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VOLUME 21 ISSUE 27 March 2, 2015 For 20 years The Synthesis’ goal has remained to provide a forum for entertainment, music, humor, community awareness, opinions, and change. PUBLISHER/ EDITOR IN CHIEF Amy Sandoval amy@synthesis.net
THIS W E E K
C OLUMNS
The Mondegreens
PAGE 8
LEAD DESIGNER
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
by Amy Sandoval
Tanner Ulsh graphics@synthesis.net
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ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR
GRAVE CONCERNS
Arielle Mullen arielle@synthesis.net SynthesisWeekly.com/submit-yourevent/
by Sean Galloway PAGE 5
ASSOCIATE EDITOR Emiliano Garcia-Sarnoff emilianogs@gmail.com
NO MIDDLE GROUND
by Sylvia Bowersox
DESIGNERS
Liz Watters, Mike Valdez graphics@synthesis.net
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DELIVERIES
PRODUCTIVITY WASTED
Jennifer Foti
by Eli Schwartz
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
pwasted@synthesis.net
Zooey Mae, Bob Howard, Howl, Koz McKev, Tommy Diestel, Eli Schwartz, Emiliano Garcia-Sarnoff, Jon Williams, Sean Galloway, Alex O’Brien
PAGE 16 IMMACULATE INFECTION
PHOTOGRAPHY
by Bob Howard
Jessica Sid Vincent Latham
Madbob@madbob.com
PAGE 17
NERD
Dain Sandoval dain@synthesis.net
ACCOUNTING
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DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
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Ben Kirby
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OWNER
Bill Fishkin bill@synthesis.net 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. 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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M ICH ELLE
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Zombies
MAR 2 2015
A couple episodes back, homophobes in the Twitterverse were shocked to have their brutal mutilations and redundant drama interrupted by (gasp) a gay kiss, many tweeting furiously that they/ their kids were exposed to such a depraved act. Let’s set aside all the obvious arguments about why the hell anyone would let their kids watch a show where people are torn flesh from bone, and the relative harm between witnessing extreme violence versus men kissing. Instead, let’s talk about zombies. Our fascination with zombies has become somewhat pathological— we can’t get enough, like a hunger for revulsion. Horror itself usually involves the fear of dying, but with zombies there’s something more: it’s that you might become the thing if it manages to get at you. But what is the terror of becoming a zombie? Is it really worse than death to be animated but mindlessly driven to bite people? Maybe it’s very fulfilling
to shed all moral quandaries and pursue your sole desire; maybe it feels great to release all feelings of helplessness and isolation and become part of a team that mobs around together. What are we really afraid of? Losing our sense of identity? Being powerless to avoid causing harm to our loved ones? Being icky? Is that fear really so different from homophobia itself? The idea being that if gayness is allowed to get too close—portrayed on television, for example—if you were to be exposed to it without a violent defense, it might turn you; your desire for hot man sex would drive you to change your personality and proceed to break your homophobic family’s heart. And as long as we’re talking metaphors: doesn’t mindlessly following a herd of destructive and hateful people whose motivating ideology dates back to a long dead culture, leaping on any opportunity to tear apart a small minority who are only trying to survive in a world that treats them with hostility, sound a little like, um, you know. I don’t usually think I have a fear of death, I figure it’s like going into a dreamless sleep, but then along
comes a real life allegory—the end of an era, a change in my self perception, an unwanted loss—and suddenly I have to face the fact that the sense of panic and despair that wash over me are what I’ll feel someday when facing my demise. Knowing the end of something is looming ahead is just the worst. It makes me question what it was all for, whether I succeeded or failed, whether I could’ve enjoyed my time more or done something more meaningful with it… But in a way that’s an important lesson. You have to find a reason to keep walking forward, and make every moment count; just because the end is visible doesn’t mean anything is different, it was always there. And, painful as it might be to experience the end of something, you won’t be able to see what’s next until it’s done. Sort of like being in a dying medium. (Cue Michigan J Frog.)
by AMY SANDOVAL amy@synthesis.net
G R AV E C ON C ERN S
Are You There, Hernia? It’s Me, Margaret. “Well, that’s odd.” is not among the Pantheon of Awesome Things to say to oneself while engrossed in thought in the safe confines of the shower. I’ve always preferred my washroom monologues to keep strictly to subject matter along the lines of “MAN, I can’t believe how long it took me to get into the world of loofahs. This is such a better way!” or “The contrast of temperatures between this very cold beer, and the hotness of the water on my torso is truly one of God’s sublime gifts to mankind.” Nonetheless, whilst giving the old b-day suit a good scrub down a few days ago, I found myself muttering those very words at the sudden discovery of a new geographic feature just north of my Swimsuit Area. I pressed on the protuberance gingerly to divine a measurement on what medical professionals refer to as the “Owie Scale.” “Owie,” I bravely whimpered, which registers right at the top of the scale. I released the bulge, hoping I had just permanently poked this unwelcomed Kuato back into the innards from whence it came. It was uncooperative. “Yeah, man. You have a hernia,” the doctor drawled nonchalantly, as he casually removed the latex gloves he had donned to unceremoniously fingerblast every tender area below my bellybutton. “Owie,” I replied. “Does that hurt? Oh, sorry.” “Owie.” “You’re going to need surgery.” “Owie.”
“Yeah, you’re way up there on the Owie Scale. I’m surprised you know about that. Did you attend medical school?” “Hern,” as I have begun to affectionately refer to my new friend, has become my constant companion in the days subsequent to our run-in with the good doctor. When lifting anything heavier than a glass of water? Hern is there, trumpeting his presence. Singing? Hern is right there, really making every note count. Where there was one set of footprints in the sand? That is where Hern carried me. Hern is the most persistent friend I’ve ever had, to be completely honest. He has even gone so far as to loudly suggest we skip visiting this surgeon altogether, in favor of continuing our lives as one perpetually wincing organism. “Nobody puts Hern in the corner!” he proclaimed recently, as I gingerly attempted to lift an egg out of the carton. “Don’t let them make me go back in there,” he pleaded. “I’ve just begun to explore this world outside of your abdomen, and I have to say, that while it seems like a lot of ‘owies’ and general whining goes on out here, I am thoroughly enjoying it.” I felt bad for Hern, so I quickly changed the subject. “Owie,” I quipped. Hern and I have been through a lot together. I’ve grown more than a little fond of him over the last week or so, and between you and I, when that surgeon brick and mortars his ass back into the recesses of my being, I’m going to miss him.
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N O MI D D L E G ROUN D
“BECAUSE OF THE COMBINATION OF MEDICATIONS THAT THE VA PRESCRIBED, I ATTEMPTED SUICIDE SIX TIMES.”
I’m Not the Only One “Mommy, mommy, come read to me.” It’s 2008 and I can hear my son. I think he’s sitting on the couch behind me. The living room is a blur and I can’t remember how to get to him. I can’t remember what to do next. The VA has me on multiple medications, all to combat a mental illness—bipolar disorder—that it later turns out I never had. My child (who was eight at the time) finds my hand and leads me to the couch. He then presents me with the book he wants me to read. I look at it and the words blend into each other. My head aches and I have the intense desire to sleep. “That’s okay mommy, I understand.” But I don’t. I don’t understand at all. The Lithium made my hands shake so badly that I couldn’t write my name. The Depakote that was supposed to calm my nerves actually intensified my PTSD symptoms. The Aripiprazole increased my anxiety and just might be what made me suicidal. My first psychiatrist at the VA was wrong about my diagnosis. She took an entire three weeks to decide that I had bipolar disorder
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MAR 2 2015
and then sent me on my overly medicated way. I understand that mistakes happen. Especially when you only have a certain amount of time to make a decision, and your patient is a veteran. What angers me is the fact that over the next five years none of my VA psychiatrists caught her mistake: they continued her destructive treatment by increasing the dosages of my medications and adding more. I didn’t get proper care until I was fortunate enough to be seen by Dr. Anna Lembke at Stanford. I consider myself to be one of the lucky veterans: The VA only stole five years of my life. They didn’t kill me. Twenty-two veterans commit suicide everyday. The veteran community is not getting the care it was promised. The earnest members of congress, the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) and many other veterans’ groups want to fix the problem. Which is why the President signed into law The Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans Act (SAV). Clay Hunt was a combat-veteran who took his own life. My heart goes out to his family and friends. I understand the idea that annual evaluations of mental health
care and suicide prevention are important components to winning the battle of veteran suicides. But, there is more to it than that. We must ensure that only qualified and caring mental health professionals are allowed the honor of caring for our veterans. The stakes are too high to allow just anyone who is willing to take the job. I got the best of what the VA had to offer and it nearly killed me. Because of the combination of medications that the VA prescribed, I attempted suicide six times. Each time it felt like death was the only path open to me. Because of the VA, the world was a viciously painful place. My brain was confused and haunted by war, and the bipolar medications intensified my anguish. Unfortunately, I’m not the only one. We must search out the best and the most qualified doctors for our veterans. If we don’t, more veterans will die.
by SYLVIA BOWERSOX
ON T H E TOWN — V INC E L AT H A M FACEBOOK.COM /VAN G UARDPHOTOG RAPHY
by SYLVIA BOWERSOX
FACEBOOK.COM/SYNTHESISCHICO
7
What’s that old saying about how “you’ve don’t know what you’ve got til’ it’s gone…” It seems that just as Chico band The Mondegreens are getting some traction in the local music scene and gaining fans, they’re hitting the dusty trail for a month long tour followed by a relocation to that rainy bastion that’s claimed so many of us, the Pacific Northwest. I recently met band members David Friedlander, Jack Knight, and Russell Rabut at everyone’s favorite watering hole (Duffy’s, obviously), for a chat about their impending CD release show, groupies, and the exuberance of youth. Enjoy. Tell me about your new album. Russell: We did it at the Origami Lounge, that’s where we recorded it all with Scott Barwick. Which was fantastic because he’s brilliant and he had a lot of really great creative input and was very welcoming. We expanded a lot of our songs in the studio, we worked out a lot of kinks and added organ and— Jack: Yeah a lot of instrumentation that we don’t really have live. Russell: And he [Barwick] was 8
SYNTHESISWEEKLY.COM
really patient about it. So it was really great working with him. Then we had it mixed with Chris Keene, which was equally awesome. We wanted to get as many great Chico minds on it as we could, that was the angle we were trying to take. Chris added a lot of really cool vibes and we’d heard a lot of really great things about working with him. We felt really lucky to be able to work with those guys. Jack: It’s called Kid Tell Time, which is a, uh… I don’t know. [Laughs] We all came up with it. Russell: There are a lot of unintentional vague themes that carry out throughout the album. Jack: When we started we weren’t living in the same city, and we’d just separately write songs. When we had time together we’d bring them and flesh out the full song. So a lot of the songs are those, most of them actually, but the last song on the album, “The Sunset, Loudly” is the first song we wrote collaboratively. Russell: And the way that we lined up the song order on the album, ended up being a chronology of MAR 2 2015
when we started to now. David: The first song is this really straightforward song, “Travelin’ Man,” which is really our roots: kind of Americana, folk rock. The album really does build and culminates with this much more abstract, synth-washed song. Russell: It’s a lot of stuff we’ve had rattling around in the rafters for the past few years. Finally getting it down on paper and kind of locking down that chapter of the history of our band has been a big relief so we can move forward. Can you guys talk about how The Mondegreens came to be? Russell: We played together in high school. We were all friends and we knew each other through that, so we’ve been playing music together for a long time. At the house he [Jack] lives at now, I think that was the first show we ever played. Jack: 876 [Redacted] St! Russell: 876 [Redacted]! That was way back in the day. We all kept writing songs and playing music, and we all like to sing together. So
everytime we’d get back into town, we would try to play. We’ve been doing this for a long time and then in 2012 we decided it was time to do it more seriously. We liked doing it, but we weren’t sure exactly what that would take, and how feasible it would be as we were still living really far apart from each other. But we wanted to give it a shot. In the last two years we’ve grown more serious about it. It’s going to be a ton of work, but it’s also exactly what we want to be doing. We’re just along for the ride right now, just to see how far we can take it.
We’ve definitely come a long way from drunkenly talking about it at Jack’s old house.
David: It seemed like the most important thing that we all did when we all came home, was to play music with each other. Even when I was abroad for a year, Jack was abroad for nine months, and the first day we were back all together we went to the breezeway of Merriam Library and sang for about three hours. That was always something that invigorated us and made us the happiest. I think it was Jack very late at night at a Christmas party at his old house, he just came flying up to us and was like, “Yo. Let’s do this.” I can picture his face perfectly, he was the happiest camper in the world.
David: I think being as young as we are is a total benefit, because when we get a little older I think it’s going to be really hard to be sick and sleeping on people’s floors. There was a point at which that happened on our last tour, when we were all sick and sleeping on someone’s floor.
You three are all under 25, do you think your youth is a help or a hinderance? Russell: I think it’s been a pretty big help for us. People appreciate the fact that we’re so young and are already really invested in this, but we’re also pretty naive about how hard it can be. And I’m sure someday we’ll be jaded, but for now...
Russell: Next to strangers. So I heard you just lost a band member. Will you be looking for new drummer now? Jack: Yes…
“IT SEEMED LIKE THE MOST IMPORTANT THING THAT WE ALL DID WHEN WE ALL CAME HOME, WAS TO PLAY MUSIC WITH EACH OTHER.”
Russell: Yes and no. Jack: We’re going on tour for all of March, and Matt isn’t coming for that, and we found a drummer for at least that long. We’ve been practicing with him, his name is Scotty Jenkins, and he’s awesome. Russell: He picked up all the songs really quickly That sounds like a made up name. Are you sure his name isn’t George Glass? [ed note: ask Jan Brady about her super-real boyfriend] Jack: [Laughs] How cool of a name is that? Russell: Sounds like a stage name. Jack: He’s a real drummer, we swear! Anyway that’s been good, it’s not a permanent fix by any means. After this tour— Russell: We’re moving to Seattle Jack: Yeah, we’re moving to Seattle so we imagine we need to get up there first and then find someone. Russell: We’re really grateful for the fact that he’s been so willing to
do this, just leave his job and come on tour for a little while.
a drummer, what sort of qualifications do you have in mind?
Jack: So that’s been going really good.
Russell: Equal parts talent and style. But also he needs to be a homie.
Russell: But also no bad blood with our old drummer. Jack: It was sad. Russell: It was really sad. I saw you just got a new tour van, do you have a name for it yet? All three: Yes! Russell: We’ve been tossing around a lot of names for the van. David wants it to be Margot Vannenbaum, Jack wants it to be Sibelius, Because we got it from this Finnish guy. And I want it to be Bluecifer or Bluezebub. Jack: What’s up with the devil theme? Russell: I don’t know, but think about it—it works so well! We’re really excited to hit the road in that thing and not be in a Subaru. So when you do try to find
Jack: Something we really examined is could we be in the car with him for a month. David: Something that was really cool about Matt, was that three or four weeks before our first tour we were just going to be a trio, and have no percussion whatsoever. And he came up and just basically jumped in the car with an incomplete drum set and just made it work. Jack: We joke about the fact that he’s going to regret not being a rock star for the rest of his life. Do you have groupies? Jack: No. Russell: Nah. No. Jack: Define groupie. You define it.
Jack: If you mean girls that come to every show, then no. We have fans though.
are as dedicated to us as we are to The Shimmies, I’ll probably freak out.
Yeah, fans. I meant fans... that maybe... kinda want to... get it in you.
Jack: I think we freak them out actually. We played a show with them in San Francisco, and I think it was the first show we ever played with them. It was at this place called Milk Bar, and we just all got pretty drunk and sang all their songs along with them. Afterwards Stephen was like “Have you been to all of our shows?” And we were like, between us, yeah, probably.
Russell: [Laughs] We played here [Duffy’s] a couple weeks ago with Ave Grave and Whiskerman, and it was a great show and stuff, but one of the best things about it is that we’d be looking out into the audience, and there would be people singing along with us who knew the lyrics. And that’s a super new thing for us. To have your lyrics sung back to you is a very strange and fantastic feeling. Very gratifying. So, groupies. Russell: Well that’s the thing though, we spent half the show singing Sean’s lyrics and losing our shit to him. David: I think if anything we’re just the groupies for The Shimmies, Ave Grave, and Coyote Church. Anything Galloway, really. Russell: If we ever have fans that
Anything else you want to add? Jack: We’re really excited about this album release show. We have new shirts by Kyle Harper, designed by Emma Blankenship of The Railflowers. And the night after the CD release show, we’re playing at a town hall in Rumsey, California with The Railflowers. We’d love people to come see the show and camp out on the farm there that my sister works at. Come bask in what might be one of the the last Mondegreens shows (at least for a while). Friday, March 6, Cafe Coda, $5.
FACEBOOK.COM/SYNTHESISCHICO
9
The Pageant Part II: The Son Also Rises by AMY OLSON 35 years ago, a couple guys who played baseball together made a leap, borrowed a couple grand and bought a small idle movie theater. Tim Giusta and Roger Montalbano shared a love of independent film—a missing piece in the landscape of what was, at the time, a town of just 26,000 peoplew. As Chico grew the Pageant grew along with it; through triumphs and mishaps they cultivated a community of film lovers, and the Pageant became an indispensable cultural icon. Last year, we all found out just how indispensable it really is to us. Faced with the threat of losing it, a collection of fundraisers including a crowdfunding drive on IndieGogo, as well as several concerts and donations from the artistic community, succeeded in raising over $80,000 in less than a month—well above the $65,000 needed to upgrade to a digital projection system. Roger pretty much stepped aside from the day to day running of the place several years ago, and Tim is finally able to do the same, retiring as of March 1st. The Pageant has now been handed over to Roger’s son, Miles Montalbano. So, who is this guy, and what will it mean? Roger mentioned you were the one who really spearheaded the Save the Pageant movement last year, could you tell me bit about that? Sure. I was living in San Francisco, where I’d been for… wow, so long. I was making films down there, and am kind of into the
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film world. Anyway, I was feeling really discouraged with the city; I’d been there for a really long time, and was not really enjoying the way the city was changing and the way I’d changed, and it was time for me to move. I was trying to figure out what I was going to do and where I was going to go, and I got this message that said “It looks like the Pageant is going to close. Tim’s getting ready to retire, and the theater has to change over to digital at the end of this year and it’s going to be really expensive, so he figures this is a good time just to close up shop.” The idea was like, would you be interested in taking this on? And I was like, well yeah. For me, growing up here (my first job was at the Pageant when I was 14, back in like 1980), and having this connection to Chico with my family being here, I know just how important it feels to have this theater; this little funky art house downtown. It just felt like a really important thing for the community, and for the culture here, to try to keep it going. I had a bunch of suggestions about what we could do to accomplish that, and one of them was the crowdsourced fundraiser to try to raise money for the projector and the equipment we needed. I also figured that would be a good gauge to see if the community was here to support the theater. And it was just overwhelming. Everybody was really touched and moved by how people came out to support it. We were able to upgrade to digital and get all of the things we needed. We surpassed the goal, so we got a new Dolby sound system as well, and got to get new-ish seats. It’s really nice.
MAR 2 2015
Tim decided after that made it that he wanted to stick around for a little while, sort of enjoy the fruits of that, but that he was still going to retire. So, I decided to move on up here. I’ve been back for about a year. It’s been an interesting transition. I hear that there’s going to be a slightly different direction in the movies you show? Yeah, from my perspective it seems like Chico has an audience that’s not really being served. The films that we’ve been showing seem to mostly be... kind of your standard middle of the road indie film fare, stuff that you could probably go see at the Cinemark or whatever. I don’t want to totally abandon that, because of our core audience that’s been supporting the theater for so long, but I want to expand on it: more adventurous, alternative stuff, as well as more special events with live music, radical political docs, etc… I don’t want to totally change it to where people feel alienated. I just feel like there’s room to do more. Chico’s an artsy town, it’s got a really strong arts current. I think it’s going to be a good fit. I remember growing up going to the midnight movies; that was a big fun thing, and you’d see some crazy, wacky stuff. I kinda wanna do that: some late night cult films, but maybe pull it back to 11:00 so you can still go get a drink for last call after. Maybe some more live events, music and film stuff... get some filmmakers in here to show their films. I think there’s a ton of possibilities, and we’ll see what people respond to. My instinct is that people will go for it. I’m gonna try it.
The first film I have booked is A Girl Walks Home Alone At Night, a gorgeous Iranian hipster feminist vampire romance post-punk blend of horror, film noir and spaghetti westerns. It opens March 6th (check out the amazing trailer on the pageant website: pageantchico.com/comingSoon.html)... I saw the trailer and I was like, I wanna see that. I think that if we get a buzz out maybe some people will come check it out. And you’re also thinking about some changes to the snacks? I wanna move away from the traditional M&M/Coca Cola corporate crapola, and start doing things like organic popcorn. Which is not that much more expensive, and regular popcorn is like on the top 10 list of FDA’s dangerous foods. Stuff like that. I’ve been talking to the folks at the co-op, and I think they’re gonna help out with the concessions. So yeah, organic popcorn, maybe natural sodas... the same kind of stuff, just the alternative, a little more healthy, stuff. [laughs] So it’ll still be junk food, but healthy junk food. Fair trade chocolate instead of blood chocolate. It’s the right crowd for it. For me, it’s just about putting my values into practice, which is something I need to do in my life... And I’m making sure that it’s also not going to be crazy, like $6 for a candy bar. It’s not so much about making money, I’m making sure that you can get a good price. Be sure to check out the first sample of the Pageant’s new fare, A Girl Walks Home Alone At Night, opening this Friday, March 6th
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Daily Happy Hour from 4-7pm PBR $2.25 Everyday!
$2.50 TUESDAY: Tacos, Corn Dogs, Fries or Tots, Chips & Salsa and Motzerells sticks only $2.50 ALL Day! Homemade Soup Daily $3 Sierra and Dom Pints $ 3.50 Kamis ALL DAY!
Daily Happy Hour from 4-7pm PBR $2.25 Everyday!
WING WEDNESDAY! $2 for 3 Wings w/ drink purchase 8pm-Close $4.50 Shooter of the Day $5.50 DBL Bacardi Cocktails $5 Sailor Jerry DBLs All Day Every Day
Daily Happy Hour from 4-7pm Full Bar in Back Room Weds, Fri & Sat Nights! PBR $2.25 Everyday!
Come see our beautiful Patio! Happy Hour 4-6: Wander Food Truck on the Patio 6pm
Bartender Specials $2 Dom Bottles & Wells $3 20oz. Slushies 9-11pm $15 Bottomless Slushies with Souvenir Glass SoCo Promo 9pm - Close Samples, Specials & Giveaways
Mon-Fri Happy Hour 12-4pm $3 Sierra & Domestic Pints $3.50 Soccer moms $6 Dbl Roaring Vodka Homemade Soup Daily $5 Sailor Jerry DBLs All Day Every Day
Daily Happy Hour from 4-7pm PBR $2.25 Everyday!
Join us for Beers on our Patio Bar! Happy Hour from 4-6.
Open 9pm Bartender Specials $15 Bottomless Slushies w/ Souvenir Glass 9-11pm
Mon-Fri Happy Hour 12-4pm $3 Sierra & Dom Pints Weekend Blast Off!! 8-close $6 Dom Draft & Jack or Jack Honey Shot
Daily Happy Hour from 4-7pm
Captain Morgan Promo 10pm - Close Samples, Specials & Giveaways We open at 12:00pm.
LESSONS, LEAGUES AND TOURNAMENTS!
Mon-Fri Happy Hour 12-4pm $3 Sierra & Domestic Pints 6pm - close $1 Off Pitchers $5 Sailor Jerry DBLs All Day Every Day
Tacotruck.biz and Beers on the Patio!
Open 9pm Bartender Specials $15 Bottomless Slushies w/ Souvenir Glass 9-11pm Jim Beam Promo 10pm - Close Samples, Specials & Giveaways
WE OPEN AT 12:00PM MIMOSAS WITH FRESH SQUEEZED OJ FOR $5 UNTIL 5PM.
CLOSED
Homemade Soup Daily
HAPPY HOUR 4-7PM Beer Week Guinness cocktail specials Beer coozie giveaway at back bar
Open Mic Comedy Night Every Other Week! Happy Hour 2-6pm M-F $1.00 off Sierra and Dom Pitchers $1.00 off PBR & Olympia Pool Rates Cut in 1/2!
$6.99 Philly Cheese Steak Sandwich MONSTER MONDAY SPECIALS 6PM-CLOSE BEER $3.50/4.50/5.50/6.50
Two Dollar Tuesdays! $2 PBRs $2 Tacos! Happy Hour 2-6pm M-F $1.00 off Sierra and Dom Pitchers $1.00 off PBR and Olympia Cans Pool Rates Cut in 1/2!
Fried Chicken Sandwich w/fries or salad $6.99
8 ball Tourney 6pm sign-up Happy Hour 2-6pm M-F $1.00 off Sierra and Dom Pitchers $1.00 off PBR and Olympia Pool Rates Cut in 1/2!
Reuben Sand w/ fries or salad $6.99
Happy Hour 2-6pm M-F $1.00 off Sierra and Dom Pitchers $1.00 off PBR and Olympia Pool Rates Cut in 1/2!
1/2 Rack Slow Cooked Pork Ribs w/ fries, salad and garlic bread $11.99
Rock Out at The DL! Enjoy Live Music, Great Grub, and 10 9' foot tables Open @11am All ages untill 10pm
10 oz. Tri-Tip Steak w/ Fries or Salad & Garlic Bread $8.99 8pm-Close $4 J채ger Shots $5 DBL 3 Olive Red Bull $5 Imports
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SYNTHESISWEEKLY.COM
MAR 2 2015
6-close $3 Sierra Nevada Pints FREE Pool EVERY DAY after 10pm w/ Purchase
6pm-Close Pitcher Specials $7/$10/$14 FREE Pool EVERY DAY after 10pm w/ Purchase
6pm-Close $3.50 All beer pints 3 Olive Red Bull$4/$5 DBL 9pm Red Bull Movie Night
Open at 11am $4.50 Bloody Mary $5.50 Absolut Peppar Bloody Marys Noon - 6pm $1 OFF SN & Dom Pitcher $5.50 DBL Bacardi Cocktails
Daily Happy Hour from 4-7pm Full Bar in Back Room Weds, Fri & Sat Nights! PBR $2.25 Everyday!
Rock Out at The DL! Enjoy Live Music, Great Grub, and 10 9' foot tables Open @11am All ages untill 10pm
1/2 Rack Slow Cooked Pork Ribs w/ fries, salad and garlic bread $11.99 8pm-Close $4 or $6 DBL Jack or Captain & Coke or 3 Olives Any Flavor
10am -2pm $5 Bottles of Champagne with entree $4.50 Bloody Mary $5.50 Absolut Peppar Bloody Marys
Daily Happy Hour from 4-7pm PBR $2.25 Everyday!
Free Pool with Purchase! $1.00 off Sierra and Dom Pitchers $1.00 off PBR and Olympia Cans
$5.49 Grad/Garden/ Turkey Burger w/fries or salad Bloodies $3 Well, $4 Call, $5 Top, $6 Goose Mimosas $2/flute, $5/pint $7 CHEAP Beer Pitchers
FRIDAY / 4:30PM - 7:00PM / $1
LIVE MUSIC BY BOGG FIRST FRIDAY HAPPY HOUR
319 MAIN STREET (530) 892-2473
FREE Pool EVERY DAY after 10pm w/ Purchase
3 3 7 M A I N S T.
530-343-1745
Fire Grill &
Closed
Go DownLo
BEAR-E-OKE BURGER MADNESS! Bear Burger with fries or salad for $5.49. 11am-10pm.
Bar
Happy Hour 11-6pm select bottles & drafts $3
CLOSED
Closed for Repairs
2 FOR 1 BURGERS ALL DAY !! MINORS WELCOME!
CLOSED
$2.50 Select Sierra Nevada or Dom Drafts $2 Kamis -any flavor All Day
$3.50 Tea of the Day Bartender Specials Happy Hour 4-8pm
Under New Management!
Happy Hour 4 - 7pm
NEW Food Menu
$1.50 sliders and other cheap eats!
Progressive Night: 8 - 10pm—$1 Dom, Wells & Sierra Nevada Pale Ale 10pm - Close—Up $0.25 per hour til closing $3 Sky Cocktails
W AT C H T H E
GAMES HERE
LATE NIGHT EATS! kitchen open until 1am Closed
Go DownLo
BEAR WEAR! 1/2 off while wearing Bear Wear. MUG CLUB 4-10pm
Bartender Specials Happy Hour 4-7 9-10pm Fire Hour $3.50 Fireball Shots
LATE NIGHT EATS! kitchen open until 1am
WACKY WEDNESDAYS (8pm - close ) DJ Party 4 different DJ’s $1 wells $2 calls $2 domestic bottles $6 pitchers of well drinks
Go DownLo
Happy Hour 4-8pm Ladies Night! 8pm - CLOSE $5 Pabst pitchers $2 shot board $4 Moscow Mules $3 Jamo and Ginger Buck Hour 10:30 - 11:30
Early Bird Special 9-10pm 1/2 off wells
Happy Hour 4 - 8pm
Early Bird Special 9-10pm 1/2 off wells
FIREBALL FRIDAYS!!! 8pm - Close $3 Fireball Shots $4 Big Teas $3 Coronas
TRIKE RACES! Post time @ 10pm. Win T-shirts and Bear Bucks. MUG CLUB 4-10pm
All 16 oz Teas or AMF $3 All Day
$3.50 Skyy Vodka Cocktails $3.50 Tea of the Day Bartender Specials Happy Hour 4-8pm
LATE NIGHT EATS! kitchen open until 1am
1/2 OFF COVER before 10pm
BURGER MADNESS! Bear Burger with fries or salad for $5.49. 11am-10pm. MUG CLUB from 4-10pm
LATE NIGHT EATS! kitchen open until 1am
Early Bird Special 9-10pm 1/2 off wells
Happy Hour 11-6pm $3 select bottles & drafts
KARAOKE "INDUSTRY NIGHT" 8PM - CLOSE HALF OFF ALMOST EVERYTHING!(Except Red Bull and Premium Liquors) Specials All Day!
Go DownLo
LIVE MUSIC 1/2 OFF COVER before 10pm BURGER MADNESS! Bear Burger with fries or salad for $5.49. 11am-10pm.
4-6pm $1 Dom Drafts $2 SN Drafts & Wells $5 DBL Captain Buck Night 8pm-Close $1 wells, SN Pale Ale, Rolling Rock, Dom Draft $3 Black Butte $4 Vodka Redbull 4-6pm $1 Dom Drafts $2 SN Drafts & Wells $5 DBL Captain 8pm - Close $4 151 Party punch 22oz. 8 - 9pm $1 Pale Ale & Dom.Draft Up $0.25/ hr until close
$2.50 16oz Wells All Day
Select Pints $3
9pm-Close $2 12oz Teas $3 20oz Teas $2 Well, Dom Bottles & bartender Specials $5 Vodka Red Bull SoCo Promo 9pm - Close Samples, Specials & Giveaways
Under New Management!
Happy Hour 4 -7pm
NEW Food Menu Bartender Specials Happy Hour 4-7 9-10pm Fire Hour $3.50 Fireball Shots
$1.50 sliders and other cheap eats!!
$3.50 Tea of the Day Bartender Specials Happy Hour 4-8pm
Monday - Friday HAPPY HOUR 4-7PM $1 OFF ALL DRINKS (excludes energy drinks)
Happy Hour- 4-7pm $5 Fridays 4-8pm Most food items and pitchers of beer are $5
Power Hour 8-9pm 1/2 Off Liquor & Drafts (excludes pitchers) 9pm-Close $4 Jim Beam $3 Domestic Drafts $9.75 Pitchers $5 Dbl Sugar Island Rum NO COVER
Hot "Dawgs" ALL DAY!
Mon. - Sat. 4pm - 6pm $1 Dom. draft, $2 SN Draft and Wells Power Hour 8 - 9pm $3 Domestic Drafts $9.75 Pitchers $5 Dbl Sugar Island Rum NO COVER $4 Jim Beam
Champagne Brunch and SPORTS!
CLOSED
Captain Morgan Promo 10pm - Close Samples, Specials & Giveaways LATE NIGHT EATS! kitchen open until 1am
1/2 OFF EVERYTHING!!!
9-10pm Fire Hour $3.50 Fireball Shots
LIVE MUSIC 1/2 OFF COVER before 10pm
Opening at 8pm for ‘80s NIGHT!! 8pm - CLOSE $4 Sauza Margaritas $3 Kamis $3 Shocktop & VIP pint
Monday - Friday HAPPY HOUR 4-7PM $1 OFF ALL DRINKS (excludes energy drinks) Bartender Specials
$4 Sex On The Beach $4 Sierra Nevada Knightro ON TAP $1 Jello Shots 7-10pm $3 Fireball
$3.50 Tea of the Day Bartender Specials Happy Hour 4-8pm
$4 World Famous Bloody Joe $5 Premium bloodys your choice of vodka
Champagne Brunch 11am - 2pm $4 Champagne with entree
$6 DBL Sugar Island 8 - close $5 DBL SoCo Saturday & Sunday HAPPY HOUR 3-6PM $1 OFF ALL DRINKS (excludes energy drinks) $6 DBL Sugar Island 8 - close $5 DBL SoCo Saturday & Sunday HAPPY HOUR 3-6PM $1 OFF ALL DRINKS (excludes energy drinks)
$5 DBLs Sailor Jerry ALL DAY EVERY DAY Monday - Friday HAPPY HOUR 12-4 $3 Sierra & Dom Pints $3.50 Soccer Moms 134 Broadway St, Chico, CA | 530.893.5253
LATE NIGHT EATS! kitchen open until 1am
Sunday
Champagne Brunch 10am-2pm Every Sunday $3 champagne with purchase of an entrée
177 E 2nd St, Chico (530) 895-8817 FACEBOOK.COM/SYNTHESISCHICO
13
SUBMIT YOUR EVENTS AT SYNTHESISWEEKLY.COM/SUBMIT-YOUR- EVENT
THIS W E E K O N LY — B E ST B E TS I N E N T E RTA I N M E N T
Fine Dining in the Tradition of Southern Italy
SICILIAN CAFÉ MONDAY, MARCH 2ND
FRIDAY, MARCH 6TH
OLD MAN GLOOM, COLISEUM, COLD BLUE MOUNTAIN
Celebrating 30 years !
Farm. Fresh. Italian.
MONDEGREENS CD RELEASE SHOW
CAFE CODA
CAFE CODA
You know that thing that happens at Coda when a really loud or especially bass-heavy band plays? You know the thing, when the sound reverberates off the walls, and the windows start shaking, and you’re absolutely sure that at any second the panes will shatter, showering the crowd with glass. Come see if March 2nd is the night it finally happens. 7:30pm, $18, all ages.
These fresh-faced lads won’t be living in Chico for too much longer, and they’re basically the One Direction of Chico, so come soak up their youth and enthusiasm while you can. If you have hard opinions on what they should name their new tour van, go stand in the front row and make yourself heard. (Turn to page 8 for reference). 8pm, $5, all ages.
FRIDAY, MARCH 6TH
SATURDAY, MARCH 7TH
BASSMINT
THE INTERGALACTIC NEMESIS: LIVE ACTION GRAPHIC NOVEL
PEEKING RESTAURANT
LAXSON AUDITORIUM
My dad once told me that about twenty years ago he was in Peeking Restaurant (it was something else back then), and hid a half-smoked joint somewhere in the intricate carvings of the wall in the banquet room. Come shake what your momma gave you, and if nothing else, search for that half-smoked joint. Winwin. 9:30pm, 21+, $5.
Were you reading Kirkman’s The Walking Dead long before it was turned into a TV show? Do you have strong feelings about the movie vs. graphic novel versions of Watchmen? And are you also, by some weird stroke of fate, super into theater, community or otherwise? This show is undoubtedly for you, ya weirdo. 7:30pm, $10-$36, all ages.
This Week...
MAC SABBATH, THE GLASS HOUSE & BOGART THE MONSTER
Upcoming shows... 03/13
DOUG STEIN’S 25TH CHICO ANNIVERSARY
1020 Main Street Chico 530.345.2233 14
SYNTHESISWEEKLY.COM
MAR 2 2015
03/15 On
Main
MAR
07
MOON HOOCH W/ BIG STICKY MESS & SMOKEY THE GROOVE
03/17 ST. PATTY’S DAY
03/21
FT. SWAMP ZEN & ZUHG
FUNKANAUTS W/ BLACK STAR SAFARI
03/19
03/25
PIGWAR
319 MAIN ST | DOORS OPEN AT 9PM | HALF OFF DRINKS BEFORE 10PM
PIMPS OF JOYTIME
F EATURED EV EN TS
O N G O I N G E V E N TS
2 MONDAY
2 MONDAY
Cafe Coda: Old Man Gloom, Coliseum, Cold Blue Mountain. 7:30pm, $15 advance, $18 door, all ages
3 TUESDAY
City Plaza: Picnic in the Plaza: Foodtrucks and live entertainment. 11:30am-1pm, all ages, free Harlen Adams Theater: Antigone. $6-$15, all ages, 7:30pm The Rendezvous: Martin Sexton. 7:30pm, $22 advance, $26 door
4 WEDNESDAY
Maltese: Modern Pantheist, Shu Lace, Moon Bears. 9pm, 21+ Harlen Adams Theater: Antigone. $6-$15, all ages, 7:30pm
5 THURSDAY
1078 Gallery: The Gnarly Pints, Kyle Williams, Sean Martin. 7:30pm, $5, all ages Harlen Adams Theater: Antigone. $6-$15, all ages, 7:30pm LaSalles: Happy Hour with live music by Cleaver Fool. 4-8pm, 21+
6 FRIDAY
1078 Gallery: Death Metal with Abberance, Viral, Logistic Slaughter, Cartilage, Chemical Burn, and Vultarus. 8pm, $5, all ages. Cafe Coda: Mondegreens Album Release Show, The Amblers, Alex Nelson. 8pm, $5, all ages Chico Women’s Club: Pianist Dr. Robert Bowman. $12, all ages, 6pm Harlen Adams Theater: Antigone. $6-$15, all ages, 7:30pm LaSalles: Blaze n’ J’s Presents... Something. Come find out what! 9pm, 21+ Maltese: Flannel Friday. 9pm, 21+, $1
Peeking Restaurant: Bassmint: Alo, Eyere, Bionix. 9:30pm, 21+, $5
7 SATURDAY
1078 Gallery: Spring Sowing Circle with guest speakers Hap Hathaway, Alli Battaglia, Natalie Mason, and Dylan’s Dharma. 7-11pm, all ages, entry by donation BMU Auditorium: The Glass Confine: Claiming Our Space. 10:30am-4pm, free Cafe Coda: John Craigie Trio, Karisha Longaker. 7:30pm, all ages Harlen Adams Theater: Antigone. $6-$15, all ages, 7:30pm LaSalles: Happy Hour with live music by Cee Dub. 4-8pm, 21+ Laxson Auditorium: The Intergalactic Nemesis: Live Action Graphic Novel. 7:30pm, $10-$36, all ages Lost On Main: Mac Sabbath, This Glass House, Bogart The Monster. 9pm-1am, 21+, $10 Rumsey Town Hall (Rumsey, CA): The Mondegreens, The Railflowers. Doors 7:30pm, show 8pm, all ages Senator Theater: Andre Nickatina
8 SUNDAY
Chico Women’s Club: World Explorations Lecture Series Presents: Local Grapes, Making Wine at Butte College. 4-5pm, all ages, free Harlen Adams Theater: Antigone. $6-$15, all ages, 2pm Maltese: Socorro, Bull Moose Party, This Glass House. 9pm, 21+ Senator Theater: Rebelution. Doors 7pm, show 8pm, $25 advance
100th Monkey: Fusion Belly Dance mixed-level class, with BellySutra. $8/class or $32/month. 6-7pm The Bear: Bear-E-oke! 9pm Chico Womens Club: Prenatal Yoga. 5:306:30pm DownLo: Open Mic Night. Free. Pool League. 7pm. All ages until 10pm Maltese: Open Mic Comedy, Signups at 8pm, starts at 9pm. Mug Night 7-11:30pm University Bar: Free Pool 6-8pm Yoga Center Of Chico: Sound Healing w. Emiliano (no relation). Breathwork, Meditation, Healing.
3 TUESDAY
The Bear: Open Jam Night, featuring a different live band opening each week. Bring instruments, 9pm-1:30am Chico Women’s Club: Yoga. 9-10am. Afro Carribean Dance. $10/class or $35/mo. 5:50-7pm. DownLo: Game night. All ages until 10pm Holiday Inn Bar: Classes and Dancing, 7-11pm, 21+ LaSalles: ’90s night. 21+ Panama Bar: Tropical Tuesdays ft. Mack Morris & DJ2K. 10pm Studio Inn Lounge: Karaoke. 8:30pm-1am University Bar: Free Pool 6-8pm Valene L. Smith Museum of Anthropology: “Leaping Lemurs and Mysterious Crimes: On the Trail of Physical Anthropology.” 11am3:00pm Woodstocks: Trivia Challenge. Call at 4pm to reserve a table. Starts 6:30pm
4 WEDNESDAY
The Bear: Trike Races. Post time 10pm Chico Women’s Club: Afro Brazilian Dance. 5:30-7pm DownLo: Wednesday night jazz. 8 Ball Tournament, signups 6pm, starts 7pm Duffys: Dance Night! DJ Spenny, Lois, and Jeff Howse. $1, 9pm Farm Star Pizza: Live Jazz with Carey Robinson and Friends. 6pm-8pm The Graduate: Free Pool after 10pm The Maltese: Friends With Vinyl! Bring your vinyl and share up to 3 songs/12 minutes on the turntable. 9pm-1am The Tackle Box: Open Mic, 9:30pm-12am University Bar: Free Pool 6-8pm Valene L. Smith Museum of Anthropology: “Leaping Lemurs and Mysterious Crime.” 11am-3:00pm Woodstocks: Trivia Night plus Happy Hour. call at 4pm to reserve a table. Starts at 8pm
5 THURSDAY
1078 Gallery: The art of Monika Meler: Fragile Structures. 12:305:30pm The Beach: Live DJ, no cover, 9pm DownLo: Live Jazz. 8-11pm. All ages until 10pm The Graduate: Free Pool after 10pm Has Beans Downtown: Open Mic Night. 7-10pm. Signups start at 6pm Holiday Inn Bar: Karaoke. 8pm-midnight LaSalles: Free live music on the patio. 6-9pm Maltese: Karaoke. 9pm-close Panama Bar: Buck night and DJ Eclectic & guests on the patio. 9pm Pleasant Valley Rec Center: CARD World Dance Classes. 6-7pm/youth 10-17, 7-8:30pm/adults. $20/4classes Quackers: Karaoke night with Andy. 9pm-1am Tackle Box: Karaoke with DJ Andy. 9pm1am, 21+ University Bar: Free Pool 6-8pm Valene L. Smith Museum of Anthropology: “Leaping Lemurs and Mysterious Crime.” 11am-3:00pm Woodstocks: Open Mic Night Yoga Center Of Chico: Ecstatic Dance with Clay Olson. 7:30-9:30pm
6 FRIDAY
1078 Gallery: The art of Monika Meler: Fragile Structures. 12:30-5:30pm The Beach: Live DJ, 9pm Cafe Coda: Friday Morning Jazz with Bogg, happy hour. 10am-2pm Chico Creek Dance Center: Chico international folk dance club. 7:30pm, $2 DownLo: ½ off pool. All ages until 10pm. Live Music, 8pm Duffys: Pub Scouts - Happy Hour. 4-7pm The Graduate: Free Pool after 10pm Holiday Inn Bar: DJ Dance Party. 8pm-midnight LaSalles: Open Mic night on the patio. 6-9pm Maltese: Happy hour with live jazz by Bogg. 5-7pm. LGBTQ+ Dance Party. 9pm Panama Bar: Jigga Julee, DJ Mah on the patio. 9pm Peeking: BassMint. Weekly electronic dance party. $1-$5. 9:30pm Quackers: Live DJ. 9pm Sultan’s Bistro: Bellydance Performance. 6:30-7:30pm University Bar: Free Pool 6-8pm
Valene L. Smith Museum of Anthropology: “Leaping Lemurs and Mysterious Crime.” 11am-3:00pm
7 SATURDAY
1078 Gallery: The art of Monika Meler: Fragile Structures. 12:30-5:30pm The Beach: Live DJ Battle, 9pm Crazy Horse Saloon: Ladies Night. Line dance lessons, 9-10pm, DJ & dancing, 10pmclose. DownLo: 9 Ball tournament. Signups at noon, starts at 1pm. All ages until 10pm The Graduate: Free Pool after 10pm Holiday Inn Bar: DJ Dancing. The Molly Gunn’s Revival! 8pm-midnight LaSalles: 80’s Night. 8pm-close Panama Bar: DJ Eclectic on the patio. 9pm University Bar: Free Pool 6-8pm Valene L. Smith Museum of Anthropology: “Leaping Lemurs and Mysterious Crime.” 11am-3:00pm
8 SUNDAY
Dorothy Johnson Center: Soul Shake Dance Church. $8-$15. 10am-12:30pm DownLo: Free Pool, 1 hour with every $8 purchase. All ages until 10pm LaSalles: Karaoke. 9pm Maltese: Live Jazz 4-7pm. Tackle Box: Karaoke, 8pm
FACEBOOK.COM/SYNTHESISCHICO
15
O N THE TOW N J ESSI CA SID
PR O D U C T I V I T Y WAST E D
There Came an Echo SPEAK AND BE HEARD...MAYBE There Came an Echo suffers from no lack of effort in anything it does. An indie game, brought to realization by a not-so-famous kickstarter, from rising (yet still obscure) developer Iridium Studios, released for fifteen dollars on Steam. None of it sounds particularly ambitious, but keep in mind that the protagonist is voiced by Wil Wheaton, and that it, like many unsuccessful hopefuls before it, strikes off into the dangerous territory of Voice Recognition Commands. Indeed, There Came an Echo has ambition in its humble format: to successfully create the voice activated strategy game. Voice recognition is a tricky thing; perhaps good enough for dictation, but generally not enough for full blown command and control, elements essential to the vast majority of games, where controls are an absolute that the player must utilize, never fight. Echo utilizes new software in the voice recognition world, even allowing for different accents and speaking styles, and of any voice recognition game I’ve ever played, it’s the best. Mind you, that’s not saying much. You order your ragtag team of commandos into battle, mostly telling them to switch weapons, targets, or switch between one of several available positions on the battlefield, although you also have to tell them to not to stand in open ground, or recharge their failing shield. Not unlike a real-time XCom, with significant limitations as to where you can move, what you can do, or whether or not you can trust your character to suddenly freeze in place and stop firing on your opponents. Limitations and bugs aside, however, managing a hectic, real-time firefight with your voice is difficult and stressful, which is both good and bad. Stuttering and tripping 16
SYNTHESISWEEKLY.COM
MAR 2 2015
over commands while team members die and bullets fill the room is a unique experience in system management. And while the game understands a majority of what I say carefully, it only understands things that I say slowly, clearly, and with heavy enunciation, like I’m talking to a deaf person whose lip reading is rather rusty. While speaking clearly is the player’s challenge (and what a unique gaming skill it is, to enunciate like a Shakespearian), the care demanded in ordering requires the player to move slowly, which would be fine if bullets weren’t flying everywhere. The game has a decent storyline as well, but one can’t help but notice that the voice actors (most, at least) outclass the writers, leaving a few stilted lines here and there, and more than a few that sound torn out of an action movie. Although there are interesting ideas, and interesting ideas of characters, the rapid-fire pacing of the plot prevents us from exploring any too thoroughly, and at its best, stops us from looking too hard at any of it. I sound rather harsh in my review, but would you believe I liked this game? The story is better than the vast majority of games I have played, the effort put into it sincere, and the utilization of voice recognition more innovative than most of the things I’ve seen in a year. Worth noting, also, is that voice recognition works great for some people, and horribly for others. If there has ever been a game to slap a “Your Mileage May Vary” sticker on it, this is it. Interesting as it is, why not give it a shot?
by ELI SCHWARTZ pwasted@synthesis.net
IM MAC ULATE IN FE CTION
ON T H E TOWN J ESS ICA SID
The Magic Jumpsuit A JUMPSUIT MIGHT TEMPORARILY CHANGE THE WAY YOU PERCEIVE YOURSELF, BUT IT CAN’T NAVIGATE YOU THROUGH THE RABBIT HOLE OF INSURANCE COMPANY BUREAUCRACY. The other day I spent forty dollars at Gates Resale and thereby altered the course of my life forever. My purchase was a forest green, full length jumpsuit. I’ve worn it everyday since, and I plan on continuing to wear it, or one similar to it, for the rest of my days on this green Earth. The jumpsuit is the epitome of practicality. There is no worrying about matching shirt to pants and no fussing about with fashion statements and frills. There is also no need any longer to wear a belt. The jumpsuit is its own outfit. I put on a pair of sox, boxers, and an undershirt, step into the jumpsuit, zip it up, and the day is on. While the jumpsuit is practicality realized, in some parts of the North State it also carries weight as apparel combining style with purpose. I wear my jumpsuit with a pair of Red Wing boots. My hair right now is cut into a rough mohawk, but the sides are growing out. With a camouflage ballcap on my head— nobody notices the name of the Reno-based punk band “Vampirates” hand-stitched across the front—I foster a clean-cut and vaguely militaristic impression. Now, I don’t pretend this look is going to knock ‘em dead in Chico, where the current concept of manly fashion is growing a beard and sagging ass in a pair of thigh-clutching Jordache jeans, but in areas of the state where people appreciate a man of action, the jumpsuit is a killer. At the Taco Bell in Red Bluff the woman behind the counter can barely restrain herself from tittering long enough to take my order. The female clerks at the Home Depot are addressing me as if we’ve been longtime friends, and bending over backwards
to help me with my shopping needs. On the sidewalks teenage girls make eyes with me; they blush, and giggle. I am an Adonis. It isn’t only the womenfolk who are affected by the jumpsuit. Men address me with greater respect, for I am assuredly a man on the move, a man unencumbered by the everyday accoutrements of belt loops and unfettered by the mind-boggling process of deciding whether or not to tuck my shirt it, or leave it hanging loose. My whole way of thinking has started to transform—as my wardrobe has been refined, so has my mind. I am no longer burdened by trivialities, problems become opportunities, walls become doors… Welcome to the Machine And then I get a phone call from a specialist saying they don’t accept our insurance—in spite of the fact that, after two months of back and forth, it was our insurance provider that referred us to them. Now I find myself mired in the bog, listening to plodding, semimelodic hold music apparently designed to drive me insane. Nobody can defeat the bureaucracy. Suddenly my jumpsuit doesn’t look so crisp. My shoulders slump, my belly extends. All the small annoyances and irritations of the world are back. My skin itches, my back hurts. I think I’ll go change into a pair of pants and an old t-shirt.
by BOB HOWARD Madbob@madbob.com FACEBOOK.COM/SYNTHESISCHICO
17
No Casual Listening OLD MAN GLOOM’S AARON TURNER ON MUSIC MAKING AND BRINGING THE HEAVY TO OUR TOWN by NATHAN COLLINS Clothed in the faded black-on-black denim and band t-shirt uniform that is the staple of any metalhead, Aaron Turner is an unassuming figure. Big beard. Bushy hair. But then he looks at you. Cold blue eyes. Severe eye contact. A vise grip handshake. A genuine smile. There are few not-traditionallyfamous musicians as famous as Aaron Turner. He’s done a few things: He built mega-indie heavy music label Hydra Head Records from the ground up, for one. (Give yourself +10 coolpoints and bandcamp the label’s back catalogue sometime. Every. Band. Rips.) For two, he toured the world fronting the now-disbanded postmetal phenomenon Isis (again, that’s the band named after the Egyptian goddess, not the radical Islamic militia). If you’re in Chico music’s inner circle, I’m sure you’ve heard. But if not: on March 2nd at Cafe Coda, Turner’s current supergroup (comprised of members of Converge, Cave In, and Isis), Old Man Gloom, will make you OMG. Maybe even OMFG. The show is all ages, but limited to 100 tickets; pick them up in person at Coda or The Music Connection, or hit 18
SYNTHESISWEEKLY.COM
Chicotix.com before you’re stuck listening from the Coda curb. Before we get to the interview with this articulate noise artisan, I feel I should fill you in on some background: Old Man Gloom released a record. That record was technically two records. Nope, make that three records. The Ape of God parts I and II was initially released to music journalists as a single album for those tastemaker previews that music snobs read and debate over macchiatos. This record was a “fake” record, with the track order switched, a few songs left off, and different mixing. This promo, Ape-o-God, if you will, was being leaked across the internets, when the merry pranksters of OMG revealed their joke and had a good public-profile laugh about it. This pissed a lot of people off. You guys! Music journalists tend to take themselves and their clichés pretty seriously. Then they released a purposefully split double album (technically two individual long-players, both with the same name and cover art) that made every other heavy record of the year seem like lullaby sleepytime jammy jams. MAR 2 2015
The Ape of God I and II put the sounds of screaming primal rage and chanting cult-like worship in the same space. Post-metal? More like post-trauma. This record is so heavy, it’s consistently difficult to hang with and hard to describe in words that aren’t onomatopoeias or awe-struck grunts. Maybe one word: Upset. Deeply. Upset. I caught underground heavy music’s jack-of-all-tradesman for a face-to-face interview to talk music, art, and monkey business. I said some words. He said some words back. Here are those words: How does Old Man Gloom intend to translate such a heavy and atmospheric record to a live situation? Turner: We’re not overly concerned with doing a really accurate recreation of any of our music. We just try to take the songs and figure out a way to play them that feels good. I think that they can exist as completely different things, and each be valid in their own right… We’ll just do our best and see what happens. Which is kind of our approach to everything. Because The Ape of God, like your
other records, was written and recorded very quickly, it has a certain spontaneity. Is that what you’re going for? Turner: There’s a lot of spontaneity, but then there’s also—as far as the electronic and noise aspects of the record—a lot of development that happens that takes even longer than the songwriting process… There’s a lot of stuff that happens spur of the moment, but there’s also some reflection and building that happens around those initial ideas. So will there be a lot of improvisation live? Turner: The other guys just had their first practice today [Feb 7]. Just before tour happens our drummer’s going to come out and play a little. We just kind of have to start with one step and see where it goes. Sometimes last minute decisions are where everything’s figured out. Sometimes it just happens during the show, and we don’t know what’s going to happen. Why Chico? What brings big, bad Old Man Gloom to blow down such a small town?
Turner: We really enjoyed our first show in Chico. There’s always this long gap between San Francisco and Portland. We’re like, why not do something? Especially when it’s been good. So now we have a special place in our hearts for Chico. And Cafe Coda?! That’s a small space for your massive sound. That’s going to be ridiculous. Turner: I hope so! Mamiffer and House of Low Culture played there, and I remember it was a tight room. I hope we can stuff it full of people. Are you really bringing your full stack? [That’s eight 12” loudspeakers folks, and a manywatt amplifier—and that’ll be just this one guy’s rig.] Turner: Oh yeah! Absolutely necessary. I think Chico has a kind of a DIY music culture, mostly musicians and their friends who are really appreciating what’s going on. I think we’ll get it. Turner: Yeah, I think that’s important. And as much fun as it is to play places like LA or San
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“THE BEST POSSIBLE OUTCOME ...IS TO TAKE SOMEONE OUTSIDE OF THE FRAME OF MIND WHERE YOU’RE LISTENING TO MUSIC AND CREATE ANOTHER WORLD THAT THE PERSON CAN INHABIT”
No Prisons In This World PERSONAL FREEDOM IN THE PRESENT IS THE ONLY CONSTANT
Francisco, just because of the amount of people that go to a show, I often find that in the smaller, more out of the way places people seem to appreciate it more. They aren’t as cynical about live music. Even if the crowds are smaller, the reciprocal energy between crowd and performer is more interesting or invigorating or something. I think it’s hard to ask an artist about their art. But, that record, it’s almost religious. Very intense. You’re working with so many sound textures. What are you saying with this record? Turner: I think the best possible outcome, for people experiencing the record, is to take someone outside of the frame of mind where you’re listening to music and create another world that the person can inhabit. It’s like offering a portal where listener and the work can merge. Those are the most important musical experiences I’ve had in terms of observing other people’s work. Where I forget that I’m listening to musicians play music, and I’m in some way having a transcendental experience. So in that sense it is spiritual… One disclaimer: Everybody in Old Man Gloom has very differing ideas about music and what it means. That’s my personal experience of what Old Man Gloom is and what it can be. What about how the songs are arranged, the pacing, the space?
Turner: Talking more about the intent in the way the albums are put together: there is an intention to subvert the rock form, in a way. Where musical and nonmusical sounds can inhabit the same space and create a different kind of experience. Something can be disruptive and complementary at the same time. I like the contradictory experience that that can be for someone. Both making it and also listening to it. Getting people to question what their experience of music is. I think every track subverts the traditional understanding of how a metal song or riff should progress. It’s not like, here’s your five minutes. Turner: I’m glad that comes across. That’s another thing that I hope for in putting this work out: That it can’t be a casual listen. Old Man Gloom isn’t something that people are going to readily absorb. I think it’s something that does require a little more of people. And that’s been a recurring thing behind a lot of the work that I have done, but maybe is even more important now. I feel like in so many ways music has just become really disposable. And so to try to make something that can’t be so easily digested and then dispensed with is really important. You heard the man. No casual listening. Go to the show—Cafe Coda, Monday March 2nd. Get heavy.
There is no one controlling you. There is no mass prison system of the mind; no sinister old white men holding dominion over the unsuspecting masses. Those of us who are living such a diminished existence, living as fear-filled media sheep, helping to fill the wallets of old white men, are choosing that realm of experience for personal reasons. That is the level of experience their consciousness is presently able to assimilate, and there is nothing inherently wrong or right about it. When these zombified media sheep are ready, they will see their lives as a “prison,” or a box, or whatever, and then through a series of personally symbolic events, they will step outside of it into a greater realm of experience. They will rise up in anger against their irresponsible employers, or leave their unhealthy relationships, or start going to school… The fact that this greater realm of experience will eventually show itself to be just another “prison” to the future mind makes it no less valid as a platform of learning. All experience is inherently growthful; even the stubborn refusal to grow holds within itself powerful life lessons.
They are afraid to face their personal lives honestly, in the present moment (the only place where positive action is possible), and they project their resulting paralysis on invisible men of authority. To be sure, awareness of the hard truths about this world is important… Bearing witness to the horrors of factory farming, for instance, can help bring about powerful decisions in the present, resolutions to eat more healthfully, which in turn can show the people around you a more healthy way to live. When denouncing the present evils of this world, ask yourself if such thoughts are spurring you on into empowering actions in the present, and have the courage to discover when you’re only projecting your personal responsibility for growth onto others.
You create the prisons. You create the containers within which you have your experience, and you create your experience. Those who point and loudly denounce the evil government officials and the corporate CEOs as holding unfair bondage over the populace are only imprisoning themselves.
by HOWL howlmovesmountains.tumblr.com
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CASH! CASH! CASH! We pay cash for your recyclables!! CRV ALUMINUM CANS $2.00/Pound E-WAStE! We pay 5¢ per pound for TV’s , Computers, Monitors and Laptops!! And, as a courtesy to our customers, we’ll accept all other consumer electronics, such as fax machines, printers, VHS players, etc. as a drop-off, with no payments* * Some restrictions may apply Call for more information on getting cash for other recyclable materials.
2565 S. Whitman Place, Chico (Corner of East Park Avenue and S. Whitman Place) 343-5500
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GREAT SHORT STORIES Lotus Land, written by local writer William Wong Foey Local writer William Wong Foey author of best selling novel: Winter Melon releases his new book Lotus Land, a short story collection of bold and amazing stories of desire, despair, courage, and redemption. Available at Lyon’s Book Store at 135 Main (Chico) and in paperback & e-book at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iTunes, & Direct Music Cafe. A special thanks to all the people who purchased my debut novel: Winter Melon.
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MAR 2 2015
by logan kruidenier logankruidenier.tumblr.com
MARCH 2, 2015 by KOZ MCKEV ARIES
TAURUS
GEMINI
CANCER
LEO
VIRGO
You begin the week with a strong and positive vibration. You will find something about life worth celebrating. Your imagination and intuition are being activated. Stay conscious of your ability to do good works. It’s easy to go on cruise control and forget that you could be part of your own undoing. The full moon in your sixth house emphasizes charitable causes, personal health issues, and working with others in a service oriented environment. The weekend will inspire love, romance and partnership. Give in to prayer and meditation.
Your social life is activated during this period. This is a good time to make future plans. Monday and Tuesday are good for domestic issues and for honoring older relatives. During Wednesday through most of Friday afternoon the full moon illuminates your fifth house of creative expression, children and love affairs. Expect to have a good time. The weekend looks good for taking care of health issues, working on a team project of some sort, or just playing with the dog or cat. Be open to making new friends. Important contacts could be made.
When zipping around town in or on a conveyance, be sure to watch out for other people. Your neighborhood may seem more alive than usual, or you’ll be getting lots of messages. The full moon heightens your sensitivity and stretches your comfort zone. You may be concerned about your mother or an older female relative. The weekend is easier to take. Your luck improves. Love is in the air, and you’ll get a chance to demonstrate your creative abilities. Avoid bending the truth. You are in the public eye so people notice what you are doing.
This is a good time for speculating, taking risks, traveling abroad or seeking a higher education. You may even find yourself discussing philosophy. The first couple of days are good for making money. The period between Wednesday and Friday will find you charged, activated or feeling restless with the full moon. Messages from old friends and siblings are likely. People are constantly wanting to recruit you to take on more responsibility. Do the best you can with what you’ve got. The weekend looks good for being with family and staying home.
Once again, do not attempt to control this situation that seems like other people have the upper hand in. By letting go you are winning. On Monday and Tuesday you are likely to have your way as the moon will be in Leo. During Wednesday through most of Friday the full moon helps you financially. You should be counting your blessings. The weekend is good for getting together with siblings or for romancing friends. We are limited only by our lack of faith and sense of positive direction. Use your imagination to create something beautiful.
Pisces is your opposite, your complement, and partnership sign. Romance may be more intense these days with Venus, Mars, Uranus, and The South Node in your eighth house which rules sex, birth, death, other people’s property and occult studies. You are going through transformation. The full moon in Virgo will bring forth a sense of positive change and the ability to move forward. View love as a service as well as a source of healing power. The weekend looks good for improving one’s finances, making a good meal, and singing a song.
LIBRA
SCORPIO
SAGITTARIUS
CAPRICORN
AQUARIUS
PISCES
Work and play need to have some sort of balance. It’s possible to feel like a red hot lover with people expressing passion in your direction. Monday and Tuesday are rather social days for you. The full moon emphasizes your karma as well as your subconscious. You may even have deja vu about someone you knew in a past life. Late Friday afternoon through Sunday features a moon in Libra. Be ready to be at the top of your game as people want your attention. Pace yourself because as work builds up there is potential for burnout.
Be generous and it will bring you good fortune. Your mind is sharp and your heart is open. Your mood is playful and creative expression comes easy. On Monday and Tuesday keep in mind your talents and skills and note that the whole world is watching. Wednesday through much of Friday the full moon vibe takes over your eleventh house. Be ready to party and to enjoy people’s company. The weekend looks good for meditation, laying around in bed, or visiting someone in a rest home, a hospital, or a prison. Keep working on improving your health.
Success comes from having a firm foundation. No one should set out on a journey without bringing the essentials for survival. You may be feeling a little shy and withdrawn. Take heart that others feel the same way. Your heart is open and your creative inspiration is at an all time high. You feel most comfortable when you are engaged in play. Monday and Tuesday are fun-filled as well as lucky. The full moon challenges you to use your talents and skills to the fullest. The weekend is good for your social life and for future planning.
Open and honest communication makes everything go better. You need to be mobile and ready to perform a number of tasks. You’ll be spending time gathering and sharing information. Neighbors and siblings play a role in helping you to manifest. You could have recently moved or are moving. The full moon inspires long distance travel and higher education. This is a lucky moon for you. The weekend looks good for career promotions, using your talents and skills and being more available to the public and your peers.
Values are found in the many things you engage in. What you purchase, consume, where you live, and the people you hang out with all play a role. Monday and Tuesday look good for romance, partnerships, and diplomatic work. The full moon in your eighth house could get a little bit intense. Your psychic senses will be heightened. Take everything in stride and take a breath deep. The weekend looks excellent for travel, education and exotic experiences. Friendships and socializing are big factors as to how the turn of events manifest.
You finally get the attention you deserve and need this week. Be ready to move forward with work projects early in the week. Good progress will be made as Jupiter and the moon conjoin. Wednesday through most of Friday a very romantic. The full moon will up your libido and keep you wanting sensual pleasures. The weekend could be intense. Be careful not to spend too much money and end up going into debt. You have the imagination and compassion to make good things happen. Be bold and assert yourself when necessary.
Koz McKev is on YouTube, on cable 11 BCTV and is heard on 90.1FM KZFR Chico. Also available by appointment for personal horoscopes call (530)891-5147 or e-mail kozmickev@sunset.net
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G R O S SWORD PUZZLE – ge t th e a n s we r s a t s y n th e si sw eekl y.c om
Across 1. Could refer to the smell of rising dough, if this weren’t a Grossword puzzle 3. A cheese-like amalgamation of exfoliated epithelial cells, skin oils, and moisture on human genitals 4. Something you dislodge with a horking sound and then spit on the sidewalk 9. The white stuff inside a zit that bursts out when you squeeze it 11. A bitter tasting green to yellowish brown fluid, produced by the liver 15. What a wound does when something’s not right; to exude moisture, often green 17. The powdery grey growth creeping up your shower wall 18. It might crawl into your ear and eat your brain with its little pincers 19. What you’re left in when the Addams family butler abandons you 20. When bacteria invade the body tissues and multiply, causing swelling or disease 21. What the air is when it’s full of damp spores and the smell of armpit 22. An unsettling thing that appears on your skin, before you know the name 23. Decayed with a disgusting smell that clings to the inside of your nose
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Down 2. Teeny tiny little bugs that get into your skin and spread, making you itch like crazy 5. A slick substance that clings to your bare foot after you step on a slug first thing in the morning 6. An embarrassing mistake. Also, hardly knew ‘er 7. What milk does in your stomach when you’re really hung over and you drink a bunch of it 8. In my nightmares, things are teeming with these 9. The thick, green mucus that gets caught in your throat 10. When moisture is slowly leaking through an old bandage, it’s doing this 12. A deep, narrow ravine that sounds wet and icky 13. A horrifying wriggling white thing that looks like a grain of rice but it isn’t 14. A man’s name that means vomit 16. The uncle of Wednesday and Pugsley