Buzz Magazine: June 17, 2004

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME, I ROCK. | JUNE 17 - 23, 2004 buzz

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MEAGHAN IS A WINNER DOUBLE-TIME THIS WEEK! HAPPY 21! | JUNE 17 - 23, 2004 buzz

odds & end

buzz JUNE 17 - 23, 2004 | WHATEVER HAPPENED TO THE BUTTHOLE SURFERS?

TOP OF THE NINTH

insidebuzz

BY MARISSA MONSON | EDITOR IN CHIEF

The Story

4 Making movies in C-U

L

Robin Christian Peters lives in Monticello. Ill. He has chatted with Dave Matthews and produced a film starring Ed Asner. He coordinated all of this from his design studio Dreamscape Design just off Neil Street in Champaign. Peters owns and...

Arts

7 David Sedaris’s new hot summer read If you’ve read any of David Sedaris’s previous books, you should have some idea of what to expect if perchance you pick up Dress Your Family In Corduroy and Denim...

Music 11 The Blackouts win regional garage rock competition Local band The Blackouts beat out 18 other bands at Little Steven’s Underground Garage Battle of the Bands competition held at Chicago’s Metro June 8-10. Steven Van Zandt...

Calendar 12 Vandermark 5 improvise Chicago quintet Vamdermark 5 bring you fresh, original jazz at every show and on every record. The group has been making music together since 1996, focusing on improvisational...

Film

19 Stepford Wives reviewed With the mountains of bad press that preceded the release of The Stepford Wives including reports of feuds on the set, the cast changes, and months of reshooting, it...

PHOTO COURTESY OF GUIDED BY VOICES

BUZZ STAFF Volume 2, Number 19

Cover Design Carol Mudra Editor in chief Marissa Monson Art Directors Meaghan Dee & Carol Mudra Copy Chief Chris Ryan Music Jacob Dittmer Art Katie Richardson Film Paul Wagner Community Margo O’Hara Calendar Maggie Dunphy Photography Editor Roderick Gedey Calendar Coordinators Cassie Conner, Erin Scottberg Photography Roderick Gedey Copy Editors Chris Ryan, Nellie Waddell Designers Glenn Cochon, Chris Depa, Jacob Dittmer, Maggie Dunphy, Marissa Monson Production Manager Theon Smith Sales Manager John Maly Marketing/Distribution Rory Darnay, Louis Reeves III Publisher Mary Cory

Letters, comments, just want to blow off some steam?

E-mail us at buzz@readbuzz.com or you can send us a letter at 57 E. Green St., Champaign, IL 61820.

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Buzz magazine is a student-run publication of Illini Media Company and does not necessarily represent, in whole or in part, the views of the University of Illinois administration, faculty or students.

ast week, The Gipper p a s s e d a w a y. N a t i o n a l and state memoria l s w e r e held throughout the week and commentary about his presidency and life riddled the airwaves. With all the hoopla, an important tribute fell into the shadows the events surrounding the death of Ronald Reagan created. Ray Charles—Grammy winner, blues and gospel mastermind and musical inspiration—passed away at the age of 73 in his home among family and friends.

Charles won 12 Grammies throughout his tenure and pumped out hits like “Georgia On My Mind” and “Hit the Road Jack” that continue to be covered today. He radiated energy perched behind his piano swaying to the music with his

large signature smile and dark shades.

Charles went blind at age 7, but he wasn’t one to shy away from breaking boundaries. His musical career was marked by genre-defying music that crossed the boundaries of soul, country, jazz and gospel. His music continues to inspire new generations, and he will be remembered fondly for his passion for music.

His last public appearance was April 30 when he was honored by Los Angeles. The city designated Charles’ studio as a historical landmark.

He will forever be remembered and holds a permanent place on the road map of American music.

-M.M.

I'm moving to Minnesota the Air is real nice ...

BY ADAM AND SETH FEIN | 2ON2OUT

O

ne of the best parts of the game of baseball, an element that sets it apart (once again) as the greatest sport ever played, is the fact that each stadium has its own idiosyncrasies. A football field is a football field is a football field—same with every other sport. But not in baseball. Baseball diamonds have a home field advantage unlike any other.

The Green Monster in Boston. The Ivy at Wrigley. The hill at Minute Maid in Houston, just to name a few. Each of them has unique characteristics that make the game more exciting and more confusing for the visiting team.

Foul territory in some parks, like in Oakland, is enormous. Others are so small, they force batters to hit the ball fair and that means less foul-outs and higher scoring games. Whatever the park, there is always something a little quirky about it.

Cheating in baseball is generally associated with corked bats, spitballs, nail filers and certain players who like late nights. But in Minnesota, it seems that the upper management has taken to cheating in a whole new way. Last week, once again, the idea that the Minnesota Twins use air flow to control the game surfaced. Speculation began, at least publicly, in 1987 when Bobby Valentine (then managing the Texas Rangers) tied some white string to an air duct to see which way the air was blowing. The tape was promptly torn down by a Twins coach and when Valentine tried again, an umpire told him “no.” Fast forward 15 or so years. Last year, Dick Ericson, a former Metrodome superintendent, let loose that he did try to manipulate the trajectory of baseballs by turning on a large number of electric fans behind home plate and adjusting the air conditioning in late innings of close games.

Ericson, who has now been retired for nine years, told the Minneapolis Star-Tribune: “If they [the Twins] were down two runs and you’re still hoping for them to have the advantage, you’d want to be blowing all the air out and up as much as you can.” He also added, and the 2ON2OUT loves this, “I don’t feel guilty ... It’s your home-field advantage.

Every stadium has got one.” Awesome and perfect. Is it true? Can air flow actually help?

We don’t care either way, actually. The University of Minnesota’s tests—yeah, like they’d rat out their own team—were “incon-

[

Cheating in baseball is generally associated with corked bats, spitballs, nail filers and certain players who like late nights. But in Minnesota, it seems the upper management has taken to cheating in a whole new way.

[

clusive.” It’s part of the greatness and weirdness that is baseball.

Back to team updates. It seems the Cubbies are finally coming around. The NL Central has had every opportunity to put us away, but no. The Reds have now lost seven in a row and, as we predicted, their pitching is in shambles (40 ER in 3 games vs. Oakland— that’s not going to cut it).

Yes, we’re getting healthy. Prior, Goodwin, Merker and Remy are back and Woody, Sosa and Grudsy are not far behind. They took two out of three from Anaheim (good-looking team also riddled with injuries), which was huge. In the meantime, the only other team

playing well is good ol’ St. Lou. Scott Rolen is the best player in baseball right now. Matty Clement pitched a gem last week and this guy slugged two solo shots off of him in his first two at-bats and missed a third by about two Old Styles. Not only that, but he robbed the Cubs of multiple extra-base hits with that kidsized glove (has anyone else noticed this?) of his at the hot corner. He’s the best.

Fortunately, the Cubs have the second best third baseman in Ramirez ... Oh yeah.

Shingo Takatsu was almost released in spring training, with a 6.75 ERA and an 85 mph fastball (and that’s generous). Manager Ozzie Guillen admits he didn’t know why this fella was signed in the offseason. Twenty straight scoreless innings, a 1.15 ERA, and a few 50 mph change-ups later, Takatsu is in line to take over the closer’s role from Billy Koch, who, if he was a Cub, would have been screamed and booed to the DL by now.

Guillen won’t commit to Takatsu as the fulltime closer just yet (Is he crazy?), but all signs point to this happening soon. Takatsu was Japan’s all-time saves leader with 260 and at 35 years old is not really a rookie. Atlanta’s old wizard of a coach Bobby Cox calls him “Sneaky” and says “he’s unhittable” and as for hitters figuring out his slowballs and unorthodox style? “He saved all those games in Japan, so they didn’t adjust...”

I like the guy, but let Guillen stick with Koch or Politte because they have “better closer’s stuff” or “more MLB experience”—at least until after the series with the Cubs.

The 2ON2OUT are Seth and Adam Fein and would like to denounce Donald Rumsfeld and his policies and any hot dog that isn’t kosher.

SHREK THURSDAY, JUNE 17 SOUTH END OF THE QUAD, 9PM FREE ADMISSION NO RAIN LOCATION

Bring your popcorn and a blanket and enjoy a free movie on the Quad!

Copyright Illini Media Company 2004 www.iuboard.uiuc.edu

IUB Event Hotline: 333-8473

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HI, COUSIN ELVIN | JUNE 17 - 23, 2004 buzz

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Current human life expectancy is already at 78 years, and it's steadily increasing. So if you're 30 years old, you can expect to be alive for at least another 48 years, and probably longer. If you're 22 you could easily be here for another 60 revolutions of the Earth around the sun, and if you're 45, you've got a minimum of 33.So what are you going to do with all that precious, spacious time? I encourage you to let your brainstorms flow freely in the coming week. Is there another career or two you might want to pursue? A far-flung locale where you'd like to live for a while? An adventure that may take a long time to get ready for? Have fun visualizing the enormous magic you could accomplish little by little in the next three decades.

5 Requests

2. Franz Ferdinand Take Me Out

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Naturalist John Burroughs was addressing your current needs when he wrote the following: "The lesson which life constantly enforces is 'Look underfoot.'

You are always nearer to the true sources of your power than you think. The lure of the distant and the difficult is deceptive. The great opportunity is where you are. Every place is the center of the world." Let's finish up this little pep talk, Taurus, with some advice from Theodore Roosevelt: "Do what you can, with what you have, where you are."

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): "Never test the depth of the water with both feet," the old saying goes, and usually I endorse such an approach. But not now. For the next two weeks, Gemini, you're exempt from that and just about every other cautionary rule. As far as I can tell, your future is so wide open that the only guiding principles you need are those that give you permission. Here's an example you might like, formulated by sex researcher Alfred Kinsey: "The only unnatural sex act is one you cannot perform."

4. Muse Time is running out

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Lions and jaguars can roar, but they can't purr. Cheetahs and snow leopards can purr, but can't roar. Now and then a tiger in captivity learns how to produce a sputtering imitation of a purr in addition to its characteristic roar. But as a rule, every species of feline does one or the other but not both.

To meet your dates with destiny in the coming week, you'll have to be like a kind of cat that doesn't exist in nature: one that purrs with sublime contentment and roars with fierce authority.

Top

3. Local H California Songs

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Until recently, Indonesians thought their country consisted of about 17,000 islands. But in February of 2003, an analysis of satellite images found more than a thousand undiscovered islands, bringing the total to 18,108. I suspect that you're on the verge of making a comparable breakthrough about yourself, Cancerian. There's much more of you than you ever imagined. Many previously unknown territories will soon come into view. It will be as if you have unearthed a new world right in the midst of the old one.

5. The Cure The End of the World

ONLINE 8@8 Make your vote for the

TOP 8

most requested songs!

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JUNE 17 - 23, 2004 | I THINK IT’S WEIRD HOW MUCH THERE IS TO THINK ABOUT ... WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT IT

3

FIRST THING’S FIRST...

FREE WILL ASTROLOGY (JUNE 17 - 23)

1. Dashboard Confessional Vindicated

buzz

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Your theme this week is careen-stable.

Here's Rebecca Rusche to tell you of the term's origin and how to recognize when it shows up in your life. "In high school, my mom used to let me use her VW Beetle to go to basketball practice.

One night after practice, a friend and I were chatting and drinking Coke when we decided to see how fast we could get the Beetle going down a nearby dirt road. Soon we were careening at 65 mph, shouting 'careen!' every time we hit a bump and went flying into the air. When we arrived back at the gym and got out of the car half an hour later, we saw my Coke can sitting on the front bumper next to the license plate. I nudged it softly to see if it was lodged in there somehow, but it fell right off -- wasn't stuck at all. I thought, 'There must be a word for this magic,' and thus 'careen-stable' was born. It came to mean anything that maintains its poise in the midst of wild, fast movement."

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): A couple from Houston had been trying to conceive a child for ten years. Finally, with the help of in vitro fertilization and fertility drugs, Jeffrey and Sheryl McGowen succeeded extravagantly. Two eggs were implanted in Sheryl, and both split. Nine months later she gave birth to two sets of identical twins. "I think God has a sense of humor," said Jeffrey.

"He took a vacation, and when he got back from it he answered all of my prayers at once." Keep this story in mind, Libra. It will help prepare you for what God does for you upon returning from vacation.

the bottom of the pillar is planted deep in the earth, destined to become a key part of the superstructure that will hold together tons of concrete, wood, and steel. Have you got that picture in your mind's eye, Capricorn? I think you're a lot like that pillar right now. Though you're weary of being pounded by the pile driver, you know it's in a worthy cause. And the good news is that the pounding is almost finished.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): "If you removed all of the homosexuals and homosexual influences from American culture, you would be pretty much left with the TV game show, 'Let’s Make a Deal.'" So proclaimed famed wit Fran Lebowitz. I'd wager that similar statements can be made about the cultures of every country where this horoscope is read. So wherever you live, Aquarius, let Lebowitz's observation be the starting point for your meditations this week. Think of all the beauty, creativity, and vitality that live in the world around you because of people whose relationships with gender are different from the standard models. For that matter, think of all the interesting experiences that have come your way--and may soon come your way again--because of your own refusal to strictly adhere to gender stereotypes.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): "Poets should welcome all opportunities to become befuddled," writes poet Linh Dinh in The American Poetry Review. "To not know what's happening forces one to become more attentive." Whether or not you're a poet, Scorpio, I heartily recommend this approach to you in the coming weeks. The feeling of having wandered off the path will be a sign of grace.To be confused will be a blessing.The only possible way you could miss out on the gifts that life wants to send you is if you act like a know-it-all who's in complete control.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): You can stir up sweet synchronicities by intensifying your connection with anyone who is an alternate version of you. So negotiate with your evil twin, Sagittarius. Inspire and incite your alter ego.Throw a bone to one of your imitators and leap to the next level with a kindred spirit.

Slip in and out of the fourth dimension with your soul twin, send a message in a bottle to your future self, and pose a riddle to your shadow.

✍ HOMEWORK: Imagine yourself

Brezsny’s Free Will ☎ Rob Astrology freewillastrolo-

www.freewillastrology.com.

gy@comcast.net 415.459.7209 P.O. Box 798 San Anselmo, CA 94979

gazing into the eyes of the person you were ten years ago.What do you want to say to him or her?

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Visualize a tall, thick, steel column that has been forged to serve as part of the foundation of a huge building. It's hauled to a construction site by a truck, held vertically by a crane, then driven into the ground by an enormous pile driver. The clanging of metal against metal rings out. Eventually,

CROSSWORD PUZZLE ACROSS 1 Fair 10 Paul Gallico title char-

acter 15 Peace Memorial Museum locale 16 Extinct Algonquian 17 A trust may reduce it 18 Dismay 19 “Hair” tune 20 Circulation aid 22 Grand Prix feature 23 Richard Gere title role of 2000 24 It turns out lts.

25 “Children of the Albatross” author 26 Stagnation 28 Abbr. before a number 29 It looks bad on the surface 30 Not flabby 31 Stand 33 Old-fashioned alternative 35 “Remain calm” 38 Rationed 42 Victim of Polyphemus, in myth 43 Name on an oval

Fillet 30-day span: Abbr.

Trash Rapper MC ___ Port Huron Statement org.

49 Run into 52 A/C measure 53 Situation in which only 56-Across is occupied 54 Hardly relaxed 56 See 53-Across 57 Hard thing to fill 58 Takes nothing in 59 Discount clothing store chain 44 45 46 47 48

DOWN

Tops Meets Crafty one?

Druggist for whom some commercial pills are named 5 It’s not exact: Abbr.

6 Cuts 7 Number-starting prompt 8 Taliban mullah 9 Gush, in a way 1 2 3 4

10 Opposite of

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deplete 15 11 They may be put in stitches 17 12 Noted Chilean 20 19 island 13 Ezra Pound, e.g. 22 23 14 Honorable start?

28 26 27 21 “Not with ___ the heart is bro- 30 31 ken”: Emily Dickinson 33 34 23 Styled 35 36 37 27 They branch off 43 42 28 ___ tree 29 Loser 46 45 31 Some office 49 50 51 attire 32 Guys in promo54 53 tion 34 Geological 57 56 depression 59 58 35 Leave quickly 36 Totalitarian state Puzzle by Bob Peoples in “1984” 37 Some playful 44 Alaska’s ___ National pooches Park 39 Taqueria offering 46 Auto damage 40 Software developer’s 47 “Good Times” star, on concern 70’s TV 41 What a loser may skip

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work 52 Landscaping screen 55 Host

New pill may cure hangovers News of the weird but won’t build character More things you didn’t realize were art

BY MICHAEL COULTER | CONTRIBUTING WRITER

T

hey say you learn something every day. I have to say, I believe that to be pretty true. For example, last week I learned that if I continue to leave my kitchen cabinet doors open, one of them will eventually smack me in the head—sometimes more than once. Sure, I probably shouldn’t have to learn such things, but it’s still good to learn.

There’s one learning experience that’s been lifelong and actually valuable, the experience of drinking and dealing with the aftermath.

The first time I ingested liquor, around the age of 12, I learned a fine lesson. The lesson was simply that it’s not a good idea to mix gin, apricot brandy and lemon-lime Kool-Aid together. I learned this lesson with my friends Jon and Tim while my parents were out to dinner. We didn’t get especially drunk that first night, but we did feel like crap.

We made a pact after that evening. If we’re ever going to do this again, we need to be much better at it. Still, we didn’t even try to get serious about it until we were 16. I believe it took about four years for that first hangover to go away.

Yup, the hangover is that mean first grade teacher you used to have, the one that commanded respect, the one that whipped you in front of the class, the one who embarrassed you when you got a wrong answer, the one teacher you learned the most from. Like that teacher, the hangover teaches you something whether you want to learn it or not.

Most folks think of the hangover as a bad thing, but I disagree. I believe it is what keeps people in check. Without the hangover, I would have never realized drinking an entire 12-pack through a beer bong would make me a moron, I would still assume a martini is a shot instead of a sipping drink, and I might still be chugging Jagermeister from a pint glass.

Take away the hangover and there’s not as much retribution. Forget the common cold, you cure the hangover and shrines will be built in your honor. Well, um, start building.

There is now a drug available that will ease the pain of indulgence, RU-21. Being both wise and crafty, the U.S. drug company that distributes it opted to give it to Britain first.

The drug was originally developed so spies could outdrink other spies. No wonder James Bond was so agile and sexually promiscuous even after a few shaken—not stirred—martinis. He was corking his bat, the bastard. I

might be all suave and debonair, too, if I knew hangover mice weren’t going to be clawing their way through my brain the next day.

The company, RU-21 Ltd., calls it a “dietary supplement for consumers of alcohol.” Please, dietary supplements for consumers of alcohol are items such as peanuts, pork rinds and crow, not a freaking pill. Really, you can call it whatever you want. Call it a supplement for impotence, diphtheria or hyperventilation. If people find out it cures hangovers, they’ll take it regardless.

The fellas across the pond aren’t thrilled about having it available. They believe binge drinking is already pretty much at its capacity.

“We have got a problem, and taking a tablet doesn’t alter the fact that people could be doing themselves harm, whether they feel it or not,” said David Poley of the Portman Group, a PR guy promoting safe consumption.

The guy makes a little sense. You wouldn’t take a pill that made your cancer unnoticeable or negated the warning signs of a heart attack, would you? I don’t’ know, maybe you would.

We take pills so we aren’t depressed, pills to lose weight, pills to gain muscle, pills because we’re nervous around people, why not just take a pill for a hangover, too?

People nowadays, there’s something wrong with them. Everything has to be easy or it’s not worth doing. You don’t want to pay your dues as a singer, so you go on American Idol. You don’t want to earn a million dollars working, so you sign up for Survivor. You want to lose weight so you take up a ridiculous diet where you eat only meat, instead of just exercising.

You don’t want to feel bad for whatever reason, so you take a pill.

It’s a dangerous trap, though. Maybe you’re depressed because your life sucks.

Well, taking a pill won’t make your life better.

It’ll only make it appear that it doesn’t suck anymore. I know there are situations where pills are warranted for depression or weight loss or whatever, but geez Louise, it’s hard to find a person who isn’t taking some pill for some condition anymore.

Sometimes you’re just supposed to be sad, or nervous, or hung over. Like holding your urine, getting slapped in the testes, or running a marathon, the hangover builds character.

Sure it sucks at the time, but you learn from it.

You learn to plan, and you learn to deal with pain, you learn regret, and you learn your limits, important things you’ll never get from just swallowing a pill.

Michael Coulter is a videographer, comedian and creator of the weekly email column “The Sporting Life.”

– In April, London’s National Portrait Gallery showed an hour-long video of star soccer player David Beckham, sleeping; artist Sam Taylor-Wood said she wanted to do an original of the ubiquitously photographed Beckham and realized there was not much that hadn’t already been done.

And at a March exhibit at London’s Nelson’s Column, guest performers took turns reading Japanese artist On Kawara’s book that consists only of 271,000 selected dates that occurred between 998,031 B.C. and A.D. 1,001,980. (Said a gallery director, “On Kawara’s work speaks simply and directly about a subject relevant to us all, the passage and marking of time.”)

– Not only does San Francisco’s Solid Waste Transfer and Recycling Center (i.e., the city dump) have an “artist in residence,” but sculptor Rick Carpenter is actually the 43rd person to hold that position, according to an April San Francisco Chronicle report.

Carpenter said his specialty is discarded bulk items, citing, for example, the weaving he made from 40 orange extension cords, and his latest, an object stuffed with the contents of a 5-gallon bucket of wigs someone tossed.

More things to worry about A small crime wave hit south Philadelphia streets late last year, with a gang of five or more men randomly attacking pedestrians, seemingly for fun, and in at least three of the incidents, the men wore boxing gloves to beat up their victims. And in April, the American Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of part of the Patriot Act (a public document) but couldn’t publicly reveal what its lawsuit claimed because such disclosure without Justice Department permission is forbidden by the Patriot Act. (The Department OK’d a heavily censored press release 22 days later.)

COPYRIGHT 2004 Chuck Shepherd Distributed by Universal Press Syndicate

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buzz

Take one with filmmaker Robin Christian Peters

BY MARISSA MONSON | EDITOR IN CHIEF

R

obin Christian Peters lives in Monticello, Ill. He has chatted with Dave Matthews and produced a film starring Ed Asner. He coordinated all of this from his design studio Dreamscape Design just off Neil Street in Champaign.

Peters owns and operates a Champaign new media company, Dreamscape Design, that primarily specializes in Web design, commercials and videos for companies. But his loyalties lie with his independent film company Dreamscape Cinema. He produces and occasionally directs films for which he writes screenplays in his spare time. Peters has written 14 screenplays, five of which are still being developed in his head. “If I was an artist, I would go and paint,�

Peters said. “I’m fortunate, I just have to keep reminding myself how lucky I am—my 50 million dollar adventure movie will have to wait.�

Currently, Peters is in the midst of preproduction for his fifth film, Disconnect, a story about a distraught college student who finds a phone in her apartment that lets her speak to her deceased mother. She learns her mother was murdered, a chilling surprise contrary to her previous notion that her mother had died of a heart attack. She uses the phone to try and stop the murder from occurring. This drama thriller will be shot on location in Champaign County, just as his last four films have.

Peters thumbs through a packet of actor profiles he has compiled as possible leads for Disconnect. “I have to have good actors, no matter where they are from,� Peters said. “But, I have to have a name to throw out there for marketing purposes, like B-level or low A-level actors.�

Peters likes adventure thrillers, but he doesn’t limit himself to that particular genre. As Disconnect starts filming, his recently shot Sept. 11 family drama Crab Orchard will be going out for distribution. Crab Orchard stars Ed Asner (of Mary Tyler Moore fame) and Judge Reinhold, remembered most for his roles in Fast Times at Ridgemont High, Beverly Hills Cop and The Santa Clause.

Peters hopes that Crab Orchard will air on a major cable network and later distribute internationally.

Major studios spend an average of $30 million on major motion pictures. But for Dreamscape

Cinema, cost-cutting is a major plus for being based in Champaign. “To close off a street, we pay for the parking meters,� Peters said. Locations in major cities like Los Angeles and New York City cost much more, but can have a similar effect on screen. Cutting cost doesn’t mean cutting quality for Dreamscape Cinema.

Peters recruits a filming crew from Chicago and local individuals help out as well. He bought a new $100,000 camera that has improved the quality of Dreamscape’s films.

Peters started making films after years of being a musician. He wanted to make a documentary about The Beatles, but he wanted to do something different. He decided on a documentary about Beatle John Lennon. Entitled Fab 1: John Lennon’s Revolution, the documentary showcases interviews with a musical cast of past and present rockers reflecting on how John Lennon affected their music. Framed photos of Peters with Lenny Kravitz, Blues Traveler and others adorn the walls of his office, alongside Beatles figurines from the film Yellow Submarine.

film

buzz JUNE 17 - 23, 2004 | DOGDEBALL! OH, HOW I LONG FOR 5TH GRADE GYM.

Drive-thru Reviews

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BREAKIN’ ALL THE RULES ★★ JAMIE FOXX AND GABRIELLE UNION Breakin’ All the Rules is a watchable film. At its peaks and during Foxx’s “sexpert� scenes, it could even be considered hilarious. Chestnut is solid gold. This is a film that will not draw many looks from critics around the country, but can provide a light moviegoing experience for those that aren’t up to the substance of the summer blockbusters hitting the screens this summer. Have fun, but don’t expect too much out of Foxx and Chestnut in Breakin’ All the Rules. (Andrew Crewell) Now showing at Beverly and Savoy CHRONICLES OF RIDDICK VIN DEISEL & JUDI DENCH ★★ Chronicles of Riddick feels overblown and bombastic, as if Twohy feels the need to justify finally having a big budget to work with. Had he amputated some of the useless plot threads from the story and focused more on providing a grand action yarn, the result might have been better. But as it is, the film is an utterly forgettable sci-fi diversion that will be forgotten by its target audience once Spider-man returns in a couple of weeks.

(Andrew Vecelas) Now showing at Beverly and Savoy THE DAY AFTER TOMORROW ★★★ DENNIS QUAID & JAKE GYLLENHAAL There’s lots of scientific mumbo-jumbo, but for every scene of dull, Weather Channel-style explanation, there’s a magnificent shot of the United States engulfed by truly unthinkable storms. Even though you know the whole thing was the act of computers—not of God—it’s hard not to ooh and aah at the sight of New York City iced over like a snow cone. The problem is that most of the characters express little more than awe, rather than fear, as to what may be the unforeseen apocalypse. Expect to feel that same disconnected absence of intensity towards a film that is supposed to be unprecedented but unlikely to be remembered the day after tomorrow. (Matt Pais) Now showing at Beverly and Savoy GARFIELD: THE MOVIE BILL MURRAY & JENNIFER LOVE HEWITT ★★ Perhaps what’s most atrocious is that Garfield is intended to be a comedy. There’s more laughs to be found witnessing a minor road accident than in this film. While Garfield is intended to be a kid’s movie, it’s hard to believe that even children will find a single amusing moment. The only saving grace is the casting of Bill Murray as the titular feline’s voice. He may not actually say anything funny, but his lethargic sound matches Garfield perfectly. Despite Murray’s best efforts, and Hewitt’s amazing looks, there’s nothing to be recommended about this film at all. This isn’t the same sarcastic kitty you know from the comic strip. This poor fellow’s had all the fun taken out of him; he’s been neutered. (Devon Sharma) HARRY POTTER & THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN ★★★ DANIEL RADCLIFFE & EMMA WATSON So much of the material in the films has felt like a visual projection of Rowling’s books without the brain and heart to match. It seems that, in attempting to whittle down hundreds of pages into a workable screenplay, Kloves merely makes a check mark every time he incorporates an important point while ignoring the specifics that give each element its meaning. So far, the Harry Potter films represent a frustrating body of work, fantasy that has yet to realize its potential to be fantastic.

Cuaron’s deeper artistic vision is a step in the right direction, but Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban still fails to cast a spell. (Matt Pais) Now showing at Beverly and Savoy MAN ON FIRE ★★ DENZEL WASHINGTON & DAKOTA FANNING Director Tony Scott (Spy Game) never met a flashy, knee-

jerk cut he didn’t like, and he makes even the calmest sequences in Man on Fire feel like chase scenes out of Enemy of the State. Essentially, this overly long drama is little more than a story of the usual American mentality of trying to solve the problems of other countries with bigger guns and bigger egos. (Matt Pais) Now showing at Beverly and Savoy MEAN GIRLS ★★★ LINDSEY LOHAN & LACEY CHABERT Mean Girls’ screenwriter Tina Fey uses a candor that not only criticizes the stereotypes of these portrayals, but also depicts them in an entertaining way that is unique to anything shown before. The students of North Shore High don’t all belong in magazine advertisements. Some belong in the “before� pictures in weight loss commercials or on the front cover of “Special Olympics Success Stories.� This film uses the formula of the typical high school illustration, adds fresh humor and a touch of reality that makes the film surprisingly entertaining to watch. (Art Mitchell) Now showing at Beverly and Savoy RAISING HELEN ★★★ KATE HUDSON & JOAN CUSACK Kate Hudson sparkles in the most bleak of circumstances, making the film appear somewhat appear as a comedy like its premise suggests. Hudson easily transitions from a charming single woman to an upset mother, proving that her acting chops were not just a fluke in Almost Famous. Her performance saves an otherwise over-sentimentalized drama, making Raising Helen shine when it desperately needs a glimmer of hope.

(Janelle Greenwood) Now showing at Beverly and Savoy SAVED! ★★★ MANDY MOORE & JENA MALONE The social commentary on the writer’s view of Christianity is very evident from the opening scenes to the very last shots in the film. This year has brought on new conversations about the portrayals of certain religious groups in the mainstream media and Saved! does nothing but add to the conversation: which seems like it’s intent. Unlike the highly popular and highly controversial The Passion of the Christ, interpretations on the role of Christianity in Saved! are very contemporary and are humorous not only for the believer, but for the nonbeliever and the unsure as well. (Art Mitchell) Now showing at Beverly and Savoy SHREK 2 ★★★ MIKE MYERS & EDDIE MURPHY Shrek 2 does an admirably effective job of balancing its sarcastic but sensitive tone, and it’s never too bitter to be sweet. The film manages to repeatedly wink at all things Disney without coming off competitive, an honorable move for a Dreamworks studio that should have plenty to gloat about at the box office this summer. In giving reverence with each reference, the four-headed team of writers keeps things light and sprinkles good-hearted, intelligent fun throughout every scene. It becomes apparent that the original strove for greatness while this suitable sequel is merely good, but it’s hard to complain about another chuckle-filled trip to fantasyland sure to once again make Disney green (cha-ching!) with envy.

(Matt Pais) SOUL PLANE ★★★ SNOOP DOGG & TOM ARNOLD Soul Plane offers just what anyone who walks into the theater would expect. There is a bad movie with great comedians who let loose on drugs, white people, black people and everything in between. Barring a closedminded audience, the racially and sexually charged humor are a raving success. Cameos from D.L. Hughley, John Witherspoon, Karl Malone and many more keep the fans on the edge of their seats. The smoking hot women keep the eyes busy should anyone miss a joke. Those over 35 should forget about Soul Plane and go see Troy for the fourth time. But if you are up for a good time and an hour and a half of nonstop laughs, get yourself a boarding pass to Soul Plane. (Andrew Crewell) Now Showing at Beverly and Savoy THE STEPFORD WIVES ★★★ MATTHEW BRODERICK & NICOLE KIDMAN Because of the resounding tepidity of Oz’s remake, the film never takes any major risks. It stays safely inbounds, gliding softly through the screenplay like a Stepford wife through her kitchen. In the end, it’s harmless. If Oz had picked one tone with which to attack the film and stuck with it, the end product might have been more seamless

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and alluring, like a true Stepford wife, and less erratic and inconsequential, like Hill’s frequently malfunctioning Sarah Sunderson. (John Loos) Now showing at Beverly and Savoy SUPER SIZE ME ★★★★ MORGAN SPURLOCK & MCDONALD’S FOOD Fasten your belt loops and hold onto your love handles: Super Size Me is one of the best movies so far this year.

Spurlock’s movie is at times difficult to watch—frankly, it wants to gross us out with the hard, greasy truth—but it delivers on all the requirements of an important documentary. It’s brave, challenging and relevant, and in calling attention to an American epidemic, Super Size Me is truly McTastic. (Matt Pais) Now showing at Boardman’s Art Theatre THIS OLD CUB ★★★ RON SANTO The film’s more joyous moments details Santo’s recent work as a Cub announcer and his broadcast chemistry with Pat Hughes and the team’s number retirement ceremony at Wrigley Field last year. These scenes can’t compensate, though, for the film’s more awkward parts, which include the recent wishful hype over Santo’s possible induction into baseball’s Hall of Fame. Here, director Jeff Santo interviews legends Johnny Bench, Willie Mays, Willie McCovey and Brooks Robinson, all of whom strongly endorsed Santo’s wish for the Hall of Fame. Sadly, like last year’s missed playoff opportunities, Santo will have to wait until another day for his induction into the Hall of Fame. (Syd Slobodnik) TROY ★★ BRAD PITT AND ERIC BANA Troy uses endless flourishes of triumphant horns and cymbal crashes to create some sense of majesty, but it does as much justice to Homer as William Hung does to “She Bangs.� Troy desperately wants to be a loud, sweeping rallying cry for love, brotherhood and country, but it’s just a bunch of pretty boys playing dress-up in this real Greek tragedy. (Matt Pais) Now showing at Beverly and Savoy VAN HELSING ★ HUGH JACKMAN Dracula relentlessly tries to spread his seed (unprotected sex, anyone?) and it’s up to the vampire slayer to stop him. And when Anna tells Van Helsing she’s never been to the sea, you know he’s going to take her there because that’s what a real man would do (wink wink). All of this should be enough to make your heart thump, but instead your pulse will nap while your mind goes for popcorn.

For all of its adrenaline-rush action, Van Helsing is like a Halloween costume-themed Universal Studios ride, tailored to a PG-13 audience happy to get its biggest thrills from Count Chocula. (Matt Pais) Now showing at Beverly and Savoy

OPENING THIS WEEKEND THE TERMINAL TOM HANKS & CATHERINE ZETA-JONES After leaving his home land during a time of war, Tom Hanks finds himself stuck in a terminal in New York City with a worthless passport and, after the war, no homeland. He takes up residence in the terminal where he becomes friends with the staff and falls in love with Catherine Zeta-Jones, a flight attendant. Man, if I had a nickel for every time this happened to me ... I’d be broke.

(Paul Wagner) AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS JACKIE CHAN & STEVE COOGAN As hard as it is to believe, this remake starring Jackie Chan could be good, funny, exciting and fun. Who doesn’t want to see Jackie Chan in a hot air balloon facing adventures and traveling around the world? The possibilities are just endless for this sure-to-be blockbuster. (Paul Wagner) DODGEBALL: A TRUE UNDERDOG STORY BEN STILLER & VINCE VAUGHN This movie can’t be bad. At least we hope. The plot is a bit thin: Stiller owns a new, overpriced gym and Vaughn owns a crappy old one. These gyms are in competition.

To save his gym, Vaughn signs his gym up for a Las Vegas dodgeball tournament. The potential for comedy here is incredible, but so is the hype. Plus, everyone loves dodgeball and violence. (Paul Wagner)

CHRONICLES-RIDDICK (PG–13) 11:00 1:40 WORLD IN 80 DAYS (PG) (2 SCREENS) 4:20 7:15 9:40 11:10 12:00 2:00 4:00 5:10 7:00 8:00 9:50 STEPFORD WIVES (PG–13) (2 SCREENS) 11:10 11:30 1:10 1:30 GARFIELD (PG) (2 3:10 4:00 5:10 7:00 SCREENS) 11:00 11:30 7:30 9:20 9:40 1:00 1:30 3:00 3:30 5:00 5:30 7:10 7:30 DAY AFTER 9:10 9:30 TOMORROW (PG–13) (2 SCREENS) 12:00 2:50 ◆ HARRY 5:30 7:20 8:00 10:00 POTTER 3 (PG) (3 SCREENS) 11:00 11:30 12:30 RAISING HELEN (PG–13) 2:00 3:40 4:30 5:00 11:10 1:40 4:10 7:00 6:45 7:30 8:00 9:45 9:40 MEAN GIRLS (PG–13) SAVED! (PG–13) 11:00 1:40 4:20 7:15 11:10 2:00 4:00 7:10 9:30 9:40 SHREK 2 (PG) (3 SCREENS) 11:00 11:20 12:00 INTERMISSION (R) 1:00 1:20 2:00 3:00 12:30 2:50 5:10 7:30 3:20 4:00 5:00 5:20 9:50 7:00 7:30 9:00 9:40 Showtimes for 6/17/04

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film&tv

moviereview

THE CHRONICLES OF RIDDICK ★★

BY ANDREW VECELES | STAFF WRITER

V

in Diesel has all the tools to become the biggest action star in the world. He’s got a unique and imposing look to him, a gruff voice, is as comfortable delivering a one-liner as he is snapping bad guys’ necks and looks good running in slow-motion. He also has some decent acting capacity—his roles in Saving Private Ryan and Boiler Room proved that he can easily play more than just a two-dimensional badass musclehead. Three years ago, people were calling him the next Schwarzenegger and with good reason.

But The Chronicles of Riddick, the sequel to the sleeper hit Pitch Black, continues his recent streak of appearing in subpar hogwash that serves only to diminish his star in Hollywood. Diesel himself stars as the adventurer-cum-felon title character, and plays the role well. But the rest of the movie has more ideas than it knows what to do with, and rapidly moves from entertaining to confusing to boring and back again.

As an example, try to make sense of this storyline. The Necromongers, a race of beings who look and act like storm troopers hanging out at Medieval Times, seek to destroy or convert

moviereview

SAVED! ★★★

BY DEVON SHARMA | STAFF WRITER

I

n an era when political correctness and neoconservatism fueled by a form of religious fanaticism begin to dominate the social and political landscape of this country, the movie Saved!, written and directed by Brian Dannelly, attempts to not only poke fun at some of these religious fanatics, but also reveal possible flaws in their ideologies as they are applied to real life situations and problems.

Saved! is a story about a group of high school students whose lives go through some of the very same undertakings many other teenagers experience: disabilities, religious ostracism, questioning one’s sexuality and teen pregnancy. The main difference with the community in this film is that the main characters all attend a very religious Christian high school. Although all of the extras and individuals that acted in presenting the setting of the high school weren’t performing in a

WHERE’S THE MOVIE ABOUT GARFIELD’S FRIENDS ... LIKE THAT EGG WITH THE LEGS POKING OUT? | JUNE 17 - 23, 2004 buzz

everyone in the galaxy on their way to the mythical underverse. Their leader is the Lord Marshal (Colm Feore), the only person ever to have reached the underverse and return. The only person who can oppose the Necromongers is, of course, Riddick, who happens to be a member of the Furian race that was prophesied to bring about the fall of the Lord Marshal.

There are also several subplots, which tie up loose ends from Pitch THE CHRONICLES OF RIDDICK | VIN DIESEL & ALEXA DAVALOS Black, and go deeper into the political goings on of the universe. Turns out that not ships that are interesting to look at, but evenevery Necromonger is thrilled with the Lord tually their entire color scheme (as many Marshal. Thandie Newton plays Dame Vaako, shades of metal as one can dream up) begins to a Lady Macbeth clone who looks to manipu- wear on the eyes. Other effects, such as the late her husband into the Lord Marshal’s planet with the incredibly hot sun, or the throne. Oscar winner Judi Dench also has a strange animals that prowl a triple-maximum role here, as an Elemental who spends most of security prison, are fun to look at, but not terriher onscreen time explaining the plot and bly convincing.

Twohy has made good genre films before. making prophecies.

Other than Diesel, few of the actors leave He helmed The Arrival, a surprisingly tense much of an impression. So many subplots and and intelligent thriller, and the original Pitch action scenes populate the film that the charac- Black also worked better than it should have, ters don’t have much time to do anything other as an interesting take on the typical killer alien than exchange some nonsensical dialogue, crack formula. Both of those films were taut and focused, and worked around their comparaa joke, then plow on to the next scene.

This would pose little problem if the action tively small budgets.

By comparison, The Chronicles of Riddick feels scenes generated excitement. But for the most part, Twohy’s direction and the poor editing overblown and bombastic, as if Twohy feels the render most of the action incomprehensible. need to justify finally having a big budget to Some of it does work—such as Riddick’s threat work with. Had he amputated some of the useto kill a prisoner using only a tea cu—but less plot threads from the story and focused there’s too much sci-fi nonsense and plot filler more on providing a grand action yarn, the in between the good parts to sustain the audi- result might have been better.

As it is, the film is an utterly forgettable science’s attention.

Even the special effects are a mixed bag. The fi diversion that will be forgotten by its target Necromongers boast extravagant, harrowing audience once Spider-Man returns.

UNIVERSAL PICTURES

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satirical manner, there was a sense of comedy in the first few scenes that were subtle. By showing a few shots of a classroom picture of the current president, it seemed pretty clear how the writers were aligning the Christian school in terms of political position.

At the center of the story is Mary, played by Jena Malone (Cold Mountain, Donnie Darko) and her close friend Hilary Faye who is played by Mandy Moore (Chasing Liberty, A Walk To SAVED! | H. MATARAZZO, M. MOORE & E. THAI Remember). The girls are heavily involved in school extracurricular activities, character.

The social commentary on the writer’s view and were considered by the community to be good models of Christian teenage girls. of Christianity is very evident from the openUnfortunately, Mary was facing a minor crisis ing scenes to the very last shots in the film. in her life, and made a drastic move to fix her This year has brought on new conversations dilemma after seeing a vision of Jesus Christ about the portrayals of certain religious groups that told her what to do. The consequences of in the mainstream media and Saved! does nothher actions lead to her treatment as an outcast ing but add to the conversation, which seems like its intent. Unlike the highly as she questions her friends, family and faith.

Supporting acting was done by Macaulay popular and highly controversial The Culkin who plays Roland, the wheelchair- Passion of the Christ, interpretations on bound wisecrack artist, and Eva Amurri who the role of Christianity in Saved! are plays Cassandra, the Jewish rebel. The acting contemporary and humorous not by all main players was believable and consis- only for the believer, but for the tent to the feel of the film. Even Mandy non-believer and the unsure as Moore’s over-the-top “bitchy Christian”—if well. there is such a thing—was consistent with the writer/director’s illustration of Hilary Faye’s

MGM PICTURES

061704buzz0520

moviereview

GARFIELD: THE MOVIE ★

buzz

community

JUNE 17 - 23, 2004

“I owned video equipment for Dreamscape Design and I wanted to do a movie, but I couldn’t afford to do a film,” Peters said. “I thought, ‘What do I know about?’ Music.”

After Peters interviewed Kansas, he got an interview with .38 Special, and then Dave Matthews and Carter Beauford of The Dave Matthews Band. “Dave Matthews ended up going on stage 30 minutes late,” Peters said.

With a few films in the can, a couple in postproduction, one in pre-production and numer-

ous scripts in the works, Peters is a busy man.

In the future, Peters hopes to act in one of his productions and make another Beatles movie, this one scheduled to shoot in London.

Regardless, Peters ventures will end happily.

“All my movies have happy endings,” Peters said. Indeed, Peters film career will be no exception. buzz

Q & A

JasonPankoke

BY DEVON SHARMA | STAFF WRITER

G

arfield: The Movie is an improperly titled product. The problem is not with the first part of the title. The product does indeed focus on Jim Davis’s fat cat, Garfield. Instead, it is the part of the title that comes after the colon that is wrong and improper. Garfield, simply put, should not be considered a movie.

Inherent in the concept of a movie is the idea that it should be, at least to some degree, entertaining. Garfield, on the other hand, is the cinematic equivalent of a colonoscopy. It’s obscenely painful despite being largely uneventful, and at the end of it all you get the uncanny feeling that you’ve been violated in a very, very profound way. This is not entertaining. Purchasing a ticket to see Garfield is not only a waste of money, it’s an open admission to extreme, perverse masochism.

The story focuses on Garfield’s adventures that begin when his owner, Jon Arbuckle, is talked into adopting a puppy by the sexy veterinarian, Liz (played well by Jennifer Love Hewitt). It’s not that her acting is good, it’s that she’s got the “sexy” part locked down.

Jealous of all the attention that Odie is getting, Garfield locks him out of the house and, in doing so, causes Odie to run away. When it’s discovered that the pup has been kidnapped by a cruel cable TV personality who plans to cash in on Odie’s nifty dancing tricks, Garfield feels guilty and sets off to rescue the dog.

The problem with Garfield is that they tried stretching a 3-panel cartoon strip into a fulllength, feature film. In the cartoon, Garfield is a fat, lazy cat with a taste for lasagna and a distaste for the dog with whom he has to share a house.

He often makes snide, witty remarks at Odie and Jon’s expense. Not a whole lot to go on.

Take three mediocre premises: Garfield being fat, Garfield being lazy, and Garfield not liking Odie, then repeat, recycle and reuse them for 83 minutes, and out comes Garfield: The Movie.

The only saving grace is the casting of Bill Murray as the titular feline’s voice. He may not actually say anything funny, but his lethargic sound matches Garfield perfectly.

Despite Murray’s best efforts, and Hewitt’s amazing looks, there’s nothing to be recommended about this film at all.

Even die-hard Garfield fans will be disappointed by Garfield: The Movie. This isn’t the same sarcastic kitty you know from the comic strip. This poor fellow’s had all the fun taken out of him; he’s been neutered.

Jason Pankoke is the creator and editor of MicroFilm, an independent magazine that explores and discusses independent filmmaking. Micro-Film can be found at Pages for All Ages, That’s Rentertainment, G-Mart Comics, Boardman’s Art Theater, and the Independent Media Center.

Tell us a little bit about Micro-Film.

Micro-Film combines my professional talents as a graphic artist with my personal interest in independent and underground films that buck the norm. It’s my method for supporting the unknown filmmakers who create these works as well as learning about the many paths these people tread to translate their visions into a concrete form that others may experience.

See You at the Taste of C-U Mark your calander because if we spot YOU in downtown Champaign reading BUZZ on THURSDAY, JUNE 24th, we will give you FREE Tickets for this year’s Taste of Champaign-Urbana.

So bring a Buzz to the corner of Walnut & University between 11 and 2 on THURSDAY, JUNE 24th and get your FREE Tickets.

But come early because tickets are limited!

Taste of Champaign-Urbana West Side Park Friday, June 25 5-9pm • Saturday, June 26 11am-9pm Sunday, June 27 Noon-5pm

What is the biggest challenge for you starting up Micro-Film again?

Again, recapturing that whole-hog momentum that I somehow mustered during the magazine’s first two years and four issues.

With all the time that passed between the new issue and the one in 2002, it almost feels like Micro-Film #6 is my second #1. It’s not drastically different from its predecessor, but it is larger by almost 20 pages, and I made some belated adjustments to design elements throughout the issue.

The second biggest challenge is convincing people to actually purchase Micro-Film. It’s the ultimate conundrum for do-it-yourself media and arts, especially when you really don’t want to stress the money side of what you do.

“How do I reach commercial success with a non-commercial endeavor?”

Tell us a bit about the upcoming project, Backyard Cinema.

One idea I dreamt up that I will be curious to see how it works is to publish themed oneshots in between the regular Micro-Film issues that zero in on particular (and peculiar) microcosms of the indie film world. These would involve guest editors and designers, charged with giving the magazines a fresh spin and feel to make them unique.

Mike’s original Backyard Cinema consisted of reviews of no-budget genre work, mainly in the horror and exploitation categories, which were made by guerrilla filmmakers with

5

consumer film and video equipment.

The new incarnation will follow suit with a current batch of movies, but we’ll be adding fresh commentaries and interviews with folks like J.R. Bookwalter (The Dead Next Door), Augusta (The Velvet Hammer Burlesque), Sir Alvin Ecarma (Lethal Force), and UIUC senior Chris Folkens of Triad and Toxin fame.

I have several other ideas ping-ponging around in my head right now, but let’s see how Backyard Cinema fares first! One other local revival that I would love to help make happen, assuming that there are cinema studies students at the U of I with the guts and inspiration to take the lead on it, is a modern edition of the early seventies student magazine, MacGuffin.

What make you so interested in independent filmmaking?

I’m a hands-on type of person. If I write something, I proofread it. If I draw something, I refine it. If I photograph something, I’ll figure out how to make it look better on the computer. With independent filmmaking, regardless of how long the end credits crawl runs, it’s usually a given that the director, producer, writer, set designer, composer, even the actors, have a lot more invested in the project than on a Hollywood set where you disappear to your trailer or office except for exactly when you’re needed.

In a broader stroke, you know how the average Joe and Jane Moviegoer drive out to the multiplex to watch a movie for two hours as good, old-fashioned escapism? I dig independent films because they afford me an escape from exactly the type of movies that hog up the screens at these multiplexes. Mind you, I’m hardly anti-Hollywood in practice— I need my Lord of the Rings and Spider-Man fixes like many other people—but I’d usually rather spend my time with films that are not slicked up, not dumbed down, and are interesting, quirky, and most importantly, heartfelt in their imperfectness. Give me something that speaks to me, not zooms over my head at 200 miles an hour.

Are there any misconceptions you see independant films suffering from?

I think we first have to vainly attempt a definition of “independent film.” Most productions that you see playing in the multiplex that you may have heard reference to as an independent film really aren’t. They may be quality films, sure, but independent?

There are so many cool little movies with interesting approaches, good actors, and fresh perspectives that have a life well beyond what Entertainment Weekly decides to review.

The last misconception, which I think proliferates in filmmaking circles rather than with Joe and Jane Moviegoer, is that short films are purely steppingstones for advancing one’s career. I think that I’ve decided, at the least, if I even attempt to get in the filmmaking game at my age, I would just as soon play it low-key and do small productions that would be released on video compilations or on the Web.

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arts

WHY ARE THERE INTERSTATE HIGHWAYS IN HAWAII? | JUNE 17 - 23, 2004 buzz

Summerfest at Krannert F

ple have asked if the company considered moving back to the Playhouse, which almost triples the seating of the Studio Theater.

“First of all, I don’t know that we are that successful to do that,” he said. “Number two, much of our audience will miss the intimacy that they enjoy if we moved.”

Summerfest is anticipating a great season for this year.

All seemed to be pleased with the play selections.

However, there was a bit of a scare with not being able to get the rights for the play Parfumerie. This Hungarian play has never had an English production.

When Harris received the rights and translation to the play, he found out that all rights to the play had been withdrawn. The play had recent success with a production in Paris. There is talk that a performance in London will take place later in the year, and another production may open next year in New York. Summerfest was the only American company given the rights to the play before the play’s agent decided to withdraw the rights, Harris said.

“The timing was perfect. We got in there right under the wire,” he said.

rom night to night, Cristina Panfilio, a University theater student, goes from acting like a shy, reserved person to a flirtatious woman.

It’s not a psychological disorder; it’s Summerfest at Krannert Center for the Performing Arts.

Each summer, the company puts on three productions, said James Berton Harris, producing director. The selected plays are usually one American classic, a murder mystery or psychological thriller, and something a little different from the rest. This summer, the company will stage productions of The Glass Menagerie, Guilty Conscience and Parfumerie, Harris said.

Summerfest is one of few theater companies that still does a revolving repertory. The company will perform several plays in the same season.

“Every night you’re doing a different character in a different play, but it’s also good for the audience,” Harris said.

“They like to see all three plays in close proximity of each Anne Kearns (right) and Christina Panfilio at a rehearsal for The Glass other and see the actors change.”

Menagerie, one of the rotating plays in Summerfest at Krannert Center continued on Page 7 The cast of Summerfest is made up of four University of for Performing Arts.

Illinois theater students: Panfilio, Brent Barnes, Jason Maddy and Sari Sanchez.

There are also four guest actors—Joi Hoffsommer, Anne Shapland Kearns, Steven Keen and Timothy Klein. Guest directors include Peter Reynolds directing Parfumerie, William Martin directing Guilty Conscience and Matthew Reeder directing The Glass Menagerie. The company is comprised of students, local talent and guests from Chicago, New York and Philadelphia.

“It’s nice to have new people because it gives you a fresh approach,” Panfilio said.

“We also have some actors coming from Chicago and other places so it’s good to get new insights.”

Harris said the summer program is beneficial to theater students in the company in that they are able to form connections with others who are more experienced.

“One of the important things to me is to make the experience different for the students who do stay during the summer for Summerfest,” he said. “I didn’t think it would be to their advantage to work with the same directors and designers and other actors that they worked with during the year. It would be an opportunity to expose them to other talents.”

The company will perform the program in the Studio Theater, a more intimate setting in the Krannert Center. With a smaller stage, the company usually plays to a full house for their performances.

“Our audience that we’ve cultivated in the last 14 to 15 years really like the intimacy of the studio and really like that they have the physical proximity to the Director Matthew Reeder talks to Cristina Panfilio during a rehearsal. The Glass Menagerie is one of four plays featured for Summerfest at Krannert Center for actors,” Harris said. Occasionally, peoPerforming Arts.

moviereview

SUPER SIZE ME ★★★★

BY MATT PAIS | LEAD REVIEWER

F

PHOTOS | RODERICK GEDEY

BY SUSIE AN | STAFF WRITER

19

buzz JUNE 17 - 23, 2004 | THE HAMBURGLER WAS SIMPLY CRYING OUT FOR HELP.

asten your belt loops and hold onto your love handles: Super Size Me is one of the best movies so far this year.

The concept behind this funny, fearless documentary is simple. When two teenage girls sued McDonald’s for allegedly making them fat, the fast food powerhouse said that if they consistently ate McDonald’s and then showed evidence of significant health problems, then maybe they would have a case that the company’s food was reasonably dangerous.

So Morgan Spurlock decided to eat every meal at Mickey D’s for an entire month, setting the following rules: He could only eat food offered over the counter at McDonald’s, he had to try everything on the menu at least once, and he would only “super size” his Extra Value Meal if the cashier asked him to. He also consulted three doctors before beginning the program, none of whom were as wary as his Vegan chef girlfriend, Alex.

It should come as no surprise that the McDiet,

moviereview

THE STEPFORD WIVES ★★★

BY JOHN LOOS | STAFF WRITER

W

ith the mountains of bad press that preceded the release of The Stepford Wives, including reports of feuds on the set, cast changes and months of reshooting, it seemed as though Frank Oz’s remake of the 1975 thriller was headed for a Gigli-sized failure. Despite the negative advanced buzz, however, the film is surprisingly watchable. Yes, it’s discardable, fluffy and unfocused, too, but it most certainly isn’t awful.

It simply lacks an edge of any kind, making it like a jiggly Jell-O mold of a movie instead of a jumbled Gigli disaster.

The movie follows recently axed network executive Joanna Eberheart (Nicole Kidman) and her husband (Matthew Broderick) as they start a new life in the sunny Connecticut suburb of Stepford. Although the trailer gives much away about the secret of this creepily perfect town and its beautiful wives, it is still intriguing and humorous to watch the locals, especially the

as Spurlock calls it, had severe effects on his entire body, but the brilliance of Super Size Me comes from the unapologetic, carefully organized way Spurlock suggests that America has willingly caused its own problems. He links extra-large portions, aggressive advertising to children, the all-mighty dollar, and several other contributing factors to a rampaging culture of irresponsible overconsumption. No matter what your pants size, it’s impossible not to marvel at the handfuls of interviewees who tell Spurlock just how often they indulge in fast food.

Average, everyday Americans confess to eating McDonald’s three, four, even five times a week, while others admit to drinking up to a liter of Coke each day. It’s no wonder that it doesn’t take long for Spurlock to develop “McGas.” In the first week alone, he gains eight pounds, consuming an average of 5,000 calories per day (a nutritionist tells him his recommended intake is 2,500).

And the numbers don’t end there: Super Size Me informs us that 25 percent of Americans eat fast food each day, and every day McDonald’s feeds more people worldwide than the population of Spain. More than 60 percent of Americans don’t exercise, and while $2 million is spent each year advertising fruits and vegetables, McDonald’s spends $1.2 billion annually marketing its products worldwide. Maybe that’s why a group of first graders can barely identify George Washington or Jesus—one thinks the latter is George W. Bush—but all of them know Ronald McDonald by name.

There’s a hilarious sequence in which, after a

film

doctor explains that people become hooked on unhealthy food because of its addictive, drug-like hold on them, Spurlock sets a montage of McDonald’s mascot to Curtis Mayfield’s “Pusherman.” It’s a spectacularly funny combination of pop culture icons, with Spurlock creating his own super-sized Superfly, but can we really take this type of nutritional extremism seriously?

You bet we can. Spurlock acknowledges the extreme nature of SUPER SIZE ME | MORGAN SPURLOCK his experiment, attempting to preSo maybe eating right can keep kids off the vent skeptics from writing off the results of his McTest as common sense. But the fact that he streets, but the idea behind Super Size Me is that gained weight and raised his cholesterol and eating right can keep humans out of the grave. experienced stomach problems and even suf- Our love for fast food has caused obesity to fered sexual side effects and liver failure, become second only to cigarette smoking on the Spurlock says, isn’t the crux of his study. It’s that list of preventable causes of death. The problem millions of people eat the same unhealthy food continues to thrive even in today’s carb-conon a regular basis—even if they space it out over scious culture, which Spurlock proves can be longer periods of time—without knowing or some pretty heavy baloney, revealing that McDonald’s ranch chicken salad offers more caring about its effects.

Nutritionists say the amount of McDonald’s calories than a Big Mac. Shortly after the film’s Sundance premiere, food Spurlock consumed in one month should have been spread out over eight years in an even McDonald’s removed its “super size” option mildly healthy diet. Across the country, public from the menu, claiming it had nothing to do schools are serving burgers, fries and Little with the movie. Spurlock’s movie is at times difDebbies when it turns out health food is no ficult to watch—frankly, it wants to gross us out more expensive. In fact, a school for delinquent with the hard, greasy truth—but it delivers on children has incorporated a mandatory bal- all the requirements of an important documenanced diet plan to fight truancy, and faculty tary. It’s brave, challenging and relevant, and in members say the students’ behavior has drasti- calling attention to an American epidemic, Super Size Me is truly McTastic. cally improved.

town’s matriarch and patriarch, Claire and Mike Wellington (Glenn Close and Christopher Walken), behave in such a nauseatingly Leave it to Beaver manner.

In one funny scene, the wives of Stepford hold a book club meeting only to discuss a Christmas decoration catalog and to share creative ways to decorate with pine cones.

Joanna, a headstrong, icy woman, is determined to uncover Stepford’s highgloss secret, so she befriends two fel- THE STEPFORD WIVES | NICOLE KIDMAN low newbies to the neighborhood, feisty Bobbi Markowitz (Bette Midler) and flam- unexpected yet unremarkable finish. One can boyant Roger Bannister (Roger Bart). Bart, who almost pinpoint where the actors’ fatigue sets in plays the more feminine half of a gay couple— and it’s pretty obvious what scenes were tedious one welcome modern spin Oz infuses—ener- reshoots for them. While Close and Walken gizes every one of his scenes and Midler, back manage to stay engaging and effective throughafter a long big-screen hiatus, relentlessly goes out, and Faith Hill shows promise in her small after every one-liner, and gets most of them. (but oh so perfect) role, Midler, Kidman and Together, they try to figure out why all of the Broderick seem to slowly lose interest as the film wives look like Faith Hill and act like Donna strays from its initial comedic intentions and Reed, something that is pretty obvious from the into muddier waters.

Because of the resounding tepidity of Oz’s beginning and almost besides the point even as the film weakly shifts tones to science-fiction remake, the film never takes any major risks. It stays safely inbounds, gliding softly through the thriller.

The film should strictly be a comedy. As soon screenplay like a Stepford wife through her as it tries to be dark and disturbing, or a social kitchen. In the end, it’s harmless. If Oz had commentary (something partially lost in today’s picked one tone with which to attack the film “working woman” world), it quickly deflates. and stuck with it, the end product might have And, it seems as though a satirical comedy was been more seamless and alluring, like a true envisioned at the beginning of filming as the Stepford wife, and less erratic and inconsequenopening scenes have an energy and affability tial, like Hill’s frequently malfunctioning Sarah that is slowly lost as the film moves towards its Sunderson.

C-UViews Compiled by Sarah Krohn

The Stepford Wives ★★★ Lindsey Robinson Urbana, Ill.

“Pretty funny. Glenn Close was ironically hilarious.”

★★★ Laura Vernncik Philo, Ill.

“I’m a big fan of Nicole Kidman, however the film did not move me.”

★★★ Jamie Rollins Champaign, Ill.

“There were funny parts but the ending was a little wierd.”

ROADSIDE ATTRACTIONS

6/16/04

PARAMOUNT PICTURES

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I GUESS WE COULD SELL THE OLD HUNGRY HUNGRY HIPPOS GAME, IF I MUST | JUNE 17 - 23, 2004

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Tenant Union JOHN STREET APARTMENTS 58 E. John August 2004. Two and three bedrooms, fully furnished. Dishwashers, center courtyard, on-site laundry, central air, ethernet available.

Call Chad at 344-9157 352-3182 University Group www.ugroup96.com

Resident Manager Large lower-level 1 BR apt. at the corner of 1st and Green. Reduced rent and minimal duties. Avail. Aug. Call Larson Co., 398-6677.

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Check landlord complaint records

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Efficiency apt. for rent available now til August. $325/mo. furnished near 1st & Healey. Call 356-1407.

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607 W. Springfield, C. $445-460 includes heat, water & trash laundry, parking Weiner Companies, Ltd. 384-8018 www.weinercompanies.com

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• Excellent campus location near Lincoln & Green • Ethernet • Parking • Laundry • Balcony • Kitchen/bar combination From $640

The Larson Company

Large apts in quiet Urbana location one block South of Green and one block East of Lincoln. Off street parking. 2 bedrooms start at $560/mo. Available August 2004.

Shown 7 days a week.

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Showing for Aug 2004. Quiet neighborhood. One block west of First Street and close to campus. Huge one bedroom apts, very bright. Window A/C, Carpet, Gas heat. Parking $20/mo. Rents start at $350/mo.

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Efficiencies at 503 E. Clark, C. $330-360 parking and laundry available.

Weiner Co. Ltd. 384-8018 www.weinercompanies.com

Spacious furnished apartments 702-704 W. Elm

Best Off-Campus Selection in town!

Exceptional Values on Sparkling Clean Apartments in Superior Locations. Prices & features for every budget. Don’t settle for just any apartment, when you can have an exceptional Royse & Brinkmeyer home! Don’t wait—now is the time to LOOK & CHOOSE!

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Renting Aug 2004. Very large 1 bedroom apts. Carpet, window A/C, parking avail at $30/mo. Rents start at $385/mo. Shown Daily 7 days a week.

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205 EAST HEALEY, C Renting Aug 2004. Very large 1 bedroom apartments. Carpet, window A/C, parking available at $30/mo.

Rents start at $385/mo. Shown daily 7 days a week.

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www.roysebrinkmeyer.com 205 E. Stoughton, Champaign 3 bedrooms for the price of 2! Nice 3 bedroom apt. Five blocks from the quad. Large living room, Central air/heat. $595/mo. www.theelectrumgroup.com (217)649-0761

for Fall’’0 4

From $825106 E Gregory, Urbana 4 B Apts.

- Fully Furnished - Microwave - Central A/C - Washer & Dryer in each unit - Dishwasher FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CALL 352-8092 • 778-9790

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Has laundry, A/C, $435-$465 Weiner Co. 384-8018

GREAT LOCATIONS! LOW PRICES! 1, 2, 3, & 4 BEDROOMS

Quiet 1 BR. Close to campus, 704 W. Nevada, U. Most utilities, parking. Laundry, hardwood floors. From $445. Avail. 8/15. No pets. 3445679, kramerapartments.com Large one bedroom. Available ASAP. Water, gas paid. $420/month through 8/2005. 201 S Elm, C. 3900475.

FAIRLAWN VILLAGE FAIRLAWN & VINE Aug 2004. Live in a peaceful, relaxed, neighborhood setting. Fairlawn Village is a one story apartment community, spread out on twelve acres, close to U of I, shopping and walking distance to schools. Spacious apartments with washer dryer hook up, a/c and garages available. One bedrooms from $470/mo. Two bedrooms from $485 to $570/mo. Call for an appointment.

BARR REAL ESTATE, INC 344-5043 www.barr-re.com SOUTH WEST CHAMPAIGN 1418 Lincolnshire.Newly decorated large 4 bedroom. 2 full baths. Fireplace. Kit. Dining/Living Room. Private patio. Water/Parking included.

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Available now-mid August. Efficiency apartment Fourth & John. All utilities + parking included! $425. 847347-0560.

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HOUSES

3 bedroom houses for rent. Starting at $750. 337-4889 or 621-3971.

602 W. Michigan, U Avail 2004. 3 bedroom house with sunroom, washer & dryer, forced air heat. Rent $1,300/mo. Shown 7 days a week.

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★★★

art1 t

Or do you know one that’s

WORTHY of an artist corner?

David Sedaris

BY KATIE RICHARDSON | ARTS EDITOR

CONTACT KATIE RICHARDSON arts@readbuzz.com

I

f you’ve read any of David Sedaris’s previous books, you should have some idea of what to expect if perchance you pick up Dress Your Family In Corduroy and Denim. As demonstrated in his previous works, this memoir displays his signature wit, complete with oddball antics. The main characters, as always, are Sedaris’s family, although Hugh, the resident French boyfriend from Me Talk Pretty One Day, does rear his head from time to time.

This formula is most certainly a successful one. Anyone who has read Naked or Me Talk Pretty One Day can appreciate the brutally honest humor that is the most central factor in any Sedaris essay. His rapier wit is arguably ingenious and, short of a good Monty Python sketch, few can whittle their linguistic knives as sharply. Nevertheless, this memoir is more telling than previous novels. It appears that Sedaris has an even wider lexicon of experiences than fans might expect. In Dress, we are invited into a 22-year-old Sedaris’s home and asked to live through the pain of being rejected by one’s own father for his sexual preference. Also, Sedaris seems to make a somewhat poetic apology for using his family’s intimate secrets as fodder for his art form.

While Sedaris has never before suggested that he does not taste the bitter along with the sweet, there is definitely a more dominant serious side to his latest release. Granted, in Naked he discussed the death of his mother and in Me Talk Pretty, we are given a detailed analysis of his drug abuse. However, in these previous writings, the descriptions were so fantastical, so over the top, that although we readers were exposed to grave subject matter, we were laughing so hard that we forgot. The most sig-

602 W. MICHIGAN, U Avail 2004. 3 bedroom house with sunroom, washer and dryer, forced air heat. Rent $1,300/mo. Shown 7 days a week.

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DOYLE PROPERTIES 398-3695.

FAMILY ROOM, 3/ 4 BEDROOM TOWNHOUSES, $850, $900, d/w, a/c, quiet, campus bus, yard.

398-1998 Furnished 4 bedroom houses on campus near Ohio and Lincoln for Fall ‘04. Call 356-1407.

Lovely 4-5 bedroom house. Fireplace, oak French doors and floors.

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356-3232

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Single rooms for women.

nificant accomplishment of Dress is the way in which Sedaris no longer seems frightened of guiding the reader into melancholic territory without a safety net.

The only complaint, though, is that it is the same territory. The great thing about the release of Me Talk Pretty right after Naked was that the former brought new subject matter into light—Sedaris’s relationship with his significant other and his travels in France. This newest book does not make the same switch.

The subject matter is old news, humorous and great old news, but old news nevertheless.

BOOK REVIEW GUIDE

★★★★ ★★★ ★★ ★ No stars

Flawless Good Mediocre Bad Unreadable

continued from Page 6

ROOMMATES

Summerfest will change its name during the season to a name that better communicates what the company is about, Harris said. Because Summerfest is a common name, the members of the company hope this will help set them apart in national visibility.

“Summerfest provides high quality entertainment. It’s an opportunity to see local talent, student talent and guest talents working all together,” Harris said. “The major reason people should come and see us is that we do very good, highly entertaining work.” buzz

M or F, 1 or 2 for new house in country. $325 includes everything.

217-840-2257. Leave message.

Roommate wanted fall-spring school year. Call Nathan 217-430-7807.

PARKING | STORAGE Special prices on 5 x 5, 5 x 10, 10 x 10 units available for Summer. Call Johnson Rentals at 351-1767.

Announcements800 LOST AND FOUND Pen found at Campus Car Pool, engraved initials. Call 333-3912.

Director Matthew Reeder and Cristinia Panfilio.

AT

June 18-August 1

Summerfest

Kitchen and laundry facilities. Nice, clean, good location on bus-line.

Now leasing Summer and Fall 2004.

Call 841-5393 or 367-4824.

7

Are you an 5 who’s cooler than this guy?

Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim

204 N Lincoln 4 bedroom close to campus. W/D, central air, fireplace. Deck with nice yard. 355-0987.

arts

JUNE 17 - 23, 2004 | "I'M TSFRAPHPD AIN N A{T%M~ VREHSTIFPOOL WRIPHD JVILHL GROOFDACPHRE!"

The Glass Menagerie

by Tennessee Williams A family drama and American classic Opens June 18 Guilty Conscience

by Richard Levinson & William Link A fiendish psychological thriller Opens June 19 Parfumerie

by Miklos Laszlo A romantic comedy of friends, life, and love Opens June 24 Studio Theatre, $7-$16 A Marvelous Party Summerfest Apprentice/Intern Benefit July 21, 23 $35, $25 with purchase of 2 or more plays The Younger Generation Apprentice/Intern Presentation July 31, 2pm, free

Department of Theatre College of Fine and Applied Arts Krannert Center Ticket Office 217/333-6280 or 800/KCPATIX KrannertCenter.com

being matters.

PHOTOS | RODERCIK GEDEY

6:32 PM

SUMMERFEST

18

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PHOTOS | RODERICK GEDEY

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arts

NEVER CONGRATULATED YOU ON GRADUATION ... SO ... GOOD JOB, VAL! | JUNE 17 - 23, 2004

ARTIST’S CORNER

BY KATIE RICHARDSON | ARTS EDITOR

H

PHOTOS COURTESY OF HEATHER COLLIER

eather was raised in the small border town of Zapata, Texas, where she was heavily influenced by the culture, love and spirit of the Mexican people. Her work has exhibited this influence. She sold her first painting at the age of 12. Her interest in art has only increased since then. This summer, her current work will be featured at Cafe Kopi, Espresso Royale, Barnes & Noble, Borders and Pages for All Ages. These works are marked by their subjectivity as well as a non-traditional and intense use of watercolor. She currently resides in Savoy, is married and a mother of one child, is a student and teaches preschool.

Artist Heather R. Reed-Collier.

What is your preferred medium and why?

I would have to say watercolor.

I’m comfortable with it, and I love how things can happen when you don’t expect them to. I also like the overall effect of luminance that occurs by letting the white of the paper show through. White paint just isn’t the same.

A gallery of distinct fine American Arts and Crafts

Hours:

Tuesday-Saturday 10am-5pm Sunday 12pm-4pm or by appointment 415 E. Main Street, Mahomet 217-590-2800

by Billy VanZandt and Jane Milmore directed by Aaron Polk

June 10-13, 16-20, 23-26

217-328-5749 or 1-800-252-1355

Tickets: $8.00 (Wed, Thurs, Sun) $10.00 (Fri and Sat) Wednesday is 2 for 1 All shows at 8:00pm Partially funded by Illinois Arts Council

308 E Anthony Drive Urbana, IL www.awning-tent.com

THIS WEEK &R *UN 3UMMERFEST 4HE 'LASS -ENAGERIE PM

3UMMERFEST 'UILTY #ONSCIENCE PM

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0LEASE NOTE START TIMES FOR ALL 3UMMERFEST PERFORMANCES THERE IS NO LATE SEATING IN +RANNERT #ENTER S 3TUDIO 4HEATRE

KRANNERT CENTER +RANNERT #ENTER SERVICES REMAIN OPEN ALL SUMMER

)NTERMEZZO

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CAMPUS APARTMENTS Furnished | Unfurnished 1, 2, & 3 BR Apts, 5 BR house, reasonable rates. Please call 398-5946 or 390-9536.

105 E CLARK, C

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One of Reed-Collier’s many watercolor paintings.

PHONE: 217/337-8337

DEADLINE:

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JUNE 17 - 23, 2004 | OPERATION SHREK ... YOU KNOW YOU WILL KEEP IT FOREVER, RIGHT? WE CAN SELL IT HERE FOR YOU LATER.

Home of Tangora Designs and Farmboy Artworks

3A *UN

When did you start painting?

My first watercolor painting was done at the age of 12. My junior high teacher asked us to choose a picture we liked from some old books, handed us each a strip of watercolors (the type you see in the school supply section of Wal-Mart), a piece of thin watercolor paper, and said, “See what you can do.� I was later encouraged to enter it into a contest, won first prize and sold it at auction for $500!

Isn’t that crazy?

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Wind Water & Light

What other artists besides painters inspire you?

It’s hard to be specific. I’m definitely attracted to visual arts, but I was also blessed to be a part of a very creative family. My Mema was an oil painter and is a beautiful person inside and out, my father can build just about anything. He built our first house, rebuilt a 4x4 pickup, and a ‘68 Camaro and a few million other things while a full-time highway patrolman. My mother was very good with written words. For a time, she was a newspaper reporter, Bible school teacher and mother of three all at once. She also did most of her work out of our home so that she could be at home with my sister, brother and I. I think these people are all artists in their own respect.

In what way has your work developed over the years?

Well, I stopped using the school grade watercolors! Seriously, I feel like I learn a little more every day and sometimes have to unlearn a little, too. Most of the paintings up at Cafe Kopi right now are my very first. I overheard a lady at the Boneyard Festival say, “Why would anyone paint cow heads?� I had to laugh; I know it’s a little different! At the time that I painted them, I was missing home, painting was therapeutic for me, and the images I painted seemed to be a way of keeping my memories of home with me.

It never entered my mind that I would be showing them someday. But back to the question. I painted cow skulls so many times that I knew them by heart. What I was able to do then was ignore the image (cow skull) for a while and play with the paint. Now, I feel like I know the paint, and I’m getting to know new images.

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Photo Sellers 30 words or less + photo: $5 per issue Garage Sales 30 words in both Thursday’s buzz and Friday’s Daily Illini!! $10. If it rains, your next date is free.

Action Ads • 20 words, run any 5 days (in buzz or The Daily Illini), $14 • 10 words, run any 5 days (in buzz or The Daily Illini), $7 • add a photo to an action ad, $10

Employment 000

Services

100

BUSINESS SERVICES HELP WANTED | Part Time APARTMENT COMPLEX MAINTENANCE $8/ hr odd jobs, 398-1998 Housekeeper for professional couple. 2x/week, 3- 4 hrs. each time.

Must be experienced, highly effective at keeping house clean, neat.

Car needed. $10/hr. 359-7487, leave message describing self.

Part-time position in administration from now until Fall. Good pay. Must have excellent organization/ computer skills. Apply at: Campus Property Management 303 E. Green cpm@cpm-apts.com fax: 328-1489

WWW.ILLINIBARGAINS.COM BRAND NAMES WWW.ILLINIMEGAMALL.COM NATIONAL RETAIL STORES

Apartments

400

CAMPUS APARTMENTS Furnished | Unfurnished 1 bedroom lofts $497 2 bedrooms $585 3 bedrooms $750 4 bedrooms $1000 Campus, parking.

Fall 04, 367-6626

Available Aug 2004. Attractive modern loft apts. Dishwasher, disposal, window A/C, ceiling fans, patio/balconies, carpet laundry, parking, 2nd floor skylights. Rents from $435/mo. $50/month to furnish. Apts. shown 7 days a week.

BARR REAL ESTATE, INC. 356-1873 www.barr-re.com

609 W. MAIN, U Renting Aug 2004. Quiet building in nice Urbana neighborhood. 2 bedroom apts furnished $525/mo. Parking optional, central A/C, Carpet, laundry facilities. Gas heat. Daily Showings 7 days a week.

BARR REAL ESTATE, INC. 356-1873 www.barr-re.com

706 S. WALNUT, U Renting for August 2004. Quiet neighborhood. 1 bedroom apts. from $475/mo. Gas heat, central a/c, laundry facilities. Parking included.

To furnish $50/mo. Shown 7 days a week.

BARR REAL ESTATE, INC 356-1873 www.barr-re.com

706 S. Walnut, U Renting for August 2004. Quiet neighborhood. 1 bedroom apts from $465/mo. Gas heat, central A/C, laundry facilities. Parking included.

To furnish $50/mo. Shown 7 days a week.

BARR REAL ESTATE, INC 356-1873 www.barr-re.com

808 S LINCOLN, U Renting Aug 2004. Classic older building with Unfurnished 1 BR + sun room, 1 BR + den. Furnished 2 BR apts across from Jimmy John’s on Lincoln Ave. Near Krannert, Law School, Music, etc. Features hardwood floors in upper units, laundry on site. Parking $45/mo. Shown 7 days a week.

1 BR + Sun Roomfrom $575/mo (UF) 1 BR + Denfrom $575/mo (UF) 2 BRfrom $495/mo (F) BARR REAL ESTATE, INC. 356-1873 www.barr-re.com

Available Now. 2 bedroom on campus. $550 per month. 367-6626.

APARTMENTS FOR RENT 1,2 & 3 BR Boutique vintage hip!

URBANA 209 Coler. Hardwood floors and stained glass windows. $345-615 308 W. Green. Split level floor plan.

Pet friendly! $545-685 704 W. Stoughton.

Hardwood floors, tree-lined cobblestone.

402 S. Race. Near Lincoln Square Mall. Charming studio, hardwood floors, unique woodwork. Free parking, steam heat. $465.

1105/ 1107 W. Oregon. 100 yards to the QUAD. $535-615.

1108 Nevada. Vintage - hardwood floors next to Music Landscape Architecture. 100 yards to QUAD. $555 CHAMPAIGN 310 Chalmers. 200 yards to the QUAD. $555-775.

407 E. Stoughton. Two blocks to Green St. $340-595.

605 S. Fourth. 300 yards to the UNION - Altgeld! $430-455 1012 & 1010 S. First. Two blocks to IMPE. On the busline. $300-465.

Ramshaw Real Estate (217) 359-6400 www.ramshaw.com

CAMPUS APARTMENTS Furnished | Unfurnished

CAMPUS APARTMENTS Furnished

Available for Fall

1005 S. SECOND, C Efficiencies. Fall 2004. Secured building. Private parking. Laundry on site, ethernet available. Phone 352-3182. Office at 309 S. First, Ch. THE UNIVERSITY GROUP www.ugroup96.com

407 E. University. Luxury one bedrooms, fully equipped- microwave, washer/dryer in-unit. Security building with elevator. Balconies, underground parking.

Hardwick Apartments 356-5272 COUNTRY FAIR APARTMENTS 1 & 2 bedroom, furnished or unfurnished, FREE gas heat, water, trash removal, basic satellite TV & FREE parking! Pool, tennis court, inside laundry. On 4 MTD bus routes.

Small pet O.K. Ask about our student leases. M-F 9-5:30, Sat. 9-12 Call 359-3713 or just stop by our office in the red barn, at 2106 W. White, C. www.myapartmenthome.com

Courtyard Apartments 713 S. Randolph, Champaign Renting for Fall/2 & 3 Bedrooms.

Furnished & Unfurnished From $608/mo.

Includes cable, parking, water.

Has laundry facility and seasonal pool. Near campus and downtown Champaign.

352-8540, 355-4608 pm. www.faronproperties.com

Executive Lofts Available for Fall.

201 S. Wright St. Champaign Adjacent to Engineering campus.

Loft bedroom, security parking. Balcony, A/C, laundry.

Hardwick Apartments 356-5272

â˜ş Prime campus, brand new 502 S. 5th 1 BR. REAL NICE, A MUST SEE. Laundry facilities and park. $575.

UNIQUE Avaiable for fall. 1 bedroom loft apartment. Fully equipped. Balcony, parking. 409 W. Green. Call Hardwick Apartments, 356-5272

CAMPUS APARTMENTS Furnished

JTS PROPERTIES 111 E. HEALY, C. Now Leasing for August 2004.

Extra large 1 bedroom and efficiencies Price ranging from $375-$510.

Off-street parking, security building and 5 floor plans to choose from.

JTS Properties 328-4284.

*CAMPUS* 2BR APARTMENTS Nice, safe, quiet neighborhood near Lincoln & Green, furnished, A/C, Ethernet, balcony, laundry, parking, etc. Shown Monday- Saturday. $640/mo. 398-6677.

1005 S. SIXTH, C. Aug, 2004. A+ location! Next to UI Library. Great older building. 1 bedrooms from $525/mo. Laudry facilities, Window A/C, Carpet. Shown 7 days a week.

BARR REAL ESTATE, INC. 356-1873 www.barr-re.com

1006 W. STOUGHTON, U Very close to Engineering campus.

Avail for Aug 2004. Masonry construction.

2 bedrooms from $620/mo. Window A/C, Carpet.

Parking $25/mo. Shown 7 days a week.

BARR REAL ESTATE, INC. 356-1873 www.barr-re.com

101 N. BUSEY & 102 N. LINCOLN, U August 2004. Excellent location near Green & Lincoln. 2 bedroom apts from $500/mo. Window A/C, Laundry. Parking available $30/mo.

Apartments shown 7 days a week.

BARR REAL ESTATE, INC. 356-1873 www.barr-re.com

102 N. GREGORY, U August 2004. Close to Illini Union. 2 bedrooms at $500/mo. Carpet, Gas Heat, Laundry. Parking available at $30/mo. 7 days a week showings.

BARR REAL ESTATE, INC. 356-1873 www.barr-re.com

104 E. ARMORY Location!!

4 bedroom, 2 bath www.ugroup96.com 352-3182

105 E. GREEN, C Studio apts available Aug 2004. Carpet, electric heat, wall A/C units, off street parking available, laundry on site. Rents from $320/mo. Shown 7 days a week.

BARR REAL ESTATE, INC. 356-1873 www.barr-re.com 105 E. John 1 bedroom furnished, great location.

Includes parking. www.ugroup96.com 352-3182

201 N. LINCOLN, U 2 bedroom apts close to campus with parking, ceiling fans in some units, laundry, carpet/tile floors.

Shown 7 days a week. Rents from $500/mo.

BARR REAL ESTATE, INC. 356-1873 www.barr-re.com

311 E. WHITE, C Available for Aug. 2004. Large furnished efficiencies close to Beckman Center. Rent starts at $325/mo.

Parking avail. at $30/mo. Window A/C, carpet. Shown 7 days a week.

BARR REAL ESTATE, INC. 356-1873 www.barr-re.com 509 E. White, C. Aug. 2004. Large 1 bedrooms. Security entry, balconies, patios, furnished. Laundry, off-street parking, ethernet available. Phone 352-3182.

Office at 309 S. First, Ch. THE UNIVERSITY GROUP www.ugroup96.com 615 W. KIRBY New, 4 bedrm elegant townhouse, w/d, a/c, $1600. 398-1998

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CAMPUS APARTMENTS Furnished

1107 S EUCLID, C Aug 2004 rental. First rate location near Armory, IMPE and Snack Bar. 1 bedroom apts. Window A/C, gas heat, laundry. Parking $35/mo.

Shown 7 days a week.

BARR REAL ESTATE, INC. 356-1873 www.barr-re.com 604 E. White, C. Security Entrance For Fall 2004, Large 1 & 2 bedroom furnished, balconies, patios, laundry, off-street parking, ethernet available.

Phone 352-3182. Office at 309 S. First, C. THE UNIVERSITY GROUP www.ugroup96.com

702 W. WESTERN, U Aug 2004. 1 bedrooms with window A/C, carpet /tile floors, boiler heat, laundry on site. Parking available.

Rent starts at $495/mo. Shown 7 days a week.

BARR REAL ESTATE, INC. 356-1873 www.barr-re.com

702 W. WESTERN, U. Aug 2004. 1 bedrooms with window a/c, carpet/tile floors, boiler heat, laundry on site. Parking avail. Rents from $495/mo. Shown 7 days a week.

BARR REAL ESTATE, INC. 356-1873 www.barr-re.com

705 W. STOUGHTON, U Aug 2004 rental. 3 bedroom apts.

Near Lincoln Ave. and Engineering Campus.

Fenced-in yard.

Balconies/Patios. Microwaves, Carpet, Central A/C, Disposal, Dishwasher, Parking $25/mo. Rents start at $615/mo. Shown daily 7 days a week.

BARR REAL ESTATE, INC. 356-1873 www.barr-re.com

706 S. FIRST, C Excellent Value for Aug. 2004. Half block south of Green on First Street.

Large apts in security building. 2 bedrooms from $480/mo. Window A/C, Carpet, Hot water heat. Parking at $30/mo. Shown 7 days a week.

BARR REAL ESTATE, INC. 356-1873 www.barr-re.com 707 W. Elm, U. August. Excellent campus location.

Well maintained 2 and 3 BR apartments economically priced. Details at robsapartments.com. Call 8405134.

802 W. GREEN, U Aug. 2004 rental. One block from Lincoln Ave. Great architecture and design-not a box apt. Large units with Central A/C, Carpet, Patios/ Balconies, laundry. Off-street parking at $45/mo. 2 bedrooms from $595/mo. Showing 7 days a week.

BARR REAL ESTATE, INC. 356-1873 www.barr-re.com

805 S LINCOLN, U Aug 2004. Great location. Attractive apts. Carpet, Ceiling fans, A/C. Efficiencies from $500/mo. 7 days a week showing.

BARR REAL ESTATE, INC. 356-1873 www.barr-re.com AWESOME 2 BEDRM/ LOFT TOWNHOUSE, engr campus, a/c, d/w, $900, 398-1998 www.lincolnshireprop.com

FIRST AND GREEN Huge lower level 1 bedroom apt. available for Aug. Call Larson Company 398-6677.

ENGINEERING CAMPUS Large Studio APTS Fall 2004 307-310 E. White Secured Bldg., ethernet available UGroup96.com 352-3182

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6/16/04

6:37 PM

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calendar

WANT TO GET YOUR EVENT LISTED ON OUR CALENDAR? Send your listings to calendar@readbuzz.com | JUNE 17 - 23, 2004

Christie Clinic Diabetes Lectures – Each lecture will be held from 4-5pm in the Education Room at Christie Clinic. Free. Thur:“Diabetes and the Foot”

by William L. Pierce, D.P.M. June 24:“Self-Care and Glucose Monitoring” by Nurse Educator Sylvia Taylor. July 1:“Complications and New Findings” by John Stokes, M.D. Info: Chrsitie Clinic at 366-1200.

Sinai Temple Raffle – Get tickets weekends at SE corner of N. Prospect and Market View and at Bill Smith Auto Parts in Urbana, Danville, and Bloomington; Fagen Auto Parts in Danville; Fagen

Truck Accessories in Champaign; and Champaign Garber’s Cleaners. harleyatsinai.tripod.com.

Book Signing at Borders – Local author Ray Elliott, “Wild Hands Toward the Sky.” Sat, 2-4pm.

WORKSHOPS & CLASSES

Champaign County Young Republicans, Legislative Breakfast Series – Guest Speaker: John Foreman, Editor and General Manager of the News-Gazette ("Politics and the Media"). $10 includes admission and breakfast. Hawthorn Suites, C. Wed, 7-8am. 377-3318 or www.ChampaignYR.org.

Paxton Majestic Theater Workshop – Participants will perform skits, play games and learn about stage design and theater production. For firstninth graders. Register by July 5. Cost: $75. July 26Aug 6. M-F, 9am-12pm.

BOB ’N DAVE

Vacation Bible School – Medieval theme.

Pilgrimage: Seeking the Kingdom of God. July 6-9, 8:45-11:30am. Grades K-5, Urbana First

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Presbyterian Church. 367-8357.

Loose Womyn Discussion Group – (discussion topics are loose, the women need not be). The group will discuss the book Make Your Creative Dreams Real : A Plan for Procrastinators, Perfectionists, Busy People, and People Who Would Really Rather Sleep All Day by SARK. Borders. Thur, 7pm. 351-9011.

Border Crossers Discussion Group – (exploring the works of international authors). The group will discuss the book The Silent Duchess by Italian author Dacia Maraini. Borders. June 24, 7pm. 351-9011.

P IMP YOUR RIDE!

We’ll even put you and your junked up ride in the Champaign Fourth of July Parade to show off just how badly your ride needs pimping.

I shoot myself with Rock ’n’ Roll

Indie rock icons Guided by Voices call it quits after this year’s tour zooming by in two minute comets on albums that were stuffed with up to twenty four songs.

The sonic equivalent of playing air guitar in your bedroom while Tommy blares in the background, the band inspired unswerving devotion in a generation of true believers.

In 1996, Pollard switched the band’s line-up preferring to rock out with accomplished Ohio garage rock band Cobra Verde. “We’d known Pollard from a Scat Records Tour, the Insects of Rock tour in 1994,” relates Gillard, “Bob (Pollard) liked a band that I was in before called Death of Samantha and he asked us to record an album with him in 1996…I was always a fan of the band, I’d seen them live.”

The bands live shows are somewhat legendary, Pollard pirhouetting and rock star posing while he and the band often go through a case of beer on stage. Gillard recalls, “We’ve had shows where we had to stop because the band was too drunk to go on. People were falling into the drums…It’s always fun, but unfortunately the nature of the fun makes it a little hard to remember sometimes.”

Although much is made of the band’s earlier period, the truth is Guided By Voices have simply never stopped putting out uniformly excellent rock albums. “We’ve been putting out great albums for some time now,” Gillard said. The band realized their arena rock dreams with a stint on major label TVT, crispy, crunchy production and wall to wall hooks on Isolation Drills and Do The Collapse. “I don’t have a favorite album, it’s like taking one of our fans and asking which is his favorite song,” Gillard said.

I

Send or drop off submissions to: WPGU-FM c/o Planet Pimp My Ride 24 East Green Street Suite 107 Champaign, IL 61820 OR submit online at www.1071theplanet.com

Write a short essay of why your ride needs to be pimped, And submit 3 pictures: An interior, an exterior, and an engine shot

by June 21st to WPGU. Planet Pimp My Ride is brought to you by Blue Star Collision Center, Alliance Automotive, Premier Sound and Audio And the only alternative, 107.1 The Planet!

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music

JUNE 17 - 23, 2004 | WHY MUST YOU LEAVE US GUIDED BY VOICES?

BY LOGAN MOORE | STAFF WRITER

BY DAVID KING

Is your ride in serious need of some help? Let the Planet

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magine, 1987, John Bon Jovi wrapping up the anthemic, denoument of “Living On a Prayer,” hot pink stretch pants drenched in sweat, his practiced “good guy” grin stretching from ear to ear, neon-braceleted arms open. He stands before a teeming mass of permed, Peroxide blonde, acid-washed mall dwellers.

As this tableau plays itself out in stadiums across the USA, elementary school teacher, Robert Pollard is seated in his basement in Dayton, Ohio with a few drinking buddies.

The four track is running as Pollard sloppily, thrashes at his guitar and croons the lyrics to “Hank’s Little Fingers.” In a few months the song will be included on the debut of Pollard’s band Guided By Voices, released on the tiny local Ohio label Get Happy!. In a few years Guided By Voices will be touring on the Lollapalooza festival and have received rave reviews from every major publication from Rolling Stone to Entertainment Weekly. Robert Pollard will be one of the most respected, prolific, and beloved heroes of indie rock and Bon Jovi will still suck.

“I always think it has more of an influence than people let on,” says band member Doug Gillard, “We always have bands giving us CD’s that sound like any period of Guided By Voices. I can hear the influence when I turn on the radio and in new bands coming up. There are a few that acknowledge it.” Through a slew of albums, from the lo-fi classics of Bee Thousand and Alien Lanes to latter-day powerpop stunners like Do The Collapse, a number of line-up changes, and an infamous propensity for raucous, beer-fuelled live shows Guided By Voices have been an indie-rock institution.

At the center of it all, lies the endlessly creative, eccentric Pollard and his songs, brilliant distilliations of punk-rock energy, sixties melodicism, and peculiar lyrics crafted into idiosyncratic bursts of pure pop genius. “He’s one of the quickest and smartest guys I’ve ever met. One of the most prolific artists. He’s a good man,” says Gillard. Guided By Voices made it entirely plausible that a thirty-something, Midwestern, school teacher could write the best rock songs in the world, and hundreds of them to boot.

Starting off as a hobby/band/excuse to drink in the 80’s, the band hit the big time so to speak with the buzz surrounding their 1992 release Propeller. What followed was a tidal wave of acclaim, rightfully predicated on their 1994 release Bee Thousand and a successful run of albums for the Matador label. This period of Guided By Voices is characterized by low fidelity gems, short bursts of anthemic hooks,

Recently, the band re-signed with Matador composing a pair of albums hearkening back to their earlier idiosyncrasies, culminating in Earthquake Glue, the band’s last album and one of their best ever. Gillard comments, “We got back with them because they asked the band back. Matador’s always known how to promote the band and package the band, they let Bob do his collages on the covers. It was an easy decision.”

All the while Pollard has continued to release dozens of EP’s and full-lengths both solo and under pseudonyms on his Fading Captain and Rockathon labels as well as releasing entire box sets of unreleased material. With such an overwhelming amount of Pollard/GBV material inundating independent record stores for over a decade, it seems unimaginable that the band could ever call it quits. But after their current tour and the release of their final album in August, Guided

By Voices will be doing just that. “We all feel good about it,” remarks Gillard,” Bob wants to continue to challenge himself, putting out solo albums…It’s been going on a long time. I think it’s run it’s course. The album seems like a good one to go out on. We didn’t know it was the last album when we recorded it. Bob made the decision a few months later.”

Of their fifteenth and final studio release Gillard relates,”The songs in general are simpler and catchy a little more anthemic, but not heavy, not very fancy which is a big compliment. It’s my favorite of the last few years.”

In a way, Guided By Voices have represent-

ed all the innocence, heart, and possibilities of indie rock since their inception. They proved that rock ’n’ roll anthems, the ones to be played at loud volumes in speeding cars, the ones to be sung along to with beer in hand, the ones to be learned chord for chord by seventeen yearolds in their parents’ garages, are not solely the domain of “rock stars.” They belong to anybody with a guitar, a four track machine, a few good friends and an unwavering faith in the power of rock ’n’ roll. As Pollard himself put it in a line from “I am a Scientist”, “I am a lost soul/ I shoot myself with rock and roll/ The whole I dig is bottomless/ But nothing else can set me free.” buzz

Check out the final Guided by Voices tour this Thursday at the Highdive. The show starts at 9 p.m. with Waxwings opening. Tickets are $15.

TopFive

Essential Guided by Voices albums In chronological order

1. Bee Thousand This one lit the fire and is still one of simply one of the best albums of the nineties. Try not to jump up and down to “Echos Myron”.

2. Alien Lanes GBV’s twenty eight track opus recorded for what the band claims was ten dollars. The bassline to “As We Go Up, We Down” should be in every song ever.

3. Under the Bushes Under the Stars The boys brought it with the power pop on this one and crunched all over this underrated classic.“Man Called Aerodynamics” wins hands down as best GBV opening track

4.Isolation Drills

PHOTO COURTESY OF GUIDED BY VOICES WEBSITE

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The best of thier two TVT releases. Learn to play “Chasing Heather Crazy” for the girl you love and watch as she swoons.

5. Earthquake Glue

Guided by Voices will release their final album this August following their summer tour.

Still putting out albums this great, GBV are definitely ending on a winning streak. On a rainy day “The Best of Jill Hives” just might remind you of the girl who got away. Aaaah, abstract love songs.

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music

DID YOU PAY $5 FOR THOSE BATTERIES? | JUNE 17 - 23, 2004

FREE EARLY SHOW Thursday, June 17 7:30 - 9:30 pm Beer Garden

Valina

www.trost.at/valina (from Austria) with

Little Black Spiders Sponsored by David Domal Brady-Miller/GMAC Real Estate daviddomal@bradymiller.net

Don’t forget about Daddy-o (father’s day is sunday)

RASPUTINA Frustration Plantation Instinct Records

★★★★

BY SUSIE AN

With its members claiming to be from the 19th century, Rasputina is certainly not the average band. Dressed in Victorian garb such as corsets and top hats, the trio’s instrument of choice is not the guitar or piano but the cello.

While keeping the same Goth vibe, Rasputina branches out in a slightly different direction with Frustration Plantation. By comparing this album to earlier ones, you’ll find that Rasputina is not just for Goth girls anymore. Rasputina used to be an all-female cello trio, but then dropped one member and gained a drummer—a male drummer. The newfound rhythm section gives Rasputina a boost of edginess and rock. Also in this album is the use of electric guitars which were not so common in Rasputina’s earlier days.

Lead singer Melora Creager has matured in her vocals. In earlier albums, her voice was gentle, but had this annoying flutter that some would argue was a vibrato. In Frustration Plantation, the flutter is gone and her voice is stronger and more confident. In songs like “Girls’ School,” Creager’s voice floats gently like a siren’s voice traveling over the ocean. Other songs like “Oh Injury” sound much like Siouxsie Sioux of Siouxsie and the Banshees. You might even find yourself rocking out to a song like “If Your Kisses Won’t Hold the Man You Love” with Creager’s uninhibited sound.

Granted, some of these songs are really weird, like the narrative of how a country girl was captured by savages.

You probably won’t hate it.You’ll either wonder in confusion,“What the hell is going on?” or you’ll love it. It’s all a matter of whether you’re into that sort of thing, and not everyone is.

Rasputina is definitely an eccentric group, and Frustration Plantation does well in expressing that eccentricity. It’s weird. It’s seductive. It’s gritty. It’s pretty. It rocks.

Rasputina does what they do well.

PHANTOM PLANET Phantom Planet Epic

★★★

BY BRIAN KLEIN

Phantom Planet’s latest album is eponymous, so I thought I’d help the band out and suggest a name for it. Identity Crisis sounds pretty appropriate to me, or maybe even Phantom Planet Is Missing, but I guess that was already taken with the band’s debut album. With this album, Phantom Planet changes their California pop/rock sound into something that compares more favorably with New York bands The Strokes and Interpol. It’s not necessarily a bad thing—I can think of a few worse styles to emulate—it’s just that Phantom Planet were so good at what they did.

Despite his departure from the band after the release of The Guest (Phantom Planet’s last album), drummer Jason Schwartzman appears in the credits of this album.

I’m not sure I understand this arrangement completely, but it sounds like Schwartzman helped out during recording. Other than that, the rest of the band members return to develop Phantom Planet. New additions include drummer Jeff Conrad and producer Dave Fridmann, whose most notable work includes the sounds of The Flaming Lips in albums The Soft Bulletin and Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots, among others. Though the new sound isn’t exact-

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ly what you’d expect of Fridmann, either, he and the band produce respectable results.

To their credit, Phantom Planet produce a solid garage-band album. Gone is the emotion and vocal inflection found in “California” and “Wishing Well” and here to replace it are largely monotone lyrics accompanied with a lot more percussion and auxiliary noise. For instance, the opening of “The Happy Ending” sounds to me like a dial-up modem while the beginning of “Big Brat” is reminiscent of the seizures my printer often has.

Regardless, these might be my two favorite tracks on the album.

In addition to those, I also enjoyed “By the Bed,”which, along with “After Hours,”might be the only evidence that this once was a pop band. Actually, the band seems to regress to their previous, more natural style in the second half of the album, but the heavily garage-inspired track “The Meantime” acts as closure to the issue.

Phantom Planet’s sound has changed.

With this album, Phantom Planet tries something new: the group jumps on the garage sound bandwagon.

All things considered, it is a solid album but falls short when compared to other bands in that genre, like The Strokes in their latest Room on Fire. It seems to me Phantom Planet is sacrificing near greatness in their original style for mediocrity in garage rock. Nevertheless, Frustration Plantation offers solid tracks representing both styles. What it comes down to is that Phantom Planet is not so much a disappointment as it is unexpected. It will be interesting to see where the band goes from here.

THE MAGNETIC FIELDS i

buzz DJ

DJ Sophisto – house, funk – Barfly, 9pm, free 2ON2OUT – Cowboy Monkey, 10pm, free DJ Hoff – Mike n' Molly's, 10pm, TBA NOX: DJ ZoZo – goth, industrial, electroclash – The Highdive, 10pm, $2 DJ Lil' Big Bass – Boltini, 10:30pm, free

DANCING Latin Dance Night – salsa, cha-cha, merengue, bachata – McKinley Foundation, 9:30-11:30pm, $1

KARAOKE “G” Force Karaoke/DJ – Neil Street Pub, 8pm-12am, free

WednesdayJune23 LIVE MUSIC Decals, Shakin' Babies – The Iron Post, 10pm, $4 Doxy – Canopy Club, 10pm, $1 Hard Poor Korn – Rose Bowl Tavern, 9pm, free Kilborn Alley – blues – Tommy G’s, 9pm, free

DJ Chef Ra – reggae – Barfly, 9pm, free Salsateca!: DJ Bris Mueller – salas, mambo, bachata – Cowboy Monkey, 9pm, free DJ Boardwalk – Mike 'n Molly's, 10pm, free Fabulous! – Nargile, 10pm, $3 She-Jays: DJ J-Phlip, DJ Lil' Big Bass – The Highdive, 10pm, $2 DJ Limbs – Boltini, 10:30pm, free

Nonesuch

KARAOKE

★★★★

“Liquid Courage Karaoke” – Fat City Saloon, 8pm12am, TBA The Cheezy Trio – live rock and roll Karaoke – Snapper's in Clinton, 9pm, TBA

BY KYLE B. GORMAN

It has often been the fate of the author that the narrator telling the story is mistaken for the author him- or herself. An obvious candidate for this sort of improper attribution is the music of Stephin Merritt (his particular spelling of “Stephen” now his legal name!).

Merritt’s most superlative group, the Magnetic Fields, has returned from a five year hiatus to release i, a set of songs with titles all beginning with the ninth letter of the alphabet, pleasantly packaged in the band’s distinct typesets and designs. The first-person theme that you would expect to emerge from this non-concept is not present, and though it is a far cry from the group’s previous outing, love still lies heavy on the heart of the creator, though not as a dominating influence on the album.

Musically, the Fields find themselves in the strongest position yet. The gentle, focused sound on the opener, “I Die,”creates chamber music of the sort rarely heard in pop since the relative obscurity of Phil Spector, a noted influence.This is not to say that the arrangements are complex in the same way as was the Wall of Sound, but rather that they contain the same sort of well-planned emotional content. Banjo and cello provide a brashly simple and clear direction to the music, accompanied by percussion and the leader’s omnipresent ukulele. As for the low-fidelity electro-pop sound Merritt has often worked in, it is nearly absent from this particular release; something that is likely to work wonders for the popularity of the group, as the arrangements themselves have been as bizarre enough on previous albums as to make previous albums near unplayable for the uninitiated. Concerning the often difficult question of keyboard use, the liner notes stodgily declare “no synths”(emphasis theirs),though this is a more than a little deceptive.“I Thought You Were My Boyfriend” is an organic electro-pop song without comparison, thanks to the knob manipulation of Merritt and the stellar contributions of Claudia Gonson. Her role has been elevated to the position of “musical wizard” since the last recording. In addition to her pleasantly youthful background vocals and simple drum work, she provides excellent support on piano and percussion.

As was the custom on the Fields’ earliest recordings, Merritt provides all the lead vocal performances in his rounded baritone, and, as is to be expected, he is at his worst when he is singing slowly and in lower octaves.

The revelation that this recording provides, however, is that when Stephin sings higher and more rapidly, he is an emotive, well-controlled vocalist.

Style pieces such as “Infinity Late At Night,”which recall various parts in the musical theater canon, don’t work as well as the more pure pop songs, largely to limitations both in the orchestration and Merritt’s voice, as he performs all the songs. Frankly, though, the listener is much more likely to gravitate towards the pop tunes, as fans are better prepared by the last 40 years of music to deal with the vague song of the radio than the more specific tune of

calendar

JUNE 17 - 23, 2004 | WANT TO GET YOUR EVENT LISTED ON OUR CALENDAR? Send your listings to calendar@readbuzz.com

The Rainbow Coffeehouse 1203 W Green, Urbana, 766-9500 Red Herring/Channing-Murray Foundation 1209 W Oregon, Urbana, 344-1176 Rose Bowl Tavern 106 N Race, Urbana, 367-7031 Springer Cultural Center 301 N Randolph, Champaign, 355-1406 Spurlock Museum 600 S Gregory, Urbana, 333-2360 The Station Theatre 223 N Broadway, Urbana, 384-4000 Strawberry Fields Cafe 306 W Springfield, Urbana, 328-1655 Sweet Betsy’s 805 S Philo Rd, Urbana Ten Thousand Villages 105 N Walnut, Champaign, 352-8938 TK Wendl’s 1901 S Highcross Rd, Urbana, 255-5328 Tommy G’s 123 S Mattis Ave, Country Fair Shopping Center, 359-2177 Tonic 619 S Wright, Champaign, 356-6768 Two Main 2 Main, Champaign, 359-3148 University YMCA 1001 S Wright, Champaign, 344-0721 Verde/Verdant 17 E Taylor St, Champaign, 366-3204 Virginia Theatre 203 W Park Ave, Champaign, 356-9053 White Horse Inn 112 1/2 E Green, Champaign, 352-5945 Zorba’s 627 E Green, Champaign

Call for Entries for "Inside the Box: A Shoebox Show" – The Parkland Art Gallery invites artists to enter the show. All works must fit into a 4" x 12" x 8" shoebox. Entry fee: $25. Info: 351-2485 or www.parkland.edu/gallery.

CHICAGOSHOWS

Glass FX – Interested in learning the art of stained glass? Beginning, intermediate, and advanced classes offered. M-Thu, 10am-5:30pm; Fri, 10am5pm; Sat, 9am-4pm. 202 S 1st, C. www.glassfx.com.

359-0048.

JUNE 6/17 David Byrne @ Skyline Stage 6/17 Grant-Lee Phillips, John Doe @ Park West, all-ages 6/18 B-52'S @ Vic, all-ages 6/18 Dave Matthews Band @ Tweeter Center 6/18-19 Shins @ House of Blues 6/19 Chicago, Earth, Wind & Fire @ Tweeter Center 6/22 Rachael Yamagata @ Schubas 6/24 Peter Himmelman & Band @ Park West, 18+ 6/24 Richard Thompson @ House of Blues 6/25 Taj Mahal & The Hula Blues Band @ House of Blues, 18+ 6/25 Jonathan Richman w/Tommy Larkins @ Double Door 6/25-26 & 28-29 Prince @ Allstate Arena 6/26 Primus @ UIC Pavilion 6/25-27 Magnetic Fields @ Old Town School of Folk Music 6/26 Brother Ali @ Abbey Pub, 18+ 6/26 Mum @ Logan Square Auditorium, all-ages 6/27 Leon Russell @ Abbey Pub 6/28-29 Pedro the Lion @ Abbey Pub, 18+ 6/30 Los Lobos @ Park West, 6/30, (rescheduled from 4/30)

C-UVENUES Alto Vineyards 4210 N Duncan Rd, Champaign, 356-4784 Assembly Hall First & Florida, Champaign, 333-5000 American Legion Post 71 107 N Broadway, Urbana, 367-3121 Barfly 120 N Neil, Champaign,352-9756 Barnes and Noble 51 E Marketview, Champaign, 355-2045 Boardman’s Art Theater 126 W Church, Champaign, 351-0068 Boltini Lounge 211 N Neil, Champaign, 378-8001 Borders Books & Music 802 W Town Ctr, Champaign, 351-9011 The Brass Rail 15 E University, Champaign, 352-7512 Canopy Club (Garden Grill) 708 S Goodwin, Urbana, 367-3140 Channing-Murray Foundation 1209 W Oregon, Urbana C.O. Daniels 608 E Daniel, Champaign, 337-7411 Cosmopolitan Club 307 E John, Champaign, 367-3079 Courtyard Cafe Illini Union, 1401 W Green, Urbana, 333-4666 Cowboy Monkey 6 Taylor St, Champaign, 398-2688 Clybourne 706 S Sixth, Champaign, 383-1008 Curtis Orchard 3902 S Duncan Rd, Champaign, 359-5565 D.R. Diggers 604 S Country Fair Dr, Champaign, 356-0888 Elmer’s Club 45 3525 N Cunningham, Urbana, 344-3101 Embassy Tavern & Grill 114 S Race, Urbana, 384-9526 Esquire Lounge 106 N Walnut, Champaign, 398-5858 Fallon’s Ice House 703 N Prospect, Champaign, 398-5760 Fat City Saloon 505 S Chestnut, Champaign, 356-7100 The Great Impasta 114 W Church, Champaign, 359-7377 G.T.’s Western Bowl Francis Dr, Champaign, 359-1678 Highdive 51 Main, Champaign, 359-4444 Huber’s 1312 W Church, Champaign, 352-0606 Illinois Disciples Foundation 610 E Springfield, Champaign, 352-8721 Independent Media Center 218 W Main St, Urbana, 344-8820 The Iron Post 120 S Race, Urbana, 337-7678 Joe’s Brewery 706 S Fifth, Champaign, 384-1790 Kam’s 618 E Daniel, Champaign, 328-1605 Krannert Art Museum 500 E Peabody, Champaign, 333-1861 Krannert Center for the Performing Arts 500 S Goodwin, Urbana,Tickets: 333-6280, 800-KCPATIX La Casa Cultural Latina 1203 W Nevada, Urbana, 333-4950 Lava 1906 W Bradley, Champaign, 352-8714 Legends Bar & Grill 522 E Green, Champaign, 355-7674 Les’s Lounge 403 N Coler, Urbana, 328-4000 Lincoln Castle 209 S Broadway, Urbana, 344-7720 Lowe’s Big Barrel & Summer Club 14 N Hazel, Danville, 442-8090 Malibu Bay Lounge North Route 45, Urbana, 328-7415 Mike n’ Molly’s 105 N Market, Champaign, 355-1236 Mulligan’s 604 N Cunningham, Urbana, 367-5888 Murphy’s 604 E Green, Champaign, 352-7275 Nargile 207 W Clark St, Champaign Neil Street Pub 1505 N Neil, Champaign, 359-1601 The Office 214 W Main, Urbana, 344-7608 Parkland College 2400 W Bradley, Champaign, 351-2528 Phoenix 215 S Neil, Champaign, 355-7866 Pia’s of Rantoul Route 136 E, Rantoul, 893-8244 Pink House Routes 49 & 150, Ogden, 582-9997

ART NOTICES

ART EXHIBITS Cafe Kopi – Work from Melissa Washburn on display.

109 N Walnut, C. M-Thu 7am-11pm, Fri-Sat 7am12pm, Sun 11am-8pm. 359-4266.

Creation Art Studios Gallery – Artwork by director Jeannine Bestoso, Andy Gillis, Shoshanna Bauer, Amy Richardson and students of the studio. Art commissions and custom framing available. M-Sat, 1-5:30pm and other scheduled times. 1102 E Washington, U. creationartstudios.com. 344-6955.

Old Vic Art Gallery – Fine and original art. 11 E University, C. Mon-Thu 11am-5:30pm, Sat 11am4:30pm. 355-8338.

“Changing Rooms: The Creation of Cinematic Space in the Works of Harry Horner” – Krannert Art Museum, display thru Sept 19. 500 E Peabody, U. Tu, Thu-Sat 9am-5pm, W 9am-8pm, Sun 2-5pm.

Sugg Don: $3.

“Healing Works” – A display of art work honoring trauma survivors. On display at the Independent Media Center Middle Room Gallery. 218 W Main St, Suite 110, U. carahale@uiuc.edu.

"Eyes Hands Kids" – A curated exhibition of art by Champaign Unit 4 students grades K-5. Opens Wed thru July 25. Opening reception will be June 25, 6-8pm. Springer Cultural Center. M-F 8am-9pm, Sat 9am-5pm, Sun 12-5pm. 398-2376, www.champaignparkdistrict.com.

Art Classes by Sandra Ahten:“Drawing and Painting” & “Drawing from a Model” – “Painting”: June 17-July 15, Thur 7-9pm. Beginning to intermediate drawing and painting. Instruction available for beginners. Experienced artists welcome.

High Cross Art Studio. 367-6345. spiritofsandra.com.

Faux Finishing workshops – Boyer Drawing & Painting Studio in Lincoln Square Mall. Aug 25.

9am-5pm. Fee: $195. Info: 369-8838 or www.boyerdrawing.com.

Creation Art Studios – Open Studio Sessions of independent study for children and adults. CPDU’s offered for teachers. 1102 E Washington St, U. www.creationartstudios.com. 344-6955.

Reflection and Creation Art Worshop/Retreats – Workshops at Creation Art Studios with artist Jeannine Bestoso. Snacks. Pre-register. Fee: $50.

9am-1pm – July 18. Four CPDU’s offered. 344-6955, www.creationartstudios.com, jbestos@msn.com.

CROSSWORD P 22 T H E B E S T

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D E S H O O S H I M A T E T A N A I R D R T S I S T E D P U C U B A L T P A N I S S T P D I S P E N U P O N I L S T T A T S S T

W A X P O E T I C R O L L E

A M A A S C S L U P B R M D E E N N A T L O I N

R I P S

R A P A N D U W I E E T B O S B T E A R D M A

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New Interpreted Images by Larry Kanfer – Each piece uses technology and is a giclee. Larry Kanfer Gallery. 2503 S Neil, C. Free. M-Sat 10am-5:30pm.

398-2000. www.kanfer.com.

“Conscious Living Through Nature” – Works from Lisa Billman on display thru Sun. Aroma. 118 N Neil, C. Open 7 days a week, 7am-12am. 356-3200.

Prairie Boatworks Gallery – Watercolors by Heather Collier, earthenware self-portraits by Parkland sculpture students, paintings by Olivia Walder. Thru June 27. Fri & Sat, 12-5pm; Sun, 124pm.

“Vision to Verse, Verse to Vision: A Visual and Poetic Dialouge” – Paintings by Jessica Damen and poetry by Maj Ragain on display at Verde Gallery thru Sept 4. Book Signing and Reception Thur at 6pm. 17 E Taylor St, C. Cafe: M-Sat 7am10pm; Gallery: Tu-Sat 10am-10pm.

366-3204.

“Origonal Watercolors and Pastels” – Artwork from Andy Gillis and Jeannine Bestoso on display Sun-July 31 at Aroma Cafe. 118 N Neil, C. Open 7 days a week, 7am-12am. Info: Amanda Bickle at 356-3200, art4aroma@yahoo.com.

“Allen Stringfellow Retrospective” – Focusing on religion, gospel, and jazz music, his work imparts a lively historical and personal perspective on African-American life in Chicago and Champaign.

500 E Peabody, U. Tue, Thu-Sat 9am-5pm, Wed 9am-8pm, Sun 2-5pm. 333-1860. Sugg Don: $3.

EVENTS & LECTURES Champaign County YMCA’s Third Annual Slamma Jamma – This 3-on-3 basketball tournament will be July 10 & 11 in West Side Park in Champaign.

Register at YMCA: 707 N Country Fair Dr or 500 W Church St, or online at www.ccymca.net. Register

by Sun. Fee: $96 per 4-member team. Teams guaranteed two games. Info: YMCA at 239-2813.

Planet Putt-Putt

a

w in

7:04 PM

CDReviews

10

6/16/04

Qu alif yt o

061704buzz1015

ond Golf Cours e by illow P W o t com ing ou tt o:

: June 16th 8:30- 10:30 PM : June 23rd10:30- 12:30 PM : June 30th 8:30- 10:30 PM July 7th 8:30- 10:30 PM

AT CADDY SHACK ON JULY 7th (Immediately following the Qualifying Round) Play to win a FREE foursome, dinner at Caddy Shack, a golf hat, shirt and a dozen golf balls!

061704buzz1114

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ThursdayJune17 LIVE MUSIC Leigh Meador Trio – The Iron Post, 7-9pm, TBA Valina, Little Black Spiders – Mike 'n Molly's, 7:15pm, free Acoustic Music Series: Joni Laurence – Aroma, 8pm, free Vandermark 5, Atomic – Cowboy Monkey, 9pm, $10 Guided By Voices, The Waxwings – Highdive, 9pm, $15 Acoustic Music Series: Adam Wolfe – White Horse Inn, 9:30pm, free Hippus Campus – jazz – Zorba's, 9:30pm, $3 Shinedown, Soil – Canopy Club, 10pm, $13 Country Connection – Rose Bowl Tavern, 9pm, free

DJ DJ J-Phlip – house – Barfly, 9pm, free DJ Stifler – ’80s hair bands – Tommy G's, 9pm, free DJ Delayney – Nargile, 10pm, $5 DJ Bozak – Boltini, 10:30pm, free

WANT TO GET YOUR EVENT LISTED ON OUR CALENDAR? Send your listings to calendar@readbuzz.com | JUNE 17 - 23, 2004

Dropsixx, None Taken, Skarred – Canopy Club, 10pm, $5 Ben Bedford – Embassy Tavern, TBA, free Keith Harden – Alto Vineyards, 8-11pm, $3 Duke Tumatoe and the Power Trio – Fat City Saloon, TBA, cover The Dednecks – classic country rock – Tommy G’s, 10pm, cover Jaded Kayne, Justify the Means, Stilife – Diamond’s in Rantoul, 8pm, $5 X-Krush – Spanky's in Decatur, 9pm, TBA Reasonable Doubt – Huber's, 8 -11pm, TBA

DJ DJ Bozak – hip-hop – Barfly, 9pm, free DJ Lil' Big Bass – Boltini, 10pm, free Onda Tropicale: DJ Mambo Italiano – reggae, ska, ’80s retro – Cowboy Monkey, 10pm, free DJ Resonate – Mike 'n Molly's, 10pm, free Summer Soulstice: DJ Bozac – hip-hop – Nargile, 10pm, TBA

KARAOKE Creative Karaoke – Urbana American Legion, 8pm1am, TBA

SPOKEN WORD The Northstar Lounge hosted by CZAR Absolute of Animate Objects – hip-hop/spoken word poetry set/open mic – Nargile, 10:30pm, $5

KARAOKE "G" Force Karaoke/DJ – Pia's in Rantoul, 9pm, TBA

FridayJune18 LIVE MUSIC The Prairie Dogs – Cowboy Monkey, 5pm, free ParaDocs – jazz – Mike 'n Molly's (beergarden), 57:30pm, TBA Country Connection – Rose Bowl Tavern, 9pm, free Happy Hour: Keith Harden – Tommy G's, 5pm, free Joni Laurence – Borders, 8-10pm, free Green Mountain Grass – The Iron Post, 9pm, TBA Quatre Tete, Triple Whip, Pilot Round the Sun – Brass Rail, 10pm, $4

SaturdayJune19 LIVE MUSIC Battle of the Bands: Action People, Indeed, True To Form, Cold Cut Quartet, The Nobodys – Champaign Public Library, 2pm, free Country Connection – Rose Bowl Tavern, 9pm, free The Gin Ridge Band, Big Bang Theory – Fat City Saloon, 6pm, TBA X-Krush – The Pink House in Ogden, 9pm, TBA Trouble IS – extreme rock – Lowe’s Big Barrel & Summer Club in Danville, TBA Joni Laurence – Verde Gallery, 6pm, free One Night Stand – The Iron Post, 9pm, TBA Billy Shite and the Fecktones – Mike 'n Molly's, 9pm, TBA Bruiser and the Virtues – Cowboy Monkey, 10pm, $4 Shipwreck – Embassy Tavern, TBA, free

Kathy Harden & the King Bees – Alto Vineyards, 811pm, $3 The Jeff and Vida Band – The Iron Post, TBA Full Circle – ’80s hard rock – Glennon's in Bement, 9pm-1am, TBA Grass Roots Revival – Strawberry Jam, Meadowbrook Park, 5:30-6:30pm, free Grass Roots Revival – Pages For All Ages, 8-10pm, Steep & Brew Cafe, free Irish Traditional Music Session – Aroma Cafe, 121pm, free Bloom’s Luncheon – food & recorded Irish music – Esquire Lounge, 1-3pm, free Paddy Dignam’s Wake – music, recitations, songs – Bentley’s Pub, 2-3pm, free Lenehan's Riddle – Cowboy Monkey, 3-4pm, free Uillean pipers Dean Karres & Conor O'Shea – The Great Impasta, 5-6pm, TBA Nighttown – Mike & Molly's, 7-8pm, TBA Triskelion – Verde Gallery, 9:30-11pm, TBA

KARAOKE

DJ

MUSIC PERFORMANCE

DJ Resonate – hip-hop – Barfly, 9pm, free DJ Limbs – Boltini, 10pm, free DJ Tim Williams – dance – Tommy G's, 10pm, cover DJ Carlos – hip-hop – Nargile, 10pm, TBA “Soulful Saturdays” w/ DJ Phokiss, Chill Will, DJ World – Watusi Lounge, free before 11pm

KARAOKE

KARAOKE “G” Force Karaoke/DJ – Sappy’s on Devenshire, 9pm, TBA Karaoke with Paul Faber – Tommy G’s, 10pm, cover

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“G” Force Karaoke and DJ – T.K. Wendl’s, after softball until 2am, TBA

MondayJune21

LIVE MUSIC Writers in the Round: Gave Rosen, Brandon T. Washington, Andrea Bunch, Aerin Tedesco – Cowboy Monkey, 7pm, $3 Crystal River – Rose Bowl Tavern, 8:30pm, free Keith Harden – solo acoustic – Iron Post, 9pm, TBA

DJ DJ Delayney – hip-hop, downbeat – Barfly, 9pm, free DJ Bozak – Boltini, 10:30pm, free

the theater. This is not to say that these songs leave much to the imagination, and if anything, the work is weakened by the sometimes calculated way Merritt deals in specifics and turns of phrase. This is a small error at most, though, and when the songs work, it results in some of the most listenable and enjoyable music of the year.

ANIMAL COLLECTIVE Sung Tongs

Jazz Jam with ParaDocs – The Iron Post, 9pm, TBA Open Mic with host Brandon T. Washington – Cowboy Monkey, 10pm, free

Bubblecore

★

DJ DJ Carlos – hip-hop – Barfly, 9pm, free DJ Betty Rocker – Mike 'n Molly's, 10pm, free DJ Lil' Big Bass – Nargile, 10pm, free DJ Bozak – Boltini, 10:30pm, free Community Drum Circle – Ten Thousand Villages, 7-9pm, free “G” Force Karaoke and DJ – T.K. Wendl’s, after softball until 2am, TBA

TuesdayJune22 I Object!, Rujina, Useless Hero, TBA – hardcore punk – Red Herring, 8pm, $5 Acoustic Music Series: Larry Gates – White Horse Inn, 9:30pm, free Open Mic/Open Jam hosted by Openingbands.com and Mike Ingram – Canopy Club, 10pm, free i:scintilla, TBA – Nargile, 10pm, TBA Crystal River – Rose Bowl Tavern, 9pm, free Adam Wolf's Acoustic Night with Jess Greenlee – Tommy G’s, 10pm, free

music

JUNE 17 - 23, 2004 | OH, THOSE SHADES OF GREY

LIVE MUSIC

LIVE MUSIC

SundayJune20

buzz

BY SHADIE ELNASHAI

Unfortunately for the duo Avey Tare and Panda Bear that comprises Animal Collective, the bizarre Sung Tongs’ failings operate at such a basic level that they completely undermine whatever they seek to achieve with this creation. For their latest effort isn’t so much drug-influenced as it is drug-induced, and it is every bit as insular as those connotations may imply. Think of the result of isolating two talented musicians in natural outdoor surroundings, with nothing but their instruments and some hallucinogens for company. Further imagine that during post-production they incorporate any hallucination they experienced during said trip. Finally, consider the notion that the music is inspired in tone by various species of animal.

Thankfully, at least the album is more accessible than its predecessor, and more restrained in its indulgences, with this being the first album Animal Collective have released through FatCat—a label renowned for granting its artists creative freedom—this could have been a lot worse. Whereas in the past, the duo has pushed the bounds of experimentation, here they reign in their more abstract ideas, though what they dream up still can’t always be defined as music.

The titular animal menagerie provides ample distraction, though is limited to onomatopoeic noises, samples and the occasional unnecessary imitation. The occasional atmospheric moment of intrigue accurately reflects either the pastoral textures or jungle/tribal feels that they may be striving to attain at that moment. On the other hand, the sense of self-awareness is so strong that the raw lo-fi feel is replaced by pure artifice. The various negative effects are augmented by some production that is intrusive to the point of being overbearing.

Many comparisons to “similar” bands only serve to flatter these musicians who are emotionally void and lack the talent to perform professionally. They are decidedly not in the same league as their peers and their only distinguishing feature is fleeting adequacy which should not be sufficient justification to record and release an album with the intent of sharing it with anyone else.

CHARTS PARASOL RECORDS TOP 10 SELLERS 1. Velvet Crush - Stereo Blues (Action Musik) 2. A.C. Newman - The Slow Wonder (Matador) 3. Unbunny - Snow Tires (Hidden Agenda) 4. !!! - Louden Up Now (Touch & Go) 5. Sonic Youth - Sonic Nurse (Geffen) 6. PJ Harvey - Uh Huh Her (Island) 7. Devendra Banhart - Rejoicing In The Hands Young God (Young God) 8. The Fall - 50,000 Fall Fans Can’t Be Wrong: 39 Golden Greats (Beggars Banquet) 9. Vandermark 5 - Elements Of Style, Exercises In Surprise (Atavistic) 10. Jay Farrar - Stone, Steel & Bright Lights (Artemis)

MUSIC REVIEW GUIDE

★★★★ ★★★ ★★ ★ No stars

Flawless Good Mediocre Bad Unlistenable

11

The Hurly-Burly Sifting through the commotion and crap of music culture Local band The Blackouts beat out 18 other bands at Little Steven’s Underground Garage Battle of the Bands competition held at Chicago’s Metro June 8-10. Steven Van Zandt—of Sopranos and E. Street Band fame—hosts Little Steven’s Underground Garage radio show, which sponsored the event. After winning two straight rounds, The Blackouts will now advance to the finals and play New York’s Irving Plaza, where they will compete against other regional winners.

Beloved indie band Beulah have announced they are breaking up after nearly a decade in the music business.

Although there have been several hints in the past year that the band’s latest disc, Yoko, would be their last, the band made it official in a statement to Billboard. They will play their last show August 5 at Castle Clinton National Monument in New York.

The Pixies recently recorded their first original tune in more than 13 years.

Entitled “Bam Thwok,” the song features bassist Kim Deal on lead vocals and a 15second organ solo recorded by guitarist Joey Santiago’s father. The song will be available exclusively through Apple’s iTunes music store.

The festival of heat, sweat and music also known as Bonnaroo turned out three days of music, an estimated $ 14.5 million and two deaths. Thunderstorms and heat weighed heavily on the attending crowd, which was estimated at over 90,000. The two deaths were the first cases in the three-year history of the Tennessee festival held on a 700-acre farm south of Nashville, Tenn. The cause of the deaths is still undetermined but authorities suspect drugs combined with heat may have played a part.

708 S. Goodwin 18+ Urbana, IL 344-BAND Ever y T uesda y

OPEN MIC/JAM NO O C VER!

$2 LONG ISLANDS! $1 PBR DRAFTS! $2.50 JAGER BOMBS!

Ever y Wednesda y

$ 1 Dr ink s !!

Thur s, June 17

with

F r ida y, June 18

What the hell?

Moment of the week MTV reports that several artists including former Creed frontman, Scott Stapp, Janet Jackson, and Poison frontman Bret Michaels are banding together to stand up for an important, honorable cause.

These brave men and women are suing Diamond Dolls, a Clearwater, Florida strip-club, for using their music without paying the required licensing fees. The illegally used songs include Creed’s “My Sacrifce,” Jackson’s “Black Cat,” and Poison’s “Unskinny Bop.” Stranger than the actual story, is the fact that anyone would get a lap dance to “My Sacrifice” in the first place. That’s just weird.

F r ida y, June 25

with

Sufrajett

Weds, June 30

AFROMAN! Because I Got High!

Weds, Jul y 7

LIVE JAZZ at

“(Blindside is) similar in sound and style to melodic hard rock bands such as Incubus and P.O.D”

Weds, Jul y 31

BUY SELL TRADE

CDs LPs DVDs

110 S. Race St. Urbana 367-7927

www.recordswap.com

us ing amp r C atu Fe ppus i

H

627 E. GREEN 344-0710

na a mb $ a 3 Ch THURSDAY AT 9:30 $3.00 COVER

Tickets for advance shows on sale now at: The Canopy Club, Family Pride, and Bacca Cigar, or call 1-800-514-ETIX. Or print tickets at home on JayTV.com!

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12calendar Valina chill things down ustrian band Valina hits the stage

A

are also influenced by such bands as the

with Little Black Spiders Thursday at

Ramones and Fugazi, although their

Mike ‘n Molly’s. Valina got together in

sound is sharper and more low-key than

1996 and has played mostly European

these bands. With their most recent

venues until last year. The three-man

release, Vagabond, the band keeps their

band add trumpets to the more tradition-

sound simple and clean with songs free of

al mix of guitar and vocals, creating a

distortion or over-production. Check out

strained, melodic sound that takes much

Valina and Little Black Spiders at Mike ‘n

influence from jazz. The band says they

Molly’s tonight. Music starts at 7:15 p.m.

calendar

Guided by Voices-an encore

T

his is it. For fans of Guided by Voices, Thursday

could be the last chance to catch the group on

stage together. For nearly two decades, GBV has been making music and breaking boundaries of genre and form.Frontman Robert Pollard started the band in Ohio back in 1985 with drummer Kevin Fennell and guitarist Mitch Mitchell. The years that followed took many turns and saw many new members, but throughout, Pollard remained strong as the frontman and prolific songwriter in the group.

August 24 release. Pollard plans to continue making

Swinging from pop to rock and back again, GBV

music as a solo artist.The Waxwings will also take the

makes songs worth remembering. The group’s last

stage at GBV’s Thursday show. Music starts at 9 p.m.

album, Half Smiles of the Decomposed, is set for an

at Highdive with a $15 cover.

Concerts & road trips... here’s nothing like the summer to get you in

Braid

American Minor

the mood for new shows and plenty of road

6/17 Richmond, VA Alley Katz 6/18 Pittsburgh, PA Mr. Smalls 6/19 Cleveland, OH Grog Shop 6/20 Columbus, OH Little Brothers 6/21 Grand Rapids, MI The Intersection 6/22 Indianapolis, IN Emerson Theater 6/23 Sauget, IL Pop’s 6/24 Iowa City, IA Gabe’s 7/01 Madison WI Memorial Union 7/06 Minneapolis, MN Ascot Room 7/07 Sioux Falls, SD Washington Pavillion 7/08 Omaha, NE Sokol Underground 7/09 Englewood, CO Gothic Theater 7/10 Salt Lake City, UT Lo-Fi Cafe 7/12 Vancouver, BC, Canada Mesa Luna 7/13 Seattle, WA Graceland 7/14 Portland, OR Meow Meow 7/15 San Francisco, CA Bottom of the Hill 7/16, 7/18 Anaheim, CA Chain Reaction 7/17 Los Angeles, CA El Rey Theater 7/19 San Diego, CA Epicenter 7/20 Phoenix, AZ Mason Jar 7/22 Austin, TX Emo 7/23 Dallas, TX The Door 7/24 Houston, TX Mary Jane 7/25 New Orleans, LA Howlin’ Wolf 7/27 Nashville, TN Hair of the Dog 7/28 Little Rock, AR Vino’s 7/29 Oklahoma City, OK Green Door 7/30 Lawrence, KS Granada Theater 7/31 Chicago, IL Metro 8/01 Milwaukee, WI Mad Planet

6/19 Jackson, MS Jubilee Jam 6/24 Milwaukee, WI Summer Fest 6/30 Oshkosh, WI Waterfest 7/08 Champaign, IL The Highdive 7/09 Akron, OH Lime Spider 7/10 Morgantown, WV 123 Pleasant St. 7/13 Chapel Hill, NC Local 506 7/14 Winston-Salem, NC The Garage 7/15 Atlanta, GA Star Bar 7/16 Knoxville, TN Patrick Sullivan’s 7/17 Birmingham, AL The Nick

T

tripping. To get you started, here’s a list of some local acts taking to the road. And yeah, we know these are only a few of the local bands who are hitting the road this summer. If you want your band

Vandermark 5 improvise

listed or you want to know who’s playing where buzz.com.

hicago quintet Vandermark 5 bring

C

tional jazz festivals and the weekly

you fresh, original jazz at every show

Wednesday Night Jazz Series in Chicago.He

and on every record. The group has been

also

making music together since 1996, focus-

Improvisors Series. Vandermark has been a

directs

the

weekly

Chicago

ing on improvisation-

touring musician since

al and experimental

the mid-1990s and

jazz

comes to Champaign

sounds.

The

quintet uses improvi-

in

sation to incorporate

Vandermark 5’s latest

a variety of sounds

album, Burn the Incline.

including funk, rock,

The group is best when

jazz and world music

seen live, so expect a

support

of

into every song. Ken Vandermark, veteran

great show with original songs that will

Chicago musician, leads the band and has

never be played the same way twice. The

worked in other bands such as The Sound

group’s spontaneity adds to the excitement

in Action Trio, the NRG Ensemble and the

and freshness of their music, so don’t miss

Vandermark Quartet.He continues to make

Thursday’s show at Cowboy Monkey.

music his life, working with fellow musician

Atomic will also perform.The show starts at

John Corbett to organize seven interna-

9 p.m. and has a $10 cover.

this summer, drop an email to calendar@read-

Triple Whip 6/18 Champaign, IL Brass Rail 7/09 Champaign, IL Nargile

Lorenzo Goetz 6/24 Champaign, IL Cowboy Monkey 6/25 Cincinnati, OH The Derelict Casino 6/26 Evansville, IN Hammerheads 7/11 Champaign, IL Nargile 7/24 Lafayette, IN Riehle Bros.

The Blackouts 7/28 New York, NY Plaid

Terminus Victor 6/24 Champaign, IL Mike ‘n Molly’s 6/25 West Allis, WI Rock Shop 6/26 Iowa City, IA Gabe’s

13

061704buzz1213

6/16/04

6:34 PM

Page 1

buzzpicks

12calendar Valina chill things down ustrian band Valina hits the stage

A

are also influenced by such bands as the

with Little Black Spiders Thursday at

Ramones and Fugazi, although their

Mike ‘n Molly’s. Valina got together in

sound is sharper and more low-key than

1996 and has played mostly European

these bands. With their most recent

venues until last year. The three-man

release, Vagabond, the band keeps their

band add trumpets to the more tradition-

sound simple and clean with songs free of

al mix of guitar and vocals, creating a

distortion or over-production. Check out

strained, melodic sound that takes much

Valina and Little Black Spiders at Mike ‘n

influence from jazz. The band says they

Molly’s tonight. Music starts at 7:15 p.m.

calendar

Guided by Voices-an encore

T

his is it. For fans of Guided by Voices, Thursday

could be the last chance to catch the group on

stage together. For nearly two decades, GBV has been making music and breaking boundaries of genre and form.Frontman Robert Pollard started the band in Ohio back in 1985 with drummer Kevin Fennell and guitarist Mitch Mitchell. The years that followed took many turns and saw many new members, but throughout, Pollard remained strong as the frontman and prolific songwriter in the group.

August 24 release. Pollard plans to continue making

Swinging from pop to rock and back again, GBV

music as a solo artist.The Waxwings will also take the

makes songs worth remembering. The group’s last

stage at GBV’s Thursday show. Music starts at 9 p.m.

album, Half Smiles of the Decomposed, is set for an

at Highdive with a $15 cover.

Concerts & road trips... here’s nothing like the summer to get you in

Braid

American Minor

the mood for new shows and plenty of road

6/17 Richmond, VA Alley Katz 6/18 Pittsburgh, PA Mr. Smalls 6/19 Cleveland, OH Grog Shop 6/20 Columbus, OH Little Brothers 6/21 Grand Rapids, MI The Intersection 6/22 Indianapolis, IN Emerson Theater 6/23 Sauget, IL Pop’s 6/24 Iowa City, IA Gabe’s 7/01 Madison WI Memorial Union 7/06 Minneapolis, MN Ascot Room 7/07 Sioux Falls, SD Washington Pavillion 7/08 Omaha, NE Sokol Underground 7/09 Englewood, CO Gothic Theater 7/10 Salt Lake City, UT Lo-Fi Cafe 7/12 Vancouver, BC, Canada Mesa Luna 7/13 Seattle, WA Graceland 7/14 Portland, OR Meow Meow 7/15 San Francisco, CA Bottom of the Hill 7/16, 7/18 Anaheim, CA Chain Reaction 7/17 Los Angeles, CA El Rey Theater 7/19 San Diego, CA Epicenter 7/20 Phoenix, AZ Mason Jar 7/22 Austin, TX Emo 7/23 Dallas, TX The Door 7/24 Houston, TX Mary Jane 7/25 New Orleans, LA Howlin’ Wolf 7/27 Nashville, TN Hair of the Dog 7/28 Little Rock, AR Vino’s 7/29 Oklahoma City, OK Green Door 7/30 Lawrence, KS Granada Theater 7/31 Chicago, IL Metro 8/01 Milwaukee, WI Mad Planet

6/19 Jackson, MS Jubilee Jam 6/24 Milwaukee, WI Summer Fest 6/30 Oshkosh, WI Waterfest 7/08 Champaign, IL The Highdive 7/09 Akron, OH Lime Spider 7/10 Morgantown, WV 123 Pleasant St. 7/13 Chapel Hill, NC Local 506 7/14 Winston-Salem, NC The Garage 7/15 Atlanta, GA Star Bar 7/16 Knoxville, TN Patrick Sullivan’s 7/17 Birmingham, AL The Nick

T

tripping. To get you started, here’s a list of some local acts taking to the road. And yeah, we know these are only a few of the local bands who are hitting the road this summer. If you want your band

Vandermark 5 improvise

listed or you want to know who’s playing where buzz.com.

hicago quintet Vandermark 5 bring

C

tional jazz festivals and the weekly

you fresh, original jazz at every show

Wednesday Night Jazz Series in Chicago.He

and on every record. The group has been

also

making music together since 1996, focus-

Improvisors Series. Vandermark has been a

directs

the

weekly

Chicago

ing on improvisation-

touring musician since

al and experimental

the mid-1990s and

jazz

comes to Champaign

sounds.

The

quintet uses improvi-

in

sation to incorporate

Vandermark 5’s latest

a variety of sounds

album, Burn the Incline.

including funk, rock,

The group is best when

jazz and world music

seen live, so expect a

support

of

into every song. Ken Vandermark, veteran

great show with original songs that will

Chicago musician, leads the band and has

never be played the same way twice. The

worked in other bands such as The Sound

group’s spontaneity adds to the excitement

in Action Trio, the NRG Ensemble and the

and freshness of their music, so don’t miss

Vandermark Quartet.He continues to make

Thursday’s show at Cowboy Monkey.

music his life, working with fellow musician

Atomic will also perform.The show starts at

John Corbett to organize seven interna-

9 p.m. and has a $10 cover.

this summer, drop an email to calendar@read-

Triple Whip 6/18 Champaign, IL Brass Rail 7/09 Champaign, IL Nargile

Lorenzo Goetz 6/24 Champaign, IL Cowboy Monkey 6/25 Cincinnati, OH The Derelict Casino 6/26 Evansville, IN Hammerheads 7/11 Champaign, IL Nargile 7/24 Lafayette, IN Riehle Bros.

The Blackouts 7/28 New York, NY Plaid

Terminus Victor 6/24 Champaign, IL Mike ‘n Molly’s 6/25 West Allis, WI Rock Shop 6/26 Iowa City, IA Gabe’s

13

061704buzz1114

14

6/16/04

6:35 PM

Page 1

calendar

ThursdayJune17 LIVE MUSIC Leigh Meador Trio – The Iron Post, 7-9pm, TBA Valina, Little Black Spiders – Mike 'n Molly's, 7:15pm, free Acoustic Music Series: Joni Laurence – Aroma, 8pm, free Vandermark 5, Atomic – Cowboy Monkey, 9pm, $10 Guided By Voices, The Waxwings – Highdive, 9pm, $15 Acoustic Music Series: Adam Wolfe – White Horse Inn, 9:30pm, free Hippus Campus – jazz – Zorba's, 9:30pm, $3 Shinedown, Soil – Canopy Club, 10pm, $13 Country Connection – Rose Bowl Tavern, 9pm, free

DJ DJ J-Phlip – house – Barfly, 9pm, free DJ Stifler – ’80s hair bands – Tommy G's, 9pm, free DJ Delayney – Nargile, 10pm, $5 DJ Bozak – Boltini, 10:30pm, free

WANT TO GET YOUR EVENT LISTED ON OUR CALENDAR? Send your listings to calendar@readbuzz.com | JUNE 17 - 23, 2004

Dropsixx, None Taken, Skarred – Canopy Club, 10pm, $5 Ben Bedford – Embassy Tavern, TBA, free Keith Harden – Alto Vineyards, 8-11pm, $3 Duke Tumatoe and the Power Trio – Fat City Saloon, TBA, cover The Dednecks – classic country rock – Tommy G’s, 10pm, cover Jaded Kayne, Justify the Means, Stilife – Diamond’s in Rantoul, 8pm, $5 X-Krush – Spanky's in Decatur, 9pm, TBA Reasonable Doubt – Huber's, 8 -11pm, TBA

DJ DJ Bozak – hip-hop – Barfly, 9pm, free DJ Lil' Big Bass – Boltini, 10pm, free Onda Tropicale: DJ Mambo Italiano – reggae, ska, ’80s retro – Cowboy Monkey, 10pm, free DJ Resonate – Mike 'n Molly's, 10pm, free Summer Soulstice: DJ Bozac – hip-hop – Nargile, 10pm, TBA

KARAOKE Creative Karaoke – Urbana American Legion, 8pm1am, TBA

SPOKEN WORD The Northstar Lounge hosted by CZAR Absolute of Animate Objects – hip-hop/spoken word poetry set/open mic – Nargile, 10:30pm, $5

KARAOKE "G" Force Karaoke/DJ – Pia's in Rantoul, 9pm, TBA

FridayJune18 LIVE MUSIC The Prairie Dogs – Cowboy Monkey, 5pm, free ParaDocs – jazz – Mike 'n Molly's (beergarden), 57:30pm, TBA Country Connection – Rose Bowl Tavern, 9pm, free Happy Hour: Keith Harden – Tommy G's, 5pm, free Joni Laurence – Borders, 8-10pm, free Green Mountain Grass – The Iron Post, 9pm, TBA Quatre Tete, Triple Whip, Pilot Round the Sun – Brass Rail, 10pm, $4

SaturdayJune19 LIVE MUSIC Battle of the Bands: Action People, Indeed, True To Form, Cold Cut Quartet, The Nobodys – Champaign Public Library, 2pm, free Country Connection – Rose Bowl Tavern, 9pm, free The Gin Ridge Band, Big Bang Theory – Fat City Saloon, 6pm, TBA X-Krush – The Pink House in Ogden, 9pm, TBA Trouble IS – extreme rock – Lowe’s Big Barrel & Summer Club in Danville, TBA Joni Laurence – Verde Gallery, 6pm, free One Night Stand – The Iron Post, 9pm, TBA Billy Shite and the Fecktones – Mike 'n Molly's, 9pm, TBA Bruiser and the Virtues – Cowboy Monkey, 10pm, $4 Shipwreck – Embassy Tavern, TBA, free

Kathy Harden & the King Bees – Alto Vineyards, 811pm, $3 The Jeff and Vida Band – The Iron Post, TBA Full Circle – ’80s hard rock – Glennon's in Bement, 9pm-1am, TBA Grass Roots Revival – Strawberry Jam, Meadowbrook Park, 5:30-6:30pm, free Grass Roots Revival – Pages For All Ages, 8-10pm, Steep & Brew Cafe, free Irish Traditional Music Session – Aroma Cafe, 121pm, free Bloom’s Luncheon – food & recorded Irish music – Esquire Lounge, 1-3pm, free Paddy Dignam’s Wake – music, recitations, songs – Bentley’s Pub, 2-3pm, free Lenehan's Riddle – Cowboy Monkey, 3-4pm, free Uillean pipers Dean Karres & Conor O'Shea – The Great Impasta, 5-6pm, TBA Nighttown – Mike & Molly's, 7-8pm, TBA Triskelion – Verde Gallery, 9:30-11pm, TBA

KARAOKE

DJ

MUSIC PERFORMANCE

DJ Resonate – hip-hop – Barfly, 9pm, free DJ Limbs – Boltini, 10pm, free DJ Tim Williams – dance – Tommy G's, 10pm, cover DJ Carlos – hip-hop – Nargile, 10pm, TBA “Soulful Saturdays” w/ DJ Phokiss, Chill Will, DJ World – Watusi Lounge, free before 11pm

KARAOKE

KARAOKE “G” Force Karaoke/DJ – Sappy’s on Devenshire, 9pm, TBA Karaoke with Paul Faber – Tommy G’s, 10pm, cover

buzz

“G” Force Karaoke and DJ – T.K. Wendl’s, after softball until 2am, TBA

MondayJune21

LIVE MUSIC Writers in the Round: Gave Rosen, Brandon T. Washington, Andrea Bunch, Aerin Tedesco – Cowboy Monkey, 7pm, $3 Crystal River – Rose Bowl Tavern, 8:30pm, free Keith Harden – solo acoustic – Iron Post, 9pm, TBA

DJ DJ Delayney – hip-hop, downbeat – Barfly, 9pm, free DJ Bozak – Boltini, 10:30pm, free

the theater. This is not to say that these songs leave much to the imagination, and if anything, the work is weakened by the sometimes calculated way Merritt deals in specifics and turns of phrase. This is a small error at most, though, and when the songs work, it results in some of the most listenable and enjoyable music of the year.

ANIMAL COLLECTIVE Sung Tongs

Jazz Jam with ParaDocs – The Iron Post, 9pm, TBA Open Mic with host Brandon T. Washington – Cowboy Monkey, 10pm, free

Bubblecore

★

DJ DJ Carlos – hip-hop – Barfly, 9pm, free DJ Betty Rocker – Mike 'n Molly's, 10pm, free DJ Lil' Big Bass – Nargile, 10pm, free DJ Bozak – Boltini, 10:30pm, free Community Drum Circle – Ten Thousand Villages, 7-9pm, free “G” Force Karaoke and DJ – T.K. Wendl’s, after softball until 2am, TBA

TuesdayJune22 I Object!, Rujina, Useless Hero, TBA – hardcore punk – Red Herring, 8pm, $5 Acoustic Music Series: Larry Gates – White Horse Inn, 9:30pm, free Open Mic/Open Jam hosted by Openingbands.com and Mike Ingram – Canopy Club, 10pm, free i:scintilla, TBA – Nargile, 10pm, TBA Crystal River – Rose Bowl Tavern, 9pm, free Adam Wolf's Acoustic Night with Jess Greenlee – Tommy G’s, 10pm, free

music

JUNE 17 - 23, 2004 | OH, THOSE SHADES OF GREY

LIVE MUSIC

LIVE MUSIC

SundayJune20

buzz

BY SHADIE ELNASHAI

Unfortunately for the duo Avey Tare and Panda Bear that comprises Animal Collective, the bizarre Sung Tongs’ failings operate at such a basic level that they completely undermine whatever they seek to achieve with this creation. For their latest effort isn’t so much drug-influenced as it is drug-induced, and it is every bit as insular as those connotations may imply. Think of the result of isolating two talented musicians in natural outdoor surroundings, with nothing but their instruments and some hallucinogens for company. Further imagine that during post-production they incorporate any hallucination they experienced during said trip. Finally, consider the notion that the music is inspired in tone by various species of animal.

Thankfully, at least the album is more accessible than its predecessor, and more restrained in its indulgences, with this being the first album Animal Collective have released through FatCat—a label renowned for granting its artists creative freedom—this could have been a lot worse. Whereas in the past, the duo has pushed the bounds of experimentation, here they reign in their more abstract ideas, though what they dream up still can’t always be defined as music.

The titular animal menagerie provides ample distraction, though is limited to onomatopoeic noises, samples and the occasional unnecessary imitation. The occasional atmospheric moment of intrigue accurately reflects either the pastoral textures or jungle/tribal feels that they may be striving to attain at that moment. On the other hand, the sense of self-awareness is so strong that the raw lo-fi feel is replaced by pure artifice. The various negative effects are augmented by some production that is intrusive to the point of being overbearing.

Many comparisons to “similar” bands only serve to flatter these musicians who are emotionally void and lack the talent to perform professionally. They are decidedly not in the same league as their peers and their only distinguishing feature is fleeting adequacy which should not be sufficient justification to record and release an album with the intent of sharing it with anyone else.

CHARTS PARASOL RECORDS TOP 10 SELLERS 1. Velvet Crush - Stereo Blues (Action Musik) 2. A.C. Newman - The Slow Wonder (Matador) 3. Unbunny - Snow Tires (Hidden Agenda) 4. !!! - Louden Up Now (Touch & Go) 5. Sonic Youth - Sonic Nurse (Geffen) 6. PJ Harvey - Uh Huh Her (Island) 7. Devendra Banhart - Rejoicing In The Hands Young God (Young God) 8. The Fall - 50,000 Fall Fans Can’t Be Wrong: 39 Golden Greats (Beggars Banquet) 9. Vandermark 5 - Elements Of Style, Exercises In Surprise (Atavistic) 10. Jay Farrar - Stone, Steel & Bright Lights (Artemis)

MUSIC REVIEW GUIDE

★★★★ ★★★ ★★ ★ No stars

Flawless Good Mediocre Bad Unlistenable

11

The Hurly-Burly Sifting through the commotion and crap of music culture Local band The Blackouts beat out 18 other bands at Little Steven’s Underground Garage Battle of the Bands competition held at Chicago’s Metro June 8-10. Steven Van Zandt—of Sopranos and E. Street Band fame—hosts Little Steven’s Underground Garage radio show, which sponsored the event. After winning two straight rounds, The Blackouts will now advance to the finals and play New York’s Irving Plaza, where they will compete against other regional winners.

Beloved indie band Beulah have announced they are breaking up after nearly a decade in the music business.

Although there have been several hints in the past year that the band’s latest disc, Yoko, would be their last, the band made it official in a statement to Billboard. They will play their last show August 5 at Castle Clinton National Monument in New York.

The Pixies recently recorded their first original tune in more than 13 years.

Entitled “Bam Thwok,” the song features bassist Kim Deal on lead vocals and a 15second organ solo recorded by guitarist Joey Santiago’s father. The song will be available exclusively through Apple’s iTunes music store.

The festival of heat, sweat and music also known as Bonnaroo turned out three days of music, an estimated $ 14.5 million and two deaths. Thunderstorms and heat weighed heavily on the attending crowd, which was estimated at over 90,000. The two deaths were the first cases in the three-year history of the Tennessee festival held on a 700-acre farm south of Nashville, Tenn. The cause of the deaths is still undetermined but authorities suspect drugs combined with heat may have played a part.

708 S. Goodwin 18+ Urbana, IL 344-BAND Ever y T uesda y

OPEN MIC/JAM NO O C VER!

$2 LONG ISLANDS! $1 PBR DRAFTS! $2.50 JAGER BOMBS!

Ever y Wednesda y

$ 1 Dr ink s !!

Thur s, June 17

with

F r ida y, June 18

What the hell?

Moment of the week MTV reports that several artists including former Creed frontman, Scott Stapp, Janet Jackson, and Poison frontman Bret Michaels are banding together to stand up for an important, honorable cause.

These brave men and women are suing Diamond Dolls, a Clearwater, Florida strip-club, for using their music without paying the required licensing fees. The illegally used songs include Creed’s “My Sacrifce,” Jackson’s “Black Cat,” and Poison’s “Unskinny Bop.” Stranger than the actual story, is the fact that anyone would get a lap dance to “My Sacrifice” in the first place. That’s just weird.

F r ida y, June 25

with

Sufrajett

Weds, June 30

AFROMAN! Because I Got High!

Weds, Jul y 7

LIVE JAZZ at

“(Blindside is) similar in sound and style to melodic hard rock bands such as Incubus and P.O.D”

Weds, Jul y 31

BUY SELL TRADE

CDs LPs DVDs

110 S. Race St. Urbana 367-7927

www.recordswap.com

us ing amp r C atu Fe ppus i

H

627 E. GREEN 344-0710

na a mb $ a 3 Ch THURSDAY AT 9:30 $3.00 COVER

Tickets for advance shows on sale now at: The Canopy Club, Family Pride, and Bacca Cigar, or call 1-800-514-ETIX. Or print tickets at home on JayTV.com!

Page 1

music

DID YOU PAY $5 FOR THOSE BATTERIES? | JUNE 17 - 23, 2004

FREE EARLY SHOW Thursday, June 17 7:30 - 9:30 pm Beer Garden

Valina

www.trost.at/valina (from Austria) with

Little Black Spiders Sponsored by David Domal Brady-Miller/GMAC Real Estate daviddomal@bradymiller.net

Don’t forget about Daddy-o (father’s day is sunday)

RASPUTINA Frustration Plantation Instinct Records

★★★★

BY SUSIE AN

With its members claiming to be from the 19th century, Rasputina is certainly not the average band. Dressed in Victorian garb such as corsets and top hats, the trio’s instrument of choice is not the guitar or piano but the cello.

While keeping the same Goth vibe, Rasputina branches out in a slightly different direction with Frustration Plantation. By comparing this album to earlier ones, you’ll find that Rasputina is not just for Goth girls anymore. Rasputina used to be an all-female cello trio, but then dropped one member and gained a drummer—a male drummer. The newfound rhythm section gives Rasputina a boost of edginess and rock. Also in this album is the use of electric guitars which were not so common in Rasputina’s earlier days.

Lead singer Melora Creager has matured in her vocals. In earlier albums, her voice was gentle, but had this annoying flutter that some would argue was a vibrato. In Frustration Plantation, the flutter is gone and her voice is stronger and more confident. In songs like “Girls’ School,” Creager’s voice floats gently like a siren’s voice traveling over the ocean. Other songs like “Oh Injury” sound much like Siouxsie Sioux of Siouxsie and the Banshees. You might even find yourself rocking out to a song like “If Your Kisses Won’t Hold the Man You Love” with Creager’s uninhibited sound.

Granted, some of these songs are really weird, like the narrative of how a country girl was captured by savages.

You probably won’t hate it.You’ll either wonder in confusion,“What the hell is going on?” or you’ll love it. It’s all a matter of whether you’re into that sort of thing, and not everyone is.

Rasputina is definitely an eccentric group, and Frustration Plantation does well in expressing that eccentricity. It’s weird. It’s seductive. It’s gritty. It’s pretty. It rocks.

Rasputina does what they do well.

PHANTOM PLANET Phantom Planet Epic

★★★

BY BRIAN KLEIN

Phantom Planet’s latest album is eponymous, so I thought I’d help the band out and suggest a name for it. Identity Crisis sounds pretty appropriate to me, or maybe even Phantom Planet Is Missing, but I guess that was already taken with the band’s debut album. With this album, Phantom Planet changes their California pop/rock sound into something that compares more favorably with New York bands The Strokes and Interpol. It’s not necessarily a bad thing—I can think of a few worse styles to emulate—it’s just that Phantom Planet were so good at what they did.

Despite his departure from the band after the release of The Guest (Phantom Planet’s last album), drummer Jason Schwartzman appears in the credits of this album.

I’m not sure I understand this arrangement completely, but it sounds like Schwartzman helped out during recording. Other than that, the rest of the band members return to develop Phantom Planet. New additions include drummer Jeff Conrad and producer Dave Fridmann, whose most notable work includes the sounds of The Flaming Lips in albums The Soft Bulletin and Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots, among others. Though the new sound isn’t exact-

buzz

ly what you’d expect of Fridmann, either, he and the band produce respectable results.

To their credit, Phantom Planet produce a solid garage-band album. Gone is the emotion and vocal inflection found in “California” and “Wishing Well” and here to replace it are largely monotone lyrics accompanied with a lot more percussion and auxiliary noise. For instance, the opening of “The Happy Ending” sounds to me like a dial-up modem while the beginning of “Big Brat” is reminiscent of the seizures my printer often has.

Regardless, these might be my two favorite tracks on the album.

In addition to those, I also enjoyed “By the Bed,”which, along with “After Hours,”might be the only evidence that this once was a pop band. Actually, the band seems to regress to their previous, more natural style in the second half of the album, but the heavily garage-inspired track “The Meantime” acts as closure to the issue.

Phantom Planet’s sound has changed.

With this album, Phantom Planet tries something new: the group jumps on the garage sound bandwagon.

All things considered, it is a solid album but falls short when compared to other bands in that genre, like The Strokes in their latest Room on Fire. It seems to me Phantom Planet is sacrificing near greatness in their original style for mediocrity in garage rock. Nevertheless, Frustration Plantation offers solid tracks representing both styles. What it comes down to is that Phantom Planet is not so much a disappointment as it is unexpected. It will be interesting to see where the band goes from here.

THE MAGNETIC FIELDS i

buzz DJ

DJ Sophisto – house, funk – Barfly, 9pm, free 2ON2OUT – Cowboy Monkey, 10pm, free DJ Hoff – Mike n' Molly's, 10pm, TBA NOX: DJ ZoZo – goth, industrial, electroclash – The Highdive, 10pm, $2 DJ Lil' Big Bass – Boltini, 10:30pm, free

DANCING Latin Dance Night – salsa, cha-cha, merengue, bachata – McKinley Foundation, 9:30-11:30pm, $1

KARAOKE “G” Force Karaoke/DJ – Neil Street Pub, 8pm-12am, free

WednesdayJune23 LIVE MUSIC Decals, Shakin' Babies – The Iron Post, 10pm, $4 Doxy – Canopy Club, 10pm, $1 Hard Poor Korn – Rose Bowl Tavern, 9pm, free Kilborn Alley – blues – Tommy G’s, 9pm, free

DJ Chef Ra – reggae – Barfly, 9pm, free Salsateca!: DJ Bris Mueller – salas, mambo, bachata – Cowboy Monkey, 9pm, free DJ Boardwalk – Mike 'n Molly's, 10pm, free Fabulous! – Nargile, 10pm, $3 She-Jays: DJ J-Phlip, DJ Lil' Big Bass – The Highdive, 10pm, $2 DJ Limbs – Boltini, 10:30pm, free

Nonesuch

KARAOKE

★★★★

“Liquid Courage Karaoke” – Fat City Saloon, 8pm12am, TBA The Cheezy Trio – live rock and roll Karaoke – Snapper's in Clinton, 9pm, TBA

BY KYLE B. GORMAN

It has often been the fate of the author that the narrator telling the story is mistaken for the author him- or herself. An obvious candidate for this sort of improper attribution is the music of Stephin Merritt (his particular spelling of “Stephen” now his legal name!).

Merritt’s most superlative group, the Magnetic Fields, has returned from a five year hiatus to release i, a set of songs with titles all beginning with the ninth letter of the alphabet, pleasantly packaged in the band’s distinct typesets and designs. The first-person theme that you would expect to emerge from this non-concept is not present, and though it is a far cry from the group’s previous outing, love still lies heavy on the heart of the creator, though not as a dominating influence on the album.

Musically, the Fields find themselves in the strongest position yet. The gentle, focused sound on the opener, “I Die,”creates chamber music of the sort rarely heard in pop since the relative obscurity of Phil Spector, a noted influence.This is not to say that the arrangements are complex in the same way as was the Wall of Sound, but rather that they contain the same sort of well-planned emotional content. Banjo and cello provide a brashly simple and clear direction to the music, accompanied by percussion and the leader’s omnipresent ukulele. As for the low-fidelity electro-pop sound Merritt has often worked in, it is nearly absent from this particular release; something that is likely to work wonders for the popularity of the group, as the arrangements themselves have been as bizarre enough on previous albums as to make previous albums near unplayable for the uninitiated. Concerning the often difficult question of keyboard use, the liner notes stodgily declare “no synths”(emphasis theirs),though this is a more than a little deceptive.“I Thought You Were My Boyfriend” is an organic electro-pop song without comparison, thanks to the knob manipulation of Merritt and the stellar contributions of Claudia Gonson. Her role has been elevated to the position of “musical wizard” since the last recording. In addition to her pleasantly youthful background vocals and simple drum work, she provides excellent support on piano and percussion.

As was the custom on the Fields’ earliest recordings, Merritt provides all the lead vocal performances in his rounded baritone, and, as is to be expected, he is at his worst when he is singing slowly and in lower octaves.

The revelation that this recording provides, however, is that when Stephin sings higher and more rapidly, he is an emotive, well-controlled vocalist.

Style pieces such as “Infinity Late At Night,”which recall various parts in the musical theater canon, don’t work as well as the more pure pop songs, largely to limitations both in the orchestration and Merritt’s voice, as he performs all the songs. Frankly, though, the listener is much more likely to gravitate towards the pop tunes, as fans are better prepared by the last 40 years of music to deal with the vague song of the radio than the more specific tune of

calendar

JUNE 17 - 23, 2004 | WANT TO GET YOUR EVENT LISTED ON OUR CALENDAR? Send your listings to calendar@readbuzz.com

The Rainbow Coffeehouse 1203 W Green, Urbana, 766-9500 Red Herring/Channing-Murray Foundation 1209 W Oregon, Urbana, 344-1176 Rose Bowl Tavern 106 N Race, Urbana, 367-7031 Springer Cultural Center 301 N Randolph, Champaign, 355-1406 Spurlock Museum 600 S Gregory, Urbana, 333-2360 The Station Theatre 223 N Broadway, Urbana, 384-4000 Strawberry Fields Cafe 306 W Springfield, Urbana, 328-1655 Sweet Betsy’s 805 S Philo Rd, Urbana Ten Thousand Villages 105 N Walnut, Champaign, 352-8938 TK Wendl’s 1901 S Highcross Rd, Urbana, 255-5328 Tommy G’s 123 S Mattis Ave, Country Fair Shopping Center, 359-2177 Tonic 619 S Wright, Champaign, 356-6768 Two Main 2 Main, Champaign, 359-3148 University YMCA 1001 S Wright, Champaign, 344-0721 Verde/Verdant 17 E Taylor St, Champaign, 366-3204 Virginia Theatre 203 W Park Ave, Champaign, 356-9053 White Horse Inn 112 1/2 E Green, Champaign, 352-5945 Zorba’s 627 E Green, Champaign

Call for Entries for "Inside the Box: A Shoebox Show" – The Parkland Art Gallery invites artists to enter the show. All works must fit into a 4" x 12" x 8" shoebox. Entry fee: $25. Info: 351-2485 or www.parkland.edu/gallery.

CHICAGOSHOWS

Glass FX – Interested in learning the art of stained glass? Beginning, intermediate, and advanced classes offered. M-Thu, 10am-5:30pm; Fri, 10am5pm; Sat, 9am-4pm. 202 S 1st, C. www.glassfx.com.

359-0048.

JUNE 6/17 David Byrne @ Skyline Stage 6/17 Grant-Lee Phillips, John Doe @ Park West, all-ages 6/18 B-52'S @ Vic, all-ages 6/18 Dave Matthews Band @ Tweeter Center 6/18-19 Shins @ House of Blues 6/19 Chicago, Earth, Wind & Fire @ Tweeter Center 6/22 Rachael Yamagata @ Schubas 6/24 Peter Himmelman & Band @ Park West, 18+ 6/24 Richard Thompson @ House of Blues 6/25 Taj Mahal & The Hula Blues Band @ House of Blues, 18+ 6/25 Jonathan Richman w/Tommy Larkins @ Double Door 6/25-26 & 28-29 Prince @ Allstate Arena 6/26 Primus @ UIC Pavilion 6/25-27 Magnetic Fields @ Old Town School of Folk Music 6/26 Brother Ali @ Abbey Pub, 18+ 6/26 Mum @ Logan Square Auditorium, all-ages 6/27 Leon Russell @ Abbey Pub 6/28-29 Pedro the Lion @ Abbey Pub, 18+ 6/30 Los Lobos @ Park West, 6/30, (rescheduled from 4/30)

C-UVENUES Alto Vineyards 4210 N Duncan Rd, Champaign, 356-4784 Assembly Hall First & Florida, Champaign, 333-5000 American Legion Post 71 107 N Broadway, Urbana, 367-3121 Barfly 120 N Neil, Champaign,352-9756 Barnes and Noble 51 E Marketview, Champaign, 355-2045 Boardman’s Art Theater 126 W Church, Champaign, 351-0068 Boltini Lounge 211 N Neil, Champaign, 378-8001 Borders Books & Music 802 W Town Ctr, Champaign, 351-9011 The Brass Rail 15 E University, Champaign, 352-7512 Canopy Club (Garden Grill) 708 S Goodwin, Urbana, 367-3140 Channing-Murray Foundation 1209 W Oregon, Urbana C.O. Daniels 608 E Daniel, Champaign, 337-7411 Cosmopolitan Club 307 E John, Champaign, 367-3079 Courtyard Cafe Illini Union, 1401 W Green, Urbana, 333-4666 Cowboy Monkey 6 Taylor St, Champaign, 398-2688 Clybourne 706 S Sixth, Champaign, 383-1008 Curtis Orchard 3902 S Duncan Rd, Champaign, 359-5565 D.R. Diggers 604 S Country Fair Dr, Champaign, 356-0888 Elmer’s Club 45 3525 N Cunningham, Urbana, 344-3101 Embassy Tavern & Grill 114 S Race, Urbana, 384-9526 Esquire Lounge 106 N Walnut, Champaign, 398-5858 Fallon’s Ice House 703 N Prospect, Champaign, 398-5760 Fat City Saloon 505 S Chestnut, Champaign, 356-7100 The Great Impasta 114 W Church, Champaign, 359-7377 G.T.’s Western Bowl Francis Dr, Champaign, 359-1678 Highdive 51 Main, Champaign, 359-4444 Huber’s 1312 W Church, Champaign, 352-0606 Illinois Disciples Foundation 610 E Springfield, Champaign, 352-8721 Independent Media Center 218 W Main St, Urbana, 344-8820 The Iron Post 120 S Race, Urbana, 337-7678 Joe’s Brewery 706 S Fifth, Champaign, 384-1790 Kam’s 618 E Daniel, Champaign, 328-1605 Krannert Art Museum 500 E Peabody, Champaign, 333-1861 Krannert Center for the Performing Arts 500 S Goodwin, Urbana,Tickets: 333-6280, 800-KCPATIX La Casa Cultural Latina 1203 W Nevada, Urbana, 333-4950 Lava 1906 W Bradley, Champaign, 352-8714 Legends Bar & Grill 522 E Green, Champaign, 355-7674 Les’s Lounge 403 N Coler, Urbana, 328-4000 Lincoln Castle 209 S Broadway, Urbana, 344-7720 Lowe’s Big Barrel & Summer Club 14 N Hazel, Danville, 442-8090 Malibu Bay Lounge North Route 45, Urbana, 328-7415 Mike n’ Molly’s 105 N Market, Champaign, 355-1236 Mulligan’s 604 N Cunningham, Urbana, 367-5888 Murphy’s 604 E Green, Champaign, 352-7275 Nargile 207 W Clark St, Champaign Neil Street Pub 1505 N Neil, Champaign, 359-1601 The Office 214 W Main, Urbana, 344-7608 Parkland College 2400 W Bradley, Champaign, 351-2528 Phoenix 215 S Neil, Champaign, 355-7866 Pia’s of Rantoul Route 136 E, Rantoul, 893-8244 Pink House Routes 49 & 150, Ogden, 582-9997

ART NOTICES

ART EXHIBITS Cafe Kopi – Work from Melissa Washburn on display.

109 N Walnut, C. M-Thu 7am-11pm, Fri-Sat 7am12pm, Sun 11am-8pm. 359-4266.

Creation Art Studios Gallery – Artwork by director Jeannine Bestoso, Andy Gillis, Shoshanna Bauer, Amy Richardson and students of the studio. Art commissions and custom framing available. M-Sat, 1-5:30pm and other scheduled times. 1102 E Washington, U. creationartstudios.com. 344-6955.

Old Vic Art Gallery – Fine and original art. 11 E University, C. Mon-Thu 11am-5:30pm, Sat 11am4:30pm. 355-8338.

“Changing Rooms: The Creation of Cinematic Space in the Works of Harry Horner” – Krannert Art Museum, display thru Sept 19. 500 E Peabody, U. Tu, Thu-Sat 9am-5pm, W 9am-8pm, Sun 2-5pm.

Sugg Don: $3.

“Healing Works” – A display of art work honoring trauma survivors. On display at the Independent Media Center Middle Room Gallery. 218 W Main St, Suite 110, U. carahale@uiuc.edu.

"Eyes Hands Kids" – A curated exhibition of art by Champaign Unit 4 students grades K-5. Opens Wed thru July 25. Opening reception will be June 25, 6-8pm. Springer Cultural Center. M-F 8am-9pm, Sat 9am-5pm, Sun 12-5pm. 398-2376, www.champaignparkdistrict.com.

Art Classes by Sandra Ahten:“Drawing and Painting” & “Drawing from a Model” – “Painting”: June 17-July 15, Thur 7-9pm. Beginning to intermediate drawing and painting. Instruction available for beginners. Experienced artists welcome.

High Cross Art Studio. 367-6345. spiritofsandra.com.

Faux Finishing workshops – Boyer Drawing & Painting Studio in Lincoln Square Mall. Aug 25.

9am-5pm. Fee: $195. Info: 369-8838 or www.boyerdrawing.com.

Creation Art Studios – Open Studio Sessions of independent study for children and adults. CPDU’s offered for teachers. 1102 E Washington St, U. www.creationartstudios.com. 344-6955.

Reflection and Creation Art Worshop/Retreats – Workshops at Creation Art Studios with artist Jeannine Bestoso. Snacks. Pre-register. Fee: $50.

9am-1pm – July 18. Four CPDU’s offered. 344-6955, www.creationartstudios.com, jbestos@msn.com.

CROSSWORD P 22 T H E B E S T

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W A X P O E T I C R O L L E

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New Interpreted Images by Larry Kanfer – Each piece uses technology and is a giclee. Larry Kanfer Gallery. 2503 S Neil, C. Free. M-Sat 10am-5:30pm.

398-2000. www.kanfer.com.

“Conscious Living Through Nature” – Works from Lisa Billman on display thru Sun. Aroma. 118 N Neil, C. Open 7 days a week, 7am-12am. 356-3200.

Prairie Boatworks Gallery – Watercolors by Heather Collier, earthenware self-portraits by Parkland sculpture students, paintings by Olivia Walder. Thru June 27. Fri & Sat, 12-5pm; Sun, 124pm.

“Vision to Verse, Verse to Vision: A Visual and Poetic Dialouge” – Paintings by Jessica Damen and poetry by Maj Ragain on display at Verde Gallery thru Sept 4. Book Signing and Reception Thur at 6pm. 17 E Taylor St, C. Cafe: M-Sat 7am10pm; Gallery: Tu-Sat 10am-10pm.

366-3204.

“Origonal Watercolors and Pastels” – Artwork from Andy Gillis and Jeannine Bestoso on display Sun-July 31 at Aroma Cafe. 118 N Neil, C. Open 7 days a week, 7am-12am. Info: Amanda Bickle at 356-3200, art4aroma@yahoo.com.

“Allen Stringfellow Retrospective” – Focusing on religion, gospel, and jazz music, his work imparts a lively historical and personal perspective on African-American life in Chicago and Champaign.

500 E Peabody, U. Tue, Thu-Sat 9am-5pm, Wed 9am-8pm, Sun 2-5pm. 333-1860. Sugg Don: $3.

EVENTS & LECTURES Champaign County YMCA’s Third Annual Slamma Jamma – This 3-on-3 basketball tournament will be July 10 & 11 in West Side Park in Champaign.

Register at YMCA: 707 N Country Fair Dr or 500 W Church St, or online at www.ccymca.net. Register

by Sun. Fee: $96 per 4-member team. Teams guaranteed two games. Info: YMCA at 239-2813.

Planet Putt-Putt

a

w in

7:04 PM

CDReviews

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Qu alif yt o

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ond Golf Cours e by illow P W o t com ing ou tt o:

: June 16th 8:30- 10:30 PM : June 23rd10:30- 12:30 PM : June 30th 8:30- 10:30 PM July 7th 8:30- 10:30 PM

AT CADDY SHACK ON JULY 7th (Immediately following the Qualifying Round) Play to win a FREE foursome, dinner at Caddy Shack, a golf hat, shirt and a dozen golf balls!

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calendar

WANT TO GET YOUR EVENT LISTED ON OUR CALENDAR? Send your listings to calendar@readbuzz.com | JUNE 17 - 23, 2004

Christie Clinic Diabetes Lectures – Each lecture will be held from 4-5pm in the Education Room at Christie Clinic. Free. Thur:“Diabetes and the Foot”

by William L. Pierce, D.P.M. June 24:“Self-Care and Glucose Monitoring” by Nurse Educator Sylvia Taylor. July 1:“Complications and New Findings” by John Stokes, M.D. Info: Chrsitie Clinic at 366-1200.

Sinai Temple Raffle – Get tickets weekends at SE corner of N. Prospect and Market View and at Bill Smith Auto Parts in Urbana, Danville, and Bloomington; Fagen Auto Parts in Danville; Fagen

Truck Accessories in Champaign; and Champaign Garber’s Cleaners. harleyatsinai.tripod.com.

Book Signing at Borders – Local author Ray Elliott, “Wild Hands Toward the Sky.” Sat, 2-4pm.

WORKSHOPS & CLASSES

Champaign County Young Republicans, Legislative Breakfast Series – Guest Speaker: John Foreman, Editor and General Manager of the News-Gazette ("Politics and the Media"). $10 includes admission and breakfast. Hawthorn Suites, C. Wed, 7-8am. 377-3318 or www.ChampaignYR.org.

Paxton Majestic Theater Workshop – Participants will perform skits, play games and learn about stage design and theater production. For firstninth graders. Register by July 5. Cost: $75. July 26Aug 6. M-F, 9am-12pm.

BOB ’N DAVE

Vacation Bible School – Medieval theme.

Pilgrimage: Seeking the Kingdom of God. July 6-9, 8:45-11:30am. Grades K-5, Urbana First

buzz

Presbyterian Church. 367-8357.

Loose Womyn Discussion Group – (discussion topics are loose, the women need not be). The group will discuss the book Make Your Creative Dreams Real : A Plan for Procrastinators, Perfectionists, Busy People, and People Who Would Really Rather Sleep All Day by SARK. Borders. Thur, 7pm. 351-9011.

Border Crossers Discussion Group – (exploring the works of international authors). The group will discuss the book The Silent Duchess by Italian author Dacia Maraini. Borders. June 24, 7pm. 351-9011.

P IMP YOUR RIDE!

We’ll even put you and your junked up ride in the Champaign Fourth of July Parade to show off just how badly your ride needs pimping.

I shoot myself with Rock ’n’ Roll

Indie rock icons Guided by Voices call it quits after this year’s tour zooming by in two minute comets on albums that were stuffed with up to twenty four songs.

The sonic equivalent of playing air guitar in your bedroom while Tommy blares in the background, the band inspired unswerving devotion in a generation of true believers.

In 1996, Pollard switched the band’s line-up preferring to rock out with accomplished Ohio garage rock band Cobra Verde. “We’d known Pollard from a Scat Records Tour, the Insects of Rock tour in 1994,” relates Gillard, “Bob (Pollard) liked a band that I was in before called Death of Samantha and he asked us to record an album with him in 1996…I was always a fan of the band, I’d seen them live.”

The bands live shows are somewhat legendary, Pollard pirhouetting and rock star posing while he and the band often go through a case of beer on stage. Gillard recalls, “We’ve had shows where we had to stop because the band was too drunk to go on. People were falling into the drums…It’s always fun, but unfortunately the nature of the fun makes it a little hard to remember sometimes.”

Although much is made of the band’s earlier period, the truth is Guided By Voices have simply never stopped putting out uniformly excellent rock albums. “We’ve been putting out great albums for some time now,” Gillard said. The band realized their arena rock dreams with a stint on major label TVT, crispy, crunchy production and wall to wall hooks on Isolation Drills and Do The Collapse. “I don’t have a favorite album, it’s like taking one of our fans and asking which is his favorite song,” Gillard said.

I

Send or drop off submissions to: WPGU-FM c/o Planet Pimp My Ride 24 East Green Street Suite 107 Champaign, IL 61820 OR submit online at www.1071theplanet.com

Write a short essay of why your ride needs to be pimped, And submit 3 pictures: An interior, an exterior, and an engine shot

by June 21st to WPGU. Planet Pimp My Ride is brought to you by Blue Star Collision Center, Alliance Automotive, Premier Sound and Audio And the only alternative, 107.1 The Planet!

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music

JUNE 17 - 23, 2004 | WHY MUST YOU LEAVE US GUIDED BY VOICES?

BY LOGAN MOORE | STAFF WRITER

BY DAVID KING

Is your ride in serious need of some help? Let the Planet

buzz

magine, 1987, John Bon Jovi wrapping up the anthemic, denoument of “Living On a Prayer,” hot pink stretch pants drenched in sweat, his practiced “good guy” grin stretching from ear to ear, neon-braceleted arms open. He stands before a teeming mass of permed, Peroxide blonde, acid-washed mall dwellers.

As this tableau plays itself out in stadiums across the USA, elementary school teacher, Robert Pollard is seated in his basement in Dayton, Ohio with a few drinking buddies.

The four track is running as Pollard sloppily, thrashes at his guitar and croons the lyrics to “Hank’s Little Fingers.” In a few months the song will be included on the debut of Pollard’s band Guided By Voices, released on the tiny local Ohio label Get Happy!. In a few years Guided By Voices will be touring on the Lollapalooza festival and have received rave reviews from every major publication from Rolling Stone to Entertainment Weekly. Robert Pollard will be one of the most respected, prolific, and beloved heroes of indie rock and Bon Jovi will still suck.

“I always think it has more of an influence than people let on,” says band member Doug Gillard, “We always have bands giving us CD’s that sound like any period of Guided By Voices. I can hear the influence when I turn on the radio and in new bands coming up. There are a few that acknowledge it.” Through a slew of albums, from the lo-fi classics of Bee Thousand and Alien Lanes to latter-day powerpop stunners like Do The Collapse, a number of line-up changes, and an infamous propensity for raucous, beer-fuelled live shows Guided By Voices have been an indie-rock institution.

At the center of it all, lies the endlessly creative, eccentric Pollard and his songs, brilliant distilliations of punk-rock energy, sixties melodicism, and peculiar lyrics crafted into idiosyncratic bursts of pure pop genius. “He’s one of the quickest and smartest guys I’ve ever met. One of the most prolific artists. He’s a good man,” says Gillard. Guided By Voices made it entirely plausible that a thirty-something, Midwestern, school teacher could write the best rock songs in the world, and hundreds of them to boot.

Starting off as a hobby/band/excuse to drink in the 80’s, the band hit the big time so to speak with the buzz surrounding their 1992 release Propeller. What followed was a tidal wave of acclaim, rightfully predicated on their 1994 release Bee Thousand and a successful run of albums for the Matador label. This period of Guided By Voices is characterized by low fidelity gems, short bursts of anthemic hooks,

Recently, the band re-signed with Matador composing a pair of albums hearkening back to their earlier idiosyncrasies, culminating in Earthquake Glue, the band’s last album and one of their best ever. Gillard comments, “We got back with them because they asked the band back. Matador’s always known how to promote the band and package the band, they let Bob do his collages on the covers. It was an easy decision.”

All the while Pollard has continued to release dozens of EP’s and full-lengths both solo and under pseudonyms on his Fading Captain and Rockathon labels as well as releasing entire box sets of unreleased material. With such an overwhelming amount of Pollard/GBV material inundating independent record stores for over a decade, it seems unimaginable that the band could ever call it quits. But after their current tour and the release of their final album in August, Guided

By Voices will be doing just that. “We all feel good about it,” remarks Gillard,” Bob wants to continue to challenge himself, putting out solo albums…It’s been going on a long time. I think it’s run it’s course. The album seems like a good one to go out on. We didn’t know it was the last album when we recorded it. Bob made the decision a few months later.”

Of their fifteenth and final studio release Gillard relates,”The songs in general are simpler and catchy a little more anthemic, but not heavy, not very fancy which is a big compliment. It’s my favorite of the last few years.”

In a way, Guided By Voices have represent-

ed all the innocence, heart, and possibilities of indie rock since their inception. They proved that rock ’n’ roll anthems, the ones to be played at loud volumes in speeding cars, the ones to be sung along to with beer in hand, the ones to be learned chord for chord by seventeen yearolds in their parents’ garages, are not solely the domain of “rock stars.” They belong to anybody with a guitar, a four track machine, a few good friends and an unwavering faith in the power of rock ’n’ roll. As Pollard himself put it in a line from “I am a Scientist”, “I am a lost soul/ I shoot myself with rock and roll/ The whole I dig is bottomless/ But nothing else can set me free.” buzz

Check out the final Guided by Voices tour this Thursday at the Highdive. The show starts at 9 p.m. with Waxwings opening. Tickets are $15.

TopFive

Essential Guided by Voices albums In chronological order

1. Bee Thousand This one lit the fire and is still one of simply one of the best albums of the nineties. Try not to jump up and down to “Echos Myron”.

2. Alien Lanes GBV’s twenty eight track opus recorded for what the band claims was ten dollars. The bassline to “As We Go Up, We Down” should be in every song ever.

3. Under the Bushes Under the Stars The boys brought it with the power pop on this one and crunched all over this underrated classic.“Man Called Aerodynamics” wins hands down as best GBV opening track

4.Isolation Drills

PHOTO COURTESY OF GUIDED BY VOICES WEBSITE

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The best of thier two TVT releases. Learn to play “Chasing Heather Crazy” for the girl you love and watch as she swoons.

5. Earthquake Glue

Guided by Voices will release their final album this August following their summer tour.

Still putting out albums this great, GBV are definitely ending on a winning streak. On a rainy day “The Best of Jill Hives” just might remind you of the girl who got away. Aaaah, abstract love songs.

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arts

NEVER CONGRATULATED YOU ON GRADUATION ... SO ... GOOD JOB, VAL! | JUNE 17 - 23, 2004

ARTIST’S CORNER

BY KATIE RICHARDSON | ARTS EDITOR

H

PHOTOS COURTESY OF HEATHER COLLIER

eather was raised in the small border town of Zapata, Texas, where she was heavily influenced by the culture, love and spirit of the Mexican people. Her work has exhibited this influence. She sold her first painting at the age of 12. Her interest in art has only increased since then. This summer, her current work will be featured at Cafe Kopi, Espresso Royale, Barnes & Noble, Borders and Pages for All Ages. These works are marked by their subjectivity as well as a non-traditional and intense use of watercolor. She currently resides in Savoy, is married and a mother of one child, is a student and teaches preschool.

Artist Heather R. Reed-Collier.

What is your preferred medium and why?

I would have to say watercolor.

I’m comfortable with it, and I love how things can happen when you don’t expect them to. I also like the overall effect of luminance that occurs by letting the white of the paper show through. White paint just isn’t the same.

A gallery of distinct fine American Arts and Crafts

Hours:

Tuesday-Saturday 10am-5pm Sunday 12pm-4pm or by appointment 415 E. Main Street, Mahomet 217-590-2800

by Billy VanZandt and Jane Milmore directed by Aaron Polk

June 10-13, 16-20, 23-26

217-328-5749 or 1-800-252-1355

Tickets: $8.00 (Wed, Thurs, Sun) $10.00 (Fri and Sat) Wednesday is 2 for 1 All shows at 8:00pm Partially funded by Illinois Arts Council

308 E Anthony Drive Urbana, IL www.awning-tent.com

THIS WEEK &R *UN 3UMMERFEST 4HE 'LASS -ENAGERIE PM

3UMMERFEST 'UILTY #ONSCIENCE PM

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0LEASE NOTE START TIMES FOR ALL 3UMMERFEST PERFORMANCES THERE IS NO LATE SEATING IN +RANNERT #ENTER S 3TUDIO 4HEATRE

KRANNERT CENTER +RANNERT #ENTER SERVICES REMAIN OPEN ALL SUMMER

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Employment Services Merchandise Transportation Apartments Other Housing/Rent Real Estate for Sale Things To Do Announcements Personals

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• PLEASE CHECK YOUR AD! Report errors immediately by calling 337-8337. We cannot be responsible for more than one day’s incorrect insertion if you do not notify us of the error by 2 pm on the day of the first insertion. • All advertising is subject to the approval of the publisher. The Daily Illini shall have the right to revise, reject or cancel, in whole or in part, any advertisement, at any time. • All employment advertising in this newspaper is subject to the City of Champaign Human Rights Ordinance and similar state and local laws, making it illegal for any person to cause to be published any advertisement which expresses limitation, specification or discrimination as to race, color, mental handicap, personal appearance, sexual orientation, family responsibilities, political affiliation, prior arrest or conviction record, source of income, or the fact that such person is a student. • Specification in employment classifications are made only where such factors are bonafide occupational qualifications necessary for employment. • All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act of 1968, and similar state and local laws which make it illegal for any person to cause to be published any advertisement relating to the transfer, sale, rental, or lease of any housing which expresses limitation, specifications or discrimination as to race, color, creed, class, national origin, religion, sex, age, marital status, physical or mental handicap, personal appearance, sexual oientation, family responsibilities, political affiliation, or the fact that such person is a student. • This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate that is in violation of the law. Our readers are informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal oppportunity basis.

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CAMPUS APARTMENTS Furnished | Unfurnished 1, 2, & 3 BR Apts, 5 BR house, reasonable rates. Please call 398-5946 or 390-9536.

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One of Reed-Collier’s many watercolor paintings.

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JUNE 17 - 23, 2004 | OPERATION SHREK ... YOU KNOW YOU WILL KEEP IT FOREVER, RIGHT? WE CAN SELL IT HERE FOR YOU LATER.

Home of Tangora Designs and Farmboy Artworks

3A *UN

When did you start painting?

My first watercolor painting was done at the age of 12. My junior high teacher asked us to choose a picture we liked from some old books, handed us each a strip of watercolors (the type you see in the school supply section of Wal-Mart), a piece of thin watercolor paper, and said, “See what you can do.� I was later encouraged to enter it into a contest, won first prize and sold it at auction for $500!

Isn’t that crazy?

buzz

Wind Water & Light

What other artists besides painters inspire you?

It’s hard to be specific. I’m definitely attracted to visual arts, but I was also blessed to be a part of a very creative family. My Mema was an oil painter and is a beautiful person inside and out, my father can build just about anything. He built our first house, rebuilt a 4x4 pickup, and a ‘68 Camaro and a few million other things while a full-time highway patrolman. My mother was very good with written words. For a time, she was a newspaper reporter, Bible school teacher and mother of three all at once. She also did most of her work out of our home so that she could be at home with my sister, brother and I. I think these people are all artists in their own respect.

In what way has your work developed over the years?

Well, I stopped using the school grade watercolors! Seriously, I feel like I learn a little more every day and sometimes have to unlearn a little, too. Most of the paintings up at Cafe Kopi right now are my very first. I overheard a lady at the Boneyard Festival say, “Why would anyone paint cow heads?� I had to laugh; I know it’s a little different! At the time that I painted them, I was missing home, painting was therapeutic for me, and the images I painted seemed to be a way of keeping my memories of home with me.

It never entered my mind that I would be showing them someday. But back to the question. I painted cow skulls so many times that I knew them by heart. What I was able to do then was ignore the image (cow skull) for a while and play with the paint. Now, I feel like I know the paint, and I’m getting to know new images.

buzz

Photo Sellers 30 words or less + photo: $5 per issue Garage Sales 30 words in both Thursday’s buzz and Friday’s Daily Illini!! $10. If it rains, your next date is free.

Action Ads • 20 words, run any 5 days (in buzz or The Daily Illini), $14 • 10 words, run any 5 days (in buzz or The Daily Illini), $7 • add a photo to an action ad, $10

Employment 000

Services

100

BUSINESS SERVICES HELP WANTED | Part Time APARTMENT COMPLEX MAINTENANCE $8/ hr odd jobs, 398-1998 Housekeeper for professional couple. 2x/week, 3- 4 hrs. each time.

Must be experienced, highly effective at keeping house clean, neat.

Car needed. $10/hr. 359-7487, leave message describing self.

Part-time position in administration from now until Fall. Good pay. Must have excellent organization/ computer skills. Apply at: Campus Property Management 303 E. Green cpm@cpm-apts.com fax: 328-1489

WWW.ILLINIBARGAINS.COM BRAND NAMES WWW.ILLINIMEGAMALL.COM NATIONAL RETAIL STORES

Apartments

400

CAMPUS APARTMENTS Furnished | Unfurnished 1 bedroom lofts $497 2 bedrooms $585 3 bedrooms $750 4 bedrooms $1000 Campus, parking.

Fall 04, 367-6626

Available Aug 2004. Attractive modern loft apts. Dishwasher, disposal, window A/C, ceiling fans, patio/balconies, carpet laundry, parking, 2nd floor skylights. Rents from $435/mo. $50/month to furnish. Apts. shown 7 days a week.

BARR REAL ESTATE, INC. 356-1873 www.barr-re.com

609 W. MAIN, U Renting Aug 2004. Quiet building in nice Urbana neighborhood. 2 bedroom apts furnished $525/mo. Parking optional, central A/C, Carpet, laundry facilities. Gas heat. Daily Showings 7 days a week.

BARR REAL ESTATE, INC. 356-1873 www.barr-re.com

706 S. WALNUT, U Renting for August 2004. Quiet neighborhood. 1 bedroom apts. from $475/mo. Gas heat, central a/c, laundry facilities. Parking included.

To furnish $50/mo. Shown 7 days a week.

BARR REAL ESTATE, INC 356-1873 www.barr-re.com

706 S. Walnut, U Renting for August 2004. Quiet neighborhood. 1 bedroom apts from $465/mo. Gas heat, central A/C, laundry facilities. Parking included.

To furnish $50/mo. Shown 7 days a week.

BARR REAL ESTATE, INC 356-1873 www.barr-re.com

808 S LINCOLN, U Renting Aug 2004. Classic older building with Unfurnished 1 BR + sun room, 1 BR + den. Furnished 2 BR apts across from Jimmy John’s on Lincoln Ave. Near Krannert, Law School, Music, etc. Features hardwood floors in upper units, laundry on site. Parking $45/mo. Shown 7 days a week.

1 BR + Sun Roomfrom $575/mo (UF) 1 BR + Denfrom $575/mo (UF) 2 BRfrom $495/mo (F) BARR REAL ESTATE, INC. 356-1873 www.barr-re.com

Available Now. 2 bedroom on campus. $550 per month. 367-6626.

APARTMENTS FOR RENT 1,2 & 3 BR Boutique vintage hip!

URBANA 209 Coler. Hardwood floors and stained glass windows. $345-615 308 W. Green. Split level floor plan.

Pet friendly! $545-685 704 W. Stoughton.

Hardwood floors, tree-lined cobblestone.

402 S. Race. Near Lincoln Square Mall. Charming studio, hardwood floors, unique woodwork. Free parking, steam heat. $465.

1105/ 1107 W. Oregon. 100 yards to the QUAD. $535-615.

1108 Nevada. Vintage - hardwood floors next to Music Landscape Architecture. 100 yards to QUAD. $555 CHAMPAIGN 310 Chalmers. 200 yards to the QUAD. $555-775.

407 E. Stoughton. Two blocks to Green St. $340-595.

605 S. Fourth. 300 yards to the UNION - Altgeld! $430-455 1012 & 1010 S. First. Two blocks to IMPE. On the busline. $300-465.

Ramshaw Real Estate (217) 359-6400 www.ramshaw.com

CAMPUS APARTMENTS Furnished | Unfurnished

CAMPUS APARTMENTS Furnished

Available for Fall

1005 S. SECOND, C Efficiencies. Fall 2004. Secured building. Private parking. Laundry on site, ethernet available. Phone 352-3182. Office at 309 S. First, Ch. THE UNIVERSITY GROUP www.ugroup96.com

407 E. University. Luxury one bedrooms, fully equipped- microwave, washer/dryer in-unit. Security building with elevator. Balconies, underground parking.

Hardwick Apartments 356-5272 COUNTRY FAIR APARTMENTS 1 & 2 bedroom, furnished or unfurnished, FREE gas heat, water, trash removal, basic satellite TV & FREE parking! Pool, tennis court, inside laundry. On 4 MTD bus routes.

Small pet O.K. Ask about our student leases. M-F 9-5:30, Sat. 9-12 Call 359-3713 or just stop by our office in the red barn, at 2106 W. White, C. www.myapartmenthome.com

Courtyard Apartments 713 S. Randolph, Champaign Renting for Fall/2 & 3 Bedrooms.

Furnished & Unfurnished From $608/mo.

Includes cable, parking, water.

Has laundry facility and seasonal pool. Near campus and downtown Champaign.

352-8540, 355-4608 pm. www.faronproperties.com

Executive Lofts Available for Fall.

201 S. Wright St. Champaign Adjacent to Engineering campus.

Loft bedroom, security parking. Balcony, A/C, laundry.

Hardwick Apartments 356-5272

â˜ş Prime campus, brand new 502 S. 5th 1 BR. REAL NICE, A MUST SEE. Laundry facilities and park. $575.

UNIQUE Avaiable for fall. 1 bedroom loft apartment. Fully equipped. Balcony, parking. 409 W. Green. Call Hardwick Apartments, 356-5272

CAMPUS APARTMENTS Furnished

JTS PROPERTIES 111 E. HEALY, C. Now Leasing for August 2004.

Extra large 1 bedroom and efficiencies Price ranging from $375-$510.

Off-street parking, security building and 5 floor plans to choose from.

JTS Properties 328-4284.

*CAMPUS* 2BR APARTMENTS Nice, safe, quiet neighborhood near Lincoln & Green, furnished, A/C, Ethernet, balcony, laundry, parking, etc. Shown Monday- Saturday. $640/mo. 398-6677.

1005 S. SIXTH, C. Aug, 2004. A+ location! Next to UI Library. Great older building. 1 bedrooms from $525/mo. Laudry facilities, Window A/C, Carpet. Shown 7 days a week.

BARR REAL ESTATE, INC. 356-1873 www.barr-re.com

1006 W. STOUGHTON, U Very close to Engineering campus.

Avail for Aug 2004. Masonry construction.

2 bedrooms from $620/mo. Window A/C, Carpet.

Parking $25/mo. Shown 7 days a week.

BARR REAL ESTATE, INC. 356-1873 www.barr-re.com

101 N. BUSEY & 102 N. LINCOLN, U August 2004. Excellent location near Green & Lincoln. 2 bedroom apts from $500/mo. Window A/C, Laundry. Parking available $30/mo.

Apartments shown 7 days a week.

BARR REAL ESTATE, INC. 356-1873 www.barr-re.com

102 N. GREGORY, U August 2004. Close to Illini Union. 2 bedrooms at $500/mo. Carpet, Gas Heat, Laundry. Parking available at $30/mo. 7 days a week showings.

BARR REAL ESTATE, INC. 356-1873 www.barr-re.com

104 E. ARMORY Location!!

4 bedroom, 2 bath www.ugroup96.com 352-3182

105 E. GREEN, C Studio apts available Aug 2004. Carpet, electric heat, wall A/C units, off street parking available, laundry on site. Rents from $320/mo. Shown 7 days a week.

BARR REAL ESTATE, INC. 356-1873 www.barr-re.com 105 E. John 1 bedroom furnished, great location.

Includes parking. www.ugroup96.com 352-3182

201 N. LINCOLN, U 2 bedroom apts close to campus with parking, ceiling fans in some units, laundry, carpet/tile floors.

Shown 7 days a week. Rents from $500/mo.

BARR REAL ESTATE, INC. 356-1873 www.barr-re.com

311 E. WHITE, C Available for Aug. 2004. Large furnished efficiencies close to Beckman Center. Rent starts at $325/mo.

Parking avail. at $30/mo. Window A/C, carpet. Shown 7 days a week.

BARR REAL ESTATE, INC. 356-1873 www.barr-re.com 509 E. White, C. Aug. 2004. Large 1 bedrooms. Security entry, balconies, patios, furnished. Laundry, off-street parking, ethernet available. Phone 352-3182.

Office at 309 S. First, Ch. THE UNIVERSITY GROUP www.ugroup96.com 615 W. KIRBY New, 4 bedrm elegant townhouse, w/d, a/c, $1600. 398-1998

17

CAMPUS APARTMENTS Furnished

1107 S EUCLID, C Aug 2004 rental. First rate location near Armory, IMPE and Snack Bar. 1 bedroom apts. Window A/C, gas heat, laundry. Parking $35/mo.

Shown 7 days a week.

BARR REAL ESTATE, INC. 356-1873 www.barr-re.com 604 E. White, C. Security Entrance For Fall 2004, Large 1 & 2 bedroom furnished, balconies, patios, laundry, off-street parking, ethernet available.

Phone 352-3182. Office at 309 S. First, C. THE UNIVERSITY GROUP www.ugroup96.com

702 W. WESTERN, U Aug 2004. 1 bedrooms with window A/C, carpet /tile floors, boiler heat, laundry on site. Parking available.

Rent starts at $495/mo. Shown 7 days a week.

BARR REAL ESTATE, INC. 356-1873 www.barr-re.com

702 W. WESTERN, U. Aug 2004. 1 bedrooms with window a/c, carpet/tile floors, boiler heat, laundry on site. Parking avail. Rents from $495/mo. Shown 7 days a week.

BARR REAL ESTATE, INC. 356-1873 www.barr-re.com

705 W. STOUGHTON, U Aug 2004 rental. 3 bedroom apts.

Near Lincoln Ave. and Engineering Campus.

Fenced-in yard.

Balconies/Patios. Microwaves, Carpet, Central A/C, Disposal, Dishwasher, Parking $25/mo. Rents start at $615/mo. Shown daily 7 days a week.

BARR REAL ESTATE, INC. 356-1873 www.barr-re.com

706 S. FIRST, C Excellent Value for Aug. 2004. Half block south of Green on First Street.

Large apts in security building. 2 bedrooms from $480/mo. Window A/C, Carpet, Hot water heat. Parking at $30/mo. Shown 7 days a week.

BARR REAL ESTATE, INC. 356-1873 www.barr-re.com 707 W. Elm, U. August. Excellent campus location.

Well maintained 2 and 3 BR apartments economically priced. Details at robsapartments.com. Call 8405134.

802 W. GREEN, U Aug. 2004 rental. One block from Lincoln Ave. Great architecture and design-not a box apt. Large units with Central A/C, Carpet, Patios/ Balconies, laundry. Off-street parking at $45/mo. 2 bedrooms from $595/mo. Showing 7 days a week.

BARR REAL ESTATE, INC. 356-1873 www.barr-re.com

805 S LINCOLN, U Aug 2004. Great location. Attractive apts. Carpet, Ceiling fans, A/C. Efficiencies from $500/mo. 7 days a week showing.

BARR REAL ESTATE, INC. 356-1873 www.barr-re.com AWESOME 2 BEDRM/ LOFT TOWNHOUSE, engr campus, a/c, d/w, $900, 398-1998 www.lincolnshireprop.com

FIRST AND GREEN Huge lower level 1 bedroom apt. available for Aug. Call Larson Company 398-6677.

ENGINEERING CAMPUS Large Studio APTS Fall 2004 307-310 E. White Secured Bldg., ethernet available UGroup96.com 352-3182

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classifieds

I GUESS WE COULD SELL THE OLD HUNGRY HUNGRY HIPPOS GAME, IF I MUST | JUNE 17 - 23, 2004

CAMPUS APARTMENTS Furnished

CAMPUS APARTMENTS Furnished

CAMPUS APARTMENTS Furnished

CAMPUS APARTMENTS Furnished

CAMPUS APARTMENTS Unurnished

CAMPUS APARTMENTS Unurnished

706 S. LOCUST, C

BUSEY & ILLINOIS, U.

Campus 2 Bedroom

Engineering Campus

115 W. WASHINGTON, U.

Crystal Lake Park Large well maintained 2 bedroom apartments bargain priced at $405$465/mo. Call 840-5134. Details at robsapartments.com

Aug 2004 rentals. One block west of First Street, close to campus in quiet neighborhood. Window A/C, Gas heat, carpet, covered parking available, laundry facilities. 1 bedrooms $395/mo and 2 bedrooms $610/mo.

Shown 7 days a week.

BARR REAL ESTATE, INC. 356-1873 www.barr-re.com

Large apts in quiet Urbana location one block South of Green and one block East of Lincoln. Off street parking. 2 bedrooms now starting at $560/mo. Avail Aug 2004. Shown 7 days a week.

BARR REAL ESTATE, INC. 356-1873 www.barr-re.com

BUSEY AND ILLINOIS, U

1BR avail. Aug.

Shown Monday–Saturday

Tenant Union JOHN STREET APARTMENTS 58 E. John August 2004. Two and three bedrooms, fully furnished. Dishwashers, center courtyard, on-site laundry, central air, ethernet available.

Call Chad at 344-9157 352-3182 University Group www.ugroup96.com

Resident Manager Large lower-level 1 BR apt. at the corner of 1st and Green. Reduced rent and minimal duties. Avail. Aug. Call Larson Co., 398-6677.

205 E. HEALEY, C.

Check landlord complaint records

APARTMENTS

Have your lease reviewed

Location

Bedrooms Location

FREE

1000 APARTMENTS

326 Illini Union 333-0112 www.tenantunion.uiuc.edu Ad paid for by SORF

Furnished one bedrooms and efficiencies for Fall semester from $325 near John and Second or Healey and Third. 356-1407.

408 E. Springfield, C. 2,4 202 E. Chalmers, C. 2 103 E. Chalmers, C. 2 52 E. Armory, C. 1,2 1106 S. Euclid, C. 1,2 57 E. John, C. Studio,1,2 608 E. White, C. 3 507 S. Fourth, C. 2 106, 107, 108 E. Healey, C. 1,2 404 E. Clark, C. 2,3 48 E. John, C. 4 107 E. Springfield, C. 1,2,3,4 212 E. White, C. 1 903, 909 S. Locust, C. 4 503 E. Stoughton, C. 3 408 E. Healey, C 2 1102 E. Colorado, U. 2,3,4

Bedrooms

2008 S.Vawter, U. 2,3,4 812 W. Nevada, U. 2 905, 907 W. Oregon, U. 2,3,4 804 W. Illinois, U. 3 506 W. Elm, U. 2,3 1009 W. Stoughton, U. Studio,2,3 809, 813 W. Springfield, U. 2,4 105 N. Busey, U. 1,2 104 N. Lincoln, U. 3,4 809 W. Stoughton, U. 4 502, 504 W. Elm, U. Studio,1 401 W. Springfield, U. 4 106 S. Gregory, U. 4 1010 W. Stoughton (new), U. 2 1806 Cottage Grove (new), U. 2,3,4 108 N. Busey, U. 1,2(house)

Now offering 1 semester leases on selected buildings www.cpm-apts.com cpm@cpm-apts.net 303 E. Green, Champaign

Office Hours: Mon-Thurs: 9-6 Fri: 9-5

328-3030

sing Lea

430

Unfurnished

Efficiency apt. for rent available now til August. $325/mo. furnished near 1st & Healey. Call 356-1407.

Available Fall 2004

Avail Aug 2004. 1 bedroom apts in quiet Urbana neighborhood. Carpet, window A/C, laundry, boiler heat.

Rents from $510/mo. Shown 7 days a week.

BARR REAL ESTATE, INC. 356-1873 www.barr-re.com

607 W. Springfield, C. $445-460 includes heat, water & trash laundry, parking Weiner Companies, Ltd. 384-8018 www.weinercompanies.com

398-6677

JOHN & LOCUST, C

OLD TOWN CHAMPAIGN 510 S. Elm 2 BR close to campus, hardwood floors, dishwasher, W/D, central air/heat, off street parking, 24 hr. maintenance. $525/mo. 352-3182 or 841-1996. www.ugroup96.com

• Excellent campus location near Lincoln & Green • Ethernet • Parking • Laundry • Balcony • Kitchen/bar combination From $640

The Larson Company

Large apts in quiet Urbana location one block South of Green and one block East of Lincoln. Off street parking. 2 bedrooms start at $560/mo. Available August 2004.

Shown 7 days a week.

BARR REAL ESTATE, INC. 356-1873 www.barr-re.com

Showing for Aug 2004. Quiet neighborhood. One block west of First Street and close to campus. Huge one bedroom apts, very bright. Window A/C, Carpet, Gas heat. Parking $20/mo. Rents start at $350/mo.

Shown 7 days a week.

BARR REAL ESTATE, INC. 356-1873 www.barr-re.com

Efficiencies at 503 E. Clark, C. $330-360 parking and laundry available.

Weiner Co. Ltd. 384-8018 www.weinercompanies.com

Spacious furnished apartments 702-704 W. Elm

Best Off-Campus Selection in town!

Exceptional Values on Sparkling Clean Apartments in Superior Locations. Prices & features for every budget. Don’t settle for just any apartment, when you can have an exceptional Royse & Brinkmeyer home! Don’t wait—now is the time to LOOK & CHOOSE!

217-352-1129

Renting Aug 2004. Very large 1 bedroom apts. Carpet, window A/C, parking avail at $30/mo. Rents start at $385/mo. Shown Daily 7 days a week.

BARR REAL ESTATE, INC. 356-1873 www.barr-re.com

205 EAST HEALEY, C Renting Aug 2004. Very large 1 bedroom apartments. Carpet, window A/C, parking available at $30/mo.

Rents start at $385/mo. Shown daily 7 days a week.

BARR REAL ESTATE, INC 356-1873 www.barr-re.com

www.roysebrinkmeyer.com 205 E. Stoughton, Champaign 3 bedrooms for the price of 2! Nice 3 bedroom apt. Five blocks from the quad. Large living room, Central air/heat. $595/mo. www.theelectrumgroup.com (217)649-0761

for Fall’’0 4

From $825106 E Gregory, Urbana 4 B Apts.

- Fully Furnished - Microwave - Central A/C - Washer & Dryer in each unit - Dishwasher FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CALL 352-8092 • 778-9790

800 W. Church, C. Available now and through summer.

Economical 2 BR. $450/mo.

352-8540, 355-4608 pm, weekends. www.faronproperties.com

Beautiful park setting convenient to U of I

Large 2 BR apt. avail. mid August.

Has laundry, A/C, $435-$465 Weiner Co. 384-8018

GREAT LOCATIONS! LOW PRICES! 1, 2, 3, & 4 BEDROOMS

Quiet 1 BR. Close to campus, 704 W. Nevada, U. Most utilities, parking. Laundry, hardwood floors. From $445. Avail. 8/15. No pets. 3445679, kramerapartments.com Large one bedroom. Available ASAP. Water, gas paid. $420/month through 8/2005. 201 S Elm, C. 3900475.

FAIRLAWN VILLAGE FAIRLAWN & VINE Aug 2004. Live in a peaceful, relaxed, neighborhood setting. Fairlawn Village is a one story apartment community, spread out on twelve acres, close to U of I, shopping and walking distance to schools. Spacious apartments with washer dryer hook up, a/c and garages available. One bedrooms from $470/mo. Two bedrooms from $485 to $570/mo. Call for an appointment.

BARR REAL ESTATE, INC 344-5043 www.barr-re.com SOUTH WEST CHAMPAIGN 1418 Lincolnshire.Newly decorated large 4 bedroom. 2 full baths. Fireplace. Kit. Dining/Living Room. Private patio. Water/Parking included.

AUGUST. No pets. 356-0660/ 352-3642.

SUBLETS 3 bedroom apt. for lease. 3rd & Green. $930 for 3 people.

(309)269-9426.

Available now-mid August. Efficiency apartment Fourth & John. All utilities + parking included! $425. 847347-0560.

Other Rentals 500 HOUSES 2 bedroom and 7 bedroom house on campus for fall 2004. 367-6626.

Summer leases available (some new buildings).

328-3030

www.cpm-apts.com

CAMPUS APARTMENTS

Choice 1, 2, & 3 Bedroom Apts. For Fall

2,3, and 4 BRS

Great Campus Locations!

NOW LEASING FOR FALL 202 E Chalmers, C 103 E Chalmers, C 503 E Stougthon, C 106 E Gregory, U Great Locations

Please call for an appointment: 778-9790 or 352-8092

✶ Ethernet/High ✶ Security Intercoms speed internet ✶ Laundry facilities– access Some with ✶ Parking washer/dryer in ✶ Dishwasher/ unit Microhood ✶ Balconies ✶ 24 hour emergency maintenance SEE THE DIFFERENCE BANKIER APARTMENTS www.bankierapts.com

Mon-Sat 328-3770

buzz

buzz

bookreview

HOUSES

3 bedroom houses for rent. Starting at $750. 337-4889 or 621-3971.

602 W. Michigan, U Avail 2004. 3 bedroom house with sunroom, washer & dryer, forced air heat. Rent $1,300/mo. Shown 7 days a week.

BARR REAL ESTATE INC. 356-1873 www.barr-re.com

★★★

art1 t

Or do you know one that’s

WORTHY of an artist corner?

David Sedaris

BY KATIE RICHARDSON | ARTS EDITOR

CONTACT KATIE RICHARDSON arts@readbuzz.com

I

f you’ve read any of David Sedaris’s previous books, you should have some idea of what to expect if perchance you pick up Dress Your Family In Corduroy and Denim. As demonstrated in his previous works, this memoir displays his signature wit, complete with oddball antics. The main characters, as always, are Sedaris’s family, although Hugh, the resident French boyfriend from Me Talk Pretty One Day, does rear his head from time to time.

This formula is most certainly a successful one. Anyone who has read Naked or Me Talk Pretty One Day can appreciate the brutally honest humor that is the most central factor in any Sedaris essay. His rapier wit is arguably ingenious and, short of a good Monty Python sketch, few can whittle their linguistic knives as sharply. Nevertheless, this memoir is more telling than previous novels. It appears that Sedaris has an even wider lexicon of experiences than fans might expect. In Dress, we are invited into a 22-year-old Sedaris’s home and asked to live through the pain of being rejected by one’s own father for his sexual preference. Also, Sedaris seems to make a somewhat poetic apology for using his family’s intimate secrets as fodder for his art form.

While Sedaris has never before suggested that he does not taste the bitter along with the sweet, there is definitely a more dominant serious side to his latest release. Granted, in Naked he discussed the death of his mother and in Me Talk Pretty, we are given a detailed analysis of his drug abuse. However, in these previous writings, the descriptions were so fantastical, so over the top, that although we readers were exposed to grave subject matter, we were laughing so hard that we forgot. The most sig-

602 W. MICHIGAN, U Avail 2004. 3 bedroom house with sunroom, washer and dryer, forced air heat. Rent $1,300/mo. Shown 7 days a week.

BARR REAL ESTATE, INC 356-1873 www.barr-re.com

802 Iowa Urbana New renovated architect’s home, group house, Jet-spa, hot tub, pond, fully equipped modern kitchen, fireplace, huge common areas, garage.

Available now, $2350.

606 W. Iowa 5 bedroom, furnished, available August 1st. $1,600/mo.

DOYLE PROPERTIES 398-3695.

FAMILY ROOM, 3/ 4 BEDROOM TOWNHOUSES, $850, $900, d/w, a/c, quiet, campus bus, yard.

398-1998 Furnished 4 bedroom houses on campus near Ohio and Lincoln for Fall ‘04. Call 356-1407.

Lovely 4-5 bedroom house. Fireplace, oak French doors and floors.

A/C, parking, full basement, busline.

Randolph and White St., Champaign. Available 8/16/04. $1300/mo.

356-3232

ROOMS

903 W NEVADA, U Quality rooming house. Near Jimmy John’s on Lincoln Ave. Rooms available for Aug 2004. Rents from $260/mo to $330/mo. Laundry facilities, Common kitchen. Showing 7 days a week.

BARR REAL ESTATE, INC. 356-1873 www.barr-re.com

Single rooms for women.

nificant accomplishment of Dress is the way in which Sedaris no longer seems frightened of guiding the reader into melancholic territory without a safety net.

The only complaint, though, is that it is the same territory. The great thing about the release of Me Talk Pretty right after Naked was that the former brought new subject matter into light—Sedaris’s relationship with his significant other and his travels in France. This newest book does not make the same switch.

The subject matter is old news, humorous and great old news, but old news nevertheless.

BOOK REVIEW GUIDE

★★★★ ★★★ ★★ ★ No stars

Flawless Good Mediocre Bad Unreadable

continued from Page 6

ROOMMATES

Summerfest will change its name during the season to a name that better communicates what the company is about, Harris said. Because Summerfest is a common name, the members of the company hope this will help set them apart in national visibility.

“Summerfest provides high quality entertainment. It’s an opportunity to see local talent, student talent and guest talents working all together,” Harris said. “The major reason people should come and see us is that we do very good, highly entertaining work.” buzz

M or F, 1 or 2 for new house in country. $325 includes everything.

217-840-2257. Leave message.

Roommate wanted fall-spring school year. Call Nathan 217-430-7807.

PARKING | STORAGE Special prices on 5 x 5, 5 x 10, 10 x 10 units available for Summer. Call Johnson Rentals at 351-1767.

Announcements800 LOST AND FOUND Pen found at Campus Car Pool, engraved initials. Call 333-3912.

Director Matthew Reeder and Cristinia Panfilio.

AT

June 18-August 1

Summerfest

Kitchen and laundry facilities. Nice, clean, good location on bus-line.

Now leasing Summer and Fall 2004.

Call 841-5393 or 367-4824.

7

Are you an 5 who’s cooler than this guy?

Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim

204 N Lincoln 4 bedroom close to campus. W/D, central air, fireplace. Deck with nice yard. 355-0987.

arts

JUNE 17 - 23, 2004 | "I'M TSFRAPHPD AIN N A{T%M~ VREHSTIFPOOL WRIPHD JVILHL GROOFDACPHRE!"

The Glass Menagerie

by Tennessee Williams A family drama and American classic Opens June 18 Guilty Conscience

by Richard Levinson & William Link A fiendish psychological thriller Opens June 19 Parfumerie

by Miklos Laszlo A romantic comedy of friends, life, and love Opens June 24 Studio Theatre, $7-$16 A Marvelous Party Summerfest Apprentice/Intern Benefit July 21, 23 $35, $25 with purchase of 2 or more plays The Younger Generation Apprentice/Intern Presentation July 31, 2pm, free

Department of Theatre College of Fine and Applied Arts Krannert Center Ticket Office 217/333-6280 or 800/KCPATIX KrannertCenter.com

being matters.

PHOTOS | RODERCIK GEDEY

6:32 PM

SUMMERFEST

18

6/16/04

PHOTOS | RODERICK GEDEY

061704buzz0718

7:05 PM

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arts

WHY ARE THERE INTERSTATE HIGHWAYS IN HAWAII? | JUNE 17 - 23, 2004 buzz

Summerfest at Krannert F

ple have asked if the company considered moving back to the Playhouse, which almost triples the seating of the Studio Theater.

“First of all, I don’t know that we are that successful to do that,” he said. “Number two, much of our audience will miss the intimacy that they enjoy if we moved.”

Summerfest is anticipating a great season for this year.

All seemed to be pleased with the play selections.

However, there was a bit of a scare with not being able to get the rights for the play Parfumerie. This Hungarian play has never had an English production.

When Harris received the rights and translation to the play, he found out that all rights to the play had been withdrawn. The play had recent success with a production in Paris. There is talk that a performance in London will take place later in the year, and another production may open next year in New York. Summerfest was the only American company given the rights to the play before the play’s agent decided to withdraw the rights, Harris said.

“The timing was perfect. We got in there right under the wire,” he said.

rom night to night, Cristina Panfilio, a University theater student, goes from acting like a shy, reserved person to a flirtatious woman.

It’s not a psychological disorder; it’s Summerfest at Krannert Center for the Performing Arts.

Each summer, the company puts on three productions, said James Berton Harris, producing director. The selected plays are usually one American classic, a murder mystery or psychological thriller, and something a little different from the rest. This summer, the company will stage productions of The Glass Menagerie, Guilty Conscience and Parfumerie, Harris said.

Summerfest is one of few theater companies that still does a revolving repertory. The company will perform several plays in the same season.

“Every night you’re doing a different character in a different play, but it’s also good for the audience,” Harris said.

“They like to see all three plays in close proximity of each Anne Kearns (right) and Christina Panfilio at a rehearsal for The Glass other and see the actors change.”

Menagerie, one of the rotating plays in Summerfest at Krannert Center continued on Page 7 The cast of Summerfest is made up of four University of for Performing Arts.

Illinois theater students: Panfilio, Brent Barnes, Jason Maddy and Sari Sanchez.

There are also four guest actors—Joi Hoffsommer, Anne Shapland Kearns, Steven Keen and Timothy Klein. Guest directors include Peter Reynolds directing Parfumerie, William Martin directing Guilty Conscience and Matthew Reeder directing The Glass Menagerie. The company is comprised of students, local talent and guests from Chicago, New York and Philadelphia.

“It’s nice to have new people because it gives you a fresh approach,” Panfilio said.

“We also have some actors coming from Chicago and other places so it’s good to get new insights.”

Harris said the summer program is beneficial to theater students in the company in that they are able to form connections with others who are more experienced.

“One of the important things to me is to make the experience different for the students who do stay during the summer for Summerfest,” he said. “I didn’t think it would be to their advantage to work with the same directors and designers and other actors that they worked with during the year. It would be an opportunity to expose them to other talents.”

The company will perform the program in the Studio Theater, a more intimate setting in the Krannert Center. With a smaller stage, the company usually plays to a full house for their performances.

“Our audience that we’ve cultivated in the last 14 to 15 years really like the intimacy of the studio and really like that they have the physical proximity to the Director Matthew Reeder talks to Cristina Panfilio during a rehearsal. The Glass Menagerie is one of four plays featured for Summerfest at Krannert Center for actors,” Harris said. Occasionally, peoPerforming Arts.

moviereview

SUPER SIZE ME ★★★★

BY MATT PAIS | LEAD REVIEWER

F

PHOTOS | RODERICK GEDEY

BY SUSIE AN | STAFF WRITER

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buzz JUNE 17 - 23, 2004 | THE HAMBURGLER WAS SIMPLY CRYING OUT FOR HELP.

asten your belt loops and hold onto your love handles: Super Size Me is one of the best movies so far this year.

The concept behind this funny, fearless documentary is simple. When two teenage girls sued McDonald’s for allegedly making them fat, the fast food powerhouse said that if they consistently ate McDonald’s and then showed evidence of significant health problems, then maybe they would have a case that the company’s food was reasonably dangerous.

So Morgan Spurlock decided to eat every meal at Mickey D’s for an entire month, setting the following rules: He could only eat food offered over the counter at McDonald’s, he had to try everything on the menu at least once, and he would only “super size” his Extra Value Meal if the cashier asked him to. He also consulted three doctors before beginning the program, none of whom were as wary as his Vegan chef girlfriend, Alex.

It should come as no surprise that the McDiet,

moviereview

THE STEPFORD WIVES ★★★

BY JOHN LOOS | STAFF WRITER

W

ith the mountains of bad press that preceded the release of The Stepford Wives, including reports of feuds on the set, cast changes and months of reshooting, it seemed as though Frank Oz’s remake of the 1975 thriller was headed for a Gigli-sized failure. Despite the negative advanced buzz, however, the film is surprisingly watchable. Yes, it’s discardable, fluffy and unfocused, too, but it most certainly isn’t awful.

It simply lacks an edge of any kind, making it like a jiggly Jell-O mold of a movie instead of a jumbled Gigli disaster.

The movie follows recently axed network executive Joanna Eberheart (Nicole Kidman) and her husband (Matthew Broderick) as they start a new life in the sunny Connecticut suburb of Stepford. Although the trailer gives much away about the secret of this creepily perfect town and its beautiful wives, it is still intriguing and humorous to watch the locals, especially the

as Spurlock calls it, had severe effects on his entire body, but the brilliance of Super Size Me comes from the unapologetic, carefully organized way Spurlock suggests that America has willingly caused its own problems. He links extra-large portions, aggressive advertising to children, the all-mighty dollar, and several other contributing factors to a rampaging culture of irresponsible overconsumption. No matter what your pants size, it’s impossible not to marvel at the handfuls of interviewees who tell Spurlock just how often they indulge in fast food.

Average, everyday Americans confess to eating McDonald’s three, four, even five times a week, while others admit to drinking up to a liter of Coke each day. It’s no wonder that it doesn’t take long for Spurlock to develop “McGas.” In the first week alone, he gains eight pounds, consuming an average of 5,000 calories per day (a nutritionist tells him his recommended intake is 2,500).

And the numbers don’t end there: Super Size Me informs us that 25 percent of Americans eat fast food each day, and every day McDonald’s feeds more people worldwide than the population of Spain. More than 60 percent of Americans don’t exercise, and while $2 million is spent each year advertising fruits and vegetables, McDonald’s spends $1.2 billion annually marketing its products worldwide. Maybe that’s why a group of first graders can barely identify George Washington or Jesus—one thinks the latter is George W. Bush—but all of them know Ronald McDonald by name.

There’s a hilarious sequence in which, after a

film

doctor explains that people become hooked on unhealthy food because of its addictive, drug-like hold on them, Spurlock sets a montage of McDonald’s mascot to Curtis Mayfield’s “Pusherman.” It’s a spectacularly funny combination of pop culture icons, with Spurlock creating his own super-sized Superfly, but can we really take this type of nutritional extremism seriously?

You bet we can. Spurlock acknowledges the extreme nature of SUPER SIZE ME | MORGAN SPURLOCK his experiment, attempting to preSo maybe eating right can keep kids off the vent skeptics from writing off the results of his McTest as common sense. But the fact that he streets, but the idea behind Super Size Me is that gained weight and raised his cholesterol and eating right can keep humans out of the grave. experienced stomach problems and even suf- Our love for fast food has caused obesity to fered sexual side effects and liver failure, become second only to cigarette smoking on the Spurlock says, isn’t the crux of his study. It’s that list of preventable causes of death. The problem millions of people eat the same unhealthy food continues to thrive even in today’s carb-conon a regular basis—even if they space it out over scious culture, which Spurlock proves can be longer periods of time—without knowing or some pretty heavy baloney, revealing that McDonald’s ranch chicken salad offers more caring about its effects.

Nutritionists say the amount of McDonald’s calories than a Big Mac. Shortly after the film’s Sundance premiere, food Spurlock consumed in one month should have been spread out over eight years in an even McDonald’s removed its “super size” option mildly healthy diet. Across the country, public from the menu, claiming it had nothing to do schools are serving burgers, fries and Little with the movie. Spurlock’s movie is at times difDebbies when it turns out health food is no ficult to watch—frankly, it wants to gross us out more expensive. In fact, a school for delinquent with the hard, greasy truth—but it delivers on children has incorporated a mandatory bal- all the requirements of an important documenanced diet plan to fight truancy, and faculty tary. It’s brave, challenging and relevant, and in members say the students’ behavior has drasti- calling attention to an American epidemic, Super Size Me is truly McTastic. cally improved.

town’s matriarch and patriarch, Claire and Mike Wellington (Glenn Close and Christopher Walken), behave in such a nauseatingly Leave it to Beaver manner.

In one funny scene, the wives of Stepford hold a book club meeting only to discuss a Christmas decoration catalog and to share creative ways to decorate with pine cones.

Joanna, a headstrong, icy woman, is determined to uncover Stepford’s highgloss secret, so she befriends two fel- THE STEPFORD WIVES | NICOLE KIDMAN low newbies to the neighborhood, feisty Bobbi Markowitz (Bette Midler) and flam- unexpected yet unremarkable finish. One can boyant Roger Bannister (Roger Bart). Bart, who almost pinpoint where the actors’ fatigue sets in plays the more feminine half of a gay couple— and it’s pretty obvious what scenes were tedious one welcome modern spin Oz infuses—ener- reshoots for them. While Close and Walken gizes every one of his scenes and Midler, back manage to stay engaging and effective throughafter a long big-screen hiatus, relentlessly goes out, and Faith Hill shows promise in her small after every one-liner, and gets most of them. (but oh so perfect) role, Midler, Kidman and Together, they try to figure out why all of the Broderick seem to slowly lose interest as the film wives look like Faith Hill and act like Donna strays from its initial comedic intentions and Reed, something that is pretty obvious from the into muddier waters.

Because of the resounding tepidity of Oz’s beginning and almost besides the point even as the film weakly shifts tones to science-fiction remake, the film never takes any major risks. It stays safely inbounds, gliding softly through the thriller.

The film should strictly be a comedy. As soon screenplay like a Stepford wife through her as it tries to be dark and disturbing, or a social kitchen. In the end, it’s harmless. If Oz had commentary (something partially lost in today’s picked one tone with which to attack the film “working woman” world), it quickly deflates. and stuck with it, the end product might have And, it seems as though a satirical comedy was been more seamless and alluring, like a true envisioned at the beginning of filming as the Stepford wife, and less erratic and inconsequenopening scenes have an energy and affability tial, like Hill’s frequently malfunctioning Sarah that is slowly lost as the film moves towards its Sunderson.

C-UViews Compiled by Sarah Krohn

The Stepford Wives ★★★ Lindsey Robinson Urbana, Ill.

“Pretty funny. Glenn Close was ironically hilarious.”

★★★ Laura Vernncik Philo, Ill.

“I’m a big fan of Nicole Kidman, however the film did not move me.”

★★★ Jamie Rollins Champaign, Ill.

“There were funny parts but the ending was a little wierd.”

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film&tv

moviereview

THE CHRONICLES OF RIDDICK ★★

BY ANDREW VECELES | STAFF WRITER

V

in Diesel has all the tools to become the biggest action star in the world. He’s got a unique and imposing look to him, a gruff voice, is as comfortable delivering a one-liner as he is snapping bad guys’ necks and looks good running in slow-motion. He also has some decent acting capacity—his roles in Saving Private Ryan and Boiler Room proved that he can easily play more than just a two-dimensional badass musclehead. Three years ago, people were calling him the next Schwarzenegger and with good reason.

But The Chronicles of Riddick, the sequel to the sleeper hit Pitch Black, continues his recent streak of appearing in subpar hogwash that serves only to diminish his star in Hollywood. Diesel himself stars as the adventurer-cum-felon title character, and plays the role well. But the rest of the movie has more ideas than it knows what to do with, and rapidly moves from entertaining to confusing to boring and back again.

As an example, try to make sense of this storyline. The Necromongers, a race of beings who look and act like storm troopers hanging out at Medieval Times, seek to destroy or convert

moviereview

SAVED! ★★★

BY DEVON SHARMA | STAFF WRITER

I

n an era when political correctness and neoconservatism fueled by a form of religious fanaticism begin to dominate the social and political landscape of this country, the movie Saved!, written and directed by Brian Dannelly, attempts to not only poke fun at some of these religious fanatics, but also reveal possible flaws in their ideologies as they are applied to real life situations and problems.

Saved! is a story about a group of high school students whose lives go through some of the very same undertakings many other teenagers experience: disabilities, religious ostracism, questioning one’s sexuality and teen pregnancy. The main difference with the community in this film is that the main characters all attend a very religious Christian high school. Although all of the extras and individuals that acted in presenting the setting of the high school weren’t performing in a

WHERE’S THE MOVIE ABOUT GARFIELD’S FRIENDS ... LIKE THAT EGG WITH THE LEGS POKING OUT? | JUNE 17 - 23, 2004 buzz

everyone in the galaxy on their way to the mythical underverse. Their leader is the Lord Marshal (Colm Feore), the only person ever to have reached the underverse and return. The only person who can oppose the Necromongers is, of course, Riddick, who happens to be a member of the Furian race that was prophesied to bring about the fall of the Lord Marshal.

There are also several subplots, which tie up loose ends from Pitch THE CHRONICLES OF RIDDICK | VIN DIESEL & ALEXA DAVALOS Black, and go deeper into the political goings on of the universe. Turns out that not ships that are interesting to look at, but evenevery Necromonger is thrilled with the Lord tually their entire color scheme (as many Marshal. Thandie Newton plays Dame Vaako, shades of metal as one can dream up) begins to a Lady Macbeth clone who looks to manipu- wear on the eyes. Other effects, such as the late her husband into the Lord Marshal’s planet with the incredibly hot sun, or the throne. Oscar winner Judi Dench also has a strange animals that prowl a triple-maximum role here, as an Elemental who spends most of security prison, are fun to look at, but not terriher onscreen time explaining the plot and bly convincing.

Twohy has made good genre films before. making prophecies.

Other than Diesel, few of the actors leave He helmed The Arrival, a surprisingly tense much of an impression. So many subplots and and intelligent thriller, and the original Pitch action scenes populate the film that the charac- Black also worked better than it should have, ters don’t have much time to do anything other as an interesting take on the typical killer alien than exchange some nonsensical dialogue, crack formula. Both of those films were taut and focused, and worked around their comparaa joke, then plow on to the next scene.

This would pose little problem if the action tively small budgets.

By comparison, The Chronicles of Riddick feels scenes generated excitement. But for the most part, Twohy’s direction and the poor editing overblown and bombastic, as if Twohy feels the render most of the action incomprehensible. need to justify finally having a big budget to Some of it does work—such as Riddick’s threat work with. Had he amputated some of the useto kill a prisoner using only a tea cu—but less plot threads from the story and focused there’s too much sci-fi nonsense and plot filler more on providing a grand action yarn, the in between the good parts to sustain the audi- result might have been better.

As it is, the film is an utterly forgettable science’s attention.

Even the special effects are a mixed bag. The fi diversion that will be forgotten by its target Necromongers boast extravagant, harrowing audience once Spider-Man returns.

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satirical manner, there was a sense of comedy in the first few scenes that were subtle. By showing a few shots of a classroom picture of the current president, it seemed pretty clear how the writers were aligning the Christian school in terms of political position.

At the center of the story is Mary, played by Jena Malone (Cold Mountain, Donnie Darko) and her close friend Hilary Faye who is played by Mandy Moore (Chasing Liberty, A Walk To SAVED! | H. MATARAZZO, M. MOORE & E. THAI Remember). The girls are heavily involved in school extracurricular activities, character.

The social commentary on the writer’s view and were considered by the community to be good models of Christian teenage girls. of Christianity is very evident from the openUnfortunately, Mary was facing a minor crisis ing scenes to the very last shots in the film. in her life, and made a drastic move to fix her This year has brought on new conversations dilemma after seeing a vision of Jesus Christ about the portrayals of certain religious groups that told her what to do. The consequences of in the mainstream media and Saved! does nothher actions lead to her treatment as an outcast ing but add to the conversation, which seems like its intent. Unlike the highly as she questions her friends, family and faith.

Supporting acting was done by Macaulay popular and highly controversial The Culkin who plays Roland, the wheelchair- Passion of the Christ, interpretations on bound wisecrack artist, and Eva Amurri who the role of Christianity in Saved! are plays Cassandra, the Jewish rebel. The acting contemporary and humorous not by all main players was believable and consis- only for the believer, but for the tent to the feel of the film. Even Mandy non-believer and the unsure as Moore’s over-the-top “bitchy Christian”—if well. there is such a thing—was consistent with the writer/director’s illustration of Hilary Faye’s

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moviereview

GARFIELD: THE MOVIE ★

buzz

community

JUNE 17 - 23, 2004

“I owned video equipment for Dreamscape Design and I wanted to do a movie, but I couldn’t afford to do a film,” Peters said. “I thought, ‘What do I know about?’ Music.”

After Peters interviewed Kansas, he got an interview with .38 Special, and then Dave Matthews and Carter Beauford of The Dave Matthews Band. “Dave Matthews ended up going on stage 30 minutes late,” Peters said.

With a few films in the can, a couple in postproduction, one in pre-production and numer-

ous scripts in the works, Peters is a busy man.

In the future, Peters hopes to act in one of his productions and make another Beatles movie, this one scheduled to shoot in London.

Regardless, Peters ventures will end happily.

“All my movies have happy endings,” Peters said. Indeed, Peters film career will be no exception. buzz

Q & A

JasonPankoke

BY DEVON SHARMA | STAFF WRITER

G

arfield: The Movie is an improperly titled product. The problem is not with the first part of the title. The product does indeed focus on Jim Davis’s fat cat, Garfield. Instead, it is the part of the title that comes after the colon that is wrong and improper. Garfield, simply put, should not be considered a movie.

Inherent in the concept of a movie is the idea that it should be, at least to some degree, entertaining. Garfield, on the other hand, is the cinematic equivalent of a colonoscopy. It’s obscenely painful despite being largely uneventful, and at the end of it all you get the uncanny feeling that you’ve been violated in a very, very profound way. This is not entertaining. Purchasing a ticket to see Garfield is not only a waste of money, it’s an open admission to extreme, perverse masochism.

The story focuses on Garfield’s adventures that begin when his owner, Jon Arbuckle, is talked into adopting a puppy by the sexy veterinarian, Liz (played well by Jennifer Love Hewitt). It’s not that her acting is good, it’s that she’s got the “sexy” part locked down.

Jealous of all the attention that Odie is getting, Garfield locks him out of the house and, in doing so, causes Odie to run away. When it’s discovered that the pup has been kidnapped by a cruel cable TV personality who plans to cash in on Odie’s nifty dancing tricks, Garfield feels guilty and sets off to rescue the dog.

The problem with Garfield is that they tried stretching a 3-panel cartoon strip into a fulllength, feature film. In the cartoon, Garfield is a fat, lazy cat with a taste for lasagna and a distaste for the dog with whom he has to share a house.

He often makes snide, witty remarks at Odie and Jon’s expense. Not a whole lot to go on.

Take three mediocre premises: Garfield being fat, Garfield being lazy, and Garfield not liking Odie, then repeat, recycle and reuse them for 83 minutes, and out comes Garfield: The Movie.

The only saving grace is the casting of Bill Murray as the titular feline’s voice. He may not actually say anything funny, but his lethargic sound matches Garfield perfectly.

Despite Murray’s best efforts, and Hewitt’s amazing looks, there’s nothing to be recommended about this film at all.

Even die-hard Garfield fans will be disappointed by Garfield: The Movie. This isn’t the same sarcastic kitty you know from the comic strip. This poor fellow’s had all the fun taken out of him; he’s been neutered.

Jason Pankoke is the creator and editor of MicroFilm, an independent magazine that explores and discusses independent filmmaking. Micro-Film can be found at Pages for All Ages, That’s Rentertainment, G-Mart Comics, Boardman’s Art Theater, and the Independent Media Center.

Tell us a little bit about Micro-Film.

Micro-Film combines my professional talents as a graphic artist with my personal interest in independent and underground films that buck the norm. It’s my method for supporting the unknown filmmakers who create these works as well as learning about the many paths these people tread to translate their visions into a concrete form that others may experience.

See You at the Taste of C-U Mark your calander because if we spot YOU in downtown Champaign reading BUZZ on THURSDAY, JUNE 24th, we will give you FREE Tickets for this year’s Taste of Champaign-Urbana.

So bring a Buzz to the corner of Walnut & University between 11 and 2 on THURSDAY, JUNE 24th and get your FREE Tickets.

But come early because tickets are limited!

Taste of Champaign-Urbana West Side Park Friday, June 25 5-9pm • Saturday, June 26 11am-9pm Sunday, June 27 Noon-5pm

What is the biggest challenge for you starting up Micro-Film again?

Again, recapturing that whole-hog momentum that I somehow mustered during the magazine’s first two years and four issues.

With all the time that passed between the new issue and the one in 2002, it almost feels like Micro-Film #6 is my second #1. It’s not drastically different from its predecessor, but it is larger by almost 20 pages, and I made some belated adjustments to design elements throughout the issue.

The second biggest challenge is convincing people to actually purchase Micro-Film. It’s the ultimate conundrum for do-it-yourself media and arts, especially when you really don’t want to stress the money side of what you do.

“How do I reach commercial success with a non-commercial endeavor?”

Tell us a bit about the upcoming project, Backyard Cinema.

One idea I dreamt up that I will be curious to see how it works is to publish themed oneshots in between the regular Micro-Film issues that zero in on particular (and peculiar) microcosms of the indie film world. These would involve guest editors and designers, charged with giving the magazines a fresh spin and feel to make them unique.

Mike’s original Backyard Cinema consisted of reviews of no-budget genre work, mainly in the horror and exploitation categories, which were made by guerrilla filmmakers with

5

consumer film and video equipment.

The new incarnation will follow suit with a current batch of movies, but we’ll be adding fresh commentaries and interviews with folks like J.R. Bookwalter (The Dead Next Door), Augusta (The Velvet Hammer Burlesque), Sir Alvin Ecarma (Lethal Force), and UIUC senior Chris Folkens of Triad and Toxin fame.

I have several other ideas ping-ponging around in my head right now, but let’s see how Backyard Cinema fares first! One other local revival that I would love to help make happen, assuming that there are cinema studies students at the U of I with the guts and inspiration to take the lead on it, is a modern edition of the early seventies student magazine, MacGuffin.

What make you so interested in independent filmmaking?

I’m a hands-on type of person. If I write something, I proofread it. If I draw something, I refine it. If I photograph something, I’ll figure out how to make it look better on the computer. With independent filmmaking, regardless of how long the end credits crawl runs, it’s usually a given that the director, producer, writer, set designer, composer, even the actors, have a lot more invested in the project than on a Hollywood set where you disappear to your trailer or office except for exactly when you’re needed.

In a broader stroke, you know how the average Joe and Jane Moviegoer drive out to the multiplex to watch a movie for two hours as good, old-fashioned escapism? I dig independent films because they afford me an escape from exactly the type of movies that hog up the screens at these multiplexes. Mind you, I’m hardly anti-Hollywood in practice— I need my Lord of the Rings and Spider-Man fixes like many other people—but I’d usually rather spend my time with films that are not slicked up, not dumbed down, and are interesting, quirky, and most importantly, heartfelt in their imperfectness. Give me something that speaks to me, not zooms over my head at 200 miles an hour.

Are there any misconceptions you see independant films suffering from?

I think we first have to vainly attempt a definition of “independent film.” Most productions that you see playing in the multiplex that you may have heard reference to as an independent film really aren’t. They may be quality films, sure, but independent?

There are so many cool little movies with interesting approaches, good actors, and fresh perspectives that have a life well beyond what Entertainment Weekly decides to review.

The last misconception, which I think proliferates in filmmaking circles rather than with Joe and Jane Moviegoer, is that short films are purely steppingstones for advancing one’s career. I think that I’ve decided, at the least, if I even attempt to get in the filmmaking game at my age, I would just as soon play it low-key and do small productions that would be released on video compilations or on the Web.

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buzz

Take one with filmmaker Robin Christian Peters

BY MARISSA MONSON | EDITOR IN CHIEF

R

obin Christian Peters lives in Monticello, Ill. He has chatted with Dave Matthews and produced a film starring Ed Asner. He coordinated all of this from his design studio Dreamscape Design just off Neil Street in Champaign.

Peters owns and operates a Champaign new media company, Dreamscape Design, that primarily specializes in Web design, commercials and videos for companies. But his loyalties lie with his independent film company Dreamscape Cinema. He produces and occasionally directs films for which he writes screenplays in his spare time. Peters has written 14 screenplays, five of which are still being developed in his head. “If I was an artist, I would go and paint,�

Peters said. “I’m fortunate, I just have to keep reminding myself how lucky I am—my 50 million dollar adventure movie will have to wait.�

Currently, Peters is in the midst of preproduction for his fifth film, Disconnect, a story about a distraught college student who finds a phone in her apartment that lets her speak to her deceased mother. She learns her mother was murdered, a chilling surprise contrary to her previous notion that her mother had died of a heart attack. She uses the phone to try and stop the murder from occurring. This drama thriller will be shot on location in Champaign County, just as his last four films have.

Peters thumbs through a packet of actor profiles he has compiled as possible leads for Disconnect. “I have to have good actors, no matter where they are from,� Peters said. “But, I have to have a name to throw out there for marketing purposes, like B-level or low A-level actors.�

Peters likes adventure thrillers, but he doesn’t limit himself to that particular genre. As Disconnect starts filming, his recently shot Sept. 11 family drama Crab Orchard will be going out for distribution. Crab Orchard stars Ed Asner (of Mary Tyler Moore fame) and Judge Reinhold, remembered most for his roles in Fast Times at Ridgemont High, Beverly Hills Cop and The Santa Clause.

Peters hopes that Crab Orchard will air on a major cable network and later distribute internationally.

Major studios spend an average of $30 million on major motion pictures. But for Dreamscape

Cinema, cost-cutting is a major plus for being based in Champaign. “To close off a street, we pay for the parking meters,� Peters said. Locations in major cities like Los Angeles and New York City cost much more, but can have a similar effect on screen. Cutting cost doesn’t mean cutting quality for Dreamscape Cinema.

Peters recruits a filming crew from Chicago and local individuals help out as well. He bought a new $100,000 camera that has improved the quality of Dreamscape’s films.

Peters started making films after years of being a musician. He wanted to make a documentary about The Beatles, but he wanted to do something different. He decided on a documentary about Beatle John Lennon. Entitled Fab 1: John Lennon’s Revolution, the documentary showcases interviews with a musical cast of past and present rockers reflecting on how John Lennon affected their music. Framed photos of Peters with Lenny Kravitz, Blues Traveler and others adorn the walls of his office, alongside Beatles figurines from the film Yellow Submarine.

film

buzz JUNE 17 - 23, 2004 | DOGDEBALL! OH, HOW I LONG FOR 5TH GRADE GYM.

Drive-thru Reviews

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BREAKIN’ ALL THE RULES ★★ JAMIE FOXX AND GABRIELLE UNION Breakin’ All the Rules is a watchable film. At its peaks and during Foxx’s “sexpert� scenes, it could even be considered hilarious. Chestnut is solid gold. This is a film that will not draw many looks from critics around the country, but can provide a light moviegoing experience for those that aren’t up to the substance of the summer blockbusters hitting the screens this summer. Have fun, but don’t expect too much out of Foxx and Chestnut in Breakin’ All the Rules. (Andrew Crewell) Now showing at Beverly and Savoy CHRONICLES OF RIDDICK VIN DEISEL & JUDI DENCH ★★ Chronicles of Riddick feels overblown and bombastic, as if Twohy feels the need to justify finally having a big budget to work with. Had he amputated some of the useless plot threads from the story and focused more on providing a grand action yarn, the result might have been better. But as it is, the film is an utterly forgettable sci-fi diversion that will be forgotten by its target audience once Spider-man returns in a couple of weeks.

(Andrew Vecelas) Now showing at Beverly and Savoy THE DAY AFTER TOMORROW ★★★ DENNIS QUAID & JAKE GYLLENHAAL There’s lots of scientific mumbo-jumbo, but for every scene of dull, Weather Channel-style explanation, there’s a magnificent shot of the United States engulfed by truly unthinkable storms. Even though you know the whole thing was the act of computers—not of God—it’s hard not to ooh and aah at the sight of New York City iced over like a snow cone. The problem is that most of the characters express little more than awe, rather than fear, as to what may be the unforeseen apocalypse. Expect to feel that same disconnected absence of intensity towards a film that is supposed to be unprecedented but unlikely to be remembered the day after tomorrow. (Matt Pais) Now showing at Beverly and Savoy GARFIELD: THE MOVIE BILL MURRAY & JENNIFER LOVE HEWITT ★★ Perhaps what’s most atrocious is that Garfield is intended to be a comedy. There’s more laughs to be found witnessing a minor road accident than in this film. While Garfield is intended to be a kid’s movie, it’s hard to believe that even children will find a single amusing moment. The only saving grace is the casting of Bill Murray as the titular feline’s voice. He may not actually say anything funny, but his lethargic sound matches Garfield perfectly. Despite Murray’s best efforts, and Hewitt’s amazing looks, there’s nothing to be recommended about this film at all. This isn’t the same sarcastic kitty you know from the comic strip. This poor fellow’s had all the fun taken out of him; he’s been neutered. (Devon Sharma) HARRY POTTER & THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN ★★★ DANIEL RADCLIFFE & EMMA WATSON So much of the material in the films has felt like a visual projection of Rowling’s books without the brain and heart to match. It seems that, in attempting to whittle down hundreds of pages into a workable screenplay, Kloves merely makes a check mark every time he incorporates an important point while ignoring the specifics that give each element its meaning. So far, the Harry Potter films represent a frustrating body of work, fantasy that has yet to realize its potential to be fantastic.

Cuaron’s deeper artistic vision is a step in the right direction, but Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban still fails to cast a spell. (Matt Pais) Now showing at Beverly and Savoy MAN ON FIRE ★★ DENZEL WASHINGTON & DAKOTA FANNING Director Tony Scott (Spy Game) never met a flashy, knee-

jerk cut he didn’t like, and he makes even the calmest sequences in Man on Fire feel like chase scenes out of Enemy of the State. Essentially, this overly long drama is little more than a story of the usual American mentality of trying to solve the problems of other countries with bigger guns and bigger egos. (Matt Pais) Now showing at Beverly and Savoy MEAN GIRLS ★★★ LINDSEY LOHAN & LACEY CHABERT Mean Girls’ screenwriter Tina Fey uses a candor that not only criticizes the stereotypes of these portrayals, but also depicts them in an entertaining way that is unique to anything shown before. The students of North Shore High don’t all belong in magazine advertisements. Some belong in the “before� pictures in weight loss commercials or on the front cover of “Special Olympics Success Stories.� This film uses the formula of the typical high school illustration, adds fresh humor and a touch of reality that makes the film surprisingly entertaining to watch. (Art Mitchell) Now showing at Beverly and Savoy RAISING HELEN ★★★ KATE HUDSON & JOAN CUSACK Kate Hudson sparkles in the most bleak of circumstances, making the film appear somewhat appear as a comedy like its premise suggests. Hudson easily transitions from a charming single woman to an upset mother, proving that her acting chops were not just a fluke in Almost Famous. Her performance saves an otherwise over-sentimentalized drama, making Raising Helen shine when it desperately needs a glimmer of hope.

(Janelle Greenwood) Now showing at Beverly and Savoy SAVED! ★★★ MANDY MOORE & JENA MALONE The social commentary on the writer’s view of Christianity is very evident from the opening scenes to the very last shots in the film. This year has brought on new conversations about the portrayals of certain religious groups in the mainstream media and Saved! does nothing but add to the conversation: which seems like it’s intent. Unlike the highly popular and highly controversial The Passion of the Christ, interpretations on the role of Christianity in Saved! are very contemporary and are humorous not only for the believer, but for the nonbeliever and the unsure as well. (Art Mitchell) Now showing at Beverly and Savoy SHREK 2 ★★★ MIKE MYERS & EDDIE MURPHY Shrek 2 does an admirably effective job of balancing its sarcastic but sensitive tone, and it’s never too bitter to be sweet. The film manages to repeatedly wink at all things Disney without coming off competitive, an honorable move for a Dreamworks studio that should have plenty to gloat about at the box office this summer. In giving reverence with each reference, the four-headed team of writers keeps things light and sprinkles good-hearted, intelligent fun throughout every scene. It becomes apparent that the original strove for greatness while this suitable sequel is merely good, but it’s hard to complain about another chuckle-filled trip to fantasyland sure to once again make Disney green (cha-ching!) with envy.

(Matt Pais) SOUL PLANE ★★★ SNOOP DOGG & TOM ARNOLD Soul Plane offers just what anyone who walks into the theater would expect. There is a bad movie with great comedians who let loose on drugs, white people, black people and everything in between. Barring a closedminded audience, the racially and sexually charged humor are a raving success. Cameos from D.L. Hughley, John Witherspoon, Karl Malone and many more keep the fans on the edge of their seats. The smoking hot women keep the eyes busy should anyone miss a joke. Those over 35 should forget about Soul Plane and go see Troy for the fourth time. But if you are up for a good time and an hour and a half of nonstop laughs, get yourself a boarding pass to Soul Plane. (Andrew Crewell) Now Showing at Beverly and Savoy THE STEPFORD WIVES ★★★ MATTHEW BRODERICK & NICOLE KIDMAN Because of the resounding tepidity of Oz’s remake, the film never takes any major risks. It stays safely inbounds, gliding softly through the screenplay like a Stepford wife through her kitchen. In the end, it’s harmless. If Oz had picked one tone with which to attack the film and stuck with it, the end product might have been more seamless

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and alluring, like a true Stepford wife, and less erratic and inconsequential, like Hill’s frequently malfunctioning Sarah Sunderson. (John Loos) Now showing at Beverly and Savoy SUPER SIZE ME ★★★★ MORGAN SPURLOCK & MCDONALD’S FOOD Fasten your belt loops and hold onto your love handles: Super Size Me is one of the best movies so far this year.

Spurlock’s movie is at times difficult to watch—frankly, it wants to gross us out with the hard, greasy truth—but it delivers on all the requirements of an important documentary. It’s brave, challenging and relevant, and in calling attention to an American epidemic, Super Size Me is truly McTastic. (Matt Pais) Now showing at Boardman’s Art Theatre THIS OLD CUB ★★★ RON SANTO The film’s more joyous moments details Santo’s recent work as a Cub announcer and his broadcast chemistry with Pat Hughes and the team’s number retirement ceremony at Wrigley Field last year. These scenes can’t compensate, though, for the film’s more awkward parts, which include the recent wishful hype over Santo’s possible induction into baseball’s Hall of Fame. Here, director Jeff Santo interviews legends Johnny Bench, Willie Mays, Willie McCovey and Brooks Robinson, all of whom strongly endorsed Santo’s wish for the Hall of Fame. Sadly, like last year’s missed playoff opportunities, Santo will have to wait until another day for his induction into the Hall of Fame. (Syd Slobodnik) TROY ★★ BRAD PITT AND ERIC BANA Troy uses endless flourishes of triumphant horns and cymbal crashes to create some sense of majesty, but it does as much justice to Homer as William Hung does to “She Bangs.� Troy desperately wants to be a loud, sweeping rallying cry for love, brotherhood and country, but it’s just a bunch of pretty boys playing dress-up in this real Greek tragedy. (Matt Pais) Now showing at Beverly and Savoy VAN HELSING ★ HUGH JACKMAN Dracula relentlessly tries to spread his seed (unprotected sex, anyone?) and it’s up to the vampire slayer to stop him. And when Anna tells Van Helsing she’s never been to the sea, you know he’s going to take her there because that’s what a real man would do (wink wink). All of this should be enough to make your heart thump, but instead your pulse will nap while your mind goes for popcorn.

For all of its adrenaline-rush action, Van Helsing is like a Halloween costume-themed Universal Studios ride, tailored to a PG-13 audience happy to get its biggest thrills from Count Chocula. (Matt Pais) Now showing at Beverly and Savoy

OPENING THIS WEEKEND THE TERMINAL TOM HANKS & CATHERINE ZETA-JONES After leaving his home land during a time of war, Tom Hanks finds himself stuck in a terminal in New York City with a worthless passport and, after the war, no homeland. He takes up residence in the terminal where he becomes friends with the staff and falls in love with Catherine Zeta-Jones, a flight attendant. Man, if I had a nickel for every time this happened to me ... I’d be broke.

(Paul Wagner) AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS JACKIE CHAN & STEVE COOGAN As hard as it is to believe, this remake starring Jackie Chan could be good, funny, exciting and fun. Who doesn’t want to see Jackie Chan in a hot air balloon facing adventures and traveling around the world? The possibilities are just endless for this sure-to-be blockbuster. (Paul Wagner) DODGEBALL: A TRUE UNDERDOG STORY BEN STILLER & VINCE VAUGHN This movie can’t be bad. At least we hope. The plot is a bit thin: Stiller owns a new, overpriced gym and Vaughn owns a crappy old one. These gyms are in competition.

To save his gym, Vaughn signs his gym up for a Las Vegas dodgeball tournament. The potential for comedy here is incredible, but so is the hype. Plus, everyone loves dodgeball and violence. (Paul Wagner)

CHRONICLES-RIDDICK (PG–13) 11:00 1:40 WORLD IN 80 DAYS (PG) (2 SCREENS) 4:20 7:15 9:40 11:10 12:00 2:00 4:00 5:10 7:00 8:00 9:50 STEPFORD WIVES (PG–13) (2 SCREENS) 11:10 11:30 1:10 1:30 GARFIELD (PG) (2 3:10 4:00 5:10 7:00 SCREENS) 11:00 11:30 7:30 9:20 9:40 1:00 1:30 3:00 3:30 5:00 5:30 7:10 7:30 DAY AFTER 9:10 9:30 TOMORROW (PG–13) (2 SCREENS) 12:00 2:50 ◆ HARRY 5:30 7:20 8:00 10:00 POTTER 3 (PG) (3 SCREENS) 11:00 11:30 12:30 RAISING HELEN (PG–13) 2:00 3:40 4:30 5:00 11:10 1:40 4:10 7:00 6:45 7:30 8:00 9:45 9:40 MEAN GIRLS (PG–13) SAVED! (PG–13) 11:00 1:40 4:20 7:15 11:10 2:00 4:00 7:10 9:30 9:40 SHREK 2 (PG) (3 SCREENS) 11:00 11:20 12:00 INTERMISSION (R) 1:00 1:20 2:00 3:00 12:30 2:50 5:10 7:30 3:20 4:00 5:00 5:20 9:50 7:00 7:30 9:00 9:40 Showtimes for 6/17/04

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HI, COUSIN ELVIN | JUNE 17 - 23, 2004 buzz

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Current human life expectancy is already at 78 years, and it's steadily increasing. So if you're 30 years old, you can expect to be alive for at least another 48 years, and probably longer. If you're 22 you could easily be here for another 60 revolutions of the Earth around the sun, and if you're 45, you've got a minimum of 33.So what are you going to do with all that precious, spacious time? I encourage you to let your brainstorms flow freely in the coming week. Is there another career or two you might want to pursue? A far-flung locale where you'd like to live for a while? An adventure that may take a long time to get ready for? Have fun visualizing the enormous magic you could accomplish little by little in the next three decades.

5 Requests

2. Franz Ferdinand Take Me Out

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Naturalist John Burroughs was addressing your current needs when he wrote the following: "The lesson which life constantly enforces is 'Look underfoot.'

You are always nearer to the true sources of your power than you think. The lure of the distant and the difficult is deceptive. The great opportunity is where you are. Every place is the center of the world." Let's finish up this little pep talk, Taurus, with some advice from Theodore Roosevelt: "Do what you can, with what you have, where you are."

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): "Never test the depth of the water with both feet," the old saying goes, and usually I endorse such an approach. But not now. For the next two weeks, Gemini, you're exempt from that and just about every other cautionary rule. As far as I can tell, your future is so wide open that the only guiding principles you need are those that give you permission. Here's an example you might like, formulated by sex researcher Alfred Kinsey: "The only unnatural sex act is one you cannot perform."

4. Muse Time is running out

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Lions and jaguars can roar, but they can't purr. Cheetahs and snow leopards can purr, but can't roar. Now and then a tiger in captivity learns how to produce a sputtering imitation of a purr in addition to its characteristic roar. But as a rule, every species of feline does one or the other but not both.

To meet your dates with destiny in the coming week, you'll have to be like a kind of cat that doesn't exist in nature: one that purrs with sublime contentment and roars with fierce authority.

Top

3. Local H California Songs

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Until recently, Indonesians thought their country consisted of about 17,000 islands. But in February of 2003, an analysis of satellite images found more than a thousand undiscovered islands, bringing the total to 18,108. I suspect that you're on the verge of making a comparable breakthrough about yourself, Cancerian. There's much more of you than you ever imagined. Many previously unknown territories will soon come into view. It will be as if you have unearthed a new world right in the midst of the old one.

5. The Cure The End of the World

ONLINE 8@8 Make your vote for the

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JUNE 17 - 23, 2004 | I THINK IT’S WEIRD HOW MUCH THERE IS TO THINK ABOUT ... WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT IT

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FIRST THING’S FIRST...

FREE WILL ASTROLOGY (JUNE 17 - 23)

1. Dashboard Confessional Vindicated

buzz

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Your theme this week is careen-stable.

Here's Rebecca Rusche to tell you of the term's origin and how to recognize when it shows up in your life. "In high school, my mom used to let me use her VW Beetle to go to basketball practice.

One night after practice, a friend and I were chatting and drinking Coke when we decided to see how fast we could get the Beetle going down a nearby dirt road. Soon we were careening at 65 mph, shouting 'careen!' every time we hit a bump and went flying into the air. When we arrived back at the gym and got out of the car half an hour later, we saw my Coke can sitting on the front bumper next to the license plate. I nudged it softly to see if it was lodged in there somehow, but it fell right off -- wasn't stuck at all. I thought, 'There must be a word for this magic,' and thus 'careen-stable' was born. It came to mean anything that maintains its poise in the midst of wild, fast movement."

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): A couple from Houston had been trying to conceive a child for ten years. Finally, with the help of in vitro fertilization and fertility drugs, Jeffrey and Sheryl McGowen succeeded extravagantly. Two eggs were implanted in Sheryl, and both split. Nine months later she gave birth to two sets of identical twins. "I think God has a sense of humor," said Jeffrey.

"He took a vacation, and when he got back from it he answered all of my prayers at once." Keep this story in mind, Libra. It will help prepare you for what God does for you upon returning from vacation.

the bottom of the pillar is planted deep in the earth, destined to become a key part of the superstructure that will hold together tons of concrete, wood, and steel. Have you got that picture in your mind's eye, Capricorn? I think you're a lot like that pillar right now. Though you're weary of being pounded by the pile driver, you know it's in a worthy cause. And the good news is that the pounding is almost finished.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): "If you removed all of the homosexuals and homosexual influences from American culture, you would be pretty much left with the TV game show, 'Let’s Make a Deal.'" So proclaimed famed wit Fran Lebowitz. I'd wager that similar statements can be made about the cultures of every country where this horoscope is read. So wherever you live, Aquarius, let Lebowitz's observation be the starting point for your meditations this week. Think of all the beauty, creativity, and vitality that live in the world around you because of people whose relationships with gender are different from the standard models. For that matter, think of all the interesting experiences that have come your way--and may soon come your way again--because of your own refusal to strictly adhere to gender stereotypes.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): "Poets should welcome all opportunities to become befuddled," writes poet Linh Dinh in The American Poetry Review. "To not know what's happening forces one to become more attentive." Whether or not you're a poet, Scorpio, I heartily recommend this approach to you in the coming weeks. The feeling of having wandered off the path will be a sign of grace.To be confused will be a blessing.The only possible way you could miss out on the gifts that life wants to send you is if you act like a know-it-all who's in complete control.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): You can stir up sweet synchronicities by intensifying your connection with anyone who is an alternate version of you. So negotiate with your evil twin, Sagittarius. Inspire and incite your alter ego.Throw a bone to one of your imitators and leap to the next level with a kindred spirit.

Slip in and out of the fourth dimension with your soul twin, send a message in a bottle to your future self, and pose a riddle to your shadow.

✍ HOMEWORK: Imagine yourself

Brezsny’s Free Will ☎ Rob Astrology freewillastrolo-

www.freewillastrology.com.

gy@comcast.net 415.459.7209 P.O. Box 798 San Anselmo, CA 94979

gazing into the eyes of the person you were ten years ago.What do you want to say to him or her?

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Visualize a tall, thick, steel column that has been forged to serve as part of the foundation of a huge building. It's hauled to a construction site by a truck, held vertically by a crane, then driven into the ground by an enormous pile driver. The clanging of metal against metal rings out. Eventually,

CROSSWORD PUZZLE ACROSS 1 Fair 10 Paul Gallico title char-

acter 15 Peace Memorial Museum locale 16 Extinct Algonquian 17 A trust may reduce it 18 Dismay 19 “Hair” tune 20 Circulation aid 22 Grand Prix feature 23 Richard Gere title role of 2000 24 It turns out lts.

25 “Children of the Albatross” author 26 Stagnation 28 Abbr. before a number 29 It looks bad on the surface 30 Not flabby 31 Stand 33 Old-fashioned alternative 35 “Remain calm” 38 Rationed 42 Victim of Polyphemus, in myth 43 Name on an oval

Fillet 30-day span: Abbr.

Trash Rapper MC ___ Port Huron Statement org.

49 Run into 52 A/C measure 53 Situation in which only 56-Across is occupied 54 Hardly relaxed 56 See 53-Across 57 Hard thing to fill 58 Takes nothing in 59 Discount clothing store chain 44 45 46 47 48

DOWN

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Druggist for whom some commercial pills are named 5 It’s not exact: Abbr.

6 Cuts 7 Number-starting prompt 8 Taliban mullah 9 Gush, in a way 1 2 3 4

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deplete 15 11 They may be put in stitches 17 12 Noted Chilean 20 19 island 13 Ezra Pound, e.g. 22 23 14 Honorable start?

28 26 27 21 “Not with ___ the heart is bro- 30 31 ken”: Emily Dickinson 33 34 23 Styled 35 36 37 27 They branch off 43 42 28 ___ tree 29 Loser 46 45 31 Some office 49 50 51 attire 32 Guys in promo54 53 tion 34 Geological 57 56 depression 59 58 35 Leave quickly 36 Totalitarian state Puzzle by Bob Peoples in “1984” 37 Some playful 44 Alaska’s ___ National pooches Park 39 Taqueria offering 46 Auto damage 40 Software developer’s 47 “Good Times” star, on concern 70’s TV 41 What a loser may skip

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New pill may cure hangovers News of the weird but won’t build character More things you didn’t realize were art

BY MICHAEL COULTER | CONTRIBUTING WRITER

T

hey say you learn something every day. I have to say, I believe that to be pretty true. For example, last week I learned that if I continue to leave my kitchen cabinet doors open, one of them will eventually smack me in the head—sometimes more than once. Sure, I probably shouldn’t have to learn such things, but it’s still good to learn.

There’s one learning experience that’s been lifelong and actually valuable, the experience of drinking and dealing with the aftermath.

The first time I ingested liquor, around the age of 12, I learned a fine lesson. The lesson was simply that it’s not a good idea to mix gin, apricot brandy and lemon-lime Kool-Aid together. I learned this lesson with my friends Jon and Tim while my parents were out to dinner. We didn’t get especially drunk that first night, but we did feel like crap.

We made a pact after that evening. If we’re ever going to do this again, we need to be much better at it. Still, we didn’t even try to get serious about it until we were 16. I believe it took about four years for that first hangover to go away.

Yup, the hangover is that mean first grade teacher you used to have, the one that commanded respect, the one that whipped you in front of the class, the one who embarrassed you when you got a wrong answer, the one teacher you learned the most from. Like that teacher, the hangover teaches you something whether you want to learn it or not.

Most folks think of the hangover as a bad thing, but I disagree. I believe it is what keeps people in check. Without the hangover, I would have never realized drinking an entire 12-pack through a beer bong would make me a moron, I would still assume a martini is a shot instead of a sipping drink, and I might still be chugging Jagermeister from a pint glass.

Take away the hangover and there’s not as much retribution. Forget the common cold, you cure the hangover and shrines will be built in your honor. Well, um, start building.

There is now a drug available that will ease the pain of indulgence, RU-21. Being both wise and crafty, the U.S. drug company that distributes it opted to give it to Britain first.

The drug was originally developed so spies could outdrink other spies. No wonder James Bond was so agile and sexually promiscuous even after a few shaken—not stirred—martinis. He was corking his bat, the bastard. I

might be all suave and debonair, too, if I knew hangover mice weren’t going to be clawing their way through my brain the next day.

The company, RU-21 Ltd., calls it a “dietary supplement for consumers of alcohol.” Please, dietary supplements for consumers of alcohol are items such as peanuts, pork rinds and crow, not a freaking pill. Really, you can call it whatever you want. Call it a supplement for impotence, diphtheria or hyperventilation. If people find out it cures hangovers, they’ll take it regardless.

The fellas across the pond aren’t thrilled about having it available. They believe binge drinking is already pretty much at its capacity.

“We have got a problem, and taking a tablet doesn’t alter the fact that people could be doing themselves harm, whether they feel it or not,” said David Poley of the Portman Group, a PR guy promoting safe consumption.

The guy makes a little sense. You wouldn’t take a pill that made your cancer unnoticeable or negated the warning signs of a heart attack, would you? I don’t’ know, maybe you would.

We take pills so we aren’t depressed, pills to lose weight, pills to gain muscle, pills because we’re nervous around people, why not just take a pill for a hangover, too?

People nowadays, there’s something wrong with them. Everything has to be easy or it’s not worth doing. You don’t want to pay your dues as a singer, so you go on American Idol. You don’t want to earn a million dollars working, so you sign up for Survivor. You want to lose weight so you take up a ridiculous diet where you eat only meat, instead of just exercising.

You don’t want to feel bad for whatever reason, so you take a pill.

It’s a dangerous trap, though. Maybe you’re depressed because your life sucks.

Well, taking a pill won’t make your life better.

It’ll only make it appear that it doesn’t suck anymore. I know there are situations where pills are warranted for depression or weight loss or whatever, but geez Louise, it’s hard to find a person who isn’t taking some pill for some condition anymore.

Sometimes you’re just supposed to be sad, or nervous, or hung over. Like holding your urine, getting slapped in the testes, or running a marathon, the hangover builds character.

Sure it sucks at the time, but you learn from it.

You learn to plan, and you learn to deal with pain, you learn regret, and you learn your limits, important things you’ll never get from just swallowing a pill.

Michael Coulter is a videographer, comedian and creator of the weekly email column “The Sporting Life.”

– In April, London’s National Portrait Gallery showed an hour-long video of star soccer player David Beckham, sleeping; artist Sam Taylor-Wood said she wanted to do an original of the ubiquitously photographed Beckham and realized there was not much that hadn’t already been done.

And at a March exhibit at London’s Nelson’s Column, guest performers took turns reading Japanese artist On Kawara’s book that consists only of 271,000 selected dates that occurred between 998,031 B.C. and A.D. 1,001,980. (Said a gallery director, “On Kawara’s work speaks simply and directly about a subject relevant to us all, the passage and marking of time.”)

– Not only does San Francisco’s Solid Waste Transfer and Recycling Center (i.e., the city dump) have an “artist in residence,” but sculptor Rick Carpenter is actually the 43rd person to hold that position, according to an April San Francisco Chronicle report.

Carpenter said his specialty is discarded bulk items, citing, for example, the weaving he made from 40 orange extension cords, and his latest, an object stuffed with the contents of a 5-gallon bucket of wigs someone tossed.

More things to worry about A small crime wave hit south Philadelphia streets late last year, with a gang of five or more men randomly attacking pedestrians, seemingly for fun, and in at least three of the incidents, the men wore boxing gloves to beat up their victims. And in April, the American Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of part of the Patriot Act (a public document) but couldn’t publicly reveal what its lawsuit claimed because such disclosure without Justice Department permission is forbidden by the Patriot Act. (The Department OK’d a heavily censored press release 22 days later.)

COPYRIGHT 2004 Chuck Shepherd Distributed by Universal Press Syndicate

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MEAGHAN IS A WINNER DOUBLE-TIME THIS WEEK! HAPPY 21! | JUNE 17 - 23, 2004 buzz

odds & end

buzz JUNE 17 - 23, 2004 | WHATEVER HAPPENED TO THE BUTTHOLE SURFERS?

TOP OF THE NINTH

insidebuzz

BY MARISSA MONSON | EDITOR IN CHIEF

The Story

4 Making movies in C-U

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Robin Christian Peters lives in Monticello. Ill. He has chatted with Dave Matthews and produced a film starring Ed Asner. He coordinated all of this from his design studio Dreamscape Design just off Neil Street in Champaign. Peters owns and...

Arts

7 David Sedaris’s new hot summer read If you’ve read any of David Sedaris’s previous books, you should have some idea of what to expect if perchance you pick up Dress Your Family In Corduroy and Denim...

Music 11 The Blackouts win regional garage rock competition Local band The Blackouts beat out 18 other bands at Little Steven’s Underground Garage Battle of the Bands competition held at Chicago’s Metro June 8-10. Steven Van Zandt...

Calendar 12 Vandermark 5 improvise Chicago quintet Vamdermark 5 bring you fresh, original jazz at every show and on every record. The group has been making music together since 1996, focusing on improvisational...

Film

19 Stepford Wives reviewed With the mountains of bad press that preceded the release of The Stepford Wives including reports of feuds on the set, the cast changes, and months of reshooting, it...

PHOTO COURTESY OF GUIDED BY VOICES

BUZZ STAFF Volume 2, Number 19

Cover Design Carol Mudra Editor in chief Marissa Monson Art Directors Meaghan Dee & Carol Mudra Copy Chief Chris Ryan Music Jacob Dittmer Art Katie Richardson Film Paul Wagner Community Margo O’Hara Calendar Maggie Dunphy Photography Editor Roderick Gedey Calendar Coordinators Cassie Conner, Erin Scottberg Photography Roderick Gedey Copy Editors Chris Ryan, Nellie Waddell Designers Glenn Cochon, Chris Depa, Jacob Dittmer, Maggie Dunphy, Marissa Monson Production Manager Theon Smith Sales Manager John Maly Marketing/Distribution Rory Darnay, Louis Reeves III Publisher Mary Cory

Letters, comments, just want to blow off some steam?

E-mail us at buzz@readbuzz.com or you can send us a letter at 57 E. Green St., Champaign, IL 61820.

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Buzz magazine is a student-run publication of Illini Media Company and does not necessarily represent, in whole or in part, the views of the University of Illinois administration, faculty or students.

ast week, The Gipper p a s s e d a w a y. N a t i o n a l and state memoria l s w e r e held throughout the week and commentary about his presidency and life riddled the airwaves. With all the hoopla, an important tribute fell into the shadows the events surrounding the death of Ronald Reagan created. Ray Charles—Grammy winner, blues and gospel mastermind and musical inspiration—passed away at the age of 73 in his home among family and friends.

Charles won 12 Grammies throughout his tenure and pumped out hits like “Georgia On My Mind” and “Hit the Road Jack” that continue to be covered today. He radiated energy perched behind his piano swaying to the music with his

large signature smile and dark shades.

Charles went blind at age 7, but he wasn’t one to shy away from breaking boundaries. His musical career was marked by genre-defying music that crossed the boundaries of soul, country, jazz and gospel. His music continues to inspire new generations, and he will be remembered fondly for his passion for music.

His last public appearance was April 30 when he was honored by Los Angeles. The city designated Charles’ studio as a historical landmark.

He will forever be remembered and holds a permanent place on the road map of American music.

-M.M.

I'm moving to Minnesota the Air is real nice ...

BY ADAM AND SETH FEIN | 2ON2OUT

O

ne of the best parts of the game of baseball, an element that sets it apart (once again) as the greatest sport ever played, is the fact that each stadium has its own idiosyncrasies. A football field is a football field is a football field—same with every other sport. But not in baseball. Baseball diamonds have a home field advantage unlike any other.

The Green Monster in Boston. The Ivy at Wrigley. The hill at Minute Maid in Houston, just to name a few. Each of them has unique characteristics that make the game more exciting and more confusing for the visiting team.

Foul territory in some parks, like in Oakland, is enormous. Others are so small, they force batters to hit the ball fair and that means less foul-outs and higher scoring games. Whatever the park, there is always something a little quirky about it.

Cheating in baseball is generally associated with corked bats, spitballs, nail filers and certain players who like late nights. But in Minnesota, it seems that the upper management has taken to cheating in a whole new way. Last week, once again, the idea that the Minnesota Twins use air flow to control the game surfaced. Speculation began, at least publicly, in 1987 when Bobby Valentine (then managing the Texas Rangers) tied some white string to an air duct to see which way the air was blowing. The tape was promptly torn down by a Twins coach and when Valentine tried again, an umpire told him “no.” Fast forward 15 or so years. Last year, Dick Ericson, a former Metrodome superintendent, let loose that he did try to manipulate the trajectory of baseballs by turning on a large number of electric fans behind home plate and adjusting the air conditioning in late innings of close games.

Ericson, who has now been retired for nine years, told the Minneapolis Star-Tribune: “If they [the Twins] were down two runs and you’re still hoping for them to have the advantage, you’d want to be blowing all the air out and up as much as you can.” He also added, and the 2ON2OUT loves this, “I don’t feel guilty ... It’s your home-field advantage.

Every stadium has got one.” Awesome and perfect. Is it true? Can air flow actually help?

We don’t care either way, actually. The University of Minnesota’s tests—yeah, like they’d rat out their own team—were “incon-

[

Cheating in baseball is generally associated with corked bats, spitballs, nail filers and certain players who like late nights. But in Minnesota, it seems the upper management has taken to cheating in a whole new way.

[

clusive.” It’s part of the greatness and weirdness that is baseball.

Back to team updates. It seems the Cubbies are finally coming around. The NL Central has had every opportunity to put us away, but no. The Reds have now lost seven in a row and, as we predicted, their pitching is in shambles (40 ER in 3 games vs. Oakland— that’s not going to cut it).

Yes, we’re getting healthy. Prior, Goodwin, Merker and Remy are back and Woody, Sosa and Grudsy are not far behind. They took two out of three from Anaheim (good-looking team also riddled with injuries), which was huge. In the meantime, the only other team

playing well is good ol’ St. Lou. Scott Rolen is the best player in baseball right now. Matty Clement pitched a gem last week and this guy slugged two solo shots off of him in his first two at-bats and missed a third by about two Old Styles. Not only that, but he robbed the Cubs of multiple extra-base hits with that kidsized glove (has anyone else noticed this?) of his at the hot corner. He’s the best.

Fortunately, the Cubs have the second best third baseman in Ramirez ... Oh yeah.

Shingo Takatsu was almost released in spring training, with a 6.75 ERA and an 85 mph fastball (and that’s generous). Manager Ozzie Guillen admits he didn’t know why this fella was signed in the offseason. Twenty straight scoreless innings, a 1.15 ERA, and a few 50 mph change-ups later, Takatsu is in line to take over the closer’s role from Billy Koch, who, if he was a Cub, would have been screamed and booed to the DL by now.

Guillen won’t commit to Takatsu as the fulltime closer just yet (Is he crazy?), but all signs point to this happening soon. Takatsu was Japan’s all-time saves leader with 260 and at 35 years old is not really a rookie. Atlanta’s old wizard of a coach Bobby Cox calls him “Sneaky” and says “he’s unhittable” and as for hitters figuring out his slowballs and unorthodox style? “He saved all those games in Japan, so they didn’t adjust...”

I like the guy, but let Guillen stick with Koch or Politte because they have “better closer’s stuff” or “more MLB experience”—at least until after the series with the Cubs.

The 2ON2OUT are Seth and Adam Fein and would like to denounce Donald Rumsfeld and his policies and any hot dog that isn’t kosher.

SHREK THURSDAY, JUNE 17 SOUTH END OF THE QUAD, 9PM FREE ADMISSION NO RAIN LOCATION

Bring your popcorn and a blanket and enjoy a free movie on the Quad!

Copyright Illini Media Company 2004 www.iuboard.uiuc.edu

IUB Event Hotline: 333-8473

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