+5 Stamina
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Tour D'Amour
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INSIDE THIS WEEK'S ISSUE
IMMACULATE INFECTION
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COMICAL RUMINATIONS
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PUT A FORK IN IT
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ON YOUR LEFT
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MAKE ROOM FOR DANNY
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PITT NEEDS A PADDLE We're bringing you an in-depth, 60-Minutes style investigative report on the deep, dark, bloody underworld of Ping Pong Fight Club. Just kidding! Like Dain said, "I've seen much darker things done with ping pong balls." Get the scoop on how you can join the bare knuckle ping pong triad.
GATECRASHERS Hark Nerds! Where the heck were you last Friday night? At the stroke of midnight some of the more competitive players of Magic: The Gathering came together to celebrate the release of the newest expansion release, Gatecrash. Synthesis was on the scene and gives you the full report on the alternative culture of young people with a love for complex strategery.
CORRECTIONS
SLAPPIN' THE BASS, MAN ALO bassist Steve Adams, is one of the hardest working performing artists in the music business today. He's seen regularly playing with Chico favorites Nicki Bluhm & The Gramblers, as well as Brokedown in Bakersfield. This week he comes to Chico with his main act, Santa Barbara/Bay Area jam-rockers, Animal Liberation Orchestra. Adams spoke with Synthesis about his busy life and the great benefits of immersing yourself in music performance.
It has come to our attention that some of the details in our cover story of 1/21/2013, "Hello My Name is Chico and I Have A Drinking Problem," may be incorrect. We apologize for any confusion that may have stemmed from our statements regarding the death of Mason Sumnicht, and where, and how much, alcohol he may have consumed the night he was admitted to Enloe Hospital. While the exact details of Sumnicht's tragic death may never be fully understood, what is abundantly clear is that a young member of our community died needlessly, and we, along with everyone who calls Chico home, must do our part to make sure that tragedies like this are prevented in the future.
COVER IMAGES Photo by Dain Sandoval
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LETTER FROM THE EDITOR Sara Calvosa sara@synthesis.net
Safer Streets & Farewell Liz Lemon I WAS going to write something long and poignant about the arrest of that "Chester" that the Chico PD caught during a fortuitous routine stop, but everybody else is writing about it and I've been a little disappointed in some of the public responses criticizing the PoPo. The Chico PD actually put their lives on the line every day and they do care about the community because it's their community, too. I'm heebed out by the little bits of information that leak out to the press; can you imagine what it must be like to know all the things that the cops know? Ew! Gross, terrifying, depressing, human beings ultimately suck ... those are all things I have said, and I don't know the half of the half of it. The fact is, we had a recession and Police resources along with everything else had to be downsized. Anyway, thanks Chico PD, I hope you get some more resources soon so that you can catch more bad guys. Ain't no party like a Liz Lemon party because a Liz Lemon party is mandatory "Hey, nerds! Who's got two thumbs, speaks limited French, and hasn't cried once today? This moi." 30 Rock is over after seven years, and that means saying goodbye to one of my all-time favorite television characters. I fancy myself to be like the Liz Lemon of the Synthesis. At work, I'm handling business every week in my own unique and quirky way. Having heart-to-heart chats with Bill about how it seems like everybody breaks down and roasts crack rocks whenever I'm out of the office. And Bill saying stuff like, ""Never go with a hippie to a second location." I'm wrangling a team of writers trying to put out a paper every week. Nolan doesn't wear ironic trucker hats though ... yet. At home, I like to have a few glasses of wine and curl up on the couch and get to workin' on my night cheese. And you know, I think I'm going to save the last episode in my Hulu queue until I can find the Chico equivalent of a teamster sub to eat while I'm watching it. I'm going to miss Liz Lemon and being able to identify with her quest to have it all - family, career, so much food, and no jury duty. Blerg, I'm going to cry a little out my mouth. Remember everything we've learned from 30 Rock: "Live every week like it's shark week." Photo credit: Bossypants
FEBRUARY 4 - FEBRUARY 10, 2013
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For 19 years The Synthesis goal is to provide a forum for entertainment, music, humor, community awareness,
opinions and change.
PUBLISHER Kathy Barrell kathy@synmedia.net
MANAGING EDITOR Sara Calvosa editorial@synthesis.net
EDITOR Nolan Ford nolan@synthesis.net
DESIGNERS Michaela Warthen Paige Cloke Tanner Ulsh graphics@synthesis .net
DELIVERIES Molly Roberts Joey Murphy
WRITERS Koz McKev. Bob Howard. Arielle Mullen, Ky Junkins. Guy Starvist. Jeremy Gerrard. Tommy Diestel. Jen Cartier. Steve Swim. Dillon Carroll. Kenneth Kelly. Howl. Matt Olson. Molly and Bryan Lex. Evan Billman. Jack Knight. Danny Cohen
PHOTOGRAPHY
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Only 51 Spots Remain through March 31 for GrantFunded Discount! CHICO, CA- Now through March 31, Butte Humane Society's Low-Cost Spay & Neuter Clinic is offering a $40 discount on all spays and neuters of pit bull terriers. This discount, subsidized by a recent grant, is available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Only 51 spots remain!
syn thesis
Vincent Latham Jessica Sid
CALENDAR Bethany Johnson calendar@synthesis.net
WIRES AND BLINKING LIGHTS Dain Sandoval dain@synthesis.net
BEAN COUNTER Ben Kirby
OWNER Bill Fishkin The Synthesis is both owned and published by Apartment 8 Productions. All things published in these pages are the property of Apartment 8 Productions and may not be reproduced. copied or used in any other way. shape or form without the written consent of Apartment 8 Productions. One copy (maybe two) of the Synthesis is available free to residents in Butte. Tehama and Shasta counties. Anyone caught removing papers will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law (and our law!). All opinions expressed throughout the Synthesis are those of the author and are not necessarily the same opinions as Apartment 8 Productions and the Synthesis. The Synthesis welcomes. wants. and will even desperately beg for letters because we care what you think. We can be reached via snail mail at the Synthesis. 210 W. 6th St .. Chico. California. 95928. Email letters@synthesis. net. Please sign all of your letters with your real name. address and preferably a phone number. We may also edit your submission for content and space.
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IMMACULATE INFECTION Bob Howard madbob@madbob.com
Paths Revealed Doing What Comes Naturally Jason London took a dump in a cab in Hollywood. I would've been more outraged if it had happened in New York City, or even London, UK, but Hollywood - the place is so filthy already, what's another crap in a cab? My most vivid memories of the place are the sights, sounds, and smells of people pissing, puking, and fighting in the streets - punctuated with occasional sexual episodes. I don't recall a whole lot of human defecation there, but you can't stop progress. London's claim to fame as far as I can tell, aside from the taxi crapping, is having a part in the 2001 Richard Linklater instant-classic Dazed and Confused. He played the character of Randall "Pink" Floyd, the quarterback of the football team who refuses to sign a "drug-free" pledge. I don't care so much about this - let the celebrity crowd do their thing - except that it comes on the heels of the wildly popular, "Al Roker Sharted his Pants in the White House'' story that had recently burned through the morning, afternoon, and 24hour programming of a variety of television and Internet-based media outlets. Only the haughtier nightly network news programs spared us the cheek-clenching admission. There isn't anything too surprising about accidental defecation in the most officially esteemed building in the country; the intrigue comes in the decision to tell the story. There's
no doubt that over the years many strange (and gross) episodes have transpired within those walls, but I don't know that we've ever talked about them as openly, and willingly, as we do today. If that's true, I think that is good. The people who live and visit there - they're only human, like the rest of us. Poseidon's Children Garret McNamara is reported to have ridden a 100-foot high wave. I've seen some of the footage. When I was a teenage surfer, attending school in Southern ........~·- I California, I sketched a lot of waves into a lot of notebooks. The wave McNamara rode the other day, in Southern Portugal, made the exaggerated and cartoonish waves I have drawn look sober and unspectacular in comparison. In 1990, we could not even imagine riding a wave as big as the beasts contemporary surfers are towed into. That's a part of the difference, the ability to tow riders, on smaller, more maneuverable surfboards, into larger, faster-moving waves, by utilizing towropes and jet skis. The rest is the superior physical conditioning, skill training, and visualization, of modern surfers. Advanced video technology allows riders to watch a limit-testing ride over and over. They can start to understand the split-second reactions and moves a surfer undertakes to maintain balance, while a towering wall of water crashes over and around them. These guys can see paths that may have always been there, but that we haven't before been able to clearly see.
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COMICAL RUMINATIONS Zooey Mae zooeymae@synthesis.net
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Cat-astrophe I love making lists. I find them helpful, especially with how scattered my mind becomes during each semester. They also help quell the near-constant, soul-crushing anxiety I feel whenever I'm outside the safety of the pillow fort in my room. This week in class I've been working on a new list; an amalgamation of things I dislike. The caveat is none of the entries can be things everyone hates, like the DMV, or seeing Kristen Stewart's been cast in another movie. Here's a small segment of my list: - Whistling (unless you're calling a dog or hailing a cab ... don't). - Scallions (it's a texture thing). - White chocolate (I just realized how much of my list is food). - Hair extensions (creepy). - Celtic music (it's one step above Ska and a half step below Christmas music). - Made up words (including "adorkable" and "herstory"). - Roller Derby (a sport that you wear fishnets for is not a sport). - Bumper stickers (do you have a Calvin praying/urinating sticker? Fuck you). - Anything bedazzled (unless you're under the age of 12, then you get a pass). - Refried beans in burritos (Dammit! Another food one!) A cursory glance around the web helped fill out my list, as well as get a jump on my "favorite things" list. (Disclaimer: I will most likely never actually make that list). Like: A company in Illinois is broadening the ever-burgeoning market of neat stuff to do with your body after you die. The good folks at LifeGem will take a scoop of your ashes, and repurpose the carbon into a diamond. This wins a place on my "like" list because it seems less creepy than
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having your body rot in the ground, and less expensive than shooting your ashes into space. If anyone is wondering, when I die (after being smothered in a giant pile of puppies), I want my ashes to be blown into the unsuspecting eyes of my vanquished enemies. Dislike: If there's anything that we know for sure about cats, it's that they have terrible grammar, and also that they're awful, and now science proves it. A recent article published in Nature Communications explains that cats have decimated the population of birds in the US, killing around 3.7 billion native birds annually. "Our estimate of bird mortality far exceeds any previously estimated US figure for cats, as well as estimates for any other direct source of anthropogenic mortality, including collisions with windows, buildings, communication towers, vehicles, and pesticide poisoning:' Cats banned from being inside were the biggest killers, with feral cats responsible for 33 bird, mammal, and reptile extinctions.
New Zealand has a campaign circulating currently to ban cats as pets, and I think maybe we should follow their example. (Note: my allergy to cats has nothing to do with my opinion of them. Nothing, I say!) That's all I've got. Stay tuned for next week when I forget to write my column until the last minute so I submit a list of things in my refrigerator. Cheers. image source: 24.media.tumblr
SYNTHESISWEEKLY.COM
PUT A FORK IN IT Jen Cartier blushcatering@gmai l. com
Farm City I feel a little like Le Var Burton when I talk about books, but let's just be real: Reading Rainbow was the coolest show on PBS. I loved the beautiful nerdiness and heartfelt honesty of Novella Carpenter's Farm City: The Education of an Urban Farmer. Her writing style falls somewhere between Michael Pollan and Anne Lamott. The first line of her memoir reads, "I have a farm on a dead-end street in the ghetto:'
centuries, "... many American cities ... had pigs within city limits'.' Experts like Michael Pollan suggest that, instead of a cat, people should consider getting a chicken, because while your chicken will supply you with one glorious egg per day, you can't actually milk a cat, Focker.
I can relate. Although I'm not the squatfarmer of a vacant lot in Oakland, I do live in the Chico city limits where I keep 22 noisy and slightly stinky chickens that produce a plethora of beautiful, fresh brown eggs yearround. In a society like ours, where protein prices fluctuate with commodities like corn, and we are increasingly unaware of the living conditions meat animals are raised in, what those animals were fed, and what may have been added to the meat after that animal died (in what was probably an inglorious mass murder), it has become more relevant to think about raising our own food. I am on the side that says, like Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall did in The River Cottage Meat Book, "... to those who play the socioeconomic card, saying that about the poor, they'll never be able to afford your fancy, organic, rare-breed meat from pampered farmyard pets .. .I say don't peddle that hypocritical line to me'.' He goes on to explain that, "Principally what's needed is the education to understand that...a modest amount of good meat (and not a mountain of cheap burgers made out of meat recovered mechanically from slaughterhouse slurry);' is an important component of healthy eating. What modern people have forgotten, but was previously common practice, is how to keep animals for our own consumption. In Farm City, Novella talks about raising pigs on the vacant lot in Oakland, and the fact that in the seventeenth and eighteenth
It may sound crazy, but for me, the awkward and makeshift way of living in the city limits with 22 squawking birds, three children, one dog, and an herb garden just makes sense. Admittedly, I have always loved farms. My grandpa grew up a sugar beet farmer and was later a cattle rancher, so when he and my grandma retired to a ranch in Lake City (a tiny town in Northern California), I was excited. The experience of tending chickens, feeding lambs, brushing cow's hides, and riding a dirt bike around 50 acres of land stuck with me like the crisp sweetness of a snap pea fresh off the vine.
And I've protected those memories like a hen protects her egg ... whether she lives in the city or not.
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FEBRUARY 4 - FEBRUARY 10, 2013
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"Whats the first rule of Ping Pong club? To tell everybody about Ping Pong club." -Erin O'Neil, Chico Table Tennis Club It was a clear and freezy night, stars twinkling like celestial badasses. The kinda night that made you feel like something weird and awkward could go down at any second. And I was about to take a ride to Durham with Dain Sandoval.
Club that night.
JOIM Us
Ping Pong Club lon\gbt
We pulled into the Veteran's Memorial Hall, right off the main drag, a block from the bright green, glowing neon of the Vampire Club. It's really called the Empire Club, but Dain's a cynical bastard. We packed up our gear and hopped out of the car. The Memorial Hall was packed, lit up, and downright cheerful. Ping Pong balls were flying and k-nip k-nopping all over the place. That's when we spotted Aamir, our contact; he's the ambassador, the liaison, and the probable reason that there weren't many women at the Table Tennis
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Aamir shepherded me around the hall, introducing me to various members and legends. "That guy over there in the straw hat, that's Roger Keely. He went to the National Championship and took second place in the hardback competition:' A hardback paddle is like bare knucks. No soft paddle padding for Roger. The hall is packed with tables. Most of the tables were donated by members of the club, from the Redding club, or were purchased by the club itself. There wasn't an unattended table in the house, and it seemed like everybody had on a cool T-shirt. I fit right in. Out of the corner of my eye I caught something interesting. A table off in another room set up with a contraption and some webbing. The Chico Table Tennis Club had found themselves a robot. RoboPong can regulate ball frequency, spin, and speed. "For faster, more frequent balls:' RoboPong will utterly inundate you with balls, as Aaron Kaplan found out the hard way. This club means
business. Maggi Berry and Erin O'Neil have been playing table tennis for a long time in clubs with different names and locations around town. I wanted to know when they went legit, how did this underground Ping Pong Club get so big? fills me in, "It started with a few of us casually playMaggi in ing at the old Sports Club located the parking lot across from the Oasis. It's not even around anymore and I'm dating myself when I talk about those time frames. We're talking in the 80s. We'd pull out the table and play at the Sports Club. It was a sports bar, not the gym. But then we started playing at the Oasis. It's been a sort of amalgamation of all these little groups. We started a CARD league at Pleasant Valley about a decade ago:' "We started getting more organized and structured about
SYNTH ESISWE EKLY.COM
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P/Nfi PONfi FUN FAflf &INFO From The President of the Chico Table Tennis Club: ( wwwfacebook.com/chicotabletennisclub)
The Parker Brothers trademarked the name PingPong- and wanted a huge sum of money from USATT for the rights to use the name. However, the community had other ideas and used the name Table Tennis instead.
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by Sara Calvosa • photos by Dain Sandoval
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Time magazine called it: "The Ping Heard 'Round The World:' It's true; table tennis brought the Americans and Chinese together in 1971. A small group of table tennis players from America were allowed into China during the communist takeover in 1949. Described as "ping pong diplomacy," exhibition matches between the US and China ushered in a new era between the super powers .
World-class players can put up to 9000 RPM of spin on a table tennis ball. This is faster than the McLaren Fl. two years ago;' said O'Neil, the unofficial, official leader. "We started the Facebook page called Chico Table Tennis Club and started charging a few bucks to cover the rental of the facility:'
tion begins? The club has a punch card system as well; advance purchases give you a better deal. They're planning for a tournament in the spring so join the Facebook page (http:l!wwwfacebook.com/chicotabletennisclub) and watch for details. Don't be afraid to come down and try it out and - as Maggi says, "The person who has the most fun wins:'
Maggie added, "We'd all been playing together long before we started an official club, but we realized there was a lot of interest for a lot of years and a lot of avid players so that's when it all gelled and we started the club:' New members need do nothing more than just show up Tuesday and Thursday nights at the Durham Memorial Hall from 6-lOPM. Just come in, put your name on the board, and everybody gets paired up. There's usually a beginner table and tons of competition for those of you that think you've got balls of fury. Coach Skip comes down from Shingletown and he's a certified table tennis instructor. His time is affordable and he's a tremendous resource. The cost to play is $5 a night for four hours and the first timers are free. Isn't that how every great addic-
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There are over 30 table tennis companies around the world that produce high quality equipment and clothing. The ITTF put a new rule into place in 2000 to increase the ball size by 2mm. The sport is now 14 percent slower and is easier for people to watch on television. The difference between Ping-Pong and table tennis is that "Ping-Pong" is a trademark belonging to Jaques & Son in Britain, and to Parker Brothers in the U.S. So it's only Ping-Pong if you're using their kit. Table tennis became a competitive sport in 1927 but was banned in the Soviet Union from 1930 to 1950 because authorities believed the sport was harmful to people's eyes. In the old school days, players would come to the table playing with all sorts of materials, including sand paper, books, cork, wood, and 5-inch thick sponges. Britain's last great tennis player, Fred Perry, won the World Table Tennis Championship in 1929. He took up regular tennis at age 18, but his exceptional speed (gleaned from table tennis) enabled him to play at Wimbledon two years later. The world-class table tennis players of the world can hit a ball over 100 miles per hour! Table Tennis is the world's most popular racket sport. And here's an article telling us that Ping-Pong is good for the brain: http://tinyurl.com/ brainpong
FEBRUARY 4 - FEBRUARY 10, 2013
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SCENE REPORT by Kenny Kelly â&#x20AC;˘ photos by Sara Calvosa ~
Gatecrash Pre-Release Midnight Tournament. Friday January 251h Chico Magic It was the Friday before school started and rather than drinking into oblivion, endless ranks of nerds, geeks, and dweebs (myself included) gathered to compete in Chico Magic's midnight Magic: The Gathering tournament celebrating the pre-release of the new set: Gatecrash. 34 teams of two, or "two-headed giants", competed for the ultimate prize of 44 booster packs, prestige, and first pick of mates (first pick was also last pick.) I paired up randomly with a new player and together we formed the best (named) team: Train Thunder Rock and Roll.
considering she was a two-sport athlete in college, but she doesn't find the label offensive. "It's a different label [now] ... it's a badge of honor. A lot of rich people are nerds and geeks:' The Magic player is a special, dynamic breed of person. Competitors varied greatly. Some were adorable Michael Cera-esque geeks. Others could probably kick my ass and steal my girlfriend (if I had one). But they all shared something in common. They were all highly intelligent. "Really smart people play this game;' Strong said. One team TTRR matched up against jested that whoever solved the Riemann hypothesis would go first. I thought to myself, 'Tm still trying to wean myself off tying my shoes 'bunny-ears' style. We're boned:'
The tournament was a "limited" tournament, meaning players are restricted to using only the six booster packs of fifteen random cards given to build a deck. The excitement the players felt in the moments leading to the card disbursement was like a weird Christmas. One player pronounced "I've got a good solid half-ch ode:' Though Magic certainly has a stigma of being a nerd's game, no one there seemed to mind the label. Becky Strong, the owner of Chico Magic, was shocked the first time someone called her a nerd,
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Magic calls for a great deal of luck, especially in limited play where the possibility of receiving crappy cards is high. A bad hand in poker only matters for one pot; a bad deck in Magic sticks for the whole tournament. But it's not all luck. Magic requires knowledge, foresight, and cunning. Strong recalls one tournament ending when one player bluffed his opponent into forfeiting the game or "scooping" when he had the Magic equivalent of a pair of twos in poker.
it, "A really good player will always do better;' - a lesson I learned when I played my rare and totally badass 4/4 flying angel that gave all my creatures either first strike, lifelink, or vigilance, which is the equivalent of whipping your <longer out and making the other team paint a watercolor of it. However, it promptly got exiled from the battlefield by a lowly common sorcery card, leaving me with my weiner in my hands. In spite of our relative inexperience, Train Thunder Rock and Roll made the Top 8, or semi-finals, giving me a renewed passion for the game and immense satisfaction for kicking ass on the Synthesis' dime. So much for objective journalism.
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Bread S7.99 Bpm-Close 54 Jager $5 DBL Vodka Red Bull IO-Close
Happy Hour ll-6PM select wells, bottles and pints $2.75
52 Select Beers 53 Teas
!!!FEVER FRIDAYS!!!
Bread SI O. 99 Bpm-Clo;e S4 Jack & Coke S5 DB Ls S3 Captain 9PM·Close 52 Sierra Nevada SS Patron
Before 6PM SI PBR 55 Pitchers PBR or Coors After 6PM 52 PBR o r Coors 01iginal
All ages until JOPM Always the stiffest drinks
with entree
52.2S PBR Everyday!
in town !
FREE POOL l hr. with every SB
pu1chase
54.99 Grad, Garden/ turkey Burger w/ fries/ salad
All ages until JOPM Bloody Marys 53 Well 54 Call SS Top shelf 56 Grey Goose
or salad for SS.29. llam-lOpm.
$4 Sex On The Beach $4 Sierra Nevada Knightro ON TAP SI Jello Shots 7-IOPM S3 Rumpy, Jager and Fireball
54 World Famous Bloody Joe 5S Premium bloodys your choice of vodka
S-IOPM PENNY BURGER W/ COUPON ON BACK COVER
Insane Sl/S2/S3 specials! LATE NIGHT EATSI BEAR BURGER AND FRI ES FOR ONLY 54.99' Mon-Sat lOpm - l am.
w/ fries or
Tournamen t
CLOSED
Buck Night 8-d ose
Happy Hour 4-8PM S3 Wells $4 House \Xtine S4 Mojitos S5 Martinis SI off Call liquor and bottled beer
Sl well cocktails, Sierra
54 dbl cherry whiskey coke
S3 all teas 56 Sky Vodka and Red bull BUCK NIGHT 9PM-Close SI BEERS SI WELLS SI TEAS
S2.2S PBR S2.7S Well & Dom. All day • Every day SJO BOTILES OF CHAMPAGNE
S3.50 ISi party punch S3 Fire Eater Shots S6.SO Apple Cinnamon Cider 8-9PM 51 pale ale and dom draft up 25C per hour until
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Speed Dating
Happy Hour 4-8PM S3 Wells S4 House Wine S4 Mojitos SS Martinis SI off Call liquor and bottled beer
Thurs, February 14th 9-1 1pm Mixe r a nd DJ Following!
SIGN UP AT THE BARI 530.893.5253 134 Broadway
close
4PM until ifs gone
Salad, Fries & garlic
KARAOKE 9PM
S3 blue moon
Free Happy Hour Food
Baby Back R;bs wHh
Progressive Night! 8-IOPM SI Sierra Pale Ale, Domestics & well cockta ils up IOPM-close 25C per hour-dose Mon-Sat free pool 6-8PM
dom draft
Bear Burger w ith fries
5216oz Wells
JO oz. Tri-Tip Steak w/
$2 Kam; Shot, $5 DBL Well Vodka 3PM 8-BALL
BURGER MADNESS!
CLOSED
S2.50 Corona's & Sierra Drafts Mon-Sat 3PM-6PM SI Dom draft, 52 SN draft, SI.SO wells
$3 Guiness Drafts, S2 Black Butte S5 Vodka Redbul l
Fries or Salad & Garlic
Jr Grad Burger
S2 Marqis
53 Cuervo Marqis
Nevada Pale Ale,
MUG CLUB 4-JOPM
salad S3.99
JOAM -2PM 5S Bottles of Champagne 54.50 Bloody Mary 5S.50 Absolut Peppar Bloody Marys
56 Pulled pork sand w/ fries or salad
BEAR-E-OKE
FREE Pool after IOPM
Morgan and Jameson
53 14oz Slushies 54 20 oz Slushies Add shot for SI 5 flavors to choose from KALUHA MIONIGHT PROMO I O-Close 53.50 Kaluha Midnight Cocktails
Go DownLo
Chicken Strip Sand only
8PM-Close 53.50 Jim Beam, Captain
Hour ll-2PM 52.50 Dom &
Happy Hour ll-6PM select bottles & drafts 52.7S
Free Pool C linic 6-7
2 DOLLAR TUESDAY!
ll-2PM 52.50 Dom & Sierra Nevada Drafts 3-6PM 53.50 Dbl Wells 8-Close 53 Soccer Moms, 5S Smirnoff Blasters 5S Dbl Roaring Vodka
MONSTER MONDAY SPECIALS 6PM-CLOSE
9 BALL TOURNAMENT 7.30PM All ages until IOPM
Food & Drink specials!
WING WEDNESDAY' 52 for 3 Wings 52.50 SN Pint All Day
2PM-6PM 51 PBR Drafts 52 Kamikaz i 56 Dbl Vodka Drinks
SS Bartender's Choice SS
5-JOPM PENNY BURGER W/ COUPON ON BACK COVER
LOGTA+ DANCE PARTY 9PM 55 dbl vodka rock star $5 mango blaster 52 budlight platinum
S4 dbl crown royal black and coke
S2.50 Greyhound S3 Prohibition Ale
53 Tea of the Day DBL Bacard; Cocktail Special Vodka Red bu II S5
S3 Tea or the Day S4.50 DBL Captain plus Bartender Special
S2.2S PBR 52.7S Well & Dom. All day - Every day
S2.25 PBR S2.75 Well & Dom. All day · Every day
LATE NIGHT EATS1 BEAR BURGER AND FRIES FOR ONLY $4.99! Mon-Sat !Opm · l am. Call To Rent For Private Party Go Down Lo
BURGER MADN ESS! Bear Burger w ith f ries
or salad for 5S.29. llam-lOpm.
SUNDAY SOCIAL 3-7PM TRNIA BPM S2.SO bloody & mimosas 52 Dead Guy Ale 53 Smirnoff cranberry
Champagne Brunch IOAM-2PM Happy Hour prices all day!
CLOSED
Power Hour 8-9 PM 1/2 off Liquor & Drafts 9PM-Close S3 Pale Ale Drafts S9.75 Pale Pitchers
Happy Hour 4-8PM 53 Wells $4 House W.ne S4 Mojitos
$5 Martinis SI off Call liquor
Mon-Sat free pool 6-8PM
and bottled beer
Mon-Sat 3PM-6PM SI Dom draft, S2 SN draft, SI.50 well>. Power Hour 8-9PM 1/ 2 off Liquor & Drafts 9-Close $3 Pale Ale Drafts S9.7S Pale Pitchers
Happy Hour 4-8PM S3 Wells
CLOSED
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S4 Mojitos
$5 Martinis SI off Call liquor and bottled beer
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screwdriver
Wednesday 9pm: DANCE NIGHT! DJ SPENNY & JEFF HOWSE
337 Main St. • 530-343-17 45 Please Drink Responsibly
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FEBR UARY 4 - FEBRUARY 10, 2013
Friday 4-7pm:
L tv e
HAPPY HOUR!
music TMByou by:
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www.bucket city.com
THE PUB SCOUTS
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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY
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Decks and Drums
Cirque Mechanics: Birdhouse Factory
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Club 01 Retro Future
Soul/Motown
DJ Set/Hosted bVJPEG
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Tarnished Angel Doors@BPM Show@9PM
LOST ON MAIN Come down and rock out with local drummer Nick Harris (Armed For Apocalypse) plus DJ Marvel at Lost on Main! It's the perfect combo and chance to check out the new dance party night at Lost On Main - Fever Fridays! From 9pm-2am and there will be an opening set by DJ Freakbeatz. $1/$2/$3 Drink specials.
LAXSON AUDITORIUM Imagine a magical place where workers are acrobats, machines power high-flying trapeze stunts, contortionists perform on a unicycle-powered giant turntable, and trampoline-launched workers seem to walk on air. You will be amazed at the comedic characters, impressed by the acrobatics, and enchanted by the story of laughter, love, flight, and birdhouses. The cast includes former members of Cirque du Soleil, the Pickle Family Circus, and the Moscow Circus.
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4MONDAY
The Bear: Bear-E-oke! 9PM. Cafe Coda: 1st Monday Spotlights Wayne Shorter. Cafe Flo: Live Happy Hour Jazz. 5-7PM. Followed by Word Play Poetry Open Mic Night. 7-9PM. DownLo: 9-Ball League. 9PM. Last Call Lounge: Karaoke. 8PM-12AM. Maltese: Open Mic Night Acoustic Music Night. Signups @ 8, Starts@ 9. Mug Night. 7-11:30PM. Woodstock's: Spelling Bee For the Grown Ups. 6:30-7:30PM.
STUESDAY lOOth Monkey Cafe & Books: Dreamwork Circle - Share dreams & explore techniques for discovering their secrets. 6:30-8PM. $10. The Bear: Bear Wear! 1/2 off while wearing Bear Wear. Mug Club 4-lOPM. Cafe Flo: Open Mic with Aaron. 7-9PM. Crazy Horse Saloon: Allrequest karaoke. 21 +.
DownLo: Game night with DJ Crazy Horse Saloon: Wild dance lessons, mechanical bull, Danny K. 7PM. El Rey Theatre: The Wailers. Crazy Horse Girls, DJ Hot Rod Doors PM, Show 8PM. $22 Ent.8-IOPM. advance, $25 door. Chico Women's Club: West The Hub: Flip It Tuesdays - 25¢ African Dance with Imelda for a drink? If you win the toss, Mata. Live drumming. Fun for that's all it will cost! DJ spinning men, women, and kids. 5:3090's and today's hits. 9PM-1AM. 7PM. $10. LaSalle's: '90's Night with DJ DownLo: 8-Ball League. 7PM. Sana. 21 +. Duffy's: Dance night! DJ Maltese: Karaoke 9PM-Close. Spenny and Jeff Howse. 9PM. Sierra Nevada Big Room: New Feather Falls Casino: Dance Monsoon. 7:30-9:30PM. $15. Club. Dress to impress! 9:30PM. Studio Inn Lounge: Karaoke. $5 cover includes one drink. 8:30PM-1AM. The Hub: Karaoke. Joe's: Karaoke. 9PM to lAM. The Tackle Box: Karaoke with DJ Shelley. 8PM. LaSalle's: The Rugs. 9PM. $3. Laxson Auditorium: Cirque Woodstock's: Trivia Challenge. Call @ 4PM on date to reserve a Mechanics Birdhouse Factory - Comedic Acrobats & Gymnastable. 6:30 PM. tics. 7:30PM. Maltese: Live Music. 9PM. Tackle Box: Butte County 1OOth Monkey Cafe & Books: Hospice Benefit - Music by Open Mic. Singers, songwriters, Knight (?PM), Autumn Electric musicians, vocalists and come(7:45PM),ANCYRA (8:45PM), dians. All ages welcome. 7PM. and Jack Knight. Doors 6PM. The Bear: Trike Races. Wint$5 cover I suggested donashirts and Bear Bucks. Post time tion. 100% of proceeds will be IOPM. Mug club 4-lOPM. donated Butte Home Health & Cafe Flo: Live music. Hospice.
6WEDNESDAY
Towne Lounge: Black Fong 9PM. No cover, VIP Ultra Lounge (Inside The Beach): Laurie Dana. 7-9PM. Woodstock's: Trivia Night plus Happy Hour. Call @ 4PM on date to reserve a table. 8PM.
7THURSDAY Cafe Flo: Improv Jam (Open to all). 5-7PM. Followed by The Last Stand Comedy Open Mic At Flo. 7-9PM. DownLo: Live jazz. 8PM. Graduate: Red Bull Movie Night. lOPM. Grana: Live jazz with John Seid & Larry Petterson. 5:30-8:30PM. Has Beans: Open Mic Night. 7-IOPM. Sign-ups start@ 6PM. Lakeview Restaurant (Oroville): Carey Robinson Jazz. 6-9PM. LaSalle's: Happy Hour: Jahnny Wallz. 6PM-9PM. Lost On Main: The Dancehall Featuring - Maga Banton, Soulmedic plus DJ Vision & Obie Won of Lions Den Unlimited Soundz. 9PM-2AM. Maltese: Karaoke. 9PM-Close.
$3 cover; includes :4 drink ticket
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FEBRUARY 4 - FEBRUARY 10, 2013
SYNTHESISWEEKLY.COM
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY
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SUNDAY, FEBRUARY lQTH
Chico Friends of Nepal Benefit
The Last Man LOST ON MAIN Chico's got some really dedicated and creative people in this town, but one of our favorite directors is Craig Blamer. His latest work is a story about the last surviving man on Earth in a post-apocalyptic world. Think Will Smith in I Am Legend, but it's actually supposed to be funny. The show opens Sunday and runs for only four nights through February 13th. This 21 + show starts at 7 :30PM and costs only $5 to get in.
CAFE CODA This Friday you have a chance to witness locally grown live music and support a great cause. Performers will include Pope and the Pagans, Lish Bills, Aubrey Debauchery, and Jack Knight. All proceeds go to the Helping Hands Hospital in Nepal. A suggested $5-20 donation gets you into Cafe Coda at 6PM for the live music, a presentation on the hospital and opportunities for volunteering, a silent auction, and complimentary traditional Nepalese cuisine. All ages welcome.
• •• • • • •• • •• • • • •• • •• • •• • • • •• • •• • •• • • • •• • •• • • • • • • •• • •• • • • • Panama's: Eclectic NightsBuck Night & DJ Eclectic spinning favorites of today and yesterday on the patio. 9PM. Quackers: Karaoke Night with Andy. 9PM-1AM. VIP Ultra Lounge: Classical Jazz w/ pianist Cooper Grant. 7-9PM. No cover.
8 FRIDAY 1OOth Monkey Cafe & Books: Writing Group - Write, share, and workshop your pieces. 3:30-5PM. 1078 Gallery: Reception for Tom Patton - The Spectacle of Ordinary Spectators. Talk at 6, Music by Robert Karch and Sharon DeMeyer. 5-7PM. Avenue 9 Gallery: Reception for "Opposites Attract" with jazz by Charlie Robinson and Lew Langworthy. 5-SPM. The Beach: Doors 9PM, $2 cover includes $2 off drink coupons & entrance into UBar and Panama's. Cafe Coda: A Benefit for Chico Friends of Nepal ft Pope & The Pagans, Aubrey Debauchery, Lish Bills, and Jack Knight.
Cafe Flo: Mandy Jo and The Holy Mackerels. 7-lOPM. Center for the Arts: California Regional Theater & Tri Counties Bank present "Into the Woods". Proceeds go to the Torres Shelter. 7:30PM. DownLo: Live music. Duffy's: Pub Scouts - Happy Hour. 4-7PM. LaSalle's: Elite Sound Takeover featuring DJ Mack Morris. SPM. Lost On Main: Fever Fridays with DJ Marvel - Decks N Drums w/Nick Harris on Drums and DJ Marvel on the 1&2s, Guest DJ Freakbeatz. 9PM-2AM. Maltese: LQGTQA +Dance Party. 9PM. Peeking: BassMint - Electronic Dance Party. 9:30PM. $1 Quackers: Live DJ. 9PM T-Bar: Live music 7-8:30PM. Tackle Box: Live music with Colonel Jimmy and the Blackfish. 9PM. Tortilla Flats: Latin Nights. Espanol & English DJ dancing with DJ (El, Kora) de Chico.
ARE YOU INTERESTED IN SOCIAL
9SATURDAY
lOSUNDAY
1OOth Monkey Cafe & Books: Knitting Circle. 2-4PM. Cafe Coda: Chico School of Rock Youth Band Showcase ft. Rancid Saturday, Undertow, McKenna Gardner, Absolute Greatness, Snowy In May. $5. Cafe Flo: Song Circle with Robert Catalano. l-4PM. Center for the Arts: California Regional Theater & Tri Counties Bank present "Into the Woods" with proceeds going to the Torres Shelter. 7:30PM. Lost On Main: Gran Baile! w/ Grupo Raizes Jaliciences, Banda Tamborazo del Pacifico y El Gran DJ Tun Tun. 9PM. $5. LaSalle's: 1980NOW! SPM. Maltese: P. C. W Wrestling After Party - Nothing Left, Noless, Filthy Luke, Heather Michele. lOPM. $4 without Westling ticket. Quackers: Live DJ. 8:30PM1AM. No cover. Tackle Box: Live music with All Fired Up! 9PM.
5th Street Steakhouse: Holly Taylor & Eric Peter Jazz Duo 6-9PM. Center for the Arts: California Regional Theater & Tri Counties Bank present "Into the Woods" with proceeds going to the Torres Shelter. 2PM matinee. Chico Creek Dance Centre: Auditions for the annual repertory dance concert, "Keeping Dance Alive!" 5:30-8:30PM. Crazy Horse Saloon: Sunday Fun day. Duffy's: Super Bowl Party starts at noon! LaSalle's: Karaoke with DJ Trazz. SPM. Lost On Main: The Lost Cabaret presents The Last Man, written and directed by Craig Blamer. A thematic satire of I Am Legend, Last Man On Earth, and The Omega Man. 7:30PM. $5. 21+ Maltese: DJ JPEG-01 Sunday Social 3-7PM. Trivia SPM. The Tackle Box: Karaoke with DJ Shelley. SPM.
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RESERVE NOW FOR OUR VERY ~ SPECIAL S COURSE ~ ~ VALENTINE'S DAY (~ rr !{, DINNER! \~ ~
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12-13 & 15-16
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STARTER Antipasta & Tin Roof Sourdough Bread APPETIZER (CHOOSE ONE PER COUPLE)
Calamari Originale Sauteed Mushrooms Fettucine Alfredo
SOUP OR SALAD (CHOOSE ONE)
Traditional Minestrone, Roasted Chicken Caesar Salad, Candied Walnut Bleu Cheese Citrus Salad, House Mixed Greens Salad
ENTREE (CHOOSE ONE)
Fresh Sea Bass with risotto Milanese and spinach, Chicken Saltimbocca, Four Cheese Tortellini with pesto creme & toasted pinenuts, Seafood Fra Diavlo, Scampi, Pasta Primavera Ross
DESSERT (CHOOSE ONE)
Petite Warm Espresso Brownie, Vanilla Ice Cream with sweet Marsala, House-baked Ricotta Cheesecake
$37.50 ~pMti
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FOR RESERVATIONS CALL _
530.345.2233 1020 MAIN STREET CHICO FEBRUARY 4 - FEBRUARY 10, 2013
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PHOTOS BY VINCE LATHAM FACEBOOK.COM/VANGUARD.PHOTOGRAPHY
Evan Billman evanbillman@gmail.com
Fall Strong Now that we've had a couple of weeks to digest Lance Armstrong's questionable admissions to Oprah, most Americans have decided to forget about cycling and put their focus on what they consider "real sports:' Football is undeniably, with all apologies to baseball, the real American pastime. We seem so enamored with the sport. With the explosion of fantasy football, and coverage like NFL Redzone and Sunday Ticket, football has a firm foot hold in our culture. So I listened to all of my friends rip Armstrong for cheating, doping, and lying. He was called a bully and a fraud. I won't disagree with any of it. I myself have wondered about Armstrong's cleanliness since he first returned, almost magically, from late stage cancer and a fifty percent survival chance. If he cheated cancer and went on to dominate a sport full of chemically enhanced athletes, how could I be naive enough to believe he was the only clean one on the podium? Every July, my suspicions grew as he performed countless feats of superhuman strength and endurance. He was so far ahead of all the best athletes in the world and, one after another, they were getting busted for doping. How the hell could he be that good, and somehow clean? So when he performed on Oprah (granted I still believe there is more to tell than he's said), it felt anticlimactic. But the thing that really bothered me was how all of the mainstream sports media and typical sports fans reacted. The overall attitude seemed to be, "Well, we can all go back to caring about football now;' and, "Cycling is just a bunch of dirty dopers and nobody but Europeans care about it anyway:'
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The one thing I learned from Tyler Hamilton, Floyd Landis, and Lance Armstrong is that they felt like they weren't lying. They were told to use the PEDs as part of their training, so they felt like they were doing nothing wrong. They learned what to say to deny the doping accusations. And they did it out of a conditioned response, to the point that they even believed it themselves. Now it's over a week later and Ray Lewis is accused of trying to acquire deer antler spray (crazy, I know) to aid in the rehab of a triceps injury. The spray contains a performance enhancing substance. When questioned, Lewis sounded so much like the Armstrong of old that it was eerie. "I have been tested hundreds of times;' and, "I have never failed a test:' Not "I have never taken banned substances," but, "I have never failed a test." The uber-religious Lewis, who many still believe got away with murder in 2000 (he pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice), should remember that little bit about how thou shalt not lie. In a sport where 280-pound superhero athletes can run underfive-second 40-yard dash times and jump like kangaroos, I am just as skeptical as I once was with miracle-boy, Lance Armstrong. If cyclists getting paid less than a million dollars can beat the tests (most make barely enough to pay their rent), then how smart do you need to be to see that multi-millionaire athletes could do it easily? Pro sports in the US are way behind in testing. The doping control agencies are under-financed and have limited resources to battle the machines that are professional sports teams. So if you want to scoff at the Tour de France this summer, or make some comment about how they're all cheaters, go ahead and call your satellite provider and cancel your sports package because "truth" is not a channel that's included.
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LEAVE IT TO DANNY
ON THE TOWN
PHOTOS BY JESSICA SID
Danny Cohen
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Ladies And Gentlemen ...Sir Mick Danner In 1963 I was 12 years old. I was already a garage band veteran when The Rolling Stones released their first LP. My lead guitarist (not yet dubbed Fidel, for his dictatorial ways) played it through a guitar amp, rating each song - "King Bee" was the only track deemed "lousY:' For 25 years, Stones covers comprised half our set. As lead singer, I was expected to sing, dance, dress, think, and behave like Mick Jagger! This was patently absurd, as I was a timid, tremulous, introverted Jew, who had two left feet and a voice like a frightened little girl. Even at 18 I resembled a ten-year old. I did it though, and Cesar Romero laughed his head off when we opened for Lionel Hampton at the Beverly Hills Friar's Club (my dad sold shoes to Serene Leavenworth of their Wednesday Guild). With maracas in both hands, jutting hips and ants in my cords, I pouted and pranced, extolling my studly prowess. Fidel, as Keith Richards, wore long feathered hair, a dangling cigarette, and a look of disgust. We took our 3" tape to Capitol Records, where John Cale (A&R) pronounced it "Kiddie/ Comedy Rock with no potential." Fidel's cover band from The Holiday Inn intrigued him though. I grew up to comparisons of Mayberry's County Clerk, Howard Sprague, but was still aping Jagger (vocally, his clone). Fidel set me up with nudie floozies, though high school teachers compared me to an SO-year-old man. Due to the embarrassment and dizzy spells (from the gyrating), I returned to my early operatic/cinematic novelty approach, which
led to a distinguished career as a prestige act, garnering five-star reviews in European trades, while the labels buried the CDs, taking a loss for my nonexistent fan base (my advance, a pitiful stipend). Fidel's other band foolishly turned down a record deal. He hit the sauce and became a kept man in Colorado. My brother (the bassist he slapped for making mistakes) became an acclaimed session man, working with Keith Richards and Charlie Watts. He told them of our plot to steal their amplifiers at the Hollywood Bowl. Keith said, "You should have done it!" Our drummer now travels the world, selling the paint they use on highway lines. When I learned The Living Catfish Karaoke Band was doing a Stones night here in Chico, I wanted in. I'd made an investment. My voice had changed though; I couldn't sing their early R&B. I picked their most obscure track, "Gomper", a mostly one-chord, one-verse, Brian Jones jam off Satanic Majesties. The audience would be nonplussed. The night of the show, it seemed ludicrous as ever. I'd have to walk a half mile in darkness to an hour bus ride riddled with taunting cranksters, to wait two hours in a venue lit like a Winchell's Doughnuts for a white-haired PBS audience to jubilantly sing along to the most commercial of later-day Stones singles, sung by rank amateurs for an open mic (I won't even do songwriter showcases and contests), with the flu and Norovirus going around. Then toss in a strange bed, having to cancel my own Chico rehearsal the next day. All the girls over 25 are taken anyway, but I was dismayed to learn the Olson-esque,Amanda Detmer, was at Duffy's with her entourage.
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SCENE REPORT by Tommy Diestel â&#x20AC;˘ photos by Vincent Jansen
Ha'Penny Bridge & Mark McKinnon Jan. 17 Cafe Coda Ireland, land of green hillsides. Full of culture, mythology, and mysterious wonder...
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I've never been there, but lead singerI songwriter for Ha'Penny Bridge, Mark McKinnon, certainly has. He says the experience changed his life, and further changed his songwriting and musical style. "Before I visited, I never had thought about playing Celtic music;' said McKinnon. The overwhelming combination of the nation's beauty and culture with the musician's personal connection to his lost heritage was enough to spark drastic creative change in his life. Hence, Ha'Penny Bridge formed. The band have since become veterans of the Chico music scene, with many members having separate bands under their belts as well.
From what I saw and heard, Maya , did an amazing job. Alone, both Mark and Maya's voices sounded beautiful, but when they joined in harmony, it was truly captivating. The band managed to hold a fairly crowded caff s attention throughout the night, with many enraptured by the soothing melodies. The band's full acoustic sound filled the small venue nicely. People were able to hold conversations, but the music was the center of attention. Their soaring harmonies created images of rolling country landscapes while lush melodies painted brushstrokes of green fields one can only imagine. The combination of violin, mandolin, bass, guitar, Irish whistle, and drums blurs the barrier between Irish and American folk music fusing the two effortlessly. When I asked Mark of the imagery he writes of in his music, he said they have to be honest stories, which means a lot of research into Celtic mythology and culture for McKinnon, "So people can't call BS:'
Saturday night was the debut of their new singer, Maya Sieminski-Prosvancz, who very courageously took the place of Molly Paul. Now, I never was able to catch Ha'Penny Bridge when Ms. Molly sang, but from what I Along with merry tales of mountain heard from various fans, she left some mighty valleys, open skies, and Celtic folklore, most Ha'Penny songs are filled with uplifting big shoes to fill. messages about humanity, hope, love, magic, and otherworldly subjects. Through years of playing other styles of music, including country, reggae, folk, and many world influenced rhythms, Mark began to play what has been dubbed by fans abroad as "California Celtic:' And after seven years of hard work sculpting the music behind the name, it's starting to pay off.
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FEBRUARY 4 - FEBRUARY 10, 2013
SY NTH ESISWEE KLY.COM
SCENE REPORT words and photo by Josie Hall
ON THE TOWN
PHOTOS BY JESSICASID
Muse & Band of Skulls Jan. 29
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Sleep Train Amphitheatre, Sacramento, Ca When I first heard it, the phrase "Rock meets Dubstep" initially made me think of frat bros doing kegstands to Linkin Park remixes ... and vomit. Needless to say, upon hearing Muse's recent take on the massive popularity of bass-heavy sound and finally seeing them perform it live, I was thrilled to be able to move past that visual. I was equally thrilled upon entering the general admission area of Sleep Train Amphitheatre to find that my first time seeing Muse's renowned live act would be front and center. This was only due to the fortuitous occurrence of being taller than the person in front of me for once in my verticallychallenged life. The show opened with Band of Skulls, an impressive British alternative rock trio enjoying a steady rise in popularity. Their sound hinges on a variety of bluesy Southern to modern rock influences. At first they seemed like nothing new, but further listening proved that Band of Skulls refuse to be pinned, and are anything but unoriginal. Bassist/vocalist Emma Richardson plucked away and delivered a sultry complement to the raw, mesmerizing croon of vocalist Russell Marsden. Meanwhile, Matt Hayward put on a relentless, sweat-charged show on the drums. Noteworthy songs included their 2012 album's title track "Sweet Sour;' the gritty bass beat of "I Know What I Am;' and the act-closing steady build of "Light Of The Morning'.'
We waited nearly 40 minutes after Band of Skulls for Muse to take the stage and when they finally did, the wait was instantly forgotten and we were sucked into a spellbinding vortex of distinct rock guitar riffs and massive bass lines more commonly associated with Dubstep. Muse combined the two genres in their 2012 release, The 2nd Law, which they recreated flawlessly live. The brilliant Matt Bellamy captivated everyone with his entrancing vocal range, sexy guitar solos, and piano playing while bassist Christopher Wolstenholme and drummer Dominic Howard provided their own expert musical talents. The accompanying light and laser show was superbly choreographed with tasteful intensity while the band members maintained an energized stage presence characteristic of their reputation. With new songs like the hypnotically pulsing "Madness;' the infectious bass drop of "Follow Me;' and the dramatic anthem "Survival;' Muse indisputably proved their ability to evolve and perform their inimitable sound. They also played some past hits, including the theatrical singles "Resistance" and "Uprising" from their 2009 triumph, The Resistance, as well as the guitar-heavy"Hysteria" and "Stockholm Syndrome" from their 2003 album, Absolution. The guy standing behind me said it best at one point late in the show, "These guys just don't stop'.' But with a remarkable act and rare talent like theirs, Muse has absolutely no reason to.
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Steve Adams - The Man, The Myth, The Bassist
Animal Liberation Orchestra bassist, Steve Adams, is a busy man. After rescheduling our phone interview three times (once was my fault), Synthesis finally caught up with Steve in San Diego where his other band, Nicki Bluhm & The Gramblers had just arrived on tour. The group was in the process of touring back from the East Coast where they had just docked after a week of performances at sea (along with ALO) on the 11th annual Jam Cruise - a week long music festival on a boat with acts such as Galactic, Moe - Oh! And a third act Steve performs with called Brokedown in Bakersfield. A busy man, indeed.
organize and pack the trailer? Who's the best at writing the set list? Who's the best at keeping track of the gas money?' It's all just total teamwork:' Of all his projects, Steve has played with ALO the longest and considers them to be his main band. The rest of ALO features Zach Gill on keys, Dan Lebowitz on guitar,
Steve calmly explained, "I don't blame Zach for taking the gig. I would probably do the same thing. It made the situation with the rest of us in the band being like, 'Ok well I guess since ALO's on break, we gotta figure out what to do: So it lead all three of us into the direction of having to look for other gigs and fill out our time:'
The rest of ALO flew back to the West Coast after the cruise, but Nicki Bluhm's management had arranged for a van to be waiting in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida with all their band equipment. Along with the rest of the Gramblers, Steve hopped in the van for a few more weeks of touring across the nation before returning home. So how does Steve make it work with so many bands all at once? "Those bands are getting more and more organized in terms of management, booking, scheduling, figuring out better ways to do things, and who does things well;' said Steve. "Everyone's got their jobs they do best and you put it all together to get a bigger goal accomplished. Even as far as like, 'Who is the best driver? Who is the best guy to
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While living in the dorms, the band members befriended now-famous folk singer/songwriter/surfer, Jack Johnson. The band is currently signed to Johnson's label and has enjoyed sharing the stage with him across the world. At some point along the road, Gill was offered the opportunity to join Jack Johnson's band, which meant a temporary hiatus for ALO.
Steve's patience paid off. Instead of dwelling on ALO's inactivity, he took the creative high road in search of other gigs. Between Nicki Bluhm, Brokedown in Bakersfield, and ALO, Steve presently manages to keep himself busy just about all year round. I asked Steve how juggling three different projects affects him.
and David Brogan on drums, with all the musicians contributing vocal talents. The group cites their official inception in 1998 at the end of their college careers at UC Santa Barbara, although Steve has been conspiring musically with Zach and Dan since junior high.
"It's inspiring. It's tiring. It's a lot to sort of work out and most people who are in a band that's got some momentum and some growth to it - that's usually the only band they play in so they can be available and dedicated to that one project. It makes it kind of easy on management and booking because they know you're just going to be available if something cool comes up whereas for
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by Nolan Ford me I'm constantly, like every other day, looking at my calendar and making sure I haven't double booked myself."
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Adams continued, "It's a lot of work, but the upside is that it's super inspiring. You get to play with all sorts of musicians and you're sort of busy every night and just being that way makes you a better musician. It makes you excited about music:'
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For the last seven years, ALO has embarked upon a tour across California known as the Tour D'Amour. The annual excursion has a few traditions that have remained consistent over the years. It's always in February, the theme is always related to love, and it's always a benefit for an organization having something to do with music education. ALO finds new ways each year to get their fans involved in the love theme.
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"We'll do fan contests sometimes where people pull for the best love theme covers and then we'll play that cover at a show. We'll do a Barry White song, we do Al Green ... just sort of like love themed stuff;' said Steve. This year proceeds will go towards a music program out of Santa Barbara called Girls Rock SB! For more information on that, check out their website www.girlsrocksb.org. Taking profits from their live performance and giving back to music programs is something the whole band feels passionate about.
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Darien Marino Is there a Magic The Gathering club? Be.cause I'd like to be part of that. 19 hours ago· Like · .O 5 Omar Huerta The breakfast dub. 19 hours ago via mobile · Like · ~ 1 Nathan Hart Drinking cl uh. 19 hours ago via mobile · Like Sher ri Ann Sewel I Squ i res What!?! Clubs. How do i join one?
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"We just realized how important it is to have these programs;' said Steve. "If it wasn't for these programs, who knows if we'd even be doing what we're doing:'
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Animal Liberation Orchestra will perform this Saturday, February 9th at the Chico Womens Club along with support act, The California Honeydrops. This all-ages event begins at SPM and costs $22.
Rah ma Collins The Acrobatics Club of Chico State!
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ARIES You've been visiting your shadow side as of late. The word deception seems to be prevalent in your vocabulary as well. It's time to take care of business. But it's also important to investigate more spiritual and uplifting strategies. Pray for your enemies and those that persecute you. Do good to the evil doers even though they don't deserve it. You deserve to have tolerance and compassion toward yourself as well as others. The new moon enhances your social life.
GEMINI Life is thrilling and now is as good a time as any for taking risks. Your sense of adventure and your desire to learn more is percolating. Give up fear and uncertainty as an excuse for not doing. You'll never get another year like this again soon. The new moon has you taking the high road. Open yourself up to exotic experiences, challenge yourself by taking on more advanced work. You might have a long distance love affair or you'll learn to love a new culture or place.
LEO The sun is sorely lacking during the wintertime. People tend to be depressed and introspective rather than joyful and engaging. You offer that warmth that we need so badly during this period. Be kind even when others are unable to be. Monday and Tuesday are power days for you. You'll feel romance as well as creativity coming on. The new moon brings a sense of romance. Partnerships are more easily obtained. You have a sense of diplomacy and can work toward harmony.
LIBRA Enjoy being in your heart more often. Acknowledge the parts of you that are still childlike and playful. If you have children pay more attention to them. Engage with them by playing games with them. Romance is easier to come by. When you smile people wonder what you are up to. The new moon inspires leadership, travel, good fortune and romance. Keep on loving. Take advantage of artistic and creative expression. Find new ways to express joy and fun.
SAGITTARIUS The week begins strong for you with the moon in Sagittarius on Monday and Tuesday. These are good days to discuss ways to expand individual liberties and personal freedoms. Whenever the moon passes through Sagittarius it's easier to relate to animals and aspects of nature. Get out in the natural world even if the weather is bad and you need to dress for it. The new moon will help you to have better relationships with your neighbors, siblings and friends as well as enhance communication.
AQUARIUS Happy Birthday. The new moon in Aquarius Saturday night will give you a fresh feeling and a new start. Take your time to learn more amidst perhaps too much excitement. Forward thinking people are attracted to you. Seduction works better than fear when trying to convince someone of something. Your mission is to make things better by providing a resourceful kind of leadership. The moon will be in Aquarius Friday afternoon through Sunday morning. Commit to fulfilling your dreams.
TAURUS Creative demands regarding your workplace or career are manifesting. You've had to spend money in order to make money. This is a great time for economic expansion. It's also a good time to adjust your diet, i.e. cutting out donuts and soda pop. The new moon supports getting a new public image. You are about to enter a place of heightened social activity. Yet, your mind is on your money and your money is on your mind. Wednesday and Thursday are days to seek the highest good.
CANCER You might feel like a rock in a rockpolishing tumbler. It's sort of like being a surfer and having a big wave knock you for a loop. You might be a sales person about to close a deal and then you have someone swoop in in front of you and take the sale for him or her self. On the positive side of things there are many people that are more than willing to help you. Be humble and ask for help when you need it. The new moon asks you to let go of shoulds and shouldn'ts and accept what is.
VIRGO You've got your work cut out for you. If you are providing a service that service will be more in demand. Be prepared to expand yourself in the career realm. Meanwhile partnership issues are becoming a bigger deal to you. You need to be careful about not being too pushy about your personal agenda. Wednesday and Thursday inspire romance and creativity. You'll find yourself feeling more playful. The new moon is good for organizing and service work.
SCORPIO Taking care of personal business will be the best way to begin the week. Your family and home life is deeply affecting you. Do something to honor the older people in your family. Look at the people that live near you. Who are the people that you consider to be a part of your tribe. Common traits transcend blood and close relationships. The new moon will help you connect with your family in a more positive way. Pay attention to your personal history and roots.
CAPRICORN Be ready to back up your values with positive actions. Your social contacts remain important during this period. The moon will be in Capricorn from late Wednesday morning through early Friday morning. Your influence and practical wisdom is needed. You11 be attracted to some luxury items. It's best to use restraint if you can. Be generous to yourself and to others when it comes to good food and good love. Write down your thoughts as you have many good ideas coming through you.
PISCES Dreams are the blueprints for the construction of the next reality. What have you been doing to move your dreams forward? Don't allow fear to stop you. Anyone can be anywhere at anytime. Focus more on your own personal potential. Spend time working on self-improvement and deeper spiritual knowledge. The new moon highlights dreams and karma. By Sunday afternoon the moon enters Pisces and a feeling of sensitivity. imagination and telepathy fills the air.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Mario Baroni 2/6/72, Jim Vandewalle 2/6/64, Bob Marley 2/6/45 Koz McKev is on You Tube, on cable 11 BCTV, is heard on 90.lFM KZFR Chico, and also available by appointment for personal horoscopes. Call (530)891-5147 or e-mail kozmickev@sunset.net
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