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THEY SAID IT “...our children grow up prisoners / All their lives radio listeners” R.E.M. •RADIO SONG” Celia Stephens, a second-year print journalism student, gives listeners of WUSC information about upcoming songs. JASON STEELMAN/THE GAMECOCK Don’t touch Dial USC students enjoy turning up the tunes By CARRIE GIVENS THE GAMECOCK When it comes to music genres, USC students are divided on what truly rocks. In a random USC apartment, a visitor might hear the blended sounds of Queen, Dolly Parton and Evanescence.' Second-year biology student Manish Dave downloads music often because it saves time. “I know exactly which song I want to listen to, depending on my mood,” he said. Although many students enjoy listening to downloaded music and CDs, they also tune in to a variety of the local radio stations. Second-year pre pharmacy student Megan Womack enjoys listening to 93.5 FM. A North Carolina native, Womack said Rock 93.5 “reminds me of the stations at home.” A fan of The Red Hot Chili Peppers and Linkin Park, Womack first started listening to 93.5 because they played “mostly rock ... a lot of Metallica and stuff I haven’t heard on other stations.” Womack added, “I especially enjoy the S & M morning show” — and the fact that the station gives away free tickets to good concerts. Third-year psychology student Moriah McCarthy said that she tunes into NPR for the programs, 104.9 FM for current pop hits and 96.7 and 98.5 for a mix of songs. A fan of classic rock, she listens “less for the programs and more for the music.” One of McCarthy’s main complaints about local radio stations is that they “play the same music over and over.” Another option for USC students is the college station WUSC at 90.5 FM. DJs focus on playing local bands, independent artists and non top 40 music. Turn the dial to 90.5 and hear the indie band The Flaming Lips, USC news and interviews with bands such as Engine Down. WUSC has added appeal for students. According to WUSC Program Director Will Bovender, a third-year psychology student, WUSC is the “only station that wants to promote (local bands) more than we want to promote the new Hardee’s Thick Burgers, made with 100 percent angus beef.” WUSC is also an advocate of the free format, which is “where we play at least three genres of music during a two hour period,” said WUSC station manager Rachal Hatton, a fourth-year women’s Studies major. WUSC Public Affairs Director Marti Hause, a third-year electronic journalism student, elaborated. “You will never hear the same annoying Ashlee Simpson song repeated every 45 minutes,” she said. Dave said, “I’ve never relt bored when 1 listened to WUSC ... I really liked the variety.” The new school year at USC brings new programs to the WUSC radio. Every Tuesday night from 6-8 p.m., students can call in to the USC sports talk show and sound off on USC Gamecock athletics. Directly following that, the “Freedom for the Stallion show will blend the sounds of jazz, fusion and soul. Making a return to WUSC sound waves will be “Rock ‘n’ Radio,” “Indie Pop Sugar High,” “The Jump-off” and the long-running “Red Bank Bar and Grille.” USC students have many listening choices — from myriad local stations to WUSC to their own music collections. Simply turn on the stereo and tune in. Comments on this story? E-mail gamecockfeatures@gwm.sc. edu According to WUSC Program Director Will Bovender, a third-year psychology student, WUSC is the “only station that wants to promote (local bands) more than we want to promote the new Hardee’s Thick Burgers, made with 100 percent angus beef.” CD REVIEW Hoge’s voice heard on new politically charged record “The America EP” Will Hoge ★★★★ out of By MEG MOORE THE GAMECOCK It’s fitting that, in the middle of a heated presidential race, Will Hoge would choose to pull a Bruce Springsteen. Although he’s got nothing on The Boss, Hoge’s “The America EP” captures the same, at times tortured, voice of the American people that Springsteen’s “Nebraska” album so eloquently echoed. With only five songs, Hoge’s record is an abbreviated glimpse of the real America. As Hoge explains in the liner notes, “We wanted this to be an American record. Songs about having a voice.” From taking a reluctant soldier’s perspective to railing qn jobs and money lost, Hoge evokes the disgruntled evervman. the workine class laborer looking to November as a chance for change. The opening track, “Bible Vs. Gun,” conveys a soldier’s angst ridden appeal: “Forgive me for the things I’ve seen and done,” he begs his mother. The young man wonders if he will be worthy of heaven despite the atrocities he’s witnessed and maybe even committed in battle. Hoge’s soldier is not a man of steel but a vulnerable, human face sensitive to the scars war threatens to leave. “The Other Side” brings listeners back to the home front, beginning with the Springsteen esque line, “In the town where I was born, where the streets were cold and black ... .” Hoge depicts an Anytown, USA that is divided by ■ wealth — the side of town that has it and the side that does not. A boy and his father dream of life “just across the railroad track” where “nobody seems to long for anything.” The characters may not be well off but they maintain hope: “I hope to one day find out what it’s like / on the other side.” The EP’s most politically charged tune, “Hey, Mr. President (Anyone But You)” blatantly states where Hoge will be casting his vote — with anyone but the current president. “Give me John Kerry, give mo Howard Dean / Give me John Edwards, or Steve McOneen.” he sinps. “Or Ronald Reagan or Schwarzenegger / I’d rather have an actor than just a faker.” Even suggesting that we “bring Clinton back for four more years,” Hoge asserts, “Anyone but you can have this vote of mine.” Hoge steps off the campaign trail and back onto the battlefield on the album’s closer, “America.” The title track again expresses the views of a soldier off to war — “I pray to God or the President / Won’t someone deliver me?” Although he makes it home, the soldier’s wife and infant son have left. He spends sleepless nights fighting the “battles still raging in my head.” Also including a cover of Bob Dylan’s “The Times They Are A’Changin’” — complete with soulful harmonica lines — Hoge’s latest release doesn’t sacrifice style for politics. The rootsy “Bible Vs. Gun” and the rollicking “Hey Mr. President” compliment the already stripped down sound of the Dylan classic. Hoge has stepped up to the podium with every intention of strumming and singing until he is heard. Springsteen’s legacy as socially minded performer is a near impossible one to emulate, but Hoge’s “America EP” proves he is a willing apprentice. -- Comments on this story? E-mail (rortrernrhfeatredplmi^rrr rr edit New Music for the week of August 23 “The Dirty South ” / Drive by truckers “Haf/py People i Usaved me"/ R.Kelly “Tam homing’ / Tift Merritt “Everyone is here " The Finn Brothers _"Revolution,starts now” Steve Earle “Live like you were dying’* Tim McGraw