Robyn Writes

Interview with Room 39 (by Nox)

In this interview, Nox asks up and coming Mississipi band Room 39 about their music, their fans and their crazy shows! Room 39 are pretty hard to describe musically, as they’re a mix of all kinds of styles, so check out their Myspace, linked after the interview.

How many years has Room 39 been a band, and I understand there have been several people that have played along with you guys how does that happen? Any qualifications?
We have been a band for just over 3 years, and according to Don, if you want to be a musician in our band then you have to love music and pretty much be able to count to four – though you have to have some musical background.

You guys pretty much developed your fan base by playing in local coffee shops, correct?

Yeah, we could play in bars and things more easily but the atmospheres are way different. Also, a lot of our fans in high school wouldn’t be able to watch us in bars and the atmosphere in a bar isn’t usually too healthy.

Do you like that atmosphere?
The coffee shop is a wonderful place. It’s ‘kick back and relax’ for people wanting to come and watch us perform, but anyone can see on a well rehearsed gig, so we’re working hard to keep the fans, or people just gettin coffee, entertained.

Anything exciting ever happen at a show, and if so what was the most ridiculous thing?
Well, often we dress up in random costumes. AJ once was a cowboy, Jesse a ninja, Don a zombie, and I was once this duct tape and tin foil armored gladiator.

Would you say you guys have a good one on one connection with your fans?
With some of our fans, yes, we most certainly do. Though, not with all of them, which is something I would like to change. We as a band think that the aspect of being one on one with the fans is crucial because they enjoy that… which gets them to like us even more and that never hurts!

Exactly how many instruments in all are each of you capable of playing, and how many of those do you use in your music?
Well, I know Don can play many many instruments but ones that he has used and has intentions of using are the guitar, violin, cello, egg shaker, cajon, bagpipes, and much more. Jesse brings a lead guitar and banjo to the table. AJ can pretty much play anything you set in front of him, but he mainly plays drums and variations thereof, and he also has played mandolin. I have played guitar, bass, and didgeridoo.

What’s your favorite instrument to play?

We always get the biggest response from the didgeridoo. It’s a wonderful instrument that is underutilized.

What makes Room 39’s music stand out from any other band’s?

No matter how young or old a person may be, it is still appealing. Our music is so versatile and the genres we play are spread pretty far apart.

What does the future hold, any upcoming tours or records?

Well, nothing set in stone, but I think maybe something in Nashville will be in the near future.

What sort of message do you guys try to convey to your fans, and where do you draw your inspiration from?
Music is enjoyable, so enjoy it! Also, it’s so expressive and through our body language anyone can see just what we are trying to convey. Don draws his inspiration to write songs through a lot of things but music in general is inspired by a lot of the old greats and anything in the world. If you can;t hear music in everyday life. you ain’t listening.

If you had to explain the essence of a Room 39 show in 60 seconds, what would you say?

‘Holy cow!’, boom in your face, good timing, fun laughs all around, sweet action… either that or ‘Mmmm, good!’

You can check out Room 39 at their Myspace.

[Pop-punk showdown!] Blink 182 by Nox

So I love Blink 182 and I still remember watching the What’s My Age Again video on TRL and laughing at these three naked boys running through the streets causing so much havoc. Well, lets just say there are several things that make Blink 182 ultimately and undeniably awesome, and I plan to talk about them.

Blink 182 has that magic that makes everyone, fan or not, want to jump around their bedroom with a hairbrush and sing along at the top of their lungs. That same magic that undoubtedly ignites that urge to play air guitar to All The Small Things as your BFFL plays along on air drums. (Don’t try to deny it, we have all done it.) This is the magic clever entertainment execs try to capture by using Blink songs in movies, commercials, and television shows. They are catchy and rebellious and absurd and everybody loves them.

For me, I remember standing at the bus stop with my walkman listening to Adam’s Song and just appreciating how someone could put into words how my life felt at its lowest. Of course, there are the lighter fond memories of the car rides screaming along to Anthem and daydreaming about The Rock Show, which for me later seemed to come true.

I love that tingle that runs up my spine when Man Overboard comes on my iPod, and the slideshow that plays in my mind every time I hear I Miss You and Always. Blink 182 runs deep in my roots and I am so stoked they are back together. It is not every day a band can piss off a band that lives for pissing people off. On their Pop Punk Disaster Tour Blink 182 made Green Day feel as if they were ‘Making fun of’ the music they made, with their toilet humor and crude lyrics, but as guys they were cool – and it was that reckless full-throttle mindset that brought them to the top of their game.

Basically, if you are looking for catchy tunes that you can sing real loud to wake up the neighbors or rock out on your stellar air guitar or bounce around to at a show Blink 182 is your band. Because to be quite honest, they are fucking brilliant. And they are definitely three snot nosed punks that know just the three chords to play to make your heart beat faster.

So this is the new year (resolutions of 2009) by Nox

What is a new year’s resolution? Why do people seem to make such a fuss over it? Moreover, how come the only time we ever hear about these resolutions besides at New Year’s is when they’re broken?


Well.

A New Year’s resolution is a goal a person sets for themselves, something they want to improve or achieve in the year, after reflecting on the previous year and realizing their mistakes, priorities, or what they would like to better in their lives or themselves. Usually, there are the generic ones such as cure cancer, bring world peace, stop world hunger, etc., but here at Two Beats Off we’re not trying to win a beauty pageant. Therefore, here are our New Year’s Resolutions!

Ripper:

My New Year’s resolutions are always completely and utterly ridiculous. Some of the ones I achieved last year were getting a better haircut and completing a Final Fantasy game. This year, I might be a little more serious though. This year, I aim to make sure this zine keeps going one way or another, because well… TBO is kinda cool. There’s the usual ‘get fit’ one, because no matter what, I’m always unhappy with my appearance. There’s a special condition for it – being female. I want to make sure I get into a good university, so actually studying would be a good one, instead of relying on just sheer luck and talent. I want to finish a novel this year, considering I have about three half finished ones on the go. And, because I can’t not make a geeky one, learn how to play Dungeons and Dragons properly!

ninthandash:

I always find it difficult making resolutions, but here goes. This year, I want to start doing things again. I feel like I put things off too much and waste a lot of my time. I want to make good use of it. I want to look back and feel like I’ve achieved things. I’m also going to try be less of a commitmentphobe, and stop pushing people away because I’m scared of where it might lead. I don’t want to be a coward. Finally, I want to get a job, go to uni, and I want to start a band. Here’s to ’09, baby.

Nox:

I have a few things I would like to do this year. Mainly, I plan to let go of one particular hopeless cause I have been clinging to for too long. On a different level, I’m going to try to be less introverted. I think I’ll take more chances. I decided I play it too safe and honestly, it gets quite boring. This year I would like to see Chicago, New York, and Denver. Also, I plan to be less of a heart breaker. It’s bad karma you know? Seriously though, I will be more cautious around others. Finally, a quick run down of lesser things: read a lot of books from my list, sing louder, write more, keep my straight A streak, keep up with my friends better, and hopefully get a baby turtle named Ringo.

fightclubsandwich:

fightclubsandwich was unavailable to comment at the time, so we’ve decided that we’re going to give her some. Whether she likes them or not. So, we reckon that she’ll want to start or join a punk rock knitting circle and make jumpers filled with revolutionary stitching, be able to co-ordinate better with Ripper when they go to gigs, start a band and write some kick ass fiction.

soufex:

I’m not an advocate of New Year’s resolutions. I’ve always held the belief that if you really want to change yourself, you’ll change it now, and in my experience, most people manage to keep their resolutions for about five minutes. However, it’s nice to feel like you have a clean slate and a new year for a ‘new you’… or at least a ‘slightly improved you’.

Now, I am an angry person, and there’s nothing wrong with that. Henry Rollins makes a living out of being an angry person. Anger is a good thing, it’s a healthy thing. Good things have come from being angry; revolutions have changed the world we live in!

The problem is, too many of us – myself included – don’t use this energy and passion constructively as often as we could. It’s far too easy to sit around and complain at length and volume about something we disagree with, but not use the opportunity to change or better ourselves or the world around us.

So that’s my New Year’s resolution – not to be a less angry person, but a better angry person!

But, we decided to get you involved this time, and we’ve had some pretty cool responses. So, here’s our readers’ New Year’s resolutions!

Richard’s resolution:

My resolution is not to make a resolution. That way I can break it immediately and not have to worry about it, while having a laugh at all resolutions’ expense.

Hab’s resolution:

To learn to control my drink. I think a few people can vouch for that!

Alice’s resolution:

To bag myself a surfer. It could happen, you know.

Ben’s resolution:

1) Quit masturbating (I failed this one on the 2nd January)

2) Get the girl, get the job, get the car

3) Get fit for summer.

Hannah’s resolution:

Find a rich man at university… or marry Fernando Torres!

Mike’s resolution:

To quit that nasty oxygen habit I have… no, really, I want to learn to be more
understanding of people this year.

Heather’s resolution:

I want to learn to dance, because I’m a big fan of Strictly Come Dancing and I think it would be sweet if I could pull off some of those moves. Also, quitting smoking would be good.

James’ resolution:

Read more books. It might be a smart idea, considering I want to go to Oxford University!

Megan’s resolution:

I want to find myself a wench. It’s been too long since I had a girlfriend!

Jisan Rock Valley Festival (a review by Nox)

At the beginning of this month, I went to the Jisan Valley Rock Festival. If you’re wondering what on Earth that is, I would advise you to look to the right on your globe and locate South Korea. Seeing as I am currently there, that should give you some insight!

Now the Jisan Valley Rock Festival is held in none other than Jisan Valley, which is actually a ski resort during the winter months. Naturally, the stages were set up all along the bottom of the Valley; however, the camping was on the sides of the mountains! I can inform you after a night of sleeping on the side of a mountain -continuously waking up to push yourself back up to your pillows because gravity is pulling you down and making you half-consciously assume at any moment someone is going to slip too far and go tumbling down the stone-ridden hill pulling the tent and everyone inside with it – that the following morning may possibly be one of the sorest moment you will ever experience.

Fortunately, such bad camping grounds are worth it with a line up including bands such as Muse, Mute Math, Vampire Weekend, Massive Attack, Third Eye Blind, Kula Shaker, and Pet Shop Boys. Not to mention Korean punk band Galaxy Express who covered I love Rock and Roll with a Female vocalist, as well as a medley containing ACDC, Green Day, Queen, and quite a few more. Also there were Korean metal bands such as Crazy for Crash and several DJs, which isn’t surprising considering South Korea hosted the World DJ Festival just months before.

The festival was something similar to a Korean Bonnaroo, only less environment-friendly. The resort offered a pool with massive blow-up water slides, floating trampolines, and other large floats to play on. The food varied from traditional Korean food to BBQ to pizza, coffee, and hotdogs. Not to mention enough alcohol to drown a city, which was served in buckets (which you may recognize as the ones your baby sister used to build sand castles with at the beach). The merch tents were so offbeat it was humorous. Not only were local shops there, but also one could find Calvin Klein underwear, Beats by Dr. Dre, and even Crocs. As a side note, any time we walked anywhere it was always up or down an incline. Anytime we wanted to retreat back to the tent we had to walk up half a mountain, literally. But none of the exhaustion mattered, because this festival was a once in a lifetime opportunity.

The music was excellent, and even at night while sitting outside of our tent we could still hear the music pulsating through the valley. In fact, we heard a Beach Boys cover band, Korean style. We also heard Pet Shop Boys and quite a few DJs from our spot on the slope. Unfortunately, we missed the first day of the festival so sadly we did not get to see Vampire Weekend. However, we did see Mute Math put on one hell of a show. (Best song: Reset) While waiting for that show we caught Crazy for Crash, who are metal to the core and produce some pretty decent moshes. The following and final day we saw Galaxy Express who are rock stars if I ever saw them and reminded me a lot of Green Day in their mannerisms as well as showmanship. Third Eye Blind is not necessarily a band I particularly like, and I didn’t like the new heavy sound they are currently going for. However, they also produced a decent show and kept the crowd enthused. Kula Shaker is a Britpop band I wasn’t familiar with. They came onto the scene in the mid 90’s and had one catchy hit “Hush” that I’m sure most people will recognize from something somewhere. Apparently, they were much more popular internationally than in America so I may sound a little biased. Anyway, they had an excellent show and are definitely a band with a note-worthy sound. Finally, the night ended with Muse. Now I have seen Muse before back in ’06, but this was so much bigger than that. I have never seen so many lasers in my entire life. Not only that but they came in with their own screens to put on top of the existing screens to make trippy filters for the live stream of the stage. They played songs from all albums, and continued song after song to out do themselves. At the end they launched huge eyeball balloon/beach balls into the crowd.

Lastly, as we made our way back to our tent to pack up and go home the festival began the night’s final farewell firework show. It last for at least fifteen minutes and was gorgeous. Huge, expensive, beautiful glittering fireworks lighting up the night sky is an excellent way to end such a fantastic festival.

Why honors college is absolutely ridiculous by Nox

Originally posted by Nox in 2009

This year, I graduated from high school and started honors college. It’s pretty crazy, and there’s several things about it which are totally stupid, so I decided to compile a list of a few reasons why honors college is absolutely ridiculous.

1. Minimum of 15 hours required.
Now, this may seem easy enough to handle; however, when most classes are credited as three hour classes and lab sciences are credited as four the hours begin to build up. Before you know it you are bogged down with 17+ hours, which, if you don’t already know, is an insane amount especially for an entering freshmen.

2. Forum
Honors Forum may or may not be required, but in my case it is so just pay attention. In normal forums you are required to read a book and write a reaction paper. Not so bad until you have to tie that paper in to community service projects. You must weigh out pros and cons of projects and decide if they are logical for your area. This takes some thought and creativity on your part.

3. Tricksters
Friends and advisors can be tricky resources when deciding what classes to take. Naturally, your advisor is going to have all the faith in the world in you. Flattering really, that is until you get into the classes that they claim you will be able to handle. Be careful and watch what you are taking. Do your best to research teachers and assignments by using past students as resources. Find out who assigns the most essays and who gives the best notes. Take this to heart, it is extremely important. Remember you are capable of anything, but don’t pile too much on yourself at one time. Just because your friend is taking twenty hours doesn’t mean you need to. They may have a schedule full of electives. Even if they don’t, just remember how stressed out you get under pressure — don’t set yourself up for that.

4. Internships / Hidden agendas
Make absolutely sure of your class requirements before you enroll. Classes that are listed as honors classes and not contracted do have a reason for being such. Some classes may be paired with an internship or external project. Check with your advisor and the prospective teacher ahead of time so you know exactly what you are getting yourself into. Again, hours come into play. Often these external requirements have a weekly minimum hour schedule, meaning if you are taking 18 hours and you stack a three hour project on top then really you are getting 21 hours and wearing yourself awfully thin. Be careful.

Now, these are simply pointers. There are perks to being in honors college.

1. Friends
Honors students are some of the most well rounded people you will ever meet. Various personalities are found in the honors pool of people, but each of them have passed experience with working in a group and working incredibly hard. Therefore, on the first day you already have something in common. (:

2. Teachers
Teachers treat you differently as an honors student. They expect more from you and do not treat you like you are in high school. This can be extra important when you are trying to tackle serious issues on campus, like enforcing no smoking zones. Teachers also tend to favor you because they know you are ready to work and are not there just to make your parents happy. It shows that you have a goal and you want to excel in your academic career.

3. Scholarships
Ah, free money! Being accepted in an honors program always comes with some form of financial aid. Who doesn’t love free stuff? Now, maybe you are one of those people that has the tuition covered, but think about this. Most honors scholarship can be stacked; therefore, you can use the money towards books, supplies, and even food!
Major pluses come with the hard work honors college entails, but you really have to be willing to work for it. So, all things considered, if you are absolutely crazy then you should totally apply for honors college. But if you are a slacker and just barely skim by as it is, you should steer clear — honors will eat you alive.