The gamecock. (Columbia, S.C.) 1908-2006, April 18, 1996, Page 8, Image 8
8
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Michael
Coddlngton, John Bradl
Columbia band Speed Kitty, rehe
M
SETH WAHPERSMAN Staff Writer
The utter confusion that binds th
members of Speed Kitty helps creat
their mangled sonic pop. Forged by th
heavy hand of bassist Susan Margolis
the band of USC students has beei
assaulting the Columbia scene. I recent!
had the opportunity to talk with the bant
members.
When I talked to Susan, sh<
reminisced about her past skatini
experience. She has skated since shi
was 10 years old, and at 13 shi
commandeered a neighbor's empty poo
and entered the "vertical world." Shi
talked colorfully about her experiences
displaying an 7-inch gash on her left leg
Never one to complain, she said, "thi
pain helps me play better. Every time
open it back up, I translate the pain inti
noise." Susan is the group's chie
songwriter and principal vocalist.
I next spoke to guitarist Ken Dubard
the "social dragonfly" of the band. Whei
Five P
JENNIFER HANSEN Asst. Features Edit
Is charity a good excuse to go out <
or is it that cheap beer is a good reason
to charity?
Yes, that's right ? it's time for Cc
second annual Pub Crawl in Five Points.
27 at about 7 p.m., anyone 21 years oL
can begin the "crawl" through Five Po
This year, the Five Points crawl foi
be collecting to benefit PALSS ? Palm<
life Support Services of South Carolini
is a public, non-profit community orgi
providing a range of free services to re
South Carolina infected and affected t
Euthana
JUUEUB8EY Special To The Gameaxi
Hie name of the band is Euthanasia
why Euthanasia? "Never give up to<
soon, never hang on too long." This is ?
way to live life. Its about freedom o
choice. Josh Gurrant, the drummer, saic
across the booth at IHOP. Josh and Dor
used to skate together. Josh is a red
headed extrovert and Don sits back anc
takes it all in. Don Russo is the leac
guitarist, well built with a charismati<
stage presence. Brian Leaphart and Jodj
Duncan went to the same high school
Brian has a really dynamic and expressive
voice. When he sings, he lives the emotion*
ey on tho drums, Susan Margolls a
arse their 'mangled sonic pop.' The hi
/
r
'1 was driving a tank down a highws
e it turned on into a tank, ana wnen i
e out of the cannon and chased the
e nearby field, the cat followed H ani
i,
i ...
y
i c
asked how playing loud was affecting
e his hearing, he responded, "We're going
? to get sponsored by Miracle-Ear." He
e said the band had a good time of St.
e Patrick's Day "and then got plastered."
'1 They play better at night and prefer bars
e to the outdoors, he added.
Jonathan Bradley, the band's futuristic
[ drummer, spent some time telling me
e about the band's sound and his thoughts
I on the Columbia scene. "If s improving,"
0 Bradley said "Bands like Space 13, the
f New Jack Rubies and Slick 50 are really
impressive Fm sick of people complaining
1, about the scene."
1 Bradley said the band has been
bints F
?L "The crawl is an event whei
innking, crawlers win because they i
to donate collect a few tons of free to
ilumbia's
On April living with HIV/AIDS. PALS
d or older services available to health c
ints. service professionals and the lc
* i *11 TIAT OO -1 /V 11 _
iooa will r/ujoo was cnosen ior me
itto AIDS they are tied in with Budweis
a. PALSS they were very enthusiastic al
anization said David Lindenauer, Pres
sidents of Promotions Inc.
>y HIV or This is how the whole thing1
.sia far fr<
[ of the song. Jody, with a buzz of blond
hair, frolics like a kid with a great toy
? when he plays his guitar on stage. Devin
5 Miller is the oldest in the group, discovered
1 through an ad for a bass player. The
name of the band is not important, but
I what makes it shine unique.
1 Like a clannish family, the guys eased
* into comfortable conversation and shared
1 a pack of Marlboro Lights. The real reason
1 for Euthanasia's success is the support
: for local music in the area. Brian wanted
f to make that clear. Thanks to the local
clubs, air time on Rock 93.5, and good
i public relations, Euthanasia has developed
3 a loyal following in the Capital area.
1 iompnpygH
~ $? j a
SPECIAL TO THE GAMECOCK
nd Ken Dubard, who make up the
tnd Is made up of USC students.
I \M
3
iy and was being followed by a plane,
shot at it, a speeding black cat came
other tank. When it turned off into a
I blew it up."
chael Coddington, guitarist for Speed Kitty,
lescribing the creation of the group's name
compared to Sonic Youth and
Swervedriver and is aiming towards a
less formal, more abstract tonal sound.
Although the band has only been together
four months, the members have been
disturbing their neighbors for several
years, most notably Ken, who helped
found the influential Columbia band a
iMP. at il
It was often hard to follow guitarist
Michael Codchngton's trancelike verbal
disco. He described the creation of the ,
group's name as "a nightmare come to e
life. I was driving a tank down a highway (
and was being followed by a plane. It ?nb
turned off into a tank, and when I shot desi
lib Cra*
e everyone wins...the bars win because the
ire drinking at a reduced rate and PALSS wi
od^
S also provides must register between 4 p.m.
are and hupaan Elbow Room. Crawlers pay a
>cal community, two cans of food and $8 wi
event "because registered, the crawlers are f
er, and because wristbands and maps. The ci
Dout the event," $1 Bud and Bud Light di
jident of Lindy participating bars and restai
For the finale, crawlers go ou
works: A crawler Vineyard, where they can ha
Dm pulling
There are plans to cut a CD soon and to fron
broaden their gigs into the coastal areas the
ana into in ortn uaronna. in one or tne are
band members are in school, but have netv
jobs to pay the bills as they work toward r
success. All of the guys are focused on is th
the success of their music. on a
"We are like a family," Josh said. The
There is not a time when things can cro\
no be worked out or when we aren't there guy
for each other. The band practices twice thai
a week, and spends most of their free brot
time with one another. agei
The band does not face obstacles from thei:
within. The members' families are ELT]
supportive. The lack of negative attitude for b
IBi
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?d Kitty will appear on the Carolina Productions CI
ve-song album, and they will also be 'surprising' th<
a speeding black cat came out of and increase virility.1
cannon and chased the other tank, the WUSC controvers
sn it turned off into a nearby field, if s garbage. Any crec
cat followed it and blew it up." ever had as a pulpit f<
Uoddington spoke of a food known has been lost. The s
1 as Kashi, part of a special diet stands, has been fors
gned to reduce the need for sleep old booger."
vl to bene
y are getting business at an otherwise slow time, the
ns because they don't have to pay anything, and the]
David Lindenauer, President of Lindy Promol
and 7 p.m. at the specials until 11 p.m.
$5 fee if they bring Sponsoring for the second time is I
thout food. Once of Columbia. The local 93.5 WARQ rac
jiven plastic cups, is also a participating sponsor. This c
1 JLl ' l j 1 1 T 1 T> .
awiers men enjoy event was invented Dy mnay rromoi
aft beers at all and is held in nine cities across the o
irants until 9 p.m. different charity is benefited in every
t to visit Martha's "The crawl is an event where e
ve the same drink wins...the bars win because they ar
I plug on fu
i relatives and a united effort from Swigging down the li
band makes life easier. When times Brian and the rest of
rough, there will be that support their sound. Hoops ar
rork in their friendships and at home, from the audience, es
Hie greatest strength of Euthanasia took his shirt off as th
leir stage presence. I got to see them When the band sounc
l Friday night at Mother Tuckers, heads started to bot
band members were mingling in the glued to the perfor
vd and greeting friends. All of the members have their a]
A rp m O AVAr AhH QP i H Violin o n rl mnrl1n\7 nf aow mnlr or
w v"^ w tivxiw LA 11 VI UiVUlVJ V/l iwva IA1.
iked me for coming to listen. Jodys thing to do was to pii
;her, Madison Duncan, acts as an of the band. Eutham
it of sorts and fave me a card with from Pearl Jam, no 6
r new number on it. It is 1-800-440- slew of originals, Eut
rH, where you can get information has their own brand
coking or the latest band information. When the band too
Thursday, April 18,1996
w* !
"
SPECIAL TO THE OAMECOCK
D compilation, due In late April; they have plans for
? crowd at the Art Bar tonight.
When asked about Speed Kitty will soon appear on
y, he said, "I think Carolina Productions' CD compilation,
libility the station due to be released near the end of April,
ir nittincr-pHcrp art nnH Viavp arVioHnloH ro/?nrHinor timo fnr
itation, as it now a future five-song release. They will also
aken like a week- be taking the Art Bar completely by
surprise tonight.
;fit PALSS
i business at an otherwise slow time, the crawlers
. wjii win because they are drinking at a reduced rate
and PALSS wins because they don't have to pay
anything, and they will collect a few tons of free
tions, Inc. food," Lindenauer said. Budweiser and WARQ
also benefit by having their names tied in with
the event.
ludweiser Budweiser has helped sponsor the crawl by
lio station supplying the plastic cups, wristbands and the
iharitable table tents. PALSS will provide a van and
ions, Inc. organization volunteers to help collect and cart
ountry. A away the food raised at the event,
city. With over 1,000 crawlers expected, event
everyone planners hope to raise at least 3,000 pounds of
e erettine canned food. "Rain or shine, the crawl hecrins at
tii re surress
- v x/ x/
ast of a long neck, wandered through a dozen conversations
the band checked to ask me what I thought. The band
id hollers sounded treats its fans well. A book was passed
pecially when Don around to five fans an opportunity to get
e house heated up. on the band, I added my address to
' e crowcrs the list. The house was full by the second
, as all eyes were g had to elbow
mers. All of the , . . ... . ./
speal, and it makes armed'to make 11 to the bathroom or
id roll. The hardest bar"
n down the sound Check out the local listings for
isia has influence Euthanasia play dates. Grab a drink
loubt. There are a an(* settle into the unique sound of an
hanasia definitely up and coming group. Through raw talent
of sound. and a hell of a stage presence, the band
k a breather, Brian gives a good show.