Thisfunktional
Issue 03 March 04, 2014 ISSN 2334-346X
Photo courtesy of Bob Cantu
E l ect r i c C h i l d r e n
Sparks fly with new lineup, getting back to touring
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Our self-image is one of the harshest realities that we face as humans. The acceptance we seek from others defines the people we become, the music we listen to and the life we live. As an artist not only deal with self-image but with the concept of aesthetics of the world as well. The beauty they display comes to the viewer or listener and affects our lives. To many the artist is damaged, beaten, aged and tormented. It may in fact be true but nonetheless they give us spectaculart work to enjoy. Artists are not condemed to a life of depression, but rather they are blessed with a life of creation. While some people conceive human babies, artist conceive ideas, beliefs and majestic beauty.
Jesus Figueroa Editor-in-Chief of
SELF-PORTRAIT- Anima É Cuore Studios Artist
Laura Dickenson’s self portrait 2012 Challenge work sketch. (Drawing courtesy of Anima É Cuore)
Thisfunktional
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Table of Contents
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Page 3 - Carnivale Written by Eli Kay Page 4 - Kat’s Thisfunktional Recipes Written by Kathryn Lang Page 5 - Latin Music Beat Written by Jesus Figueroa Page 7 -Artist Appreciation: Andy Warhol Written by Jesus Figueroa Page 9 - Mike’s Movie Mayhem Written by Mike ‘The Movie Guy’ Pierce Page 11 - Electric Children Written by Sergio Berrueta Page 17 - Eli Kay’s London Theatre Written by Eli Kay Page 18 - Concert Corner Photographs by Ashley Weinfeld Page 19 - Thisfunktional Reviews Written by Jesus Figueroa
Staff Editor-in-Chief Jesus Figueroa Assistant Layout Designer Lindsey Maeda Writers Eli Kay Sergio Berrueta Kathryn Lang Columnist Mike ‘The Movie Guy’ Pierce Photo Journalist Ashley Weinfeld
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Carnivale Eli Kay
Writer Every year at the end of February till the beginning of March, the main roads of the biggest cities in Europe fill with people dressed as all sorts of things. Witches and ghosts are just a small example of the characters that star in the fantastic world of the European Carnival. Words cannot describe the craziness, so I will let the photographs speak for themselves...
Kat’s Thisfunktional Kathryn Lang Recipe Writer
Chocolate Risotto -1½ Cups heavy cream -2½ Cups half and half (or 1 1/4 cups of milk and 1 1/4 cups of cream) -2 Tablespoons sugar -½ teaspoon vanilla or almond extract -⅛ teaspoon salt -1 Tablespoon unsalted butter -1 Cup arborio rice -¼ Cup red wine (the alcohol will cook out) -2½ ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped (optional) Chopped Walnuts for topping Instructions: 1.In a medium saucepan, bring cream, half and half, vanilla and salt to a low simmer. Keep the heat on low and avoid boiling the mixture. While the liquid is heating up, add butter to a dutch oven or a large pan with a lid. Once the butter melts, add the rice and stir. Allow the rice to toast, and while stirring, add red wine to deglaze the pan.
Makes 2 cups
2.Once the wine has cooked into the risotto and not a lot of liquid remains in the pan, add a teaspoon to tablespoon of the heavy cream. Stir frequently to help the rice absorb the cream. Keep adjusting the heat as needed, but avoid going over medium low heat to prevent the wine from evaporating before the risotto is fully done. Same with the cream pan.
Instructions:
3. Repeat the process of adding cream and stirring until all of the liquid has been used, approximately 30 minutes. Test the risotto, the best way to tell is when it's the consistency of a softer noodle. 4. Stir in the chocolate and remove the pan from the heat. Continue to stir until the chocolate is fully melted. (The risotto will thicken as it sits. Stir in additional half and half if you wish to thin it.)
Raspberry Sauce -1 pint fresh raspberries -1/4 cup sugar -2 Tablespoons Orange Juice -1 Cup cold water -2 Tablespoons Cornstarch
1. Combine the raspberries, sugar, and orange juice in a saucepan. Whisk the cornstarch into the cold water until smooth. Add the mixture to the saucepan and bring to a boil. 2. Simmer for about 5 minutes, stirring constantly, until the desired consistency is reached. The sauce will thicken further as it cools. 3. Puree the sauce in a blender or with a handheld immersion blender and strain it through a fine sieve. Serve warm or cold. The sauce will keep in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
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Latin Music Beat: Sounds from Spain returns to SXSW Jesus Figueroa
Writer
Sounds from Spain musicians bring eclectic styles to South by Southwest starting on March 12. A short line-up of artist take the stage at the West Tent, Brush Square Park in Austin Texas from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. with spanish wine and their famous paella being served.
Wednesday, March 12 West Tent, Brush Square Park - 11 a.m. to 3 p.m 11:10 a.m. 11:35 a.m. Fuel Fandango 11:50 a.m. 12:15 p.m. Soledad Vélez 12:30 p.m. 12:55 p.m. Arizona Baby 01:10 p.m. 01:35 p.m. Kiko Veneno 01:50 p.m. 02:15 p.m. Lori Meyers 02:30 p.m. 02:55 p.m. Betunizer
Friday, March 14 Lucille Patio Lounge, 77 Rainey Street - 7:30 p.m. to 2 a.m. 08:00 p.m. 08:45 p.m. Soledad Vélez 09:00 p.m. 12:15 p.m. Arizona Baby 10:00 p.m. 12:55 p.m. Kiko Veneno 11:00 p.m. 01:35 p.m. Lori Meyers 12:00 a.m. 02:15 a.m. Fuel Fandango 01:00 a.m. 02:55 a.m. Betunizer
Fuel Fandango
Soledad Vélez
In addition to the groups participating in activities organized by Sounds from Spain at SXSW, many Spanish bands will be in Austin to present their latest efforts to the representatives of the international music industry. Present on March 12 Women at Hotel Las Vegas at Volstead and LA at the Lit Lounge. On March 13 will be Desert in Esther 's Follies, Juan Perro at the Russian House, Russian Red and Syper at Palm Patio Door on 6th, Sexores at Lit Lounge Upstairs, and Vega at the Remedy. On March 14 The Scoundrel at the Russian House, Me and the Bees and The Parrots at the Lit Lounge Upstairs), On March 15 Juan Perro at the Central Presbyterian Church and Lost Tapes at BD Riley's.
#SienteNeedForSpeed
In Theaters
March 14
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"A n artist is somebody who produces things that people don 't need to have." -Andy War hol
Jesus Figueroa
Writer
American artist Andy Warhol best known for his pop art movement also known as visual art born on August 6 1928. Warhol did not gain fame until the 1950's but continued to gain a following until his death on February 22 1987 in New York Hospital in New York where he resided for multiple years. Some of Warhol's best known work include Mao Tse Tung, 1972, Marilyn, 1962, and Campbell’s Soup. Many artist are inspired by the originality of Warhol's work and his wide range of mediums. From the Art Appreciation profile of Artist Louis XXX in Thisfunktional Magazine issue 02, viewable here, we can see some of the impeach that Warhol had on modern artists. Through Anima É Cuore Studio’s artist Laura Dickenson we see how he continues to inspire new artist. Laura Dickenson has also been inspired by Warhol's creativity. Anima É Cuore Studios pays tribute today to the genius work and incredible human being Andy Warhol.
“Dying is the most embarrassing thing that can ever happen to you, because someone's got to take care of all your details.”
-Andy Warhol
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Mike's Movi
'MOVIE GIRL OF THE MONTH'
Brandi (33)
If you could be a character in ANY movie, who would it be? and why? “Angelina Jolie, Mr. & Mrs. Smith. No explanation needed” twitter.com/itzbrandibitch instagram.com/itzbrandibitch
ATTENTION FEMALE MOVIE FANS! Want to be my ‘MOVIE GIRL OF THE MONTH?’ Just answer the questions below and send 12 or more photos of yourself to mikethemovieguy@gmail. com. Name: Age: City: What’s your favorite action movie? What’s your favorite comedy? What’s your favorite drama? What’s your favorite horror? What’s your favorite sci-fi & fantasy? What’s your favorite chick flick? What was the last movie you saw? What movie are you looking forward to seeing? If you could be a character in ANY movie, who would it be? and why? What’s the perfect movie snack? What the one movie everyone should have in their DVD collection? What movie should have NEVER been made? What’s your Twitter? What’s your Facebook? What’s your Instagram? What’s your Website? Please send 12 or more photos – they can be any type. Just CUT & PASTE the questions and answers – and send everything to mikethemovieguy@gmail. com.
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ie Mayhem
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Sandra Logan talks about divination Jesus Figueroa
Writer
Co-host of iwatchmike.com’s Psychic wednesdays and real-life meduim Sandra Logan finds herself practicing an ability which has been part of her since an early age. Among some of the more helpful situations Logan has also gone through some ordeals which would leave anyone shaken. “You (Mike) were with me when I had the most shocking experience in the old Church we were doing a paranormal investigation in. You were standing there when someone on the other side said ‘Get out’ and then pushed me really hard into Crisco, and I almost fell on top of him, Logan said, “Also, there was a time that I was doing an investigation in someone’s house that was haunted, and I opened a door where the problems existed, and
there were scratches on the inside of the door like an animal’s but too far up for that. It was pretty scary.” Experiences in recent investigations she would go after but the abilities had been around for awhile. Logan tells of how she was bullied as a child and so she never really developed this ability until later on in life. The abilities had been present since an early age, “I have known since I was a child. I always had an imaginary friend around me, my father said, and he said I was always so convincing that they were there, but one time I had seen my grandfather and described him perfectly, but had never known him,” Logan said, “I didn’t do this when I got old enough to go to school as I was made fun of, so I didn’t pick it back up until later in life.” Logan believes everyone has these abilities but they just need to practice them. Listen to Psychic Wednesdays on blogtalkradio.com/iwatchmike.
Top Variety Radio Online podcasts for the month The VRO “TRUE DETECTIVE” Recap
The VRO “The Walking Dead” Recap
“Haunted Houses” - S. 01 E. 07
“Claimed” - S. 04 E. 12
It’s the True Detective Show with your hosts Mike ‘the movie guy’, DJ Wicked and Jesus. Give a listen as they talk highlights and share clips of the latest episode of “True Detective” which airs Sundays on HBO.
Join Variety Radio Online hosts Amy, Amber, Jesus and Mike as they talk about the highlights from the latest episode of “The Walking Dead” which airs Sundays on AMC.
If you watch the show, email your thoughts to the guys at mikethemovieguy@gmail.com and they’ll read them on the show.
Email your thoughts of this episode to VRO@ thevro.com and they’ll read them on the show.
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Los Angeles local ba Making up for lost time with a new
and Electric Children lineup, new tour and new album Sergio Berrueta
Writer
Eddie Lopez had a vision to create a band that would ooze the essence of grungy Seattle bands. With influences from the grunge scene of the 90s, from Nirvana to Pearl Jam, Eddie Lopez was ready to harbor his sound. Eddie Lopez teamed up with bass guitarist Mondo Lopez, guitarist Matt, recently added singer Rachel and drummer Matt, Electric Children are ready to send off the revamped Electric Children on a new rebirth seven years later."I made the big mistake of getting married," Eddie Lopez said. Eddie Lopez was struggling through a "Sid & Nancy" esque relationship. "I went from ‘punk rock heaven’ and she was like my ‘punk rock queen’ for the first year and a half. The next year and a half was like ‘shit, I’m a drug counselor, I’m a fuckin’ therapist,’” Eddie said, “She had lost her friend and she was having a nervous breakdown. She began popping pills and became psychotic and I was like ‘what the fuck?’” Eddie’s married life was taking a dark and unexpected turn. He nearly lost his job due having to leave work to make sure his then wife did not bring harm to herself. A majority of Eddie’s music equipment was destroyed in the chaos. Eddie was working on about 80 songs in demo form in order to record and form a trilogy, but all of that fell through after the chaotic climax of the marriage. “The tapes are still in ‘the vault,’ but I just need to finish them,” Eddie said. As he was dealing with the strains of his divorce, Eddie wound up facing the possibility of being homeless. “After the divorce, I was just trying to go on. I remember I missed Mondo’s wedding because of it as I was trying to get back to my mom’s place, living in the car and just struggling,” Eddie said, “I only had 30 cents on my account and was this close to pawning my first guitar and I was like ‘No.’” That was when Eddie decided to turn back to music and get his band rolling again.
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LOUNGING- Eddie Lopez, left, poses with Susan
Reygoza and Maureen Curiel for a photo shoot, having fun and acting natural. "I needed to rebuild my empire. It was kind of hard to get back to it. It was like I have to put Humpty Dumpty back together again," Eddie said. The band eventually signed with Sick City Records for a deal to record EPs and Demos. Sick City Records put on release date shows with bands such as White Murder and The Romps. "Sick City put out a little teaser and we sold most of them and we played at the Residency at December to bring us back from the dead," Eddie said. Eddie recently met up with who he proclaims as “a goddess” named Delilah. The date inspired
him to continue on in a crazy period of his life. “I saw a girl in the back of my friend’s Facebook photos and was like “I am going to date the girl” and eventually I did,” Eddie said. “I met her at a party and she got me a drink like “fuck you, bye,” but we started listening to records and I throw on Nirvana’s “In Utero” and she was like “want to hang next week?” and I was like “yes, ma’am” After that delightful period of his life, they decided to call it quits after realizing someone might get hurt. He fell into a depressing state of mind nearly falling into the same trappings that broke
his marriage apart, but he recovered quickly. Lopez grew up in the sounds of Seattle based musicians ruling the airwaves and pop culture. Grunge was in its high point in the 90s harnessing a raw dynamic sound armed with a mindset the new Generation X could communicate with on a personal level. It was this that inspired Lopez future decisions. "I remember my dad was supportive of the music and he bought me my first guitar," Eddie said, "It was one of those heavy metal guitars and it was disgusting." Lopez used this as the backbone to approach
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STREET KIDS- Susan Reygoza, left, Eddie Lopez, and Maureen Curiel hang out in front of a house for a photo shoot while smiling. different groups. "I had played in bands before. I played in a band called Herd that had the sound, but it just wasn't me." Lopez built a pretty decent resume under his belt before heading into the first of his demos. "I recorded the demos and work I had and named them all Electric Children. Everything is Electric Children," he recalls. While in another band called Herd, Eddie went hard at work to produce the first of the demos. “I was in the band and I was recording my own stuff and everyone liked those tracks better than Herd,” Eddie said, “There was
clashing involved and we stopped talking, but little by little, we started talking again.” The sounds were divided between the alternative sound of Herd and the garage rock sounds of Electric Children. Eddie eventually befriended his manager and friend Bob Cantu, former writer for Flipside Magazine in the 90s. "He would review a lot of stuff I loved like Nirvana at the time. I would always pick up the zine and flip over and head to Bob Cantu section to see what was new and worth a listen." Eddie meet Cantu opening for
a friend of Cantu's band. "He seemed drunk and not into it, but later at another gig for another friend, he asked if he could write about us and I said "Sure" and first I was helping him get our stuff, but soon he helped out," Eddie said. Eddie and him hit it off, eventually becoming roommates with Cantu as the band continued to progress. It was a series of lineups until Eddie found a first true longtime member of the group in Mondo Lopez. “Four years ago back in the “Glendale” days, he moved out and I was trying to take over his
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apartment like a parasite,” Mondo Lopez jokes, “I found a place where I could jam out.” Eddie and Mondo meet through a neighbor of Eddie’s. “I had lived in Echo Park and Downey, but then I moved to Glendale and meet Mondo and it was like going into the next phase of the band,” Eddie said. “We would jam out, listen to some tunes and drink a couple of beers. After that it was just like, I’m down if you think I can do it,” Mondo said. Mondo had originally been in a band called Kick Rocks, which later changed to The Romps, and The Howling Bones. “Recently, The Howling Bones and Electric Children have been getting super busy. I was neglecting that other band a bit,” Mondo said. Mondo was laid off in October and put that to use in order to focus more on the bands he is in. Mondo works in these bands vying to never have to work a day in his life again. While growing up, Mondo was not the “rock” influenced bassit of today in Electric Children. “Back then, my sister and brothers didn’t listen to rock. It was all the deep house and rap. Like Cash Money Millionaires, when that happened, fucking killed it for me,” Mondo said. In middle school, Mondo was introduced to his first exposure of rock in the form of Nirvana. “He was like “dude, you have to listen to this fuckin’ Nirvana” and from there it was over,” Mondo said, “I started listening to heavy shit, started listening to the blues and it just expanded from there. I started giving everything a try.” Mondo was a football in high school, but was an outcast on and off the field, but that did not stop him from pursuing what he wanted. He started transforming into his rock style and backing away from the hip-hop he heard growing up. After high school, he started working while continuing his music pursuits while dealing with a struggle in his life. “I was a raging alcoholic,” Mondo said, “I was dealing with shit, but I do not believe in leaving things cold turkey because you can
never control that shit.” Even working countless jobs did not amount to anything, until he finally turned up through other bands and eventually going into Electric Children. “It was that first funky garage rock and it was fun as shit,” Mondo said. “Everyone plays their own style. It is great to find a band that is grungy and garage style.” Guitarist Matt Lake has been apart of the band for about two years after playing a small gig on Sunset Boulevard eventually playing with them and the Down N Out. “I played in a group called The Atomic Sherpas and then moved to Los Angeles about fourteen years ago to play in a group called B-Movie Rats. We broke up around 2002,” Lake said, “then in 2008 just found my footing again.” Lake has been playing guitar since he was a teenager in St. Louis after seeing his brother play guitar. After his brother had left, he bought his first guitar at age 13 which is considered “blessed.” “My first guitar was blessed by Geezer Butler. Me and my dad went in and I saved up my money to buy it and they said “congrats on your first guitar” and the original bass player of Black Sabbath comes in,” Lake said, “He came in with the Spinal Tap hair, his big mustache and his kid was there playing with the fire truck. He said “I look forward to buying your albums one day and pointed at his kid saying “well, maybe he will.” It was from there I went from Black Sabbath to punk rock.” Lake was inspired by the hard edge sounds of Metallica’s early albums, the punk rock grooves of MC5 and the Stooges. Lake also teaches guitar in order to make money outside of the group. Electric Children have been playing around the country and have made a presence known throughout the Pacific Coast, mostly Seattle, which Eddie calls his second home. “I love the music there, the coffee, the influence, but Los Angeles has the better women,” Eddie said. Eddie feels the band’s rebirth can continue to grow and build upon in order to spread the word.
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KING LEAR
National Theatre
The title speaks for itself, as there is not enough space to explain the admiration I have for this project by Sam Mendes. The play has its own playful agenda, with some controversial and perverse moments but generally brilliant. Everything is perfect, down to the last detail and the audience is captivated and intrigued. The best part is that the play will also be broadcast live to cinemas around the world on May 1st.
HAPPY DAYS
Young Vic Theatre
London’s Best
THEATRE Eli Kay
W
Writer
hether you are planning to go to London for vacation, a business trip or you just happen to find yourself in this wonderful European city, the first thing you have to check out is the home of the best entertainment industry in the continent, the magnificent, West End. It’s ok if you’re not going to be there any time soon either, because I will travel you to London’s best theatre plays. Many people have heard of the perennial West End musicals, but I am going to take you to the wonderful world of theatre, with these four plays that run during March and have received the highest rating.
THE MISTRESS CONTRACT
Royal Court Theatre
The Royal Court is one of my favourite theatres and this love story, based on the recently published book “The Mistress Contract.” The authors are known only as She and He. The relationship seems tender but sometimes garrulous or even self-obsessed. There is no doubt that this theatre play will be the most twisted love story you will ever see.
This is one of Samuel Beckett’s finest theatre plays. Juliet Stevenson and Natalie Abrahami give a new quality to the beloved work, with extraordinary design and great detail. The passion is obvious and you can’t help but fall in love with it all over again.
RED VELVET Tricycle Theatre This is the story of Ira Aldridge, a Shakespearean actor and the incredible world of some prestigious salons and hallowed stages. Ira’s life was remarkable since he lived in the 19th century and was a black man. Adrian Lester gives an amazing performance as Aldridge, mixing a very effective trepidation, determination and arrogance.
Concert Corner
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Ashley Weinfeld
Photo-journalist
TO THE CROWD- Bret
Von Dehl of The Relapse Symphony at the Bad Blood Tour at The Crocodile Rock in Allentown, Penn.
FEELING IT- Bassist Ashley Purdy of Black Veil Brides play riffs SING
IT- Charlie Scene of
Hollywood Undead at the HOB 20th Anniversary Presents last July 17 at the Theatre of the Living Arts, in Philadelphia, Penn.
harmoniously at the Church of the Wild ones tour last Feb. 17 at The Crocodile Rock in Allentown, Penn.
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Thisfunktional Reviews Jesus Figueroa
Writer
“300: Rise of an Empire” battles to keep momentum
With the challenge of matching the intensity and style of “300” the sequel “300: Rise of an Empire” fights to keep the story going. The film is a magnificent film for those who enjoyed the prequel as it becomes bloodier and brings forth news characters which are more determined and fiercer. Artemisia, played by Eva Green, comes in as a vengeful Greek naval commander hell bent on destroying the Greek civilization by helping Xerxes, played by Rodrigo Santoro. Green is a magnificent beauty with a malevolent look. Her attitude drives the character’s strength and captures the audience’s attention. Santoro comes back strong and embodies both the man Xerxes and the transforamtion into the God king. There’s not much change from the first film but there really did not need to be. Fighting agains them, Themistocles, played by Sullivan Stapleton, tries and unite Greece to
battle against the enormous army that comes to wipe them out. Stapleton playes a well fitted role where not onlly his might is showcased but his brain and tactical skill as well. With his strong voice and charisma he is ale to make his character feel real. The story is a bit lacking but for an action film it really delivers. The battles are intense, the one-on-one fights are spectacular and there are explosions which keep the audience attent. A minor let down is how it ends because after so much build up it comes to an abrupt hault as the exciment grows. A great action film to watch in theaters. “300: Rise of an Empire” comes to select theaters in 3D and 2D. The film is rated R for strong sustained sequences of stylized bloody violence throughout, a sex scene, nudity and some language.
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