♦Sr r - . ■
Groovie Ghoulies bring cartoon flair to album
By Jason Hardy
Staff writer
When it comes to cartoon bands, a
few greats immediately come to mind.
Alvin and the Chipmunks, Josie
and the Pussycats, KIDS Incorporated
- oh wait, they were real. Close enough.
The point is that rarely do cartoon
bands seriously rock, and they almost
never sing about dead bodies. But when
it comes to the Groovie Ghoulies, those
two characteristics are a must
While technically not a real cartoon
band in the animated sense of the word,
the Groovie Ghoulies are about as close
to being a cartoon as a band can possi
bly get Every album jacket has cartoon
pictures of the band surrounded by
witches, blobs, chubracabras, aliens
and scary monsters, and most of their
California band American
Steels breaks the mold
It seems that many journalists
and concert promoters like to
pigeonhole bands into certain gen
res, whether they fit the criteria or
not. ’ I
It’s done mostly because either
the person doing the pigeonholing
doesn’t know what kind of genre a
band fits into, or it’s just easier to
advertise for a band that you can sum
up in one catch phrase, like “indie,”
“rap” or “punk.”
The problem is that many bands
don’t deserve the labels they’ve been
branded with and have more to offer
than just one word’s worth of style.
One such band is Berkeley, Calif.’s
American Steel.
Tonight the four piece will take
the stage at Knickerbockers, Ninth
and O streets, with Nebraska’s finest
ska-core band, SeaSick Bob, and the
mall.dailyneb.com
songs are about the aforementioned
creatures.
But on their latest album, “Travels
With My Amp,” something’s different.
Sprinkled in with the usual monster
cartoons are renderings of some of our
nation’s most famous landmarks, such
as the Statue of Liberty, Graceland,
Mount Rushmore and Area 51. But,
more than just a new cartoon, “Travels
With My Amp” offers fans a poppy
punk musical journey across these
United States as seen through the eyes
of the Groovie Ghoulies.
The group sets the tone early with
“Boothill Express,” an up-tempo
instrumental number with a definite
road-trip feel to it. This segues nicely
into the coming-of-age number, “Bye
Bye Brain,” which in turn cruises right
into “The Highwayman.”
local rock heroics of Rocket F.M.
While definitely not deserving of
any specific label, American Steel
still is hard to describe. Some call
them punk, some ska, and others just
don’t know. Ultimately it’s a blend of
everything, especially the “others
just-don’t-know” part.
First and foremost, the band’s
most noticeable element is probably
the dueling guitar work of Ruairi and
Ryan.
The two rarely play the same
chords and incorporate an incredible
amount of subtle melodies through
out entire songs, a very noticeable
and quality break from the typical
verse-chorus-verse-chorus-solo
chorus song structure.
Their songs have a heartfelt
urgency and intensity and have the
ability to shift moods while they shift
tempos. “Rogue’s March,” the
group’s second album and first one
since signing with Lookout Records
in early 1999, is a well-constructed
collection of anthems and sing
alongs that carry with them a seri
Mixed into these road anthems are
a few punchy numbers playing on pre
vious pop hits and American anthems,
such as “Hard Night’s Day” and a 30
second ditty called “Free Bird.”
Still, some of the album’s finer
moments are found in the songs about
girls. Of course, they still have ele
ments that make each song “Ghoulie
esque.”
With witty horror kitsch and nods
to pop culture, songs such as “(The Girl
Is) An Unsolved Mystery” and
“Criswell Predicts” retain a Groovie
Ghoulie attitude while touching on
serious issues of love and respect.
Musically, the 14 songs on this 32
minute album aren’t much of a depar
ture from other Ghoulie albums. The
band has recruited a girl named Amy to
play drums instead of their previous
ousness and intelligence that really
sets the group a cut above most other
Lookout bands.
The album itself is a testament to
this band’s persistence and drive. Just
after signing to Lookout, Ryan was
diagnosed with leukemia, and every
thing was put on hold. A year later,
the group has put out one incredible
album and is currently on its first
tour since the diagnosis.
Tonight, Lincoln residents are
lucky to have a rare chance to see
such a quality and varied musical
performance.
The show is all ages and begins at
6 p.m. For more information, call
Knickerbockers at (402) 476-6865.
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!476-9292
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short-lived drummer, Jaz, and “Travels
With My Amp” also marks the second
Ghoulie album to include former
Queers and Tunnel Rats bassist B-Face.
B-Face, who has been the
Ghoulies’ touring bass player for years,
brings a more raw bass sound to the
•-Groovie Ghoulies
***"<*»
TITLE: Travels with
my amp
'"SJJ* LABEL: Lookout
Records
GRADE: B
FIVE WORDS: Horror
kitsch meets pop punk.
album. This, and a lack of background
vocals and more live-sounding guitar
solos, makes for a stripped-down punk
sound that is well suited for the three
chord simple style of the Ghoulies.
“Travels With My Amp” is by no
means a musically ground-breaking
album, but it is very worthwhile. The
songs are lighthearted and catchy with
out getting monotonous and pre
dictable like so many other three-chord
poppy-punk bands become.
LOW, LOW RATES
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lent condition. $100, Cel 488-0508.
Waterbed: Great condition! Has drawers underneath,
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Temporary childcare in May or summer. 2-yew old.
East Campus home. Flexible, part-time day hours.
466-3405.
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$22,500.402-469-9100,434-9110.
1966 Nissan Stanza wagon. Power stewing, power
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327-8568__
‘85 Buick Century. 4-door, well maintained, runs great
but needs muffler. Must go this week!!! $1500 cash
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Auto Accidents&DWI
Other criminsi matters, cal Sanford Polack. 476-7474.
Sullivan Law Offices P.C.
Bankruptcy, divorce, immigration. Timothy Paul Sulli
van. Attorney at Law. 3200 %>'St Suite 2.435-3200.
For all your insurance needs! auto, home, health, life
and business, call Jim Wallace at American Family
Insurance, 1340 L St.. Lincoln, NE 68508 or call
402-474-5077.
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400s Mastai ilb
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Female to share remodeled 2 BR. Free cable/gas.
Whirlpool tub, balcony, pool. Pets OK. $295/month.
325-6524.- _
Looking for a place to live? www.housinglOl .net...
Tbur move off campus! Free roommate Sublet listings.
May - August
Room available in near new 4hr duplex M/F. $250+
utilities. 17th and 476-4108. Ask for Rob or
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One female roorm iguet 1. Walk to campus.
38R, northwest living and family rooms, 2 stall garage.
$880. N/S, N/P. Call Julian, 432-7030 or Rembolt
Homes, 488-9222.
4 bedroom with rec room, 2 bathrooms, W/D, CA,
parking. 2 Mocks to Hwpar Hal-$800.489-9294
4 bedroom. 2 bath. Washer/dryer. Newly remodeled.
A/C. $800. No pets. 2763 E Sleet 432-6264
400 Terrace Road, 3 bedroom, A/C, garage, fence yard,
mtatencee, no pete, $850. 483-4887,483-7720.
$900. 5BR, 2BA, central air, new carpet, new paint,
dishwasher. W/D. no pets. 3735 Cleveland. Available
now. 4 months or 1 year lease. 580-1121.
1426 N. 23rd. (23rd and Holdrege.) Very nice five bed
room. Two bams. Spacious. Parking. Near UNL $950.
432-0644.
4200 Baldwin, 7 bedroom, 3 bath, A/C, nice. Available
8/1 $1200 440-8046,440-2248.
4-5 bedroom. 2825 *R‘. 1,1/2 bath. C/A. WD, DW,
nice, $875, textile taaae, 488-5446.
Available in August, 1237 Court, 4 blocks north of
camgus^, 3BR, 1 1/2 bath, C/A, parking. $650.
Qredhauaet does to UNL. available in May or earlier.
**"?2219 Poter, 5BR, $800
•1541 N. 26,46ft, $800
•1426 N. 23,56ft, $950
Newer 4 bedroom, 2 garage, 2 bath, family room.
$1,050 a month, no pets. A' ■arfebie in May. 432-0*15.
Nice, dean, 3+2BR house. 2 bam, 2 kitchens. Central
afc Washer/dtyer. No pelt. One block to East Campus.
1345 N. 39m. $900.432-6264.
Two to five bedroom houses near UNL Available May
or August Air conditioning. Washer/dryer. 432-6644.
We StiH Love Students
But We're Down Tb One Vacancy!
2-3 bedroom duplex, 2906 Q Street central A/C, W/D,
dishwasher, open August 15, $595.423-1535.
2 male roommates needed for 4BR duplex. Close to
campus. $235/month-*- utilities, excluding water.
Available May 1. Call 484-7737, ask for Clint or Troy.
2131 D or 3010 Center. 4BR, 2 bath. Fireplace, all ap
pliances, double garage. $1150. August move-in.
430-6328.
3224 Mohawk, 1 BR, central air, garage, $395 + depos
it. References. No pets. 483-4887 or 483-7720.
Newer 3 bedroom, 2 bath, 2 garage, family room, fire
place, no pets or smoking. Available for May and Au
gust. Reserve yours newt $875, 432-0415.
Newer
Close to campus, nice, 3 bedroom, 3 bath, garage,
W/D, all appliances, $795. H1R 465-8911.
NEWEft-CAMPUS
3 BR, 2 Bath, washer/dryer, garage. Available May.
$740, (402) 438-3393.
Wow! Take your pick! 4BR, 2 bath. $825 or 3Bft. 2.5
bath, 2 stall garage, backs to park, $1125 Nrti. N/P.
CaN Julian, 432-7030 or Rembolt Homes at 488-9222.
USunny and Cheerful!!
1 Bedroom 2000 J St Clean $310
4 Bedroom. 2 baths, garage 5350 Cooper $795
No Smokers or Pets 440-3000
♦♦♦Efficiency Apartments***
Close to City Campus
Water. Heat and Gas Paid
Available now. Cafl 477-4490.
♦STUDIO*
Efficiency in 8-plex between campuses, appliances,
patio^p_arking, super clean, 2627 Vine, $285.00,
3BR. 3 bath, close to downtown, W/D and security,
$735. N/S N/P. Call Julian. 432-7030 or Renbolt
Homes at 488-9222.
Commercial
- Investment Properties
SELECT A HOME
TODAY
Move-In May 1st
NORTH LINCOLN
Fountain Glen 436-3452
Highland View 436-3483
Northridge Heights
436-3415
Efficiencies start $390
1 Bedrooms start $440
2 Bedrooms start $550
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Lakeview Park 436-3464
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Efficiencies start $440
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Select Options Available:
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tor August or May. Call Phoenix Properties 474-5327.
244 S. 26th. Efficiency, utilities paid. A/C. $21Q/month.
483-2357.
700 S. 17th ♦ FURNISHED
Available now. 2BR in 14-plex, includes utilities, heat,
cable, and laundry. 488-6707 or 450-6895.
3227 N. 19th St. 5 minutes from campus, 1BR. recently
remodeled, water and gas paid. $375/month. Available
May 8. 438-8864.
4910 Madison, 1 bedroom, A/C, references, no pets.
$390. Cal 483-4887 or 483-7720.
1BR, 2338 E St., mostly graduate students, aM new
paint, appliances, microwave, ceiling fans. Reserved
parking, nosmofcingfrats, $395. C- 432-3686.
Claremont Park Apartments
Mh 8 Claremont 4*4-7275
Now leasing for August 2000.1,2,3,4 BRs. WHk to
campus._
Clean 1BR apartment, newly remodeled kitchen and
baft, rent $295 plus electric. For more information call
Melody or Pat 402-434-2610 or hearing impairad/TDO
402434-2613.
Extra large efficiency with range and refrigerator. Off
Caen management
Flexible Leases. 640 S. 12th, $320. 2312 R, $325
432-2288. _
tttfi
We're extending the Housing Fair $pecial. Qualify and
lease an apartment tor 1 year and racieve last month
rent FREEIt year too long...we'l deduct $50.00 from
the first month's rent on summer and fad term leases.
Swim, tan, bike to class, from our tree-nestled 1-2
bedroom community.
Jones Properties-640 South 20th-47S-7262
Large 2 bedroom, balcony, microwave, dishwasher,
disposal. $52S/monft, 2501 E St 432-6476. N/S, N/R
One bedroom with range and refrigerator. Off street
parking. Laundry aviritabie. $295+ utifties. 489-2333
Eden Management
< is » U! I ( 1
One, two, three bedroom apartments available.
438-0946.
Renting for August
2 bedroom, all electric air, laundry, parking, FREE CA
BLE, NO PETS/SMOKING. $460/month 1900 Knox.
477-7684.
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Spacious 1 and 2 bedroom apartments, central air,
dishwasher, off-street parking, on site laundry. Close
to campus. Reasonably priced. 465-8911. .
* Super Clean 1 SR*
Near campus, 3 or € month lease®, tias/water/trash
paid, appliances, dishwasher, 3 closets, laundry,
off-street parking. $365,2504 trine St. 489-4857.
