MC5 makes splash with compilation
■ Known for its grungy
sound, band shows brillance
in ‘The Big Bang.’
By Josh Krauter
Senior editor
Though Detroit’s current music
scene is famous for clowns such as
Kid Rock, Eminem and, well, the
Insane Clown Posse, it hasn’t always
been this way.
Once upon a time, in the late
1960s, Detroit had a couple of
vibrant music scenes that continue to
inspire today, one aboveground, one
underground.
Motown was, oficourse, thie
mainstream face of good Detroit
pop, producing legends such as
Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, the
Jackson 5 and the Supremes.
But across town, there was a grit
tier, grungier, uglier sound going
down. It was the sound of gears
grinding, assembly lines marching
forward, dirt getting caked under fin
gernails. It was a soundtrack for mis
fits, stoners, nihilists, outcasts, speed
freaks and blue-collar workers.
Ten years before punk, 20 years
before grunge, a couple of Detroit
bands invented a primal, dirty, mon
strous thud that moved rock forward
while simultaneously reverting it to
its garage beginnings.
These two bands, The Stooges
and the MC5, are long gone, having
only released three albums apiece to
indifferent audiences who didn’t care
that they were ahead of their time.
The Stooges were the better of
the two, producing a real-life rock
star in singer Iggy Pop, and releasing
three classic albums, “The Stooges,”
“Fun House” and “Raw Power,” that
still startle, sounding unlike anything
before or since.
The MC5 is a little sketchier and
sounds more and more like classic
rock as time goes by. But each of its
three albums showed moments of
brilliance and rugged rock ’n’ roll,
and it’s past due for a retrospective of
the band’s career.
So here it is. “The Big Bang!
Best of the MC5” is a smartly select
ed compilation of the band’s entire
career, starting with early singles and
finishing with a previously unre
leased song recorded shortly before
the band’s dissolution, hitting each of
the three albums in between.
It opens with a bang. “I Can Only
Give You Everything” is a rough
and-tumble rock song, riding along
on the riff Beck borrowed for “Devils
Haircut.” The next two singles,
“Looking At You” and “I Just Don’t
Know,” continue the decadent, dis
tortion-drenched vibe, sounding like
Chuck Berry if he had to sleep in a
garage under a bunch of oily rags.
Then come four songs from the
5’s first album, “Kick Out the Jams.”
The album has been profoundly
influential but suffers from muddy
production and several weak songs.
“The Big Bang” snatches the four
best songs from that album, showing
how chaotic and outrageous the
band’s music could be.
That’s followed by a whole bunch
of tracks from “Back in the USA,”
the second album. The music from
this period is a lot cleaner, the songs
are shorter and the production kicks
up the treble and lowers the bass.
These particular songs were pro
duced by Jon Landau, a former rock
journalist who later managed Bruce
Springsteen.
With titles like “Teenage Lust,”
“High School” and “Shakin’ Street”
and pop hooks to match, this section
of the album is the catchiest on first
listen and often sounds like pure
power pop. Imagine a more accom
plished Ramones or Monkees com
posed of serial killers to get an
approximation of the sound. For this
part of the band’s career, the oily rags
have been discarded for an actual
Chuck Berry cover and a more radio
ready sound.
The next segment of the album
features songs from “High Time,”
the band’s last album. These songs
are once again long, feedback
drenched and guitar heavy, but with
better production values. Guitarist
Wayne Kramer compares a lot of this
stuff to jazz musicians like John
The MC5
TITLE: Big Bang! Best of
the MC5
LABEL: Rhino Records
GRADE: A
FIVE WORDS: Sweaty,
ugly and loud rock
Coltrane and Sun Ra, but don’t
believe him. It all sounds like loud
rock ’n’ roll.
The unreleased song, “Thunder
Express,” continues in the same vein
with a decidedly more classic-rock
beat, sending “The Big Bang” out
with a bang, too.
Anyone who’s into late-’70s
punk or the better grunge stuff, such
as Nirvana and Mudhoney, should
check out where some of it came
from by picking up “The Big Bang.”
You won’t be disappointed.
‘Festival’ allows audience to critique works
PLAYWRIGHTS from page 9
The play is a drama dealing with a
serious subject, Miller said, whereas
the other readings are comical.
Whitehead, who is a nontraditional
student, said “you write what you
know,” and she is just trying to tell a
story.
“I wanted to do a play (about an
issue) that my generation is facing,”
she said.
Other plays include “Steak Fred,”
written by Derek Hyatte, which is a
comedy about a young couple, simple
misunderstanding and a secret recipe
for leftovers.
Hyatte was reluctant to go into any
more detail about the play simply
because he said he didn’t want to give
too much of the plot away.
He did say the thought of his play
being watched and analyzed by an
audience makes him a bit nervous.
Other plays include “Party,” by
Wade Dugan, “What are You
Thinking,” by Scott Dunn and “A
Mississippi Story,” by Justin
Bottsford.
“Party” is a documentary-style
portrayal of a college party scene;
“What are You Thinking” is a comedy
based on the internal and external
opinions expressed when men and
women shop together; and “A
Mississippi Story” follows the trails of
a pastor.
The sixth play is “Friday Night at
the Last Resort/Saturday Morning at
Kuhlmann’s” by Jeremy Blomstedt.
Nita Ritzke directs the reading.
She described it as a “slice of life in
a small town,” set in a building that
serves as both a cafe in the morning
and a bar in the evening.
“The writer has really captured the
local color of the town in his play,” she
said.
Those who have plays being pre
sented in this weekend’s productions
said they are excited to have their work
shown.
Betty Buller Whitehead said she is
not nervous about what people will
think of her play but instead is excited.
“I’m looking forward to getting
feedback from a real audience,” she
said.
Miller pointed out that readings
like this are done all the time in New
York, and that this is the first step for
writers wanting their work to be
accepted.
“People in the audience may see a
production that will be in the theater in
a year,” he said. “You’re getting the
opportunity to see something before it
has been put out there.”
■ ~ -rs——-;-=
Two Illinois bands to join
local group in performance
If band names were as telltale as
headlines, tonight would be one
destructive night.
Two bands from Illinois,
Haymarket Riot and Hero Of A
Hundred Fights, are stopping in
Lincoln tonight for a show at the
Antelope Park Pavilion, A Street
and Memorial Drive, with Her
Flyaway Manner, one of Lincoln’s
most intensely intricate local bands.
Despite the violent undertones
of the two visiting bands’ names,
the show is sure to focus on one
thing: music.
Haymarket Riot, a band that has
played in Lincoln a handful of
times before, has developed a
strong following for its aggressive
yet melodic brand of rock. The
group is touring in support of its
self-titled five-song CD on Divot
Records and will be raffling off an
unreleased copy of its new full
length album at tonight’s show only.
ine seit-titiea album is an
intense array of spacey and slow,
intricately woven guitar, drum and
bass sounds, which crescendo into
driving rhythms with robust vocals
and powerful guitars. In its quieter
moments, it is oddly soothing,
while in its more aggressive
moments, the album is very mov
ing, sounding in some respects like
a cross between Fugazi and June of
44.
With Hero of a Hundred Fights,
newcomers to the Lincoln scene,
listeners can expect an interesting
type of guitar-driven, broken-down
noise rock, which eventually comes
together for powerful and unified
chorus riffs. The vocals are defi
nitely less prominent than the
group’s musical elements.
Tonight’s show starts at 7 and
costs $3,
Dailyneb.com
Bringing you the
very best.
Ihursday, April 20,2000 < $5.25/15 words
Pagell M A $3.50/15 words (students)
(402)472-2588 M I /% X V I hi I H I |V $0.15 each additional word
FAX: (402) 472-1761 \i I j/% l |i | I | I I I $0.75 billing charge
dn@unl.edu ^ A ^ ^ $0.75/line headline
__- _■ _ Deadline: 3 p.m. weekday prior
200s Far sal*
ALL 1999BIWKONSALEI ^ onTbikffet 2nd at
1/2 price (see store for details). We service all brands.
3321 Pioneers Blvd. 488-2101. www.ttuesbike.com.
Wooden loft bed, $125 or best offer. Carpet, $50. Call
436-9080. ,
T5- 52K, beautiful, wholesale
$22,500.402-489-9100,434-9110,
1986 Nissan Stanza wagon. Power steering, power
brakes. New exhaust and brakes. Runs great
327-8568_
‘85 Buick Century. 4-door, well maintained, runs great
but needs muffler. Must go this weeklll $1500 cash
firm, 474-0751, PJ .
‘86 Honda Accord DX. 4 door, 5 speed. 146K. New
clutch, tires. Great condition. $1500 O.B.O. 435-2456.
‘88 Olds Delta $2500 OBO. Caw 742-6272.
'95 Geo Metro. 3 cylinder, 5 speed, 40,000 miles, new
tow, tinted windows, custom wheels, alpine CD stereo
and alarm. $4,250 OBO. 423-1189 or 540-5620.
300s Sendees <
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A California couple, offering their love and security,
wish to adopt newborn. All expenses paid. Legal and
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Safe, effective, and affordable. Please visit
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ships also available.
_ Auto Accidents & DWI
Other criminal matters, call Sanford Pollack. 476-7474.
Sullivan Law Offices P.C.
Bankruptcy, divorce, immigration. Timothy Paul Sulli
van, Attorney at Law. 3200 “O" 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.
Need Help Moving?
Moving help within Lincoln or Nebraska for home furni
ture, office or merchandise. By the hour. NR Express
Movers. 470-2970.
Summer Storage
Advance Self Storage. Safe, secure and low, low ratesl
Call 464-8829.
Free
Pregnancy Test
Birthright is a confidential helping hand. Please call for
appointment or more information, 483-2609. Check
out our website www.birthright.org.
1 or 2 roommates, M/F to share apartment in Williams
burg Park or Ruskin Place June 1. (785) 770-9123,
Brenda.^
2 roommates to share 4BR duplex. Furnished,
$218/month+ utilities. 438-9594.
Female student looking for roommate. $225/month+
utilities. Close to campus. Call Julie after 5pm,
477-5545, leave message.
Female to share remodeled 2 BR. Free cable/gas.
Whirlpool tub, balcony, pool. Pets OK. $295/month.
325-8524.
Looking for a place to live? www.housing101 .net...
Your move off campusl Free roommate sublet listings.
M/F roommates needed ASAP to share clean, 3BR/2
bath (Claremont) through July 31. Deposit required.
Call Ash/Pat, 438-4159.
May - August
Room available in near new 4BR duplex. Male/female.
$250+ utilities. 17th and South. 476-4108. Ask for Rob
or leave message.
Roommate needed to share great house. $325, all
utilities paid. 327-8107.
Roommate needed to share furnished, 3 bedroom
apartment, over looking pool. May-August
$240/month+1/3 Utilities. 436-9600.
Roommate wanted May 1 st-August. 18th & Washing
ton, $250/month + 1/3 Utilities. 435-7448.__
Two M/F roommates to share 3 bedroom apartment.
$225/month+1/3 utilities. Move in ASAP. Leave mes
sage at 474-3870.
3BR, 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 blocks to Harper Hall. $800.489-9294.
4 bedroom. 2 bath. Washer/dryer. Newly remodeled.
A/C. $800. No pets. 2763 E Street. 432-6264.
809 D Street. Three bedroom, unfinished basement.
Huge yard. Just remodeled. Close to campus. $460.
742-5570 after 5:30.
1426 N. 23rd. (23rd and Holdrege.) Very nice five bed
room. Two baths. Spacious. Parking. Near UNL. $950.
432-0644.
4200 Baldwin, 7 bedroom, 3 bath, A/C, nice. Available
August 1. $1200,440-8046,440-2248.
4914 Vine St. 3+BR, 1bath. Large fenced yard. Will
consider pets. $800.436-2506.
4/5 Bedroom, 2 bath, off-street parking, dishwasher.
Available May $86Q/mo. 1430 S. 9th. 438-4209
4-5 bedroom, 2825 “R", 1,1/2 bath, C/A, WD, DW,
nice, $875, flexible lease, 488-5446.
Available in August, 1237 Court, 4 blocks north of
canTjDus^, 3BR, 1 1/2 bath, C/A, parking. $650.
Great houses close to UNL, available in May or earlier.
432-0644:
• 2219 Potter, 5BR, $900
• 1541 N. 26,4BR, $800
• 1426 N. 23,5BR, $950
Newer 4 bedroom, 2 garage, 2 bath, family room.
$1,050 a month, no pets. Available in May. 432-0415.
Nice, clean, 3+2BR house. 2 bath, 2 kitchens. Central
air. Washer/dryer. No pets. One block to East Campus.
1345 N. 39th. $900,432-6264.
Two to five bedroom houses near UNL Available May
or August. Air conditioning. Washer/dryer. 432-6644.
We Still Love Students
But We're Down Tb One Vacancyl
2-3 bedroom duplex, 2906 Q Street, central A/C, W/D,
dishwasher, open August 15, $595.423-1535.
Near new 3 bedroom townhouse. AH appliances includ
ing washer/dryer. Double garage, 5 minutes to campus.
Call Julie, 440-5958.
1801 “B", 1 bedroom, fireplace, bay window, $350. pet
$30. Also, 1042 *F”, 3 bedroom, $650, pet $30.
423-4560.
2131 D or 3010 Center. 4BR, 2 bath. Fireplace, all ap
pliances, double garage. $1150. August move-in.
430-6328.__
3224 Mohawk, 1BR, 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 now! $875, 432-0415.
Newer
Close to campus, nice, 3 bedroom, 3 bath, garage,
W/D, all appliances, $795. HIP, 465-6911 ■
NEWER-CAMPUS
3 BR, 2 Bath, washer/dryer, garage. Available May.
$740.(402)438-3393.
Wowl Take your pick! 4BR, 2 bath, $825 or 3BR, 2.5
bath, 2 stall garage, backs to park, $1125 N/S, N/P.
Call Julian, 432-7030 or Rembott 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. Call 477-4490.
*STUDK>*
Efficiency in 8-plex between campuses, appliances,
patio, parking, super clean, 2627 Vine, $285.00,
489-4857.
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.
4 BEDROOM/2 BATHS
Built for students. Recently built. Washer/dryer fur
nished. Low utilities, parking. Must seel Reserve now
for 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 450-8895.
1938 Garfield
2 bedroom, newer apartment. No pets. Available 5/1
$425.486-1267.
3227 N. 19th St. 5 minutes from carrmus, 1BR, recently
remodeled, water and gas paid. $375/month. Available
May 8. 438-8864.
4910 Madison, 1 bedroom, A/C, references, no pets,
$390. Call 483-4887 or 483-7720.
1 BR, 2338 E St., mostly graduate students, all new
paint, appliances, microwave, ceiling fans. Reserved
parking, no smoking/pets, $395. Call 432-3686.
2BR, near East Campus. Available May 7 for summer
sublease. 3533 Baldwin, *2. Call 467-6373, leave a
message.