STEAM Magazine South Texas Entertainment Art Music volume 1 issue 4 July 2012

2 ly Ju 01 2 Vo l.1 e su Is 4

STEAM magazine

AndrewSmith &OscarGuerra Life After ArtSchool

Chicas Rock Camp & Turntable Academy

CC TX Metal II

Dirty River Boys

ESCAPE THE ORDINARY Over 100 Shops & Eateries Including: Dillard’s, JCPenney, Macy’s Abercrombie & Fitch, Aeropostale Aveda Institute Corpus Christi, Bakers Benjamin’s, Build-A-Bear Workshop Carter’s, Charming Charlie, Coach Forever XXI, Francesca’s Collections Grimaldi’s, P.F. Chang’s, Soma Intimates

lapalmera.com

SUMMER MEANS SIZZLING STYLE AT

LA PALMERA

By Sarona Winfrey

The Coastal Bend is a hot bed

of entertainment all summer long, with something to do any day – or night – of the week. Need a wardrobe update before you hit the social scene? You can find all the sizzling style you need without breaking a sweat at La Palmera, Corpus Christi’s super-regional mall offering trendy new shops and many long-time favorites for all your summer fun needs.

So what’s new? Plenty, including justopened 2b (www.2bstores.com) offering affordable, fun and flirty fashion for gals, everything from clothing to shoes and accessories. Inspired by the glitz, glam and high-energy vibe of Vegas, it’s

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White House Black Market and more!

a great place to shop if you’re a fashion addict on a budget. The feel is energetic, the look is sexy and you’ll find fresh, exclusive designs arriving daily. Another great addition is Traffic (www.trafficshoe.com), one of the hottest spots for fashion forward shoes and accessories.

Each week you’ll find the newest designer-inspired merchandise – for the guys, too -- to fill your closet without emptying your wallet. Keep an eye out for another hot new shop opening soon, Papaya (www.papayclothing.com) a contemporary, upscale shop geared to the 16 to 25 age group. The concept is great, offering the latest fashion direct from the manufacturer, meaning no commission to any middlemen and big savings for shoppers year-round.

“Summer is one of our busiest times of the year,” said La Palmera General Manager Fred Walters. “Everybody is looking

SHOPPING

for a place they can get a break from the heat; being able to relax and cool off while also shopping for just the right swimsuit or outfit for going out makes it even better. Traffic and sales remain strong and having that strong position in the Coastal Bend retail market means we can continue to attract the top retail and dining options. We will have several other new stores opening later this year as well.”

Any other long-time faves? Too many to list them all, but here are a few other La Palmera stores to outfit you in summer style: Benjamin’s (www.benjaminsurf. com), a Coastal Bend favorite for surf and skate needs since 1976, also carries a complete line of fashion for guys and gals, ranging from casual beachwear to cool global fashion; PacSun (www.pacsun.com), which started as a local surf shop in California, also offers compete line of name-brand swimwear and active

lifestyle clothing for men and women; Vans (www.vans.com), the heart of skateboarding since 1966, carries its line of causal outdoor fashion for men and women along with its popular footwear.

Other local fashionista favorites include trendy clothier Forever XXI (www.forever21.com), unique boutique Francesca’s Collections (www.francescascollections.com), and award-winning accessories and jewelry retailer Charming Charlie (www.charmingcharlie.com).

So don’t let a wardrobe malfunction make you miss out on all the fun, La Palmera has you covered. La Palmera is located at 5488 S. Padre Island Drive in Corpus Christi. For more information on La Palmera, go to www.

LaPalmera.com or call (361) 991-3755.

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contact Shelly or Mark red_i_records@yahoo.com

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Texas Country July “Live Music” Lineup

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06

Writer’s Writer’s Block by Forrest Lee Jr Co-Writing Hello again, and welcome to writers block.

In this issue I would like to talk about cowriting. I’ve been fortunate to write with some very successful writers over the years.

I’ve learned a mass of information from them, but it’s not always easy. No matter how many #1 hits they have written.

Sometimes the songs just flow like water, but 3 out of 4 co-writing sessions churn out nothing more than mediocre cliché ridden garbage. You may be able to dump those songs into song libraries for use in film and TV. You have to come to the table with several ideas, hooks or basic outlines of stories or you’ll be sitting there for hours… staring at your PC screen, or writing pad.

Even with 20 ideas, you’re writing partner may not feel the idea, like you are imagining it. It’s in this instance that I will just start typing everything the other writer is saying. I may not have a clue as to the phrasing or melody, just literally (pun intended) typing everything he or she says.

Once the story or idea is captured, I will scour over the data, looking for hooks, rhymes etc… And try to make a reasonably coherent story. This has worked for me on numerous occasions. After we decide on a rhyme scheme, and basic tempo, one of us will grab a guitar or start pounding out chords on a keyboard.

Another thing that helps to get the songwriting juices flowing is if you have another song in your head that may mirror the style

MUSIC

you are writing. But be careful not to follow too closely to the other song, just get a basic feel, and try singing it monotone, so you can convey your phrasing to your co-writer, but not the melody in your head. This way you can keep from plagiarizing another writer’s melody or chord structure.

I fell into this trap not long ago writing a song about Johnny Cash. The lyrics were complete, and you could follow the story, not giving up the twist until the end. But as soon as we started playing it, I found myself in Johnny Cash mode. Once I stepped back and let the other writers interpret the melody the way they were hearing it, only then was it complete. Then I pulled out my trusty android, and recorded a “work tape”.

In the end, what started as about 3 hours of nothing, turned into a cool song because we each let go of our ideas. I just typed everything the other writers talked about for 20 minutes.

Try this the next time you have writers block. You can pull ideas from watching TV. Just start typing everything you hear, and after a few minutes, go back and look at the data.

Something will catch your eye and hopefully your imagination. You never know, you might write a hugely successful hit out of the Blue Clear Sky.

By: Forrest Lee Jr. Producer, singer/songwriter

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www.ForrestLee.com 361.937.1700 STEAMTX.COM

Backstage Legal

by Barry J. Heyman, Esq. w/the assistance of Nyasha Foy

RECORDING A COVER SONG Do I need to license a cover song if I give it away?

Let’s begin with the basics. A song has two copyrights: the sound recording (often called the master) and underlying musical composition. Recording a cover song implicates the latter of these copyrights—the underlying musical composition. The composer and/ or songwriter is the copyright owner of song. The Copyright Act lays out certain exclusive rights that the copyright owner has with respect to their copyrighted material, such as the exclusive rights to manufacture and distribute the musical composition. In order for an artist to not violate the copyright law, the artist covering the musical composition with the intent

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Even if an artist is giving away the song for promotional purposes, the song still needs to be licensed. The type of license required to record a cover version is called a mechanical license which allows an artist to use a copyrighted musical compositions on different formats, such as CD and as a digital download.

A separate mechanical license must be obtained for each format.

Typically, cover songs are licensed with the songwriter(s)’ publisher(s). Publisher contact information can be found at the following performance rights organization websites ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC or with The Harry Fox Agency (HFA), a licensing agent used by many music publishers. In addition to licensing directly with the songwriter(s), the publisher(s), or HFA, another option is using a licensing service company.

License Fees

There is a license fee (royalty) associated with licensing and using the composition. This is called a statutory

MUSIC

If the artist/band wants to create a promotional music video based on the cover song, this requires license(s) as well, except that the license required is called a synchronization license. The

statutory rate does not apply, as the license fee would need to be negotiated with the copyright owner in all instances. A couple of factors affecting video synchronization rates include the nature of the use, for example, promotional versus commercial use, and the length of use.

© Barry J. Heyman, Esq.

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Copyright Basics

Mechanical License

Synchronization License

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Recording a cover song can be a great marketing tool—providing artistic interpretation on a song that your audience may already be familiar with. A cover can also bring notoriety to your art from people who were previously unfamiliar with your work. However there are legal implications to covering a song even if you are giving it away for free.

of manufacturing and distributing it would need to obtain the proper license from the owner, usually the songwriter or the songwriter’s publisher (either directly or through an agent).

mechanical royalty rate. The rate varies depending upon which format is being licensed. For physical pressings and permanent digital downloads, the Federal rate is currently set at $.091 for songs 5 minutes or less in timing, and payable per song for each unit distributed. For recordings given away as promotional products, it is not uncommon to try and negotiate a reduced rate (e.g., 75% of the Statutory rate), or even gratis (free), however the copyright owner is not required to grant it. For ringtones, the rate is $0.24 per ringtone regardless of song length. Royalties for interactive streams are calculated based on a fairly complicated formula, which you can find on the HFA website.

Pre-Orders Available!

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By Linda Bendickson What is “People First Language”?

So, what’s all this talk about “People First Language”?

What does “People First” mean, and why is it important to me anyway?

For many years, people with disabilities have been discriminated against in many of the same ways people of color or other any other minorities have been. Discrimination begins with the simple though damaging acts of labeling and using negative language and leads to stereotyping.

All too frequently, well qualified job applicants who have disabilities are passed over for jobs due to the simple fact they are discriminated against. Many end up unemployed or in jobs with poor wages resulting in substandard living conditions.

A vicious circle is formed resulting in disenfranchisement and poor self esteem simply based on other’s misconceptions and incorrect choice of words.

What About Government & People 1st?

Until several years ago, even laws written and recorded by our federal and state governments used disrespectful and demeaning terms such as “retarded” when referencing individuals with developmental disabilities. Finally, President Barack Obama took a stand and officially signed Rosa’s Law, bill S. 2781, on October 5, 2010 [1]. This federal law removes the terms “mental retardation” and “mentally retarded” from all federal health, education and labor policy and replaces them with people first language “individual with an intellectual disability” and “intellectual disability.”

Although Rosa’s Law is landmark at the federal level, many state and local governments still need to get on board to make similar changes. As of March 2012, all but seven states in the United States have at

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ENTERTAINMENT

least introduced legislation to change the language in their state from ‘mental retardation’ to people first language. In The State of Texas, Governor Rick Perry signed into legislation the, “Respectful Language Bill” (HB 1481) which became effective on September of 2011 and requires all Texas State agencies to reword their terminology [2].

How can I help?

Contrary to what most of us were taught while growing up, “words” can (and often do) hurt us. It can be difficult to feel good about yourself if it seems like someone is calling you names nearly everywhere you turn. Sometimes discrimination is based on ignorance. We are now aware of the damaging affects of labeling people. People first language emphasizes the person first rather than the disability. No one wants to be defined by parameters of what “they can or can’t do”, nor the color of their skin, ethnicity or sexual preference. All people want to be first defined as people first. Hopefully by learning about People First Language, you too can help in the process of educating others of the importance of language. Make a conscious choice today to become part of The People First Movement; even huge waves begin with a small ripple.

What is happening in Texas? How can I learn more?

Start now by integrating people first language into your own language by referring to the chart in this article developed

by Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities and share it with others. You can make a difference. (Reprinting of TCCD’s, “People First Chart” was done with permission, though this article in its entirety is not specifically endorsed by them).

For more great news about efforts being made in Texas: www.txddc.state.tx.us OR the Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities in Austin, TX at 800-262-0334

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Microphone Kama Sutra: Part One Acoustic Guitar

Isolation Booth

by Mason Shirley

Microphone Kama Sutra: Part One Acoustic Guitar One of the biggest factors that affect the sound of a recording is microphone placement. When I’m mic’ing up an instrument I think of the microphone as an eye. When you point a microphone at a source, that’s what it “sees” and therefore that’s the sound you capture. I try to visualize the sound I want to capture and place microphones accordingly. With that said, here are three techniques you can use to get a better acoustic guitar sound: 1. For a mono sound, place the microphone at least a foot away from the guitar pointing where the neck meets the body. For a brighter sound, move the mic up the neck, for warmer sounds move it closer to the sound hole. To cut midrange, point the mic down at the guitar at a 45 degree angle.

the neck meets the body. Make sure the capsules are in very close proximity and the microphones are at a 45 degree angle in relation to each other.

3. For a wide stereo sound, use two microphones. Point one where the neck meets the body, and the other a few inches behind the bridge. To minimize phase cancellation, measure the distance from the guitar to the microphone positioned at the neck and make sure the microphone at the bridge is three times that distance from the neck mic.

These are three tried and true techniques that will usually work well, but don’t be afraid to experiment. There are no rules, just use your ears and do whatever sounds good!

Mason Shirley—Record Producer

www.SoundMachineStudio.com

2. For a phase coherent, narrow stereo sound use two microphones in the x-y configuration pointing where

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MUSIC

09

Life After ArtScHool

object maker, these are my objects, and gradu- they are embedded with my entity. Afated some really good artists in ter I die, these objects will remain. It is May. Andrew Smith & Oscar Guerra my connection with the workingman, are both really talented and success- the road, the home, and my underful artists. They’re both moving on standing of the nature of man to build, after graduation to interesting des- that gives me conviction in the sculptinations to pursue their careers as tures of my thesis exhibition. The inartists. Guerra is heading to Grad- cessant motion of art, our culture, and School after nearly selling out his life gives our generation the ability to BFA show. Smith is an MFA Sculp- be free, to interchange along any line in ture grad who recently took a job at history, past, present, or future. In a culOle Miss. He filled the Weil Gal- ture of this incessant motion, it is my lery with meticulously detailed iron past that has given me the strength and sculptures in a show called Phan- knowledge to adapt, survive, and work tasmagoria. Instead of me babbling past obstacles. The ideas of the home I’ll post Andrew’s artists statement: lead me to the American highway, and those roads lead me to see a world The work of Phantasmagoria: The change before my eyes. These displaceRoad, The Home, The Traveler ments, as difficult as they were at the speaks to the American tradition in time, permitted me to witness how the art. The tradition that David Smith country grew and how it transformed. speaks of when stating “culture and These experiences ultimately lead me the ideal of perfection is the refine- to have the capabilities to create work ment which belongs to gentlemen- that speaks to the ideas of home and art is the raw stuff which comes from my snapshots of what the country was the vitality, labor of aggressiveness by like at that moment in time. Like the men who got that way fighting for sculptors before me and those who will survival.” Freedom, courage, and this come after me, it is my job to create. coarseness are the virtues that I ide- I don’t often think of where I fit into alize from my predecessors. I am an history or where I might fit into art; I only think of the piece in front of

The TAMUCC Art Department

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ART

me and my unyielding need to create.

Through the works in Phantasmagoria: The Road, The Home, The Traveler I have explored the notions of a changing world, a continuously changing life, and the importance of these memories cause by the American road to my life. I have been given the unique experience of seeing this country through the eyes of the American highway, and I share with the viewer my memory from sight.

Oscar Guerra paints and makes drawings. He gladly let us use a detail of his painting for our cover, for which we are forever grateful.

I was lucky to chat with him before he heads to Delaware for GradSchool. It went something like this: STEAM: What was it like studying here at TAMUCC? Oscar: Studying at TAMUCC was nothing but positive for me. I really can’t say enough about the faculty in the art department. Students there are lucky to have a wealth of knowledge at their disposal no matter what medium they choose to focus on.

STEAM: Talk to me about being a first generation college graduate.

Oscar: A lot of Hispanics my age are

becoming first generation college graduates, and that’s a positive thing.

But like alot of other families, my parents worked hard and instilled the importance of a hard work ethic in me.

STEAM: What are your plans after graduation?

Oscar: I’m headed to graduate school to continue to develop my work and see where it takes me.

STEAM: How much of your show sold? Almost all right?

Oscar: When I first started painting, i had no idea people would have any interest in what i was doing since a lot of it was personal in content. I was just doing what came naturally to me.

Thats how I continue to approach my work and people seem to respond to it. The fact that someone would want to buy my work feels nice, but whats more important to me is growing as an artist and making honest work.

Two great artists with two great opportunities after graduation from art school at TAMUCC.

Congrats to the Class of 2012.

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Oscar Guerra

Andrew Smith STEAMTX.COM

ART

11

Things To Do and Pla As complied by Tamma Hicks

Entertainment Corpus Christi’s Big Bang Celebration July 4th, All day long! Join us in making our city shine!

Downtown Corpus Christi 7 am - 4 For The 4th: 4 mile Fun Run in Red, White & Blue (Solomon P. Ortiz Center) 10 am - Independence Day Ceremony (Sherrill Park) 10 am - Art Museum’s Dollar Day, $1 Admission until 5 pm (Art Museum) 11 am - Stars & Stripes Parade (Shoreline Blvd) 1 pm - FunDay KidZone: Rock climbing wall, CCPD/CCFD vehicle display & inflatable activities for kids of all ages. Food and beverages for purchase.

(Shoreline & Kinney) 1-9 pm - Entertainment Stage: 1-5—Texas Sound w/ DJ Lorenzo; 5-6:45—Red Giant; 7-9—Reno Perez (Destination Bayfront Park) 9 pm - Harbor Bridge Light Show: Listen online, via smartphone or radio, to KBAY 92.7, Z95 or 1440 AM KEYS radio while watching this musically choreographed display! (Harbor Bridge) 9:30 pm - H-E-B Independence Day Fireworks: Don't change that station! The magic and the music continue with a magnificent display of fireworks and patriotic tunes! (USS Lexington) For more information: http://www.cctexas.com/ july4/ Hooks Baseball Games Whataburger Field, Corpus Christi Home Games: Daily July 1-4, July 12-15, July 20-23 and July 27-31. Games are daily. Weekday and Saturday games begin at 7:05 pm and Sunday games begin at 1:05 pm, unless otherwise noted.

Hooks Friday Fireworks July 13 and 20 at 7:05 pm vs. Frisco RoughRiders. July 27 at 7:05 pm vs. Midland Rock Hounds. Friday Fireworks are presented

by Bud Light For more information on Hooks home games and promotional events please visit their website: corpuschristi.hooks.milb.com Concerts and Events at American Bank Center July 1, 3, 6, and 22 American Bank Center, Corpus Christi Check out all the great concerts and events this month! July 3 – WWE Smackdown Live! July 6 – Willie Nelson and Family!!! http://

americanbankcenter.com/ Summer 2012 Bay Jammin’ Concert Series – FREE! Every Thursday in July, 7:30pm–9:30pm Cole Park Amphitheater, Corpus Christi The City will showcase a variety of wonderful bands.

Music will be live—in a variety of genre from rock, country, world beat, jazz, blues and much more. All these concerts are offered FREE for everyone, so bring your lawn chairs, blankets and enjoy this wonderful entertainment.

Comics Live! Comedy Club 1214 N Chaparral St, Corpus Christi Corpus Christi's only home for live national touring comedians Thursday – Sunday!

Bay Jammin’ Cinema Series – FREE! Every Friday in July at 7:30pm Cole Park Amphitheater, Corpus Christi This year’s lineup is full of action, adventure and laughter for all ages. Movies will be shown under the stars against our beautiful Corpus Christi bayfront every Friday evening beginning at dark. All films are closed captioned. The movies are offered FREE for everyone, so bring your lawn chairs, blankets and enjoy this wonderful family entertainment.

43rd Annual Rockport Art Festival July 7 & 8 Rockport Beach Park, Rockport Since 1969, this Annual Art Festival has made Rockport the best place to be on July 4th weekend. Located right on Aransas Bay and showcasing high-quality artists, live music, a kids' activity tent and more, the Rockport Art Festival is always great summer fun on the Texas Coast.

Dine With the Ritz and Famous July 12 Solomon Ortiz Center, Corpus Christi 6:30 p.m. cocktails and silent auction, 7:30 dinner and show. Where else can you be entertained by (impersonators): Diana Ross, Cher, Tina Turner, Janet Jackson, Bette Midler, Marilyn Monroe, Sammy Davis Jr. and a dance by The Crush Girls Dancers!

CC Speedway The fastest ¼ mile asphalt track in Texas! Gates open at 6pm and Racing at 8!

241 Flato Rd, Corpus Christi 7th Front Runners, Bombers, Super Streets, Sport Mods, & Texas Pro Sedans

21st Enduro, Texas Pro Sedans, Front Runners, Bombers, Super Streets, Sport Mods, & Lone Star Legacys CC Maiden Texas Roller Derby July 13 Ayers Event Center, 3433 Ayers Street, Corpus Christi The CC Maiden Texas Derby girls will be strapping on their skates and hitting the track July 13th at the Ayers Event Center! Don't miss this full contact, hard hitting action. Doors open at 6:30 and the whistle blows at 7:30. For more info you can also check us out at www.ccmaidentexasderby.org South Texas Speedway The place to be on Saturday nights!

6701 Old Brownsville Road, Corpus Christi 14th A Great Night of Racing then catch Brian Keane in the Turn 5 Bar!!

28th All Classes Racing and Matt Kimbrow in the Turn 5 Bar!!

Concrete Street Concerts July 16 and 17 Concrete Street Amphitheater, Corpus Christi Sublime with Rome, Cypress Hill, Pepper & HB Surround Sound are coming to the Main Stage on July 16th!

Corpus Christi, prepare for The Scream it Like You Mean it 2012 Tour on July 17th! SIXTEEN bands are on the bill including Attack Attack! & We Came As Romans! www.concretestreet.net Hurricane Alley Roller Derby July 21 H.A.R.D. vs San Angelo July 28 Brats Bout H.A.R.D. House, 3952 Leopard St., Corpus Christi Doors open at 6:00 p.m. for H.A.R.D. V.I.P., and 6:30 p.m. for general admission. Game begins promptly at 7:00 p.m. For more info you can also check us out at: hurricanealleyrd.com/ 2012 Summer Games of Texas (Texas Amateur Athletic Federation) July 26 – 29 Various Venues throughout Corpus Christi Over 8,000 participants and spectators are estimated to be part of the Summer Games of Texas where amateur, recreational, and young Olympic hopeful athletes will compete in 13 sports categories! For more information: taaf.com

aces To Go All month CC Mermaids vs. RVG Mcallen Mystics July 28 Richard M. Borchard Regional Fairgrounds Field, 1151 Texas Yes Blvd. Robstown, TX Corpus Christi’s newest full contact football team!

Come watch the CC Mermaids take on the RVG Mcallen Mystics at the Robstown Fairgrounds Field!

Wave Walkers at La Palmera Mall July 31 La Palmera Mall, 5488 SPID, Corpus Christi The doors at La Palmera open daily at 6 a.m. so come take a few laps around the mall and then join fellow fitness fanatics in Center Court near the fountain for some bingo and refreshments. Wave Walkers is a free event held the last Tuesday of each month, 8-10 a.m.

Hurricane Alley Waterpark Open Daily 10am-6pm.

702 E Port Ave, Corpus Christi July 10, 17, and 24: Come swim under the stars while you’re watching the stars of the big screen during the Hurricane Alley Waterpark Summer Dive-In Movie Series! We’ll open the park up from 6PM – 10PM, and it will be buy one General Admission ticket and get one FREE (offer only valid for tickets purchased at the Main Gate the night of the movie)! The park will be fully operational for the entire night, and we’ll have a big screen set up on the Storm Surge stage. Visit our website for more information! hurricanalleycc.com U.S.S. Lexington Travel back in time aboard the famous U.S.S. Lexington. One afternoon will provide a humbling glimpse of what it’s like to live and serve aboard this marvel of the sea. www.visitcorpuschristi.com The Texas State Aquarium A day at the aquarium is a surefire way to keep your youngest explorers engaged and excited. www.visitcorpuschristi.com Padre Island National Seashore Be Covering 130,000 acres, this spectacular expanse remains home to the largest remaining natural barrier island in the world. www.visitcorpuschristi.com South Texas Botanical Gardens & Nature Center Surround yourself with the tranquil and fragrant atmosphere of this unique South Texas garden. www.visitcorpuschristi.com Mustang Island State Park Families enjoy a serene environment at Mustang Island

State Park. Fishing, bonfires, building sand castles and birding are popular pastimes at this great spot.

Pack the kayak or rent one to enjoy the Mustang Island State Park Paddling Trail. www.visitcorpuschristi.com

Art First Friday Artwalk Friday, July 6, 2012, 05:30pm - 09:00pm Downtown Corpus Christi ArtWalk is a self-guided tour of galleries, studios and gallery-for-an-evening venues in Downtown Corpus Christi held the first Friday of every month. Come join us for art, music, entertainment, refreshments and lots more. The event begins at 5:30 pm at La Retama Park with artist vendors and live music.

Over 50 participating venues! www.artwalkcc.com.

Aurora Arts Theatre Psycho Beach Party May 25 – July 7 5635 Everhart Rd., Corpus Christi, TX 78413 Psycho Beach Party is described as what you get when Gidget and Frankie & Annette beach party epics and Hitchcock psychological suspense thrillers are given a shotgun marriage. Chicklet Forrest, a teenage tomboy, desperately wants to be part of the surf crowd on Malibu Beach in 1962. One thing getting in her way is her unfortunate tendency towards split personalities. www.auroraartstheatre.com K Space Contemporary Watered Down: the Ebb and Flow of It July 6 – August 24 415 D Starr Street, Corpus Christi Main Gallery: Watered Down: the Ebb and Flow of It. A national juried show of works based on the theme of water. kspacecontemporary.org/ Port Aransas Community Theater Musical Theater Summer Workshop: Guys & Dolls July 9-29 Performances on: July 20-21 and 26-28 at 7:30p 2327 State Hwy 361, Port Aranasas During daily rehearsals with the talented production staff, students will work in an environment that is comparable to the professional theater. Students will spend their days dancing, singing, acting and most commonly LAUGHING! portaransascommunitytheater.com/

2012 CC7D KICKOFF July 11 at 6:30 PM The Venue at House of Rock, 511 Starr St, Corpus Christi The CC7D Kickoff is the official start of the 7-Day Filming Period. A representative from each team, preferably the Team Leader, is required to attend. At this event, teams will register, pay their entry fee, turn in their signed Participant’s Agreement (coming soon) and receive this year’s essential elements (prop, character, line of dialogue and the secret element).

This is the last chance for those not on a team to find a team. It’s time to start filming and everyone’s invited. The entire city is invited and each year this event gets larger and larger. It’s a lot of fun for everyone, so come on out! corpuschristifilmsociety.com/cc7d Harbor Playhouse 9 to 5: The Musical July 13 – August 12 1 Bayfront Park, Corpus Christi 9 TO 5: THE MUSICAL is a hilarious story of friendship and revenge in the Rolodex era. Outrageous, thought-provoking and even a little romantic, 9 TO 5: THE MUSICAL is about teaming up and taking care of business... it's about getting credit and getting even. www.harborplayhouse.com 2012 CC7D WRAP PARTY July 18 at 6:30 PM The Venue at House of Rock, 511 Starr St, Corpus Christi It’s time to turn them in! After the filmmakers’ grueling week of hard work, it’s time to turn the films in, decompress and tell war stories. The films will be due exactly at a time to be determined at the Kickoff Event. After this deadline passes, films will not be accepted. So… Please don’t be late. corpuschristifilmsociety.com/cc7d Aurora Arts Theatre Alfred Hitchcock’s 39 Steps July 20 – September 1 5635 Everhart Rd., Corpus Christi, TX 78413 Mix a Hitchcock masterpiece with a juicy spy novel, add a dash of Monty Python and you have this intriguing, thrilling, riotous, comedy! www.auroraartstheatre.com Art Museum of South Texas The Art Museum of South Texas is a wonderful place to tour during a leisurely afternoon around downtown Corpus Christi. www.visitcorpuschristi.com

More Things To Do and Places To Go Aurora Arts Theatre Alfred Hitchcock’s 39 Steps July 20 – September 1 5635 Everhart Rd., Corpus Christi, TX 78413 Mix a Hitchcock masterpiece with a juicy spy novel, add a dash of Monty Python and you have this intriguing, thrilling, riotous, comedy! www.auroraartstheatre.com Art Museum of South Texas The Art Museum of South Texas is a wonderful place to tour during a leisurely afternoon around downtown Corpus Christi. www.visitcorpuschristi.com Corpus Christi Museum of Science & History Tour the oldest shipwreck that was found nearby in the Gulf of Mexico and share the adventures of early explorers as you stroll among treasures from wordfamous shipwrecks. www.visitcorpuschristi.com

Music

Ayers Event Center 3433 Ayers St, Corpus Christi Home of the Thursday Night Jam! Backwoods Saloon 1540 Sun Ray Rd, Ingleside, TX Live music every weekend!

Blue Marlin Saloon 3006 E Surfside Blvd, Corpus Christi Live music every weekend!

Brewster Street Ice House 1724 N. Tancahua, Corpus Christi brewsterstreeticehouse.com Click’s Paradise 5141 Oakhurst Dr, Corpus Christi Pool and Music!

Dr Rockit’s Blues Bar 709 N. Chaparral, Corpus Christi Featuring Live Music Every Night! Genres include Texas country, rock, reggae, and of course blues! drrockitsbluesbar.com Elements Lounge & Nightclub 4223 S Alameda St, Corpus Christi Come experience an upscale dual venue that will leave you speechless!!!

Executive Surf Club

309 N. Water Street, Corpus Christi Live music and great food, what more could you ask 7 Brothers Saloon Highway 181, Normanna TX for?!

Live music! Don’t want to drive home? Stay in our RV park!

Flanagan’s Downtown 417 Starr St., Corpus Christi Drink Specials, Happy Hour 3-9pm and Live Enter- Sugar Shack 106 N Fulton Beach Rd, Fulton tainemnt Every Night!

DJ/Karaoke on Thursdays and Live music on Fridays & Saturdays!

Frontier Saloon 9709 Leopard Street Corpus Christi Karaoke every Thursday and Live Music on the Week- Tarpon Ice House 321 N. Allister, Port Aransas ends!

Live Music, 2 bars, pool, darts, big screen TVs, WIFI, and a Garage Bar & Grill beer garden!

15013 Northwest Blvd, Corpus Christi No Cover; Thursday night poker; Country and Southern The Texan 3625 South Staples Street, Corpus Christi Rock.

Live music is always free to bar patrons and the range of Happy Daze Hookah Lounge music is diverse, everything from punk to honkey tonk.

201 N Woodlawn, Alice TX Threads Venue Entertainment on the weekends!

423 Williams St, Corpus Christi Harrison's Landing Check out one of the most original music venues in the 108 Peoples St T Head, Corpus Christi city! And don’t miss the Artwalk After Party on the 6th!

Where Corpus Christi Goes to Unwind!

Theo’s Billards House of Rock 5815 Weber Rd, Corpus Christi 511 Starr Street, Corpus Christi See our ad on page 2 for upcoming shows!

Corpus Christi’s premier live music and event venue! See VFW Post 3837 our calendar on texashouseofrock.com 12030 Leopard St in Northwest Corpus Christi Jamison’s Irish Pub See our ad for our July shows! Are you looking for a great 4528 Weber Rd, Corpus Christi room for your next event? Give us a call!

See our ad on page 2 for upcoming shows!

Vick’s Place Los Cabos 7136 FM 666, Mathis 9601 South Padre Island Dr., Corpus Christi Don’t miss the “Baddest Little Show on Earth” July 14 th – Live music every weekend!

Extreme Midget Wrestling!! Then the Pear Ratz take the stage!!

Outta Bounds Sports Lounge 1402 Rodd Field Rd, Corpus Christi Whiskey River Nightclub Come join the fun!

At the corner of Staples and Holly, Corpus Christi The party never ends at Whiskey River. Free dance lessons Recess Bar & Grill every Tuesday!

5710 S. Alameda St, Corpus Christi This is the place for great burgers and on the weekend Zeros Hard Rock Club checkout their live music!

6327 McArdle Rd, Corpus Christi Check out these AWESOME shows! 6th As They Sleep/ Revolution Bar & Grill Damien Deadson/The Burial/Hope for the Dying/ 2306 Airline Rd, Corpus Christi Killamora/This Dying Dream 14th: Impending Doom/ Great food and lots of music! Featuring Clarissa Serna Within the Ruins/The Plot in You/Erra/To Each His on Tuesdays and DJ Dus on Wednesdays!

Own and 17th: Goatwhore/Killamora/Texas Hate Machine/Switchblade Jesus Roper’s 4653 Everhart Rd, Corpus Christi ** Please email your Event and Club submissions!

DJs spinnin’ your favorite tunes all night long! sales@steamtx.com

CD Review

Sightseer – What Tomorrow Brings

The place where the wind from the plains hits the shadow of the mountains can be searing hot one moment then turn to a sudden chill the next, this is where the music of Sightseer lives. The Seattle five piece Americana / Alt Country band ,who recently played a string of showcases at SXSW in Austin, is lead by Calgary Chanteuse PA Mathison, whose throaty alto draws you deep into her siren songs of love, loss, reflection and redemption on top of a full throttle heartland sound as big as all outdoors. The eleven strong songs are reminiscent of cow punk pioneers Lone Justice or a beefed up Cowboy Junkies, employing equal parts torch and twang of gritty guitars from Jason Lightfoot and soaring Fiddle and keys from Jason Welling. The haunting vulnerable vocals of Mathison are always in focus as she confronts a lover on the stirring “What If I,” shouts for a sexy rebellion on “Ruin Me and calls for revenge on “Read It and

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Weep,” then reflects on a bittersweet homecoming in “Athabasca.” The clever twisty word play of “Patsy Cline,” re-casts the country icon as Alice for a playful psychedelic groove into wonderland, and then the pop sensibility of “Miss You Much,” brings us back with a kick in the pants. Mathison closes with a circle of life benediction the “Biggest Storms,” proclaiming “who knows what tomorrow brings,” but one thing is for certain, when this album gets the attention it deserves it will bring great things for her and Sightseer.

www.Sightseer.BandCamp.com

By Rick J Bowen

www.StacyJonesBand.com

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and loose women,” they joked. This El Paso band did not hold anything back at Brewster Street. Truth be told, the Dirty River Boys is by far one of the best opening bands I have ever seen, and I have seen a lot of opening bands in my time.

Looking around Brewster, I could only see people having a good time—no boredom, no conversations, no waiting for Schneider.

In fact, one couple from Beaumont came

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to see them and left when Bob Schneider came on. This was a high-energy set that was followed by an honestly lacking show from Schneider (who I have seen in concert six times now). It just made me wonder who should have opened up for whom? Add these Dirty River Boys to your list of bands you need to see.

By Shawn Blair

Show Review River Boys Rock Brewster

The Dirty River Boys started promptly at nine at Brewster Street. The set began with an anthem that demanded the attention of those who arrived early enough to see them. No filler, no stopping, this band was not messing around. They are legitimate, dirty. The stand-up bass, the drummer sitting on his Cajon, the harmonicas; these guys are a living testimony to the music that many in this southern society have forgotten. With cut-off flannel shirts, mandolins, banjos, and fiddles, we heard revived echoes of earlier times. It is easy to see what these boys are all about—bluegrass and folk at its most contemporary and finest.

Switching instruments throughout the set and just owning the stage, the Dirty River Boys almost made me forget that I was there to see Bob Schneider... and then they welcomed us to rock portion of the show, “influenced by corn whiskey

ENTERTAINMENT MUSIC

TheDirty Dirty River Boys The Boys 15

CC Metal Then & Now

Chapter II

By Rusty Hicks, co/written by Tamma Hicks

Louis Quinn

In May

I started out in search of the Corpus Christi Metal Scene that I was told was withering and dying.

What I had found was a thriving scene with good venues and bands that have been around for decades! This month I started out at Clicks Paradise for the Rock N Rack Battle of the Bands; then checked out bands at Zero’s and at the House of Rock. Once again there is just too much going on to fit in this article!

Victory

By Birthright R - What’s the name of the band and how long have you been together?

VBB - Our name is Victory by Birthright and we a have been together for about 10

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or 11 months.

R – Can you tell me who’s in the band and how did you come up with the name?

VBB - The band is all family, man!!! Lead and Rhythm guitar duties are shared by my older brother Fernando Gamboa, and / me, Danny Salazar. On drums is my little brother Andy Salazar. On Lead vocals is my cousin Rick Rodriguez. On Bass guitar is my father Daniel Salazar Sr. A lot of people freak out when I say my old man is in my band but let me tell you the guy can out play and outperform guys half his age. Besides when the bass spot in the band was looking to get filled Fernando, Rick, and Andy thought of a few people and auditioned them, but the skill level needed to jam with us needed to be high....EXTREMELY HIGH. Daniel, or “Pops” as

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we call him, was the only guy who could keep with us!! HA HA HA The old man is good; the BEST in our opinion! The band name came about the day I joined the band. We wanted something mighty but also we wanted people to know that it was destiny, in our blood to form this band and really make a difference in the Corpus music scene. So Rick, being the clever guy that he is, just uttered, “How about Victory by Birthright??” We all got wide eyed and just unanimously agreed to it!! It’s perfect, because we are related and it’s our Birthright to be Victorious in whatever we do! It’s a great name and it suits us on so many levels.

R – Do you have any albums cut or are you getting ready to record?

What can you tell me about that?

VBB - We just recorded a single and have

released it!! We are currently selling it at shows and you can also hear a preview of it on our Facebook. We are working hard to

save up to record our full length album!! We recorded at Sound Machine Studios with Mason Shirley.

The guy has a great facility and he’s a great engineer too.

R- Are you guys playing around town very much and where do you play at?

VBB - Yeah we play a lot here locally. We love our crowd here!! We play a lot at Revolution and House of Rock. We also have played a couple of times at Zeros, Zombies and Mug Room. We will also be at the Theo’s on July 7th.

R – Do you have any news or information you want to push?

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VBB - At the moment the only news we really have to share is that Well, first we are writing new material that is going to quickly over shadow everything we’ve already done. Also, we are in a Battle of the Bands at House of Rock to win the opening spot at the “Scream It Like You Mean It Tour” stopping at Concrete Street!

What we really want STEAM readers to know is: We are here to not just play and make money. We are here to give you an experience that you probably haven’t seen at a live show in a long time!!! We are here not to only entertain you, but to really give you a show that is worth the money you spend to watch us! We want to bring about a new wind of change in metal and would love everyone to come along the journey with us! So keep an eye out on our Facebook and come down and support us!

Demented R – This is cool. I’m standing outside Zeros with the whole group, so can you tell me who you are and how long you’ve been together?

D – Paul “the Rocket” and I’m the bass player. Richard Milena (vocals), Armando Hernández (drums), “Fast” Eddie Longoria (guitar). This line up has been together

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for about two years now, but we have been around since the early 1990’s. We’ve transformed through lots of members.

R – Who from Corpus Christi influenced you?

D – Joey Espinosa, from Devastation, and Leon Calderon, from Purple Mushroom.

We plan to be here as long as they (Purple Mushroom) are!

R – I heard one of you saying that your next gig is in October. Where are you guys playing then?

D – We’re playing the House Of Rock’s Jell-O Fest, which is a benefit for kids with cancer. We did this about four years ago and had a great time. We felt lucky to be invited back.

R – So you have a new CD out? D – Yeah, it’s called “Life is Drained” recorded just a month or so ago at Gilly’s Studio here in Corpus Christi. We aren’t on a label yet, so we’re on our own.

R – What do you want STEAM readers to know about you?

D – We have a lot of different styles and people think we sound like a lot of different groups, because all the different groups we listened to are integrated into what we do.

We aren’t like anyone else, we’re original!

Music is our lives. You know? Music is like sex; we need it in our life to function. One of the things we represent is that we have been doing this for such a long time and we just won’t give up. We are just getting better all the time!

R – Where do you think the scene here is heading?

D – I think it’s starting to pick up again.

But the dream is to find a venue here that will really let us do our thing!

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Louis Quinn Band aka Smokin’ Ash

So there I was checking out Ayers Music Store one afternoon, talking to Louis Quinn who does the repair work and the conversation turned to music in Corpus Christi…

R-So you were saying that you’re originally from this area; when did you start playing?

LQ - Well, I had a band in high school.

Right now we are the Louis Quinn band, but way back in the day, 1973-79, we were the Smokin’ Ash Band.

R - And during this time you guys became pretty well know, right?

LQ - We hooked up with Mesquite Productions, that was THE agency back then and they put us right in there with everyone because we were original music, no covers. We were the warm up band for Rare Earth, Deep Purple, A Sleep at the Wheel, Head East and for Cactus too. There were lots of shows and we were the band. We opened up for Buddy Miles three times; once at the Ritz here in Corpus Christi.

R – I know you spent some time in Cali-

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Victory By Birthright fornia, can you tell me about that?

LQ - I started out in northern California and made my way south to the AL area in 1982-3. I ended up meeting and becoming good friends with Royce Applegate (Commander Crocker in SeaQuest), Andrew Hyatt Masset (Days of Our Lives), and Gregg Henry (Raising Cain, Payback, and CSI). I was just fortunate enough to hook up with these people who just accepted me as a good person, a friend, and a great musician. I did a lot of work for those guys.

R – I know you have a lot of stories, but do you have a favorite you would like to share?

LQ - Well, you know I got hooked up with these guys and I was going to parties and whatnot. One night I walked in and Sean Penn and Timothy Hutton are

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just sitting there; another night Gene Clark (The Byrds) is sitting there. Then I got invited to a jam session. I didn’t really know what to expect or who would be there. We walked in and there was Levon Helm from The Band! And I have a recording from that night with me, Levon Helm, and Harry Dean Stanton, (Repo Man [actor]), just jamming out. After that Helm and I became good friends. One night he called Louis with CBS Records in NY and said, “I got Robby Robinson’s replacement right here!”

And I’m going Wow! Is this true? Well, it took two days for CBS Records to get back to me and it just didn’t work out. They had decided on putting an All-Star band together with Billy Preston, Levon Helm, Ringo Starr, and others. And well, it’s California and the label wanted known names.

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R – What I think is really interesting is that you are an artist. Can you tell me about what you’ve been doing since you came back?

LQ - I’ve been back for about 10 years now. My mom passed away a few years ago and I’ve been thinking about going back to LA. Right now I’m working for Robert at Ayers Street Music repairing musical equipment and painting customized guitars. Robert has been designing his own line for the online store and I’m really excited to be working on

this project. I have about 1200 songs and I’m working with a publishing agent to see where I can take this. Beside that I do a great deal of painting and air-brushing.

I really haven’t updated my MySpace account in a while, but I plan to now! I’ll add some of my art as well as my music, so please check it out:

(myspace.com/LouisQuinnBand).

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Camps

are a great way to keep kids busy, out of trouble and most importantly out of your way during the dog days of summer. They are almost always enriching and worth the money. Corpus has many great summer camps for kids, including baseball, soccer & other sports camps, there are plenty of academics and art camps also. But I’d like to talk about a different kind of camp here in the Coastal Bend, one where kids can learn how to

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shred a guitar or scratch records. design, flyer making, music culstage performance and at Chicas Rock Camp & the Turntable ture, end of term, a showcase perforAcademy are great alternatives to mance. Chicas Rock or Turntable summer camps and are dedicated to Academy does not discriminate building kid’s self-esteem through on the basis of race, class, religion, music creation and performance. sexual orientation, gender expression, ethnicity, size and/or ability.

CHICAS ROCK is a program for girls ages 8-17 providing in- The Turntable Academy is a prostrument instruction,(Guitar, Bass, gram for boys ages 8-17. During Drums, Keyboards and Vocals) the program they offer an introducband practice, workshops in writ- tion to the DJ culture through a ing songs, forming a band, logo variety of workshops and hands on

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rehearsals, covering topics like song arrangement, beat matching, beats per minute, programming, set up and scratching all culminating in a end of term performance showcase.

Chicas Rock was started by Cecy Trevino a professional bass player who is sponsored by Gibson Guitars. She has a small army of local women volunteers who are making a great impact on the lives of young girls in the Bay Area. Their goal is to bring confidence to today’s youth

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Dead Squirr1 Holdin’ it Down and keep them out of the streets and out of trouble. The Turntable Academy is lead by the “Godfather of Cumbia Krunk” DJ Dus, a local living legend in Corpus and cofounder of Produce®, Gallery and Studio in Downtown Corpus. These two are also in a band called Master Blaster Sound System, so keep an eye out for them if you like a Big Cumbia, Krunk, Dirty House, Hip Hop & Jamaican Sound Mash Up. I asked Dus if there are any kids to look out for in the academy. He said, “Dead Squirr1 can hold it down.

Soon he’ll be as good as a lot of DJs around town & he’s only 12 years old” What a good way to keep potential trouble makers busy and getting them in touch with their creative minds.

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Showcase Performance Americana Style!

The programs are held in conjunction on a monthly basis every Monday and Wednesday from 5:30 to 7:30 in their downtown loft above Produce®. 415 Peoples St in Corpus.

The summer camps are a week long first of which is held in McAllen Texas July 23-28 from 9am to 5pm. The August camp will be held in Corpus from 6-11 9am to 5pm.

417 Starr St

Chicas Rock & Turntable Academy operate with very limited resources and they rely heavily on donations and support from the community to sustain their programs, so they ask those who can afford to pay full tuition to do so.

Financial aid is available for those who qualify. No previous musical experience necessary. For all other info go to:

www.ChicasRock.org MUSIC

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FRIENDS

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