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Carolina life Monday, August 20, 1990 The Gcimccock 1-B * jj^n fl John Christ, Chuck Biscuts, Glenn Danzig anc Danzig's shows blw DENNIS SHEALY Carolina Life Editor As someone once said, 'This is hell, dudes.' An apt descrition of of the occult influenced, stipped-the-bone, wall of sound that is Danzig. You'll never catch Glenn Danzig or any of his band mates in spandex with a tweenkie shoved down their pants, nor will you ever hear them playing so fast that the line between music and annoying, high pitched whine is crossed. Their new album Lucifuge more than proves there are so bands left in the world that know what hard driving rock *n roll is really all about. If you can get past the silliness of the saNaiomi's Hair By DENNIS SHEALY Carolina Life Editor What do you get when you put Neil Young, ( Flea, any punk drummer and either of the gui- 1 tarists from The Church on one album? < r 11 1 . - _ _ - _ i ou re prooaoiy not even trying to guess so I'll just go ahead and tell you. What you happen to get is the album Tara by the band J Naiomi's Hair. Tara is a fairly decent album, but it fails to cover any new musical territory. It sounds like . very typical REM jingle-jangle college rock ] with a bit of punk thrown in. . Guitarist-vocalist Scott Mahaney is reported to sound like REM's Michael Stipe, but he re- < ally sounds like Neil Young. His playing style ( is reminiscent of the Edge and those guys from ( 'y fit-- H \ ^^H|||| |||| I -/f "tj -r -'| ljHHHH| : & ., ^ *:j? wk wt. h^ JPjSSF' IB Naiomi's Hair Southeast provii By LESLIE WALLER Staff Adventurer i Are you having a boring summer in South Cs olina? Do von want to try something adventurous the few weeks before school begins? If you answer yes to the above questions, I have the answer: whit water rafting. Whitewater rafting is a sport that has gained a lot publicity in recent years. It must have been invent when someone realized sightseeing in a canoe was t slow to be challenging to anyone and kayaking do^ a river was too dangerous for even an experienc vacationer. Whitewater rafting, however, provides the best ^both worlds. It provides the slow,steady pace of a canoe with t quick, exhilreating ride of a kayak depenpending jpHM m m ,:0 JjjjjUH I^W;V w m^w * * jfl yl. gH E& Eerie Von f second esier side tanic references in almost every song you have an oddly pleasing mixture of the old Black Sabbath's plodding blues and today's more harsh metal sound. Many who know Glenn Danzig from his early days as the frontman for the punk band the Misfits and the band Samhain go 'Huh?' when you mention blues along with Danzig, but really, it's true. "I'm the One" is a suprising acoustic-blues tune that sounds more like the early acoustic recordings of John Lee Hooker than something one would expect to find on an album in the heavy metal section of a record store. "777" features slide guitar in the original sense of slide guitar, not that meally-mouthed kind that occasionally rears its ugly head on lacks voice 01 rhe Church. This is not to say that he doesn't have his 3wn style, but the similarities are just too appaent to not make them come to mind when the ilbum is played. L 3 ft n rn n 4- k 4 I ? _ 4-4- V? A A A -m 1 m 1 a II maiuu nvcicii was a luimiiiausLii; funk style that gives the music it's danceable feel without being overpowering like other funkish players. And finally, drummer Joel Robert is basically i punk drummer who must have started taking lessons when he finally accepted the death of 3unk. As for some of the tracks on Tara: 'Tinker, Tailor" and "Con But For" are both ianceable college music tunes. It's the best of be REM sound with really meaningful lyrics. ii? ies a number c the turns and twists of the river. Rafting is an experience you will nev< ir~ cause of the beautiful outdoor scenery. 1 in wildlife, flowers and Whitewater will giv ed neer sense of peace to match the demanc -e" challenge rafting will give you. Interested? Are you ready for whitewal ec* The nearest Whitewater river is the CI 00 three hours from Columbia. Located in S.C., it served as the filming location fi e(* Deliverence and was declared a Nation Scenic River by Congress. In the past, named one of America's top 10 rivers fc water sports, from rafting to water skiing he on A wide variety of half-day to two day Ejl x jfl B jjPlfP H^^^K es| f jJjSP j jaBKMBHi <a album of metal albums today. Overall, Lucifuge is better than its predessesor Danzig, but much of the new album seems to be a rehash of the first. "Snakes of Christ" is a dead ringer for the song "Twist of Cain." This is forgivable because Danzig doesn't claim to be extremely talented, but what they are is a band that understands power and heavy rhythms which keep the foot tapping and the head banging. If nothing else, maybe you have a young glam metaller in the family and this would be the perfect gift for introducing them to music that is about rock 'n roll and Elvis snares, not mousse and make-up. Be sure to catch Danzig, Soundgarden and Warrior Soul at the Huger Street Concert Hall 1 on August 20. n debut effort "Con But For"* will be appriciated by anyone who has close friends of the opposite sex. "Without a Sound" is the real bright spot on the album. It's a song about small town life, which tends to make one reminisce about it whether you lived in a small town or not. "Without a Sound" is the culmination of all that is good on the album, which is lyrics that are intelligent and intelligible. "Caroline" ~ your guess is as good as mine. Tara in and of itself may not be great, but it a decent effort by a band that shows a lot of potential. The have strong song writing talent and only need to find their own voice. Naiomi's Hair recently played Greenstreets and are reported to be coming back in September so be on the look out, they're supposed to have a really mean show. i I fetoj? % 'o - SmmH I |Lv t.. >f great rivers f on this river are available for all a Trips down Chatooga are modera _ t , scheduled daily March through Oc er forget be- ^ , t ^ ahnnH^nt Tw0 other nvers, the Ocoee ar - aav MA/U11UV11L _ ? . f . e you an in- t0 ^ exciting Whitewater i ling physical touted m Ducktown, Tenn. It off< waves and continuous rapids, yet i beginners and experienced rafters. cr^ The Nantahla is located at the latooga, only Smoky Mountain National Park ii Little Creek, ^as e*&ht miles of constant waves Dr the movie die magnificent scenery of Nant al Wild and down the Nantahla would provide it has been duction to white-water rafting. >r all sorts of A M ? and fishing. A11 set 10 S?? Before taking of tips in mind. All participants in rafting trips must be in good physical conditi< * I^^Br Hfcs*; IE ^K_ jfl Ht | v JR ^K.. | JB^^B Ht > .^< BBBRUBBBRRI ^ifc/^BI BB Bedlam Hour and I Various lo thrive in C By KELLY C. THOMAS Staff Writer Until the last several years, the Columbia music scene was pretty lean. A good band would emerge for a while, only to move away to bigger and better things or to die out into oblivion. No one would ever have thought to cite Columbia as a hot spot for local talent. But, as in all things, the times change, the people change and the current attitude in the immediate Southeast is now more favorable towards Columbia. And no wonder ? in the past few years, the city has produced talent and ineenuitv like never before, and things can only get better. Through talking to people in the area, it seems Columbia is currendy touted for two of its original bands ? Lay Quiet Awhile and Psychotoy. So, let's start with these performers and go on. To start off, Lay Quiet Awhile is (or, until recendy, was) a fourpiece ensemble that played a sometimes playful/sometimes serious blend of garage-folk-pop and a little of just about everything else, too. The band was comprised of vocalist Danielle Howie, bassist Dan Cook, guitarist and violinist Phil Cook and drummer and vocalist Troy Tague. A Columbia favorite, LQA packed the local club Rockafellas* each time they played, and opened for several larger bands that passed through the area. They also released a cassette, 'The Other Eggs are Waking Up" in 1989. Recently, however, Tague left the band in search of new interests, and the other members are scouting out a new drummer. Tague did drum for the band's new recording and is helping with the production of the South Carolina Media Institute's music video of the band. Psychotoy, a newer, but no less popular local band, plays a variety of songs in a style that blends modem folk-pop with a sound reminiscent of the psychedelic rock of the early '70s. Psychotoy is a quartet formed in late 1988/early 1989. The band members are vocalist/guitarist Dale Simmons, guitarist Benoit St. Jacques, drummer David Kelly and bassist Jamie Crisp. For a band only a year or so old, they've built quite a following in Columbia and the surrounding areas. Another widely-known local talent is the Bachelors of Art, who play their own style of rock-popmetal. The band, led by powerful vocalist Robin Wilson, is a quartet that can be seen in Columbia sev i a* * .1 erai urnes during tne year. A band that, until this year, was known mainly for its powerful renditions of many college rock fa vorites (REM, the Smithereens, or white-wat ges and skill levels, sisting in paddlii itely priced and are and equipment t< tober. In warm weal id the Nantahla, are ing suit and sho< rivers. The Ocoee is cold weather tri srs five miles of big and wool hat E t is suitable for both clothes and a sei The sport of \ edge of teh Great *? see nalure at: 1 North Carolina. It perform under pi swift currents and Rafdng is for 3 Gorf' ,A as well as adults an excellent mtro- physica, chaUenj 'f, keep these safety ^or more 'n'c Whitewater rafting the above menti 3n. You will be as- (803) 647-9587. WrWr |^^^H^^H||^^iiit|l j v fcy.jw Kii^<^*vNfl I v? fans cal bands Columbia etc.) is now introducing an assortment of original works into their shows, and doing very well at it, too. Having recently acquired a hot new drummer, the group's sound is tight, concise and professional. Bedlam Hour, an eight-year Columbia-based hardrock-hardcore band, has decided to uproot, move to D.C. and take it from there. The UnnJ ?.ill : 1 .L. 1 _r uauu win uc iiiuvmg uy uic cnu Ui 1990, taking Columbia's good wishes with them. A Columbia talent that has been quiet for a while is Douglas Chay. But he's not gone and forgotten. He's been working on a new recording he hopes to release, and should be back on the scene soon. A 1989 upstart band, Channel Zero is making waves in the area. The trio, comprised of Frank Robinson, Scott Frey and Jeff Able, use the now popular college-rock style and mixes it up with a little funk and hard rock to make for a sound that is both enjoyable for those who prefer listening and danceable for those who enjoy a good boogie. And the list goes on. Two newer locals, 49 Reasons and Blightobody, mix rock, pop and funk sounds to create their music. With a growing number of scheduled performances, it seems both of these bands are on their way to at least local stardom. More bands gaining local popularity ? Antischism and the DeKAtiinn tic#* o K1 pn rl of 1T1VUIUU, UJV 44 U1VUU V/i hard rock, punk and hardcore to do their thing. The Deboning Method started out in 1988 and have played several shows in the area. Antischism has been around for a few years and recently released a 7" vinyl recording called "All Their Money Stinks of Death." And yes, Columbia even has its own Reggae band ? JudgeNot ? which is currently undergoing changes in its lineup. The band plays a mixture of originals and cover songs and has played at several local clubs as well as at clubs in other parts of S.C. Well, in a very big nutshell, there you have it ? the Columbia music scene. There are other performers, such as acoustic wonders Rene Russell and Jerry Hayes, wandering performers like Ruba Say and Craig Wright, cover bands like Calvin and Friends and the Hostages and a whole host of other bands just starting out (Butt, Brainchild, etc.) but, as you can see, the list could go on forever. The best way, of course, to learn about the local talent is to get out and see it, so if any of these bands sound like your thing or if you are just open to new experiences, check out these bands and performers at Columbia's clubs and venues ? and discover why Columbia is getting a musical reputation. er rafting ng your own raft and in carrying rafts 3 and from the river. iher, be sure to wear shorts or a bathjs that you aren't afraid to get wet. On ds. brine a wool sweater, wool socks I ' ? " ? te sure to bring a towel, a change of lse of adventure! vhite water rafting is an excellent way its purest form and to see how you can ressure. grandparents and children, teenagers ? anyone who desires a mental and irmation about rafting trips availabe on oned rivers, call Wildwater rafting at