8 Blueprint
ENTERTAINMENT
March 11, 2016
A band of “bros” rocks the competition: Clear Confusion and that’s where we are now.” Clear Confusion was the winner of the 2015 Illinois Teen Battle of the Many kids dream of becoming a Bands competition, but they don’t rock star, but then give up around plan on stopping there. Fosco shares fifth grade once they come to hate what the band’s ultimate goals are. the piano lessons their mom makes “Our goals are to get signed, be on them take, or discover their incredthe radio and then be the best band ible fear of being in front of crowds. ever,” Fosco said. But for the members of Clear ConClear Confusion plays covers of fusion, this dream is still alive and songs but also produces originals; well. Clear Confusion is an alternathey have released one EP and plan tive rock band that was formed in on releasing a second one soon. 2014 by DGS sophomore Colin Rior“We are going to record again in dan, DGN sophomores Fredo Fosco March and release four new songs. and Griffin Tome and DGN junior We just wrote a new song...titled Max King. “Want it All”, and we are excited to showcase our new sounds,” Riordan said. “Since we won the state Battle of the Bands over the summer, we got 18 hours of recording time, so we’re going to use that to record another EP with five or six songs on it.” From left to right: Fosco, Tome, Riordan and King play at Gelososmo’s Pizzeria There is a lot of time Riordan is the band’s drummer, that goes into writing and creating Fosco is the lead singer, Tome plays original songs; Fosco and Riordan the bass and King is the guitarist. provide some insight to their creRiordan explains how the band ative process. came to be. “Usually all of us will help write “We were part of an organization the songs. We’ll throw in lyric ideas, called Rock Academy. We all met and then [Fosco] will write the rest, there and decided that since we’re because that’s what lead singers all pretty baller at instruments, we do,” Riordan said. “He’ll bring us a should start a band,” Riordan said. melody or something, and we’ll work “Rock Academy is an organization around it to write the rest of the [that] takes young want-to-be musisong.” cians and turns them into rock stars. “I write the songs, and then I bring Once a month they host a show at them to the band and we figure out Ballydoyle to showcase their skills; the rest at practice,” Fosco said. they put you and a group of people Fosco’s father Cory is the band’s in a band based on your skills and manager and has been with them then you play together. [Fredo, Grifthroughout their journey. He shares fin and I] were in a band, and Max what he thinks their strengths are was in his own band. Then we realas a band. ized ‘hey, we’re pretty awesome, let’s “First and foremost, the members get put in our own band.’ We asked if of Clear Confusion are friends. I we could make a band with Max…. think that is vitally important to
By Kirsten Gard, Editor-in-Chief Online
them as a band. Since they played Bands competition, I would get a tatshows at the same time [when they too of their logo. As a parent/adult, I were in different bands], the boys be- feel it is my duty to be a role model gan hanging out with each other and and to keep my promises,” Cory said. realized that they had a connection; “ I never thought about not getting not only as musicians, but as young the tattoo when they won. To their adults,” Cory said. “I think the fact credit, the guys “gifted” me the tatthat they listen to one another and too. They used their own money and allow each of the band members joined me for the session. It was an to have a “voice” is their biggest experience I will always cherish.” strength. Boys will be boys and egos Clear Confusion plans on continucan often get in the way of creativity. ing as a band and trying to build a The fact that they keep each other in fan base based around their music. check is important to the evolution Fredo is planning on majoring in and sustainability of the band.” music production in college, but for Riordan agrees that their friendnow, the band wants to keep writship contributes to the success of the ing and recording original songs and band and explains why he thinks the have fun while doing it. boys click so well. “I think the biggest message I’d “Music is awesome. We all want like readers to get from this is they to be musicians...For fun we like should follow their passion,” Cory to take trips to Guitar Center and said. “I do not want the band to ever play...It’s very fun to play the [instruments],” Riordan said. Cory also feels that since he is the band manager but also Fredo’s father, his unique relationship with the band provides insight to their interesting group dynamic. “Clear Confusion has a drive Clear Confusion practices two days a week to prepare for shows. that is definitely unique to what they want to Photos by Battle of the Bands experience out of life. The fact that they let me -- a parent -- join them let the promise of super-stardom on this journey also demonstrates cloud their judgment. To their credit, something else. Parents want their their drive is the fans. When they children and their friends to enjoy received feedback from judges last life, and when you can be a part of summer during the Battle of the it and avoid the “ugh that’s my dad/ Bands competition, Clear Confumom” everyone wins,” Cory said. sion took each of the suggestions to Cory’s role in the band is not what heart. They truly wanted to entermost would expect from a typical tain and provide a great show. The band manager, and he did something music is important to them, and that not all managers would do -- get they realize that fame or money or the band logo tattooed on his calf. whatever will come as long as they “I do have a Clear Confusion tatwork hard.” too, and I am very proud of it. I made a promise to the band that if Contact Kirsten at they won the entire Battle of the kgar3084@csd99.org
A new perspective on ‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show’ By Unna Fernandez, Staff Reporter When I watched “The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” the movie version, for the first time, I fell in love with it immediately. The actors were very talented and made me feel like I was in the movie. I danced and sang along with the songs and enjoyed every scene. No, the movie isn’t horrifying, it’s actually disturbingly funny. It’s different because it’s not just a musical comedy and cult movie, but the characters are vibrantly eccentric. When I heard that there was a live version of “The Rocky Horror Michelle Cervantes posing in front of a movie poster Picture Show” at Hollywood at Hollywood Boulevard. Boulevard every Saturday at Photo by Unna Fernandez midnight, I wanted to go to
see what it’s like to watch one of the most bizarre shows that 20th Century Fox ever produced live in a theatre. When I entered the theatre, I saw guys wearing heels and sparkly costumes which proved to me how popular the production is and how dedicated the fans are to the movie. During the movie, the audience shouted and reacted passionately, just like any other Rocky Horror fan would. While the movie is playing in the background, there are actors who act the movie out in front of the screen. I thought that it was very creative and was impressed that the actors had memorized the entire movie, including the songs and dances. This is what a live “Rocky Horror Picture Show” always does; it’s their tradition.
When it was time for the “Time Warp,” that was when the party started. The Time Warp is known as one of the craziest famous movie dances out there. When the disco ball came down from the ceiling and start spinning around, everyone got off their feet and danced their hearts out, enjoying every moment. Overall, I had a good experience. At first, I thought it was going to be boring because I’ve seen the movie multiple times, but the live show was very entertaining. If you’re into cult-classic movies, comedies and musicals, I recommend watching “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” movie first. Then watch the live show if you want to do something on a Saturday night. Contact Unna at ufer3007@csd99.org