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CD REVIEW Ska band sticks to overused formulas “HI-FI REVIVAL” Orange County Supertones ★ out of ☆☆☆☆☆ BY QUINN STEINBRECHER THE GAMECOCK Think back. The seventh grade has just ended, and another sum mer is just beginning. A friend of yours asks you to go on his church’s beach trip. For lack of anything better to do, you decide ^ to tag aloftg. While you are en route in the church van, a good-natured, well-chaperoned excitement be gins to appear. As the tape play ers are brought out, you are bombarded with the new and hip in Christian rock. DC Talk’s new album, “Jesus Freak,” is out and dominates the play list. But there are possible usurpers of its throne. One such suitor is the Orange County Supertones, who play ska music with simple, upbeat sing-along lyrics and a positive Christian message. Fast- forward to 2002. The well traveled Supertones are releas ing their fifth album, “Hi-Fi Revival.” While their original au dience has grown up and gone on 0 to high school and college, the Supertones have decided to never move past that post-seventh grade summer. That summer was a memo rable one for many people, but the Supertones must have had the summer of a lifetime. Or at least that’s what they are going to try to make it in to. With lyrics such as, “For those who thought we went away, well, people, here we are. LP number five, and we have not begun to get it done. Christ, the focus; can you feel where I am cornin’ from?” it’s obvious they are not too interest ed in securing fans over the age of 14. <• Taking the band’s target audi ence into account, this album isn’t all bad. The music is near ly as catchy asit was on their ear lier albums, such as “Supertones Strike Back” and “The Adventures of the O.C. Supertones.” They have done lit tle to change the formula, except that they are a little less ska and a little more straightforward rock. The younger kids in the youth group will eat this album up. The Supertones make the per fect soundtrack for any church sponsored youth function. untortunateiy, ior mose wno have been through adolescence, there isn’t much for you here. The Supertones do reference g Miles Davis’ classic 1949 album T ' “The Birth of Cool” in their apt ly titled “Birth of Uncool.” But those who might actually catch this reference will probably not be buying “Hi-Fi Revival” be cause they are too old for it or have better taste. Christian music is not known for its diversity and experimen tation, and the O.C. Supertones are no exception. They came from the big ska-pop punk movement that included bands such as Five Iron Frenzy, Ghoti Hook, MxPx and the Insyderz. They play for mulaic ska music and have not moved much from that position since the beginning. If you’re a young kid without real musical inclinations and are looking for something to jump around to while praising Jesus, the Orange County * Supertones are your band, and “Hi-Fi Revival” is just as good of a starting point as any. And The Supertones will definitely get you through that long drive to the beach. That way, you won’t be humming “Jesus Freak” con tinuously until Miles Davis rolls over in his grave. Comments on this story?E-mail gamecockmixeditor@hotmail.com New group delivers rock with an edge MEG MOORE THE GAMECOCK Tinkers Punishment, an up and-coming Denver-based band, has decided to bring its innovative brand of pop/rock to the Southeast and it’s doing so for free. Taking advantage of open dates during their current tour with Jump, Little Children, the group is slat ed to play two shows at Senate Park during the coming week. The first two performances are a solo show Tuesday and an ap pearance opening for Charleston’s the Working Title on Oct. 29. Rock fans can get in to both concerts at no charge by pre senting show flyers, available at Manifest Discs and Tapes. Tinkers Punishment, which just released a full-length album, “Zero Summer,” blends main stream rock sensibility with an innovative edge. Its music evi dences the classic pop sound of bands such as the Beatles, yet maintains a gritty edge, witty avant-garde effects. Although it maintains an in novative aura, “Zero Summer” has avoided becoming yet another assemblage of studio- synthesized rock songs. Unassuming and un pretentious, the album presents 11 tracks of insightful yet accessi ble music. Tinkers Punishment makes creative use of in-studio ef fects on “Zero Summer,” yet the album maintains its mainstream appeal, coming across as an en hanced collection of sincere songs rather than an overzealous, syn thesized commotion. Accentuated by the collective efforts of guitarist Kenneth Harris, bassist Jordan Rivas and drummer Adam Blake, singer Michael Robinson’s earnest vocals expound upon loves lost and the aftermath of heartbreak. Tinkers Punishment’s solid rock sound has secured the band opening spots with numerous radio-friendly groups, including Lifehouse, Fuel and Fastball within the last year. The band’s growing appeal has also been supplemented by nu merous appearances at music showcases and festivals. Such performances have earned the band industry attention. Production companies such as House of Blues Concerts and Nobody in Particular Presents have invested interest in the band’s energetic presence, both on record and on stage. Entertainment manager John Caldwell, who works with Jump, Little Children, took an interest in Tinkers Punishment after one of its Denver shows. “The thing that I noticed right away is how musical a lot of their stuff is. It’s got some depth to it— both lyrically and instrumental ly. The fact that they are all so young and playing this really in teresting music surprised and in trigued me,” he said. “They have a “whatever it takes” attitude, which is essen tial in today’s very competitive environment,” Caldwell said. “Their live show also sets them apart from the crowd.” RIFF magazine also praises the band, applauding the group’s uni ty and affirming that Tinkers Punishment does indeed have a promising future: “As for poten UNDER SIEGE A Humanitarian Perspective by Dr. Rania Masri Rania Masri is a Human riQhts advocate and environmental scientist. She is a national board member of Peace Action, a member of the board of directors of the Education for Peace in Iraq Center, the Arab Women's Solidarity Association's representative to the United Nations, and the coordinator of the Iraq Action Coalition. Rania has written about peace and justice, racism, the sanctions Against Iraq, and the occupation of Palestinian lands in local, national, and international news magazines, and has spoken extensively at conferences and universities throughout the United States and Canada. ___MC: Dr. Akhavi_ I tial, they certainly have it.” With a solid new album and burgeoning fan base, Tinkers Punishment’s visit to the Southeast will undoubtedly help solidify the group’s status as po tential radio fodder. Bringing its music to the Midlands twice this week, the band hopes to gain fur ther support, and, according to the latest journal entry on the band’s Web site, it has been “schooled” in Southern expressions such as y’all in the process. Reinventing the pop/rock wheel with an innovative sound and insightful lyrics, Tinkers Punishment promises to deliver Columbia two energetic'evenings of innovative songcraft this com ing week. “These guys can play, and they put on a good show. Go and see it!” Caldwell said. Both of the band’s upcoming Senate Park shows are forall ages. Comments on this story?E-mail gamecockmixeditor@hotmail.com PHOTO SPECIAL TO THE GAMECOCK The Denver pop-rock act will come to Columbia Tuesday. For the Away Clemson vs. USC Game Nov. 23, 2002 Students may have their ID cards scanned to enter the lottery on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, (Oct. 21, 22, 23) from 9:00 am til 4:00 pm in Room 205 in the Russell House. This will be during football distribution for student tickets for the Arkansas and Tennessee Games. A list will be posted of the students who will be eligible to buy a ticket by 9:00 am Monday, Oct. 28 in the Student Government Office. The list will contain 1000 primary students and 2 alternative lists of 100 each. Primary students - Tues. Oct. 29 RH RM 205 9am-4pm First 100 alternates - Wed. Oct. 30 RH Rm 205 9am-4pm Second 100 alternates - Wed. Oct. 30 RH Rm 205 Noon-4pm Students must be full time, fee paying students and present a valid ID card when signing up for a ticket and when purchasing a ticket. 7:00 AM Tuesday and Friday NOON 3:30 PM Monday, Tuesday and Friday 4:15 PM _ 4:45 PM Monday, Wednesday and Thursday 6:00 PM | Classes begin Monday, October 21, 2002 all classes are one hour in length. • All classes will be held in the Blatt FE Center lower weight room (room 137). • It is recommended that all participants use a gel seat and wear padded bike shorts. Also, running shoes and cross-training shoes ate highly recommended. • Space is limited to 10 participants each class. • Sign up by calling 777-5261 or stop by the Campus Recreation Front Desk. • Class space is first come, first served. This schedule will run from Monday, October 21 - Friday, December 7, 2002 Participants who have not paid the fitness fee will need to sign a waiver and pay the $10 fee. Partici pants already registered with group exercise classes will only need to sign a waiver. _ wivw.sa.sc.ed ulpecen terjfi t. h tin