Originally published May 21, 2008 in The Orion.
Direct link to article
On part of Chico punk group Gruk's 2007 summer tour, audiences heard guitarist Scribles simultaneously play guitar and bass. He did not perform a contortionist trick, but when the band's bassist unexpectedly left the tour, Scribles covered by playing through both a bass and guitar amp.
Band members leaving midway through a tour is one example of the sudden adventures that bands face while on tour, said Rachel Loveless, Gruk vocalist. In order to have a successful tour, band members have to think on their feet and quickly come up with creative solutions.
But unforeseen problems are not stopping Gruk and other Chico bands from travelling the United States this summer.
Gruk, which also includes drummer Sean "Hipmo" Cummins and new bassist Logan "Ziptie" Keyser, have been on five national tours but will visit cities this summer they have never played, Cummins said. The band will grace Knoxville, Tenn., and Waco, Texas, with its fast and gritty punk music for the first time.
Loveless and Cummins booked all the dates themselves and are excited to spend time with friends across the country that they rarely see, Cummins said.
While Gruk's tour will reach the East Coast, The Shimmies and Social Concern plan to stay west for their summer tours.
Social Concern, which includes bassist Ami Rose, guitarist and vocalist Sarah Shintaku and drummer Bryan Lyon, is taking its punk rock sounds up the West Coast, but will venture out to Montana, Idaho and Utah.
Dreamy indie-rockers The Shimmies, is comprised of Jack Gingerich on drums and brothers Jimmy and Sean Galloway on guitar and vocals and Stephen Galloway on bass. The band will travel to Seattle and down to Los Angeles, said Sean Galloway. With the help of a friend, band members also booked the tour themselves.
This summer marks The Shimmies' first tour, but Sean Galloway did not have trouble booking shows in other cities, he said. Band members have made friends with touring bands that play in Chico, and when members of The Shimmies decided to go on tour they called upon their friends.
Gruk used the same strategy, but the booking process was a little harder than most tours because the band plays a lot of house and basement shows, Loveless said. It's hard to get in contact with people because they move or no longer host shows.
Social Concern had similar booking issues with venues and also discovered dates fill up fast because so many bands plan summer tours, Shintaku said.
While booking shows may be time consuming and frustrating, there are benefits to touring during the summer.
Attendance at Gruk shows is higher during the summer because students do not have to worry about school, Loveless said.
Members of The Shimmies are looking forward to escaping the Chico heat, Sean Galloway said.
Selling band merchandise also helps cover tour expenses, said Jimmy Galloway. All three bands will be selling T-shirts and CDs.
The bands are committed to reaching out to other cities, but Chico musicians will miss some things.
Both Loveless and Scribles miss taco trucks, friends and inexpensive beer, they said.
Members of The Shimmies miss the laid-back Chico atmosphere, Jimmy Galloway said.
"The stress level is higher in some cities, and I start thinking how people in Chico are napping."
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Album Review: Xiu Xiu - Women As Lovers
Originally published May 14, 2008 in The Orion
Xiu Xiu
Women As Lovers
Kill Rock Stars, 2008
3/5 stars
Listeners who are not prepared for the dark and chaotic sounds of Oakland's Xiu Xiu may question the band's sanity.
After several listens, music lovers can appreciate the quirkiness of the dissonant sounds and find honesty.
The band is known for its avant-garde spin on indie rock and an array of instruments that seem to crash into each other. The opening track, "I Do What I Want, When I Want," seems innocent with sweet touches of xylophone and whistles, but loud bursts of saxophone interrupt the peace.
Songwriter Jamie Stewart alternates from haunting vocals to sincere whispers. Stewart is able to portray every emotion in his voice. In "In Lust You Can Hear the Axe Fall," he cries out lyrics, making listeners feel his pain. "No Friend Oh!" is a more delicate tune with piano lines and gentle vocals.
"Women As Lovers" is out of the ordinary and may not be for everyone, but those who have the patience to listen to it more than once will dig Xiu Xiu's creativity.
Xiu Xiu
Women As Lovers
Kill Rock Stars, 2008
3/5 stars
Listeners who are not prepared for the dark and chaotic sounds of Oakland's Xiu Xiu may question the band's sanity.After several listens, music lovers can appreciate the quirkiness of the dissonant sounds and find honesty.
The band is known for its avant-garde spin on indie rock and an array of instruments that seem to crash into each other. The opening track, "I Do What I Want, When I Want," seems innocent with sweet touches of xylophone and whistles, but loud bursts of saxophone interrupt the peace.
Songwriter Jamie Stewart alternates from haunting vocals to sincere whispers. Stewart is able to portray every emotion in his voice. In "In Lust You Can Hear the Axe Fall," he cries out lyrics, making listeners feel his pain. "No Friend Oh!" is a more delicate tune with piano lines and gentle vocals.
"Women As Lovers" is out of the ordinary and may not be for everyone, but those who have the patience to listen to it more than once will dig Xiu Xiu's creativity.
Mario gets a political makeover with Ayres exhibit
Originally published May 14, 2008 in The Orion.
Direct link to article
For two weeks, Chico State had its own arcade with classic Nintendo games.
Groups of people wandered into Ayres Hall to scope out the games as senior Ryan Fitzpatrick hosted the reception for his bachelor of fine arts culminating exhibition Thursday. The exhibition, called "Eeprompaganda," included three well-known Nintendo games with a political twist.
Fitzpatrick reprogrammed the beloved "Super Mario Brothers" and turned it into "Super Democracy Brothers: The Global Struggle Against Violent Extremism." Instead of Mario and Luigi hopping over pipes and fighting creepy creatures, players were able to choose from President George Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney to fight Iraqi men.
The two men run around the desert, encounter men in turbans and hop over oil bins with Exxon Mobil labels. Every time Bush acquires a token, he grows taller and becomes a cowboy. The detail on the game is impeccable. The blocks the players jump on are decorated with U.S. flags.
Senior Ama Stewart had trouble picking a favorite video game, but ultimately chose "Super Democracy Brothers" because the war in Iraq is an important and timely issue, she said.
"It's a great way to get people who aren't political to see our country in a different way," Stewart said.
Republicans were not the only political party portrayed in the exhibit.
Another game in the Mario series dealt with universal health care. "Dr. Mario" was transformed into "Doctor Democrat." The words "Hillary Care" stretched across the top of the screen and players became Dr. Hillary Clinton. The object of the game was to arrange pills into a medicine container, similarly to "Tetris."
The third game in the exhibit was called "Minuteman Civil Defense Headquarters Presents: Border Stampede," inspired by the "Millipede" video game. As the game began, the words "use your binoculars to stop the invasion," flashed on the screen.
The issue in this game was immigration, and players were presented with two lands. On top, the screen was covered with desert land and cacti. The lower half was a bright green land. Scorpions, snakes and little brown men scurried down the screen and shuffled around the cacti. The player received points for every shot. If the player was unsuccessful, the game ended with the statement, "the border has been overrun."
The war in Iraq, health care and immigration are all controversial, but the games were created in good taste. The games did not show a preference for one political party, but they hinted toward changing the state of affairs.
Fitzpatrick was afraid people would miss the comical aspect of the exhibit and find the games offensive, he said. He made sure his exhibit statement was visible so people could read about his intent. In the statement, he wrote about his curiosity with American culture symbols and the influence they have on thinking.
He came up with the idea of using video games as a way to deliver his message after discovering the game Fitzpatrick said. The U.S. Army uses the game as a recruitment tool, and it is available free online.
Fitzpatrick was also influenced by political talk shows on AM radio, he said. Instead of focusing on content, hosts work to elicit responses from listeners.
"They dumb down the issues to a ridiculous level," he said.
Depicting issues through video games is a way to mock the simplification used on radio shows, he said.
However, the process of reprogramming the games was not simple, Fitzpatrick, said. The name of the exhibit is a combination of the acronym EEPROM and the word propaganda. The acronym stands for "electrically erasable programmable read-only memory." Fitzpatrick spent a year altering the memory chips of Nintendo games. The game system ran the games as if they were the originals.
The altered games had the nostalgic feeling and entertainment factor of the original games. Gallery viewers were not hesitant to play the games.
Senior Tamara Webb attended the reception and played all three video games, she said. She admired the way the games contained context regarding political issues.
"I've never seen a gallery so full at all times."
Direct link to article
For two weeks, Chico State had its own arcade with classic Nintendo games.
Groups of people wandered into Ayres Hall to scope out the games as senior Ryan Fitzpatrick hosted the reception for his bachelor of fine arts culminating exhibition Thursday. The exhibition, called "Eeprompaganda," included three well-known Nintendo games with a political twist.
Fitzpatrick reprogrammed the beloved "Super Mario Brothers" and turned it into "Super Democracy Brothers: The Global Struggle Against Violent Extremism." Instead of Mario and Luigi hopping over pipes and fighting creepy creatures, players were able to choose from President George Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney to fight Iraqi men.
The two men run around the desert, encounter men in turbans and hop over oil bins with Exxon Mobil labels. Every time Bush acquires a token, he grows taller and becomes a cowboy. The detail on the game is impeccable. The blocks the players jump on are decorated with U.S. flags.
Senior Ama Stewart had trouble picking a favorite video game, but ultimately chose "Super Democracy Brothers" because the war in Iraq is an important and timely issue, she said.
"It's a great way to get people who aren't political to see our country in a different way," Stewart said.
Republicans were not the only political party portrayed in the exhibit.
Another game in the Mario series dealt with universal health care. "Dr. Mario" was transformed into "Doctor Democrat." The words "Hillary Care" stretched across the top of the screen and players became Dr. Hillary Clinton. The object of the game was to arrange pills into a medicine container, similarly to "Tetris."
The third game in the exhibit was called "Minuteman Civil Defense Headquarters Presents: Border Stampede," inspired by the "Millipede" video game. As the game began, the words "use your binoculars to stop the invasion," flashed on the screen.
The issue in this game was immigration, and players were presented with two lands. On top, the screen was covered with desert land and cacti. The lower half was a bright green land. Scorpions, snakes and little brown men scurried down the screen and shuffled around the cacti. The player received points for every shot. If the player was unsuccessful, the game ended with the statement, "the border has been overrun."
The war in Iraq, health care and immigration are all controversial, but the games were created in good taste. The games did not show a preference for one political party, but they hinted toward changing the state of affairs.
Fitzpatrick was afraid people would miss the comical aspect of the exhibit and find the games offensive, he said. He made sure his exhibit statement was visible so people could read about his intent. In the statement, he wrote about his curiosity with American culture symbols and the influence they have on thinking.
He came up with the idea of using video games as a way to deliver his message after discovering the game Fitzpatrick said. The U.S. Army uses the game as a recruitment tool, and it is available free online.
Fitzpatrick was also influenced by political talk shows on AM radio, he said. Instead of focusing on content, hosts work to elicit responses from listeners.
"They dumb down the issues to a ridiculous level," he said.
Depicting issues through video games is a way to mock the simplification used on radio shows, he said.
However, the process of reprogramming the games was not simple, Fitzpatrick, said. The name of the exhibit is a combination of the acronym EEPROM and the word propaganda. The acronym stands for "electrically erasable programmable read-only memory." Fitzpatrick spent a year altering the memory chips of Nintendo games. The game system ran the games as if they were the originals.
The altered games had the nostalgic feeling and entertainment factor of the original games. Gallery viewers were not hesitant to play the games.
Senior Tamara Webb attended the reception and played all three video games, she said. She admired the way the games contained context regarding political issues.
"I've never seen a gallery so full at all times."
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Album Review: Foals - Antidotes
Originally published May 07, 2008 in The Orion
Foals
Antidotes
Sub Pop Records, 2008
3/5 stars
Foals' debut album plays out like a sad tale on the dance floor.
The band from Oxford England, follows the lead of Bloc Party and Arctic Monkeys with a subtle yet powerful dance-punk sound. The instrumentation is sleek and bright, but the album has an alarming sense of nostalgia. Lead singer and guitarist Yannis Philippakis adds tension with exerted and alert vocals.
Despite the melancholy mood, "Antidotes" is undoubtedly dance party material with screeching guitars, stirring bass lines, spacey keyboards and chipping cymbals. The sporadic use of trumpet, trombone and saxophone stretches out songs to give them a lot of breathing room and allow listeners to indulge in the music.
While songs such as "Cassius" are exciting and catchy, most songs on "Antidotes" sound solitary.
Foals is off to a great start, but needs to add more personality.
Foals
Antidotes
Sub Pop Records, 2008
3/5 stars
Foals' debut album plays out like a sad tale on the dance floor.The band from Oxford England, follows the lead of Bloc Party and Arctic Monkeys with a subtle yet powerful dance-punk sound. The instrumentation is sleek and bright, but the album has an alarming sense of nostalgia. Lead singer and guitarist Yannis Philippakis adds tension with exerted and alert vocals.
Despite the melancholy mood, "Antidotes" is undoubtedly dance party material with screeching guitars, stirring bass lines, spacey keyboards and chipping cymbals. The sporadic use of trumpet, trombone and saxophone stretches out songs to give them a lot of breathing room and allow listeners to indulge in the music.
While songs such as "Cassius" are exciting and catchy, most songs on "Antidotes" sound solitary.
Foals is off to a great start, but needs to add more personality.
Jazz X-Press to groove for benefit at Nick's Night Club
Originally published May 07, 2008 in The Orion.
Direct link to article
Graffiti is welcome in few places on campus, but associate professor Rocky Winslow proudly displays his decorated office walls, tagged by distinguished jazz musicians including Bobby Shew and Lori Bell.
Winslow is the director of the jazz studies program and the student ensemble Jazz X-Press. Since joining the music faculty in 2002, Winslow has helped bring big-name performers to Chico, allowing students to learn from the jazz veterans. However, Jazz X-Press will go directly to the action in June, traveling to Telluride, Colo., for the Telluride Jazz Celebration.
Jazz X-Press will be the only university-affiliated group sharing the stage with artists such as The Neville Brothers, McCoy Tyner and Joe Lovano, Winslow said. Winslow has played the festival on other occasions, but the executive director of the festival, Paul Machado, invited Jazz X-Press to perform after watching a video of the ensemble on YouTube.
One perk of playing the festival is backstage passes, which will allow students to interact with all the festival performers, Winslow said. Before the students get there, they need to raise about $16,000 to cover bus, housing and food expenses for the 25-member ensemble.
The university has been a big supporter, but the group has held performances and sought help from the community, he said. Jazz X-Press will be playing a benefit show Saturday at Nick's Night Club.
The benefit show proves Winslow is not the only person with connections because it was organized by one of the students.
Tino Marrufo, grad student in ethnomusicology, plays percussion for Jazz X-Press, but is also a member of various rock bands including Mute Witness, he said. He has worked on several rock shows with Katie Perry, founder of Chico's Devil Kat Rock Productions and booking agent for Nick's Night Club, so it was natural for him to reach out to her on behalf of Jazz X-Press.
"That's what's cool about the Chico music scene, we build relationships," he said.
The show will be a new experience for both Jazz X-Press and Nick's Night Club, Marrufo said. Jazz X-Press is used to playing venues on campus such as Harlen Adams Theatre, while Nick's Night Club usually hosts punk and metal shows. Marrufo thinks it will be a great experience and add diversity to the music scene.
Winslow sees the show as a road test, he said. The Nick's Night Club stage is much smaller than the Harlen Adams Theatre stage, so the ensemble will have to learn to adjust. The situation is much like touring, where bands usually do not know what to expect from one club to the next.
"It's going to have a big education factor," Winslow said.
Learning to be flexible will be helpful when the ensemble performs at the Telluride Jazz Celebration, which has a diverse audience, he said. Jazz X-Press is scheduled to play more than one set at the four-day festival, and Winslow hopes the group will get a chance to play a variety of compositions.
Watching how other musicians work also serves as a learning experience, because with backstage passes students will be able to talk to other musicians, Marrufo said. Jazz is known for its roots in oral tradition, and students will have the opportunity to hear stories from many of the artists that they learn about in their classes.
"The experience will be educational, spiritual and social," he said.
With such a large ensemble, good social skills are a necessity.
Tanner Johns, a senior music education major, plays lead alto saxophone for Jazz X-Press and depends on his band members to add to the learning experience, Johns said.
In order for the group to sound professional, all the members have to be committed, he said.
"You just can't miss class," Johns said.
An experienced director is also a big factor in the educational experience, he said. Johns hopes to go into teaching and is learning rehearsal techniques from Winslow. He appreciates Winslow's balance between constructive criticism and encouragement.
Spending so much time with each other creates a strong bond among the group and makes performing fun, Johns said.
"Every day is an adventure," he said.
Winslow sees the trip to Telluride as a big adventure, but the accomplishment reflects well on the university, he said.
"It's a feather in the cap for the whole college."
Direct link to article
Graffiti is welcome in few places on campus, but associate professor Rocky Winslow proudly displays his decorated office walls, tagged by distinguished jazz musicians including Bobby Shew and Lori Bell.
Winslow is the director of the jazz studies program and the student ensemble Jazz X-Press. Since joining the music faculty in 2002, Winslow has helped bring big-name performers to Chico, allowing students to learn from the jazz veterans. However, Jazz X-Press will go directly to the action in June, traveling to Telluride, Colo., for the Telluride Jazz Celebration.
Jazz X-Press will be the only university-affiliated group sharing the stage with artists such as The Neville Brothers, McCoy Tyner and Joe Lovano, Winslow said. Winslow has played the festival on other occasions, but the executive director of the festival, Paul Machado, invited Jazz X-Press to perform after watching a video of the ensemble on YouTube.
One perk of playing the festival is backstage passes, which will allow students to interact with all the festival performers, Winslow said. Before the students get there, they need to raise about $16,000 to cover bus, housing and food expenses for the 25-member ensemble.
The university has been a big supporter, but the group has held performances and sought help from the community, he said. Jazz X-Press will be playing a benefit show Saturday at Nick's Night Club.
The benefit show proves Winslow is not the only person with connections because it was organized by one of the students.
Tino Marrufo, grad student in ethnomusicology, plays percussion for Jazz X-Press, but is also a member of various rock bands including Mute Witness, he said. He has worked on several rock shows with Katie Perry, founder of Chico's Devil Kat Rock Productions and booking agent for Nick's Night Club, so it was natural for him to reach out to her on behalf of Jazz X-Press.
"That's what's cool about the Chico music scene, we build relationships," he said.
The show will be a new experience for both Jazz X-Press and Nick's Night Club, Marrufo said. Jazz X-Press is used to playing venues on campus such as Harlen Adams Theatre, while Nick's Night Club usually hosts punk and metal shows. Marrufo thinks it will be a great experience and add diversity to the music scene.
Winslow sees the show as a road test, he said. The Nick's Night Club stage is much smaller than the Harlen Adams Theatre stage, so the ensemble will have to learn to adjust. The situation is much like touring, where bands usually do not know what to expect from one club to the next.
"It's going to have a big education factor," Winslow said.
Learning to be flexible will be helpful when the ensemble performs at the Telluride Jazz Celebration, which has a diverse audience, he said. Jazz X-Press is scheduled to play more than one set at the four-day festival, and Winslow hopes the group will get a chance to play a variety of compositions.
Watching how other musicians work also serves as a learning experience, because with backstage passes students will be able to talk to other musicians, Marrufo said. Jazz is known for its roots in oral tradition, and students will have the opportunity to hear stories from many of the artists that they learn about in their classes.
"The experience will be educational, spiritual and social," he said.
With such a large ensemble, good social skills are a necessity.
Tanner Johns, a senior music education major, plays lead alto saxophone for Jazz X-Press and depends on his band members to add to the learning experience, Johns said.
In order for the group to sound professional, all the members have to be committed, he said.
"You just can't miss class," Johns said.
An experienced director is also a big factor in the educational experience, he said. Johns hopes to go into teaching and is learning rehearsal techniques from Winslow. He appreciates Winslow's balance between constructive criticism and encouragement.
Spending so much time with each other creates a strong bond among the group and makes performing fun, Johns said.
"Every day is an adventure," he said.
Winslow sees the trip to Telluride as a big adventure, but the accomplishment reflects well on the university, he said.
"It's a feather in the cap for the whole college."
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Album Review: Born Ruffians - Red, Yellow & Blue
Originally published April 30, 2008 in The Orion
Born Ruffians
Red, Yellow & Blue
Warp Records, 2008
3/5 stars
The members of Born Ruffians are the type of guys everyone wants in their circle of friends. The Toronto three-piece plays youthful indie-rock that is perfect for accompanying high school pranks.
The band keeps its music clean, light and danceable. Born Ruffians is out to have fun with tongue-in-cheek lyrics such as "None of the girls seem to think you're cool. It's probably because you smell bad," found in "Barnacle Goose."
While vocalist Luke LaLonde leads with an energetic high-pitched voice, singing is made into a family affair with call-and-response and group chants.
LaLonde's voice sometimes gets garbled by hypnotizing guitars and punchy bass lines. The speedy, jumbled lyrics can be frustrating, but the Modest Mouse-like wails are somewhat endearing.
Born Ruffians' tricks are not original, but they are still charming and entertaining.
Born Ruffians
Red, Yellow & Blue
Warp Records, 2008
3/5 stars
The members of Born Ruffians are the type of guys everyone wants in their circle of friends. The Toronto three-piece plays youthful indie-rock that is perfect for accompanying high school pranks.The band keeps its music clean, light and danceable. Born Ruffians is out to have fun with tongue-in-cheek lyrics such as "None of the girls seem to think you're cool. It's probably because you smell bad," found in "Barnacle Goose."
While vocalist Luke LaLonde leads with an energetic high-pitched voice, singing is made into a family affair with call-and-response and group chants.
LaLonde's voice sometimes gets garbled by hypnotizing guitars and punchy bass lines. The speedy, jumbled lyrics can be frustrating, but the Modest Mouse-like wails are somewhat endearing.
Born Ruffians' tricks are not original, but they are still charming and entertaining.
Seattle's indie rock darling, Minus the Bear, melts audiences with songs from new album
Originally published April 30, 2008 in The Orion.
Direct link to article
The word epic gets thrown around when talking about music - an epic jam, an epic album. Yet, nothing is more epic than a music and laser combination.
Seattle's Minus the Bear took part in the usual album-release festivities for its latest record, "Planet of Ice."
The band, consisting of guitarist Dave Knudson, bassist Cory Murchy, drummer Erin Tate, vocalist and guitarist Jake Snider and keyboardist Alex Rose, made several radio station appearances and performed in record stores. However, the most distinct form of promotion was an album-listening party at Seattle Laser Dome.
"We like the idea of actually sitting down and listening to an album in its entirety," Rose said.
He remembers Tate coming up with the idea of the laser show, but the band had no part in the creation, Rose said. The laser artists were left to interpret the music.
It is not easy to take the laser show on the road, but Minus the Bear will dazzle Chico with its reflective form of progressive indie rock Friday in the Bell Memorial Union.
The show is part of a nationwide tour with Portugal. The Man and The Big Sleep, Rose said. Minus the Bear picked the two supporting bands.
"Those two bands were just better than the others on the list," he said.
For Minus the Bear, the tour included a stop last weekend in Indio for the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, Rose said. The band played the festival Saturday and had time to watch legendary artists such as Prince and Pink Floyd's Roger Waters.
Playing under the hot sun is a big contrast to Minus the Bear's songs on the chilling "Planet of Ice."
The desolate album released in August is part of the band's evolving sound, Rose said. Previous albums had a lighter, brighter feeling, but band members didn't want to bore themselves or fans by recreating the same album.
The band came up with the album title and then wrote songs around it, Rose said.
"We said things like 'that sounds icy' or 'that sounds cool,'" he said.
"Planet of Ice" is one coherent concept. The cover art of an arctic world with snowy mountains matches song titles including "Ice Monster" and "White Mystery." However, the sense of coldness is not daunting. A sun and sky of clouds lie above the white mountains.
Instead of sounding depressing, the songs give a sense of hope. "Knights" is a mind-bending track, showing the band's roots in math rock. The band plays around with time signature and adds spacey electronics.
Minus the Bear also proves "Planet of Ice" is not a dreadfully somber record with its video for "Throwin' Shapes." The video shows two rival athletes jogging and dancing around a city. The two meet up for a fierce game of imaginary basketball. Most of the band's videos are visually pleasing with a goofy storyline.
"We try to make something we would personally enjoy," Rose said.
Minus the Bear makes thoughtful music, but band members are lighthearted. When the band formed in 2001, it quickly became noticed for its silly song titles. The band's debut release, "This Is What I Know About Being Gigantic" only has seven songs, but features tracks titled "Hey, Wanna Throw Up? Get Me Naked," and "Just Kickin' It Like A Wild Donkey."
Bri Saseen, a senior environmental studies major, is a big fan of the band's first full-length album, "Highly Refined Pirates." The album features a song called "Absinthe Party at the Fly Honey Warehouse."
"It's definitely my favorite for its bitchin' track names," she said. "I can't tell you how many mixes are probably floating around entitled "Absinthe Party at the Fly Honey Warehouse."
The band members like that others have fun with their music though, Rose said. Last year the band released a remix album of 2005's "Menos El Oso." The remix album, "Interpretaciones del Oso," contains 11 songs remixed by various artists including Minneapolis rapper P.O.S.
"It's nice to have other people experiment with our songs," he said.
Direct link to article
The word epic gets thrown around when talking about music - an epic jam, an epic album. Yet, nothing is more epic than a music and laser combination.
Seattle's Minus the Bear took part in the usual album-release festivities for its latest record, "Planet of Ice."
The band, consisting of guitarist Dave Knudson, bassist Cory Murchy, drummer Erin Tate, vocalist and guitarist Jake Snider and keyboardist Alex Rose, made several radio station appearances and performed in record stores. However, the most distinct form of promotion was an album-listening party at Seattle Laser Dome.
"We like the idea of actually sitting down and listening to an album in its entirety," Rose said.
He remembers Tate coming up with the idea of the laser show, but the band had no part in the creation, Rose said. The laser artists were left to interpret the music.
It is not easy to take the laser show on the road, but Minus the Bear will dazzle Chico with its reflective form of progressive indie rock Friday in the Bell Memorial Union.
The show is part of a nationwide tour with Portugal. The Man and The Big Sleep, Rose said. Minus the Bear picked the two supporting bands.
"Those two bands were just better than the others on the list," he said.
For Minus the Bear, the tour included a stop last weekend in Indio for the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, Rose said. The band played the festival Saturday and had time to watch legendary artists such as Prince and Pink Floyd's Roger Waters.
Playing under the hot sun is a big contrast to Minus the Bear's songs on the chilling "Planet of Ice."
The desolate album released in August is part of the band's evolving sound, Rose said. Previous albums had a lighter, brighter feeling, but band members didn't want to bore themselves or fans by recreating the same album.
The band came up with the album title and then wrote songs around it, Rose said.
"We said things like 'that sounds icy' or 'that sounds cool,'" he said.
"Planet of Ice" is one coherent concept. The cover art of an arctic world with snowy mountains matches song titles including "Ice Monster" and "White Mystery." However, the sense of coldness is not daunting. A sun and sky of clouds lie above the white mountains.
Instead of sounding depressing, the songs give a sense of hope. "Knights" is a mind-bending track, showing the band's roots in math rock. The band plays around with time signature and adds spacey electronics.
Minus the Bear also proves "Planet of Ice" is not a dreadfully somber record with its video for "Throwin' Shapes." The video shows two rival athletes jogging and dancing around a city. The two meet up for a fierce game of imaginary basketball. Most of the band's videos are visually pleasing with a goofy storyline.
"We try to make something we would personally enjoy," Rose said.
Minus the Bear makes thoughtful music, but band members are lighthearted. When the band formed in 2001, it quickly became noticed for its silly song titles. The band's debut release, "This Is What I Know About Being Gigantic" only has seven songs, but features tracks titled "Hey, Wanna Throw Up? Get Me Naked," and "Just Kickin' It Like A Wild Donkey."
Bri Saseen, a senior environmental studies major, is a big fan of the band's first full-length album, "Highly Refined Pirates." The album features a song called "Absinthe Party at the Fly Honey Warehouse."
"It's definitely my favorite for its bitchin' track names," she said. "I can't tell you how many mixes are probably floating around entitled "Absinthe Party at the Fly Honey Warehouse."
The band members like that others have fun with their music though, Rose said. Last year the band released a remix album of 2005's "Menos El Oso." The remix album, "Interpretaciones del Oso," contains 11 songs remixed by various artists including Minneapolis rapper P.O.S.
"It's nice to have other people experiment with our songs," he said.
Portland-based Portugal. The Man makes stop on busy tour as opening act
Originally published April 30, 2008 in The Orion.
Direct link to article
John Gourley has learned his lesson: Never make a joke about traditional Portuguese music.
The vocalist and guitarist for the amorphous rock band Portugal. The Man saw a photo spread feature slip out of his hands because an editor for GQ Portugal did not understand his humor, Gourley said.
A reporter from Portugal's GQ contacted the band, which also consists of bassist Zach Carothers, drummer Jason Sechrist and keyboardist Ryan Neighbors, not long after the band formed in 2004, Gourley said. The band's name makes people think there is a connection to the country, but the band is actually from Wasilla, Alaska.
"The reporter asked me what I thought about traditional Portuguese music, but I don't really listen to it," Gourley said.
Not knowing a lot about the country's music, he made a joke that was included in the article, but did not please editors, he said. The band was still featured in the magazine, but the content was severely cut.
The band's name, which represents an alter ego, catches people's interest, but it is the live performances and exploration of dreamy and synthesized garage rock that hook people in. The band will put Chico in a trance when its tour with equally wistful indie-rockers Minus the Bear stops Friday at the Bell Memorial Union Auditorium.
Portugal. The Man, now based out of Portland, Ore., did not meet Minus the Bear until this tour, but the bands are getting along well, Gourley said.
"There wasn't that awkward period where people are having trouble learning each other's name," he said.
However, not everything on the tour has been easy, Gourley said. The band had van trouble and missed its Toronto show. After the van broke down, a tire flew off the trailer, and the band was forced to buy another van and trailer.
Band members try not to get too upset with unfortunate circumstances of the road, Gourley said.
"Whenever something really bad happens, we seem to have a really good time that day to make up for it," he said.
Touring is nothing new for Portugal. The Man. The band goes on nationwide tours several times a year and has traveled to Germany, Switzerland and Austria, helping build a loyal fan base.
Dallas Oliver, a senior music industry major, has only seen the band twice, but has been a fan for more than four years, he said. Like most college students without a lot of spare cash, he is more likely to support a band by catching a live show and buying merchandise directly from the band, rather than a retailer.
"Rock 'n' roll has its roots in feeling raw, live energy," he said. "The band has its grasp on the edge of what's coming next in the scene and are one-upping it with every chance it gets."
The band finished its two-album contract with independent label Fearless Records last year and is now entertaining distribution ideas for its next release, which has already been recorded, Gourley said. Fans should expect another jump in the band's musical style.
For its first album, Portugal. The Man relied on synthesizers, loops and guitar riffs to create contemplative, beat-driven songs. The band's latest release, "Church Mouth," is also thoughtful and full of imagery but more gritty and influenced by Southern rock. Gourley's high-pitched voice gives a sense of urgency and great relevance to both albums.
The upcoming album, tentatively titled "Censored Colors," will be more chord-based and will feature a large array of instruments including cello, trombone and sitar, Gourley said. Kirk Huffman and Phil Peterson of Seattle's Kay Kay and His Weathered Underground have toured with Portugal. The Man and spent 2 1/2 weeks producing the album.
"I picked up a Beatles songbook and actually attempted to learn guitar chords," Gourley said.
Recording an album in about two weeks may seem outrageous, but it is how Portugal. The Man works best, he said. Gourley writes in a spontaneous manner. He wrote one song each night and worked on the instrumentation the following day.
The process is not only impressing fans, but also people in the industry. Paul Q. Kolderie, who worked on Radiohead's first albums, will be mixing "Censored Colors."
Portugal. The Man is unsure of what the future will hold for the release of the new album, but band members have definite control of its vision, Gourley said. The album, including artwork, will be completely done before they start accepting offers from labels.
Direct link to article
John Gourley has learned his lesson: Never make a joke about traditional Portuguese music.
The vocalist and guitarist for the amorphous rock band Portugal. The Man saw a photo spread feature slip out of his hands because an editor for GQ Portugal did not understand his humor, Gourley said.
A reporter from Portugal's GQ contacted the band, which also consists of bassist Zach Carothers, drummer Jason Sechrist and keyboardist Ryan Neighbors, not long after the band formed in 2004, Gourley said. The band's name makes people think there is a connection to the country, but the band is actually from Wasilla, Alaska.
"The reporter asked me what I thought about traditional Portuguese music, but I don't really listen to it," Gourley said.
Not knowing a lot about the country's music, he made a joke that was included in the article, but did not please editors, he said. The band was still featured in the magazine, but the content was severely cut.
The band's name, which represents an alter ego, catches people's interest, but it is the live performances and exploration of dreamy and synthesized garage rock that hook people in. The band will put Chico in a trance when its tour with equally wistful indie-rockers Minus the Bear stops Friday at the Bell Memorial Union Auditorium.
Portugal. The Man, now based out of Portland, Ore., did not meet Minus the Bear until this tour, but the bands are getting along well, Gourley said.
"There wasn't that awkward period where people are having trouble learning each other's name," he said.
However, not everything on the tour has been easy, Gourley said. The band had van trouble and missed its Toronto show. After the van broke down, a tire flew off the trailer, and the band was forced to buy another van and trailer.
Band members try not to get too upset with unfortunate circumstances of the road, Gourley said.
"Whenever something really bad happens, we seem to have a really good time that day to make up for it," he said.
Touring is nothing new for Portugal. The Man. The band goes on nationwide tours several times a year and has traveled to Germany, Switzerland and Austria, helping build a loyal fan base.
Dallas Oliver, a senior music industry major, has only seen the band twice, but has been a fan for more than four years, he said. Like most college students without a lot of spare cash, he is more likely to support a band by catching a live show and buying merchandise directly from the band, rather than a retailer.
"Rock 'n' roll has its roots in feeling raw, live energy," he said. "The band has its grasp on the edge of what's coming next in the scene and are one-upping it with every chance it gets."
The band finished its two-album contract with independent label Fearless Records last year and is now entertaining distribution ideas for its next release, which has already been recorded, Gourley said. Fans should expect another jump in the band's musical style.
For its first album, Portugal. The Man relied on synthesizers, loops and guitar riffs to create contemplative, beat-driven songs. The band's latest release, "Church Mouth," is also thoughtful and full of imagery but more gritty and influenced by Southern rock. Gourley's high-pitched voice gives a sense of urgency and great relevance to both albums.
The upcoming album, tentatively titled "Censored Colors," will be more chord-based and will feature a large array of instruments including cello, trombone and sitar, Gourley said. Kirk Huffman and Phil Peterson of Seattle's Kay Kay and His Weathered Underground have toured with Portugal. The Man and spent 2 1/2 weeks producing the album.
"I picked up a Beatles songbook and actually attempted to learn guitar chords," Gourley said.
Recording an album in about two weeks may seem outrageous, but it is how Portugal. The Man works best, he said. Gourley writes in a spontaneous manner. He wrote one song each night and worked on the instrumentation the following day.
The process is not only impressing fans, but also people in the industry. Paul Q. Kolderie, who worked on Radiohead's first albums, will be mixing "Censored Colors."
Portugal. The Man is unsure of what the future will hold for the release of the new album, but band members have definite control of its vision, Gourley said. The album, including artwork, will be completely done before they start accepting offers from labels.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Album Review: Thao with The Get Down Stay Down - We Brave Bee Stings and All
Originally published April 23, 2008 in The Orion
Thao with The Get Down Stay Down
We Brave Be Stings and All
Kill Rock Stars, 2008
4/5 stars
"We Brave Bee Stings and All" is a bundle of energy that provokes listeners to sing at the top of their lungs and raise their hands in the air.
Singer-songwriter Thao Nguyen and her band, The Get Down Stay Down, perform each song on the indie-pop album with a great amount of contagious excitement. Unlike some singers who try too hard to be charming, the sweetness in Nguyen's voice is not forced.
Lively instrumentation sparkles throughout the album with chiming guitars, glorious horns and a delicate piano. A few songs take on a folk twang with fast banjo melodies.
The awe-inspiring sounds of Thao with The Get Down Stay Down are best described by the lyrics of "Swimming Pools." Nguyen sings, "We don't dive, we cannon ball."
"We Brave Bee Stings and All" is not an album that will fly under the radar - it makes a splash.
Thao with The Get Down Stay Down
We Brave Be Stings and All
Kill Rock Stars, 2008
4/5 stars
"We Brave Bee Stings and All" is a bundle of energy that provokes listeners to sing at the top of their lungs and raise their hands in the air.Singer-songwriter Thao Nguyen and her band, The Get Down Stay Down, perform each song on the indie-pop album with a great amount of contagious excitement. Unlike some singers who try too hard to be charming, the sweetness in Nguyen's voice is not forced.
Lively instrumentation sparkles throughout the album with chiming guitars, glorious horns and a delicate piano. A few songs take on a folk twang with fast banjo melodies.
The awe-inspiring sounds of Thao with The Get Down Stay Down are best described by the lyrics of "Swimming Pools." Nguyen sings, "We don't dive, we cannon ball."
"We Brave Bee Stings and All" is not an album that will fly under the radar - it makes a splash.
Comic books, Japanese anime brought to life for Mini-Con
Originally published April 23, 2008 in The Orion.
Direct link to article
Traveling to foreign lands and alternate worlds does not often fit into a college student's schedule, but it is a common activity for anime and comic book fans.
The Japanese Anime Club and Comic Book Coterie are teaming up to share the fun of Japanese culture and producing comics with the second annual Chico Mini-Con on Friday. The three floors of Plumas Hall will be covered with anime and comic book paraphernalia and host various activities, such as an art gallery, a swap meet and a demonstration by the coed martial arts fraternity, Mu Alpha Xi.
The anime and comic book clubs are fairly new on campus, but they support a growing interest for comics and anime, said Rachael Ambrose, president of the Japanese Anime Club.
Matt Riebold, president of Comic Book Coterie, was surprised by the large turnout at last year's free miniature convention, he said. More than 60 people attended last year and at least 90 are expected Friday.
One of the most popular activities is the cosplay contest, Ambrose said. The contest allows participants to attend the convention dressed as their favorite comic book or anime character.
"It gives you the chance to dress up in a crazy costume outside of Halloween," she said.
Many of the activities are interactive and call for creativity. The art contest and swap meet invite members of the community to be part of the convention.
Collectors Ink, a Chico comic book shop, will be one of the retailers in attendance, Riebold said.
The shop's owner, Beverly Kranz, has been promoting the convention and is excited to have a booth, she said. She has attended similar conventions and likes to help spread the word about comics and anime.
"There are comics for all interests and ages," she said.
Members from the Comic Book Coterie will also be showcasing their art and selling products at the Mini-Con, Riebold said. The club serves as more than just a place to talk about comics. Weekly meetings are spent talking about design technique and producing comics.
The club published its first book, he said. "The Anthology, Volume One" features work from five club members and background information about the organization. Members want to publish a volume every year.
Each club brings together a diverse group of people, Riebold said. Producing a comic involves more than illustration. Writers and editors are also essential for publishing an anthology.
The Japanese Anime Club also welcomes members from all majors and backgrounds, Ambrose said. A lot of genres of anime exist, and members learn from each other's knowledge.
"When someone new joins, they are the center of attention," she said. "We want to know what series they have seen."
A lot of members are international students, but everyone becomes fully engaged in the culture of anime, she said. Some members take Japanese classes so they can fully understand anime.
The convention will show the diversity of comics and anime by showing all aspects of the culture, Ambrose said. Karaoke and a video game room will also be available.
Riebold hopes people will see that comics and anime can be enjoyed by all ages, he said. In the United States comics are often associated with a younger crowd, but in Japan everyone is interested in comics.
"Here, the older guys who read comics are the ones who are thought to live in their mothers' basement."
Direct link to article
Traveling to foreign lands and alternate worlds does not often fit into a college student's schedule, but it is a common activity for anime and comic book fans.
The Japanese Anime Club and Comic Book Coterie are teaming up to share the fun of Japanese culture and producing comics with the second annual Chico Mini-Con on Friday. The three floors of Plumas Hall will be covered with anime and comic book paraphernalia and host various activities, such as an art gallery, a swap meet and a demonstration by the coed martial arts fraternity, Mu Alpha Xi.
The anime and comic book clubs are fairly new on campus, but they support a growing interest for comics and anime, said Rachael Ambrose, president of the Japanese Anime Club.
Matt Riebold, president of Comic Book Coterie, was surprised by the large turnout at last year's free miniature convention, he said. More than 60 people attended last year and at least 90 are expected Friday.
One of the most popular activities is the cosplay contest, Ambrose said. The contest allows participants to attend the convention dressed as their favorite comic book or anime character.
"It gives you the chance to dress up in a crazy costume outside of Halloween," she said.
Many of the activities are interactive and call for creativity. The art contest and swap meet invite members of the community to be part of the convention.
Collectors Ink, a Chico comic book shop, will be one of the retailers in attendance, Riebold said.
The shop's owner, Beverly Kranz, has been promoting the convention and is excited to have a booth, she said. She has attended similar conventions and likes to help spread the word about comics and anime.
"There are comics for all interests and ages," she said.
Members from the Comic Book Coterie will also be showcasing their art and selling products at the Mini-Con, Riebold said. The club serves as more than just a place to talk about comics. Weekly meetings are spent talking about design technique and producing comics.
The club published its first book, he said. "The Anthology, Volume One" features work from five club members and background information about the organization. Members want to publish a volume every year.
Each club brings together a diverse group of people, Riebold said. Producing a comic involves more than illustration. Writers and editors are also essential for publishing an anthology.
The Japanese Anime Club also welcomes members from all majors and backgrounds, Ambrose said. A lot of genres of anime exist, and members learn from each other's knowledge.
"When someone new joins, they are the center of attention," she said. "We want to know what series they have seen."
A lot of members are international students, but everyone becomes fully engaged in the culture of anime, she said. Some members take Japanese classes so they can fully understand anime.
The convention will show the diversity of comics and anime by showing all aspects of the culture, Ambrose said. Karaoke and a video game room will also be available.
Riebold hopes people will see that comics and anime can be enjoyed by all ages, he said. In the United States comics are often associated with a younger crowd, but in Japan everyone is interested in comics.
"Here, the older guys who read comics are the ones who are thought to live in their mothers' basement."
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