way down on that ladder. I was taking scraps. I called my agent and I said, “They've read everybody in town! What's the problem? What are these girls doing wrong?” She calls back and says, “Everybody's playing it a bit too refined where you don't believe this woman would do this.” So I went and rented A Place in the Sun, 'cuz I remembered Shelley Winters played a character… I think a lot of contemporary actors try to find a redeemable side in a character. They're like, “This is the scene where, despite all the bad things I did, they'll fall in love with me.” This character doesn't have that. I didn't really care about her being loveable. I watched Shelley Winters and thought, “I'll make her from the wrong side of the tracks in New York.” What's interesting is, after I got the role, I started doing some research and it turns that out Leonore came from this wealthy family but she put on a Brooklyn accent to be tough or whatever. It's interesting Toni because Mannix (the woman also fighting for Reeves' heart) was this Vegas showgirl who put on this voice like she s w a monied and wellt r a v eled. S o , basi-

cally, it's this movie with all these people who are, sort of, personas. They weren't who they really were. I had to read with Ben Affleck during the process, which was really stressful. The last time I had seen him was when I did the worst audition for Good Will Hunting. They flew me to go and read with and Matt [Damon]. I had an outrageous breakout. I think I had, like, 15 pimples on my face. I was sweating and I was in the room. I really, really wanted the part. I couldn't remember my lines. I showed up [this time] and there he was again. My skin was clear. I said, “You know what? This time I'm not going to screw this up.” How do you handle times like the bad audition? I think there's a certain sadistic side to every actor with the abuse. You just gotta try to pull your socks up and say everybody else is wrong. I think it was Laurence Olivier. A young actor walked up to him and said, “What is the one ingredient that made a great actor?” He looked and said, “Tenacity.” I guess we gotta just keep on trying. If you took everything personally, I would've quit years and years and years ago. You just gotta try to keep on going, try to one day be in a movie as good as this. Since you're on TV every Monday, do you get more of a reaction on streets now? Yeah, definitely. I've been working for a lot of years and people would be like, when The Craft came out, “You're the girl from The Craft! Hey, witchie!” It died down and then it comes out on DVD. [Fans go] “Hey, witchcraft!” The DVD dies out, but then Vertical Limit comes out and people walk up and say, “My god! You lost so much weight after that movie.” And I'm like, “No, I was wearing a snowsuit. I looked like a Teletubbie kinda but no, it was a snowsuit.” Then that dies down. It's very cyclical. With television, you're in their houses every week and they have a relationship with you, and that's different. But I'd have to say it feels fantastic that people enjoy it. Everybody has a bad day. You drop your groceries downstairs. You take your dog to the vet and somebody says, “Oh, I love you!” It feels nice that they're watching. You certainly get a lot more of [the attention]. And they all want to marry [Prison Break co-star] Wentworth Miller,

and that's taking a lot of my time up– the marriage proposals to Wentworth Miller. I kinda feel like David Hasselhoff [when he was on Baywatch with Pamela Anderson]. Are you doing any of the location work in Dallas for Prison Break? Yeah, we went from Chicago in winter, which was uncomfortable, to summer in Texas, which makes me feel that somebody has it out for us. I don't know. It's just a theory. Executive Producer Bret Ratner says this season is going to be like The Great Escape. You agree with that? I think that's sorta the template. The idea's always been that the first year was Shawshank Redemption and the second year was The Great Escape. I guarantee that next year you'll see very good looking men in peril yet again. That's all I'm kinda allowed to say. I've been sworn to secrecy. You don't want to get Rupert Murdoch (FOX's president) upset... ever. A girl's gotta bring home the bacon. Is there something appealing as an actor in coming back to a character on a regular basis, unlike a movie that doesn't have a sequel? You know, I think that a lil' bit of each character that you play, if you play it well and it means a lot to you, lives inside of you. You do mourn the character, but sometimes I'll just tick, like [my character in] Niagara, Niagara. I'm like, “Wow, you just ticked!” I'd say my lines from Hollywoodland in the car sometimes just 'cuz they're really fun to say. There's little pieces of them that still live inside of you and I think, disturbingly enough, they become a part of you. You don't wanna quite let it go. At the end of the day, what have you learned about being on TV? It's funny because I was making a film about an actor who was pigeonholed for a role he played on television, and here I was going to start a new TV show. I think I was [filming] them both at the same time for a while. The industry's changed a lot. I think films are getting more expensive. There isn't a lot of room for character development in most of them. There aren't a lot of great roles out there. Being able to work on a show and have a character you get to see evolve over 22 episodes a year is great. I think television is getting better and I think movies are getting worse. I think it's sad but it's true. Why don't we see you more in the tabloids? I bought some furniture and people took some pictures [of me] with my boyfriend. I was really unnerved. We were buying furniture. It wasn't even really that fun. There's nothing dirty about furniture. We weren't even buying a bed! They were dining room chairs. I generally promote things only when I have something to promote. I don't go to other people's movie premieres unless it's someone who's a friend or you had something to do with it and you want to support. It's not because I look down on other people doing it; it's just not how I like to spend my time. I really like to cook and hang out at the house and stuff. [The limelight] is not that fun to me, but I don't look down on people who have fun doing it. –DeMarco Williams

“The industry's changed a lot. Films are getting more expensive. There isn't a lot of room for character development in most of them. There aren't a lot of great roles out there. Being able to work on a TV show and have a character you get to see evolve over 22 episodes a year is great. I think television is getting better, and I think movies are getting worse.”

VIDIOTS VIDIOTS This month’s DVD & VHS release

* * * PICKS OF THE MONTH * * * B R I C K - Arguably among the best seen, * * * P I Cmovies KS O F of T Hthe E M Oyear NT Hyou * * haven’t * writer/director Rianamong Johnson’s B R I C K - Arguably the stunbest

This month’s DVD s & VHS releases THE 11TH HOUR-

If you’re an underground hip-hop fan, you probably know the basics about Del the Funky THomosapien: H E 1 1 T H H Ocousin U R - Iftoyou’re an underground hip-hop fan, Ice Cube, humorous MC, cool with you probably know the basics about Del the do Funky Casual and Souls of Mischief. But what, if anything, you Homosapien: cousin IceArea Cube, humorous MC, drawing cool with really know about thetoBay legend? If you’re a Casual and Souls Mischief. what, if anything, do you blank, you’d best of grab a seatBut (and a spliff, depending on really about Bay Area you’re a who’s know around) andthe follow dudelegend? around Ifhere as drawing his Hiero blank,makes you’d its best grab to a venues seat (and spliff,stations depending on crew rounds anda radio across who’s around) and follow dude stop around here as gets his Hiero the map. The camera doesn’t when Del back crew andrap radio venues homemakes either,itssorounds expecttoto see the vetstations playingacross video the map. The camera when Del gets stop and back games, shooting the shitdoesn’t with homies saying, “I’ll damn home either, so box expect to seeinthe vet playing video near eat a whole of Eggos the rap morning!” DVD extras games, shooting the shit with and homies and saying, “I’ll offer more live show footage radio interviews to damn chew near eat–DeMarco a whole box of Eggos in the morning!” DVD extras Williams on. (B) offer more live show footage and radio interviews to chew on. (B) –DeMarco Williams D I S T R I C T B 1 3 - This 2004 French film introduces Parkour, a martial art/sport in which participants move D I S T R I C T B 1 3 - This 2004 French film introduces over, around, under and through obstacles in the most fluid Parkour, a martial art/sport in which participants move form possible.under Set inand 2010 Paris, where slums are most walled off over, around, through obstacles in the fluid to keep the hoods in the 'hood, the story follows ex-thug form possible. Set in 2010 Paris, where slums are walled off Leïto (David armed by walking to keep the Belle) hoodsas in he theevades 'hood,an the storygang follows ex-thug on walls, crashing windows, and leaping from Leïto (David Belle) asthrough he evades an armed gang by walking building to building in an unbelievable sequence. on walls, crashing through windows, and leapingThere's from no green-screen, noinwires, only one sequence. crazy-ass acrobat building to building an unbelievable There's improvising his waynothrough terrain. But when drug no green-screen, wires, urban only one crazy-ass acrobat lord Taka (co-writer Narceri) kidnaps hisBut spunky improvising his way Bibi through urban terrain. whensister drug Lola (Dany(co-writer Verissimo), is forced to team with underlord Taka BibiLeïto Narceri) kidnaps his spunky sister cover cop Damien (Cyril Raffaelli), who's on a with mission to Lola (Dany Verissimo), Leïto is forced to team underdefuse a neutron so thewho's story's preposcover cop Damienbomb. (CyrilOkay, Raffaelli), ona alittle mission to with action visceral violent, you won't terous, abut defuse neutron bomb.this Okay, so theand story's a little preposget much time toaction catch your breath, much less notice but with this visceral and violent, you holes won't terous, (B) to –B.catch Loveyour breath, much less notice holes in plot.time getthe much in the plot. (B) –B. Love H A R D C A N D Y - Director David Slade's debut follows 14year-old (Ellen Page), who meets Kohlver H A R D CHayley A N D Y - Stark Director David Slade's debut Jeff follows 14year-old Hayley (Ellen 32-year-old Page), who photographer, meets Jeff Kohlver (Patrick Wilson),Stark a suave and (Patrick Wilson), a suave photographer, and goes back to his pad, where 32-year-old she gets drunk, strips and asks goes to back to his whereWhen she gets strips asks him take herpad, photos. he drunk, collapses, weand realize him to istake her photos. he collapses, realize Hayley an avenger intentWhen on torturing Jeff intowe a confesHayley an avengerand intent on torturing Jeff into a confession of iskidnapping murdering a missing girl. Slade's sion of kidnapping and murdering missing girl. Slade's deft direction and crisp dialogue bya Brian Nelson makes deft direction crisp dialogue by Brian Nelson this one of theand most entertaining two-person playsmakes since this one of the most entertaining two-person plays since

spellbinding ning indie thriller movies of the year is youa haven’t seen, whodunit cleverly disguised as a stunteen writer/director Rian Johnson’s film. the thriller classic noir mysis adetective spellbinding ning All indie tery elements are disguised here: the as dead girl whodunit cleverly a teen film. All Emilie the classic detective mys(Lost’s de noir Ravin), the hero tery elements are here: the dead girl (Joseph Gordon-Levitt, in a career (Lost’s Emilie de shady Ravin),crime the hero making turn), the boss (JosephHaas, Gordon-Levitt, in a dealer), career (Lukas as a local drug making turn), the shady crime boss tough figure (Richard authority the (Lukas Haas, a local drug and dealer), Roundtree, as as a Vice Principal) the toughGood). figure (Richard authority deadly femme fatale the (Meagan Setting the film in an as a Vice and the average high schoolRoundtree, toPrincipal) explore teenage allows Johnson deadlyheirarchies femme fatale (Meagan Good).than Setting an social more intelligently any the filmfilm thisinside average Johnson to explore highbut school allowsdialogue of Heathers, the dense is anything butteenage immasocialClose heirarchies film this side more any these ture. your eyes imagine andintelligently it’s easy to than lines in of Heathers, but the densenovel, dialogue anything a classic Mickey but is open them but Spillane andimmayou’ll ture.aClose eyes and these it’sthat easytruly to imagine lines an in see gritty,your gripping indie to find deserves a classic on Mickey novel, but open them and you’ll DVD.Spillane audience Extras include screen tests, commentary, see gritty, grippingofindie that truly deserves find an Love deleted/extended and a over scenes.to–B. 20 minutes audience on DVD. Extras include screen tests, commentary, and over 20 minutes of deleted/extended scenes. –B. Love T H E P R O P O S I T I O N - Written and blood-soaked Tscored H E P Rby O PNick O S ICave, T I O N -thisWritten and Australian indie begins with an oldscored by Nick Cave, this blood-soaked timey violin tune and dusty photos Australian indie begins with an olddepicting frontier life in the late 19th timey violin tune and dusty photos century. But thoselife rustic images give depicting frontier in the late 19th way to a graphic photo featuring century. But those rustic imagesa famgive ily murdered in theira famown wayof to settlers a graphic photo featuring home by the Burns brothers, seemingily of settlers murdered in their own ly justbyfor film opens on home thesport. brothers, seemingBurnsThe Charlie Burns (Guy Pearce), his face ly just for film opens on sport. The batteredBurns Stanley by Captain Charlie (Guy Pearce), his (Ray face Winstone), by the closest to a sheriff battered Captainthing Stanley (Ray in a remote Outback of to thea sheriff jungle town where the law Winstone), the closest thing reigns. StanleyOutback offers Burns deal: Hunt down his in a remote of and the kill jungle town awhere the law savage Stanley older brother, Arthur a(Danny Huston), reigns. offers Burns deal: Hunt downand andthe killlives his of Charlie andbrother, his simpleton youngerHuston), brotherand be Mikethe will savage older Arthur (Danny lives spared. This is his the simpleton wild, wild West never as you've of Charlie and younger brother be Mikeseen will it– dread oppressive, and full spared. Thisunforgiving, is the wild, wild Westofasunrelenting you've never seenand it– Captain Stanley's despair. Only and proper English oppressive, of unrelenting dread unforgiving, and and full prim Watson), seems to her surwife, Martha Only (Emily Captain despair. Stanley's primoblivious and proper English seems oblivious to as herif surwife, Martha (EmilyoffWatson), roundings, fencing a portion of these badlands she roundings, fencing off a portion of these badlands if she were still back in Victorian England. Director Johnas Hillcoat John Hillcoat were still credit back in England.from Director deserves forVictorian neither flinching nor glorifying visdeserves creditinstead for neither flinchinghis from nor visceral violence, encouraging cast toglorifying launch themceral violence, instead abyss encouraging his cast tocarnage launch theminto a hellish of emotionless more selves a hellish abyss film of emotionless selves into than frightening any horror Hollywood's carnage come upmore with frightening Loveany horror film Hollywood's come up with in years. –B.than in years. –B. Love

BOOK REVIEWS IS BELIEF IN GOD GOOD, BAD OR IS BELIEF IN GOD GOOD, BAD OR I R R E L E VA N T I R R E L E VA N T by Preston Jones & Greg Gaffin by Preston Jones & Greg Gaffin For years now, For years now, Bad Religion Bad Religion frontman Greg frontman Greg Graffin has quesGraffin has questt ii o o n n e e d d Christianity Christianity and and other religions in in other religions countless countless interinterviews views and and songs. songs. His His PhD PhD dissertadissertation was on the topic of evolution, atheism and naturalism. Strange coincidence then, that Preston Jones– a history professor at a small Christian college in Arkansas– would turn out to be such a big Bad Religion fan. Jones' appreciation for Graffin's music led to a fan letter of sorts he emailed to the musician. The two started talking regularly via e-mail over a span of several months, months, and and began began a a lengthy lengthy disdisseveral cussion cussion on on Christianity, Christianity, Naturalism, Naturalism, famfamily and, and, occasionally, occasionally, music. music. The The e-mails e-mails ily were collected, edited edited and and have have now now were collected, been published published in in book book form. form. been The The discourse discourse is is a a fascinating fascinating look look at two two brilliant brilliant men men discussing discussing topics topics at both both clearly clearly hold hold a a lot lot of of passion passion for. for. Over the course of the e-mails, Over the course of the e-mails, neither neither is is trying to win over the other and change trying to win over the other and change his mind, but each shows strong convichis mind, but each shows strong convictions for his own beliefs. Refreshingly, tions for his own beliefs. Refreshingly, both scholars are polite, but firm and both scholars are polite, but firm and articulate in getting across their views. articulate in getting across their views. It's a shame that the rest of the world It's a shame that the rest of the world can't get discuss topics like religion in can't get discuss topics like religion in such a powerful, yet respectful manner. such a powerful, (A) –John Moore yet respectful manner. (A) –John Moore

T H E B E S T O F A S K T H E C O L L E G E G U Y. C O M T H E B E S T O F A S K T H E C O L L E G E G U Y. C O M by “The College Guy” by “The College Guy” This book is a This book is a college guide percollege guide perfect for fect for anyone anyone beginning or beginning or already in college. already in college. Though the title Though the title suggests suggests another another tacky tacky attempt attempt to to satirize satirize the the life a life of of a student, college student, college the the hilarious hilarious book book does not disappoint. “The College Guy” is your typical frat-tastic male who deems himself an expert on all things relating to college life. This persona allows the author to confront the myriad situations presented to him with a type of blatant sarcasm, wit, and rudeness that comes off as beautifully funny. Written in an advice column format, “The College Guy” tackles questions like deal with with a a weird weird roommate, roommate, why why how to to deal how you you should should never never take take an an 8 8 AM AM class, class, and and why guys guys are are such such jerks. jerks. Through Through his his why answers, he explains explains critical critical elements elements of of answers, he the college college experience, experience, such such as as the the phephethe nomenon nomenon of of what what he he calls calls “The “The Magical Magical is Month,” where where any any and and every every behavior behavior is Month,” excusable excusable (otherwise (otherwise known known as as the the first first month month of of college). college). The most ironic part is that in spite of The most ironic part is that in spite of the “I-know-everything-and-you’re-wrong” the “I-know-everything-and-you’re-wrong” tone, the advice and insight offered in the tone, the advice and insight offered in the book is, for the most part, unquestionably book is, for the most part, unquestionably legitimate. I would suggest not reading legitimate. I would suggest not reading this book alone in public if you went to colthis book alone in public if you went to college in the past twenty years, because you lege in the past twenty years, because you will be laughing your head off with every your head off with every will be page. laughing (B) –Margo Aaron turned turned page. (B) –Margo Aaron

Before Sunset– a cautionary tale that mutates into an investigative psychological thriller, switching directions so (B) –Sean K. into an often you don't know who to root for.that Before Sunset– a cautionary tale mutates investigative psychological thriller, switching directions so K I N K Yyou B Odon't O T S know - The who plot to of root this for. British importK.has been (B) –Sean often told plenty of times before: workers in a conservative, struggling turnplot to an product/occuK I N K factory Y B O O Ttown S - The of unconventional this British import has been pation to save the day. It was amusing in The Full Monty, told plenty of times before: workers in a conservative, strugproduct/occugling in factory town turnand to an unconventional Grace already played out by the time cute Saving day. do It was amusing in The Full Monty, pation toGirls save hit. the Why Calendar we need to see it again? Kinky cute inrevolves Saving around Grace and already playedfactory out byinthe time Boots a men's footwear a small hit. Why doowner we need to see it again? Kinky Calendar town. TheGirls reluctant new discovers the business is Boots around men's than footwear factory in a small about revolves to go under, butarather sell to the sleazy real The reluctant newtoowner discovers the business is town. agent estate who wants convert the factory into trendy under, but rathertothan sell to in thegarish sleazyboots real about the to go lofts, shoemaker decides specialize estate agent who They're wants toa convert the factory for transvestites. hit! Everyone keepsinto theirtrendy jobs! garish boots lofts, the shoemaker decides to specialize The town is saved! And originality is dealtinanother blow. for transvestites. (C) –John Moore They're a hit! Everyone keeps their jobs! The town is saved! And originality is dealt another blow. L(C) U C–John K Y N UMoore M B E R S L E V I N - Mr. Goodkat (Bruce Willis) tells a seemingly random guy he meets at the airport a sob story Labout U C K Ya N$20,000 U M B E R gambling S L E V I N - Mr. Goodkat On the(Bruce way toWillis) debt. meettells his a seemingly random guy heguy– meets at the(Josh airport a sob story friend, the wise-cracking Slevin Hartnett)– is about aand $20,000 gambling Ongets the there, way tothe debt. meet his finally door's robbed beaten. When he friend, theand wise-cracking Hartnett)– is unlocked the buddy'sguy– gone,Slevin then (Josh sexy but annoying robbed and beaten. When he finally gets there, the door's neighbor Lindsey (Lucy Liu) invites herself in. She leaves, unlocked and the buddy's gone, then sexy but annoying but two bad guys show up, and Slevin swears the ruffians neighbor Lindsey (Lucy Liu) invites herself in. She leaves, (who are bossed by Morgan Freeman) have a case of misbut two bad guys show up, and Slevin swears the ruffians taken identity on their hands. Freeman's rival mob, (who are bossed by Morgan Freeman) have a case of misanchored by a rabbi playedhands. by Sir Ben Kingsley, the mob, cops taken identity on their Freeman's rival (led by Stanley Tucci) and the mysterious Mr. Goodkat hapanchored by a rabbi played by Sir Ben Kingsley, the cops pen to after “the wrong man” as well. It Mr. all sounds rather (led by be Stanley Tucci) and the mysterious Goodkat hapconfusing, but “the revenge-seeking, name-switching andrather fastwrong man” as well. It all sounds pen to be after talking tale comes off as rather simple. Attempting to disconfusing, but revenge-seeking, name-switching and fastplay Thetale Transporter's camera Kiss KisstoBang talking comes off as rathertrickery simple.and Attempting disBang's cleverness, Slevin is onlyand mediocre at Bang both. camera trickery Kiss Kiss play Theverbal Transporter's (C) -DeMarco Bang's verbalWilliams cleverness, Slevin is only mediocre at both. (C) -DeMarco Williams U N I T E D 9 3 - Director Paul Greengrass has few details to go onN Iin of Paul the September precise U T Ehis D 9revisiting 3 - Director Greengrass 11 hashijackers' few details to go but heofpaints them as somewhat frightened movements, on in his revisiting the September 11 hijackers' precise men who simply believe they're what is frightened necessary. movements, but he paints them doing as somewhat Little doessimply anyone know they're that these four areisa necessary. part of a men who believe doing what devastating thefour next are heart-pounding much does more anyone knowplot. thatOver these a part of a Little hour, film actually makes towers and coach much the more devastating plot. drab Over control the next heart-pounding filled with unknown actors a racing The seats the film actually makes drab have control towers pulse. and coach hour, filled with unknown actors have a racing pulse.theoThe seats real-time action mostly stays away from conspiracy real-time action mostlyroll stays away from conspiracy ries; instead, cameras on the passengers' couragetheoand ries; instead, cameras roll onspirit the passengers' and the sturdiness of the human in times of courage desperation. the sturdiness of the human spirit from in times desperation. Still, when breath-taking images thatof Pennsylvania Still, hit, when breath-taking images that Pennsylvania field you’ll exhale and rise fromfrom your chair wondering if field hit, exhale risetofrom your chair wondering if even is the nowyou’ll rightand be experiencing it all. (A) time even is the right time to be experiencing it all. (A) now Williams –DeMarco –DeMarco Williams

COMPLIMENTARY PASSES

and

Invite You and a Guest on Wednesday, September 20 to an Advance Screening of

Passes may be picked up after Sept. 5 at 3167 Peachtree Rd. Ste. D • 404-842-9997 265 Ponce De Leon, Ste. G • 404-885-9199 Limit one (1) ad per person. Two (2) passes per ad. Sponsor’s employees and their dependents are not eligible to participate. Please refer to passes any other possible restrictions. Movie is rated PG-13. First come, ﬁrst serve basis. While supplies last. No purchase necessary.

Opens Nationwide September 29! PG 19 • insiteatlanta.com • September 2006

VINYL John Ralston

THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 7

CONCERT CALENDAR FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 1

10 HIGH The Judies ANDREWS UPSTAIRS Hells Bells APACHE CAFE Kameron Corvet BLIND WILLIE’S Houserocker Johnson CJ’S LANDING Hitch DARKSIDE Moses Jones DIXIE TAVERN The Alternatives THE EARL The 45s EDDIE’S ATTIC Amy & Emily FAT MATT’S Sana Blues FUNNY FARM Tony Woods THE LOFT Greedy White Citizens NORTHSIDE TAVERN Zydefunk PEACHTREE TAVERN Poostick PUNCHLINE John Witherspoon SMITH’S Ludowici STAR BAR Wheels on Fire VARIETY PLAYHOUSE Jean-Luc Ponty

SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 2

ANDREWS UPSTAIRS Heavy Mojo APACHE CAFE The House that Jack Built BLIND WILLIE’S The Nighthawks DARKSIDE Second Shift Surrender DIXIE TAVERN 7 Sharp 9 THE EARL League of Evil EDDIE’S ATTIC Marshall Chapman FAT MATT’S Beth Ann Dukes FUNNY FARM Tony Woods MASQUERADE River City High NORTHSIDE TAVERN Chapopalooza PEACHTREE TAVERN Curiosity Shoppe PUNCHLINE John Witherspoon SMITH’S Afromotive STAR BAR Pardner

5 SPOT Common Ground 10 HIGH Chasing Katie/Everyday Atlas ANDREW’S UPSTAIRS Swami Goes Bananas APACHE CAFE The Calm Before the Storm BLIND WILLIE’S Willie “Big Eyes” Smith CJ’S LANDING Stef Dorfman DIXIE TAVERN Justin THE EARL Boris EDDIE’S ATTIC Evan McHugh FAT MATT’S Chickenshack FUNNY FARM Jeff Garlin THE LOFT Greenwheel PEACHTREE TAVERN Trotline PUNCHLINE Daniel Tosh SMITH’S Alan Yates/Moses Mayfield STAR BAR The Joey Allcorn Show VINYL Pasadena

Chart-topper Chris Brown has wiggled back in town, and check out who he’s got in tow: Dem Franchize Boys, Juelz Santana, Lil’ Wayne and Ne-Yo. We’re not sure if Chastain has ever dared to put no such a big hip hop-centric show, but we’re glad to see the normally white bread venue get a lil’ soul. (9/9, Chastain Amphitheatre)

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 8

5 SPOT Zodiac 10 HIGH Bishop Don ANDREWS UPSTAIRS Good Times Atlanta APACHE CAFE Kelsy Davis CHASTAIN The New Cars DARKSIDE Sev’n 9 DIXIE TAVERN Adam Hood THE EARL Ultrababyfat EDDIE’S ATTIC Ward Williams FAT MATT’S Johnny Soul FUNNY FARM Jeff Garlin MASQUERADE Red Jumpsuit Apparatus NORTHSIDE TAVERN Sean Costello PEACHTREE TAVERN Cory Morrow PUNCHLINE Daniel Tosh SMITH’S Jason “Lefty” Williams STAR BAR Jucifer

SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 9

Garage-rock lives on, and even if that so-called garage band revolution from a few years ago was only vaporware, the true believers carry on. Little Steven (of E Street Band fame) put this thing together and it looks sensational: The Forty-Fives, The Mooney Suzuki, The Woggles and The Zombies round out the pack. (9/27, Variety)

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 3

BLIND WILLIE’S The Shadows THE EARL Buck Buckley Band EDDIE’S ATTIC Buck Buckley Band FAT MATT’S T. Bone Smith FUNNY FARM Tony Woods GWINNETT ARENA Toby Keith HI-FI BUYS Counting Crows/Goo Goo Dolls NORTHSIDE TAVERN Fat City Wildcats PUNCHLINE John Witherspoon SMITH’S Dave Barnes

5 SPOT Sam McPherson Trio ANDREW’S UPSTAIRS Desire APACHE CAFE Roy Ayers CHASTAIN Chris Brown/Ne-Yo DARKSIDE Indorphine DIXIE TAVERN Hipnotic THE EARL The Features EDDIE’S ATTIC Matt Ryczek FAT MATT’S Dr. Dixon and the Operators FUNNY FARM Jeff Garlin MABLE HOUSE Sawyer Brown MASQUERADE Harrison Hudson PEACHTREE TAVERN Legend Has It PUNCHLINE Daniel Tosh SMITH’S Modern Skirts STAR BAR Rocket 350/JJ and the Hustlers VARIETY Leo Kottke

MONDAY SEPTEMBER 4

10 HIGH Metal-Some Monday FAT MATT’S Fat City Wild Cats MASQUERADE Becoming the Archetype NORTHSIDE TAVERN Northside Blues Jam SMITH’S Seth Winters/Lumbar Five VINYL Sandi Thom

TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 5

10 HIGH Benji Sheehan APACHE CAFE Mic Club/Dres tha Beatnik BLIND WILLIE’S “Hurricane” Wilson DIXIE TAVERN Zac Brown Band FAT MATT’S Crosstown All-Stars NORTHSIDE TAVERN Bill Sheffield SMITH’S Vertigo

WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 6

5 SPOT NOD Factor 10 HIGH Steadlur/Altered BLIND WILLIE’S Sean Costello DIXIE TAVERN Hipnotic THE EARL The Protectors Of EDDIE’S ATTIC Kyler England FAT MATT’S Frankie’s Blues Mission NORTHSIDE TAVERN Mudcat Dudeck PEACHTREE TAVERN Az Izz THE ROXY Jurassic 5/X-Clan SMITH’S The Bridge STAR BAR The Quakes

PG 20 • insiteatlanta.com • September 2006

Thank God Gomez keeps coming back to the States to tour. They’re one of the best live acts from the U.K., but only register on the jam band circuit here. Unlike snobby pop stars that populate London, these guys have just enough hooks to make the inventive stuff seem aligned. A strange Hasidic purveyor or reggae named Matisyahu opens. (9/19, Fox)

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 10

THE EARL Dang, Dang, Dang EDDIE’S ATTIC Cowboy Envy FAT MATT’S T. Bone Smith FUNNY FARM Jeff Garlin PUNCHLINE Daniel Tosh SMITH’S The Deadstring Brothers

MONDAY SEPTEMBER 11

10 HIGH Metal-Some Monday FAT MATT’S Fat City Wlldcats MASQUERADE Haste The Day

NORTHSIDE TAVERN Northside Blues Jam

TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 12

APACHE CAFE Mic Club- Dres tha Beatnik THE EARL Junior Boys EDDIE’S ATTIC One Hand Loves The Other FAT MATT’S Crosstown All-Stars GWINNETT ARENA American Idol Live NORTHSIDE TAVERN Bill Sheffield PHILIPS ARENA Shakira/Wyclef VARIETY Cat Power

THE EARL Jim White EDDIE’S ATTIC Jeremiah Birnbaum FAT MATT’S Crosstown All-Stars FOX THEATRE Matisyahu MASQUERADE Paramore NORTHSIDE TAVERN Bill Sheffield ROXY Art Brut/We Are Scientists SMITH’S The Hacienda Bros. TABERNACLE The Raconteurs

NO COVER

Tuesday Thursday

FREE POKER

WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 20

Wednesday Nights No Limit Texas Hold Em’ Championship League Games Start at 10pm

APACHE CAFE Al Smith EDDIE’S ATTIC Miracle Music Showcase FAT MATT’S Frankie’s Blues Mission FOX THEATRE Sufjan Stevens MASQUERADE Sick of it All NORTHSIDE TAVERN Mudcat PEACHTREE TAVERN Luke Bryan PUNCHLINE Madame SMITH’S Robinella STAR BAR Drivin’ and Cryin’

ON THE DECK

THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 21

Having completed the Circle of One and undergone an Evolution to become one of the world’s finest singer-songwriters, then Moving On to the next level as a producer and reaching a spiritual high with Come Walk With Me, Oleta Adams is now expressing All the Love to Atlanta. (9/16, Mable House)

WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 13

APACHE CAFE Al Smith CENTER STAGE KT Tunstall THE EARL Tickle Fight EDDIE’S ATTIC Judith Owen FAT MATT’S Frankie’s Blues Mission NORTHSIDE TAVERN Mudcat Dudeck PEACHTREE TAVERN 17th Floor SMITH’S Marah VARIETY Kani King

THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 14

ANDREW’S UPSTAIRS Good Times Atlanta CJ’S LANDING Florez/Wideawake BLIND WILLIE’S Bob Page Trio THE EARL Damnwells EDDIE’S ATTIC Danielle Howle FAT MATT’S Chickenshack FUNNY FARM Jon Lovitz MASQUERADE Rock & Shock/Brazil NORTHSIDE TAVERN The Breeze Kings PEACHTREE TAVERN Zac Brown Band PUNCHLINE Tim Wilson SMITH’S National Grain VARIETY Nellie McKay

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 15

ANDREW’S UPSTAIRS Dean Dollar Band CHASTAIN Ben Harper CJ’S LANDING Trey Boyer Band DARKSIDE The Dempseys THE EARL Dropsonic FAT MATT’S The Santos Bros FUNNY FARM Jon Lovitz THE LOFT DJ Krush PEACHTREE TAVERN Brantley Gilbert PUNCHLINE Tim Wilson THE ROXY Edwin McCain SMITH’S Red Letter Agent STAR BAR American Plague

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 17

THE EARL Soda Jerk EDDIE’S ATTIC Dromedary FAT MATT’S T. Bone Smith FUNNY FARM Jon Lovitz NORTHSIDE TAVERN Mudcat PUNCHLINE Tim Wilson SMITH’S Easy Star Allstars TABERNACLE LoMcXimo de la musica VARIETY Band of Horses

MONDAY SEPTEMBER 18

10 HIGH Metal-Some Mondays CENTER STAGE Wolfmother THE EARL Modern Skirts FAT MATT’S Fat City Wlldcats NORTHSIDE TAVERN Northside Blues Jam SMITH’S Chris Duarte VINYL The Colour

TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 19

APACHE CAFE Mic Club- Dres tha Beatnik BLIND WILLIE’S Torri Isobe

Thur. September 7, Sat. 16 & Fri. 22 GARETH AND NAKED Friday, September 8 STEVE QUEISSER AND BRIAN WILTSEY

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 22

Friday, September 15 STEVE QUEISSER AND MARK KOVALY

ANDREWS UPSTAIRS The Alternatives APACHE CAFE The Square Egg in Concert BLIND WILLIE’S Sandra Hall CHASTAIN Styx/Foreigner CJ’S LANDING The Casual Fiasco THE EARL Magnolia Electric Co. EDDIE’S ATTIC Teri Hendrix FAT MATT’S Little Joey FUNNY FARM Bill Dwyer HI-FI BUYS Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers NORTHSIDE TAVERN Electromatics PEACHTREE TAVERN Wayne Mills Band PHILIPS ARENA Brad Paisley PUNCHLINE Jason Stuart SMITH’S The Long Winters STAR BAR Twinkledome VARIETY PLAYHOUSE Ladytron

Thursday, September 21 STEVE QUEISSER AND CHRISTIAN JONES Thursday, September 28

MIKE, LARRY AND CHAIN LETTER

Friday, September 29

MATT MAUTZ & JOHN THRASHER

Saturday, September 30 THE PETE WHITFIELD BAND

SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 23

CONCERT HALL

ANDREW’S UPSTAIRS Who’s Bad APACHE CAFE Tracy Hamlin THE EARL Jose Gonzalez EDDIE’S ATTIC Richard Bicknell FAT MATT’S Totally Savage FUNNY FARM Bill Dwyer MASQUERADE The Genitortures PEACHTREE TAVERN Runaway Coal Train PUNCHLINE Jason Stuart THE ROXY Cowboy Mouth SMITH’S Chris McCarty Band STAR BAR Valient Thorr!! TABERNACLE Tribe Called Quest/Slick&Rose VARIETY The Wrens

Friday, September 1

HITCH W/ YASHIN

Saturday, September 2

FATHER PETER W/ DYING BREED

Friday, September 8

CRASH DAVIS W/

COLOURSLIDE AND BY MORNING

Saturday, September 9

OFFICIAL UNOFFICIAL

HOME OF THE ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE

SATURDAYSEPTEMBER 16

ANDREWS UPSTAIRS Ocean Street CJ’S LANDING Doug Clark/Hot Nuts DARKSIDE Agents of the Sun THE EARL East Atlanta Strut EDDIE’S ATTIC Jay Clifford FAT MATT’S Rough Draft FUNNY FARM Jon Lovitz MABLE HOUSE Oleta Adams MASQUERADE Corey Crowder NORTHSIDE TAVERN Mudcat PEACHTREE TAVERN Zoso PUNCHLINE Tim Wilson THE ROXY Rev. Horton Heat SMITH’S Dave Alvin and the Guilty Men STAR BAR Electric Frankenstein VARIETY PLAYHOUSE Rusted Root

Saturday, September 2,9 & 23 THE BRAIN WILTSEY BAND

ANDREW’S UPSTAIRS Hudson Road THE EARL Peelander-Z EDDIE’S ATTIC Jeff Lang FUNNY FARM Bill Dwyer FAT MATT’S Chickenshack NORTHSIDE TAVERN The Breeze Kings PUNCHLINE Jason Stuart STAR BAR Mad Marge and the Stonecutters VARIETY Nouvelle Vague

Beats? A Tribe Called Quest’s got plenty.We’ll just put “Award Tour” and “Scenario” up against anything your crew’s ever done. Rhymes? Are you serious? This 90s trio damn near invented hip hop with a conscious. Life? Creative differences sent the group separate ways; thankfully, the wind’s blown’em back together for this show. (9/23, Tabernacle)

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 24

THE EARL Willie Henton Neal EDDIE’S ATTIC Little Country Giants FAT MATT’S T. Bone Smith FUNNY FARM Steve Hofstetter PUNCHLINE Jason Stuart SMITH’S Karl Denson Trio VARIETY Beirut

MONDAY SEPTEMBER 25

10 HIGH Metal-Some Mondays CJ’S LANDING Gareth Asher FAT MATT’S Fat City Wlldcats FUNNY FARM Steve Hofstetter MASQUERADE Less Than Jake NORTHSIDE TAVERN Northside Blues Jam SMITH’S The Virginia Coalition

TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 26

APACHE CAFE Mic Club- Dres tha Beatnik THE EARL Electric Six FAT MATT’S Crosstown All-Stars FUNNY FARM Steve Hofstetter SMITH’S Monte Montgomery

MIDNIGHT MISTAKES

Friday, September 15

TREY BOYER BAND

Saturday, September 16

DOUG CLARK & THE HOT NUTS

Friday, September 22

ESPN GAMEPLAN SAT. & SUN. GAMETIME PLASMA TVS/ LARGE SCREEN FOX BROTHERS BBQ MUSIC 7 NIGHTS A WEEK

POOLSTICK Saturday, September 23 MATT MACKELCAN BAND Friday, September 29 CRANE

TANGO BAR

Open Daily 4pm

OPEN FRIDAY & SATURDAY NIGHTS w/ Beer Pong Tables & DJ

1578 Piedmont Ave. 404-875-1522 www.smithsoldebar.com

For Bookings Send Press Kits to: 270 Buckhead Ave. Atlanta, GA 30305 404-237-7657 • www.cjslanding.com

Ask About Atlanta Room for Private Parties

PG 21 • insiteatlanta.com • September 2006

ROAD WARRIORS THIS MONTH’S HOTTEST SHOWS SNOW PATROL

(Tabernacle- 9/6) With Snow Patrol, you get the feeling that they’re going to be one of those bands who are forever the bridesmaid and never the bride. Yes, they are a better band and more musically curious than Coldplay, but over here in the States, they can't seem to dumb things down enough to be arena players. Which is fine, because they do the large theater venue as well as any band out there.

A L A N YAT E S B A N D

(Smith's Olde Bar9/7) Local producer Yates has worked with a lot of local favorites (Collective Soul, Shawn Mullins, Arrested Development and Lil' Bow Wow), but only recently decided to step out on his own with his solo album, Red. Yates is a fairly straightforward rock guy, and predictably polished in a way that reflects his background: muscled guitars, charging rhythms and solid vocal work.

U LT R A B A B Y FAT

(The EARL- 9/8) Ten years ago, these guys were high on the list of bands that locals thought would “make it” out of the ghetto of endless club shows and into the nation's consciousness. They signed a bad deal with a suspect former record executive, and before they knew it nobody cared about them anymore. This is a record release party for the new album, which took them five years to make. Time moves slowly when nobody's watching; here's hoping age didn't ruin the product.

CHRIS

B R O W N (Chastain Park Amphitheatre- 9/9) Chart-topper Chris

Brown is back in town, and check out who he's got in tow: Dem Franchize Boys, Juelz Santana, Lil' Wayne and NeYo. We're not sure if Chastain has ever dared to put on such a killer hip-hop show, but we're glad to see the normally white bread venue get a lil' color.

C AT P O W E R & RHYTHM BAND

THE

MEMPHIS

(Variety Playhouse9/12) A legendarily inconsistent performer a la Mark Eitzel, Cat Power has had to endure a lot of talking between sets and bitching about her lack of engagement over the years. But when C h a n Marshall’s mind is made up, there are few who can silence a room with her sublime beauty and art. And given that this time she's got the terrific band from her recent Greatest album, this show should be a good one.

MARAH

(Smith's Olde Bar9/13) It's been a long, strange trip for Marah, a roots-rock band whose first album, Kids In Philly, granted them massive critical recognition six years ago. All those comparisons to Springsteen never got them anywhere beyond regular club tours and a cult of fans who remain dedicated to the big picture, but that's part of their charm just the same.

THE FLAMING LIPS

(Tabernacle- 9/13)

We love to pimp the Lips because despite their artsy-fartsy weirdness, they love to have a good time onstage. There is a light show, costumes, bubbles, smiles and miles of good times. Nobody thought they'd ever be playing a room this big, but here they are. The Lips have finally arrived.

WE ARE SCIENTISTS/ART BRUT

(Roxy- 9/19) Art Brut is blowing up, their live show is better than any other indie-rock band out there, and they will blow the roof off of the Roxy if it's not nailed down. Well, that's the story if we have anything to do with it; Art Brut is just that good. Imagine the caustic spirit of Johnny Rotten with a punk version of the Strokes, and Art Brut is your new favorite band. New Yo r k - b r e d post-punks We Are Scientists open.

THE RACONTEURS

(Tabernacle- 9/19) Moonlighting on his ex-wife with the sublime Brendan Benson has been a wonderful career move for Jack White. The Raconteurs give him an actual creative foil in Benson, and a credible backing band with those two guys from the Greenhornes. What's more, the Raconteurs’ debut is as good as, if not better than, any White Stripes album. It can't be THIS much fun working with your ex-wife, can it Jack?

M AT I S YA H U / G O M E Z

(Fox Theatre9/19) Thank god Gomez keeps coming back to the States to tour. They’re one of the best live acts from the U.K., but only register on the jam band circuit here. Unlike the snobby pop stars that populate star-of-the-minute London, these guys have just enough hooks to make the freaky, inventive stuff seem perfectly aligned. A strange Hasidic purveyor of reggae named Matisyahu opens.

THE STROKES/TOM PETT Y & THE (HiFi Buys HEARTBREAKERS

Amphitheatre- 9/22) Petty's been around for decades, which is a surprise given that he's quite a rebel within the music biz. Back in the old days of vinyl, he once told the record label that he wanted to call his new album “$4.99” so that retailers couldn't price it any higher in stores. We like that kind of attitude, and we like humming along to his classic rock hits. Some band from New York called the Strokes is the opening act.

PASTE ROCK N' REEL FESTIVAL

(Varous venues- 9/15-9/23) After five years in the alt-culture business, Paste magazine has set up a pretty neat festival of music and film. The outdoor stages feature performances from indie luminaries such as Erich Bachmann, Magnolia Electric Co., Jose Gonazlez, Richard Buckner, Sufjan Stevens, Todd Snider and the Wrens. We have to say that we're not in favor of abbreviated setlists in order to accommodate egos and “tight scheduling,” so we're hoping that the acts are astutely spread out.

LITTLE STEVEN'S UNDERGROUND G A R A G E F E S T I VA L (Variety Playhouse-

9/27) Garage-rock lives on, and even if that so-called garage band revolution from a few years ago was only vaporware, the true believers carry on. Little Steven (of E Street Band fame) put this thing together, and the lineup is sensational: The Forty-Fives, The Mooney Suzuki, The Woggles, and that cult favorite from the ‘60s, The Zombies, round out the pack. --John Davidson

WE GOT NEXT ARTISTS ON THE VERGE OF MAKING IT BIG

NAME: Pistolita CURRENT PROJECT: Oliver Under the Moon (Montalban Hotel) FOR FANS OF: Ben Folds, At the Drive In, Elton John and Jawbreaker WHY SHOULD YOU CARE: They were asked to tour with emo kings like Dashboard Confessional, Saves the Day and Alkaline Trio, even before having an album out. If not for Pistolita, Conor Meads would likely still be in San Diego writing inane little radio jingles. But thanks to a jerry-rigged piano (actually just a keyboard in a homemade piano case), three friends and a passenger van full of talent, Meads and the rest of the guys in Pistolita are planning on taking over the punk world with a dozen incessantly catchy, keyboard-driven indie-pop songs. “I played piano most of my life, so when I first heard about Ben Folds Five I was pretty excited, because not since like Elton John has there been any really pianobased rock,” says Meads, Pistolita's frontman. Like Ben Folds before him, Meads churns out music that is proving difficult to classify. The sound, though built around the piano, is anything but shiny, happy sing-along pop. There are certainly hints of Folds' sound, but influences like At the Drive In and Jawbreaker are just as strong. There's fury and angst in their music, but never at the expense of a solid pop hook. “I just don't want to sound like a cookie cutter band, you know,” Meads confesses. “I think with any band's first record, you have little musical tidbits and melodies and stuff that you have been writing your whole life, but on the whole, this record was written over the last year.” Though Meads grew up just about a mile away from drummer Cory Stier and went to high school with bassist Alex Kushe and guitarist/singer Justin Shannon, they didn't start playing together as a band until about two years ago. They all shared a growing affinity for punk-rock, so starting a band seemed like a natural evolution. But for a band that has only been together about 24 months, Pistolita has played alongside some of punk and emo's biggest names. They've already opened for groups like Hot Rod Circuit, Alkaline Trio and Dashboard Confessional, and have just finished up a national tour PG 22 • insiteatlanta.com • September 2006

with Saves the Day. “Playing with all of those bands has been amazing because they've all been so nice to us and it's cool to be able to get to just hang out with these bigger bands, especially because we listened to all of them before we'd met them,” he says enthujsiastically. “I can't even think of one band that's been total dicks to us.” Pistolita was also the very first (and currently only) band to sign to the Montalban Hotel record label, run by their booking agent, Andrew Ellis. “It's cool because, being the only band, we get all of the attention. The guy who runs it is a really cool dude and he gave us total freedom to make the record how we wanted to. It just seemed like the natural place for us,” Meads recalls.

Pistolita released Oliver Under the Moon earlier this year and the response has been extremely positive, helped in part by brilliant live shows that are described in breathless message board postings. “There is definitely a lot of anxiety about the next record and what we're going to do, who we're going to do it with. Do we go up to a major label, or what? But it's so far from now that we try not to concentrate on it,” he admits. On the surface, the band has led a charmed life. Though he played guitar and wrote jingles for companies like Levi's, Kohl's Department Store and the California Lottery, Mead admits he and the other guys never really had to put in time at day jobs before the band took off. Tagging onto tours with Saves the Day and Dashboard Confessional, they've been able to play larger and larger venues, clubs and theaters that decade-old bands have not been able to work their way up to yet. But Mead and the other guys in Pistolita are extremely appreciative of the breaks they've gotten so far. Though they get to play with big-name bands, they still load up their 15-passenger van after each show and pretty much live the life of a touring indie band, eating sandwiches in the parking lot and sleeping on someone's floor. “We just tour all the time now, because we really can't afford to live at home in San Diego,” says Meads, who'd been on the road with the band for months before they got signed. Booking their own shows at the beginning, the band was pretty much out of money when they got an offer to play at last year's Bamboozle Festival, which has been referred to as the punk-rock Woodstock. On tour now with Say Anything, Pistolita will make another trip to the Bamboozle Festival this year before finishing the Warped Tour. “I can't really complain about too much,” says Meads, who admits to missing his wife (and decent Mexican food) when he's on the road. “We'll be out for a long time. Tours just keep popping up.” He catches himself starting to sound ungrateful and quickly points out that he and the rest of the guys are lucky to be playing music every night. “We talk about it sometimes– what if we didn't have this,” Meads says. “We'd be totally screwed; we're just not capable of doing anything else. I'd maybe try to write children's books... and probably fail at it.” -John B. Moore

WILDIN’ OUT OUTKAST D A N C E S TO I T S O W N B E AT

umors of Outkast's untimely demise have been swirling since the days before the 2003 release of Speakerboxxx/The Love Below, their separatelyrecorded 2-CD set which went on to sell about a bazillion copies at a time when the record industry was in sharp decline. So it's no surprise that breakup rumors still follow the eclectic duo three years later, as they prepare for the release of their most ambitious creative effort to date. Idlewild– both a Bryan Barber-directed film and an Outkast-written soundtrack– finds Andre Benjamin and Antwan “Big Boi” Patton tackling their first leading roles for a story about the lives and loves of two struggling performers in a 1930s Southern speakeasy, told through intricate musical numbers and vibrantly choreographed dance sequences. The ATL legends recently held a press conference to discuss this groundbreaking undertaking, discussing everything from real people they'd like to portray on film to the haters who drive them to achieve. Who originally came up with this idea? Andre: They were video treatments at first. Myself, Big Boi and Bryan, we've been trying to create movies since Aquemini. We went through 2-3 scripts. We made it out to Hollywood, walked into the MTV offices with the script. They loved it and we came back for a second meeting. Then they tried to do the slipperoo on us. They said we want Busta Rhymes and Missy to play the parts. We weren't big enough at the time. It's cool, because we had a lot to learn. We were trying to put all our homeboys in the movie, trying to please everybody instead of focusing on great moviemaking. From that time until now, we've learned a lot. We shot a lot of great videos and got this great creative chemistry going on. That time needed to be. And the success of Speakerboxxx/The Love Below made studios think people would come to the theater. How did you pick the music for the movie? Big Boi: One of the major challenges when we first started to shoot the film was that we didn't have all of the music ready. They said, “Don't worry, we'll work around it.” As soon as we got on the set, it’d be Monday, and they’d say, “On Wednesday, we need a song for the scene right here.” And we was like, “I thought you were going to give us time!” But it worked out right, because we already had some songs prepared. Also, the storyline was so strong you didn't have to rely all the way on the music like that. We had a chance to work on them both at the same time. But if we ever had to do it again, we would definitely have all the music first. Who picked the 1930s as the setting for the movie? Andre: I think when Bryan was writing the script, he knew style-wise it would take the audience to a whole 'nother world. I think it was a great choice, because right now, in the times we live in, especially as Black people, you don't get to see people with class. I've always been a fan of 1930s style. It's probably one of the best eras, especially for men. I had to learn how to walk and sit differently. They didn't slouch. They sat up straight. Their chest was poked out. You exude that class. Now everybody is laid- back, then on Sunday you may dress up. Back then, it was the opposite. You dress up every day, and on Sunday you chill out. That's the best thing about making movies– to live out certain fantasies or do things you wouldn't have done. Before we started the movie I had to sit down with morticians and talk to them in the room where they do it, and one told me stories about how he met this girl and the first time he would tell a girl he's a mortician and how that works. You get to do cool things. It's not glamorous at all. It's a lot of work. As far as the music, we knew it was 1930s, so we kept in mind when we were writing and producing that it was a period piece. But at the same time we're OutKast, and we got a responsibility to live up to our fans, so we had to make sure it was modern as well. So we brought something new to it, and it's not just a 1930s pic. Once we added some newness to it and bring it to now, it makes it into something totally different.

Big Boi: That's us being influenced by every music genre and using every aspect of music in our records. That was an advantage we had because we're never biased to one particular type of music. We listen to rock, jazz, blues, pop, country, hip-hop... the whole nine yards. To go back and put a little swing, we always had a touch of that ragtime feel and we just had a chance to do what we wanted to do. Keep the outline as it is– the '30s– but we can still satisfy our fans by doing what we do. Andre: It's called freakin' it. Do your characters reflecparts of your real personalities? Andre: When most people think about me they think “Hey Ya” and “Roses,” and there's all this energy and this dancing around character. In real life, I'm not dancing around all the time. Percival is closer to Andre Benjamin. Because we've known Bryan so long– since we gave him his first shot doing a video, since Clark Atlanta Film School– he knows us so well, and our lives, he knows things about us that people don't see. So he pulled from those parts and created these characters and gave us the room to play in a way that is a side of me people don't get to see. I gave the extreme version of that. No, I'm not moping around like Percival all the time. In every character you play you got to find something that connects with you to make it real. You got to find some jumping off point. Is there any of Rooster in you, Big Boi? Big Boi: Yeah, I think it's more than just a little bit. He took our lives and exaggerated it and gave us room to play and do whatever we wanted to do. Would you consider Idlewild a long-form music video? Big Boi: Actually, I saw the original cut, which was three hours. Now, the whole movie is like 90% music playing in the background and it wasn't like that at first. You can see the director's cut - that's coming to DVD. But the longer the movie, the less times the theater will show it. So that was a studio call. Andre: I wouldn't say it's a long video. Honestly, it could have been anyone playing my part or Rooster's part. It didn't have to be OutKast. It was a great story. The music did bring a

certain style. Some of the songs were around before the script was written. So certain songs did bring flavor to the movie. Even if you're not an OutKast fan or a music fan, you'll enjoy the movie. You'll laugh, cry, get pissed off. All the things you want from a movie. Do either of you study acting? Andre: I have mixed feelings about studying. There are certain techniques you can learn. Technical things. I have learned - I'm still an amateur - there's something innate that makes you, you. It's not a class. What people buy into is your own thing. How is music different from film? Andre: In music it's full control. It's your total baby. You can go into the studio if you want to or sit at home. In film you a part of a collective. It's 200+ people on the set. You part of a family. You got to wake up in the morning. It's discipline. We've been doing this for 12-13 years, being our own bosses. It's a change. When you're an entertainer for so long, even though we still go to the grocery story, you're not a normal person. You got people looking at you, prying into your life. When you're onscreen you get to play a civilian, a normal person. There are a lot of celebrity cameos in Idlewild, including Terrence Howard, Patti LaBelle, Cicely Tyson, Ben Vereen and Macy Gray. How was it working with everyone? Big Boi: It was fun. For the most part, you learn something from each person. You don't want them to think this is just another rap guy coming in trying to do something. You want people to know you serious about it and once they got to know you, you play off each other. Everybody became family. We all had admiration for each other and, with everything being organic, everything worked out. Are there any specific roles you would like to play? Big Boi: The Bill Clinton Story. I want to play Bill Clinton, just for the Lewinsky scene. Andre: There are a lot of characters you want to play. There are a lot of talks about bio-pics but it's too early to talk about. I would love to play Pele, the soccer player. Was it a deliberate choice that you two don't have a lot of scenes together? Big Boi: Another great call by Bryan. We didn't want to make the buddy-buddy type picture. It was two stories being told. The stories intertwine. It's more interesting that way and you got to know each character individually. Andre: Both characters were really tight, just not in the same space. That's honestly how it is. We've been childhood friends since 10th grade. Before movies and film. That's always going to be there, no matter what happens. There are rumors that you two are drifting apart? Andre: The future of OutKast, we not saying what we doing next. We concentrating on what we doing now. As far as rumors, we've been doing this for 12-13 years, we ain't shot nobody, killed nobody, slapped nobody, not sleeping with Paris Hilton. What can you talk about? We not breaking up or drifting. We grown men now. We don't hang out everyday like we used to, we don't live in the same house like we used to. It's like your brother you grew up with. You got to get your own house. You got your own family, kids. I got my son. It's a new game. We still trip out like it's 10th grade. Big Boi: When people interview us they try to paint their own picture. They say we’re distant. It be some dumb shit. They take things you say and take it out of context. We've been saying it's about the music. Our personal lives are our personal lives. We had the brainchild, OutKast. And that principle has never left us. We created it and nothing music or movies do can break this up. That's my dog for life. OutKast has been doubted since day one… Andre: There's always some hateration going on. Since day one, that has been our driving force. Since the first Source Awards, people didn't like us. That made us make a different type of music. We always fighting to do something else. Honestly, that's part of our formula. We really need that hate. Haters, please don't go on vacation. –B. Love PG 23 • insiteatlanta.com • September 2006

Music______

ALBUM REVIEWS

by B. Love, DeMarco Williams, Andrew Gilstrap, John Davidson & John Moore

The Dean’s List M. WARD- POST-WAR (Merge ) CLASS: Weathered troubadour’s war album. JD Matt Ward can try otherwise, but his voice will always be his calling card. A masterful guitarist and skilled arranger whose influences run from folk to jazz, it's Ward's voice that colors his work with distinction. Not that it's a technical marvel; he rarely howls to emote or possesses the kind of phrasing that can overcome his range. Instead, it's his hushed rasp, an unforced charm of tenderness that purrs with the intimacy of a campfire. In that sense, Post-War isn't much different from last year's Transistor Radio. Here again is a tightly drawn, thematic album full of ambling folk, with a dash of rock and jazz fringes. Ward coos, whispers and raises his voice, and it all floats along in a haze of deceptively spare backing. His vocals are in the front, and even when My Morning Jacket's Jim James or Neko Case are harmonizing, Ward's an overwhelming presence. Try as he might, his instrument is his muse. As for the story in the lyrics, well, it suits the teller. This isn't a war album as much as it is songs that seem connected to a war of sorts, or at least the deniability of it. “Right In the Head” and “Requiem” are sad songs, and yet they hold out for hope. By the time the jovial “Magic Trick” rolls in to kick away the blues, Ward has set up a much happier future. Or at least one to hope for. CHRIS THILE- HOW TO GROW A WOMAN FROM THE GROUND (Sugar Hill) CLASS: Doing just fine on his own. BL If Nickel Creek were the Beatles (the prototype for the 3-songwriter band), mandolin virtuoso Chris Thile would be their John Lennon. OK, maybe he's not addicted to smack or dating a woman who will ultimately destroy the band, but his latest solo LP proves that, if guitarist Sean Watkins is Nickel Creek's warm pop heart, Thile is its passionate rocker soul. He brings the heat right away on the opening "Watch 'At Breakdown," a fiery bluegrass string-burner that features the most furious fingerpicking I've heard in years, then proves on a cover of the White Stripes' "Dead Leaves & the Dirty Ground" that he can wail and howl with the best of 'em. "Stay Away" finds him showing his more sensitive side with a folksy ballad that could be a pop song with a mere switch in instrumentation, while "You're An Angel & I'm Gonna Cry" is a classic tear-in-my-beer country weeper. Covering everything from Jimmie Rodgers (and Gillian Welch to the Strokes ("Heart in a Cage"), Thile honors bluegrass tradition while completely turning the genre on its ear, in the process crafting a captivating solo effort every bit as inventive as anything his excellent band has ever done. YO LA TENGO- I AM NOT AFRAID OF YOU AND I WILL BEAT YOUR ASS (Matador) CLASS: The post-greatest hits era begins with a bang. JD Yo La Tengo often gets knocked as a nerdy, somewhat pretentious art band. Let by a former rock critic and his wife, the band has always been like a happier version of Sonic Youth: New York to the core (even though they're from Jersey) and living vicariously through the seeds that the Velvet Underground once sowed. Along the way, PG 24 • insiteatlanta.com • September 2006

they've become a reliable (if somewhat predictable) act that manages to push the boundaries of popular music without complete self-indulgence. With a title like I Am Not Afraid of You And I Will Beat Your Ass, Yo La Tengo hints at self-parody, or at least tries to deflate the charge that they're often too damn serious. Actually, they've always come across as fairly humble (and funny) in interviews, but by dropping songs that are ten minutes long on every album, there's a hint of wankery involved. Still, with songs like the whimsical “Bean Bag Chair” and the cheery tempo of “The Race Is On Again,” a representative staple, the band seems earnest as ever in exploring a good hook. The falsetto on “Mr. Tough” doesn't work that well, kind of like when Beck channeled Prince on that song “Debra.” It's as if the song was written for someone else, then the bassist from Yo La Tengo had to fill in at the last minute. Not even the swell horn arrangement can save James McNew from himself. It takes balls to record something like that, but if the threat in the title is real, then McNew is probably ready to take on all comers. As Yo La Tengo prepares for their third decade of existence, it's actually not a bad rallying cry, either. THE MOUNTAIN GOATS- GET LONELY (4AD) CLASS: Another masterpiece. BL The voice of Mountain Goats mastermind John Darnielle is certainly something of an acquired taste. Nasal, pinched and occasionally quivering as if in danger of a Peter Brady (circa "Time to Change") breakdown, it sounds like the missing link between Neil Young and Bright Eyes' Conor Oberst. But if you can get past it, Darnielle is actually one of the finest singer-songwriters on the indie-folk scene. The band has teetered on the precipice of obscurity for years, attracting a small but devoted following, yet never quite expanding their audience beyond the usual college radio hipsters. But then a funny thing happened with last year's The Sunset Tree, Darnielle's gut-wrenching autobiographical piece about the abuse he suffered at the hands of his violent stepfather: People began to take notice. Critics around the country pronounced the album a masterpiece, and sales figures spiked as a result. Though the mood is strikingly different, Get Lonely is no less brilliant. Where The Sunset Tree played out like a haunting exorcism of personal demons, the Mountain Goats' latest effort is a bittersweet testament to the beauty of melancholy. "I leave the house as soon as it gets light outside/Like a prisoner breaking out of jail," Darnielle warbles on the opening "Wild Sage," an evocative tale of liberation set against a sparse backdrop of gently strummed acoustic guitar and resonant piano chords, seemingly continuing the story where his last album left off. Corey Fogel's skittering, jazz-influenced drums drive the thrilling atmospheric anthem of "New Monster Avenue," which evokes the sort of wide-open-spaces imagery that made U2's The Joshua Tree such a classic album, while the string-laden balladry of "Maybe Sprout Wings" provides a chilling peek inside the troubled mind of a man haunted by the demons of his past. But my favorite track is "Woke Up New," the sort of lost-love paean that wouldn't sound out of place on the soundtrack to a Zach Braff film thanks to lyrics like, "On the morning that I woke up without you for the first time/I felt free and I felt lonely and I felt scared/And I began to talk to myself almost immediately/Not being used to being the only person there." Though Darnielle's approach is uniformly stripped-down, the emotional complexity of the lyrics stands out in stark contrast to the relative musical simplicity. Deep, dark, intimate and revealing, this is nuanced indie-folk songwriting at its finest.

PARKWAY DRIVE- KILLING WITH A SMILE & ESCAPE THE FATE- DYING IS YOUR LATEST FASH ION (Epitaph) CLASS: Angry rockers with a metal fetish. JM Judging from the releases flooding record stores this fall, there's a generation of suburban white kids who didn't get enough hugs growing up. The debut from Parkway Drive shows that this is more than just an American problem. On Killing With a Smile, this foursome offers up blistering metalcore reminiscent of Killswitch Engage and Bleeding Through. The result, considering how much passion and anger clearly went into the product, is remarkably dull. There’s only so much interest you can create with the same chugging guitars, mile-aminute drumming and guttural growls standing in for vocals (my dog can growl, too, but that doesn't necessarily make him a singer). Their labelmates in Escape the Fate, however, have managed to tap into the right blend of power and naked aggression. Songs like “Chariots” and “Situations” show promise that post-hardcore might survive the demise of bands like Glassjaw and Hot Water Music. Dying is Your Latest Fashion, the group's first full length, gives a nod to lightning-fast metal riffs, but has the powerful vocals to back it up. Their debut EP, There is No Sympathy For the Dead, was a decent start, but Dying is Your Latest Fashion fulfills their musical promise. PD= (D-); ETF= (B-) SPENCER DICKINSON- THE MAN WHO LIVES FOR L O V E (Yep Roc) CLASS: Exploding the blues with bass. JD Jon Spencer loves the blues. He just has a cartoony way of showing it, what with his preening, Elvis-like yelping and the slash-and-burn fervor he brings to jukejoint shimmy. We'd think it was all an act if he weren't so damn intent on presenting the blues as greatest music in the world. And just to remind us that he's serious about this shit, he occasionally works with pedigreed bluesmen; The Man Who Lives For Love is one of those occasions. The Blues Explosion has always been a trio of drums and two guitars. Spencer joins forces here with the North Mississippi Allstars' Luther and Cody Dickinson, and the result is a fuller, more traditional sounding act than Spencer's day job. It allows Spencer to stretch out, play dirty and go slower, with a big bottom end provided by bass guitar. Recorded in a barn during the middle of the winter with only a space heater to keep the guys company, tracks like “I'm Not Ready” rumble and shake to stay warm. Naturally, there are some typical diversionary moments, such as the rap break on “Free” and the too-long “I'm So Alone,” but overall Spencer sounds more accomplished than ever leading the Dickinson brothers through his spaced out blues and pumped up rockers. Without the manic energy of the Explosion to back him up, Spencer comes off more earnest than ever. (B+)

METHOD MAN- 4:21…THE DAY AFTER (Def Jam) & OBIE TRICE- SECOND ROUND'S ON ME (Shady Records/Interscope ) CLASS: What rhymes with “We told you so?” DW “How could you ever say I'm washed up/when I'm the dirtiest thing in sight,” Method Man asks on “It Is Me” from his fourth solo album, 4:21…The Day After. Well? Okay, we'll help you out: Meth, for the past two albums, you haven't really done much besides a lot of impassionate gunk that's barely hinted at the Wu-Tang Clan's past glories. On a mission to dispel myths

about him falling off, Johnny Blaze got his house in order on 4:21 (April 20th is National Weed Smoking Day) by sharpening his pen and getting an impressive roster of producers (Scott Storch, Erick Sermon, Havoc) to help get his spot back. The first single is the Sermon-built “Say,” a proverbial slap to anybody who's said anything negative in Meth's direction, with Lauryn Hill killing the hook. Almost everywhere else, from reminiscing with Wu (“Presidential MC”) to talkin' shit with Fat Joe and Styles P (“Ya Meen”), Meth kills any ideas that he's gone Hollywood. “Haters like to yell the white boy's behind me,” Obie Trice spits on “Wanna Know,” off his sophomore effort, Second Round's On Me. Of course, the white boy the Michigan native is referring to is Eminem. Because Em's presence is so overwhelming, folks haven't taken the time to really notice how ferocious this other Detroit Tiger is on the mic. “Cry Now” and the Nate Dogg-featured “All of My Life”– two joints your neck will hate you for in the morning– are prime examples. Sadly, in too many other places, Slim's way-too-similar tracks keep Second from being Obie's first project to extend itself from Eminem's shadow. “Obie Story,” a brilliant cinematic autobiography, proves that he can shine without the “white guy” standing behind him. Maybe next round he can show it a lil' more. Meth=(B); Obie=(B-) WESTBOUND TRAIN- TRANSITIONS (Hellcat) CLASS: Slackers-style Boston ska. JM Ska has been run through a dozen music filters over the past few decades, from poppunk (Reel Big Fish, Less Than Jake) to dance-pop (No Doubt), and even a little but of anger (Suicide Machines). It's a bit refreshing, then, to hear Boston-based Westbound Train offer up one of the most honest paeans to the two-tone sound in recent memory. On Transitions, their third release to date (and Hellcat debut), the band sounds like a reincarnation of legends like The Specials and The Skatalites. With subtle horns and introspective lyrics, the band turns in an impressive effort. The opening title track– a tribute to older bands– makes for a promising start, and is followed by a dozen or so throwback tracks that sound like they could’ve been recorded three decades ago. Still, weighing in at 16 tracks, the disc is a bit top-heavy, with not every song here worthy of inclusion. Though the group has settled into a great sound, they could stand to be more picky in the editing stage. (B) AGALLAH- YOU ALREADY KNOW (Babygrande ) CLASS: Let the hateration begin! BL Remember the Michael Keaton flick Multiplicity, in which he cloned himself multiple times only to find out that each successive clone was a little more fuckedup? Well, if Biggie Smalls had a thirdgeneration clone who actually stooped to rhyming "liar" with "pants on fire" while riding the short bus to Hip-Hop school, he'd probably sound a lot like Agallah. Repping the increasingly formidable indie label Babygrande (home to GZA, HiTek and Lord Jamar, among others), Agallah has certainly spent time battling for survival in the hip-hop trenches. Garnering underground buzz way back in 1996 with a "Who the fuck was that?!" appearance at the CMJ Convention, the Crooklyn native overcame numerous family tragedies (his uncle died of AIDS, his mother was murdered) to sign with Tommy Boy, then East West Elektra, only to watch both deals fall apart. He went on to produce tracks for Busta Rhymes, the Diplomats and Big Pun, always yearning for his moment to shine on the mic. When his group Purple City (part of the Dipset movement) was signed to Babygrande after some blazin' hot underground mix CDs, he finally got his chance. The resulting solo debut, produced by Agallah himself with help from Alchemist and DJ Premiere, is sketchy at best. Listening to the retro-sounding synth squiggles that back the opening track, you can only imagine that somewhere the Egyptian Lover is pissed enough to demand some sort of

Music______ steez-bitin' restitution. Primo's work makes the first single, "NY Rider Music" (featuring M1 of dead prez), a standout, but the muddy production elsewhere is too cacophonous to allow the tracks to reach their most impactful head-bobbin' potential. The bio says dude is a Lyricist Lounge alumni, but it's difficult for me to imagine folks like Mos Def and Wordsworth getting behind a guy who brags "This is so gangsta" on "O.G.G.G." then turns around and boasts on "Hardbody": "Told you niggas I'm hardcore/I'm hard like a criminal/Straight to the point, I ain't gotta be subliminal." Truth is, real hardcore muthafuckas don't need to repeatedly insist how hardcore they are, and setting it against a pseudorock riff that sounds like sloppy seconds from a long-lost Onyx album circa the mid'90s isn't doing the guy's solo bid for street cred any favors. Let's face it: Dipset has a loyal audience, and they're gonna snap this weak crap up like crackheads fiendin' for their next fix no matter what I say. But to end this Simon Cowell-like rant with a Randy Jackson quote, "I ain't feelin' it, dawg." (D) THE OLD 97S- HIT BY A TRAIN: BEST OF THE OLD 97S (Rhino) CLASS: The pop side of alt-country. JD About a dozen or so years ago, in the waning days of the Seattle grunge scene, classic country music began to show a profound influence on independent rock. Dubbed “alternative” country, cowpunk and even hick-rock, the movement ignited the careers of bands such as the Jayhawks and Uncle Tupelo, and culminated in a popular magazine called No Depression. The Old 97's were part of the crowd, starting out on Chicago's Bloodshot Records before signing with a major label. Though the band has since called it a day, Hit By a Train is a chronological survey of Dallas' best musical export. It's a shame that the band never got very far commercially, because singer Rhett Miller has a fantastic voice and a pile of memorable songs to share. From country kick (“Cryin' Drunk,” “El Paso”, etc.) to driving rock (“Time Bomb,” “Murder Or a Heart Attack”) to suave ballads sung by Murry Hammond, the Old 97's were always one confirmed radio hit away from greatness. Or was their Buddy Holly-by-way-of Camper Van Beethooven sound just a little to far to the left? That's hard to say, given that this compilation draws from the most accessible, instantly memorable tracks in the band's catalog. With radio moving more and more towards hip-hop culture or flatout rock over the past decade, the Old 97's were probably never destined for ubiquity. But if they weren't well known, they were at least well deserving of a greatest hits set like this. (A)

ISWHAT?!- THE LIFE WE CHOSE (Hyena) & J. BOOGIE & LIL SUM'EM- THE OTHERSIDE OF THE GAME (Marshall Law/4 Cryin' Out Loud ) CLASS: Independent thinking. DW We just can't be satisfied, can we? We pray to Tupac, Curtis Mayfield and Sonny Bono for diversity in music because we get so frustrated with MTV and its Chris Brown/Jessica Simpson/Christina Aguilera loop. Yet when we're presented with something different, we often turn our heads (and debit cards) in another direction. Enter: Iswhat?!, the one-of-a-kind tandem of rapper Napoleon Maddox and jazz musician Jack Walker. The Cincinnati duo is exactly what ears have called for in a CD– admirable musicianship, avant-garde lyrical approach, anti-establishment platform. Call us brats, but something still isn't quite right here. "Circus," "Ill Biz" and the title track all strike a nerve with their unapologetic commentary on street life and slick politicians, but Maddox's flow comes off too old school to hold kids' attention. Walker is a monster on the horns throughout, but without a steady Digable to his Planets, this album– while undeniably something different– comes up short of its central goal of starting a revolution.

Sistahs J. Boogie and Lil' Sum'em approach the mic with individuality in mind, too, but rather than lose their audience with outdated bars, these "go-gettas" are on some next ish, spitting with enough fervor and flavor that any dude within earshot would have to take notice. No worries here about the Denver-bred MCs getting confused with one another on The Otherside of the Game (available at www.cdbaby.com). Lil' Sum'em is that slightly-gravel voiced dame who'll mug you at the grocery store, or on the thunderous "Who I'm Is?" and "Fire." Boogie, on the other hand, has light vocal chords and heavy interests, ranging from a quick history briefing on the Aztecs ("The Takeover"), to lessons on life ("I Know"), to the sciene of the Iraq war ("Follow the Leader"). So, to all those cats screaming that ladies can't hold their own on the booth, cut that damn TV off and take a listen to these two mesh marvelously to something different. Iswhat= (C+); Boogie & Sum'em= (B+) PAUL WESTERBERG- OPEN SEASON SOUNDTRACK (Lost Highway) CLASS: New songs and a new band. JD Despite nearly drinking and drugging his career as leader of the seminal Replacements from 1980 to 1990, Paul Westerberg's relative sobriety has produced a compelling solo career. He littered the Singles soundtrack with a couple of gems, did a few solo albums for a major label, and has spent the past five or so years writing and recording stuff in his basement. To the surprise of many, the overall quality of his recent output has remained high. Open Season is an animated film, and it's a bit of a surprise to see Westerberg get the job scoring it. But it also appears to have allowed him a bigger budget to record some new songs, and he delivers with some good material. Backed by his touring band (the incredible Michael Bland on drums, guitarist Kevin Bowe and bassist Jim Boquist), Westerberg leads the charge through the upbeat rockers (“Meet Me In the Meadow,” “Right To Arm Bears”) and some excellent slower stuff, including “Whisper Me Luck,” which is one of his best ballads ever. The addition of a couple of good Deathray songs and the Talking Heads' classic “Wild Wild Life” seem tacked-on, but the album's only bad move is the awkward “I Belong.” It's sort of positioned as the Elton John-like showstopper, and it just doesn't carry the kind of cloying weight that a big-budget film relishes pounding the audience with. But overall, the album finds Westerberg as vital as he's ever been since disbanding the Replacements. (A) THE DRAFT- IN A MILLION PIECES (Epitaph) CLASS: Reincarnated, with a new sound. JM Hardcore fans were crushed, but not that surprised when Hot Water Music finally called it quits two years ago. Back with a new focus and cleaner sound, threefourths of the band have reformed under the moniker The Draft. Taking the spot once held by HWM vocalist Chuck Ragan, guitarist Chris Wollard now fronts the band that still includes bassist Jason Black, drummer George Rebelo and new guitarist Todd Rockhill. The dozen tracks on their debut show a matured band trodding a different path, shedding the post-hardcore sound for a more straightforward punkrock vibe. The result is more powerful than anything their previous band ever did– a cohesive collection of a dozen tracks managing to spotlight the band's musicianship without overpowering the vocals. There is hardly a weak track to be found on In a Million Pieces, with each song strong enough to stand on its own. It would’ve been understandable had Hot Water Music decided to just replace Chuck and carry on as the latest version of itself (god knows plenty of bands have done it before), but the remaining members took the breakup as an opportunity to completely re-invent themselves. The result is the most satisfying thing they’ve ever produced. (B+) PG 25 • insiteatlanta.com • September 2006

bout a dozen years after they'd formed, Soul Asylum found themselves in a strange position by 1993: a punk band gone platinum with a bunch of ostensibly pop-rock songs. Coming up from the depths of the fabled Minneapolis scene that also begat legendary acts such as Prince, Hüsker Dü and the Replacements, that town was considered past its prime when Soul Asylum broke through with the smash single, “Runaway Train.” Alongside Soul Asylum was a veritable supergroup of Minneapolis musicians called Golden Smog, which went from doing shows of all-Eagles covers to cutting a few albums that were wellreceived. Now, both Soul Asylum (who lost bassist Karl Mueller to cancer last year) and Golden Smog have excellent new albums out, so we thought it might be a good idea to catch up with principal songwriters Dave Pirner and Dan Murphy. Who got Golden Smog going again, and who got you all over to Spain to record? Murphy: It was kind of funny– very show business. Marc Perlman (bassist from the Jayhawks) was at that phase, as most musicians always are, where they’re trying to figure out what to do with their life. So he pitched the Golden Smog to write music for Guy Ritchie. You know, Mr. Madonna. So we got together to write for a commercial, and we wrote a 32-second song that we had a video for; we kind of choreographed it to the video and it turned into this song called “Corvette.” It was really fun and pretty painless, so we said, “The Smog should make a record again.” The funny thing was, when the commercial finally came out, they ended up using “Jumpin' Jack Flash”! (Laughs) So much for cutting edge! It was one of those first commercials in the Super Bowl! Why Spain? Murphy: Gary's got a place over there. The town is pretty touristy but really nice. Our criteria to record was that we wanted a live-in facility, because between the two of us, we didn't really have any-

thing written or worked out. So if you're in the studio, everyone just comes in for a couple of hours and there's really no time to finish writing. We tried to create this living environment with really close quarters so we could finish everything, do lyrics, and that really worked. We were kind of on each other's heels a lot of the time, but I don't think it was necessarily a bad thing. Did you re-do everything when you got back to the States? Murphy: Spain's kind of funny. We

GOLDEN

SOUL

THE RETURN OF GOLDEN SMOG & SOUL ASYLUM brought a bunch of two-inch recording tape over there, because no one hardly uses that anymore. We got that on eBay, actually. It got held up by Spanish customs the whole time we were there, and we finally got our two inch tape with only four days left to record. So, we ended up using some recycled tape that Paco had lying around, and it had drops and stuff in it. Degradation was so bad on some of it that we couldn't use it. We were all saying that we wouldn't do anything with computers and ProTools but, we ended up bouncing everything into ProTools

“Those four or five years after Grave Dancers’ Union were pretty crazy because we were constantly on the road. It's all kind of a blur. I wish I would have been able to enjoy that period a little bit more. It seemed like it was hectic and stressful, But there were a lot of fun shows and a lot of fun times. Nothing else in your life had any significance in comparison. That's all you did. It was an unhealthy balance, really.” PG 26 • insiteatlanta.com • September 2006

once we got back here to finish it. It's so much easier that way, to see things linear and then to overdub. It wasn't painless and effortless but it all turned out in the end. Since Jeff Tweedy wasn't in Spain, did you feel like you had to call him to Minneapolis to keep him involved? Murphy: Yeah, because he wanted to do something, but scheduling was involved and then his record label got involved. I think Jeff felt the responsibility to do it, and also it's a good time to play and hang out with good musicians. The way it worked out was fine; if we would have done it in Spain, it would have been really, really crammed quarters. Most of the time when we were cutting tracks, someone had to sit outside the recording room because there wasn't enough space. So, I don't think that it would have been magical live had he been there, because there was only room for three people. We also brought Jody Stephens (Big Star) back in to do some drums, and I don't think Jody would have been comfortable in Spain for a month because of his other responsibilities. Does it seem like a million years ago when Grave Dancer's Union was all over the radio, and Soul Asylum was really blowing up? Murphy: Yeah, and really, those four or five years after that were pretty crazy because we were just constantly on the road. It's all kind of a blur. I think if you check, it was, like, 1992 or something. That really is a million years ago! But you know, in hindsight, I really don't have too

many regrets. I wish I would have been able to enjoy that period a little bit more. It seemed like it was kind of hectic and stressful. But there were a lot of fun shows and a lot of fun times. Nothing else in your life had any significance in comparison. That's all you did. It was an unhealthy balance, really. Pirner: It's disconnected, but not exclusive to any of the other parts. The timeline of course has its peaks and valleys, so it's just a rough ride. You play something really well, and it reminds of you all your successes, but if you fuck some-

thing up, it reminds you of all your failures, I guess. Is that what “Success Is Not So Sweet” on the new album is about? Pirner: That's such a weird thing because it's the oldest song on the record and it was written at the peak of the band's success, but nobody wanted to hear it during that time. It's very peculiar like that to me. It's like, how come nobody liked this song when I wrote it back then? Everybody identifies with it now! People were like, “That's great, we gotta put that on the record,” and I'm like, “No shit!” Sometimes it really surprises me when I write something and everybody loves it. Is it inevitable that you look at this record as one for Karl and him leaving us? Murphy: Yeah, we've got a couple of songs that are pretty poignant. There's actually one on the Golden Smog record called “I Can” that Kraig wrote about Karl. It makes me really sad. But you know, Karl pulled through and he did it. The quality of his life was pretty rough at the end, and Karl was not the kind of guy who wanted to spend the rest of his life in a hospital either. Both records really make me think of Karl. At first, it was really difficult to imagine continuing as Soul Asylum, but Karl was insistent that if we put the record out, that we would tour no matter what. He was very clear about that, and he really liked the material. So when I listen to it, it's the silver lining in that he's the first and last thing I think of. Pirner: At times it's sort of shocking and awkward and at times it's so intensely sentimental. Many songs just evoke different times of my life with Karl. I'll think of him on a newer song because it was the last time we played together. I'll think of him on an old song because that was when we were in Japan and I remember playing it with him. Or I remember how much he liked it, or the way he used to play a part of it. There's all kind of weird emotions connected to it. With you down in New Orleans, how did the songs get finished? Pirner: It really depended on the tune. It happened differently. I would come up and we'd spend four or five days working out stuff, then we'd go record them and demo them. Another way it worked was that I had a bunch of songs and Danny came down to New Orleans and we worked on things with a couple of guys from a band in New Orleans. That was after Karl was sick. I also made a bunch of acoustic demos, which were just me singing the songs with an acoustic guitar, and I sent those up and the fellas listened to them and picked ones to do with the band. I was just auditioning song after song, and they made it onto tape in various ways. I had a bunch of stuff that I wrote on the computer, and when I played it for Danny he was like, “What the fuck are you doing?!” (Laughs) I was trying to reinvent the wheel, to come up with some fantastic new presentation of what the band could do. The record is what we can do, and the rest of the songwriting was just me flailing. -John Davidson

iddies, there once was a time when the music sometimes referred today as R&B actually spoke to people who were older than 18. No, really, it's true! Ask anybody born in the ‘60s or ‘70s. Sleepy Brown, one of the most vital but overlooked members of the Organized Noize production family (Outkast's “So Fresh, So Clean,” TLC's “Waterfalls,” En Vogue's “Don't Let Go” and others), remembers the time of Freddie Jackson and Luther Vandross fondly, and he appears to be on a one-man mission to bring it back. Though young ladies smile at Chris Brown and Trey Songz today, that symbolic, girl-let-me-whispersomething-in-your-ear prose of yore is making a comeback, according to Sleepy, the son of Brick vocalist Jimmy Brown. But look at the Billboard Top 50 and the sight barely echoes the talented singer/producer/songwriter's sentiments. Only one male R&B act (Ne-Yo, at No. 29) was on the chart in late August. Sleepy hopes to change all of that when Mr. Brown breezes into quiet storm rotation on October 3. The CD is quaint, sexy and PG-30 (“Please Grab” if you're over 30). This interview is part Sleepy Brown telling the world just that, and part him expressing his heartfelt belief that R&B isn't dead, just taking a power nap. Is it just me, or does it seem like the R&B scene is on life support? There's no buzz. Nah, it's not a buzz, but it's the fact that hip-hop is so much stronger. For R&B, we have to use hip-hop in order to sell. But, of course, R&B is making a comeback. Just because Chris Brown and Omarion have hip-hop beats, that's [still] R&B, dog. R&B is not just throwback; it's definitely going into something different. But for me, I like the throwback about it. I'm going to try to add that more than the hip-hop [aspect]. Look, you got Jill Scott and other artists that are still doing it. Yeah, it just seems like that pool of artists is so shallow these days. But it's coming back, dog. You got artists that are coming. I do believe that. I'm not just going to give up on R&B like that. It's definitely still here. Any issues outside of music on your mind right now? You know what? A lot of things are interesting, but at the same time it's so depressing at times that I try to look at the great things. For me right now, I'm just so much into what I'm doing [musically]. It's not that I'm ignoring what's going on. I know what's going on, but at the same time, it's kinda hard to say, dog. I don't wanna make it seem that I'm not studying the world right now, but I feel like I just

A Bedtime Story

Sleepy Brown wakes grown-folk R&B from its slumber wanna give people good music to take their mind off of it. This album really [tells] people that soul is beautiful. Soul is not just something you laugh at. Just 'cuz we like big rims and a lot of diamonds-that's black people. That's love. That's soul as hell. With this one, I just feel like I went more hood. I'm just lettin' folks know it's a beautiful thing to be soul as hell. Yeah, we need an outlet. That's what I'm saying. They need an outlet right now. That's what I'm trying to work for. It's so stressing right now with everything that's going on. I just wanna give'em an avenue that they can just have five minutes of just relaxing. That'll work. Your bio says you're “a champion of vintage R&B.” Define that. Instruments. Talking about love is a great thing. To me, it's so much bad talking [in music] these days. Either you hurt me, or I hurt you. I think I want to bring something to the game where it's more like celebrating love. I got a song on my album called “Dress Up,” which is kinda sayin' how I love for women to dress up and put that dress on they know I like, the one that's fitting just right. Just celebrating it more so than, “Oh, you hurt me so bad and I'm so tired of this.” It's so much of that. I'm like, “Let's celebrate for a minute.” But I think live instruments are soul. When did it turn from the Anita Baker and Tony! Toni! Tone! celebrating to the “You broke my heart?” You know, as humans, that's what we go through. When an artist comes out and says, “Darling, you broke my heart,” somebody out there listening has had that happen to them. And once that sells

big, every artist starts doing it. It's almost like a follow-the-leader thing. So, I just hope I can be that leader to bring the celebration of love back. I used to love the way Barry White and Marvin Gaye did that. That's what I loved about Marvin: Whatever he went through, that's what he sung. That was so fly to me. You knew when he was hurt. You knew when he was in love. I kinda wanna do the same thing. It's well-documented about how your father is a famous m u s i c i a n . Growing up, did any other occupation ever have a chance? It was music from the beginning. But, of course, there was work [too], 'cuz my momma wasn't hearing that. I used to wash dishes down at this nightclub A-Train, called down at Underground Atlanta and at the Steak & Ale downtown. I only worked there for, like, two weeks. When I went there one weekend and saw those dishes to the top of the ceiling, I said, “Hell naw! I'm gone!” What do you miss most about those early Outkast/TLC days? What do I miss? I miss all of us being together. We were around each other more. Of course, time moves on and everybody has different projects that they're doing. I've always said that to Rico [Wade, a Dungeon Family cofounder]– that I missed the Dungeon days when we all stayed in one house and slept on the hardwood floor. Everybody was under five layers of blankets. Every day we got up and worked downstairs. That's what we did. We were really a close-knit family. Of course, time moves on and people get mad, people have babies, people get money and have their own places. We still all family. It was almost like a gang back in those days. Grown & Sexy, your first album,

didn't reach store shelves. What did the masses miss by never hearing that CD? To me, truthfully, the album wasn't ready. I don't think they missed anything. It really wasn't ready. I'll never forget, I was in the studio with Dr. Dre. He heard a few songs that he did like, but he was like, “Sleep, I listened to your album. You ain't ready.” I was like, “Damn, Dr. Dre is actually telling me I'm not ready!” I really appreciated that from him. By him doing that, it made me go back and fix the album up. I do have a couple cuts from Grown & Sexy [on Mr. Brown]. In what aspects would you agree with Dre saying you weren't ready? Honestly, track-wise and vocally-wise. Songs were cool, but for the album to be called Grown & Sexy, the songs weren't really grown and sexy. It was more of a funk album. It grew into grown and sexy because of “Can't Wait.” You see, “Can't Wait” was actually a song that was done after the album was done. I was a song me and Rico kinda came up on, then [Interscope head] Jimmy Iovine heard it and put it out. To me, I felt like I was just fooling people back then. The album that's coming out now? That's more grown and sexy but I just decided to call it Mr. Brown. So Mr. Brown is more Dr. Dre approved? I think he would. It's soul as hell. What do you hope your new album will do for R&B? I just want to bring the cool essence of soul music back. I want it to be the ultimate cool shit, like how I felt like Morris Day & the Time were the coolest muthafuckas on earth... that's what I want it to be. Does that mean that Big Boi and other rappers don't make many appearances? Well, Big makes an appearance with Pharrell on “Margarita.” But with this right album here, I didn't really want a lot of features. I want everybody to hear me. The problem is everybody is used to me being a hook singer. I didn't want to do an album [of hip-hop collaborations] 'cuz that's what it would have been. It would have been like everybody else's album. I just wanted to make sure there were enough songs so everybody could hear me, so they could be like, “Oh, okay. Now I can get into Sleepy.” Since you mentioned hooks, there are a lot of folks who make the Sleepy Brown/Nate Dogg connection. That's all good. I'm a fan of Nate Dogg. Really, that's a great compliment, 'cuz Nate Dogg was the first. My only thing is that I wish I could’ve got him on this album. I'm gonna make sure I get him on the next one though, no doubt. I respect that brother. He just had that voice. And to say some of the stuff that he say? He was incredible to me. Dude was incredible. I just wish it would've translated more for an album. Yeah, me, too. I really wish that would have happened for him, too. But I mean, that's not to say that it won't. It's all good. Tell your fans one thing about you that they don't already know. I'm a silly dude. I like to joke a lot. But at the same time, I'm very serious about my music. I just really want to bring cool back. --DeMarco Williams

“I just want to bring the cool essence of soul music back. I want it to be the ultimate cool shit, like how I felt like Morris Day & the Time were the coolest muthafuckas on earth... that's what I want it to be.”

PG 27 • insiteatlanta.com • September 2006

ON THE ATTACK

AFTER 15 YEARS, THE CASUALTIES

ormed more than 15 year agos, The Casualties come from a world where punk-rock is not dressed in ironic tshirts and floppy bangs, and doesn't sing about the girl who broke his heart in 9th grade or being picked last in gym class. For this mohawked and liberty-spiked quartet, punk-rock is still about singing for the oppressed and raising a skull-ringed middle finger to the oppressors. So how does guitarist Jake (just Jake) feel about all the attention his genre is suddenly getting? “I've always felt the more, the merrier. If more people like punk, that's great,” he says. “In order for punk-rock to survive, people have to be turned on to it, people have to be interested in it. If more people are interested, it's going to stick around for a long time and it won't become extinct.” Judging from the enthusiastic crowds The Casualties have been playing to all summer on the Warped Tour, punk is in no danger of becoming extinct anytime soon. “It's kind of cool, we play for everyone from 14 years old to 25,” Jack said during a recent stop of the traveling punkrock show. “They may come here to listen to someone else, but they hear us and stick around to check out our show.” Jake, who started his own label, Charge Records, eight years ago, is doing his part to preserve the punk-rock genre, and is constantly looking to help younger bands just coming up in the scene. “The bands that don't have a shot at major labels, I try and help them put out a record. For most of these bands that try to do DIY, that doesn't really reach anybody. It's cool, but you've got to bust ass.” The label started as an outlet for Jake to promote the bands he saw while touring the country, who either played with The Casualties or who he thought deserved to be heard by others. “I'm not a major label and I'm not a huge independent,” he admits, “but I can put out records for you and give you a boost. It's a bare-bones kind of deal, and I don't fuck the bands over.” Unlike contemporaries such as AntiFlag and Bad Religion, The Casualties have never considered themselves a political band. And although there are quite a few songs on their new record, Under Attack, that have a political bent, Jake argues that they’re still a straight-ahead punk band that simply writes about what’s relevant to them. “We've always been a band that sings about what we know,” he insists, “and what's going on in our lives right now.

(Politics) is just one of the things affecting our lives. As a band, we think these songs are still going to be relevant after Bush is out of office. I don't want this to be a dated record, like a bunch of the ‘80s bands singing about Regan.” But it is a different sort of Casualties record. Compared to earlier efforts, the songs on the new album are more relevant to what's happening in this country and overseas. Still, the sing-along choruses are there, as well as the loud guitars. “We're keeping fans interested, but also keeping them loyal to the band,” Jake says in an effort to describe their new album. To be fair, the lyrics on Under Attack do cover other territory, but the title track– and others inspired by our country's sudden turn to the right and the effects of global warming– are among the best the band has ever recorded. “It's what's going on now, so we have to address that, but we tried to mix it up with other songs that people would relate to,” Jake admits. “Fallen Heroes,” for example, addresses old bands getting back together simply for the money (Sex Pistols, I'm looking at you), and is likely to piss off a number of punk scene regulars. “It's about bands that were punk who reform and there's no heart and soul there,” Jake says. “There's a point where you say 'God, who isn't getting back together?!’ It's just not real anymore, and there's plenty of new bands out there that are better than those bands.” The Casualties plan to escape that fate by staying together and making the music they want to hear. And thankfully, they've never felt pressure from their fans or label to change their sound to adapt to what's big at the moment. “This is the sixth album, and at this point we're sticking to our guns. That's what makes a band good,” he suggests. “A band that tries to jump on bandwagons is never really taken seriously. Yeah, you could be big for a minute, but we've always wanted to be around for a while. Whenever we play, there's going to be 300 people there to hear us.” At this point, The Casualties are more popular than they ever thought they’d be. “I never thought we'd be on main stage at the Warped Tour,” Jake confesses. “Personally, there's that big sense of accomplishment that feels very good. We're still an angry little punk-rock band, but people are still coming up to us after 15 years and showing interest. That's cool.” –John B. Moore

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Local Cuisine

TASTE OF THE MONTH: BURRITOS! Some great places to get a Burrito in Atlanta Willy’s Mexicana Grill

15 Atlanta Locations 404.422.7107 Catering www.willys.com

Willy's Mexicana Grill offers a host of FreshMex menu items made from the freshest ingredients. These include Willy's award winning signature California-style burrito. Freezers and microwaves are noticeably absent from Willy's to keep the concept of freshness true. Every menu item is made from scratch using top-quality meats and produce (guacamole and tomatillo sauce is made twice a day and produce is delivered six days a week). Each order is custom prepared right in front of the customer. Vegetarian offerings such as marinated tofu, veggie burritos, tacos and quesadillas are also available. Willy's caters and delivers to a crowd! Taco bars, fajita bars, burrito bars and platters are perfect for social gatherings, business functions or tailgating of any size. Call Willy's catering department at 404-422-7107. Visit Willy's newest location in the Edgewood Retail District just south of Little Five Points on Moreland Avenue.

Chipotle 10 Metro Locations

770.368.1653 Catering www.chipotle.com A simple menu, fresh ingredients, and attention to detail - this is what Chipotle is all about. In the mood for an enormous burrito? How about some tacos or maybe a salad with homemade chipotle-honey vinaigrette? Whatever you are craving, you can be sure Chipotle will serve it using the freshest ingredients and the shortest amount of time possible. When Steve Ells started his first gourmet burrito joint in 1993 he was obsessed with using the finest, freshest ingredients. He ran his restaurant like a five-star kitchen, meticulously fine tuning every recipe and every step, so your order is

PG 30 • insiteatlanta.com • September 2006

ready in seconds. As Chipotle continues to grow they are proud to build on these ideals. All Chipotle's meats are naturally raised with no added hormones or antibiotics, the chips and tacos are made daily - just like the guacamole, and all produce is delivered fresh each day! They work hard to secure organic black and pinto beans as they become available, and we hand pick all herbs in-house for maximum freshness, nothing from a bottle will do! Now with some 450 restaurants nationwide, Chipotle is the largest restaurant seller of naturally raised meats - selling approximately nine million pounds a year. It's a revolution that is reshaping the nation's food supply. The same is happening with Chipotle's beans. As they have increased the use of organic black and pinto beans to about 15% of the total, we are helping to boost U.S. organic bean crop to higher levels. They are proud that Chipotle's standards are helping to raise the bar for the food industry - this truly is Food with Integrity! Whether you order a burrito, tacos, a bol or salad, they are ready for you with high-quality ingredients and lots of preparation before you get there. It is this attention to detail that makes Chipotle stand out. They only serve a few things, but they serve all of them well. The menu is simple, but that is the whole idea. To take something simple and elevate it to something simply delicious is how Chipotle earned its name. After all, the chipotle was just a boring jalapeño until someone took the time to dry and smoke it to make something truly unique. So come in, grab some lime-and-cilantro seasoned rice, take your pick of naturally raised meat, add some homemade guacamole and salsa, and dig in -- just don't forget your appetite! Chipotle has ten metro-Atlanta locations. Hours are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. For additional information, visit www.chipotle.com.

Coyote’s Mexican Grill 2740 East College Ave. Decatur 404-373-9383 Since moving from Decatur to Avondale Estates a little over a year ago, Coyote’s has built up a loyal following. The new location offers more seating indoors and has a great patio. They offer several outstanding burritos. Their Burrito California is made with grilled steak or chicken and wrapped in a flour tortilla with black beans, rice, cheese, guacamole, sour cream and

pico de gallo. Also try their Mexican Flag Burrito, stuffed with grilled chicken, onions, bell peppers and cheese. Coyote’s is also known for their 7 giant flavored margaritas, all made with real fruit and Sauza Gold premium tequila.

Mexico City Gourmet 2134 N. Decatur Rd. 404.634.1128 www.mexicocitygourmet.com For over 20 years, Mexico City Gourmet has been serving award winning cuisine to the Emory area. They have a great vegetarian burrito called the Georgia-- a flour tortilla stuffed with onions, peppers, potatoes, spices, and a rich tomato sauce with melted cheese, served as a meal with refried beans, rice and salad. Mexico City also offers a Chicken burrito as a lunch special for just $4.95. This burrito is served with onions, tomatoes, poblano peppers and topped with adobo sauce and cheese. Another popular burrito is the Steak Taco Poblano, wrapped in a flour tortilla with grilled strips of steak served with sauteed onions, mushrooms, poblano peppers, and topped with Chihuahua cheese. In addition, Mexico City has a vast menu consisting of many authentic Mexican dishes. They’re also known for their Chicken Enchiladas, served with your choice of three sauces (green, mole, or red tomato and sour cream). Their Chile Relleno is a must. Served as a pablano pepper and filled with ground meat, almonds, potatoes, raisans, spices and topped with tomato sauce and cheese. For starters try the Quesadilla Especial, which consists of a folded flour tortilla filled with cheese, onions, tomatoes, mushrooms, poblano peppers and served with guacamole.

Sol y Luna

1355 Clairmont Rd. 404-929-9790

The chef at Sol y Luna spent 9 years in San Francisco perfecting the burrito. As he explains, “The concept of the burrito originated in California. Years ago, when the Mexican laborers were on the job; they were not paid during any lunch break. Their wives would rap their lunch in a corn tortilla so they would be able to continue to work with one hand while eating with the other.” Over the years, the burrito has evolved to include many different varieties, but the ability to eat one while on the go still holds true. True to their roots, their burritos are made California style with choice of meat. In addition, they have over 20 combinations of entrées to choose from including a full vegetarian menu. They create dishes exclusively from the freshest ingredients and the finest traditional Mexican recipes. Homemade tortillas, crisp lettuce, succulent tomatoes, tender, juicy meats, and savory spices make every item on the menu a delectable treat. Whether you tackle a plate of traditional tacos or try their awe-inspiring house specialties, their food will warm your heart and satisfy your taste for adventure.

Twisted Taco

66 12th Street (Midtown) 404-607-8771 www.twistedtaco.com

Don’t let their name fool you, this happening midtown joint also makes a mean burrito. Their burritos are made with attitude. Like The Big Jake, a hefty bean burrito mixed with cheddar/Jack cheese, rice, beans, lettuce, salsa and sour cream with your choice of ground beef, chicken, or steak. Their OK Corral is served with your choice of meat along with rice, pinto beans, roasted corn black beans, plus three salsas, lettuce, cheese, onions, sour cream and guacamole. New to the menu is the Kung Fu. This teriyaki inspired burrito is made with broccoli, mushrooms, carrots, rice, onions and water chesnuts with your choice of chicken or steak. Twisted Taco celebrates Ladies Night every Thursday while offering $3 drink specials and $5 frozen or loco margaritas. They have Team Trivia on Mondays, Fat Comedy on Tuesday, and Karaoke on Friday and Saturday Nights. Twisted Taco boasts over 100 micro brews and 125 tequilas to choose from.

Tin Roof Cantina

 

 

          

2591 Briarcliff Rd. 404-329-4700 www.tinroofcantina.com

After a long and successful run in Buckhead Tin Roof Cantina finally returns to Atlanta! They have recently reopened and are now located between Emory and Brookhaven near the intersection of N. Druid Hills and Briarcliff at 2591 Briarcliff Road. The new location offers a great outdoor patio and flat screen TV’s inside and out that will be tunned to your favorite NFL and College football team this fall. They have a stage inside and offer live music 5 nights a week. In addition to its history of great live music, The Tin Roof Cantina brings back its famous Toasted Burrito. Their unique burrito building method includes toasting the cheese on the tortilla before stuffing. The Tin Roof Cantina grills marinated chicken and steak to order and their burritos are stuffed with the freshest ingredients, with salsa and guacamole made fresh daily. These authentic burritos are offered in four styles (Tin Roof, Classico, Especial, Fajita) but can also be built to order (and smothered in homemade queso if you like).

    PG 31 • insiteatlanta.com • September 2006

BACK ON THE BEAT AFTER BEING SIDELINED BY INTERNAL PROBLEMS & INJURIES, SNOW PATROL RETURNS TO THE ROAD

cotland's Snow Patrol sells millions of albums worldwide, but like most bands from across the pond, their appeal is typically limited to the anglofriendly confines of college radio over here. Too bad, because this act has huge, radio-friendly hooks, and this year's Eyes Open is a smashing follow-up to 2004's Final Straw. We recently sat down with frontman Gary Lightbody to get the dirt on health, wealth and the band’s ambitious fall tour. So you lost your voice and had to cancel a bunch of shows here in the United States. Was that from too much singing, or too much good times? I don't really drink on tour. I know we probably have a reputation for being hellraisers on tour, but not me. We'd just done so many shows that I guess my voice just decided it was time to stop. Sometimes that happens apparently. I had polyps, which are little tiny lesions on the vocal cords, so I really had to stop. I had to have surgery. Were you under doctor's orders to not speak at all? She kept telling me not to speak, but it's a hard thing to do, especially if you're like me and you just can't shut the fuck up! I shut up for a week, then I just ate right and then partied a little. I tried to be a good boy, but it's not something I do particularly easily. I've got to do some warming up now, which I should’ve been doing before. I've been singing for a long time, and I'm not trained nor have I ever done any exercises. I took it for granted and, unfortunately, it decided to teach me a lesson. Not really the best time to learn that lesson-right at the edge of a big tour through the U.S. Yeah. But there's never a good time, really. But in the period of time that I had off, I did a lot of thinking and a lot of writing and a lot of reading. I think I'm a more well-rounded individual because of it! (laughs) Had you gone straight from recording the new album right into touring? Yeah. We finished the album in January and we were touring in February. So that's probably one of the reasons it happened. It was exciting to see Final Straw break big around the world, because you guys have been at it for a long time. Was there pressure to repeat that kind of success when you were making the new album? Any pressure that we felt was probably put on by ourselves. We don't really pay too much attention to all the craziness around is. We live in a little bit of a bubble, but sometimes it's unavoidable. People will say, “You're num-

ber one,” and you'll think, “Wow, that's weird.” We're pretty level headed because we've been at this for so long, and we've always done it for the right reasons. So in terms of pressure, we just wanna make a better album. It's not like we want to placate our fans; that's not what they want either. They want to hear what we want to do. I think we did experiment this time in terms of trying to make a full pop album, because we've never attempted that before. It's just chock full of melody, and very well rounded. We kind of wanted to see if we could make one of those albums, one of those kind of classic albums that we've always cherished. I don't know if we did that, but we gave it a fucking good go. And you know, next time we might go back to smashing our guitars up against the wall and do something different. Because obviously, the success of Final Straw did really take us by surprise but that doesn't mean that we feel like we have to keep that up. We don't need to sell two million albums every time to make ourselves feel better, you know? That's never been the issue. We can quite easily go back to selling hardly any records; I don't mind. But I have to say: it's fucking nice to be successful. We just want to keep being successful on our own terms without selling out in any way. If we ever had to bow down to record company pressure-and I have to say, we've never had anything like that-then I think we'd just have to stop and hide and come back as something else. If you were focused on making a big pop record, did that make the process of writing songs longer? It wasn't that it was a contrived effort to make a pop record, it was just that it's always been about the songs for us. We just wanted to write better songs, just to see what we could do with melodies. There aren't many moments on this album that are kind of twisted, like we'd done before. We didn't put a stunner in the works like we normally do, or a stick in the spokes. But that's not to say that it won't happen again. This time around, we kind of wanted to keep the purity. The songs just came out as they came out, and they came out pretty easily. We just picked the best songs that we'd written, like we always do. And it just sort of turned out this way. I guess we set out with more ambition, but we didn't force it. There wasn't a part where we went, “Well, we gotta make this part more melodic.” It just happened the way it happened. And we'd been touring so much, that if we weren't a better band, then something was wrong. I guess we just came into it a better band, which probably made a better album. I think we made a better album, anyway. It seems to have divided people a little,

“The doctor kept telling me not to speak, but it's a hard thing to do, especially if you just can't shut the fuck up! I shut up for a week, then I just ate right and partied a little. I tried to be a good boy, but it's not something I do particularly easily...”

PG 32 • insiteatlanta.com • September 2006

whether or not it's better than Final Straw, but at least people are talking about it! But like I said, we didn't come out to make a record to please everyone, we came out to please ourselves. We hope people respect that. As far as having a bigger success than you expected, did it change the internal dynamics of the band? Well, obviously one thing did happen, and that's that Mark left the band. We sacked him. I don't want to go into in detail. Some people might attribute that to success, or that our egos got the best of us, but that's not the case. It's just that sometimes, people are together for so long, and a decade is sometimes just too much. Bands never last that long these days. I think it's just one of those things…Paul is our new bass player, and he's been in the band for a long time as a guitar player so it's not like we're a new family. I think that maybe some people were worried that a part of the group died or was undermined, but we're still very much a family. The Mark decision wasn't taken lightly by ANY means. Success didn't change our egos; in fact, it probably knocked us down a peg or two. Does it change your expectations for this album? Well, we've already gone over the million mark worldwide after a few months. That's RIDICULOUS. That's something that we never felt, that'd we'd be in a band that would sell so many records. And this time, we're selling records where we never did before, like in Australia and Japan. That's brilliant because then we can go to those places more, and that's what it's really always been about for us: the touring aspect, to try to go to as many places and play for as many people as possible. Album sales are kind of secondary, to be honest. But unfortunately, they're all tied together in knots– selling albums facilitates you to going to these places. They're intrinsically linked, but I'd rather play live than hear about the charts. What was the point in your career when you felt like, “Wow, my dreams are really coming true!” We've pretty much, in the U.K., done pretty much every thing we ever set out to do. In terms of live gigs, we've played with U2, we've done every massive venue, and in December we're doing two nights at Wembeley. That's ridiculous! It's beyond what we ever expected. It's beyond beyond. And yet it's bizarre, because our dreams are being realized every day and it's a sensory overload. We're perfectly happy and loving every minute of it. We're really excited to get back into the studio and make more music. We haven't lost any of our hunger. It'll be from the heart again! –John Davidson

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ANGIE APARO

A Van Michael Cut for

There are millions of musicians who would kill for the good fortune of singersongwriter Angie Aparo, who hooked up with producer Matt Serletic and signed to Clive Davis' Arista Records in the late '90s. His debut album, The American, broke through at modern rock radio in 2000 on the strength of his hit single, “Spaceship,” and his song “Cry” was later covered by Faith Hill, who ultimately won a Best Female Vocal Performance Grammy. But while Aparo admits enjoying his brief climb to the music biz mountaintop, tectonic shifts in the industry's structure soon left him without a label, major or otherwise. These days Aparo is among the thousands of indie artists using the Internet to build his fan base, and his new 5-song EP, El Primero Del Tres, is entirely self-released despite production by Dan Huff (Dixie Chicks, Faith Hill, Rascall Flatts). We recently caught up with Aparo to discuss his return to the indie world, and how sites like MySpace are changing the way music is marketed and promoted. How did your life change when you went from unknown singer-songwriter to a Top 40 artist on a major label? Dramatically. Working with those kinds of people always produces huge growth if you're willing to let it. In a weird way, I struggled with losing the independent spirit I'd grown up in. I had creative freedom, but it took me a while to adapt to having people around me when I was used to getting in a car with my guitar and playing up the coast. It becomes a whole machine, and it took me a while to realize that everyone was on my side. But the interaction with Clive Davis was especially amazing. It was a fruitful collaboration; why did your relationship with Arista fall apart? Clive was being pushed out of the company and we got caught up in it. We were about to release “Cry” as the next single, so we were postured to break out. We had an option to follow him, but we thought it would take him a year to start the new company, so we figured we'd get lost in the shuffle either way. We bet on staying with L.A. Reid, and it just didn't pan out. How do you view the monolithic changes in the music business since you began your career? It really is all about the Internet now. I love it, and we're using every aspect of it. To be able to shoot me singing a song in my hotel room and have it as a podcast an hour later is just insane. It's approaching the immediacy of live performing. I still think the right relation-

$22!

ship with a strong indie or major label is valuable. But where before it was, “God, give us ANY record deal, please!” now it has to be really right. I think all the access to fans through the Internet has really strengthened indie labels, and that's the most exciting thing for me. I think it's good for business. You may be releasing your music independently these days, but you're working with Dan Huff. How did that relationship come about? That was through the interaction with Faith. I was close to having three songs on her last record, two of which I sang on, but for various reasons they got dropped from the record. I met Dan during those sessions when I was singing backup for her, and he and I hit it off. We were sitting around one night and I said, “I don't have a deal and I don't have any money for someone of your stature, but would you wanna do something together?” He said yeah. Did the success Faith had with “Cry” give you financial freedom that makes it easier for you to take a more indie road as a performer? Yeah. I've been going to Nashville every couple of months. I'd never co-written a song before I started meeting all these unbelievably wonderful writers, and I've found a community up there. If you're a good songwriter, you can go to Nashville and make a good living. But without really going after [a career as a songwriter], I don't know how many “Cry”type hits you're gonna get. I think being a songwriter will allow me to take more risks as a performer, but I'm not making a conscious effort to get cuts. It definitely allows you to make decisions like, “I don't want a label right now...” You've just released the first of three planned EPs. What's the concept ? I was writing songs for the first EP, and there was a line in “Spider Song” that says, “We all need our enemies.” That sat in the back of my head for a while, and the more I thought about it, the more these songs about conflict and war came to me. Not just the war of nations, but internal conflicts, relationships... The whole second record came from that line. The third record deals with love and unity, and the inspiration for that came from a song on the first EP called “Only.” So in a weird way the first EP gave birth to these other two. The whole idea of conceptual works has gotten lost in the age of digital music. So it all goes back to the idea of being free as an artist, and wanting to remind myself that the best art comes when you're not worrying about the business side of things. –B. Love

HELP WANTED! ��

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e was sooooo nice!” This is the response of an impressionable young journalist upon meeting Dwayne Johnson (a.k.a. The Rock), as if she somehow expected the former pro wrestler-turned-actor to stand up mid-interview, rip off his form-fitting shirt, raise his trademark eyebrow and bellow his signature line, “Can you smell what the Rock is cooking?!” But those days, apparently, have long since passed. Now, the supersuave Johnson is a burgeoning superstar who, having made the gradual transition from athlete to action hero, seems set on becoming a bona-fide thespian. He initially spread his wings by delving into comedy (in a series of memorable appearances on Saturday Night Live, then in a scene-stealing turn as a transvestite in 2005's Be Cool), and now he's strutting his dramatic stuff in Gridiron Gang. The film is based on the true story of juvenile detention camp parole officer Sean Porter, who began turning hardcore teenage felons into a successful high school football team after he grew weary of watching 75% of his young charges return to prison or die violently on the inner-city streets. As Porter, the 34-year-old Johnson shows a range of emotions rarely seen in action fare like Walking Tall and Doom, portending a career of greater depth than you'd expect from a man once best-known for coining phrases such as “jabroni” and “smackdown.” Then again, as a former juvenile delinquent who had several arrests on his record before he was old enough to drive, the mixed-race (half AfricanAmerican, half Samoan) Johnson had no trouble identifying personally with the material, as it was football that wound up getting him off the streets and onto a more productive life path. We recently spoke with the 6'3” son of a pro wrestler about where his film career is going, and how Gridiron Gang reminded him of where he's been. As a University of Miami football star and a one-time NFL candidate, what was it like for you to put on a football uniform for this film? Putting on the pads was great, and it definitely brought back memories of playing football. Those were the lengths Sean Porter would go to; he would try anything in order to get through to these kids. There's a lot of stuff he did that didn't make it into the film. He loved football, so he would put on the pads and have players try to run by him and give them forearms to the facemask and things like that. The best part of that sequence of the film for me was when he tells the kid, “You can't run away. You can't hide. All you have is yourself, and that's all you need.” That's one thing you try to get across to these kids who can't even see tomorrow. Once you get a kid to believe in himself, nine times out of ten it becomes a positive thing. You were once one of those kids who wasn't on such a positive path. Can you talk a little about that? That was a time in my life when I, like a lot of kids, was making the wrong decisions, hanging around with the wrong people, and running the streets doing a lot of things that I should not have been doing. I was very fortunate that I had someone who cared about me and invested time in me. It was my arresting officer, when I was 14 years old, who said, “I want you to stop screwing up and go out and play football for your freshman team.” I didn't learn overnight. I was a work in progress, and I continued to get in trouble because I thought he was full of it and that I had all the answers. But I didn't know anything, and I continued to get arrested until I was 17, when my high school football coach in Pennsylvania invested even more time in me. What kind of stuff were you doing? Fighting and theft... and fighting... and theft. It was bad, and I know what PG 34 • insiteatlanta.com • September 2006

GET A PIECE DWAYNE JOHNSON (A.K.A. THE ROCK) TACKLES SERIOUS DRAMA WITH THE GRITTYGRIDIRON GANG football did for me. I didn't realize it as a freshman. For me it was just a way to make my arresting officer happy so that, in the event I did get arrested again, maybe he'd let me go. It wasn't until I got older that I understood the value of not only having someone who cared, but the value of sports and what that can do for you; the value of commitment and hard work and sacrificing your time after school to go to practice and do all those things that you carry with you for the rest of your life. It's an interesting parallel, because gang life seems to be rooted in having something to prove and trying to fit into this surrogate familial-type community, which is essentially what organized sports do. Exactly. The gang world is very structured. There's there. loyalty That's your team, and you have to prove yourself day in and day out. This is why I'm so grateful that I got this material begin to with, so I could get into Sean's and world explore it and understand it. Most of my trouble was in Hawaii, and we had gangs back then, but I wasn't running with Bloods or Crips or anything like that. We were primarily just badass kids doing the wrong things. But Sean understood the value of breaking the power that

gangs have over the kids, and that if you could just guide them in the right direction and let them know that they do have a choice, you can make a difference. The documentary (on which Gridiron Gang was based) was shot 15 years ago, and the staggering numbers are the same today: 75% of these kids who get out get shot and die or they end up back in prison. So the one thing Sean tries to get through to them is that their gonna get out and get a second shot, so don't screw it up. If they need him, he's there. To this day, he oversees five juvenile detention centers, and he's dedicated his life to it. It makes me feel good to know that there are people like that out there. What's more important to you: Delivering a good performance or breaking box office records? What's important to me is being true to the character. Of course box o f f i c e records a r e great, a n d y o u k e e p y o u r f i n ge r s crossed and hope people will come out, watch the movie, spread word-of-mouth and do all the things that a good solid movie that delivers people's money's worth is supposed to do. Athletes who become actors seem to be typecast as action

heroes, and historically don't seem to be given much of a chance to act. But in this movie, you're not just a cartoon character kicking ass and taking names. Was the emotional nature of the film an attraction for you? Sure. Hollywood's an interesting machine, and once you realize that you begin to understand the ebbs and flows of it. The Scorpion King was all action, but I knew even then that I wanted to become a versatile actor. I just wasn't getting the material that allowed me to do that. Be Cool was a really defining moment, because after that Hollywood was like, “Who knew?!” and everything I was getting was comedy. I was lucky to get this type of material, but I looked at it more as an opportunity to tell an incredible story, and in the process it challenged me to grow as an actor. A lot of people from other entertainment mediums, whether it's athletes like Schwarzenegger or rappers like 50 Cent, seem to come to Hollywood and dive right into leading roles. But from The Mummy films and Saturday Night Live to supporting roles like Be Cool, you've seemed pretty deliberate in picking your roles. Is there a master plan at work? I think it's important to choose carefully. The thing you don't wanna do is work from a place of money, and I was fortunate to come into it with a pretty penny, so the money wasn't motivating me as much as the work and the material. Even a movie like Doom, which didn't do well, I did because it gave me a chance to play the bad guy and work in the video game genre, which I'd never done before. I think the first mistake that happens with a lot of people who wanna crossover into acting is they come into it saying, “I'm gonna try the acting thing.” If you go into it with that attitude, you're not gonna get much out of it. But if I see an athlete or musician who's been really focused and driven to succeed, I'm gonna put my money on that person, because you can apply that same mentality to acting. But with a lot of celebrities who crossover, they don't bring their work ethic because they think acting is really easy. It's not! It's tough to be a good actor, and it's really hard to make a good movie. What did Sean Porter think of the film? He saw it a couple of weeks ago, and I wasn't there but one of the producers went up to him after the screening and asked him, “What should I tell Dwayne?” Apparently he was crying and had to wipe his tears away, and he said, “Just tell him I said thank you.” For me as an actor, that's gratifying. I didn't wanna imitate Sean, but I knew if I could channel his passion, his intensity and the empathy he had for these kids, I could have a shot at delivering a good performance. What do you have coming up next? Gameplan, which is a Disney family comedy in which I play an NFL quarterback on a Super Bowl-bound teama McLaren-driving, Elvis-singing bachelor living that life, like a cross between the entertainment value of Joe Namath and the toughness of Brett Favre. One day I get that knock on the door from a 7-year-old girl calling me “Daddy,” and the hijinks ensue. It's one of those perfect Disney-esque movie I can take my five-year-old daughter to see. Now that you've tackled comedy and drama and family films, is there any one type of movie you're still yearning for a chance to do? Just good material, ya know? I love action, and if a good action movie comes along that allows me to be self-deprecating and kick ass at the same time, I'll take that. I love comedies. I watched Inside Man last night, and I would have loved to play Clive Owen's part... –B. Love

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kickoff 2006 insite’s nfl preview

f you're keeping score at home, Monday Night Football is now on ESPN. Sunday Night Football and John Madden are on NBC. Pre-game studio host James Brown is on CBS, not FOX. Jerry Rice has retired a San Francisco 49er. Junior Seau has returned a New England Patriot. Steve McNair is a Raven. Daunte Culpepper is a Dolphin. Edgerrin James is a Cardinal. Ben Roethlisberger is fine, just three months after crashing his motorcycle. His defending champion Steelers aren't worried about crashing back to earth. Roger Goodell is the new NFL commish. All the “Bret Favre is great” talk is getting old. The Saints' #1 pick, Reggie Bush, is amazing. The Madden 2007 video game is awesome. The New York Jets are borderline awful. Super Bowl XLI is February 4 in Miami. And Indianapolis and Carolina will meet you down there for drinks.

AFC NORTH BALTIMORE- That noise being heard around town isn't just the Cleveland Browns creeping up on the Ravens in the standings; it's Father Time ticking away at Jamal Lewis' and Ray Lewis' careers. The still-capable Steve McNair gives'em that oomph. CINCINNATI- If Carson Palmer's left knee has healed, the Bengals have an outside chance to catch the Steelers. If it hasn't, and somebody like Anthony Wright tosses it to receiver Chad Johnson, they'll fight to get 9-7. CLEVELAND- If you're a Browns fan, thoughts of Braylon Edwards, Joe Jurevicius and Kellen Winslow running out routes makes you feel good. Of course, knowing the ball is coming from Charlie Frye's arm causes alarm. PITTSBURGH- Jerome Bettis and the Steelers were the feelgood story of '05. Big Ben's return after his ugly bike wreck was one of the preseason's biggest headlines. If WR Hines Ward and a tightfisted D stay fiery, there's no reason talk of repeat can't begin. Playoff Picks: Pittsburgh, Cincinnati

AFC SOUTH

HOUSTON- Folks will question the Texans' choice for the No. 1 pick (Mario Williams) for years to come. The No. 1 offensive weapon (Andre Johnson) and No. 1 concern (a frail defense) aren't up for debate. INDIANAPOLIS- Everyone knows how fired up Peyton Manning's team is to prove that Edgerrin James' exit won't slow the NFL's No. 2 scoring team. Only time will tell if Dwight Freeney's upstart defense can keep it going on the other end. JACKSONVILLE- Former Bruins Marcedes Lewis and Maurice Drew give head coach Jack Del Rio some fresh options to an offense starting to get stale. The rushing defense, which gave up an NFL-low four TDs in '05, smells of Febreeze. TENNESSEE- Brian Volek isn't going to just hand the starting QB job to outstanding rookie Vince Young. With all the injuries on the defensive line though, the Titans won't get a hand on the opposition's run game this year. Pick: Indianapolis

AFC EAST BUFFALO- Dang, with Marv Levy back and Peerless Price playing wack, it's starting to feel like old times around Ralph Wilson Stadium. Too bad Levy, the Bills' new GM, can't get Jim Kelly, circa '92, to take a few snaps. MIAMI- The losses of Ricky Williams and Gus Frerotte hurt less when you have second-year back Ronnie Brown carrying the leather and Daunte Culpepper launching it. Nick Saban appears to be the cure for what ailed South Florida. NEW ENGLAND- The Patriots haven't thudded back to Earth, but they're slowly orbiting it. Tom Brady, who quietly tossed an NFL-best 4,110 yards a year ago, and that imposing defensive front return, but the air of entitlement does not. NY JETS- Getting D'Brickashaw Ferguson cemented on the offensive line was brilliant. With pocket pressure a non-

issue, Jets QB Chad Pennington can concentrate on handing off to newly-acquired Kevan Barlow and heaving it to Laveranues Coles. Pick: New England

AFC WEST DENVER- Who needs 300-yard passing games when you have 13 wins? Jake Plummer, who tossed only seven picks last year, will depend on a Bell-ringing ground game (Mike and Tatum Bell, that is) and a punishing D to go deep in the playoffs, and keep impressive backup Jay Cutler on the sidelines. KANSAS CITY- Former Jets coach Herman Edwards is in a better situation now. Still, it's going to take more than Larry Johnson's and Tony Gonzalez's crafty footwork to get past the three roadblocks in the division. OAKLAND- There's some talent (Randy Moss, free agent QB Aaron Brooks) on Art Shell's roster, but not nearly enough that the Silver & Black isn't left black and blue about one of the AFC's most frustrating defenses. SAN DIEGO- Michael Turner is a decent fill-in when LaDainian Tomlinson needs a breather. Same goes for Eric Parker when Antonio Gates gets tied up. But really, is A.J. Feely the answer when Philip Rivers is tried by 4-3 defensive schemes? Picks: Denver, Kansas City

NFC SOUTH ATLANTA- Falcons Nation isn't panicking over the fact the team's averaged just 7.6 wins the past three seasons, but they are thankful the explosive (and emotive) QB Michael Vick's got help on D (John Abraham, Lawyer Milloy). CAROLINA- The Panthers defense, led by Julius Peppers and Kris Jenkins, is as formidable as any you'll find in the NFC. Wideouts Steve Smith and Keyshawn Johnson assure that the other side of the ball gets as much attention this campaign. NEW ORLEANS- Looking for any joy in a still-somber Superdome, new coach Sean Payton will allow electric draft pick Reggie Bush, new QB Drew Brees and old standby wideout Joe Horn to regenerate fun in a team that scored over 23 points just once in '05. TAMPA BAY- Chris Simms seems ready. Joey Galloway is heady. The offensive line is rock steady. Cadillac Williams, who pounded out 1,178 rushing yards his Rookie of the Year season, runs like a Chevy. Picks: Carolina, Atlanta

NFC EAST DALLAS- Seeing WR Terrell Owens on one end and Terry Glenn on another is nightmarish for opposing corners. Put Drew Bledsoe (23 passing TDs) and the yard-munching Julius Jones into the mix and Bill Parcells has the makings of a dream season in Big D. NY GIANTS- The playoff shutout against Carolina may still hurt but you won't see the Giants sulking-not with Eli Manning's growth (360 more passing attempts in '05) and Michael Strahan's and LaVar Arrington's growl the talk of the town. PHILADELPHIA- Oddly, with T.O. gone, the Eagles' wide receiver flock is more crowded than ever. For a healthy Donovan McNabb to soar, somebody's got to rise from the no-name nest. Reggie Brown or Todd Pinkston can wing the responsibility. WASHINGTON- Head coach Joe Gibbs made some smart moves last year (getting Santana Moss some touches, for one). Owner Dan Snyder made a few savvy decisions himself this past offseason (signing safety Adam Archuleta and receiver Antwaan Randle El, for two). Picks: Dallas, Washington

NFC NORTH CHICAGO- The Bears return Brian Urlacher and all 21 other starters. That says a lot for continuity. As for as improving on an erratic offense that scored 10 points or less six times, we can't say much has been upgraded. DETROIT- QB Joey Harrington goes to Miami, leaving the Lions with an old guy (Jon Kitna) and an unproven one (Josh McCown) to fight for his former job. Not that he cares, but first-year head coach Rod Marinelli and offensive coordinator Mike Martz could take years cleaning up the mess. GREEN BAY- Grizzled vet Brett Favre came back for one last trot around Lambeau Field. We're still trying to figure out why, because the languid offense (the Packers scored over 21 points just four times in '05) did little renovating. MINNESOTA- With a new, straight-shooting coach (Brad Childress) and a new QB (Brad Johnson), things appear to be smoothing out for the Vikings' ship. Troubled WR Koren Robinson can't stay out of legal trouble. Guess things aren't always as they appear. Pick: Chicago

NFC WEST ARIZONA- Having workhorse Edgerrin James around takes pressure off the rickety Kurt Warner. Still, if the new-look Cardinals are to kick up dust, the old fella (or plucky rookie, Matt Leinart) must get the ball to dynamic receivers Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald. SAN FRANCISCO- Will all of Alex Smith's offensive options Frank Gore, first-rounder Vernon Davis, Arnaz Battle- be too much for the young QB to handle? [Enter facetious retort about how average the aforementioned options are here.] SEATTLE- We know Shaun Alexander (1,880 yards, 27 TDs) is going to get his on the ground. The worry is whether or not signal caller Matt Hasselbeck's got enough balls for Darrell Jackson, Bobby Engram, Peter Warrick and Nate Burleson. ST. LOUIS- As is annually the case, the Rams are ecstatic about their offensive weapons, specifically Mark Bulger, Pro-Bowler-in-the-making Stephen Jackson and Torry Holt. Their D, which gave up over 350 yards per game last season, needs to reload. Pick: Seattle

AFC Championship: Indianapolis over New England NFC Championship: Carolina over Dallas

Super Bowl XLI: Indianapolis over Carolina PG 35 • insiteatlanta.com • September 2006

Sports

ncaa football preview by DeMarco Williams

1. WEST VIRGINIA-

The Mountaineers were like General Sherman last year, destroying everything in Atlanta, namely UGA and skeptics at the Sugar Bowl. WV returns offensive studs (including running back Steve Slaton and quarterback Pat White) and more confidence than it can carry. 2 . O H I O S TAT E - 50-13 the last five years, Buckeyes head coach Jim Tressel's more than earned his $1.9 million annual check. He might be up for another raise if he can caulk a few holes on D, keep QB sensation Troy Smith grounded and clobber Michigan a fifth time in six years. 3 . N O T R E D A M E - Heaven help the Fighting Irish get past three INsite Top 25 teams before October. Survive that and South Bend's prayers for a national title contender and Heisman Trophy candidate (Brady Quinn) will be answered. 4 . T E X A S - Austin's smiling over the fact every impact tailback is back from the NCAA's second-rated rushing offense. Unfortunately, the guy who got them the ball, Rose Bowl MVP Vince Young, now wears a Tennessee Titans uniform. 5 . U S C - Okay, so Heisman winners Matt Leinart and Reggie Bush no longer star for the Trojans. What now?! Let coach Pete Carroll put his stellar defense, acrobatic wide receiver Dwayne Jarrett and brilliant recruiting classes to work, that's what. 6 . LS U - Even though they won 11 games (including a 40-3 thumping of Miami in the Peach Bowl), the Tigers still feel like something was missing from their season. Hmm, wonder if it looked anything like QB JaMarcus Russell and RB Alley Broussard, two essential LSU players who were out with injuries at various spots last year. 7 . A U B U R N - The Tigers don't have an off week in '06, but the Sept. 23 affair with Buffalo sure comes close. That game gives running machine Kenny Irons and Co. plenty of time to contemplate coming match-ups vs. South Carolina and Florida. 8 . F LO R I D A - Most of a Gators defense that held rivals Tennessee, UGA and Florida St. to 24 total points a year ago return to the Swamp. Florida makes its first SEC Championship in six years if QB Chris Leak keeps his footing in the huddle. 9 . O K L A H O M A - RB Adrian Peterson is a thoroughbred. With injuries (and the dismissal of starting QB Rhett Bomar) hopefully behind him, the '04 Heisman runnerup paces a Sooner team that should be competing for a national title, but will probably settle for 2nd in the Big 12 race. 10. Florida State- The Seminoles have two problems: 1) Getting their running game PG 36 • insiteatlanta.com • September 2006

back in order; 2) Getting back into perennial title contention. Lorenzo Booker carries the brunt of that first responsibility. The latter falls largely on QB Drew Weatherford, who threw for an ACC freshman record 3,208 yards a season ago. 1 1 . M I C H I G A N - With loses to OSU and Nebraska, the Wolverines' '05 didn't end as planned. Offensive enigmas QB Chad Henne and RB Mike Hart can end questions about being overrated if they revert to their ways of '04. 1 2 . LO U I S V I L L E - BCS expectations are sky high in Cardinal Country, thanks in no small part to a gun-slingin' Brian Brohm, yard-munchin' Michael Bush and passgrabbin' Harry Douglas. 1 3 . G E O R G I A - The QB battle (local hero Joe Tereshinski vs. Texas prep legend Matthew Stafford) could be a headscratcher. Figure it out in time, coach Mark Richt, and a fifth consecutive top 10 finish is a no-brainer. 1 4 . M I A M I - The 37-point embarrassment to LSU still hurts-even after head coach Larry Coker fired half of his staff. If Kyle Wright can't improve on uneven tossing (10 of 21 attempts in the Peach), we know who's getting the next pink slip. 1 5 . I O W A - Last year was supposed to be the year at Iowa City's Kinnick Stadium. QB Drew Tate (22 TDs) and tailback Albert Young (1,334 yards) held up their ends; the defense didn't. For a renovated Kinnick to stay earsplitting, that's got to change. 1 6 . N E B R A S K A - Good news: The nowstrutting Cornhuskers are clearly the envy of the Big 12 North. Bad news: Southern Cal (Sept. 16) and Texas (Oct. 21) aren't in the Big 12 North. 1 7 . C A L I F O R N I A - Just from gawking at Marshawn Lynch (6.4 yards per carry last year), you're inclined to put the Golden Bears higher on the list, but with so many question marks behind center and on the offensive line, you simply can't. 1 8 . P E N N S TAT E - For the Nittany Lions to be considered officially back amongst the elite, they have to have another big year on defense (linebacker Paul Posluszny) and offense (WRs Deon Butler and Derrick Williams). 1 9 . T E X A S T E C H - If there's a more explosive offense in college -QB Cody Hodges threw for 643 yards vs. Kansas State!- we know nothing about it. Of course, head coach Mike Leach would rather not get into a Lonestar Shootout every Saturday. 2 0 . T E X A S C H R I S T I A N - In one of the oddest poll observations from the end of '05, these Horned Frogs were 11th in the AP poll but just 21st in the Coaches. If versatile QB Jeff Ballard (13 passing TDs, eight rushing) leads TCU past Texas Tech, BYU and Utah, there won't be much question about its positioning.

2 1 . G E O R G I A T E C H - Calvin Johnson has the best hands in college. Reggie Ball, if patient in the pocket, could be one of the best QBs in the ACC. Little-known Tashard Choice is the Yellow Jackets' best option at a solid ground game. 2 2 . S O U T H C A R O L I N A - Hate Steve Spurrier or just kinda hate him, one has to respect the job his boys do with the ball (QB Blake Mitchell, WR Sidney Rice) and without it (CB Fred Bennett). 2 3 . V I R G I N I A T E C H - One headache (Marcus Vick) is gone. Another (the loss of key guys on D) is just starting to throb. The Hokies' aspirin comes via a cupcake schedule the first month. 2 4 . A R I Z O N A S TAT E - While making sure flame-throwers Sam Keller and Rudy

Carpenter get enough touches is important, the Sun Devils' biggest issue is not allowing 30+ points like they did six times in '05. 2 5 . U TA H - 15 starters (including super defensive back Eric Weddle) return to a team that beat BYU and Georgia Tech but lost to North Carolina and San Diego St. Hopefully, they brought some consistency back from summer break.

FIVE MORE TO KEEP AN EYE ON: CLEMSON, OREGON, BOISE STATE, TENNESSEE AND ARKANSAS

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Sports

FANATIC

A Monthly Sports Wrap-Up by DeMarco Williams "The minute I saw the news report on the Eddie Griffin accident, I had to have this car. To have a piece of memorabilia of this magnitude, well let's just say this will be the centerpiece of my entire collection." -an anonymous eBay user, after winning Griffin's Escalade when the troubled NBA player put it on eBay to raise money for legal bills stemming from an car accident he caused while watching porn in a parking lot Houston Rocket Dikembe Mutombo probably won't make the Basketball Hall of Fame. But at the rate the seven-feet swatter is going, he's on his way to a Nobel Prize. Mutombo says he's already spent over $15 million of his own money to construct the Biamba Marie Mutombo Hospital in his native Deomcratic Republic of the Congo. The Rockets ($500,000), the Sacramento Kings ($250,000), NBA player's union ($500,000), Rocket Juwan Howard ($100,000) and others have helped out with mounting costs. Dike says the 300-bed, state-of-the-art facility in Kinshasa is still about $7 million shy of what's necessary for day-to-day operating costs. Go to www.dmf.org to make donations. "This was my home for many years, and this is where so many memories were made. I thank the entire 49ers organization for the opportunity to stand on the field to say goodbye." -NFL legend Jerry Rice, retiring after a 13-time Pro Bowl career where he broke just about every wide receiver mark that matters, including career receptions, yards and touchdowns.

Business Institute, in reference to the Lakers star's singlegame performance last season. "The video gamer is much more concerned with his on-the-court performance." "What I'm most excited about, though, is that I'm going to be winning again. Money is good, and all the stuff that comes along with it is fine, but I want to be back in the playoffs and back on national TV and back with a franchise that wins basketball games. I missed that the past two years, and now I'm going back to what I know." -Al Harrington, after leaving (finally!) Atlanta for Indiana on August 22 Are you ready for some college football? [We'll give you a second to put the beer and hoagie down to answer…] We know how much you've been inundated with numbers and previews and profiles, so we won't do any more of that here. What we will do in this section for the remainder of the season is list the five biggest games of the month by importance. Here are September's TiVo specials: 1) Ohio State/Texas, 9/9; 2) Notre Dame/Georgia Tech, 9/2; 3) LSU/Auburn, 9/16; 4) Florida St./Miami, 9/4; 5) California/Tennessee, 9/2. Since you brought up the Rockets, we thought it was interesting what head coach Jeff Van Gundy's been up to lately. Seeking to liven up the atmosphere at the Toyota Center, Van Gundy has purchased 50 season tickets, the majority of which will be given to fans judged to be the rowdiest at tryouts this weekend. The Rockets won only 15 home games. Van Gundy has said he wants the arena to become a more intimidating place for opponents. Last month the Rockets held open tryouts in search of "the loudest and rowdiest Rockets fans in Houston." Candidates had 30 seconds to audition in front of a judging panel. The top fans selected received season tickets. The other 20 tickets will be distributed at each home game -- 10 at random outside the arena before the game and 10 during the game allowing fans to move from their seats into the "Red Rowdies" section. Listening Hawks front-office?

Must-See TV

Top 5 Games this Month

Ohio State vs. Texas September 9 (7PM, ABC)

Chicago White Sox vs. Minnesota September 29 (Time TBD, ESPN)

3 4 5

T wo national title contenders. Prime time TV. Matthew McConaughey in the stands screaming "Go Horns!" What else could you possibly ask for?

If you thought Twins manager Ron Gardenhire's trousers were tight, you haven't seen AL Wild Card race that should be determined with this regular seasonending series.

Monday Night Football Doubleheader September 11 (7PM and 10PM, ESPN)

This night has more angles Vikes/Skins, Chargers/Raiders, MNF debut on ESPN, 9/11 anniversary- than a trigonometry teacher's wet dream.

Notre Dame vs. Georgia Tech September 2 (8PM, ABC)

It's the beginning of September and we're already sick of the "Brady Quinn for President" talk in the media. The Jackets get first crack at stopping the insanity.

Sylvania 300 September 17 (12:30PM, TNT)

We hope Jimmie Johnson and Matt Kenseth like each other's company because not even this first race in the 10race Chase for the Nextel Cup will separate the two much in the standings.

Who says baseball teams in Georgia choke come playoff time?

Is there a NBA Live curse? Kobe Bryant, the face of the '07 installment, will soon find out. "Kobe was our choice from the start, no question," said Sharon Shapiro, Sony Computer Entertainment's senior director of promotions and sports product marketing. Bryant said the Sony deal "just naturally made sense because we're both trying to have a strong impact on our fields." "I'd guess that 81 points speaks a lot louder [than the Colorado sex case]," said David Carter, executive director of the USC Sports

And finally… PGA Championship final-day numbers were up 22% from a year ago thanks to Mr. Woods… Speaking of Tiger, his playoff win over Stewart Cink at August's Brigdetown Invitational made him 14-1 in sudden death situations. Jack Nicklaus was 14-11…The NFL will play an exhibition game in China next year…Attention Kansas City Royals fans: World Series ticket prices have jumped 35% since last season…Stephon Marbury's "The Starbury One" sneakers sold out across the country on the first day the $14.99 shoes went on sale…Sadly, it appears that onetime Kansas City Chief star Priest Holmes' career is over…If you were wondering, the just-retired Andre Agassi had 500:1 odds of winning the U.S. Open…L.A. Dodger Nomar Garciaparra hits a ML-best .417 from the 7th inning on…Way to go, Columbus Little Leaguers!!!

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CAPRICORN

TAURUS

VIRGO

Whether it manifests itself internally or externally, September is a great time to broaden your horizons. Take a trip or just take a class, but don’t let yourself stagnate this month.

Your creative grounds should be very fertile this month. Whether you plant a garden, paint a picture, or grow a new love, the projects you start now will soon come to fruition!

A significant month for Virgos, with the sun, Venus, Mercury, Uranus and Pluto all affecting your chart. Expect to make important decisions in the coming weeks that will change life for the better.

AQUARIUS

GEMINI

May 22nd thru June 21s

Sept. 24th thru Oct. 23rd

Whether in love or in money, security is your prime consideration this month. But try not to let irrational fears color your decision-making process.

With the sun in your house of domesticity, the demands of home and family will likely be at the forefront of your life. It’s a great time to prioritize family business or home improvements.

Been feeling a little more down than usual lately? Don’t fight the urge to get some R&R, and look forward to the last week of the month, when the sun arrives to recharge your energy.

PISCES

CANCER

June 22nd thru July 23rd

Oct. 24th thru Nov. 22nd

Important people in your life may not be at their best, so try to be tolerant in times of tension. It could make the difference between a broken bond and a stronger connection.

Planetary developments will awaken you to the fact that the world is a big place to be explored and enjoyed. Write a book, take a trip, do whatever it takes to bring more fun into your life!

With the sun highlighting your zone of creativity and collaboration, you should be feeling energetic and sociable. Pool the resources of your connections, both personal and professional.

ARIES

LEO

SAGITTARIUS

With the sun passing through your health sector, this is a great time for evaluating your lifestyle and making it a priority to take better care of yourself, both physically and mentally.

Make financial matters your top priority this month. Give serious thought to what you value most, and take time to plan how to use your resources to achieve your goals.

Your ambitions are coming to the fore now, with the skies providing the focus you need to get ahead, careerwise. Now is the time to get on course to pursue your major life goals.

Apr. 21st thru May 21th

Dec. 22nd thru Jan. 20th

Jan. 21st thru Feb. 19th

Feb. 20th thru Mar. 20th

July 24th thru Aug. 23rd

Mar. 21st thru Apr. 20

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