Copy Link
Add to Bookmark
Report
Alternateen Digest Issue 02
=============================================================================
@ @@@ @ @@ @@@@ @@@ @@@ @@@ @ @ @@ @@ @@@ @@@
@@ @@ @@ @ @ @@@@@ @@@ @@@ @ @@ @@ @ @ @ @ @@@ @
@@@ @ @@@@@ @ @ @@ @@ @@ @ @@@ @@@@@ @ @ @ @ @@ @
@ @ @ @ @@@@@@ @ @ @ @ @ @ @@@@@@ @@@@@@ @ @
@@@@ @ @ @ @ @ @ @@@@ @ @ @ @ @
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @
@@ @@ @@@ @@@ @@@@@ @@@@@ @ @ @@ @@ @@@ @@@@@ @@@@@ @ @
=============================================================================
D I G E S T
=============================================================================
Issue 2 November, 1995 Volume 1
This Month:
þ Column: News & Notes
þ Column: Album Reviews: Deftones, For Squirrels, Shades Apart, and Smile
þ Feature: Sparkling, But Not Fading: Everclear
þ Column: What's New?!? Polygrams Newest Releases
þ Column: Zines: The Abuser, dto, Love & Logic
þ Column: Werd
°±²ÛCOLUMNÛ²±°
News & Notes
by John Yatsko
Please excuse the extreme lateness of this issue of the Alternateen
Digest. This month has been sort of a hectic month. During Thanksgiving I
was at home for a long period of time, away from my computer, so I couldn't
get the magazine done. But I do have a good excuse. I was at home checking
out some shows and getting interviews for the magazine. After I got back it
was crunch time since the end of the semester was on its way and finals were
about to begin. You know how teachers all love to pile a bunch of work on
you all at the same time. Well enough excuses. Here's the mag. Enjoy! Happy
Holidays.
You can now find the Alternateen Digest on the World Wide Web on the
internet. Check out our web page at http://www.voicenet.com/~dagmar. Each
new issue will be put on the web page. There's even pictures and other
graphics to be seen on the web page that aren't in the text format.
ATD's biggest problem with meeting our release date, the 15th of every
month, is probably our lack of staff. We are currently looking for staff
members in the following areas: graphic design, writers, CD review, public
relations and/or promotions, and distribution. If you have any questions about
any of these positions please direct all questions to John Yatsko at
yatjoh16@pct.edu for more information.
Senior Editor : John Yatsko (yatjoh16@pct.edu)
Editor : Mandi Merrifield (atd@unix.gcomm.com)
Senior Writers : Brian Jones (dagmar@voicenet.com),
Dan Daidone (atd@unix.gcomm.com)
Graphic Design : Chris Fisher (bono@onix.com)
Internet Staff : Brian Jones (dagmar@voicenet.com),
Ed Crotty (ecrotty@voicenet.com)
Acknowledgments: Reprise Records, Polygram Records, Capitol Records, Epic
Records Group, Noel Ramos, Mark Lacasse, Couzin Ed, J.C. Dobbs, Art Alexakis,
Craig Montoya, and Greg Eklund of Everclear, and Shawn their road manager.
°±²ÛCOLUMNÛ²±°
Album Reviews: Deftones, For Squirrels, Shades Apart, Smile
by Various Staff Members
Deftones --- Adrenaline
Review by Dan Daidone
Obviously, influenced by Rage Against The Machine and Pantera, the debut
album from the Deftones is filled with catchy riffs and ear piercing lyrics.
The 11 song album (including hidden song) which was originally titled
"Conceited", but was later changed to "Adrenaline", and rightfully so, lets
the listener know what is in store for them. Expect to hear much more from
this quartet, especially after people hear their first single "7 words" and
say "OH MY GOD! Did you hear that?!" The Deftones obviously know how to stir
things up and will catch on quickly to listeners. If you like loud, hard
music, this is a must.
Overall Album rating = 3.7
Track 1 - Bored Rating = 4
Chino Moreno's voice leads the raunchy guitar riff, with an even better
lyrical rhythm which is deceiving and evil at the same time.
Track 2 - Minus Blinfold Rating = 4
Led by the bass and distracting easy guitar in the background, the screams
lead into a loud and edgy rhythm.
Track 3 - One Weak Rating = 4
Once again led by the dark bass, you just wait to have your head blown off by
the destructive guitar and equally loud lyrical content.
Track 4 - Nosebleed Rating = 5
There is no need for analyzing this song. Just flip into things and get angry!
Track 5 - Lifter Rating = 4
By now you already know that the song is going to be loud, as like the others,
the lyrics sift through the sounds.
Track 6 - Root Rating = 4
The disturbing lyrics math the powerful instruments in a tune which stays away
from the same old Verse-chorus-Verse.
Track 7 - Words Rating = 5
Their first single matches the description of their others with the main
ingredient being POWER. The low key bass hides behind the treble filled guitar
and the cymbal smashes.
Track 8 - Birthmark Rating = 3
You can predict when the instruments are going to take off and the lyrics take
on the same pattern as in the preceding songs.
Track 9 - Engine No. 9 Rating = 4
They don't seem to have any problems with consistency, nor do they have any
problems writing catchy grooves.
Track 10 - Fireal Rating = 2
You get used to the catchy guitar rhythms and mysterious lyrics from the other
tunes and you become spoiled.
Track 11 - Hidden Song Rating = 2
Should have ended the album with the intensity that it started with, although
this is somewhat of a change.
For Squirrels -- Example
Review by John Yatsko
For Squirrels is made up of Jack Vigliatura doing the vocals, Bill
White on bass, Travis Michael Tooke on guitar, and Jack Griego on drums.
Tragically on September 8th on the way home to Florida from the famous C.B.G.B.
in New York, singer Jack Vigliatura, bassist Bill White, and tour manager
Tim Bender all died when their van got a blow out and flipped over on
Interstate 95. I consider myself one of the fortunate few to get to see the
For Squirrels just as they were signed to Sony 550 Music at the Trocadero in
Philadelphia, where they played with Hum and The Verve. The album they have
left behind, Example, is great. Jack sings in 8:02 PM, "I just want my day to
come." Well, that it did. In the same song he sings, "Gone but not forgotten."
With the album they have left behind, they will be anything but forgotten.
Overall Album rating = 3.3
Track 1 - 8:02 PM Rating = 3
One of the harder songs on the album. Great guitar riff.
Track 2 - Orangeworker Rating = 3
With this track they slow it down and throw in a piano as an extra element.
It has a chorus that just makes you want to sing along.
Track 3 - Superstar Rating = 4
Once again it gets louder and faster with the primal scream of 'superstar'
for the chorus.
Track 4 - Mighty K.C. Rating = 5
Jack seems to put a great deal of emotion into the 'down-and-out' verses and
the 'happy-go-lucky' chorus. This song is also the first single on the album.
Track 5 - Under Smithville Rating = 5
This album is chalk full of great songs, and this is another one of them.
Track 6 - Long Live The King Rating = 3
The Squirrels finally let it all loose on this track.
Track 7 - The Immortal Dog And Pony Show Rating = 2
This may be the only song where the Squirrels slip a notch. The vocals aren't
great, but the instrumentals are. The piano is thrown in once again for
something out of the ordinary.
Track 8 - Stark Pretty Rating = 3
Speed it up once again. The instrumentals in this tune are great and match the
vocals perfectly.
Track 9 - Disenchated Rating = 3
Another great song that John puts a lot of soul into. His voice was made for
this song.
Track 10 - Eskimo Sandune Rating = 2
It sounds like a cheesy love song from an Elvis beach movie. The song does
stand out from the others, but I don't know if that's a good or bad. The
instrumentals get a little strange on this track where they even bring in a
synthesizer.
Shades Apart -- Save It
Review by Dan Daidone
This three-man New Jersey band proves that consistency is king, on
their first full length album released on Revelation Records. Though all of
the songs display power, they'll become most well known for their cover of
"Tainted Love", which can already be seen on MTV. They have a lot of potential
but lack depth, which is their only flaw. Otherwise, they display the rawness
of rock n' roll, which many bands don't have or which many bands had but lost
it along the way.
Overall Album Rating - 3.3
Track 1 - Menace Rating = 4
The album starts off with a bang. Led by the guitar which could stand alone.
Track 2 - Gun Rating = 3
The guitar feedback actually makes the rhythm for the this tune which kind of
helps the shallow lyrics get by.
Track 3 - Weight of Years Rating = 3
The lyrics are much stronger in this tune which could have been better if it
were matched instrumentally.
Track 4 - Monster Rating = 4
The rhythm seems to jump back and forth and equally matches the power of the
lyrics which are weighted by their originality.
Track 5 - Secret Life Rating = 3
The lyrics are once again backed up by the high-pitched guitar sound and
speedy drums.
Track 6 - Way Out Rating = 3
It sounds just as good, if not the same as their others, but continues the
consistency of the album.
Track 7 - Nothing's Real Rating = 3
The lyric rhythm becomes predictable but doesn't take away from the song,
except for it's originality.
Track 8 - Valid Rating = 4
You don't get any different than this. An instrumental is highly necessary for
this album and is done to perfection.
Track 9 - September Burns Rating = 2
The lyrics are decent, but it just doesn't seem to hold the rest of the song
together.
Track 10 - Brutus Rating = 3
Consistency continues. If you like the first seven songs, then add this to
your list.
Track 11 - Tainted Love Rating = 5
There is nothing better than to hear a crappy 80's song, reconstructed into an
awesome cover song. Ed Cobb wishes he would have done it this way when he played
it.
Hidden Track Rating = 3
Not really hidden, just not on the album sleeve. It's reminiscent of Bad
Religion, which is a good compliment.
Hidden Track Rating = 3
Also sounds like Bad Religion and ends the album on a respectable note.
Smile -- Maquee
Review by Dan Daidone
At the time of this writing, the band Smile is virtually unknown to
most people, but don't expect that to last much longer. The review of this
album is kind of late, considering the band recorded it on March of 1994 and
have a new album on the way. Putting that aside, the songs are catchy even
at first listen and the three piece band shows their talents instrumentally
(which is something many bands cannot do). The entire album is respectable.
Otherwise, this band will be around to see the next decade and will
undoubtedly attract more listeners for the future.
Overall Album rating = 3.8
Track 1 - Rock Anthem for the Teenage Hipster Population Rating = 4
It starts out with a ripping guitar and everything seems to fit into place
from the beginning to the end. The title alone makes the song.
Track 2 - Staring at the Sun Rating = 4
Between the bass drum and the bass guitar, it's tough to tell which one is
louder. Nonetheless, this is their first single, and deservingly so.
Track 3 - Spud Gun Rating = 4
The cartoonish bass and real-life lyrics carry this song through the meshing
bass drum once again.
Track 4 - Picture Made Past Rating = 2
The only weak spot on the album. Though it's different with a slower pace, it
never really catches on.
Track 5 - Lemonade Rating = 4
They redeem themselves from the last song with rage filled lyrics and a killer
guitar line which compliments the chant "Sunshine Goodbye!"
Track 6 - Moosh Rating = 3
The drums take control over this song, drowning out the almost Gin Blossoms
sounding lyrics. The guitar and the bass make up for that.
Track 7 - Jack Shrimp Rating = 5
The story telling lyrics blend perfectly with the flying drums and the bass
driven rhythm.
Track 8 - Papaya Clearance Sale Rating = 4
The dark lyrics hit home with the hidden guitar that lets loose a destructive
pulse-pounding beat.
Track 9 - She Rating = 5
The best song on the album displays the bands instrumental talents, in a
classic style. The lyrics add an edge to a song which doesn't even need it.
The song just rules.
Track 10 - Wallflower Rating = 3
The song has many different topics, all mixed together, but it works well with
this short but sweet tune.
Track 11 - Until(?) Rating = 4
The album ends with a little slower pace but the lyrics take over and add
another dimension to the song.
°±²ÛFEATUREÛ²±°
Sparkling, But Not Fading: Everclear
by John Yatsko
"It ain't an autograph if you can read it." -- Art Alexakis
This month I was planning on using Everclear as one of our Spotlight
bands. Then I heard that they were coming to Philadelphia so I decided to hold
off on the Spotlight and just do a show review. Well the news just kept
getting better. I was told by Brian that we were going to get a press pass and
a photo pass for the show. So we were thinking that we may be able to do an
interview. Well after the show Everclear took the time to sit down with us to
answer some questions. So instead of having a Spotlight, show review, and
interview, I figured I would roll it all up into one feature article.
The band:
Everclear consists of Art Alexakis on guitar and vocals, Craig Montoya
on bass, and Greg Eklund on the drums. Everclear is definitely sparkling with
the painstaking, but well deserved, success of their second album, Sparkle and
Fade released this year on Capitol Records.
A friend of mine, Dan Daidone and a writer for ATD, turned me on to
Everclear a few months ago. I got a copy of the Sparkle and Fade album and
haven't stopped listening to it since. Every time you listen to it you find
out something new about both the band and yourself. It's truly a great album.
One of which, I feel, is the best released this year.
Everclear has been called many things, even some say they sound like
Nirvana. One label they usually take on is punk. Sure the angst is there, but
I like to think of Everclear's music as more complex than power chords and
loud screams, because it is. Maybe it does fit the punk persona though, since
punk has been becoming more melodic and harmonic over the years. Art simply
classifies his music as "Rock n' roll, man."
In 1993 Everclear released their first album, World of Noise, on the
indie label Tim Kerr Records. A year of playing numerous clubs and talking to
Gary Gersh, president of Capitol Records and the man that signed Sonic Youth,
lead to a record deal and the release of Sparkle and Fade earlier this year.
The show:
Finally, a chance to see Everclear on November 28th at J.C. Dobbs,
located on South Street, in Philadelphia. This was the third time the band had
been in Philadelphia since August on what seemed to be a neverending tour with
the likes of Filter and Sponge, to name a few, as well as headlining many of
their own shows. So I had broke the news to my parents that I would be missing
two days of school to get my chance to see Everclear and possibly get an
interview with the band.
We headed down to the show early on a cold Tuesday night. We were
there very early, one of the first ten in line for the show. We figured we'd
go early so we could find out for sure if we were on the guest list to get our
press passes, since we couldn't verify it earlier that day by telephone. While
waiting in line we caught a glimpse of Art, Greg, and Craig entering the club,
giving their 'How you doing's?' in passing.
The show seemed to be getting off to a late start. Finally, a van
pulled up with a trailer attached that had some things to be unloaded. 'Ruth
Ruth' was stenciled on the amps and boxes as they were unloaded by the roadie
and various band members. Ruth Ruth was the opening for Everclear that night.
Art came out of the club to help the roadie and the band members bring the
equipment inside. It looked as if Art wanted to get the show on the road, so
to speak, and was anxious to play.
Finally, the doors opened and we found out that we were getting in
with press passes. That meant that we didn't have to pay the six dollars,
which I was more than willing to pay to see a band like Everclear, what a
bargain, to get in.
We asked at the door if it would be possible to get an interview with
Everclear and we were directed to talk to Shawn, Everclear's road manager. So
after making our way inside we found Shawn and he granted us the interview,
we just had to wait until after the show.
Ruth Ruth opened. They ran through songs on their Laughing Gallery
album, including: Uninvited, I killed Meg The Prom Queen, and Uptight. Art
could be found in the crowd on the side of the stage taking in the show.
Art and the rest of Everclear finally took the stage. They played
songs from both of their albums. You can really feel the intensity of the
songs when you see them live. Art puts everything into the show, seemingly
saying 'this is all that matters to me at this point in time'. Art has a great
stage presence. Sometimes the small stage didn't seem big enough for both
Craig and Art, as Art would occasionally, but purposely, run into Craig. Art
informed the crowd that they would knock off a little early if anyone would
like to come up for autographs or talk to the band after the show. Everclear
finished their show to the dismay of the crowd. One spectator yelled, we got
all night and Art replied, yeah, all fucking night. The band had some time
left so they did an encore. The songs included an AC/DC song with lead vocals
by Craig, another cover tune with lead vocals by their road manager Shawn,
and Sexual Life, a song they don't normally play live, off of their Sparkle
and Fade album.
The show was truly great and definitely worth the wait. If Everclear
comes to your town, don't miss your chance to see them.
The interview:
Just a few people made their way out directly after the show.
Everclear was true to their words, talking with people and signing autographs
after the show.
We waited for about thirty minutes until the place was cleared out.
Shawn introduced us to Everclear, we had a seat, and got down to business.
ATD: So, do you guys like playing in Philadelphia?
Art: Yeah, it's fun. It's always a good show. It was a good sold-out show
tonight. Small place, but we have a good following here. It's building
every time we come back.
Greg: Yeah, love South Street too.
ATD: Think about playing anywhere else? Like the Trocadero or anything a
little bigger?
Art: Yeah when we're bigger I think. Yeah, I think next time we come here
we'll have sold enough records that we justify playing a bigger place.
I think it was too packed tonight, anyhow, it was just too small. They
started turning people away at the door probably about a half hour
before we started playing.
Greg: Yeah, it keeps getting bigger and bigger, you know. Moving and moving.
Taking steps forward.
ATD: What are some of your influences?
Art: Music wise, my influences range from everything. From old-time country
music, old-time blues, to heavily I'd say like, Sonic Youth, Neil
Young, Pixies, Hank Williams Sr., not junior, I hate junior. Uhm,
Kiss, the whole thing. Rock n' roll stuff.
ATD: What do you guys listen to know?
Art: Been listening a lot to the Ruth Ruth album, actually, yeah.
Greg: Ruth Ruth.
Art: Ruth Ruth, and band called Hag Fish. I been listening a lot to, I'm
really discovering jazz for the first time, like old jazz. 50's and
60's I really like that. Miles Davis, all that stuff.
ATD: When you write songs do you usually come up with the music first or
the lyrics?
Art: Sometimes I come up with lyrics, usually the music first. I write the
songs and I'll come up with like a skeleton of a song, basically.
Flushed out pretty much with melodies. I might not even have the words
yet, but I'll have like one line that repeats. But I'll have the
melody, I'll have the song done, then we'll work out the music and the
melody and then I'll write the lyrics. I'll know what the songs about
lyrically, I just won't have the lyrics flushed out. I'll just let the
idea set in my head, then it'll come out. I produce the band in the
studio too.
ATD: Doing anything else with any other bands? Producing them?
Art: Yeah I have a long list of bands. There's a band called Frog Pond on
Sony Records, on Relativity a subsidiary of Sony, and we're looking
forward to working together. Hopefully that can work out. I'm talking
to a lot of big bands, but I can't really mention it or I'll get in
trouble.
ATD: Are you looking to play with anybody now? You mentioned you like Ruth
Ruth. Is there any other bands out there that you like and would like
to play with?
Art: A friend of ours turned us on to Ruth Ruth. Yeah, we're always looking
for cool bands.
ATD: Anybody that you would like to play with now?
Art: We're hoping to get a couple of big tours, again I can't mention it
because it might jinx it.
Greg: But you'll know. The time will come and you'll know.
Art: We've turned down a lot of big tours. We like headlining and we will
open for the right bands, but I don't wanna open for the wrong bands.
No matter how many people we're playing in front of.
ATD: A good audience that's there to see you, not them?
Art: Well, or that's there to see them, but will get it. As long as they
get it. I like to play to people who don't have the records.
ATD: You (Craig) gonna be singing any songs anytime soon?
Craig: I sure hope so. I'm just learning, ya know. I'm learning how to play
and sing.
Art: Doing a fine job. The next album we'll probably have him singing lead
on at least one song. I'm gonna push him to it.
ATD: You working on a new album now?
Art: In my head. I'm writing songs. I've got like what, about twelve songs
written. Got about three or four more.
ATD: Where are you heading to next?
Art: Upstate New York, and then Connecticut, and then New York city, on
Friday, we're playing with the Foo Fighters And Girls Against Boys, a
show we're really excited about. Then we fly to Seattle and we start
playing these Christmas, radio, Christmas shows and were flying all
over the country back and forth for about three weeks. We're playing
with Porno For Pyros.
Greg: Sonic Youth. Tripping Daisy.
Art: Sonic Youth, and The Rentals, and Tripping Daisy we're playing with
Craig: Oasis.
Art: Oasis we're playing with. Jawbreaker. Yeah, it's gonna be a great show
in Seattle. We're gonna be dead man. Fifth show in a row. I'm sure
we're gonna be up really late Saturday, we probably won't even go to
bed. Friday night. Hanging out with the Foo Fighters. Oh, it's old. It
gets old.
ATD: Did you have a different drummer before for the first album?
Art: Yeah we had a different drummer who started with the band. This guy
named Scott who just never really clicked. Personality wise me and
Craig clicked right from the beginning. He had drug problems and
personality problems. Just really never felt like a band. Felt like me
and Craig against the whole world. Like we were dragging this guy
behind. Like we were running shy a couple cylinders. And then we made
the decision before we were going to a major label that we were gonna
get a new drummer. He (Greg) called us. He heard about us. He was a
fan and basically said 'I'm your drummer'.
ATD: So you were looking for one at the time when you picked him up?
Art: Yeah we were already auditioning people.
Craig: We told one or two people that we were looking for a drummer and it
just leaked out to Greg. Nobody would give him Art's phone number.
Finally, he got it and came over and jammed. We knew from like the
first song he played with us that he was gonna be the drummer.
ATD: So how did you guys (Art and Craig) met?
Art: I had an add in a local paper called The Rocket, which is out of
Seattle. He liked some of the influences and he had just gotten, he
had just moved from Washington, and his band had just broken up the
day before. He called me the next day. Fucking talked his ear off on
the phone and I was just really focused and he had never met anyone
like that before. I knew exactly what I wanted to do. I had a bunch of
songs, most of them that made it to World of Noise and we got going.
Clicked.
ATD: It's really cool that you guys get to talk to the fans.
Art: We do it at just about every show, but every time we play hear they
just kick people out right away. So we made certain that that wasn't
gonna happen tonight and that was really cool.
ATD: Do you like to get that feedback and those letters and stuff?
Art: Yeah I love it. I mean it shows that people really care about the
band. There's a big underground movement with this band and it's not
hype. I mean our label doesn't spend a whole lot of money promoting
us. They're starting to now cause sales are starting to take off and
we're getting a lot of MTV and a lot of press and it's just really
organically, like climbing. It's just from us constantly touring,
reading our own fan mail, and returning it. People dig that. There's
all these things on the internet. None of us are on the internet.
ATD: Addicted To Noise. Band of the year.
Art: Yeah that's pretty cool. There's all these like, web sites, that we
have nothing to do with. They start up on their own. There's three web
sites that are Everclear web sites. I've heard of two. There's one
called Nehelem and one called Summerland. And there's like two talking
blocks too. Like just people, girls going 'oh, I think Greg's so
cute'.
ATD: So the tours wrapping up around Christmas time?
Art: Right before Christmas, yeah. Well the tour ends on Friday and then we
start flying around and doing these radio shows. These Christmas
shows. And we've got, I think what, ten of them, over a period of two
and a half weeks.
ATD: So you gonna take a break then after that?
Greg: YEAH!
Art: Yeah. Bout a month and a week.
ATD: Work on....?
Art: No, we ain't working on shit. I don't have the time. We're going back
out on tour. We'll try and get together to write songs. I just want
to spend time with my daughter.
ATD: How would you classify yourselves?
Art: Rock 'n roll. I don't like labels. It doesn't mean anything. It's all
rock 'n roll. If it's guitar, bass, and drums it's rock 'n roll.
Pretty much.
ATD: How'd you guys like doing that video (Santa Monica)?
Art: It's alright. Videos suck. I hate doing videos.
ATD: Who's the chick in the video?
Art: Did you see the movie Species?
Greg: Yeah, well, it's not her.
Art: Well that's not her. No, she's in the movie. She gets killed by the
lead chick. She's sitting on the toilet and gets her spine ripped off.
Craig: That's a good part.
With that the interview ended. I would like to thank Brian Jones
because he could have done this interview himself, Noel Ramos for getting in
touch with Everclear for us, and Art, Greg, Craig, and Shawn for taking time
out of their hectic schedule to sit down with me and do this interview.
Everclear can be reached at: P.O. Box 15055, Portland, OR 97215
°±²ÛCOLUMNÛ²±°
What's New?!?
by John Yatsko
No More Quicksand
It is well known by now that Quicksand have broken up while on tour
with CIV, but nobody seems to know why. It was rumored that Walter Schriefels
would be joining CIV since he wrote all the music and lyrics for their first
album "Set Your Goals", but this doesn't seem to be the case since everyone
that has seen CIV recently said that he was not playing with them. I learned
from someone on the Internet Relay Chat who knows people who know Quicksand,
that Schriefels has started a new band with Artie Shepard (ex-guitarist of
Mind Over Matter). There are no specifics on what this band will sound like.
-- Mark Lacasse, host of The Brutal Truth on WWAS 88.1 FM in Williamsport, PA.
Polygram's Newest Releases
November has been a big release month for Polygram and its many
subsidiary labels. Here's a list of a few albums released this November.
Melissa Etheridge: Your Little Secret
Etheridge's talents have indeed been no secret since her 1988 debut
album hit the platinum mark: it's follow-up Brave and Crazy likewise went
platinum, and 1992's Never Enough bore "Ain't It Heavy," the track which
earned the singer a Grammy for Best Female Rock Performance. Still, it was
album number four - 1993's Yes I Am that cemented both Etheridge's celebrity
and her status as one of America's premier performers. Again produced by Hugh
Padgham, who played a vital role in making her last album, Your Little Secret
features the same musicians who have backed Etheridge onstage since the
release of Yes I Am. Accompanying the singer and her trademark guitar are
guitarist John Shanks, bassist mark Browne and drummer Dave Beyer, with
drummer extraordinaire Kenny Aronoff guesting on four of the album's 10 new
tracks. Never guilty of repeating herself, Etheridge explores new sonic
territory throughout Your Little Secret - as on "I Could Have Been You," for
instance, a track co-written with guitarist Shanks that along with its
powerful lyrical message features unique guitar tuning. Similarly, Etheridge
wrote the album closer "This Was Is Over" on piano, rather than her usual
guitar, and surprised herself with the powerful result.
LL Cool J: Mr. Smith
In a genre where artists have traditionally enjoyed a very short time
in the limelight, rapper LL Cool J is a record breaker. He was the first Def
Jam Records artist to release a single, the first to release an album, the
first rap artist to hit #1 on Billboard's Black Singles chart, the first rap
artist to amass five consecutive platinum-plus selling albums, four gold
singles, and over 13 million worldwide album sales, and the first rap artist
to go acoustic on "MTV Unplugged." He is without a doubt one of the most
important rap artists ever to grace the genre. With the release of his sixth
album, Mr. Smith, LL Cool J reaffirms his position as rap's preeminent
superstar. With a hit NBC television series, In The House, LL has also proven
that he is something of a renaissance man. But he is careful no to let his
other interests take away from his priority: Hip Hop. On Mr. Smith, LL Cool J
proves that he is on top of his game. The album's first single, Hey Lover, was
a top five smash featuring Boyz II Men.
Onyx: All We Got Iz Us
All We Got Iz Us the eagerly awaited follow-up to Onyx's
ultra-high-energy platinum debut album, Bacdafucup. Featuring "Throw Ya Gunz"
and the thrash-rap anthem "Slam," Bacdafucup escalated Onyx to the heights of
international body-slamming mania and became one of the most talked about,
most popular albums of 1992. Now, they're back and they're grimier than ever.
Produced by members of the group themselves, All We Got Iz Us represents a
considerable artistic leap forward for Onyx. What hasn't changed is their
commitment to telling the tales of their hood and their vertiginous pinballing
between moods of black despair and raucous joy.
Passengers: Original Soundtracks 1
Bono, Adam Clayton, Brian Eno, Larry Mullen Jr., and The Edge have
formed a loose collective known as Passengers. On their first album they are
joined by Mo'Wax maestro Howie B, Japanese singer Holi and opera legend
Pavarotti. Original Soundtracks 1 was recorded during a two week session in
London's Westside studio last November and a further five weeks in Dublin this
summer. The album contains 14 tracks from various movies created all over the
world.
Erick Sermon: Double Or Nothing
With Double Or Nothing, his second solo album on Def Jam Records,
Erick demonstrates the skills that have earned his props over the years. Erick
first came on the scene in 1988 as one half of the legendary EPMD. When EPMD
parted ways in 1992, it was business as usual for Erick, who simply went solo.
He released an eventually gold solo album No Pressure. With Double Or Nothing,
Erick is raising the stakes and daring to go "where no other nigga has gone
before" in hip hop. Bomdigi is the first single off the album and bound to get
a lot of airplay on hip hop stations. The album is short and sweet, leaving
listeners wanting more.
°±²ÛCOLUMNÛ²±°
Zines
compiled by John Yatsko
There a number of zines out there. We thought we would bring some of
those zines to your attention so you could check them out for yourself if
you thought they sounded interesting. I would like to thank Jacob Finkelstein
and Mogel for their cooperation in helping me compile information on their
zines.
Zine Name: The Abuser
Editor(s): Dark Phiber
Date of First Issue: June 9th, 1994 Date of Last Issue: September 28th, 1995
Number of Issues: 12
Categories: technical, telephony, computer, and technology.
Cost: Free
How to receive a copy of The Abuser: catch dphiber on irc and ask him to dcc
send it.
ftp: ftp.fc.net
Overview: This magazine was put out by a group called CAFBL, the Computer
Abuse Force For Better Living, and basically it was a bunch of hackers and
phreaks writing what they knew best about. The magazine is filled with
information on how to rip off telephone companies and other people as well.
-- Dark Phiber
Zine Name: dto: doomed to obscurity
Editor(s): black francis and mogel
Date of First Issue: august 6th, 1195 Date of Last Issue: november 13th, 1995
Number of Issues: 4 monthly issues and one special edition
Categories: editorials, humor, sarcasm.
Cost: typical free e'zine-based stuff. we gladly take donations!
How to receive a copy of dto:
email: dto@prism.net
ftp: ftp to prism.net /pub/dto
ftp to blandest.com /pub/dto
www: http://www.prism.net/dto
mailing list: email majordomo@prism.net with the body of the message saying
"subscribe dto".
Overview: doomed to obscurity is wacky youth incarnate. we're a buncha
smart-ass jerks that basically are into producing a monthly effort to spark
some thought into your drab, pathetic, worthless life. we your mothers,
fathers, teachers, lovers - your everything. dto is the culture of the
sarcastic bastard. ideally, what we want to come out as a reaction of dto is
one thing. thought. we want people to react, agree, discuss, debate, get
pissed off about, laugh, get emotional - the works. we want something to
happen. we don't want someone reading an issue all the way through and not
being changed in any way. -- mogel
Zine Name: Love & Logic
Editor(s): Jacob Finkelstien and Jessica Butera
Date of First Issue: August 15, 1995 Date of Last Issue: October 15, 1995
Number of Issues: 2
Categories: humor, music, fanzine, horror, fiction, and then some.
Cost: $2.00 by mail, $1.00 in person
How to receive a copy of Love & Logic: Send $2.00 (U.S.) to:
Love & Logic
3101 Oxford Valley Rd.
Unit #520
Levittown, PA 19057
(email: logik@netcom.com)
Overview: All in all, we're about everything! We basically consist of essays,
editorials, columns, short stories, reviews (of music, zines, etc.),
interviews, and anything else we can think of! Currently, issue #2 is out. It
has interviews with Moby and Haze, as well as reviews of Lollapalooza and a
Primus/Helmet concert. Coming up in issue #3 (due out in December) we have
interviews with Fluf, Red Five, and The Gadjits! Not to mention the neat-o
ramblings of our writers! -- Jacob Finkelstein
°±²ÛCOLUMNÛ²±°
Werd
This column is dedicated to all the writers out there. This column
will feature editorials, poems, short stories, and anything else felt
appropriate to be placed in this column. We would love to take your entries
and place them in this column, so get to work and send them in. You can find
our addresses at the end of the magazine.
Untitled by John Yatsko
no sleep
no peace
no time to retreat
no space of my own
no place to call home
no one is there
no one cares
left alone
out on my own
no way to survive
no way to die
Untitled by Jennifer Beckwith
As the last drop of blood is drained from her throat,
I sit back on my haunches to revel and gloat.
I savor the sweet taste of her essence of life
And sip from my own with the flick of a knife.
Red mortal blood flows through me like wine
As each night I hunt for who I shall dine.
My darkness is broken by the light of the moon
As I sit here reminded that dawn will come soon.
My mind is tortured by an inferno of sin
Knowing that life over death will eternally win.
At the moment of death, I am full of desire,
But after the deed, I'm lost in hell's fire.
My damned soul is centuries ancient and old
And a touch to my skin is sure to be cold.
With a twist of my hand, I shatter the glass
And in a blink of my eye mortal life doth pass.
The creatures of night ceaselessly roam
With the night's black cloak forever their home.
I was once mortal with high hopes and dreams,
But evil turned me and silenced my screams.
Now night after night I'm surrounded by death
As I watch my victims draw their last breath.
I will never find peace, never find light,
Forever bound and chained to live with the night.
Untitled by John Yatsko
what am i doing here.mind wandering.going.growing.cyberspace.great escape.
all disappears.even the fears.fun.we all become one.united.together.forever.
probably never.shoes too tight.walls too white.everything's gone.didn't mean
to do wrong.big mistake.last corn flake.let me out.let me go.rebel.devil.not
special.dumb.numb.life of a bum.weak.no need to speak.let it go.all runs out.
takes no effort.blank mind.time to rewind.rethink.wink.blink.it's all over.
four leaf clover.start again.just pretend.everything's right.nothing goes
wrong.same old song.know the words.kill some birds.fly away.don't wanna stay.
which way to go.in the wrong row.play it loud.get lost in the crowd.watch
your step.not dead yet.trying.lying.crying.drop one tear.no fear.
=============================================================================
Alternateen Digest & ATD Copyright 1995 Local Aria Inc.
Alternateen Digest Iss 2 Vol 1, Nov. 95
B-309, 101 Park St., Williamsport, PA 17701
This file best read when using DOS editor. Formatted for 80 characters.
This magazine may be distributed freely.
=============================================================================
