Strike Magazine UCF Issue 02 by Strike Magazines

The effect of female icons in rock By Lindsay Malley

Can you remember the first Rock song you truly felt? I can. As a young girl, the rock songs I knew were a part of my hype-up playlists. When listening, I would feel the energy of the music and lyrics. I could feel my body heat up with a comfortable passion of fire, my

stomach twisting in anticipation for the beat. It was at that moment that I knew what it was like to get lost in rock. For a couple of minutes I felt that I could be anyone I wanted to be. As a young girl who was unfamiliar with rock, I had to find out about the rockstar queens of the past and present. The first woman that I learned about needs no introduction, but will get one anyways — Patti Smith. Smith grew up in New Jersey and was

somewhat of an outcast in high school. She later moved to New York after college and worked in a bookstore while being involved with underground theater to find a career and express herself. Within two years her talents were recognized and she was writing for Rolling Stone and Creem. In quick time, Patti Smith had created a band and was playing all along the west coast, making her one of the best rock artists of our time through her album Horses, which was a groundbreaking artpunk rock album. Horses didn’t just shape rock, but acted as a symbol for women. By appearance, Smith was a woman with a short, messy and unapologetic haircut, who wore a retro suit with a white button up and skinny tie. She became the persona of the female rocker; a perfect mix of feminine and gamine. Smith emphasized the juxtaposition of shabby and chic, which soon became the cutting edge of fashion. She didn’t perform or dress for a male fantasy; she was real for women. Joan Jett was another rock icon that led the way for other female rockers. She grew up in a middle class family and lived for music. Jett refused to accept social convention and demanded the equal resources and opportunities presented to male rockers. She objected to engaging with male power and instead constructed female masculinity as a gender and sexual identity outside of the binaries of the twentieth century. Jett’s performances challenged the culture of rock along with

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sexual and gender binaries in middle class culture. Not only were traditional audiences interested in her music, but the LBTQ+ community felt included as well. Known for her songs “Heart of Glass’’ and “Call Me,” Debbie Harry from Blondie is a key inspirational figure for today’s female rockers. Harry was a punk princess; a lot of her songwriting was about sex and fame. She once said in an interview, “Sex is what makes everything happen. I wish I invented sex.” She used her platform to empower women and talk about societal issues. Harry was a sexual assault survivor, but she used her experience to educate others and fight back lyrically. By writing about female pleasure and flipping the classic male gaze in her songs, she empowered women to embrace their sexuality. Debbie Harry changed the rock world, and I think she says it best: “There are so many great female artists. Now it’s become standard. It’s no longer a boys club.”

and wearing leather pants may not be your move, but rock is about freedom and self-expression. I dare you to put on some Joan Jett or Debbie Harry. How do you feel? Like you rule the world? Like maybe you don’t need to be perfect on your next date night? Listen to Joan Jett — “I just like living my life doing what I want to do. Sometimes people call that rebellion, especially when you’re a woman.”

The female rockers of the past have paved the way for artists like Miley Cyrus, Hayley Williams, Gwen Stefani and many more. Their influence can be seen in both the mindset and sound of today’s artists. For instance, Miley Cyrus recently released a top-chart rock album about exploring herself and getting to know who she truly is. Cutting your hair 11 11

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Cherry Wine, Birthday Cake, Mountain Dew, American Pie. Classic dishes and drinks like these take on a new meaning when used in music, serving as one of the most common forms of lyrical symbolism. In “Hungry for More,” we peel back the layers of hidden meaning found in these songs as we examine symbolism in music as a whole and why it exists in the first place.

Concept- Emily Ruiz, Nathalia Beltran Stylists- Adina Fraizer, Nathalia Beltran, Isabel Vila Set Design- Sarah Sullivan, Sophie Debora, Isa Maria Jones Cinematography- Kylie Kuhn, Ashleigh Jachles, Hannah Umpenhour Photographers- Riley Karekos, Carlos Napoleoni, Noelle Espinal Photo edit- Ashley Ferguson Makeup- Alexandria Sullivan, Kiana Linnette, Yaire Matos Cruz Designers- Ramesa Ahasan, Peyton Gibson, Coryn Flavin, Jade Catunao, Caitlyn Lombardo

By Melissa Donovan

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We dance, we cry, we fall in love, we live — all in our rooms, usually with some type of soundtrack playing in the background. In this shoot, we attempted to showcase the different moods and sense of escape we experience while listening to music in our rooms. Our title refers to Beach Boys hit “In my Room,” and we drew aesthetic inspiration from Frank Ocean’s song of the same name.

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Concept- Ashleigh Jachles, Vanessa Salas, Natasha Miguelez Stylists- Abigail Thurston, Nathalia Beltran Set Design- Sarah Sullivan, Sophia Debora, Isa Maria Jones Cinematography- Kylie Kuhn, Ashleigh Jachles Photographers- Oliver Muniz, Christian Yancey, Vanessa Salas Photo edit- Carolina Cabrera Makeup- Alexandra Sullivan, Katherine Polgar, Yaire Matos Cruz, Emily Mozdzierz Designers- Kelli Goos, Bianca Dimov, Yadel Torres, Grace Altmire, Mia Marquez, Jade Catunao

By Emily Ruiz

Through the Decades

Musical Escapism:

In a climate of nostalgia, we seek elements of the past to create a sense of belonging and understanding with its events. Like our parents before us, music was put into place as a sign of escapism in their younger years. Although rather different from our circumstances of teenage angst, they had to trudge through major incidents with a soundtrack to keep them afloat. Today, we may take those “vintage” classics to heart, mouthing the words to a T and repeatedly rewatching the same old John Hughes movies to reflect on the good old days. But how are we truly attaching ourselves to the periodic affairs and the historical entanglements that they represent? From political atmospheres to the resurgence of independent expression and economic matters, a blast from the past might just be what one needs in their playlist as a wake-up call to the reality of the world we live in. 1960s Africa -“Pata Pata” by Miriam Makeba (1967) -“Grazing in the Grass” by Hugh Masekela (1969) -“It’s Highlife Time” by Fela Kuti (1965) In the 1960s, many African colonies started gaining independence because the colonial empires (Great Britain, France, Belgium, etc.) had lost the prestige of power from World War II. They began to instill the intricate ways of self government. Consequently, there was no need for them to be governed by a colonial power thousands of miles away. The upbeat rhythm in these songs could potentially symbolize the jubilant nature of the African people finally being freed. 1970s USA -“Stayin’ Alive” by Bee Gees (1977) -“Imagine” by John Lennon (1971) -“Bridge Over Troubled Water” by Simon & Garfunkel (1970) The 1970s in the USA were rough. We were losing the war in Vietnam and by April 1975, the United States completely withdrew, leaving the country under communist rule. Also during this time, President Richard Nixon resigned due to the Watergate Scandal. And despite the Civil Rights Movement of 1968, there was still rampant racism, homelessness, veterans coming home from an unpopular war, and economic concerns in the air. Violence arose tremendously. Therefore, people turned to music as a form of escape. The songs listed here could be seen as a reflection of how American society struggled to both escape from and highlight the problems and issues that were so prevalent at the time.

1980s Europe -“Wind of Change” by Scorpions (1990) -“Through the Barricades” by Spandau Ballet (1986) -“My Ever Changing Moods” by The Style Council (1984) Europe faced an ideological boundary during this time that had existed since the end of World War II when the Soviet Union, under Stalin and Western Allied Powers, divided into communism and liberal democracy. Eastern Europe (Poland, Hungary, East Germany, etc.) was ruled by authoritarian governments supported by the Soviet Union, while Western Germany, France, Italy, and the UK were all vibrant democracies. During the 1980s, there were several political movements within Eastern Europe that called for the end of the communist rule. Part of the Soviet Union’s response to quell the uprisings was to accelerate the arms race that threatened a global conflict. These songs precipitated the fall of the communist regime. For example, “Wind of Change” became an anthem of democracy for Europe, since it started in Western Germany. It then became the song of the people in Eastern Europe. 1990s Asia -“执迷不悔 ‘No Regrets’” by Faye Wong (1993) -“Sweet Soul Revue” by Pizzicato Five (1993) -“Ang Huling El Bimbo” by Eraserheads (1995) There was a financial crisis in Asia that devalued an abundance of currencies. It started in Thailand, where they lost their supply of American dollars, leading them to float their currency. In turn, this affected the entirety of the continent as there was a dramatic switch in value, causing other countries to lose their ability to pay off debt. Ultimately, it brought on a domino effect to other countries in the region. Alongside this event, the 1990s saw the introduction of the internet to the consumer market. As technology began to popularize, disco-tech songs like “Sweet Soul Revue” skyrocketed in clubs that individuals used to escape. Love songs revolving around loss (i.e. “No Regrets” and “Huling El Bimbo”) were favored in light of what was occurring. On a positive note, however, accessibility to music is more vast, resulting in an abundance of styles that have emerged from various genres. The songs that represent our generation have proven how far we’ve progressed in social matters. Nonetheless, it’s our responsibility to acknowledge the musical and historical significance of the past and present in order to generate content that perpetuates triumph instead of struggle in our history.

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IN DEFENSE OF COUNTRY AND COUNTRY MUSIC By Jacob Willeford

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After I moved to Florida for college and talked about growing up around a rural way of life, a lot of people told me that around here, the more north you travel, the more south it gets. Some even call it “yee-haw” territory and sort of brush it off with a tone of mild distaste. In many ways, I can’t say that I don’t share the same feeling, and it stems from a place that I’m sure is the same for them and others who find a mild disliking for the country way of life. It can certainly feel limiting, for one thing. A variety of activities aren’t necessarily at your disposal, and most of those that you do have are outdoors. Hunting, fishing, camping, hiking, and riding ATVs when the weather allows it are common options. Having a bonfire with your friends and drinking a couple of beers is probably one of the better ways to wind down and let off some steam if you don’t want to go to the local bars. But that’s just it, isn’t it – everything’s local. It’s a small town, at least usually, and small towns incidentally mean less access. I truly think the reluctance in liking country living, or even country music for that matter, lies in the generalization of a culture and a misunderstanding between a style of life and a set of beliefs.

values that we hold, and we also decide the way in which we want to live our life. I learned, through growing up in a more country setting, that I preferred city life, and there’s nothing wrong with that. What is wrong is that I spent so much time resenting the style of life that gave me that choice because I generalized and made a misassociation.

As human beings we’re inclined to generalize and judge, but as much as it feels like some groups of people and cultures do it more than others, we all still do it just the same. We tend to hold a lot of prejudice toward country living in general because we associate it with stemming beliefs from the South – the bad south. The systemically racist, misogynistic, xenophobic, homophobic, intolerant, and wild kind of South that can be really terrifying and enraging. And yeah, that exists still, which is wrong, awful, and shouldn’t happen. But country living and country culture don’t inherently mean those things – it isn’t binary. We are who we chose to be, each and every one of us as individuals, we decide the

you the strength of community, shows you the value in maintaining relationships, instills an unbreakable work ethic, and most importantly, helps you see the beauty in the seemingly little things in life – the things that really matter. Most of the time, they’re moments with people. That’s what country music is always trying to say, too. It’s an expression of life, just like any genre of music, but what makes country so amazing is the way it can tell a story. Yeah, I know it’s hard sometimes, the instrumentals may not fit your taste, and some songs can be really rough, really repetitive, and extremely offensive. You may hear seven songs in a row talk about cracking a cold beer, kicking up dirt, getting a girl up in a truck, and

The principles, values, relationships, and experiences from a childhood in the country while having an older brother that loved to force me to listen to country music is something that I’d never change. A small town, country style life teaches

“The principles, values, relationships, and experiences from a childhood in the country while having an older brother that loved to force me to listen to country music is something that I’d never change.”

sitting around the bonfire. I feel your pain, but the same can be said for songs in every other genre – they’re not all good. But with country, the ones that are, really are. In the many truck drives to and from school and events with my brother and 106.1 Radio “Milwaukee’s Best Country,” I came across some of the most moving stories through music that could bring anyone to tears. Billy Currington’s “People are Crazy” is the story of a man meeting an old war veteran by chance, treating him with kindness and respect by simply having a nice conversation at a bar, and then being honored by receiving his will. “My Boy” by Elvie Shane tells a story of coming to terms with a significant other having a son, and how that son became his own. Miranda Lambert’s “The House That Built Me” is about feeling lost and going home to reconnect with your roots. Country living isn’t the bad south and country music isn’t an expression of that. Country living is appreciating the amazing little moments in life, surrounding yourself with people you love, taking advantage of the incredible outdoors, and remembering how your roots shaped the person you are today. Country music is a musical expression of that. I’m not telling you to be a country fan, and I don’t expect you to consider living a country life if that isn’t you, because it isn’t me either. I like palm trees, nice suits, malls, jeeps, and alternative 80’s pop music, but boy do I try to take the essence that country living taught me everywhere I go, and I sure do smile every time a country song comes on that I know all the words to because of my big brother.

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By Haley Johnston

Future Nostalgia

By Brianne Pingol

We come and we go through these walks in life, often empty-handed or just barely with a hand to hold. It’s not as easy as it seems, and the trials we faced might actually be tougher than we thought. But at the end of the day, we are not alone with our experiences and the outcomes of the choices that we make. Things may not come full circle, but our feelings are still valid. No emotion goes unfelt no matter how disparate the circumstances are. We find ourselves stripped down and barefoot with life’s beauties and catastrophes all huddled together. These are lessons shared by strangers from all parts of the world within life, love and you. This is where they speak and this is where we listen. What is your philosophy in life and how do you live by it? “Don’t forget to ask yourself: are you active in your body or your soul?” -SF, 44 We often tend to overlook our sanity. However, setting aside care for the inner workings of our mind helps to exercise who we are inside, rather than just what we catch sight of in front of a mirror. We must blossom from within and tend to it before being able to witness its effect in our outer shell. Thoughts execute words, which execute actions.

“I am an absurdist. I believe that fulfillment is derived from the continuous pursuit of meaning even though existence is meaningless.” -ER, 21 With over seven billion people on the planet, we can often find ourselves at a crossroads with who we are and who we’re meant to be. The perpetual questioning of your purpose could make you feel inadequate due to external circumstances that you can’t help, innate struggles, or because of the overwhelming concept of the universe and what it brings. Nonetheless, accepting the ‘here and now’ regardless of what’s to come is the first step to unfolding discoveries of ourselves and the world around us. Curiosity will save us from the imprisonment of a stagnant lifestyle, push us toward the betterment of our tomorrow, and reassure our faith that there is always something to look forward to. What is the meaning of true friendship? “Understand fostering a relationship with one another.” -TB, 51 A partnership is not so simply obtained in life, and for that reason, making a connection with those

around us should not be taken for granted. It must be cherished and cared for because a mutual alliance to anybody and everybody has its own set of benefits that can be reaped without losing who we are as individuals. We might even be able to seek ourselves in them and see the best that we could be. We can find a home or a motivation that may not have been as clear before. They could have a monumental effect on us or we could never give it a second thought. Either way, to bond is to empathize. This characteristic is much needed in the world we live in today. “Build a friendship that can rival many romances.” -LH, 35 It’s no secret that long-lasting relationships are deeply rooted in the foundation of a friendship. A friendship composed of reciprocated trust, respect, loyalty, and even mistakes strengthens the core values of a tie between two people. This is why most platonic relationships hit harder than springflings after a line has been crossed. Friends have witnessed us with and without the romance — through the nitty-grittiness of it all. They watched us grow, and they might have been one of the reasons why we did. To have a solid support system without having to question their authenticity is the icing on top

of our life’s contentment. What does actual love feel like? How were you able to find it? “Love is not a stable thing. And as long as you enjoy it while it’s happening, it doesn’t matter how long it happens for.” -AGP, 19 To love is a gift, not a blessing or a curse. It embodies an attachment that transcends far beyond the sources of life and light. Although flawed, its voluntary participation in the human race is what makes it so remarkable. Love in the present, if true, can stand the test of time and break through the barriers of loss and change. It is something that cannot be undone or replaced. “Don’t let the redundancy of the word [love] lessen its meaning.” -JD, 28 Love comes in all forms. Still, its consistent exploitation has clouded its sincerity. Love is becoming a bypass, a task-list to cynics and food for thought for hopeless romantics. But it’s not about the term, its dictionary definition, or its relevance to a Shakespearean analysis in your English literature class. It’s not about having to regurgitate it or swallow it because you can’t bear to say it. Real love is uplifting, real love is without any

expectation, and real love is not wanting anything in return. Real love stays true when you’re true to it. It knows when you’re sure and when you’re not. So don’t try to fool it and don’t let yourself be fooled by what love has been made out to be. See to it that you interpret love on your own terms.

to others. After all, the goal of humanity should be the preservation of our planet. But preservation is nonexistent if its inhabitants are self-destructive. It’s key that we maximize the quality of life for everyone; giving into damaging factors will accelerate our future’s decline.

What should the goal of humanity be? Are there any sacrifices that we must endure to reach that target?

You can venture out on your own in the world to seek answers and interpretations on life. Never forget to stay curious, be compassionate, and keep moving forward. One day you’ll look up from your feet and realize you’re where and who you were always meant to be.

“Time heals, breaks, but most importantly- it changes.” -IS, 62 Life swings much like a pendulum, consistently increasing or decreasing speed. However, the momentum always moves forward and never back. Remembering this is how we immerse ourselves in acknowledging the circumstance of where we are and where we want to go. “So many of the world’s problems could be fixed by conversation.” -SM, 70 Considering the current conditions of the world, it’s no surprise that there have been raging injustices and inequalities in front of one’s own door. Blinded or not by these prejudices, a call for discussion and awareness is essential to get rid of the ongoing harm bestowed

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