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SITE OF THE DAY Satan Inside The So their stu JOHN LYONS Features Editor Perseverance has paid off for the Soul Mites. The Columbia-based band, a mainstay to the Midlands music scene since early 1993, appears to finally be where it wants to be. With its debut CD due to hit stores in March and its fan base growing ; at a steady pace, this melting pot of classic rock, funk and alternative rock is bearing the fruits of its labor. And in the eyes of percussionist Kevin Scheyer, 21, the four-year evolution of his band has produced a well-oiled machine. "We've matured as musicians and as a family, we're not just getting up on stage and playing our instruments," Scheyer said. "It's a business. We hook with each other now." The band's hard-earned musical independence has lately produced Uncle Walt Inc., a management company which acts as a safety net of sorts for the band. "Uncle Walt allows us to promote, sort of like Fishco (Hootie & The Blowfish management)," Scheyer said. "It's for our own security, like in dealing with bar owners. We're official. We can take out taxes, we have our own lawyer?we're not a bunch of kids anymore." With the Soul Mites' growth have Nada provi Jl / ITiVVllllg kJl. West Columbia (across fromMcDonalds) 739-9100 MATT CHEVERTON Staff Writer : i If you're a government or business ( major, there's only one place you want to live on campus. j And if you're like me and doing ? both, the advantages of rolling out j of bed five minutes before class after 1 a heavy night on the ale prove living anywhere else pales in comparison ? to Nada. Okay, so it offers American and t international students the opportunity ^ to live together in harmony (most of c the time!) and share in a unique cultural experience (at least that's what it says in the housing pamphlet). ? Perhaps, most importantly it's not Bates House, where I spent the ^ first few nights after my arrival from ^ England and was sorely tempted to j. catch the next plane home. j. 9 Alumna: Holly Gi UlWClOr J Topic: Partial Birth Al JW* also Vietnam Veteran: 1 II Topic: Euthanasia/Disal IsIH e tejwf Twe | ISLANI COLUMBIA'S < PRESSURE TA ONE TAN IN THE OIL 7 TANS IN A CON GUAR/ l^lW\lif5ypn>t 3ST ISLAND ^10 Mppfinn Ct ETC. C ul Mite iff this m come sacrifices. While the band's capability was once inhibited by college and work schedules, lately their vision has narrowed on their goal to quit their day jobs and build careers with their music. Recently, the band replaced old guitarist A1 Taylor with Chris Portwood, formerly of local band Sonar. With Portwood, Scheyer, drummer Andy Dumiak, bassist Thorn Harm an and Tim Davis, the puzzle is now complete for the Soul Mites. And as Scheyer says, Portwood fit in perfectly from Day One. "He played two shows with us just jamming around," Scheyer said. "But the third show he played with us, which was this past October, was the biggest show we've ever done." Scheyer was referring to Augusta's South By Southeast Showcase, a two-day music extravaganza which featured the Hazies, Pine, Hazel Virtue and Squeezebox. Out of 250 bands that sought a spot on the bill, only 12 were selected to play the showcase. The Soul Mites were one of them. Playing in front of 2,400 people at the event was a trial by fire for Portwood, and, for that matter, the rest of the band as well, for it was the largest crowd to ever witness them live. After the Augusta show, Portwood des USC sti Certainly, Nada apartments are ike Buckingham Palace by comparison. The apartments have a massive iving room, an adjoining dining room md a kitchen, complete with such uxuries as a dishwasher, washing nachine and tumble dryer. Never mind that you can never ictually get to the washing machine is your hard-up friends will bring heir wash over. Best of all, we even [et free toilet paper delivered to our j loor every week. < Come to think of it, there are few 1 >laces I'd rather live on campus, i ilthough I do sometimes think, when ny roommate's alarm wakes me up ] n the morning, or when I can't get nto the bathroom because he is too 1 >usy applying his make-up, that < Laving a single room would be rather 1 atling i C Citizens for Life bortion Wayne Cockfield I bilities IADRO! : YATERBED \ > TAN ONLY HIGH dsINING BED! m)ro is equal to rVFMTTOMAT RFD vNTEED flrff fie teach/ 806PavillionAve. Five Points (behind Group Therapy) 254-9100 ? IN MONDAY Get An Inside L< tA is show weekend became a full-time member of the band. And judging by the March release of their debut CD, more large crowds could be in the band's future. Preparing to hit the road in support of their debut just months after replacing their guitarist could be a testament to the Soul Mites' resolve. The Soul Mites' resume is extensive, as the they've played with such bands as Hootie, Spider Monkey, Danielle Howe, Treadmill Trackstar, Root Doctors, Edwin McCain and A Flock of Seagulls. The Soul Mites have soli d ties in the Southeast, having played in Augusta, Asheville, Isle of Palms and Murrell's Inlet. This spring they hope to expand their market to venues in rfinploatnn an/1 A+lanfa The CD, which contains eight songs, was recorded at The Jam Room in Columbia and, as Scheyer says, the band's growth is evidenced in the new cuts. "We're writing new songs and developing old sound, but we're also adding a new sound to our songs," Scheyer said. "In a way, I guess you could say we're fusing the old with the new." When asked how to describe the Soul Mites' music, Portwood offered a clever if not artistic analysis, saying, "It's a shot of funk, with a twist of rock and a splash of soul." udents inte nice. But seeing as almost everybody living on USC campus has to share as well, if s hard to count this against Nada. Other benefits of living in Nada are that you are given the opportunity to participate in all the fabulous Nada events tirelessly organized primarily by Heather, Rodney and Amber. I mean what could be nicer than getting up at 7 am. the first Saturday of the semester to go on a group banding exercise on some ropes course in the middle of nowhere. Now that's what I call a good hangover aire! Unfortunately, these group bonding exercises only take place once a semester, but do not fear because there are many other fun I Dok At The Nickelodeon Theatre LU, The Soul Mites, pictured above, will be playing their 1 Since joining the Soul Mites, well, it's not as i Portwood's opinion of area bands' thought before I personalities has changed. "Columbia is n "Most of the bands around here as far as not nece are really nice," Portwood said. "All a straight bar ban< the different bands are around the open to music in! same circles and they get along so just to sit around rnational experi filled events throughout the year, enjoyable and ne\ Recent examples include trips to Sure, everybod the mountains and New Orleans minor detail of you and events ranging from a Halloween the word privacy i party to the Valentine's murder you will forget th< mystery, where I even had the set against the feet __1 ?* 1 1 1 il 11 i pleasure ui staging a dramatic aeatn, ine opportunity u and hurting my elbow in the process, friends with so ma All this before I have 6ven diverse people of mentioned the infamous Nada parties this seems like a s that frequently take place in the Of course Nada apartments. But a word of warning: if you're an interi Ifyou do choose to live here, make then you suff sure you not only register the party inconvenience of but provide plentiful soft drinks and with a bloody Ami limit alcohol intake to one drink an you natives out th hour, or else you could be in trouble hugely from the ex with the power-crazed RAs from knows, you may enearby Columbia Hall, as I found of that elusive co out to my cost last semester. way. Putting aside this slight For those inter inconvenience, life in Nada is certainly reading this, mud (?Q5? ^Costa Real Hotel & S ^ ^ Continental Plaza Ca fjk M Club Las Perlas* L, m Marriott CasaMagm 'GEHIidLjiii j| Costa Real Hotel & J Jp Continental Plaza Ca w^w*' Club Las Perlas* +AII Inclusive (All meals, JK ^wamotn|asan^agm All packages are per person, triple or quad occupancy and include lowest rou airport transfers, hotel accommodations, hotel tax and are for new bookings onl Bp Fees, $6.50 US Customs Fees and Mexico departure tax of up to $13.37. Prograr f subject to change, availability and cancellation charges. Certain blackout dates ma; t a I try to focus on the people who were one-hit wonders. The people who didn't make careers in the business. Dr. Jimmy WUSC specialty show host )<) < ft g Wm SPECIAL TO THE GAMECOCK first show of the year tonight at the Elbow Room. competitive as I The Soul Mites will play tonight joined the band, at Elbow Room, their first show in aore open-minded Columbia since December, 1996. The j sssarily accepting opening act will be Dayroom of i; it's become more Athens, Ga The band will also appear stead of someone tonight on the WUSC-FM local music and drink to." show at 7 p.m. ence on campus rerdull. have to admit that from my y will know every experience, the Americans in Nada r personal life and r,, JV , , * nw\ anmo at rnn fmoiahliaot nn/I ?v?An4 . 1 . ,i . CUC OU111C Wi U1C UlCllUUCOt CU1U 1111/9 v is something that 2 meaning of, but welcoming people you are ever going that you will have to meet. a meet and make Mind you that still doesn't mean w?nderful and ^ have the right to make us sell all nationalities, mall to pay. donuts outside the Russell House in | policy means that the pouring rain (Nada Committee lational student members please take note!). er the slight gQ there you have it, the truly having to share . , erican, but for all unique and eye-opening experience ere, you'll benefit that is living in Nada apartments perience and who for one year. ven acquire some Qne thing's for sure, my time olness along the A . , . , . spent there has certainly been ^ national students eventful and I won't forget it in a hi to my chagrin I hurry. m Charleston w , 3nts 5nts 7nts Based On Suites $659 $765 $ 865 Quads ncun 695 819 945 Triple 719 865 1005 Quads All Drinks, All Tips Included] i 749 909 1075 Quads Suites 649 749 849 Quads ncun 679 805 929 Triple I I ^ 685 829 975 Quads I All Drinks, All Tips Included) i 735 895 1055 QuadsJ ndtrip airfare on Delta and Aeromexico from Charleston or Greenville/Spartanburg, I ly. Add $3.00 passenger facility charge (San Diego only), $7.45 Federal Inspection I ns are valid February 16 thru March 31, 1997, and may vary by departure date, are / apply. Weekend, holiday and peak season surcharges may apply 1