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□BACK IN TIME WUSC-FM gets ready to kick off ’80s weekend WUSC-FM disc jockeys sing their rendition of “We Are the World” to cap off last year's ‘80s Weekend. by Kelly Hamilton The Gamecock ‘“80s Weekend,” the annual fundraising effort of WUSC-FM 90.5, will provide the opportunity for students to request their favorite music, partici pate in a variety of contest and win prizes. According to WUSC’s public relations direc tor Camille Watkins, this is the station’s longest run ning and most popular fundraiser. Students can call in and request their favorite ‘80s songs in exchange for donations to WUSC. The listener who puts the total over each $200 mark will receive a prize package, Watkins said. A prize will also be given at the end of each DJ’s show for the biggest donation during the show. Prizes will include gift certificates to local restaurants and stores, movie passes to three theaters, concert tickets, pass es to area health clubs and a cell phone from Sprint PCS. “You’ll be able to hear all kinds of music,” Watkins said. “We’ll be playing everything from popular stuff like Madonna to more obscure songs.” The events will begin with WUSC’s kick off par ty on Greene Street from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Rock bands S-Tribe and Superbike will provide live mu sic, and WUSC will give out prizes such as key chains and ‘80s Weekend cups. There will also be free pizza donated by Domino’s. Students can display their vocal talent in an ‘80s karaoke contest. The songs will be recorded and lat er played on the air, when businesses can call in and vote for their favorites. The karaoke singer who recieves the most callOin votes will win two tickets to the Mighty Mighty Bos stones concert in Charlotte. Saturday night will feature an ‘80s party and cos tume contest at the Elbow Room. The party will be held in conjunction with the CD release party of Fling, a local rock band. Watkins said the event will begin at 9 p.m. with ‘80s music played by a DJ. Fling will take the stage at 11 p.m. and perform songs from their new CD. Admission is-$6. “We’re encouraging everyone to dress up in their favorite clothes from the ‘80s,” said Watkins. “You can dress like an ‘80s rocker...leather, dangly ear rings, and big hair...big, big hair.” According to Watkins, the winner of the cos tume contest will get two tickets to the Deftones and Incubus contest in Charlotte. The runner-up will win tickets to the String Cheese Incident in Char lotte. The spotlight desk can be reached at gamecockspotlight@hotmail.com. 'We’ll be playing everything from popular stuff like Madonna to more obscure songs.’ Camille Watkins WUSC Public Relations Director PlayStation 2 hype might be overrated by Chris Wright The Gamecock Advertising can sometimes count more than the product itself. Even very well developed games and consoles can fail if the advertising and hype doesn’t succeed. 4^ For a good example of this, compare the huge sales of the Sega Saturn in Japan to their horrible turnout in America. Sony’s newest addition to the mar ket, the PlayStation 2, definitely doesn’t face the problem of not having enough hype. Everyone, be they American, Euro pean, Australian or Asian, lias been buzzing about this new system. Just a search for the system on e-Bay or any other online market will reveal the outrageous prices some people will pay for the box. The true question, however, is whether the hype will hold up when more devices become available. Will Wright, a USC-Aiken student used to write for dc-extreme.com, ^ga Dreamcast’s number one website, attended the annual E3 convention in Los Angeles, which showcases the hottest exlusive games and systems being de veloped. Wight said chip technology and hard ware design will be the two largest prob lems facing the PlayStation 2. Sony has faced many problems try ing to manufacture the chips themselves, and as a result they haven’t released many systems recently. “Sony should have let another company handle the manufacturing of this Emotion Engine and Graphics Syn thesizer Chip, and they would not have had to go through the launch fiasco,” said Wright. According to Wight, when software companies develop games for a console, typically libraries come with the system development kits. These libraries contain the basic files for much of the standard development required for creating a game. Without these libraries, game developers must “start from scratch” on every game. PlayStation see page 6 Rock*A*Teens deliver innovative rock style by Marguerite Higgins The Gamecock OUT OF ifr * ft & In evident contrast to their opening Auid, The Capitals, The Rock*A*Teens pve a limited audience a good example of innovative rock late Wednes day evening at New Brookland Tavern. Using a wide selection of string and wood instruments, the band from Cabbagetown, Ga., entertained crowds with music mainly from their fifth full-length CD, “Sweet Bird Of Youth,” , which they released in April. Chris Lopez took the lead of the band and singing with his higher pitched vo cals that gave an appreciative offset to the low bass guitars and percussion. The band doesn’t delve into heavy rock, nor does it scream alternative or indie rock. Rather, the four members keep the music upbeat and easy enough to follow, ^thout conforming to any one style. In their first song, “If I Waited To Be \ Famous (Fd Have Shot Someone),” Lopez gives almost a hint of a British rock singer in the inflection of his voice and the em phasis with the electric guitars. Howev er, the band steers away from being U2 groupies by adding in unexpected adorn ments to the song, such as saying words in the chorus and then singing. Drummer Ballard Lesemann keeps an entnusiasuc neat throughout all the songs, often contradicting the lyrics with the dynamic rhythm. Instrument experi mentation also seems to be a passion for the band, with tbe additional use ol a portable organ played by guitarist and background singer Justin Hughes, a piano played by Lopez, an accordian and a harmonica along with the electric and bass guitars and drums. “We’ve had the chance to add extra instruments to our shows, so we did it,” Lopez said. “If You Only Knew” shows darker subtones with the high-stringed guitar Teen seefwges « Special to The Gamecock Fling will release their new CD, View From the Valley, Saturday night at The Elbow Room. The group consists of (left to right) Kenley Young, Ronnie Cleland, Justus Jagger and James Touzel. Fling to play Elbow Room in support of newest CD by Kevin Langston The Gamecock Local artists Fling will be playing the Elbow Room Saturday night in support of their newest EP, “The View From the Valley.” Formerly known as the Speakeasies, Fling will be playing songs from the new CD, as well as several old A—»L„« »1 r.. _„ — - JllUlUUl UJ UUU 11 UVV U1V 11 TV/ J V/Ul V/lll V/V/l V/l VI. Fling already has an album full of origi nal material recorded under the name Junc tion 51 to their credit, but some considerable time has since passed, and Fling has matured ^ soundwise. Their songs are more introspective and insightful than most twentysoinethings could boast, and what’s more amazing is that these four guys are doing this in between college courses. “The View From the Valley” is a five-song intro duction to a sound that deserves attention. From flashy pop to blistering rock to lyrical ballads, this album will be hard to foiget. Lead singer Kenley Young’s choirboy voice is the per fect compliment to lyrics of love-tom experience. It’s al most sad to say such good music can be the spin off of such bad experiences. “Decade of Mornings” is the album’s opener, and it does well to set the mood of the CD. With a subtle gui tar dancing about, the song kicks in with a driving beat provided by Ronnie Cleland. “No More Than Enough” provides a catchy guitar riff that rises to Young’s words: “I’m no survivor. I haven’t stood up yet.” The song’s bridge is an outstanding two minutes of music. It’s a wonderful collaboration of song writing and production. From the most insignificant guitar lick to the incredible harmonies, this song shows how delicate Fling is with every element of their music. * “Venom In My System” is simply a beautiful song that features a string arrangement written by bassist James Touzel, adding a haunting and goigeous voice to the song. The wonderful words and harmonies meshed with float ing strings make the CD’s midpoint a tough act to follow. Fling switches gears with “At Last.” Don’t let the be ginning be deceitful. Tltis song is gutsy rock that features great drumming work by Cleland and interesting har monies from Touzel and Young while Jag ger pleads, “let’s just get this over, fast.” Jagger even adds in a biting guitar solo be fore they’re done. The urgency of the words is complimented by the song’s fast pace. Fling leaves a lasting impression with “Damsel In Her Dress.” Perhaps the most beautiful song on the album, Young’s voice is amazing as he pours through emotions of lost love and missed opportunities. Young asbeiu>, i nupe yuu uaveii i ieaeueu uie pictce, yci. yviicic words won’t move you anymore.” His words are brilliant and meaningful, and he grips you with his desperation. You can tell Fling loves music and loves making mu sic. “The View From the Valley” has a pop sensibility that is rare for such a young act. Fling has managed to capture five songs that adequately show their range and ability. Fling will take to the stage around 11 p.m., and $6 provides for admission and a free copy of “The View From the Valley.” In addition, WUSC will be celebrating their annual ‘80s weekend event where participants can dress in ‘80s apparel and dance to the music of the decade that just won’t die. All in all, the evening promises to be fun, with one of Columbia’s up-and-comings celebrating the release of an CD that is certain to tum heads. The spotlight desk can be reached at gamecockspotlight@hotmail.com. What’s Happening FRIDAY, NOV. 3: « HUNTER-GATHERER, Science Knows No Sin, 21+, show starts at 11:30 p.m., $2 cover. JAMMEN JAVA, Roddy Dinsmore and Rhth Gado, all ages, show starts at 8 p.m., $2 cover. DELANEYS, Harry O Donoghue, 21+, show starts at 10 p.m., no cover. DECISIONS BAR & GRILLE, No Stage Fright Karaoke, 21+, starts at 9 p.m., no cover. HEMINGWAYS, Edgewise, 21+, show starts at 9:30 p.m., no cover. MAC’S ON MAIN, Vanessa Taylor Trio, 18+, show starts at 9 p.m., no cover. CROCODILE ROCKS, Dueling Pi anos, 18+, $5 cover. SUNDANCE GRILL, Weekend Excur sion, 21+, Show starts at 9 p.m., no cover. BILLY G’S, Drifting Through, 21 +, - show starts at 10 p.m., no cover. ROAD RUNNERS, Muddy Quarters, all ages, show starts at 10 p.m., $4 cov er. SATURDAY, NOV. 4: FXJBAR, Pretty Vacant (A Sex Pistols Tribute Show), 18+. SOUTH CAROLINA STATE MUSE UM, Featuring Ten Blues and Jazz per formers including Skipp Pearson and Fat Back & the Groove Band, all ages, show starts at 8 p.m., $20 tickets ($ 17.50 for members) in advance, $25 , at the door. JAMMIN JAVA, Danielle Howie, all ages, show starts at 9 p.m., $4 cover. DELANEYS, Hany O’Donoghue, 21+, show starts at 10 p.m., no cover. GROUP THERAPY, Cravin Melon and Ellijah- Project featured for the 14th Annual Chili Cookoff, from noon to 7 p.m., no cover. DECISIONS BAR & GRILLE, Rick Stevens, 21+, show starts at 9 p.m., no cover. HEMINGWAYS, 3D Monday, 21+, show starts at 9:30 p.m., no cover. MACS ON MAIN, Page Two, 18+, show starts at 9 p.m., no cover. BILLY G’S, Nickel Slots, 21+, show starts at 10 p.m., no cover. CROCODILE ROCKS, Dueling Pi anos, 18+, $5 cover. SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 5: FTJBAR, Hot Water, All Ages, Show Starts at 7pm, $5 Cover. DECISIONS, Blues Jani with Brainstorm. ELBOW ROOM, Karl Densons Tiny Universe, 18+, show starts at 10 p.m., $8 cover. DELANEYS, Team Trivia, 21+. WKMA MOVieS Monday, Nov. 6 and Wednesday, Nov. 8: 2 pjn.: Don’t Be a Menace 5 p.m.: Bill and Ted’s Bogus Journey 8 pjn.: Cmter Stage 11 pjn.: Shanghai Noon 2 ajn.: Don’t Be a Menace •> Tuesday, Nov. 7 and Thursday, Nov. 9 2pm: Absolute Power 5pm: Analyze This 8pm: Keeping the Faith 11pm: The Patriot 2am: Absolute Power Friday, Saturday and Sunday 9 ajn.: Mystery Men 12 pm.: Wayne’s World 3 pjn.: Romeo Must Die 6 pjn.: Rules of Engagement 9 pjn.: Pitch Black 12 ajn.: 28 Days 3 ajn.: Romeo Must Die i