Fr froee...l m h ike om eve e d ry uri th ng ing Th yo ank u’l sg l ta ivin ke g...
Volume 1, Issue 3 | 11/09/11 - 11/30/11 | theblacksheeponline.com
The
Black Sheep
“A College Newspaper That’s Actually About College”
“I’m here, but I really don’t want to be...” Kiara Powell wrote this At the beginning of the semester when your professor posts the syllabus on Blackboard, you scroll through the same dead-horse outline, specifically skipping the parts about when tests will be, what’s going to happen on what day, VCU honor code blah, blah, blah, until you finally get to the attendance policy and see that dreaded message: “Attendance will be taken every class.” Seriously? That ruins your plans of skipping out on class to enjoy the weather in The Compass on warm days or snuggling deeper into your covers on cold days. VCU professors are notorious for having mandatory attendance policies, and it’s even worse when the professor launches a PowerPoint presentation on the projector and says, “All of these are available on Blackboard.” So you’re just wasting your time coming to class, all for nothing? It would be okay if the teacher actually gave you additional handouts to go along with the slideshows, you know, with the help of their TAs and all; but no, you have to sit there after hauling your ass to class, which is a struggle for many -- especially if you live in the apartments on Broad Street and have a class in Oliver Hall, or making it from your residence on Cary Street to
Other stuff
Inside
the 500 academic building, which is even further that you’d be willing to walk for a party. We can understand why showing up late to class—or having an empty classroom—may annoy some teachers, but if the entire class lecture is based on droning on with the same words that are on the slide, can’t they at least make it interesting? Blow something up? Do a funny dance on stage, or even have your lecture on something a little different than what’s on the PowerPoint so our notes can at least be a little helpful? Then with that, maybe students will actually come to class. In the same category are those teachers who always try to trick you into coming. If they’re not sadistically taking a roll call in Harris, then they’ll have you bring a clicker to class, only to click if you’re in attendance. They may even try and bribe you into staying by saying that “clicker questions” are worth bonus points—and who doesn’t want those? These clicker questions always seem to be in the class that you hate. You really don’t want to show up, because it’s that time of the semester when you just don’t give a fuck: you’d rather die than drag your ass out of bed and be read a PowerPoint slide that you could be in bed in your PJs reading your-
04: call of duty vs. girlfriend duty What’s more important, head or a headshot?
self. You force yourself to go anyways because of those damn clicker points and just check your Facebook and Twitter for the entire hour. And finally, we have those classes where the teacher actually takes attendance. Like the “put-on-your-glasses-takes-out-the-paper-and-looks-over-the-roll” type of attendance. What’s the point of taking attendance in a class of 100+ people? God forbid your last name ends in a “V” and the teacher is calling roll in a Temple lecture room. If the attendance is taken randomly this becomes a game of “will he or won’t he?” Having to determine when the teacher is going to take attendance is the equivalent of solving a complex algebra problem where you always get the answer wrong. Attendance is taken on the one day you decide to skip class. It never fails. The truth is, if professors can’t even take the time to learn our names, then it becomes a fine line between actually caring about students learning and just being a dick. If mandatory attendance is an overwhelming issue for a professor then they should probably go back to teaching elementary school where they can be sure that parents will throw their kids on the school bus to get them to school in the morning.
05: Dude, C’mon Man, Party Foul Well, what if it isn’t one?
11: the black sheep interviews:
Double trouble with Mat Kearney and 12th Planet!
02
Table of
Page 4: top 10 Facial Hair Styles for No-Shave November
contents
11
page 10: recipe for disaster Hot Dog Mac & Cheese takes us back to our youth, but in a more drunken state.
711
page 7: The New Disney Princesses Page 11: Party On, Feminists! Jasmine was so yesterday, she’s Just ‘cause you like yourself barely even sexy anymore. doesn’t mean you can’t like other things too. page 8: The bar grid Why don’t you save some page 12: thanks for nothing, money on drinks so you can, thanksgiving uh, buy your friends some Need some time to yourself at drinks? home? Here’s a guide to some media you should check out. Page 10: bartender of the week He’s the guy from Ipanema! Page 14: seek-and-find This room looks like your room, page 10: drinking game - Jenga but can you find all the stuff Bricks won’t be the only things that we hid in it? falling down after this game.
10
! S ’ O J O O D G T O I A M M E S A T Y A IT’S ALW IS MONDAY HT! WING NIG FROM
WEDNESDA
Y TASTE OF PHILLY NIGHT! $4 ANY 7in PHILLY CH EESESTEA K (7-11PM)
$0.35 WINGS TIL 11PM KICKOFF UN GAME) (OR END OF
TUESDAY
$1 TACOS! (7
-11PM)
733 W CARY ST | RICHMOND, VA | (804) 644-6676 | MOJOTOGO.COM
Page Pic e e r h t
of the
think your caption is good enough for page three?
Issue!
Prove it: caption@theblacksheeponline.com
Download Our App!
iPhone
“After he discovered the bird was playing fowl, Keith Stone took it home to choke the chicken.”
Android
For iPhone and Android Search Black Sheep Mobile
SEND IN YOUR PARTY PICTURES
pics@theblacksheeponline.com or upload them at theblacksheeponline.com
! s m a r g a n A Sexy
Can you guess these hotties?
Send your answers to celebs@theblacksheeponline.com The first 5 right answers win prizes!
Word of the week Hegalitarianism:
An Violin Um
Dreamy Hos Run
Submit your own word! word@theblacksheeponline.com
Definition: Any movement that promotes equal rights for cross-dressers and transvestites. Sentence: “RuPaul’s Supermodel was a seminal moment in the Hegalitarianism movement.”
04
THe top ten
www.theblacksheeponline.com
No-Shave November Facial Hairstyles 10. The I-can’t-even-grow-facial-hair As embarrassing as it may seem, some boys missed the facial hair train during those wonderful days of puberty. These are the same guys that say No-Shave November is stupid. Nobody’s fooled, no razor makes your face look like a baby’s ass. 9. Douchebag goatee Some consider it cheating to groom during No-Shave November. We consider it fair game, unless you’re grooming your beard to look like a complete douchebag. Grooming is fine. Grooming yourself to look like a total brah is not fine, brah.
Call of duty vs. Girlfriend duty: a guide Lenton Alston wrote this
For all those gamers out there, you know that fall is like a 3-month Super Bowl for video games. Those long lines outside GameStop on Broad Street are proof that the time is finally here. All those amazing games we spend months reading about, studying on and preparing for are released to the public, taking over our lives and fighting for both money and attention. As a result, gamers have to find a way to prioritize their time between class, homework, job, partying, Shafer and drinking. For those “lucky” ones, they also have to add a girlfriend to that long list of priorities, and this always seems to overlap on a Headquarters or Sabotage match. So what to do? I offer salvation from this unruly dilemma, 5 ways you can maintain a sane girlfriend while keeping your focus on the task at hand, capturing that damn B flag. Change the subject back to her Women love to talk about themselves. We all know this. When the conversation is asking a little too much on your end, make sure to have a quick question on hand, preferably one that will feed into her desire to talk about her favorite topic. I like to use “Hey are you and your bestie still fighting over that scarf you bought outside The Commons?” or “So what are you wearing to the party this weekend?” She gets to talk about herself, you get to wreak havoc on the leader boards; co-existence at it’s finest.
then she’s probably catching on to you. A quick pause and eye contact should ease her mind. Next bring up something important to her in a form of a question. “Hey I heard Basketball Wives is being cancelled?” This question is meant to divert her attention from what she was saying to what you just said. Hopefully this is enough to get her off your back and back to explaining how she should be on the next Real World (really…that show’s still on TV?) Press start and hop back into the game, my friend. The Key Word Concept Listen for key words in whatever she’s saying and repeat. For example, she starts off with: ”So I was walking to Cary St. Gym and some biker cut me off. Oh my God, I was so mad! My classmate got hit by a biker right outside Rhoads!” Now you respond as follows: “He cut you off… whaaat. You were mad? What, someone in your class? That’s craaazy.”
“He cut you off… whaaat. You were mad? What, someone in your class? That’s craaazy.”
Get her involved The trick here is getting her to have fun watching you have fun. I like to let my girlfriend hop on the mic to talk shit while I play. If you’re lucky some douche will rub her the wrong way. Being the chivalrous boyfriend you are, you no longer play for yourself, you play to regain her honor, all to the tune of her cheering you on. Be wary of this backfiring though. You don’t want her to get so upset she needs consoling…or do you? Hit the pause If she asks the question “Are you even listening to me?”
Keep things in the room to distract her Nothing’s worse to a gamer then a bored girlfriend. I liked to have my laptop fully charged and ready to go whenever she needs it. I also have various magazines and books to tickle her fancy as well. Unfortunately, this never works and she would just rather talk to me than read a book or surf the web… but every girl is different, right? Take it from me guys, there’s nothing more frustrating than trying to own your best friend on Xbox LIVE, only to lose because you’re arguing with your girlfriend over what she just said 10 seconds ago. Forget about the Great Wall of China or the Taj Mahal, the true wonder of the world is why women feel the need to talk to their man while he’s knee deep in a Domination match, only to huff and puff and blow his virtual house down when she realizes he’s not listening. There’s no chance of understanding them, only co-existing with them. With these few tips you should be able to do so a little bit easier. Now if only someone could provide some tips on surviving shopping duty…
8. The Cronkite In the spirit of grooming, everyone appreciates a humorouslygroomed mustache. Everyone is aware of the politically incorrect Hitler-stache, so choose something a little more original. Walter Cronkite had a kickass mustache and he was a pretty cool dude, so modeling your stash after his will get you major kudos. 7. The Chuck Norris This will really only work if you’re a ginger. And if you are a ginger this is really the only thing you have going for you if you’re not shaving your beard. Growing your beard out will give you an excuse to uppercut anyone who makes fun of your wonderfully-colored hair. 6. Patches Nothing is more disgusting than a man who looks like he has pubes on his face. If you’re unable to grow consistent facial hair, why would you show it off by donning a beard that’s half on your chin and half on your cheek? 5. Walrus mustache This style really only works if you’re fat, or at least have a fat face. Just grow that mustache out and curl it around the sides of your mouth to achieve the walrus look. If you have a few years of wisdom behind you then you may end up looking like Wilford Brimley’s diabetic ass. 4. The Novelty Novelty beards and mustaches are works of art. One of the most popular of the novelty styles is a braided beard. If you’re supercool then there will be a bead at the end. A personal favorite is the Salvador Dali stash. Just dip your face in hair gel and you’ll be able to twist that mustache into the geometric shape of your choice. 3. The Jesus Jesus beards date back to the early 0th century, but if you look around your campus in November, these bad boys are everywhere. Throw on a robe and a pair of slippers and walk around granting people miracles. People seem to want to talk to guys who look like Jesus. You’ll make so many new friends that this beard might turn into a permanent asset. 2. The Chewbacca We’ve all seen them. Those guys whose faces look like a Pekinese. The Chewbacca look is when your hair and your beard are both the same length, and usually halfway down your back. Sometimes it will work in a guy’s favor and make him look all friendly cuddly. Other times, if it’s dark, you may be able to growl and chase people away. 1. The Osama Hopefully you’re not trying to travel for Thanksgiving because you won’t even make it past airport security. If you shave on a daily basis, then odds are that you’re going to be rocking an ‘Osama’ within the first two weeks. If you’re foreign then we hope you have an American name, otherwise consider changing it to something like John or Mike just to avoid unwanted accusations of being a terrorist.
05
www.theblacksheeponline.com
“Dude. C’mon man, PARTY FOUL...I think?” Lenton Alston wrote this
It’s 1:30 a.m. and the party just let out. You stumble across Monroe Park in an alcoholic stupor, watching the trees for danger—we’ve all heard about the homeless people that live in them. The only thing on your mind is food —Qdoba to be specific—and it’s up in your room waiting for you, sitting upon a heavenly throne of glory in your refrigerator. You somehow sober up enough to sneak into Brandt and make it past your R.A. only to drop your keys 5 times before finally unlocking you door. At last you’ve made it safe and sound (well sort of… you are drunk) and there’s nothing in the way of cheesy, beefy greatness. You walk in the room tripping over your own mouth as it hits the floor. You gaze upon your roommate, chin-deep in queso sauce. He takes the last bite and crumples up the foil, making a sound similar to that of your dreams shattering. His reasoning for this unforgivable offense: You owed him for the Five Guys you stole last weekend, and he took it upon himself to make your burrito his compensation. Karma is a mean mother… Your response: “Dude. C’mon man, PARTY FOUL!” Well…no. This is not a party foul. A party foul, by definition, is when you look over and see some hairy fat dude lifting his shirt over his head, stomach out, dancing on a wall at that party on Grace. When your roommate opens the refrigerator during your much-anticipated get-together, knocking the 4-gallon tub of jungle juice all over the floor and then tries to “make up for it” by bringing back some cheap malt liquor from 7-Eleven it’s a party foul. How about going to Element Lounge and accidentally falling into the décor and breaking it, causing a huge commotion loud enough to catch the DJ’s attention? The reason for all this unnecessary destruction: You can’t handle the girl dancing on you. Now that’s a party foul.
Whether it’s bottles being thrown or fights breaking out, anything that ends the night or causes extreme embarrassment for the perpetrator and/or their friends should be called a party foul, nothing more, nothing less. For example, dropping your beer when there are 20 more in the fridge doesn’t cut it, just get another one. Listen, sweetheart: don’t be upset for forgetting your BFF’s lip gloss back at Ackel; yeah she may look like Ashy Larry’s kinfolk, but it’s not a party foul, so don’t let her tell you otherwise. And when she tries to call you out for making a wrong turn down Main St. you say, “I hear no music and see no strobe lights. Where’s ‘Shots’ by LMFAO (You know you’re at a party if you hear that song)?” How can you have a party foul with out some sort of festivity, celebration or social gathering? Without it, it’s just a life foul and that just sounds lame. I would suggest creating a new title for these everyday life fouls, but there’s already a phrase for this—it’s called “fucking up.” You tell your friend to bring you back some Shafer-to-go, and he forgets? He fucked up. You’ve forgotten the address to the party where you would’ve committed a party foul, and end up getting lost? You fucked up. Your people leave you while you’re getting dressed and ready to get your drink on? They fucked up. Your girlfriend throws up all over the club, causing it to end? ...Well, that’s technically a party foul, but she still fucked up. There’s no reason to try and force party fouls. Plenty of screw-ups are bound to happen at any party, regardless of intention. So here’s to all you party foulers: keep ‘em coming and we’ll make sure to be there to call you on it, every single time.
@ blacksheep_vcu blacksheepvcu
Send in your pics to pics@theblacksheeponline or upload them at theblacksheeponline.com
the best in s c i p y t r a p #3: skeleton dude halloween #2: loofah
#1: angry birds
View A N Pics f D Send rom o ur App!
www.theblacksheeponline.com
Disney Princess of College
Do you remember yourself at age five? Who were your idols? If you’re a woman It’s pretty safe to say that you idolized Jasmine, Belle, Beauty, Snow White, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty or Pocahontas. Maybe you wanted to actually be one of those Disney princesses. However, everyone grows up. While many of us still dream of meeting Prince Charming, we have some very different, and perhaps less wholesome, idols. Enter, the Disney Princesses of College: Ke$ha, Britney, Rihanna, Katy Perry, Lady Gaga. Don’t we all just want to go insane go insane, throw some glitter, make it rain? These ladies live the life that we all want. They set the trends and have that killer attitude. But like everything popular and in the limelight, it must be asked: what are the implications?
It would be a lie to say that there is no evidence of the fashion trends that these party-divas set. Blinding neon clothing isn’t just for blacklight parties anymore; it’s everyday wear. A new motto has made its rounds: “If it ain’t neon, it shouldn’t be on.” College girls across the nation are embracing glitter, ripped up clothing and S-S-S & M inspired apparel. (Ladies, please avoid the meat dresses.) It manages to be a little ‘80s, a little trashy, yet totally modern and entirely classy. Truthfully, we might as well dress like this; we’re only in college for four-ish years. More realistically, we can only look outrageous and somewhat promiscuous for a few years of our lives before we start losing jobs over it.
Not only do college girls dress like their favorite red carpet princesses, they’re imitating that attitude too. You’ve heard it before: “Sorry I party.” It probably started when Ke$ha said that to her teeth after brushing them with a bottle of Jack, but now that phrase is spilling out of every 18-23 year old’s mouth. As an added bonus, this phrase even impresses the hipsters; it’s a tad bit ironic. In all seriousness, it’s more realistic to say that “Last Friday Night” is a musical interpretation of your life. What girl hasn’t resurfaced one or more mornings just to go track down her wallet, friends, missing earring and her dignity? This attitude almost becomes a pride point. It’s awesome, obscene and in-your-face. We all like to pretend we’re a little rebellious, despite the fact that we take notes in class and call our parents every Sunday. We want to stick it to The Man, but without taking a stand. It’s a lot of bright colors and consumption. Most importantly, it’s damn fun and just wild enough. So what does it all mean? We might look a little crazy now, plus our street clothes don’t really transition well into professional situations. (Did you hear the one about the girl who wore neon high-tops and a rage tank to her interview?) Our potential children will make fun of us in 30 years, but that will happen no matter what we wear now. Our eyes might semi-permanently blind from the neon, and we’ll probably be eternally glittery. (You can’t get rid of that stuff.) Maybe we’ll grow out of it... maybe not.
07
Fish Bowl
, s d n e i Fr r, o v a l F ! t s a e Bistro Bar F 101 South 15th street | (804) 562-1438 | 11am-2am daily 1800 Bar & Grill
The Bar Grid SPECIAL NIGHT
Monday - Friday (4-7) $5 Any Nacho $6 Any Pizza Other Great Specials!
THURS
$2 PBR $3 Bourbon Prime Rib Night (7-11)
FRI
$2.50 24oz. Coors Light Cans $3 Shooter Specials
SAT
$5 PBR & Shot of Bourbon $5 Red Bull Drinks $6 Pizza Night (7-11)
SUN
$2.50 PBR Tall Boys $6 Burger Build (7-11)
MON
Wing Night! $0.35 Wings from Kickoff Until 11PM (or end of game) $6 Miller Lite Pitchers $6 Yuengling Pitchers
TUES
$1 (each) Taco Bar (9PM) $2.50 Tecate Tall Boy $3 Margaritas & Tequila Shots
WED
$1 Can o’Beer of the Week $4 Any Philly Cheesesteak (7-11)
Everyday: 3-8 $2 Drinks, Drafts, Wings
SUN: BRUNCH & PUNCH Bring your Fishbowl and get $3 OFF all Fish Bowls $10 Bucket Beer $7.50 Domestic Pitchers Watch Every Game, Every Sunday
Come Try One of Our 28 Beers on Tap, Including Fat tire!
$3 Long island
LOW-TIDE 4-8pm $2 OFF Drafts, Well, Wine, and Apps FREE POKER Games @ 7:30pm & 9:30pm
Drink Specials, Live Music
$2 Rails $2 Wing Baskets
LOW-TIDE 4-8pm $2 OFF Drafts, Well, Wine, and Apps DJ ALX - Electronic, Remixes, Top 40 & Dance
Drink Specials, Live Music
$2 Rails $2 Wing Baskets
ATLANTIS Shipwrecked Saturdays DANCE, BABY DANCE DJ JINX - Top 40 & Electronica
Drink Specials, Live Music
1/2 Price Appetizers
BRUNCH & PUNCH Bring your Fishbowl and get $3 OFF all Fish Bowls $10 Bucket Beer $7.50 Domestic Pitchers Watch Every Game, Every Sunday
Sunday Funday
Monday Night Football $1 Drafts
LOW-TIDE 4-8pm $2 OFF Drafts, Well, Wine, and Apps HIGH-TIDE 8-9pm $2 Domestic Drafts, $1.00 Well Shots SERVICE INDUSTRY NIGHT $3 Undercurrents & Woo-Woos $2 Wells ALL NIGHT
Drink Specials, Live Music
LOW-TIDE 4-8pm $2 OFF Drafts, Well, Wine, and Apps HIGH-TIDE 8-9pm $2 Domestic Drafts, $1.00 Well Shots Te-quil-ya Tuesdays: $3 Sunrises, $5 Jose Shots, $5 Margaritas
Drink Specials, Live Music
LOW-TIDE 4-8pm $2 OFF Drafts, Well, Wine, and Apps HIGH-TIDE 8-9pm $2 Domestic Drafts, $1.00 Well Shots MCV & VCU NIGHT $3 OFF Select Apps, $1.50 Domestic Drafts, $5 Cherry Lifesavers
Drink Specials, Live Music
College Night 25% Food Menu $1 Tequila Shots
(Must Present Valid College ID)
$2 Drinks $2 Wings
scan for android
scan for iphone
10
Bartenderof the Issue
www.theblacksheeponline.com
Gabe Lopez ipanema cafe
what’s your first, last, and middle name? Gabe B.K. Lopez. The B.K. is a mystery. What’s your favorite drink? What’s your favorite shot? And what’s your least favorite drink? Manhattan—straight bourbon— Anything with gin. Sleep in class and get attendance points, or sleep in at home and wake up in time for daytime soap operas? Class. Tivo soap operas. Eat a poorly cooked meal by a hot crush, or killer Chinese takeout with a creeper? Poorly cooked meal. Date somebody with vampire teeth or somebody with werewolf armpit hair? Vampire teeth, of course. Should daydrinking be reserved for special occasions, or treated as a necessary habit? It’s not already treated as a necessary habit?
drinking game:
jenga!
Before a night on the town, everyone needs some good, hard wood. Yes, guys too. So strap in and sit down for a game that can get real sexy in a hurry. We’re talking about Jenga, of course. What you need: Friends (or random strangers you find on the street, but hey, up to you), Jenga, a permanent marker, and any kind of alcohol you want. Number of players: Two or more. Intoxication Level: The stack of bricks won’t be the only thing toppling over. How to Play: -Grab your Jenga game and pull out the blocks. -Write instructions on each block with your handy dandy permanent marker. You can make them really simple things like giving out drinks or you can make them more personalized. -Suggested instructions: chug your drink; take a shot; kiss the person next to you; remove an article of clothing; spend the rest of the round making chicken noises; take the drink of the person to your left; lick your foot; make a rule. -Each person must pull a block out from Jenga and follow what it says. In the event that someone makes a rule, everyone must follow it or suffer the consequences (take six!). -After the block has been pulled and the instructions have been followed, the block must be placed on a top corner of the pile. -When the pile falls, the person at fault must chug the rest of his or her drink. The Game Ends When: The tower falls or people become unable to see straight.
thirsty for more? theblacksheeponline.com/drinkage
Don’t feed the models, or don’t pay the homeless? The homeless. Please, feed the models. Do boxers take the most body shots? I think frat boys take that trophy. Barfights between best friends, or conversations between assholes? Barfights make better stories. Pay more money for better beer? Or pay less money and mooch off your roommate’s stash? Better beer at home, less money at bars. Would you suck and blow the big toe of Floyd Mayweather or Manny Pacquiao? Manny Pacquiao. Damn. Excellent Question. Good patrons or free Patron? Free Patron. Michelle Bachmann or Michelle Obama? Obama.
recipe for disaster:
Hot Dog Mac and Cheese
Remember when you were a kid and your mom made you lunch? It was probably macaroni and cheese and a hot dog on multiple occasions. I bet you miss those days. Lucky for you, there’s a college kid’s version of it! What you need: Any box of mac and cheese, any kind of hot dog, a stove, a microwave, pepper (optional), tobasco sauce (optional), and bread (also optional). Cook time: Ten minutes. Tops. Fatty factor: This all depends on your meat to pasta ratio. It’s clearly carb and sodium heavy, but who cares? You can be healthy when you graduate. Let’s Get bakin’: -Turn on the stovetop. -Boil that water. -Add the noodles and wait for them to soften. -Drain noodles. -Microwave your desired amount of hot dogs on a paper plate. Maximum 1 minute. -Add your butter to the macaroni and stir until it’s mostly melted. -Add the provided cheese packet and stir. -Add the milk (for cheesier mac and cheese, add minimal milk). -Stir until it’s all nice and creamy. -Chop up your hot dogs into small pieces. -Add the hot dogs to the macaroni and cheese. Stir. -For some extra flavor, add your desired amount of pepper and/or tobasco sauce. -If you’re in the mood for a sandwich, grab some bread and pile on the Mac and Cheese. -Get a plate, and go at it like you’re about to be fucking executed. Or if you’re in the mood for something lighter and more hilarious, eat it in front of your friends and make panting noises as you chew. This lets them know how orgasmic it is. This recipe is awesome because it’s a throwback to your childhood. It’s cheap and affordable (ideal college kid foods), and if you decide to use the bread, it’s even going to help out your hangover!
11
www.theblacksheeponline.com
Party On, Feminists! Being a feminist is hard. Aside from the “not shaving your armpits, hating the male race, and always being asked if you’re gay” stereotype that comes with being one, being a feminist at VCU comes with a certain stigma: you’re expected to be in an Occupy Richmond protest or something. But what makes it even harder? Being a feminist that loves to party. Here are a few tips to help you women’s rights activists do some right on the dance floor. For the average feminist it takes a little more prep time to be a partying feminist who isn’t judged as being a “slut” or a “whore.” For example: picking out the perfect outfit. For any old college skank it’s as easy as throwing on a mini skirt and skimpy, cleavage-bearing top. It’s a bit harder picking out a party-friendly and feminist-friendly outfit that not only screams, “treat me and all other women with respect,” but also “look how sexy I am.” It’s a fact, you want to have fun, but you also learned from Liz Canfield’s class that a lot of people in this society still succumb to the European patriarchal political thought brought over here hundreds of years ago when they settled, so… if you know what all that junk means, you know that you don’t want to be grouped into that demographic. Another valid question that can be brought to the table is: “Can I be a feminist and still drink?” Or “Can I still be the girl dancing on the table at parties?” Duh, of course you can! Everyone likes to dance, sober or not, and along with that, everyone likes to dance on table, so get on top and show ‘em what you
Kiara Powell wrote this
got…n a classy and dignified manner. As for the feminist rants you may go on when you’ve had a few, try to go easy on them. It’s kind of hard to explain your feminist thoughts and theories to others after you’ve downed a couple of PBRs. Although your well-thought-out theory was amazing because you learned so much in Women’s 201, no one is going to take your lecture seriously; they’re just going to think you’re a crazy liberal drunk preaching women’s rights at 2a.m. Let’s take walking home from a party as a prime example of the difficulties being a VCU feminist. You may give people the wrong impression with that short skirt you’re wearing. Suddenly all the creepy Richmond locals and random guys from Union and trying to talk to you. Really, all you want to do is take your ass home for some sack time. No, you’re not interested in walking over to the guy who says “Hey boo, what’s your name?” Your name isn’t “boo.” Sure, it’s a nice gesture that they would like to help walk you home, but you’ve got it yourself. After all, you’re a strong, independent woman who doesn’t need a man’s help getting home at night (even though you’re also a smart and independent woman who know how to use the buddy system, so you would never be walking home alone in the first place). Along with that, there are a lot of creepy nooks and crannies around campus that they could sweep you into. You’re not stupid.
A lot of people believe that feminists, especially the ones at VCU, are the type of girls that wear no bras, don’t shave their armpits, and have a lot of piercings everywhere. But surprise, surprise! Feminists are all around you, more than you think. She could be the cute sorority girl in the sorority you lust after, the Broadcast Journalism major, the random girl dancing on the table at a party on Leigh Street, or she could be the girl that wears no bra, doesn’t shave her armpits and has piercings everywhere. Bottom line is, even though you may think that you’re going against the grain of a “typical” feminist, don’t worry. You’re still allowed to do normal college things; it just may take a little more thought before you do it.
come join the team Writers | Marketers | Ad Sales | Groupies GET AT US: VCUJobs@theblacksheeponline.com
12
www.theblacksheeponline.com
the entertainment page the black sheep interviews:
12 planet th
The Black Sheep: How did you get involved making dubstep music? Was there a moment you first heard dubstep and you realized that’s what you wanted to do? 12th Planet: Before the whole dubstep explosion I was producing and DJing drum and bass, my alias was Infiltrata and I was touring really, really hard. I was always going to England, and I was also playing in Europe, Canada, and all over the US. I got to hang out in Europe in 2005 or 2006, and I played this show that had a checkin room with a screen playing this music that sounded like slow drum and bass, and I was like, “What is this stuff?,” like I kind of didn’t like it at first. I just thought it was some sick joke. One of my boys was like “Have you ever heard this music dubstep?” I went to England again to that same place for New Year’s Eve and we saw how fast dubstep was, we heard like 40 different languages in one night. It was people from Slovakia and China and people from Hungary and Amsterdam and France and everyone was there to just support the movement, and this was in 2006? Maybe 2007? That’s when I got hooked, it just blew my mind, everything about it. TBS: How would you describe how dubstep differs from regular electronic music? 12th Planet: The difference was more blatant four or five years ago, but I think where dubstep is now is this kind of melting pot of like electro house and big room house and rave, and drum and bass all put into one. It used to just be noises, like all other electronic music, but it had different BPM, beats per minutes. It has 140 beats per minute, but the people singing are at half-time, like 70 BPM, but the rest of the energy on the track is at 140 BPM. That’s
Rising dubstep DJ, 12th Planet, has more enthusiasm than you could pack into a bottle rocket. This LA native can talk for hours, about getting his DJ name from a book about aliens (“It will fucking change you life. It fucked me up so hard.”) to what he calls his bong (“I think it’s just called ‘The Lakers Bong.’”) But mostly this down-to-earth dude loves making music, preferably with Skrillex at all times of the day, and performing for the masses. Check him out with Skrillex on The Mothership Tour, hitting up towns all around the US.
JESS SOMMERS WROTE THIS
the difference between all the other electronic music and dubstep, the beats per minute. TBS: How do you go about making a new song and new beats? 12th Planet: I just get a little inspiration and smoke a little weed and just start writing. I don’t start with drums or start with bass, I just do whatever I feel like. If I have a sample I’ll start with the sample and build around, but if I have a drum kit that I made I’ll just start with that drum kit, or if I’m messing around with a razor or something that makes a cool noise, I’ll just make a song from there. Sometimes they see the light of day, sometime they don’t. One out of every 15 tracks sees the light of day. TBS: You’re on tour now with Skrillex, and it seems like you guys are pretty good friends. How did you guys meet? 12th Planet: Oh, that’s my bud. That’s a damn good question. He was always that kid that was at the shows and we’d talk about the songs that were playing. Then we saw each other at Coachella like two years ago and he started sending me tracks and I fell in love with them right off the bat. Before he started making beats by himself he was in that band From First to Last which was a vocal project, and in those tracks he had sick production and the songwriting was amazing. So I invited him to come sing his songs on my sets, so we did that two or three times and we’ve just been close every since. He lives in downtown LA, I live in downtown, we have a lot of the same friends. It’s always party time. TBS: What can someone expect from a 12th Planet Show?
thanks for nothing, thanksgiving! Music: Mary J. BligeMy Life II…The Journey Continues Release Date: November 21, 2011 Why It’ll Shut ‘Em Up: The soulful wail of Mrs. Blige is the siren song for recently-broken hearts. Even if you’re serially single, keep this album on repeat— and loud—to make sure that no one joins you in the fake frown town you’ve built. If any siblings don’t fall for the ruse, you’re going to have to recruit them, we suggest offering a 20% cut of whatever your parents give you for pity presents.
12th Planet: Lots of jumping and girls taking their shirts off and crowd-surfing and people rushing the barricade and having so much fun. TBS: Do you have any pre-show rituals or post-show rituals? 12th Planet: I used to just drink a lot, but now I’m just sober for all my shows, so that’s my ritual now. It used to be instead of trying to entertain everybody else it was just me partying and DJing for myself. Now it’s like, since I’m on this tour and playing 5000 capacity rooms you kind of have to be on point and interact with the crowd and have a better performance. So I was like that [inebriated] for the last two or three years but the last couple of months, the last 40 or 50 shows, I’ve been kind of sober. That’s my pre-show ritual now; my post-show ritual is to get drunk. TBS: What’s the first thing you’re drinking? 12th Planet: I’m drinking Stella. It’s my favorite beer, it’s on my rider. That and vodka and sugarfree Red Bull. TBS: What else is on your rider? 12th Planet: A bucket of fried chicken, grape soda, Magnum condoms, watermelon and grapes. TBS: If you could collaborate with anybody dead or alive, who would you pick? 12th Planet: Skrillex, every day of the week. If I could I’d work with him every minute of every day. TBS: So I have a feeling I already know this answer, but if you were trapped in an elevator for 24-hours who is the one person you
wish you were stuck with? 12th Planet: Skrillex, that’s my boy. We’d make that empty elevator a party, we’d probably make music off the level buttons on the elevator, maybe hit the fire alarm a few times. Record it on a phone and call it a day. TBS: In your dressing room, or in life, would you prefer to have a chocolate fountain or a melted cheese fountain? 12th Planet: A chocolate fountain. But the cheese does sound kind of good, too. I can’t answer that question. If it’s nacho cheese to dip nachos in it, then I’m going with that. TBS: Finish this sentence: “Nothing turns me on more than…” 12th Planet: Oh. That’s a tough one. I should go with the obvious, but that’s not interesting. Oh gosh, fuck. I mean… uh… uh… oh god this is tough! TBS: If you want to say “tits and ass” you can say that. 12th Planet: Tits and ass, dude! Let’s go with that. That’s the honest to God truth. Watching Breaking Bad turns me on, too. JESS SOMMERS WROTE THIS
Excited to spend some quality time with the family this Thanksgiving? Didn’t think so. Here’s some Thanksgiving releases that scream, “My media intake is more important than talking to you.” By: Brendan
Movie: The Muppets Release Date: November 23, 2011 Why It’ll Shut ‘Em Up: Your parents grew up during the Muppets’ heyday, back when they’d light up a jay, flip on channel 2 and mellow out before a night on the town. They’ll know exactly why you’re seeing this movie, but will be too scared of potential confrontation to call you out on your motives.
Video Game: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 Release Date: November 8, 2011 Why It’ll Shut ‘Em Up: “I swear to shit you little scummy jizz taster, try to come in here again and I’ll fistfuck your decapitated mom’s neckhole.” Your parents will assume the machine gun swearing directed towards 13-year-olds coming from your side of the door is meant for them. They never knew you thought about grandma that way, especially after she died in that horrific guillotine accident.
13
www.theblacksheeponline.com
Matt Kearney
the interview
We got to chat with Mat Kearney, a passionate 30-something singer/songwriter/storyteller to talk about life as an ever evolving musician. Be sure to check out Kearney’s latest album Young Love, as well as on a tour near you. By: Brendan The Black Sheep: How do you describe yourself as a musician?
Mat Kearney: Not very well. I tend to say I’m a songwriter but when I think “What kind of music?” it’s somewhere between melodic storytelling and beats. I haven’t quite figured out how I fit into the whole thing, I can’t tell if that’s what makes me annoying or endearing, but I’m trying to figure that out myself. TBS: If you were to describe yourself in 5 words to a stranger, what words would you use? MK: Storyteller, epic, melodic, beat-driven, songwriter. TBS: You talk about where you do and do not fit in, and you’ve said that your influences range from Bob Dylan to A Tribe Called Quest. When you write music, do you purposely try to incorporate those contrasting sounds or is it just natural? MK: It’s a natural evolution, it’s reconciling where you’ve come from and what you’re into currently. [When I was young] I was a little skater kid that listened to a lot of hip-hop music and ran around getting arrested for doing graffiti on things, and then I went to college and become a literature major and prided myself on my ability to write. At the core I still love rhythmic story telling but I also fall in love with different kinds of music every day. TBS: Who are some musicians today that you really enjoy? MK: I really love Drake’s last record, if we’re talking about hip-hop. I still think Tom Waits is the greatest living. I really like Adele’s record, I know it’s a huge record. I really enjoy the new Noah and the Whale, too. TBS: How do you go through the songwriting process when it’s just you and your guitar? Do you ever hesitate because there isn’t really someone to check you, or do you like not having to run your ideas past someone else? MK: I think I have a cool thing going because when it comes to sitting down and writing a song by myself there’s a magic in that that happens and I do that. There’s songs like “Learning to Love Again” and “Rochester” on my record that are just me and a guitar in my living room. But a lot of songs that I write, the music is a collaboration. A lot of the record we would sit down and create beats and grooves and changes, almost like a hip-hop record. Then I would take it away and try to write the most gut-wrenching story over the grooves. Maybe we would add guitar later so I had something to do on stage, but there are a lot of collaborations going on. TBS: Do you go into writing a new album with an idea in mind? How much thought goes into an album? MK: It’s much more organic, how the songs come out. Singer/songwriters get boring most of the time, so I knew that I wanted to have moments where you would put this record on in your car and it would make your head bob. But I also knew
CD REVIEW
Out Now
summer camp
Welcome to Condale
We’ll be welcomed back to Summer Camp any day.
When I think of the noun “summer camp,” visions of running around in a wet swimsuit, flirting with the boys in the older cabins and maxing out on popsicles is what floods my mind. The music that could be the proverbial soundtrack to all of that carefree nonsense is inconsequently from a London duo called Summer Camp who, despite only making music together for about two years, have managed to make their mark on the fuzzy-wuzzy buzzband circuit. And maybe because they look so good with that sunkissed glow. Welcome to Condale starts off with a great catchy pop tune “Better Off Without You” that sounds vaguely 80s but in the best, most genuine way. The album continues on in a similar poppy fashion, with spurts of interesting interludes like the beginning of “I Want You,” which sounds like the beginning of a dramatic movie scene and continues on with somewhat daunting lyrics and slow-downed techno beats. The British influence on the band is somehow more prominent during the track “Losing My Mind” where both members of the band come in for vocals, providing that nice texture of varying vocal styles. “Down” is another awesome, catchy tune that makes you want to do the running man in neon leg-warmers, like, so badly. Their stand-out track, though, is “Ghost Train” which starts off with a
B+
spoken break-up (“I wanna get hurt!”) and continues on into a beautifully orchestrated song that has all the makings for a summer romance. Or a winter romance—something has to keep you warm these days. Either way, this will be a track you’ll have on repeat and be so content about it. While the album does an overall great job with the music and the lyrics, it could stand for a little bit more diversity. The slower songs come at you like an unexpected wedgie, one that you couldn’t even laugh at later. But what’s great about Summer Camp is their unique sound, and that they own it. For seemingly ripping off any number of ‘80s band, this group plays it up perfectly without being forced or kitsch, yet still manages to put a hip 2000s spin on it that is as much refreshing as it is beneficial. To be able to strike that balance shows their legitimate talent, and is what gives me hope that this group will continue to do great things. Hopefully they’ll be back next year… please, please let them be back next year, but with smoother skin and no more braces. Sounds Like: Summertime in 1985. Download: Ghost Train, Down, 1988 Listen to it When: The cold is getting you down, and so is 2011.
that I wanted to have these stories that had to follow, these gut-wrenching narratives of people. I want one of those people to be myself and those people around me, and I guess that’s all I knew when I set out to make this record. Me falling in love and getting married and that part of my life, there are a lot of songs about that butterfly-in-your-stomach thing, because I was going through that. TBS: How do you strike that balance between experimenting with music and knowing that fans and others above you have expectations of you? MK: I don’t know how to do that, I struggle with that. On this record I didn’t make a licensing record, which I’ve been known to do. I wrote about a lot of specifics and I know that doesn’t always work well when you’re trying to license it, but I just felt like I needed to do that for my own sake and for a story that I wanted to tell. You don’t want to totally change the rules on your fans every record, but I think my voice and my writing approach and the stories I choose to write about, people can relate to that stylistically and also emotionally. TBS: How is the touring lifestyle different for someone who plays on stage alone? MK: We’re a 5-piece band and it’s pretty rock-heavy; I more model myself after Bruce Springsteen then Bob Dylan. I’ve had guys that have played with me for six years and they are some of my best friends and they play on my records. It’s an interesting existence because at the end of the day you have the final say, but there’s a lot of times where it’s very democratic process, much like a band. I don’t think I get the full benefit of the camaraderie that comes with being in a band; there’s some days where this is a job for some people, and with all the traveling it gets lonely. I try to level the playing field so they feel respected as band members on stage. It’s a weird distance. I think the way I’ve gotten around it is just hiring really good friends. TBS: If you had the opportunity to collaborate with someone living or dead, who would you choose? MK: Bruce Springsteen or Jay-Z. It’d be exciting. TBS: If tomorrows aliens come to planet Earth and they chose you to fight for the survival of the world with any one thing, what topic do you take them on in? MK: I would put them in a navigational challenge – I am like Magellan in my head, man. Meet me anywhere, and I know exactly what direction we are in. I know where I am at all moments, it’s kind of spooky to people. I know the quickest route to everywhere we’re going, always. TBS: What goes on your perfect sandwich? MK: It would be pepper turkey, Muenster cheese, lettuce, red onions, balsamic vinegar. Classic. It works every time.
REMIND YOU OF YOUR DORM ROOM? WELL THEN, YOU SHOULD HAVE NO PROBLEM FINDING THE TEN ITEMS HIDDEN BELOW. IF YOU DO, EMAIL US AT FIND@THEBLACKSHEEPONLINE.COM AND WIN A (SWEET) PRIZE!
( class time )
6 degrees of seperation
Know how these two are connected? Submit your answer to 6degrees@theblacksheeponline.com to possibly win a sweet prize!
? Dylan mcdermott
Kiara Powell Lenton Alston
Advertising Manager Lenton Alston Samson Desta
campus director Brendan Bonham
distribution Manager Yosief Yohannes Marketing Manager Zack Zedd
Founders Sarah Aboulhosn Lenton Alston Mecca Fowler Brendan Bonham Atish Doshi Heather-Jo Erickson Jimmy DeBlasio Jessica Sommers
Marketing/PR Team Peter Pagan Chelsea Simms Elizabeth Macfarlane Jasmine Kent
info@theblacksheeponline.com
technical editor Dylan N. Williams
ads@theblacksheeponline.com
Writers Andy Tran Talisha Williams
Questions?
Advertising?
?
?
Meet The Staff! campus manager Sarah Aboulhosn
? Find Us At...
Mojos Village Cafe Little Mexico 821 Cafe Strange Matter Cous Cous Bellytimber Roxy Cafe Starlite The Camel Godfreys
Cha Cha’s Lucky Buddha Off The Hookah Rumors Clothing Crossroads Ice Cream Virginia Book Company Plaza art supply shop Apprentice Hair
Salon on Cary Ramz Nails Fine Foods Panda Garden Sticky Rice Bodillaz Baja City Dogs Empire Bar 1800 River City Diner
PLUS ALL GREEK HOUSES AND ACADEMIC BUILDINGS AND STREET TEAMS GALORE AND MORE!
Disclaimer The Black Sheep in no way promotes, encourages or supports binge drinking, and/or under-age drinking. This newspaper is designed for entertainment purposes only and does not recommend attempting anything printed in this publication. The content does not always reflect the views of the staff, it is for entertainment purposes only. Please drink...responsibly and legally. Owned & Operated By: Black Card Media, LLC P.O. Box 221385 Chicago, IL 60622 217.390.1747
beyonce knowles
Come Join the Team! We're looking to bring on some writers, marketers, and groupies. Think you got what it takes? Email us at jobs@theblacksheeponline.com or apply online!