Untitled - University of Oregon

I$$UE 3
STAFF
EDITOR IN CHIEF + jennifer l. hill
PUBLISHER + scott e. carver
ART & LAYOUT DIRECTOR + ada l. mayer
COVER ART + tim robinson
PR MANAGER + meredith frengs
COPY CHIEF + linda hjorth
CONTRIBUTORS + sara brickner
+ rhianna brandon
+ tom hubka
+ mitch levy
+ krista johnson
+ tony perez
+ ally burguieres
+ john itkin
+ malen maher
+ crispin young
Board of Directors
+ sarah aichinger-mangerson
+ raechel m. sims
+ brian a. boone
+ nicole chvatal
+ robert k. elder
+ autumn madrano
+ sam parks
+ niki stojnic
+cliff phenning
EMAIL+ [email protected]
PHONE + 541 346 0607
ONLINE + www.oregonvoice.com
EDITORS NOTE
On All Saint’s Day, 1755, a tsunami struck Lisbon,
Portugal during morning church services. Threequarters of the city was destroyed and theologians were
flummoxed for years. Was this timely flood a warning
from God? A sign of the apocalypse? This week I
started to prepare for the four horsemen as I heard
from friends in L.A., pants soaked to the knees as the
citizens of Southern California experience landslides,
flooded streets and wrecked limousines as I stare out
my window at a sunny, 60 degree February afternoon.
Not all is well in balmy Oregon, however. The
environmentally hyper-conscious are waiting with bated
breath for the poles to melt, while it seems that about
six people on this campus understand the meaning of
the First Amendment. My procrastination is reaching
critical mass, and our voicemail has been empty for
almost three weeks.
In these dire times, we at the Voice are playing it cool
cool, staying sarcastic so you don’t have to. Check out
our tips for raising your future children, an interview
with an up-and-coming band, new and exciting body
parts and tons of music and book reviews as usual.
Just remember: You’ll probably be dead before the shit
hits the fan.
Cheers,
Jennifer Hill
OREGON VOICE is published seven times per acedemic year, approximately twice per term. Correspondence and advertising business can be directed to 1228
Erb Memorial Union, Suite 4, Eugene OR, 97403-1228. Copyright 2004, all rights reserved by OREGON VOICE. Reproduction without permission is prohibited.
OREGON VOICE is a general interest magazine that expresses issues and ideas that affect the quality of life at the University and in the University community.
The program, founded in 1989 and re-established in 2001, provides an opprotunity for students to gain valuble experience in all phases of magazine publishing.
Administration of the program is handled entirely by students.
CONTENTS:
WWW.OREGONVOICE.COM
4
minutia: raising a child in america
+ linda hjorth
6
reviews/music
8
reviews/dvd
10
fantasy body parts
12
pancakes, beer, and the glory that
is the mean reds
+meredith frengs
14
toad in the hole
+tony perez
16
a letter from focus on the family
+ tom hubka
18
welcome to my spaceship:
eugene's video game messiah
+ crispin young
20
actor / musicians
+ meredith frengs
21
Fat On club life
+ krista johnson
MINUTIA
RAI$ING A CHILD IN AMERICA + linda hjorth
In a world where technology becomes obsolete within six
months and the “hottest” trends are ‘uncool’ before you can blink,
it becomes increasingly difficult for parents to connect with their
kids and even harder for them to sort through what is child-appropriate and what is not.
Well the answer is here: Raising a Child in America: An In-depth
Guide for Good Parenting in the 21st Century, a book by parenting
counselor Marcia O’Connell. Raising a Child in America is filled
with practical information on making your child a healthier,
happier and more productive citizen of the greatest nation on
earth.
The book also comes with a companion DVD that has heralded the
praise of Bill Cosby and Paul Reiser, among other top celebrity
authorities on parenting and child care. They all agree, Raising a
Child in America: Uncomfortable Moments with Happy Harry, is a
great expedient in getting past those inevitably awkward parenting
moments.
Just take the DVD out of its jacket and simply turn on, tune in and
walk out while your juvenile learns about life from a guy in a bear
suit. Harry will cover everything from your daughter’s first period
to the sex lecture to that bag of dopeweed in your teen’s drawer,
all while using straightforward, mature dialogue. Don’t know what
to say? Just sit your child down in front of the TV, press play and
say you’ll be right back.
While Raising a Child in America is worth buying for the DVD
alone, O’Connell’s psychological and sociological analysis of the
American teen is also worthwhile. Here are some excerpts.
4 ov
Spell Nutrition with “HFCS”:
The Food Pyramid Rebuilt
Since it was invented by Japanese scientists during the 1970s, High Fructose Corn Syrup has become a staple of the All-American diet. It is a main ingredient in
most foods, soda drinks and even condiments like ketchup, mustard, BBQ sauce and jam. Because it is so prevalent in our food supply it is essential to build up
your child’s tolelrence to HFCS while an infant or toddler. HFCS is thousands of time more potent than sugar by volume, so you can make it an affordable staple
of your child’s diet while simultaneously restricting the dangers of sugar.
While there have been recent scientific studies that link HFCS to heart disease and obesity, these scientific studies tend to focus on animal results and unrealistic
yields, much more than any child would eat in a day. By staying within the recommended 4-6 servings per day, you child will fall well within the healthy limit.
Curbing Peer Pressure:
Abercrombie Kids
One of the hardest tasks of raising kids today is keeping up with the demand for up-to-the-minute fashion. While it can be a burden on your wallet, it can be an
even greater burden to your child’s social welfare. Children who complain about not having any friends or fitting in are not happy children. Studies show that
adolescents are far more likely to excel in school and develop greater social skills if they wear the newest trends and best brand names. Abercrombie Kids
provides your kids with great access to both, offering everything from tiny tank tops to thong underwear.
Recently Abercrombie has come under criticism for the suggestive nature of their young girls’ clothing line. In the name of Gender Equality, Abercrombie Kids
plans to launch a young boys’ clothing line of chaps and a line of clever T-shirts like “I’m with the Bizatch,” and “Sex Toy.” You’re kids are going to want to
emulate their favorite stars, like Britney Spears, Lindsay Lohan, Michael Jackson and Kid Rock, and is it worth the fight? No. Besides, think of it as an easy way
to bring up the sex talk. It’s never too early.
An Education They Will Love:
While the market is saturated with video game simulations, most experts agree that the industry has reached an intellectual and educational peak.
Many parents have reservations about violent video games like Halo and Grand Theft Auto, especially considering the recent rash of school shootings. There
have been speculations as to whether these video games are the cause of extreme violent behavior but they couldn’t be further from the truth! In fact, scholars
are beginning to see a trend that runs counter to the conventional wisdom: The majority of kids that play violent video games turn out completely normal. The
only real risk is the possibility of heightened tactile senses, coordination and problem solving.
Take Grand Theft Auto for example: the game demonstrates the workings of the criminal underbelly of society and teaches children how to adapt and protect
themselves from it. Militaristic video games can successfully build morale and prepare your child for service when they reach the age of enlistment - no recruiters
necessary.
The bottom line is that parents today should embrace video games that provide a virtual space for children to let their violent impulses out. Failure to do so at a
young age may result in reality-based violent impulses.
Keeping Communication Open:
As your children grow older, you’ll find yourself asking: “It’s 4:20 p.m., do I know where my son/daughter is?”
Good parent/child communication is essential in society today and cell phones are a simple way to achieve the level of communication that is necessary.
Want to know where Jimmy is and when he’ll be home? Call the cell phone. Need to remind your teen that she forgot her birth control at the house? Call the cell
phone. Need to protect your son from his alcoholic new daddy? Call the cell phone.
While the expenses used to be outrageous, companies have brought down the price and even offer family share plans. Additionally, cell phone companies are
coming out with new models aimed at three to seven-year-olds including the dinosaur (T-rex and Stegosaurus), Transformer (which doubles as a cool action
figure) and Barbie (i-+t comes with a change of clothes!). Communication has never been more appealing for your 6-year-old!
The Gift of Gender Equality
Gender equality is rightly a major concern for most 21st century parents and presents are especially important. Easy Bake Ovens for girls and G.I. Joes for boys
promote older notions of sexism, leading girls to believe their main responsibility in life is cooking and boys to believe they must enlist in the military. Instead,
give your daughter a dentist or doctor Barbie, which gives her the nascent impression that she can grow up and have a career in those positions. For boys, an
appropriate gift might be a doll or even better, a Mr. Mom action figure: it demonstrates that men can be tough and still put in two hours of child care a week! Or
another option is unisex gifts like the Easy Pierce Kit. This kit contains all your child needs to do their own at-home piercing- a piercing gun, needles, antiseptic
cleaner, gloves, and a few fashionable pairs of starter earrings that both girls and boys will love. If you son decides to pierce his right ear, don’t make a scene as
it will only encourage him. In said event, refer to the section entitled Think Your Child is Gay? on the DVD.
ov 5
music
REVIEWS
ARTIST + social distortion
ALBUM + sex, love and rock’n roll
LABEL + time bomb records
The rebirth of Mike Ness and Social Distortion can’t be ignored in their recent release Sex, Love and
Rock ‘n’ Roll. Eight years after their last studio recording, White Light, White Heat, White Trash,
palates were wet for new material. Sex, Love and Rock ‘n’ Roll delivers maturity through the new lyrical
approach taken by the only remaining original member, Mike Ness. His optimism and sober approach to
life illuminates each track on this ten song delivery.
+ malen maher
Social Distortion dedicates “Don’t Take Me for Granted”, the third track on the album, to former guitarist
Dennis Darell, who tragically died in 2000 at age 39. “I’m as strong as a thousand armies” howls Ness,
“I’m soft as a petal on a long stem rose, I am love.”
“Highway 101” guides listeners down that familiar Pacific Coast Highway sound as Ness swoons that
“I believe in love now, with all of its joys and pains.” No need to wallow in the sad thought that Social
Distortion’s new path might turn away from their signature sound. These So-Cal punks deliver the
unscathed originality of their previous work. However, such ballads as “Angel’s Wings” and “Winners
and Losers” truly establish Ness’ finesse as a songwriter and lyricist in a softer light.
With John Maurer on bass, Johnny Wickersham on guitar and Charlie Quintana on drums, Social
Distortion roots itself close to home on Sex, Love and Rock ‘n’ Roll. Shortly after the album was
released, John Maurer quit the band. Rancid bassist Matt Freeman stepped into the lineup. His
successful punk background will be a worthy addition in the new Social Distortion as they begin a US
tour in February.
ARTIST + joseph arthur
ALBUM + our shadows will remain
LABEL + vector
+ malen maher
Joseph Arthur’s recent release, Our Shadows Remain, sheds the familiar acoustic paths of this
accomplished singer-songwriter’s past works. For his recent release, Arthur packed up the simplest of
belongings, turned away from everyday New York and settled in New Orleans to record his dangerously
appealing fourth full length album. Our Shadows Remain, his first album on Vector Recordings, blends
a variety of layers to encompass a ten song soundtrack into Arthur’s deep emotional plane and wide
musical talent. His tone is both dark and dramatic as he not only layers his voice for harmonic discord
but blends keyboard and guitar for a simple approach to one man’s complexity.
6 ov
Our Shadows Remain dips into 80’s synth inspired beats, his Midwest background of American
nostalgia, and pop songwriting at its best. “Can’t Exist” resonates with Arthur’s hidden optimism as he
simply pleads “Sister don’t be scared, a thousand times or more, I’ve walked away alive, on my feet
again.” The synth-pop rhythm of “Even Tho” lulls any listener through the sadness of Arthur’s dense
emotions. “Gone, baby” he croons, “even though I’m here you know that I’m already gone.”
Sharing the pool of musical kinship with John Henry and Nick Drake, his honest songwriting and true
artistry dictates Our Shadows Remain through lonely lyrics and space filling melody. Arthur forgets
nothing as his range and appeal comes through on each track, making the album feel complete.
Arthur moves past the group dynamic of Redemption Son and simple solo stylings of Come to Come to
Where I’m From. The Prague Philharmonic Orchestra adds a dynamic musical punch to three songs
and New Zealand’s Julia Darling adds illusive femininity to “A Smile that Explodes”. There is no doubt
that Joseph Arthur has grown in maturity and complexity in Our Shadows Will Remain. His angst is
apparent, his fear is unending, but within Arthur’s simplicity and truth is his true talent.
ARTIST + ani difranco
ALBUM + knuckle down
LABEL + righteous babe
Ani Difranco is referred to as anything from a “ridiculously talented guitar player” to an “angry girl
musician.” Her latest CD, Knuckle Down, does not disprove her versatility, but reaffirms that she is an
artist with a depth, style, and talent that can’t quite be pinned down. The album is filled with obvious and
underlying questions to her listeners and to herself.
+ krista johnson
On her last album she relied entirely on her own singing, writing and instrumentation while Knuckle
Down features a number of collaborations. Bass player Todd Sickafoose, vocalists Noe Venable and
Niki Haris, and Righteous Babe recording artist Andrew Bird whistling, playing violin and glockenspiel,
all make appearances. Also, for the first time ever in her over 20 album career, she allowed this album
to be co-produced. With Joe Henry as her partner, they have produced a very diverse album where Ani
writes gently of intense experiences.
“Knuckle Down,” the first song, carries the CD’s title but not much power. The album picks up with
country and jazz sounds in “Studying Stones” and “Seeing Eye Dog.” “Manhole” is so well crafted it
is hard not to replay. In her own tradition she includes a spoken word poem, “Parameters,” about a
woman who finds a stranger in her bedroom when she comes home. “Paradigm” recounts a personal
experience helping her mom with grassroots activism as a child, boasting the precept of her last tour,
“Vote Dammit!” As with the tradition with folk songs, Ani creates songs that are akin to narrative poems
or short stories.
The first half of Knuckle Down will invite new listeners, whereas the second half could alienate them.
A few songs, such as “Callous,” are poignant but difficult to listen to. Ani never tires of challenging
her listener, and never stops asking herself tough questions. The result is an album that is personal,
political and universal - a perfect album to study and study to.
ov 7
music
REVIEW$
+ john itkin
DVD + dead boys live at CBGB
ARTIST + dead boys
Sometimes I really wish I liked punk rock. Punk’s DIY attitude, antiauthoritarianism and raw energy are all good things. I’m glad it existed.
In the face of the hairspray-addicted shlock that was mainstream music
in the late seventies, somebody had to do something. The Ramones
and the Sex Pistols get a lot of credit, but there’s a long list of indie-kid
cherished also-rans –bands that rocked out and burned out quickly,
relegated to the oral history of punkdom.
The Dead Boys are a fine example of an early punk band that showed
some promise and disappeared. “Dead Boys Live! At CBGB 1977” is a
good document of a their show. Well-shot, lovingly edited and digitally
remastered (though there’s no escaping the fact that this was originally
a low budget tape of a loud band in a small club in the 1970s), the DVD
lets you sit front-and-center and dig the sweaty mayhem –while you
lounge on your couch in your sweatpants. You get close-ups of the
band’s waifish singer Stiv Bators grimacing like a second-grader with a
bad case of ADHD, flopping around the stage in fits, and being generally
anti-social. He eats his boogers. He pours beer down his pants. He eats
gum off the floor. And he sings (screams) too.
The rest of the band prove themselves to be a cut above the majority of
punk icons. Johnny Blitz beats the hell out of the drums with raw fury
and some technical skill. In the bonus section he mentions Keith Moon
as his main musical influence. It shows. Cheetah Chrome could actually
play a guitar solo. Listen close to his work and you’ll hear the seeds of of
Nirvana and Slash.
The songs are definitely punk rock, but they cover a little more musical
territory. I heard a Led Zeppelin quote here, a Stones riff there. I even
think I heard a minor chord once or twice. The ten-song set closes with a
fair cover of the Stooges “Search and Destroy”, pretty indicative of where
the Dead Boys got their ideas. During his post-concert interview, Stiv
Bators calls Iggy Pop his favorite singer and mentions the Stones, the
MC5, the Stooges and the New York Dolls as influences.
8 ov
At 45 minutes, the disc is pretty compact and to the point. There is no
bonus disc, just a second section with band interviews and a clip of the
Steel Tips, an even more obscure and way more bizarre band. Overall,
“Live! At CBGB 1977” was interesting, not earth-shattering. I would
recommend this disc to the hardboiled early punk fan in your family.
While the uninitiated might not get it, the rabid rock historian will love it.
DVD + the last 24 hours
ARTIST + jimi hendrix
Jimi Hendrix died on September 18th, 1970 from a lethal combination of red wine and sleeping pills. He
choked on his own drug-induced vomit and was pronounced dead the same morning. A brief investigation
found that he had indeed injected said toxins and the incident was categorized as an unintentional suicide.
Don’t believe it? You’re not alone.
+ tom hubka
“Jimi Hendrix: The Last 24 Hours” is a documentary that begs to differ with the commonly held views of
Hendrix’s untimely death. At the core of the director’s message is the accusation that Jimi’s death was not
as accidental as the government would like the public to believe. Agitated U.S. government officials, the
London Mafia, and even his own manager would have benefited from Jimi’s death. This suspicious attitude
along with several revealing interviews makes for a very interesting analysis of the last day of Hendrix’s
life. The conclusion, if the directors are to be believed, is that Jimi’s death is not as clear-cut as a handful
of pills and a bottle of wine.
“I doubt I’ll live to be 28,” said a 27 year-old Hendrix a mere three months before he died. That was a time
when Jimi had more problems then he could count. His longtime manager, Mike Jeffery, had been stealing
money from him for his entire career; in fact, when his first manager sold his shares of Jimi’s music to
Jeffery, it was estimated that Hendrix was receiving just 3% of the royalties while Jeffery was getting away
with four fifths of the net profit. Jeffery also had a 2 million dollar life-insurance policy on Hendrix if he
should ever meet his end before their record contract expired. Meanwhile, the London Mafia was putting
pressure on Jimi to move his new record studio out of London’s organized crime district. The Mafia worried
that the studio would attract drug users and businesspeople who wouldn’t play by their rules. Finally,
Jimi had made it onto the U.S government’s blacklist, a special list of individuals believed to be highly
influential to the youth of the country. People on the list, along with their messages, needed to be “solved”
as soon as possible according to the FBI. On top of all of this, Hendrix was deep in depression on and off
the stage.
This is the situation Jimi found himself in on September 18th, the directors say. According to his girlfriend,
Monika Danneman, she and Jimi went shopping, had dinner, drank a bottle of white wine and went to
sleep. When she returned from errands the next morning, he was barely alive and once he was taken to
the hospital, he died. The investigators of his death questioned Ms. Danneman, but not one ambulance or
hospital employee. Herein lays the difficulty. According to both ambulance officials, Hendrix was already
dead when they arrived and Ms. Danneman was nowhere to be seen. Jimi had over four bottles of red
wine in his lungs, which lead the doctors to believe that he had drowned, not overdosed. Had someone
held him down and forced forced liquid down his throat? The directors say absolutely.
The disc is a thorough investigation into Hendrix’s death and the events leading up to it. While most of the
information about his life is well known, such as his manager stealing money and his being targeted by
the FBI, the directors reveal some rarely discussed occurrences, like his three-day kidnapping by thugs
who were possibly hired by Jeffery or his intimate affair with “Rainbow Bridge” co-star Pat Hartley. Various
interviews offer invaluable insight into Jimi’s personal life. Several Hendrix archivists, political researchers,
and even members of the Righteous Brothers are interviewed, all helping to paint the personal image of
Hendrix.
The video does have its down side, however. Some portions of interviews are used twice within ten
minutes of each other. The reenactments that are supposed to bring the stories to life provide more
of a laugh than a lesson. Half of the matter discussed in Hendrix’s career could be looked up in an
encyclopedia.
The DVD extras include an extensive, 45 page biography covering every major decade of his life from his
transient, parentless childhood to the day of his death in London. Also included is a complete discography
highlighting major releases as well as less known records such as 1983’s “The Singles Album: Voodoo
Child” and 1995’s “Voodoo Soup”.
While “The Last 24 Hours” won’t spur a renewed investigation into the death of the famous musician, it will
raise quite a few worthy questions into a death that might have been more sinister than tragic.
ov 9
When was the last time any of those asshole scientists at Merck, Pfizer and Monsanto, or those pretentious jerks at the Human Genome Project did anything for
you, the common citizen? Well, our crack scientists at VoiceCorp Incorporated are busy working to bring a revolution of useful and practical body modifications to
you and your family. Using a rating scheme that hints at your inadequacies and lack of self-confidence during your
adolescent years, the VoiceCorp P.R. Department has outlined our 2005 updates in a manner that will be difficult to
resist. For a free consultation call 541-346-0607. ILLUSTRATIONS + ally burguieres.
BODY MODIFICATIONS
What it is:
A mouth on your Hand
Why You Need it:
•Self-Oral Copulation
Happiness +10
•Stealing food from the Buffet
What it is:
A Third Arm
Hunger -3
•Vomit Warfare
Why You Need it:
•Smoke a Blunt while playing a videogame
Stonage +3
•Throw and wrap fish at the fishmarket
Productivity +6
•Brush and Floss simutaneously
Hygiene +1
•Drive a Racecar and Masturbate
Adrenaline +19
10 ov
Friendliness -4
•Give Yourself a Hickey
Confidence +7
What it is:
Hands for Feet
Why You Need it:
•Become the Crab Racing Champion
Social Status +2
•Cat’s Cradle
Nimbleness +6
•Save money on Shoes
Bankroll +4
•Become a renowned Surgeon
Honor +8
What it is:
A tail
Why You Need it:
•Raw Animal Attraction
Farm Cred +6
•Hold an Umbrella
Moisture -3
•Exotic Dancing
Sex Appeal +7
•Keep the flies off of your ass
Irritation -3
ov 11
+ meredith frengs + PHOTO + rhianna brandon + scott carver
pancakes,
beer, and
the glory
that is
the mean reds
story + photography + MERDITTH FRENGS
A
fter spending a whirlwind 24 hours with the Mean Reds before their WOW Hall show with Blood Brothers on February 7, one thing became painfully
clear: The Mean Reds are incredibly ‘cool.’ The charisma and style of these five young musicians from Tucson, AZ, seems to inspire creativity and
ridiculousness, which I began to understand after a symposium of pancakes and beer. Not only did I witness the most glorious of interpretive dances in
my living room, but was also treated to an all-male drag fashion show (they emerged wearing my clothes) in between sets of push-ups and communal
bathroom trips. And all this took place within the first hour of meeting the group!
The Mean Reds often insinuate that their band is all just a joke. However, after looking beyond the avant-garde costumes, genre-breaking sounds,
and unpredictable behavior, I have to wonder if there is something more to the band than a simple experiment. Their offbeat lyrics, Mr. Bungle-esque
keyboard melodies, and thrashing guitar and percussion can inspire the most unrelenting wallflower to head-bob. They share the same label as Har
Mar Superstar, Eisley, and the Rolling Blackouts. They’ve toured the nation and played at the prestigious name-making CMJ and South By Southwest
festivals. If this is all just a joke, then so far, it’s been quite the success.
Here, drummer Wilson, keyboard and guitar player Nick, bassist Kyle, guitarist Miles, and vocalist Anthony shed some insight as to their mission in
spreading the gospel of the Mean Reds:
The independent and underground music
scene is pretty much filled with unclassifiable
bands. I think that the Mean Reds fall into that
category. How do you guys try to differentiate
yourselves from other bands?
Miles: We don’t, we try to copy as much as
possible.
Kyle: (to Miles) This is your first interview, don’t
fuck up!
Anthony: No, we just try to take influences from
anything that we like because we all have very
diverse taste in music.
12 ov
Nick: A lot of times I’ll listen to something I don’t
like and think ‘Alright, now I know what not to
play.’ I’m serious.
Kyle: Or you’ll take something you do like and
make it minor. All we do is take music you
already know and put it in minor keys.
Nick: We’re just the humans in front of the
computer.
Your band spends a lot of time out of the year
touring, has anything specific happened to
you while on the road that validates what you
guys are doing?
Nick: Dry hump.
Anthony: Actually this, tonight, is really good.
This is Oregon, and you know our music all the
way up here.
Mean Reds: Yeah…
Kyle: Well the tour hasn’t even really started
but…I don’t know the adventurous spirit is here,
I feel it.
Anthony: You guys have some pretty rivers here.
Nick: Well we’ve never seen water in Tucson,
so…
Miles: We eat dehydrated milk powder.
Kyle: That’s Tucson, in a nutshell.
What gets you motivated as a band to play a
show?
Nick: Dry humping.
Anthony (to Nick): Can we get away from dry
humping please?
Miles: For me, it’s just the boredom before the
show, like, ‘Jesus Christ why aren’t we playing
yet? I’ve been sitting in the same fucking weirdass pizza place for three hours, why the hell am I
not playing yet?’ And then I get kind of frustrated
to the point that if I don’t play so...it ends there.
What do you do to keep your shows exciting
to your audiences?
Anthony: We do whatever the day feels like. We
like to have themes.
Miles: Right now we’re going with a kind of hick
theme with the shirtless overalls.
Anthony: More like Dexy’s Midnight Rummers…
Dexy’s Midnight Runners!?
Anthony: No, Dexy’s Midnight RUM-mers.
Nick: We do like the song ‘Come On Eileen.’
Sure, it’s a classic. So it’s fair to say that you
are in a Dexy’s Midnight Runners—er, RUMmers phase?
Anthony: As a joke, yes, we are very into them.
Kyle: It’s a joke? I was taking it seriously for so
long and apparently it’s a joke!
The subjects of your songs are all over the
place. How, exactly, do you find inspiration
for your lyrics?
future?
Anthony: Usually between me and Nick,
someone comes up with a title of a song and I
can usually theme the lyrics about that. They can
be from, you know, moms and dads, flowers,
and…NOT love.
Do you think that growing up in Tucson had a
specific influence on your music or the things
you talk about in your songs?
Kyle: Going to the zoo.
Anthony: I‘ve found that most ‘scenes’ are exactly
the same wherever you are.
Nick: Or seeing your mom at work and her buying
you a candy bar.
Wilson: Yes, definitely.
Nick: I never lived anywhere else, I don’t know.
When did the first incarnation of your band
form?
Kyle: Every city I’ve been to has one kid who has
army cargo shorts on, like a black army hat, and
he just stands around the pit and he’s like ‘You’re
doing it, you’re not..’
Anthony: Well, it’s always been the same.
So does that influence you?
Miles: What are you talking about? I’m sitting
right here and I just said that I’ve been in the
band for three months!
Nick: We make fun of people like that.
Anthony: Okay, well we’ve all been playing
music with each other for the last six years?
But the time we all started getting together was
sophomore year.
Did you guys ever have doubts that you
weren’t going to continue past high school?
Anthony: Actually, it was all just a big joke that
got taken too seriously. We never even had
hopes that it would get this far.
Kyle: I mean, [Anthony] called me saying ‘Jokes
on you, you’ve got to quit college ‘cause we in
this band now.’
Kyle, were you the only one who was in
college?
Kyle: Me, and Nick, and Wilson.
Do you ever see yourselves going back in the
Kyle: No! I just notice him and think, ‘Oh, you’re
that guy…
Miles: …I met your cousin in Toledo!’
Anthony: I think they’re all related.
How does it feel to be playing South By
Southwest this spring? I know you played it
last year…
Anthony: It’s fun to play it but it sucks that it’s like
21 and over and it’s this ‘industry party.’
Kyle: Last year, Nick and I went on a rowboat
together.
Nick: We rented a rowboat and went out on the
city river…
Kyle: and that was the highlight of SXSW 2004.
Anthony: I liked the guy with the hat that said,
“Austin is weird.” That was my highlight. Actually
ov 13
TOAD
IN
THE
+ tony perez
HOLE
I can’t imagine a band that would be more popular
with local bar-owners than Toad in the Hole,
Eugene’s resident Irish jam band. Not a person in
the house can be found without a glass in hand…or
two. Fronted by founder, Matthew HaywardMcDonald, Toad in the Hole has a sound that ranges
from post-Pogues style anthems to traditional Irish
reels, but one common thread runs through their
catalogue…the emerald Isle’s favorite pastime:
heavy drinking. And while I wouldn’t bet a round on
the band’s collective BAC dropping lower than Ted
William’s batting average, their technical proficiency
is quite sobering. But don’t be fooled, this isn’t
your father’s surly Celtic music…that is, if your
father listens to surly Celtic music. This is swigging
beer and whisky like its water, dancing a fucking
jig like you’ve never danced before, screaming out
choruses, and at the end of the nigh throwing up
all over the side of a dodgy 7-11...well at least that’s
14 ov
been my experience.
Thursday night, Toad in the Hole
and their small cult following
assaulted the bar stock at
Lucky’s as the opening act for
indie rock trio The Visible Men.
And while they weren’t the big
name on the bill, you wouldn’t
know it from the numbers in front
of the stage for each groups’
respective act. If you’re familiar
with live music in Eugene, you’re
used to our trademark free-spirits
who take any form of a rhythm
section as license to show off
whatever moves they picked up
the last time The String Cheese
Incident came through town. The
crowd for Toad in the Hole takes
it to another level. The dance
floor is packed with a diverse
array of merrymakers; you’ll jig
with the dreadlocked and blue
collared Lucky’s regulars, clink
glasses with the kids who took
the night off from Indigo District
to catch the show, and shout in
unison with guys who could have
been extras in Newsies.
By the time I inched my way
past the packed bar and ordered
my first Jamison (Irish Whiskey
was the special that night), they
had just started their set with
two high-energy songs from
their second album, Alleyway
Rover. Even during these faster
songs, the lovely new fiddler
Sarah Ditson and Liz Meyers
(bagpipes, tin whistle, and flute),
showcase the bands classical
training. Jason Kelly (guitar)
and Jon Dresder (bass), each
of who have backgrounds in
punk bands, give the music
its reminiscence of groups like
Flogging Molly and The Pogues.
The dichotomy works.
When I asked McDonald which
he considered Toad in the Hole’s
greatest influence, he said
smiling, “Those bands are great,
and they paved the way for our
sound, but to me, nothing’s as
fucking punk rock as a good
jig or reel.” If you doubt this,
just watch Joel Kenney with his
eerie resemblance to Legolas
from Lord of The Rings beat his
Bodram and tell me you don’t
hear traces of Anarchy in the UK.
After a cover of “Streams of
Whisky” and several songs
that show why McDonald is
the unofficial poet laureate
for Eugene’s off-the-wagon
population, the band showed
their softer side by harmonizing
on an acapella number that had
the crowd swaying in unison…Or
maybe that was the nine
bottles of John Bauers that the
bartenders had gone through by
the set break.
As they finished the second
set with “Warhorse”, a raucous
medley that includes a cover of
Flogging Molly’s “Black Friday
Rule” and started to clear the
stage for the headliners, a
few inebriated stragglers (all
right, they were my friends)
shouted for an encore, even as
instruments were being packed
into their cases. Unwilling to
concede this entirely to the
significant amount of alcohol that
they had consumed, I think their
insistence had to do with the
rumors circulating the crowd that
night that Toad in the Hole would
be breaking up as of March 18th.
Sadly, I confirmed these rumors
with McDonald outside the bar
as The Visible Men started their
set. With four years and two
albums (Piss Away Your Charms
and Alleyway Rover) under their
belt, the band is playing their
farewell performance at Lucky’s,
appropriately, on St. Patrick’s
Day. “We’ve done our time here,
that’s kind of how Irish music
is” McDonald said, “We’re just
a bunch of Micks trying to have
a good time.” While I can see
that their genre probably isn’t
destined for TRL or a Super
Bowl halftime show, for the
niche crowd that has enjoyed
the group’s performances since
its conception at a Sam Bond’s
open Irish Jam, they will be
missed.
Ditson spoke of plans to start a
new project with several of the
band members, and McDonald
assured me his local music
career isn’t over; you can often
catch him and others playing
at the open jams at Sam
Bond’s Garage and Peregino
coffee shop. But, if you want to
experience the atmosphere of
their show and catch the last
performance by a great band, St.
Patty’s Day is your last chance.
So call a designated driver,
cancel your Friday morning plans
and raise a glass…or two… to
Toad in the Hole.
ov 15
mes Hobson
Ja
: From the Desk of Dr.
Focus on the Family
Dear Christians,
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a subscriber to th
winter months! As
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the Sout
h,
Dr. Dobs
on
:
p
i
h
s
e
c
a
p
S
y
m
o
t
e
m
o
c
Wel
h
a
i
s
s
e
M
e
m
a
G
o
e
d
i
V
Eugene’s
t
gh Big City Gamin’,
he sound of a grenade explosion rips throu
. All eight of the 36followed by an inhuman shriek and a thud
a futuristic war, an
of
es
inch TV screens play the same imag
they built for universal
that
t
plane
ed
shap
alien race and the ringsurreal images of
domination. Wide, eager eyes stare at the
lar video game
popu
most
latest video game craze inside one of the
the
stores in town.
thing out of Mad Max. The
The store looks like a spaceship or some
the sides like an old castle
over
pillars have large gray rocks painted all
nd displays and hang
arou
twist
s
cable
might have, and wires and iron
each other, with old couches and
from the ceiling. The TVs line up next to
advertisement for dollar-a-day
simple coffee tables lining the walls. An
ter.
regis
rentals hangs near the front cash
that,” Justin Field said,
“People thought I was just crazy for doing
rd with a broad smile. “I
forwa
d
referring to the rental deal as he leane
It was about being fair. I
dy.
gree
being
t
abou
thought it was fair. It’s not
them the way I wanted to be
feel that if I’m fair to customers and treat
-- bottom line. That’s it. I
here
treated, as a consumer, that they’ll shop
be treated -- live life that
to
want
you
how
rs
just believe in treating othe
way and I think you’ll be all right.”
prized possessions – his
Justin Field is eager to talk more about his
Big City Gamin’, on the
ne’s
Euge
of
r
owne
ld
ear-o
customers. The 28-y
s often and looks his
smile
t,
corner of 13th Avenue and Willamette Stree
customers straight in the eye.
weatshirt, jean shorts and
He dresses casually in a black hooded-s
rs how they are doing and
playe
sneakers. He makes an effort to ask
ine gun spits angrily at
mach
a
of
d
soun
if they need any help. The
p of triumph from one of the
one end of the store, followed by a whoo
youngest players.
age from the elementary to the
The dominantly male clientele ranges in
play the latest online games or
collegiate. All are vying for a chance to
.
them
to
simply battle the friend sitting next
y TV for the
“We had 50 people in here playing on ever
party,” Field said.
Halo 2 release
ess, with mostly college
He described the crowded event as a succ
had a release party as well,
students showing up. A store down the road
was superior. That night
in’
Gam
City
Big
but Field felt that the event at
e that would not be officially
he allowed his customers to play a gam
customers could carry their
released until midnight. At that time the
early hours of the morning.
the
into
purchase out of the store or play
es ordered in advance
gam
sold
only
y,
Craz
e
His competition, Gam
flimsy TVs in the back. Field
and displayed the the original Halo on two
Crazy’s careless business
e
Gam
was pleased to step into the void of
that did not preorder
mers
custo
ntial
practice of turning away pote
games.
Story and Photography + Crispin Young
18 ov
loyment at a corporate video game
Justin’s childhood experiences and emp
City Gamin’ stands for.
store shaped the ideas and values that Big
been selling games since
“It’s been a long evolution,” Field said. “I’ve
”
help.
ay
16, starting at Toys R Us as holid
I was
es, he had a lifetime of experience
Even before Field began selling video gam
alinda, Calif., Justin lived with his
Lom
in
,
playing them. Born on Nov. 23, 1975
Eugene in 1984.
parents in Riverside until they moved to
a friend’s house and got hooked
In fourth grade, Field played Nintendo at
and the arcade until he got his own
ds
frien
his
on video games. He relied on
game system in the seventh grade.
ing. “I
in a pool hall,” Field said, grinn
“From fourth to seventh grade I grew up
played in Charlie’s Pool Hall on
Willamette Street. I would play
Super Mario Brothers, Gauntlet
- all that stuff. There was smoke
in the air and Bon Jovi on the
jukebox and I was playing arcade
games all day long.”
From fourth to seventh
grade I grew up in a pool
hall,” Field said, grinning.
“I played in Charlie’s
Pool Hall on Willamette
Field backed away from his
video game addiction in high
Street. I would play Super
school, and became involved
with girlfriends and classes. He
Mario Brothers, Gauntlet
decided to drop out of South
- all that stuff. There
Eugene High School during his
ee
degr
his
n
bega
senior year and
was smoke in the air and
early at Lane Community College.
There he studied business, but
Bon Jovi on the jukebox
found his classes boring and
and I was playing arcade
unproductive.
games all day long.
“I found a lot of it common sense,”
Field said. At the same time he
was taking classes, Field was
working at a store called Video
the idea for his own game store.
Games Plus, where he started to evolve
d studying education and following
Unhappy with his major, Field considere
dparents, who were all teachers.
in the footsteps of his father, uncle and gran
ped out of school again to learn as
Instead of changing his major, Field drop
business.
much as he could about the video game
he had for the ultimate game
He told everyone he could about the ideas
him as an overly spirited 25-yearstore, but most people seemed to dismiss
old and told him, “Good luck kid.”
ed Field forward with his ideas.
New ownership at Video Games Plus push
ove their business, the friction
When new owners made no plans to impr
loyer.
began to build between Field and his emp
said. “(He) didn’t understand me
“He didn’t understand games at all,” Field
or my vision for what I wanted to do.”
n.
Berney offered him a business propositio
Field finally had a stroke of luck when Joe
his
of
help
the
for the new store. With
Field drew up a business plan and his ideas
moved into an empty storefront
Field
cer,
finan
ing
back
and
new business partner
worked simutaneously on the
Field
ths,
on Willamette Street. For the next two mon
coworkers about his plan.
his
tell
t
didn’
He
.
new store and at Video Games Plus
ber and opened Big City Gamin’ on
When he quit Video Games Plus in Octo
e any of the competitors.
Dec. 8, 2001, his new store was quite unlik
room” and brought in big screen
Field had constructed the “ultimate living
le couches. He wanted to
TVs, coffee tables, fake trees and comfortab
t have in their own home,
didn’
they
give his customers something that
they were happy and
and went out of his way to make sure that
comfortable.
diately good for business and
The dollar-a-day rental policy was imme
e.
one that Field could personally appreciat
ls – which I thought was B.S.,”
“I’ve had experiences like five-day renta
and dropped off four video
Field said. “I went to Blockbuster one time
me $24 in late fees. It was an
games an hour late and the chick charged
realized that something needed to
I
point
that
extra rental for each of them. At
change.”
online and he wanted to be the first to
Field knew that video games were going
for a stadium in the store, with seating
capitalize on the idea. He drew up plans
ds
systems connected to the Internet. Frien
surrounding the TVs and all of the game
them.
to
next
g
sittin
on
pers
the
st
again
play
could play friends across the globe, or
of
ed up a store in Corvallis in September
With the success of BCG, Field briefly open
thin.
elf
hims
ading
spre
with
fied
satis
2002, but soon discovered that he was not
ed that we was a
forth, and one day while driving Field realiz
He spent long hours commuting back and
closed the Corvallis store
s and he was not having any fun. So, Field
27-year-old guy with two video game store
ing.
laugh
is a really weird place,” Field said,
and moved everything to Eugene. “Corvallis
hard it was to own two stores in
stores as he could. When he realized how
y
man
as
own
to
ed
want
he
that
fast,
Initially, Field was so successful, so
idea of franchising.
even two different cities, he came to the
whole idea
of franchising is really cool to us.” “The
take a share of it,” Field said. “The idea
just
and
y to yell
ess,
abilit
busin
in
the
le
ng
peop
Havi
r
me.
othe
to
put
“I’m ready to
or punching the guy next
the idea of high-fiving the guy next to me,
like
really
I
t.
grea
is
store
this
e.”
at
rienc
ing
expe
gam
of
ent and the game
ng with adds a lot more to the environm
and scream with the person you’re playi
know
who not only know video games, but also
diverse, knowledgeable group of people
very
a
red
can
we
secu
-has
kids
Field
with
staff,
good
his
on
With 11 people
here,” Field said. “We’re really
parents feel safe dropping their kids off
“The
kids’
r
tele.
skate
d
clien
the
stupi
you
with
te
out
unica
‘get
told
comm
how to
They’re not being
to. And it’s cool. They really appreciate that.
relate to them on a level they’re not used
or whatever.”
a community -- and that’s one thing
in’. It’s a place for kids to hang out and be
Gam
City
Big
to
e
uniqu
that’s
thing
“That’s some
people,” he said.
we’re trying to do is build a community of
like bowling league teams. He wants his
will be online in special teams, somewhat
wants to evolve the idea of
Field believes that the future of gaming
tle, New York and all over the country. He
Seat
in
s
store
in’
Gam
City
Big
play
to
store to be able
losing the grassroots, small-town feel.
Big City Gamin’ to other markets without
gunfire
anyone else,” Field said as the sound of
“I take pride in the fact that we didn’t copy
with
world
the
in
store
e
best gam
crackles on a TV behind him. “We built the
own ideas. We didn’t
our
and
ons
opini
own
our
and
fs
belie
our own
e stadium. Nobody
gam
a
ther
toge
copy anyone else. Nobody put
ls.
renta
ay
else did a dollar-a-d
Field said, smiling. “Once we
“I can’t wait until people start copying us,”
to.”
going
re
they’
start impacting their bottom line,
seem worried, “A copy cat is never
Even with this prediction, Field does not
as good as the original,” he said.
Actor/Musicians
+ meredith frengs
Being an actor is much more than just looking pretty onscreen, reciting lines, and showing up at industry parties wearing
designer labels. Acting is an art worthy of respect, but often actors and actresses are given too little credit - leaving them
struggling for credibility.
Music on the other hand, is emotive, passionate, creative and a widely accepted talent. Therefore, what better way is there for
actors to promote themselves as “deep” and multi-talented than by playing in a band? This trend in Hollywood affects former
child stars, B-list character actors, and summer-blockbuster power-actors alike. All are jumping the bandwagon and flexing
their musical muscles. And while doing so occasionally unveils a poetic dreamer, more often it exposes attention-starved,
mediocre pseudo-celebrities for what they are.
Let us first explore the no-brainer: child stars. So you started growing facial hair, got chubby, started doing smack, and all of a
sudden the roles just stopped coming in. What next? Thankfully, music offers the perfect solution for washed-up child actors.
Once they’re grown and jaded about their careers, writing brooding and tortured lyrics seems to come almost naturally. Corey
Feldman, for instance, channeled his youthful energy and onscreen charisma into The Corey Feldman Band, who can be
found touring around the Los Angeles area. The smarmy actor plays the role of raspy frontman, complete with streaked hair
and sweaty tank top. Also check out Tina Yothers, the towheaded youngest child from “Family Ties” performing with her band
Jaded.
For typecast actors like John Cho, a band is the perfect way to express your versatility. Much more than “the guy who called
Stifler’s mom a MILF” in American Pie or Harold from Harold and Kumar Go To White Castle, Cho has taken his passion for
performing to the concert hall, where his band Left of Zed gives him the freedom to be whomever he wants. Left of Zed’s
adrenaline-fueled alternative sound is painted by Cho’s vocal range and a myriad of diverse subjects. “Honesty is the goal,”
he remarks on their website, [http://wwwleftofzed.com] and it appears that John Cho may be, in fact, more than just the cliché
minority making snide remarks in gross-out comedies.
Worth Listening:
Jason Schwartzman,
of I Heart Huckabees
and Rushmore fame,
formerly drummed
for indie-rock group
Phantom Planet.
Rilo Kiley, rising talent
off of Saddle Creek
Records, is fronted
by Jenny Lewis,
who played Haley
in Nintendo-themed
movie The Wizard, and
their guitarist, Blake
Soper, played Pinski
in Nickelodeon’s cult
classic “Salute Your
Shorts.”
20 ov
Oh, Keanu! It’s hard starring in blockbuster films when the general public simply sees you as a pretty face. Your dialogue is
choppy, your scenes unnatural. What better way to express yourself than through a grunge band? And so became Dogstar,
Keanu’s band in the late 90’s. Although most of the group’s fans were simply interested in the guitarist’s famous face, their
feedback-laden rock did attract a following of those interested in hearing Keanu’s deeper side, that is until his experimental
music career eventually fizzled.
Another pretty face, Jared Leto, currently expresses himself by singing and playing guitar in his band Thirty Seconds to Mars.
Much more “underground” than his peers, Leto prefers to keep his Hollywood life separate from his musical pursuits. Leto’s
brilliant visage is rarely seen in press or reviews—even Thirty Seconds to Mars’ debut album was devoid of any mention of the
band’s famous frontman. Their surprisingly decent music, metal-infused hard rock with a futuristic “Great Beyond” theme, has
been likened to both Pink Floyd and Deadsy. Although Thirty Seconds to Mars isn’t quite a standout band, it sure beats Leto’s
crooning as Jordan Catellano in “My So-Called Life.”
For A-list actors, a musical side-career is the perfect way to show the public that you can truly do it all. Academy Award-winner
Russell Crowe spends his time between films performing with 30 Odd Foot of Grunts, a folky rock project with friends back
home in Australia. It isn’t surprising that nominee Juliette Lewis, always unpredictable in her behavior, fronts alt-punk band
Juliette and the Licks, who graced the Warped Tour stage just last summer. And for of Kevin Bacon fanatics, he and his brother
tour under the clever moniker The Bacon Brothers in their spare time, playing acoustic rock and jam-style tunes.
Apparently, being a successful actor simply isn’t enough these days. Instead of the big screen, celebrities are flaunting their
assets on the small (in most cases) stage. As a tool for creative control and personal expression, music offers the chance to
show one’s artistic prowess outside of the film industry, whether the end product is ridiculously awesome, or simply ridiculous.
Fat on Club Life
Can a human male eat 30 pancakes in an hour? Can he eat a whole package of wasabi?
Six University of Oregon males have proudly tested the bounds of gluttony and can
clearly answer “yes.” For a year, six ultimate Frisbee players* organized and participated
in an eating club called the NWC (an virtually meaningless acronym), carving a place in
college lore for the structured exploration of human digestive ingenuity.
The NWC’s goal: to eat and drink excessive amounts of food within a quantity of food
or time. At the beginning its six members decided the winner would be the person to eat
the most of a pre-chosen substance. When it became obvious that John Knorek’s elastic
stomach would prevail at every turn, the winner became the person to eat a quantity of
food the fastest. They used the resources of Eugene to their fullest, competing at Pizza
Pete’s, Pizza Pipeline, and IHOP. They transcended exceptionally strong stoner munchies
with a package of double stuff Oreos in a few minutes, a half gallon of Neapolitan ice
cream, a dozen Krispy Kreme donuts, and the brave and nearly incomprehensible
Wasabi Challenge, where each person was responsible for mixing their powder and
clearing his sinuses for the next ten years or so.
As the club progressed an audience developed which they called “guest stars,” who
encouraged the contestants as they tried and failed to keep their food down. They
documented everything from first bite to stomach pains. A film about their Wasabi
Challenge was even screened on campus. After the hard-boiled egg contest, the NWC
recognized it had run its course. Its founding members holstered their knives and forks
and now engage in normal gastronomic practices.
In the wake of the NWC, University of Oregon still has more than its share of quirky
clubs. The UO boasts a Red Hot Chili Peppers club, a juggling club, a pre-dental club, a
Buddhists for peace club, and a squirrel fishing club.
The Dance Dance Revolution Club entertains the heroic goal of “encouraging the playing
of DDR as an alternate form of exercise, and a way to meet new people.” There is also a
popular OC insider’s club for people who not only love drama but pay Fox $24.95 to get
the drama behind the drama online.
It seems few can escape the pressure to join a club at some point during their educational
careers. In high school “getting involved” was almost mandatory. Now, with time running
out to impress future employers and grad school recruiters, and there is still incentive to
show initiative and leadership by starting or joining an club. Imagine how qualified you
will look, when your resume shows that you not only attended college, but you were the
founding member of the Orgy club. Now sit back and watch the law school acceptance
letters flow in.
*John Knorek, Barrett Hafner,Tim Robinson, Eric Greenwood, Matt Chaban, David Berney Needleman
+ krista johnson
How to develop your own Club mentality:
Pick an Acronym. It doesn’t need to make sense to
anyone but you. It can add credibility by showing that its
members not only know the alphabet, but that they took the
time to discuss it.
Choose an ideology that is either this general
or specific. Love and hate are always the easiest option
for club formation because they have a way of bringing people
together, in case that wasn’t already obvious in the election.
Set Guidelines. Now that you have developed your
concept, guidelines will help you stay focused on your
objective. Even if you decide your guideline is to have no
guidelines, it’s always good to know if someone needs to
bring a deli-meat platter or distribute educational pamphlets.
However, never be afraid to break the rules - nothing is fun
when it’s absolute.
Invite Guests. Invite your weak, your bored, your
procrastinating friends as your club grows in popularity. It can
increase the excitement and attract publicity.
Clean up. This is Oregon after all, and its residents love
dirt and trees more than people. So to get them off your case
you need to clean up after yourself. The NWC provided its
competitors with trash bags for any unpredictable digestive
malfunctions.
Document. Don’t be the last person in the world without a
website or a blog. There are thousands of people out there that
have nothing better to do with their time than to see what you
do with yours. Let them live vicariously through you. Pictures
are also essential to see the growth of your club, in people or
the size of your stomach. Besides, when you’re old you can
prove to your grandchildren how crazy and cool you were.
ov 21
see them in action @
www.oregonvoice.com
mean redscon’td>
“Austin is weird.” That was my highlight. Actually
the owner of our record label forcing me to
shotgun a beer at 4:30 in the morning after
sixteen straight hours of driving.
suck.’
Nick: YOU.
Kyle: Mine would say ‘I told you so, mom!’
Anthony: I’m looking forward to the guy that we’re
supposed to work with, Dave Sardy.
Anthony: ‘I’m pretty embarrassed.”
Do you guys have a guilty pleasure?
Nick: Sex. With each other.
Anthony: Disneyland. But that’s not really a guilty
pleasure.
If we were to go inside your van, what could
we find you guys listening to on the road?
Kyle: Adventures and Odyssey on Nick’s iPod.
Anthony: Today I listened to a lot of Tom Waits.
Miles: We go to a lot of malls, I don’t know if we
really like them.
Nick: One time we spent 2 ½ hours in a
Brookstone just getting a massage. It was
awesome.
Have you ever received any bizarre fan gifts?
Anthony: One time, in Houston, we’d never
been there before and still hadn’t played many
states, and this girl came up and said ‘Anthony
Anzwlone!’ and then she ran away. It was just
really creepy to me to hear my full name. And
later I saw her and she said hi, and I asked her
how the hell she knew my name, and she pulled
out this scrapbook with pictures of me and said,
‘I’m obsessed with you.’ And I was like, ‘How
have you even heard of me? Nobody’s ever
heard of me or listened to our band.”
Well if people did listen to your band, and you
made the cover of Rolling Stone, what would
you want to wear?
Wilson: A t-shirt that ‘Corporate magazines STILL
22 ov
Nick: I listened to the folk icon Pete Seger from
the Weavers.
Miles: Today I listened to Nick’s “Cool Kid Mix,”
which was pretty cool.
Nick: Hah, that’s the music I don’t like, it’s kind
of a joke.
Miles: I mean it sucked!
Nick: I would like to have a homeless man
produce our record.
Miles: With no knowledge of it…He’d be like
‘Navigator soup, turn it up! How many dollars do
I get for this?’
Is there anybody you guys would want to tour
with whom you haven’t already?
Anthony: Melt Banana. I think that would be
awesome.
Miles: Les Savvy Fav. Me and Kyle would like
that.
Wilson: Against Me! or Every Time I Die.
Are you guys recording a full-length any time
soon?
You’ve released two albums, and toured a lot
before any of you even turned 21. So what
next?
Wilson: After South By Southwest.
Anthony: Japan. Well, that’s my big dream.
Anthony: We’re really discouraged, we don’t
know what’s gonna happen.
Kyle: And play Conan O’Brien.
Kyle: Our record label tricks us a lot.
Anthony: Conan O’Brien and Japan, and after
that just commit mass suicide.
Is there anyone that you guys would love
to work with in the future, whether it’s a
producer, or…
Nick: And play for the troops in Iraq. J/K! LOL!
www.themeanreds.com
www.recordcollectionmusic.com
Halt!
The Oregon Voice
is calling for Literary Submissions
for our final issue, due out in June.
Please direct any
Poetry, Fiction, Literary NonFiction, Art,
Hybrid, Photography to
ovoice@darkwing.
u o r e g o n . e d u
Tele: (541) 346-0607
OregonVoice
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Eugene,
Oregon.
97403-1228
ov 23
Building the
Ultimate List
Lists are everywhere, and for good
reason. The quick, clear-cut guidance of a carefully composed list
is the only way to stay “cool” in
todayʼs fast-paced world. But what
happens when lists conflict? Wired
says that having a wireless mouse
is the only way to go, while Cosmo
says you should only sleep with
Virgos this month in order to get a
raise and a great deal on that cute
Balenciaga knockoff. Confused?
Let the Voice help you decide.
Weʼve spent many hours compiling on the best and most-cutting
edge of lists from the far reaches
of the internet to help you in your
quest to be the coolest person ever.
HOT
Bow Ties
Fat Kid in Stand By Me
Sloth
Fish Pie
Balling at the Shopko
Trash Talking
Primitivism
Repeating words twice
Jesus H. Tits
Kid Sister
Robotripping
Fireball Island
Numa Numa Kid
Mixtapes
Testicular Cancer
Polaroids
Even # of piercings
Balki-isms
Natalie Portman
“Bob Sagat Has a Posse” stickers
Slouchy, wide-leg pants
Prose Poetry
Sidekicks
Smoking in Trees
Zest! Soap
Livin la vida Loca
Smocks
Bonobos
Pet Peacocks
Bud Light
Mourning Arthur Miller
NOT
Botox
Fat Kid in The Sandlot
Corky
Hentai
Pissing in the Ballpit
Snot Rockets
Futurism
Socks with holes in the heels
Jesus TapDancing Christ
My Buddy
Tweaking
Crossfire
Aiecha Kid
ipod headphones
Goiters
Fake Louis Vuitton Purses
Odd # of piercings
Stephanie Tanner
The Detroit Lions
Domu-kun
Paris Hilton
Home Depot
Boysenberries
Drunken Kleptomania
The Truman Show
Ann Coulter
Burlap
Gibbons
Antique Vases
Bud Light
Gold