strikemagazine.net
January 17, 2014
Issue #5
STRIKE’S FINAL BOW
in this issue...
THE FINAL ISSUE OF STRIKE
The triumph and hardship of Strike Magazine a reflection from Strike founder
by Brett Stewart - Editor & Publisher
remembering George Harrison 13 years later... STORY ON 8
how ‘Breaking Bad’ changed television forever... STORY ON 7
the trees have eyes a short story... STORY ON 11
staff reflections
from our journey...
Well, here we are in January of 2014, over a year since the first issue of Strike was released. It’s been quite a ride to say the least. I wanted to write this article to not only reflect on the past year, but to bring to light the hardship and determination that went into this publication. From the outside, Strike may seem like a lighthearted, fun endeavor, but in reality, it had its share of hardships. Running Strike wasn’t always kind to myself or the publication. I had students at my school rip up and throw away the papers before even reading them, post terrible things online about the publication, even fold the pages up into ornaments for a Christmas tree. Even internally, Strike suffered from time to time; I once had a writer explain to me that I gave him “too much time” to write an article (3 months) and I should have pressured him into a smaller space of time so
he’d have the motivation to write the piece. My point, is that Strike has not always been a walk in the park. It was very discouraging at times to see students at my own school do these things, and I think this contributed heavily to me losing my school spirit this year. During your high school years, you invest yourself in something larger than any individual. For most students it’s a sport, a club or the school itself. At times, these seemingly unprovoked attacks on Strike deterred me from having similar spirit. In fact, I spent most of the time puzzled as to why they happened, because Strike has always been a publication by the students, but more importantly, FOR the students. It’s never published anything harmful or offensive, and it’s always challenged it’s readers to new points of view. So, my spirit for my school was disheartened this year. My peers bleed
BEGIN ON PAGE 2
black and gold, but I’ve Strike have anything negacome to bleed Strike red. tive to say about it. On the flip side, So I think that’s though, Strike has been what I am trying to get at. massively successful out- Those who read Strike apside the walls of high preciated and enjoyed it, school. We’ve distributed and those who attacked and thousands of copies, and bludgeoned it, either didn’t we had everyone from En- understand it or didn’t glish teachers to parents bother to read it. And that’s praise the work we’ve pro- a life lesson; people attack duced. We’ve had the priv- what they don’t underilege of interviewing some stand. That’s why through remarkable individuals, each one of those attacks, and writing stories that no I’ve done my absolute best one else had tackled before to not respond to them and us. We even got a response to pull myself out of the from Jann Wenner, the Ed- rubble to produce another itor & Publisher of Rolling wonderful issue for the inStone: the founder of the dividuals who did apprecilargest and most influential ate it. pop-culture publication in Beyond that, Strike the world. The band Heart is a one of a kind endeavor. recognized the article we You’ll be hard to find anothwrote about them as well, er independently run, comand went as far as to take pletely student organized time out of their busy lives business that works at the to take a look at Strike, and scale Strike has. From orgasend us a beautiful signed nizing a team of individuals photograph, with the mes- to organizing our banking sage, “Keep Rockin!”. I’ve and taxes, I’ve learned more never actually had a per- than any club or textbook son who has read through could have ever offered me. REFLECTION CONTINUES ON PAGE 2
The many faces of Strike - the current staff
brett stewart
larson ross
editor & publisher managing editor Top Row - Addie Callahan, Aaron Bilek, Avery Miller, Alex Shultz Bottom Row - Chad Earnest, Nash Jekot, Kristina Hagman, Christiana Junta
Page 2
Strike Magazine
Friday, January 17, 2014
REFLECTIONS FROM STRIKE’S RUN continued from front page
The Strike Staff Brett Stewart
Editor & Publisher
Larson Ross
Managing Editor
Alex Shultz
Chief Graphic Designer
Contributing Writers Aaron Bilek Addison Callahan Chad Earnest Kristina Hagman Nash Jekot Christiana Junta Larson Ross Brett Stewart
Publication Designed and Compiled By Brett Stewart
Attributions Great Tree: Jim Bahn Pocketwatch: Loic Le Meur All other images from the Strike archive, or public domain.
... Strike was a massive success. We did exactly what we set out to do, and we did it better and with more resolve than anyone. The people we interacted with, the relationships we formed and the lessons we learned are so much stronger than a kid posting a hateful tweet online. When we started Strike, parents, businesses and our classmates were skeptical we would ever produce a product at all, let alone create the quality standard that Strike is held to now. From day one, I’ve always told my staff that the most important thing in journalism is this: if an article in Strike intrigues, entertains and enlightens a reader, if that reader’s life was improved even in the slightest by that article, and even if only one person out of twenty feels that way... we’ve done our job well. Thank you from the bottom of my heart to all of the businesses, parents, teachers, advertisers, and most importantly, readers that have supported Strike over the last year. Without you, this would have been impossible. Your support has kept us motivated to do what we do. Now, it’s time for us to say goodbye. I put
my heart and soul into this publication - everything I had went into it’s creation. The support we got from it, made every single one of those long weekends where I had to design sixteen pages completely worth it.
All the best, Brett Stewart Editor & Publisher
Aaron Bilek reflects...
I’d like to take a moment and thank this publication right here for allowing my voice to shine. I’ve written a few stories over the years, always to keep hidden in my room to enjoy later, never sharing with the world. I dabbled in this and that - writing, editing, never really proud of my work. Then Strike came along. I was initially dubbed “executive serf ” and my duties entailed various initial editing, minor graphic design, and assembling desks. I saw various short stories make their way into the magazine and thought to myself, “Dangnabbit, these things are good. No way could I compete with that.” So I piddered around, doing my daily tasks when,
visit us on Facebook for extra content! facebook.com/strikeandfoglight
Visit Strike online at Strikemagazine.net Exclusive online content and more! like a piece of Strike content? Tweet it! #strikethat
A Foglight Studios publication. Learn more about Foglight at foglightstudios.com
out of the blue, Mr. Hotshot on the Top, Beef Stew, messages me throwing phrases around like, “needing more content to fill this issue” - “would you write something for us?” - “I’d like more people to write for this issue.” Naturally, I was hesitant to the offer, I dabbled in trying to write an article or two, but as the deadline approached, I said “screw it” and sent him an old story I had been working on. Something about such and whatnot. And I had no idea what the reaction would be. I was nervous to let something I had kept so close to me out into the open. I was nervous that it wouldn’t be good enough for Strike. But hey, what do you know? Mr. Stew shot me a reply back, along with a couple minor edits - “great story bud!” And boy, there have been few moments of relief in my life, and that was one of them. I’ve been happily tapping away on keys for Strike since. No regrets. Sharing my stories with more people, getting more positive reviews, all thanks to an opportunity presented to me by Strike.
reflections continue on next page...
Friday, January 17, 2014
Strike Magazine
Page 3
STRIKE REFLECTIONS CONTINUED... staff members look back at the past two years
Larson Ross reflects... Hello, dear reader. I wish that this were not the last time that I will address you in this manner, but alas, this is my last piece of writing for the physical publication of Strike Magazine. The many cacophonous voices that roil about in my mind, waiting for me to lose vigilance and take my sanity (as is their right by the blood pact made back in my infancy), whispered several article suggestions in their raspy, grating tones. Articles such as: “The Life Lessons that Can Be Learned from 1970’s Moustaches,” “My Weekend With Stalin,” “Why Beavers Should Be Feared,” and, my personal favorite, “RRRRRGGGGG, A Study of Growling in Politics.” However, I felt that most of those ideas were contrived, and given the theme of this issue, I should strive to write a creative short story. While staring at my computer screen for the better part of what felt like an eternity, I came to realize two things, one: that I had the creative powers of a sedated Russian novelist (I know, let’s write about snow, depression, and war!), and two: that the universe is ending. It’s not all bad news, though, because the death of the universe should just
remind you about how miraculous and improbable your very existence is! It also means that every single person you hate will eventually die. Take a moment to revel in both of those notions, I’ll wait. Thanks for coming back. In any case, I write to you today to thank you all for reading Strike. Strike Magazine has been one of the greatest experiences of my life, teaching me valuable lessons about life, friendship, and business, none of which I will share with you. What I will tell you is that though this magazine is filled with the hard work of many people, it would never have been as successful as it has been, or really even existed, without the tireless and patient work of our Editor in Chief, Brett Stewart. I’d like to extend the gratitude of the entire Strike staff to that marvelous adonis who walks among us. Thank you for making sure that we could have the experience of making this fantastic publication, regardless of how little it seemed some of may have wanted it to work out at all at some moments. In the end, it was far more than any of us could have hoped for, and I know everyone on staff loves it
more than they will eventually love their children. Finally, I have one last thing to tell you, dear reader. It’s easy to create something you love, but far harder to make that creation worth sharing with others. So, work until you can’t go on for whatever you may want to share with the world. I hope you enjoyed Strike. Thank you so much for reading.
Addie Callahan reflects... They say all good things must come to an end. Frankly, I have always wondered who this infamous “they” has been and if they had ever really done anything that mattered in their lives. For if they had created something so profoundly unique and touching, then “they” would know that nothing ever truly ends as long as its memory is still alive passing the message on to others. Strike was the brainchild of one, brilliant and often unconventionally creative, Brett Stewart. He came to our rag tag group of friends with the idea of creating a publication that was done completely by high school students for high
school students. He spun an elaborate web of technical logistics while I sat back nodding enthusiastically at the proper moments while thinking, “I have no clue what he is saying as far as the business side goes but I KNOW I want to be a part of the creative process.” Brett kept his part of the bargain creating a fully functioning business and outlet for high school creativity that could be completely uncensored. WE got to decide what to write based on what the staff thought was prevalent at the time. I have never been a part of a creative project that was more fulfilling and professional than what I created in the pages of Strike along with some of my closest friends. As we come to a close with our publications I know that Strike will never truly end for me because the memories and opportunities it has created will be with me far into the future. I am proud to say that I am part of a staff that really struck out against the norm and made a publication unlike any other.
DEADLINES AND PHOTOSHOP WARS For the entire print of Strike, we’ve had deadlines. Deadlines were nights to hammer out all of the nitty, gritty details of a publication days before sending it to the printer. With no shortage of stress and frustration, these deadlines still remain one of the most rewarding, exciting bonding experiences of Strike Magazine. Pictured to the left is the very first Strike deadline, March 2012. For as long as there have been deadlines, there have been Photoshop Wars amongst the staff. Photoshop Wars, initially started as a way to teach staff members Photoshop, evolved into month-long bashes between all of the staff. While most photoshops were simply replacing staff heads into awkward scenarios, some were truly brilliant. Take the one to the left, where Alex Shultz introduced Brett Stewart into the Great Pumpkin! In the second issue of Strike in 2012, a war montage was actually printed. To read that issue and the rest of the other Strikes, just visit our site at strikemagazine.net.
Page 4
Strike Magazine
Friday, January 17, 2014
REFLECTIONS CONTINUED
staff members look back at the past two years by Nash Jekot - Contributing Writer Of the last six years of my life, five of them have been spent in some journalism program. Each year improving a little until this last year I discovered what true commitment to the field of journalism ought to look like. I found Strike, a publication that had diverse writers with a multitude of opinions and humor that could come together to form a newspaper that was worth more than the paper hat all newspapers eventually end up becoming. Many newspapers strive to be what Strike instantly became: a newspaper with great work ethic and a very intelligent base with a staff that actively wishes to and enjoys to contribute to the newspaper. Now, you may think that a
newspaper having a staff full of writers who wish to contribute should be taken for granted, however, that isn’t always the case. Before I worked for Strike, I was a writer for a school newspaper. This publication tried to find pride in being self-sustained, student operated, and full of a staff that treated each other like family, none of which I found to be particular true. This newspaper was known to not sell enough ads, frequently, having to dip into yearbook funds to make up for the deficit. Strike on the other hand, made all of its print money from advertisements, even having staff members contribute to an ad when it was unclear if the newspaper would make print or not. As for student operated, the
Strike newspaper staff is full of contributors who write because they want to have their voice heard in a newspaper.
“Strike has provided an element of family for me.” That’s not the case with other student newspapers. From day one, most school newspaper staffs are told that all stories printed should be written at a third grade reading level for comprehension reasons. I understand a newspaper should appeal to a wide variety of people, however, content should not be aimlessly dumbed down time and time again
to get a greater appeal, thus, trading creative and intelligent thought for generic articles. Strike can and does strive itself on the fact that edits are made for the purpose of fluency and grammatical correctness, not dumbed down appeals. The most important aspect of my days with Strike is that Strike has provided an environment of family for me. Contributors genuinely care about not only the publication, but also the writers on staff outside the newspaper. Strike has not only shown me what true journalism commitment should be, but also what true friendship is like during the time we’ve printed Strike.
MORE MEMORIES
Below on the left is the book, “with compliments of Jann S. Wenner” sent to us by the print giant himself. (Jann Wenner is the founder and Editor & Publisher of Rolling Stone Magazine.) On the right, Editor & Publisher Brett Stewart and Tech Manager Chad Earnest dance at Strike distribution Winter 2012. Back then, Strike was a magazine distributed by hand, rather than at distribution points. Strike began distribution into the community in 2013, thus ceasing the physical by-hand distribution from the previous year.
Friday, January 17, 2014
Strike Magazine
Page 5
STOPPED
an original short story by Aaron Bilek - Contributing Writer I’ve been able to pause time ever since my sixth birthday. I remember closing my eyes, blowing out the candles and wishing that this party would never end. I felt a rush of warmth through my body, as if I had just drank a large mug of hot chocolate, and quickly opened my eyes again. I was greeted to my candle smoke hovering in midair, unmoving. My eyes refocused and I saw the immobile smiles of my friends and family staring at me, their eyes glassy, their hands trapped in an eternal, imminent clap. Naturally, as a six year-old child, I cried. I ran around and started tugging on shirts and dresses, hoping to get a reaction - nothing working. But I kept it up, running around, attempting anything and everything to get the attention of anybody. Eventually, in a combination of exhaustion and resignation, I collapsed to the ground and drifted off to sleep. So, I guess I can understand what my parents were going through. One moment their child is happily blowing out candles, the next he is snoring away in the other room through tear-streaked cheeks. So I guess I can understand why they were never quite able to look me right in the eye after that. Their gaze was always a little off, focusing on my eyebrows or mouth. But I always looked them right in the eyes, and there I saw fear. Fear that there was something wrong with their child,
something hiding in that six year old frame that wasn’t their child. Weren’t parents supposed to unconditionally love their child? Beside an incident I had no control of; I was arguably one of the better children they
could have asked for. But they couldn’t look past a weird happening revolving around me, couldn’t look at me as their beautiful baby boy again. And I resented them for that. I spent the next ten years growing up in orphanage after orphanage, due to circumstances in which I “could not be involved with whatsoever.” That’s what the official police report said about me, at least. I try to put that part of my life behind me, after all, I was at school when
the fire started. No family wanted to adopt a six year old though, so I made myself comfortable in isolation. Harmless pranks were common around the orphanage, misplaced keys and such, none ever att r i but e d to me. But of
course I did it. A little messed up, but I was bored. I called my gift the “stop.” It’s real original and creative, right? But no other word or phrase really encompassed the truth of the matter: I could stop time. Just the simple matter of focusing on pausing time made it happen. I eventually arrived at the point where I could switch time on and off like I was flicking a light switch; it came naturally to me.
Besides the casual prank, I never really abused my gift. Sure, I cheated on tests and did my homework in class, seconds before it was due, but I’m sure it could have been a lot worse. I got through school no problem, and because my grades were so fantastic, I was offered full-ride scholarships wherever I wanted to go to school. I settled on a nice, small town college, met a nice girl named Rachel, we hit it off, and three years later, I proposed. We got married, had a kid named James, I got a nice job and generally we lived happily. Six more years passed and it was James’ birthday. We brought him a cake adorned with six candles. “Close your eyes and make your wish, kid!” I exclaimed. His eyes shut and I felt a familiar warmth surge through my body. But… but I hadn’t activated the stop. Not now. And I couldn’t move. All I could do is stare as James looked up at me and cried. He ran around for awhile, eventually going to sleep. We found him in the other room, asleep. I know what happened, but something is stopping me from talking about it. I’m trying, oh am I trying, my life depends on it, but I can’t seem to look him in the eyes. I understand now, Dad. I’m sorry.
COMING FULL CIRCLE the return of the short story
When Strike was first released in the fall of 2012, we focused heavily on short stories and art. As the publication diversified, however, the short story began to fade from our publication. In an effort to return to the roots of Strike in our final issue, we chose two of our favorite short stories to publish.
Page 6
Strike Magazine
Friday, January 17, 2014
CHAD’S TECH DUNGEON
the heads-up-display future isn’t as far away as it may seem by Chad Earnest - Contributing Writer Most people who hear the term, ‘Head-Up Display’ probably either think of Iron Man, or of the horrible LED based HUD that can be found in most GM cars from the 1990’s. Common thoughts aside, the one fundamental thing that people recognize Head-Up Displays for is bringing them is information onto a display of some kind. Whether it’s the windshield of a car, or some genius, billionaire, philanthropist’s helmet, HUD’s are known for syndicating information onto a screen for an individual to observe. However, people seem to think of them as being gimmicky, and nothing but distractions that could lead to trouble. Well, that has a certain amount of truth to it, but there’s a bigger picture to recognize when dealing with the application of Head-Up Displays beyond just science fiction and halfbaked cars from the nineties. What needs to be recognized is that HUD’s have many great uses. Like any tech-
nology, it comes down to find a way to improve society, aside from showing you whether or not your turn-signal is on. With any technology, there are early adopters that further develop the technology, and in turn find practical uses. As an example, the most well known HUD’s today can be found in military equipment ranging from fighter jets to helmets. The United States military immediately recognized the potential of HUD’s, and began to implement them for tactical purposes, which has actually been very useful, and not pointless. The United States military can be considered an early adopter in this case, and have further developed the technology over the past three decades of its use. Another early adopter to the idea of a HUD is our all-seeing interweb god in the sky, Google. Google Glass is the first example of a wearable version of the HUD. Aside from
checking on your Google Plus Hangouts (I don’t know of anyone who actually does that), or filming yourself on a hot air balloon, the applications of Google Glass are boundless. The Google Glass SDK allows for anyone to find, and develop a use for the device. The uses could start branching off into the medical industry, education, law, design, engineering, etc. Really, the list could go on for many pages. Google Glass is already of some use in keeping people’s eyes on
the road while driving. Navigation, speed, and hand-free calling are already part of the Google Glass package. Google managed to optimize the experience to a point where the HUD could become more of a useful asset, rather than a hindrance to driving. HUD’s really are useful, and with a little creativity have become the next step in wearable tech. People just need to start searching for solutions to current problems that a HUD could solve.
Google Glass is currently the frontrunner of the HUD technology, or at least, the frontrunner for consumer HUD technology. In a world with Google Glass, which isn’t very far away, everyone can be connected into the HUD-life. You can currently sign up to be involved in the testing of Google Glass, but an official release date is a bit unclear, due to the complexity of the project.
Friday, January 17, 2014
Strike Magazine
Page 7
HOW BREAKING BAD CHANGED TELEVISION FOREVER the great Heisenberg’s fall signifies the ignition of a new generation of TV by Brett Stewart - Editor & Publisher Before I go ahead with this article, if you are currently watching ‘Breaking Bad’ or have an intention to do so, let it be known that this article contains many potential spoilers regarding the end of the series. With that said, let’s proceed! In its five season run, ‘Breaking Bad’ redefined how television will be created forever. It created a new standard of modern storytelling and it employed its own brand of unique tactics in order to tell that story. In the past ten years, television has only had half a dozen memorable shows. That may sound like a lot in a decade, but when seventy new shows are introduced each fall, it’s a remarkably low portion of the pot. The television business has been Americanized, capitalized, and designed specifically to release quantity over quality in recent years. That’s why ‘Breaking Bad’ is special, it removes itself from this equation and designates a spot for itself separate from the rest of television. So how exactly does ‘Breaking Bad’ create a new dimension of
televised entertainment? To start, Walter White is an asshole, plain and simple. The idea of using an anti-hero protagonist in television is a relatively new one, but when most shows employ it, it’s monitored to a specific degree. Take ‘Weeds’ for example, the main character is an anti-hero, but she also finds her way to being quirky and loveable. Walter White loses that persona very quickly, and by the time he’s watching Jesse’s girlfriend overdose in the second season, any hope you really had for his salvation has gone down the drain. The show employs this tactic by making you hate Walter White by the end of the show, and it’s frustrating to the viewer, because you’re forced to be an accomplice to his horrible deeds as the show refuses to let you ignore him. With that said, White is a dynamic character to say the least. The entirety of the show he scapegoats his actions by claiming he ‘did everything for his family.’ It’s quickly apparent that greed and power have the better of White, because he only
needed about $700,000 to secure his family effectively. By the end of the show, he’s burying fifty gallon barrels filled with millions in the New Mexico desert. In the finale, White reveals the truth: he enjoyed what he did, he did it for himself, and he was good at it. The show amplifies its own ability to frustrate the viewer by forcing you to watch Jesse’s life go down to the toilet in direct correlation to Walter’s actions. It’s a rough journey, because Jesse is inherently good, whereas Walt is inherently evil. When Jesse continuously gets the short end of the stick, it’s upsetting to us as viewers. Jesse’s the ultimate ‘wrong place, wrong time’ guy. Every time Jesse gets close to happiness, it’s ripped away from him by Walt. The storytelling is magnificent here, because every time something good comes Jesse’s way, the show convinces you that things are beginning to look up for him. You build a desire to see Jesse’s life improve, but the show only builds him up to drop him further down. Many shows suffer from overstaying their welcome. It’s not an uncommon thing to see a show die out around it’s eighth or ninth season, but still remain on TV as a shell of what it once was. (Two and a Half Men, anyone?) ‘Breaking Bad’ refused to fall victim to this, and the show ended exactly where it should have ended. At the end of season five, everything set into motion is completed and loose ends are effectively tied up. It’s not often that many shows understand where the line between profit and quality is drawn, and when to gracefully take their last bows. Let’s talk about the finale episodes, and why exactly they wrapped the show up so perfectly. The entire show, you’re left actively wondering how Walt will manage to get the money to his family. It was hard enough when he was lying to them, even harder when he tried to have them launder it for him, and nearly impossible after his secret was out in the open. The writers of the show did an excellent job at tying this up, providing a viable and likely situation in which the money would be received by Walt’s family. Having Gretchen and Elliot absolve any uncertainties by posing as wealthy benefactors to a family crisis was ingenious. We all know Walt is on a path to death from the first episode. Whether he succumbs to the cancer, or his second life is what is left for
us to speculate. In actuality, he succumbs to both in the end. The way Walt’s demise is handled, is absolutely golden. When he arrives at the neo-nazi compound, you know off the bat that his keys and his car are clearly his weapons of choice. What you don’t know, is that he’s rigged a fully automated, automatic machine gun system to spray vigorously from the trunk at the press of a button. Let’s face it, that’s pretty badass. When Jesse gets away from Todd’s hellhole at the end of the show, you can’t help but cheer victoriously alongside him as he clutches the steering wheel, screaming into the desert. After over a year of complete pandamonium, it’s wonderful to see him break free of his chains. We can only hope that Jesse goes on to live the life that we all wanted him to live, but Walt refrained him from living. In the final moments of ‘Breaking Bad’, everything falls into its right place. Walt wanders into the cooking facility that he had helped set up and create, and he surrounds himself with the equipment. He looks back fondly at a gas mask, likely remembering back to the days of RV cooking with Jesse, and he seems content. For the first time in five years, we see Walt at peace with himself and his surroundings, no longer attempting to keep secrets, protect anyone or manage money. The meth empire kingpin, the great Heisenberg, falls as quickly as he rose.
“in the final moments, everything falls into its right place.”
‘Breaking Bad’ solidified a new generation of television - everything from this point forward will be different. It will have to be, because ‘Bad’ set the bar at a new level, and any level below that will be even more disappointing now. So, here’s to the television of our generation. It’s honest, brutal, and painfully realistic, but at the end of the day, isn’t it the pinnacle of what we’ve always fought for it to be? The world is a different place now, and shows like ‘Breaking Bad’ remind us of what lurks within our own shadows, and they certainly aren’t shy about it. Still, it’s not to say that the legacy of friend-group coffee house shows is dead, either. Shows like this just provide us with a deep, refreshing comparison. Don’t worry, all nine seasons of ‘Cheers’ are on Netflix too... yeah, what are you still doing here?!
Page 8
Strike Magazine
Friday, January 17, 2014
LOOKING BACK ON GEORGE HARRISON thirteen years after the death of the great Beatle
something
all things must pass
Something in the way she moves Attracts me like no other lover Something in the way she woos me
Sunrise doesn’t last all morning A cloudburst doesn’t last all day Seems my love is up and has left you with no warning It’s not always going to be this grey
I don’t want to leave her now You know I believe and how
All things must pass All things must pass away
Somewhere in her smile she knows That I don’t need no other lover Something in her style that shows me
Sunset doesn’t last all evening A mind can blow those clouds away After all this, my love is up and must be leaving It’s not always going to be this grey
Don’t want to leave her now You know I believe and how You’re asking me will my love grow I don’t know, I don’t know You stick around now it may show I don’t know, I don’t know
All things must pass All things must pass away All things must pass None of life’s strings can last So, I must be on my way And face another day
Something in the way she knows And all I have to do is think of her Something in the things she shows me
Now the darkness only stays the night-time In the morning it will fade away Daylight is good at arriving at the right time
Don’t want to leave her now You know I believe and how
by Brett Stewart - Editor & Publisher In the last two Turntable columns, I took a deep look at two artists that I found to be vastly important to popular culture and musical history: Bruce Springsteen and Lou Reed. Now, it’s January and this is my last Turntable column. I wrestled heavily with whom to focus this last column on, since the possibilities are endless. During this struggle, I found myself listening to the album, ‘All Things Must Pass’ - I immediately knew who to write on. Thirteen years ago, George Harrison was taken from us at age fifty-eight from lung cancer. George Harrison’s influence over modern music is incalculable, and his musical genius was revolutionary. I’ll come out and say it - George Harrison is my favorite Beatle. I also think George had some of the most powerful solo work after the Beatles, and debatably the best solo album. But before we get into that, let’s talk about George’s part in the biggest band of all time. Harrison was the youngest Beatle, joining the band at age fourteen. John felt that George was too young to join the band, but Paul kept pushing for George until he was accepted into the band. George was the quiet Beatle, but he was also the most insightful. Sure,
Lennon & McCartney is the famous songwriting duo, but let’s not overlook George’s contributions. ‘Here Comes The Sun,’ ‘Something,’ and ‘While my Guitar Gently Weeps’ are a few of the numbers written and executed by Harrison. These tracks are significant pieces in the complex Beatles catalog, and some of the sweetest and strongest. George had the remarkable ability to write a song like it’s coming from an old friend. ‘All Things Must Pass’ was actually shot down by the Beatles during the ‘Let it Be’ sessions, and shame on them for that. ‘All Things Must Pass’ ended up being one of the most intricate, touching and beautiful songs any of the Beatles wrote after the band fell apart. Harrison’s work after the Beatles is so often overlooked, often due to the sheer size of McCartney’s solo catalog. This is a crime, because Harrison’s solo work is excellent. ‘All Things Must Pass’ is, in my opinion, THE solo Beatle album. The four sided album came in a full box upon it’s release, and there isn’t a track that doesn’t fall perfectly into place. George held the belief that all religions “were branches of the same tree,” and this album demonstrates his complex spirituality. The songs address all
religions and walks of life, and the album touches on a beautiful note, that all things, do indeed pass. Our problems on this world are miniscule in the grand scheme of life as a whole. This album touches your heart; George understood what it meant to be alive. We could all learn something from him, because he found purpose in the life around him wherever he went. At the time of ‘All Things Must Pass,’ Harrison was collaborating heavily with Bob Dylan. This collaboration became abundantly obvious with Harrison’s heavily influence over Dylan’s ‘New Morning’ and Dylan’s influence over ‘All Things Must Pass.’ Harrison even covered Dylan’s ‘If Not For You’, which was a hauntingly beautiful, mystical rendition of Dylan’s original song. As Harrison grew older, his endeavors grew with him. In 1971, Harrison organized the famous “Concert For Bangladesh,” one of the largest charity performances of all time. The two shows at Madison Garden drew in over 40,000 audience members. Going into the decade after that, Harrison put together the most impressive supergroup of all time, The Traveling Wilburys. Bob Dylan, Jeff Lynne,
Tom Petty and Roy Orbison accompanied Harrison on their first album, which remains a landmark in musical collaboration to this day. Following Orbison’s untimely death, the Wilburys continued their work to release a second album, which was equally wonderful.
SCAN FOR ‘MY SWEET LORD’ My sweet Lord Hm, my Lord My sweet Lord
I really want to see you I really want to be with you I really want to see you Lord, but it takes so long, my Lord Hm, my Lord My sweet Lord.
Friday, January 17, 2014 Through all of his musical projects, Harrison remained, and remains to this day, one of the best guitarists of all time. Being an excellent guitarist doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to be able to shred like Van Halen, it means you understand your instrument. George was one with the guitar, and he was the best conservative guitarist to ever live. Harrison never played a note that was out of place, and every note fit perfectly into the song, becoming a piece of the story. George was a beautiful writer, musician, and person. George once said that he “wanted to be successful, not famous.” You did it George, you were so successful. Your music inspired and influenced all those around you, and it continues to do so to this day, and will continue to do so tomorrow and every day after that. Your music will remain timeless, etched in musical history forever. I can only imagine one reason that you were taken from us so early: heaven wasn’t complete without your music. We can all rest easy knowing that you’ve now made it your ‘Sweet Lord.’ Thank you for the music, and thank you for sharing your heart with us. We will al-
Strike Magazine
Page 9
ways always remember and love you, and you are so missed. “Now the darkness only stays the night time, in the morning it will fade away. Daylight is good at arriving time, it’s not always going to be this grey. All things must pass.”
SCAN FOR ‘WHILE MY GUITAR GENTLY WEEPS’ I look at you all See the love there that’s sleeping While my guitar gently weeps I look at the floor And I see it needs sweeping Still my guitar gently weeps Attached video from the Concert For Bangledesh, 1971.
Above, George Harrison with bandmate Paul McCartney in 1963.
THE BEST SOLO BEATLE ALBUM KEY TRACKS My Sweet Lord Wah-Wah What Is Life If Not For You Run of the Mill Beware of Darkness Apple Scruffs All Things Must Pass I Dig Love It’s rare an album to have so many key tracks, but in the case of ‘All Things Must Pass’, since the album is jam packed into such a large box, there’s so much music that there’s enough to have a dozen key tracks.
Page 10
Strike Magazine
Friday, January 17, 2014
CALCULATED MADNESS FROM THE HULL OF THE BATTLE ZEPPELIN creating your independent nation - the third column in a three column series by Larson Ross - Managing Editor Dear readers, it seems as though my long journey aboard this marvelous battle-zeppelin must come to a close. This is not through any will of my own, but because of the extinction of my ship’s fuel source: the great and terrible sky-whales, who once gorged themselves upon migrating geese and the dreams of children, but now reside only in the nightmares of those same children, and the fuel containers of airships the world around. The death of my ship does not mean an end to my quest for greatness. No, I plan on setting up an entirely new country wherever I land, and in this article, I shall attempt to instruct you on how to do the same, should you ever find yourself in a similar situation. Step one: The obvious first step, wherever you choose to set up your nation, is to kill off the indigenous population. The next step is to decide what government you want to set up to maximize your power, yet attract people to immigrate. The best way to do this is to set up a libertarian paradise, since those seem to be all the rage.
ters within your boundaries and people flood in to take advantage of your almost non-existent government presence. However, soon enough the once highly competitive marketplace is being taken over by large monopolies, the working class slips further and further into poverty due to low wages, and gun violence skyrockets. This would all be fine, except the companies are eating away at your power! Unacceptable! But how do you get it back? Your next action should be to go to the forbidden section of the Coca-Cola brand Coca-Cola library produces will create a cloud of influand check out the collected works of ence that will inspire your rebels for Karl Marx. as long as they remain in your presence. Step two: Use your knowledge of collectivization and violence to ap- Effects: The world trembles in awe peal to the underfed working class. of your startling success, all eyes Use their desperation to fuel the fires turn to your small nation and wait to of your new Marxist revolution. Re- see if you truly will follow through mind yourself always that there is with your promises to make every no alternative to violent overthrow man equal in all ways and dismantle of the current system and that all any semblance of government. The who oppose your ideas, even in the United States prepares the CIA for slightest, are Bourgeois trash and action. Your comrades bring you all must be eliminated. Persevere, and the wealth that you have collected, eventually, you will have successfully and you think to yourself: “Maybe destroyed the Bourgeois, collectiv- some people are more equal than ized the wealth, and set yourself up others.” And so you begin the tranto become the first successful Marx- sition to... ist-Communist country.
Tips and Tricks: Legalize everything except for pet ownership. Pets help people to develop brotherly love and ideas of societal responsibility, both of which spell the death of modern market capitalism. Tips and Tricks: Grow a lengthy beard. Science has proven that Effects: Congratulations, your new a healthy beard produces Comnation is exceedingly prosperous! muntonin, and will feed revolutionCorporations from all over the ary zeal directly to your brain. As a world choose to establish headquar- bonus, the many spores the beard
Step 3: So you’ve turned the once hopeful communist society into a Stalinist-style dictatorship, great job! Shave that chin scruff, keep the moustache, and embrace your cult of personality! Be sure that you rule
with an iron fist and sell your nation’s grain as much as possible. Tips and Tricks: Get yourself a secret police force; every dictatorship needs one. When choosing the uniforms of your officers, consider a brown military outfit combined with clown makeup. Children either love clowns, or fear them beyond anything in existence. Both reactions to your brutal police force are desired. If you follow this guide correctly, you should find yourself in a very advantageous position in your new empire - just remember that the cycle described here will continue for all time, but as long as you remain at the top, who cares what the government calls itself? Good luck!
One day the great sky whales shall replenish my fuel supply and I will soar away into the sunset, leaving my nation leaderless and in complete economic turmoil.
Friday, January 17, 2014
Strike Magazine
Page 11
THE TREES HAVE EYES another original short story
by Kristina Hagman - Contributing Writer I know why the trees have eyes. I was not there to see it happen, nor do I know anyone who was. But I woke up one morning, and it was just something I knew. The trees have eyes, and this is why. There was once a small village of people. They were forest people, living off of the animals and berries, and their skin was the same color as the rusty earth around them. These people took pride in their simple life and their love for nature was reciprocated because nature was kind to them too. The people had all four seasons, hot in the summer, cold in the winter, and mildly pleasant in the spring and the fall. The earth provided for them and the people were happy. One summer, something — or more specifically, someone — came to them. It was a child. Children themselves were not rare, but this child had something special about her. A different type of aura. And she looked different, too. Instead of the tan skin and coarse dark hair of the people, she was a light
pink with curly golden locks that floated around her head in a sort of halo. She was a child of the gods, the old witch doctor muttered. She is a gift, and we must protect her because she will keep our people alive forever. The idea of an immortal legacy appealed to the town, and they raised the girl as their own. She slept huddled amongst their children and played with them in the daytime, learning the crafts and trades of elders. Many years passed, and the people forgot she was a stranger. They would still protect her with their lives, but that was because she was one of them. They scoffed at the old witch doctor; she was no child of the gods. Only a mere child who was part of their family. But there were murmurs, speculations. A few still believed that she was a goddess and jealously boiled in their souls, thick and green and serpentine. To them, she was power. And this power was dangerous. She could keep them alive
forever, but she could also destroy them in an instant. They plotted at night; deep in the woods where not even the light of the moon was visible. They would throw her out, they decided, so she would never come back. And they did. One cold evening, when the world was asleep, their ploy was carried out. They lifted the girl from her bed and tied her up, slinging her over a shoulder like an animal. They carried her far away from the camp and the warmth that she had known. Someone whispered that they should kill her, but he was quickly silenced. No one wanted blood on his hands. The elements would kill her; that was enough. Leaving the girl in a remote location, they returned to the camp. When her disappearance was noticed, they acted as surprised as everyone else. The village was heartbroken because their little ray of sunshine had disappeared. But the old witch doctor had heard the murmurs of her kidnappers, and he believed that the girl would return to them. He stood just
outside the village and waited for her. For many days and many nights, he stood. Food and water were brought to his stakeout, but they were refused. His feet sunk, molding with the earth. His body was transformed into a tree that would not budge. All-seeing eyes appeared on his trunk, still looking out for the precious child. Disease and famine eventually struck the village people. No one survived the plight, but the witch doctor’s tree stood tall. Small trees sprouted up from the ground around it, parts of the entity that had dedication. The trees still have their eyes trained for a gift that will never reappear. I know why they trees have eyes, and they watch us to this very day.
Page 12
Strike Magazine
Friday, January 17, 2014
DAVID BOWIE REISSUES ‘THE NEXT DAY’ extra tracks from the reissue reviewed
by Brett Stewart- Editor & Publisher When it was announced David Bowie would be releasing extra tracks to ‘The Next Day’, I was immediately sent into a state of heavy anticipation. Now, that deluxe set has been out for awhile, and it seemed about the right time to tackle the review of the extra tracks. Plus, it’s David Bowie’s birthday, so, why not? While I won’t be directly addressing the first cut tracks on ‘The Next Day’, I will say that the album may be the most evocative, thought provoking piece of musical genius of last year. It’s a masterpiece in it’s own regard. But, I want to focus on the extra tracks, so, being an in depth review, let’s take a look at them one by one:
ing down the street at full volume, an instrumental off of ‘Heroes’ - the and not look like an idiot. album ‘The Next Day’ so cleverly obscures as the album art. It’s fluid, interesting, and it ends when it needs Love is Lost to end without dragging. Hello Steve Reich Mix:
On it’s own, ‘Love is Lost’ may be one of the strongest tracks on ‘The Next Day.’ However, this extra mix may reduce some of that grandiere. It’s tracks like this that always make me wary of artsy song remixes, because to be blunt, it took a wonderful song and made it monotonous and even a bit frustrating. The mix employs the use of lots of people clapping the different beats drowned out behind echoey Bowie lyrics. It’s a neat idea… for the first three or four minutes. At over ten minutes, this mix is far too long. It quickly slides Atomica: from an artsy, potentially interesting ‘The Next Day’ is a tad longer than take on a song, into, “Why the hell the standard album at fourteen have I been listening to people clap tracks, which may be why some of for ten minutes?” these extra tracks never made the cut, but if Bowie had been feel- Plan: ing generous, Atomica would have I’m not quite sure what makes this made the cut. This track is on par, track stronger, the fact it’s a very and even possibly better, than some good instrumental, or the fact that of the tracks on the actual album. it has a clear direction, it’s concise, It’s catchy, the heavy guitar riffs are and interesting, unlike the previous some of the most fun rock n’ roll in- mix. The contrast is immediately tricacies Bowie has produced. This is apparent, and one can’t help but be the kind of music you can blast driv- thankful for that. ‘Plan’ sounds like
The Informer:
Like ‘Atomica’, ‘The Informer’ is a remarkably strong track, perhaps too strong for the extra reel. For whatever reason, though, this is where it ended up, and we can be glad it did. It’s a great song and builds stronger and stronger as it progresses, with unique riffs and tidbits that elevate the track to level of intelligence. Ever since I first heard ‘Ziggy Stardust’, Bowie has continued to amaze me in how he can intellectually pull me into a song, not just through the lyrics, but through the music and the production of it all. ‘The Informer’ does that magnificently.
I’d Rather Be High - Venetian Mix
I’ll be concise- it’s the same song with a bit more of a bubbly filter. Moving on. (But, it is a wonderful track. It’s just not special to the ‘extra’ offerings, due to it’s heavy resemblance to it’s official counterpart.)
Like A Rocket Man:
I strongly believe that this track should have been included on the original album. From the first note of ‘Like A Rocket Man’, you know something weird and zany is about to go down. This wonderful track is the most youthful sounding song on all of the content available for ‘The Next Day.’ With the acoustic guitar barely coherent in the very backdrop of the soundscape as Bowie hops into his head voice for wacky choruses, it’s a track directly from the soul of Ziggy Stardust. On top of it all, it’s got quite a kick ass guitar solo towards the end of the track.
Born in a UFO:
Riding the wave of youth and celestial inspirations left by ‘Like A Rocket Man’, ‘Born in a UFO’ is a fun track. It’s got the signature David Bowie ‘stars and space’ sound, and like the previous track, it also sounds like a blast of 1972. The strength of the electric guitar solos culminates and resides in the latter half of the track, and it’s even got some star-like synths clicking around beneath the instruments. Bowie’s youthfulness at 67 is pretty apparent here. CONTINUES ON NEXT PAGE
Friday, January 17, 2014
Strike Magazine
Page 13
cont...
I’ll Take You There:
“What will be my name in the USA/What will I become in the USA/ hold my hand and I will take you there!’ the track proclaims as Bowie dual-harmonizes with himself on the verses. At first, this song sounded a bit too similar to the rest of the content to be significant to me, but a key change at the bridge, followed by the catchy, sing-along chant-style chorus brought me right back in. It sounds a bit like the title track of the album, but in a good way.
God Bless The Girl:
The acoustic guitar! It still exists! I was beginning to worry. As much as I love Bowie’s employment of a mass amount of over the top production on this album, it’s wonderful to hear that familiar acoustic sound. The acoustic eventually fades though, reminding me of ‘Rock n’ Roll Suicide.’ The song tells the story of a girl named Jackie, who seems to be in a rough spot. She’s aiming for the stars, but landing in the clouds. But, she turns light into darkness for Bowie, so he heavy announces his intentions for her. Halfway through the track, we enter a very cool sing-along ‘oooh’ section. It’s not overly complicated, but it doesn’t need to be. It’s fun so why not?
So She:
Entering the track with a uniquely interesting guitar riff, followed quickly by melodic synths and pianos, this track builds straight into your heart when it gets going. Utilizing a stringed section halfway through, this track really builds beautifully. It’s the most melodic of the extra additions to ‘The Next Day’ - which is good, because the rest are a bit more rock oriented. These extras are remarkably strong to be called ‘extras’. They could easily be additions to the original tracks of the album, and I’ve made myself a playlist to allow them to be so. Considering that it’s eight new songs, all of which are very strong, along with one bad mix and a rehash… this is pretty damn good for
a deluxe set. We’re lucky to get one or two good tracks from these kind of things, but Bowie’s provided us a little mini-album to add to the current masterpiece. It’s especially nice, because the content all connects very,
very well. It’s one of the most fluid, interesting records I’ve ever listened to from start to finish. Holding off on these tracks for a new album would have been a shame, because they’re too similar to separate from
the original work. This is why David Bowie is so great - he gives you a wonderful album, and then months later gives you the second half that he liked a bit less, apparently. Check this one out, it’s worth your time.
BLAST FROM 1972 - THE RISE & FALL OF ZIGGY STARDUST - LADY STARDUST People stared at the makeup on his face Laughed at his long black hair, his animal grace The boy in the bright blue jeans Jumped up on the stage And Lady Stardust sang his songs Of darkness and disgrace
And he was alright, the band was altogether Yes he was alright, the song went on forever And he was awful nice Really quite out of sight And he sang all night long
Page 14
Strike Magazine
Friday, January 17, 2014
THANK YOU WORLD OF WARCRAFT the lasting benefits of playing the game growing up
by Brett Stewart - Editor & Publisher Be prepared to nullify many of your cult people is second nature to me. stereotypical common misconcep- Learning how to deal with flakey tions of ‘Warcraft.’ people when planning an event, or learning how to be the bigger perI started playing World of Warcraft son in a conflict with someone who in the sixth grade, entering junior you don’t necessarily agree with are high. Now entering my senior year life lessons. There are so many peoin high school, I wanted to look back ple in real life that will get on your to reflect on, and thank the game for nerves, make your life more diffiwhat it’s done for me over the years. cult, and cause you pure annoyance. Core values, skills and lessons I Fortunately, all of these people and pulled away from this virtual world their brothers play online games and all came to play a part in my real have no fear of severely heckling world at one point or another. This someone from safely behind their is my retrospective look at all of that. keyboard. So you deal with it like an I moved around a lot when adult, and you do what you need to I was younger. Through different do - just like real life. Even and esstates, cities, counties and school pecially when you have an asshole districts, I attended four elementary in your party who decides to fulfill schools and two middle schools, be- his true purpose of mimicking Leroy fore I settled in Colorado for high Jenkins’ infamous run and wiping school. With that said, I didn’t have the 24 other people who have been many friends growing up. Hell, I’d slaving through a dungeon for five go as far to say I didn’t have any at hours. certain schools. So, as cliche and stereotypical as it sounds, World of 3. Being economically savvy Warcraft was a fun way for me to outlet myself socially. As virtual as Okay, so this may sound like a longthey may be, I’ve maintained friend- shot to draw the link here, but bare ships with many of the people I’ve with me on this. If you play Warcraft played with over the years. That time now, you might not understand this, in my life probably would have been since the game is much easier now. far more lonely and less interesting But, if you were playing before the without Azeroth. last two expansions, you had to be Beyond that, there are cer- come economically savvy to have tain values and strengths I have that any chance in hell at succeeding. You I can attribute in part, to my time in pick up professions in the game, and this game. I’ll outline them here you go out and skin animals, mine raw materials, or pick herbs in the 1. The ability to be a leader, to forest. After this, you have to make some money - so you sell the matemanage and to plan rials to someone else who has a proPlaying World of Warcraft grow- fession to use those materials. This ing up, I learned how to become a transaction has to mutually benefistrong leader. Being the “Guildmas- cial, to both of your pocket books, ter” of multiple guilds growing up and more importantly, the buyer’s threw me into scenarios where I not trade. So, you have to competitively only had to lead and become the price your product with the sevenvoice of reason and authority in dis- teen other people selling exactly the organized settings, but I also had to same thing that day on the auction learn how to plan well. As you might house, to ensure that the buyer will guess, being the leader of a large pay for your goods first. In order to do that, you need group of players normally assigns you the role of planning those play- to scan the auction house, determine ers’ outings together - a task that can a correct price to sell your goods, prove very difficult if you are trying and continue to do so as the market to plan a twenty-five person raid two inflates, deflates and stabilizes. Believe it or not, games have remarkweeks in advance. These are abilities that I’ve ably realistic economies, and if nine transferred into my life over the out of ten people farming materials years, most notably, in the form of are farming herbs, then the price of Foglight Studios and this magazine, herbs will eventually become a standard that each seller has to meet or Strike. slightly undercut, while still making a profit. Sometimes, this can become 2. The ability to deal with extreme as a remarkable amount of difficult people people try to sell the same thing. This is known to happen in WarI work part time as a freelance craft when a new profession comes web designer, so dealing with diffiout, or a server just seems to fancy a
certain profession. Or, someone may be going out with all their characters and specifically driving the market with a mass amount of merchandise. Sometimes, it would make more sense for me to buy out all the other people selling my goods, because once I controlled the market on that good, I could increase the price and sell all the goods in a day in my monopolistic bliss, of course, before someone comes in and starts selling the same goods for half the price.
players; the game is easier now) Obviously, I’m not saying that World of Warcraft taught me everything about all of these topics. What I am saying, is that growing up with this game for nearly seven years helped instill those skills and values into me. As absurd as it may sound, these occurrences did help reinforce positive values in my life as I grew up through one’s most turbulent adolescent years.
4. Perseverance pays off This one may sound obvious, but no one truly learns how much perseverance pays off until you’ve spent a long amount of time and resources to achieve an objective. As trivial as it may seem, working your arse off for three months to pay for your first flying mount in World of Warcraft is insanely rewarding. You’ll literally spend two hours just making victory laps around all the high cliffs that once impeded your questing. (Again, this doesn’t apply to new
Story continues on next page, along with the impending ridicule I have in store! It’s too bad I could care less...
Friday, January 17, 2014
Strike Magazine
Page 15
WARCRAFT CONT... a thank you letter of sorts
To top it all off, it’s been a positive fun thing to do with my free time. I’m fortunate enough to have my head on straight with a good group of friends, and I’m fairly positive I wouldn’t even know what drugs look/smell like if it wasn’t for my ex-
cessive concert-going. I’d much rather spend a night messing around on Warcraft trying to raid Horde cities than sit in a shady basement smoking pot like high school kids my age seem so prone to do instead. I promise you, if you’re pissed off at your
parents, fighting other people online wonderfully fantastic world that I with ridiculously absurd weapons abide in every other night and have and abilities will be far more fulfill- vastly enjoyed for nearly half my life. ing than the joint you just lit up. So thank you World of Warcraft, and thank you Blizzard. You created and continue to create a
POETRY FROM THE STRIKE STAFF mermaid tears & the american dream
by Kristina Hagman - Contributing Writer - MERMAID TEARS A stranger came up to me today With the most peculiar thing He held a vial in one hand And in the other, a ring. He handed me the bottle, with a smile on his face. He gave me also the ring in a gesture full of grace “These are important for you, You’ll need them sometime soon. Drink the liquid and wear the ring, Be ready for the moon.” I took the gifts and message too With questions in my head But he only winked and turned away, Leaving me full of dread. I uncorked the bottle and took a deep breath. It was salty as the sea; smelling just like death. I hung the ring around my neck it was a noose of lead. I prayed that when the moon arrived, I would not be left for dead.
A week had passed since the stranger’s warning. The air was frigid And filled with mourning
I had cried these salty tears, Did I wish for her again? A long, long time ago And where the ring would lead me The answers to these I did not know now I was quite sure of this. I most certainly did not know. But a little voice had told me: The moon would come tonight, I “It’s alright to reminisce.” knew. But one thing I knew with certainty: It was time to face my fate. I needed to find the man I realized I did not miss my life Whatever Destiny had in store, Who had given me the ring and vial Down there under the waves I wished she would be late. Who had lent a helping hand. This life on land was good enough For one, like me, who behaves But as the moon lit up the sky He had returned to me my identity I knew that it was time And for that I owed my thanks Although I had once been someone I uncorked the vial of mermaid There were so many lacking memo- else tears ries This was who I was, now And in the distance heard a chime From when I had left my ranks. I was content with these memories And with that, I made a vow With shaking hands and beating The memories flowed back to me, heart, the life under the ocean. I would be happy with this life Upon my finger I placed the ring I remembered crying those mer- Since I had chosen it I closed my eyes and parted my lips maid tears I would live each day completely And with that, began to sing. That were used to make this potion. And I promised to never quit. A beautiful song erupted Vibrant, and full of life. But then the melody quieted And I could feel the strife. Cold water drenched my body And I knew that I was she who had left the water for the land who had become, well, me
A tear slipped down my cheek just Something strange happened that then day, Salty as the sea The most peculiar thing. It had no magical properties, A stranger had given me a gift, because I was still me. And I saw what life could bring. Did I wish for the waves? The life I had back then? That person was different from me;
by Brett Stewart - Editor & Publisher - THE AMERICAN DREAM Like my classmates my junior year, I was forcibly thrown into a ridiculously long ‘American Dream’ unit. However, a year later, I still have this poem from those days What to you is the American Dream? It’s moved from the light into darkness, or so it may seem. What fuels the endless pursuit? Is it justified by coveting bounty and loot? Has modernity assaulted the American race? Or do you just start at the finish, making slower pace? Aren’t we supposed to be the dream-makers? With god on our side we built cathedrals and cars and massive skyscrapers. We once were a nation who stood up for what was right.
Now, money and power have made us lose our train of site. Maybe the modern beast hasn’t sent the Dream to it’s tomb; Maybe everything else has just filled up the room. Is the Dream always something new and nifty? I’m sure it’s never been getting gas for $3.50. Maybe the Dream was to finally succeed; Now it must assuage our ever-growing need. The dream sure isn’t what it was 50 years ago; It’s gotten much harder to reap what you sow.
So has modernity weakened or strengthened our path? It’s nearly impossible to stand back and do the math. The numbers say your rate of success is much slimmer; But your environment builds you up, praising you a winner.
So let’s not point fingers at the LCD’s. We’re the only ones that hold the keys. The race will be harder with more runners in place; That’s just plain logic, it’s always been the case.
What of technology, in this pursuit? Has it been very kind? Has it pushed you steps back, or enlightened your mind? You can argue both, I honestly don’t care, Life has never been fair, and in the end your subject to the demons of your own lair.
Maybe modernity is unraveling us by the seam, But, what of it? Don’t let it stop the pursuit of the American Dream.
Friday, January 17, 2014
Strike Magazine
Page 16
SHAMELESS SELF PROMOTION
a page with information about ourselves for you
BROKEN HEART GADGETEERS
the follow-up to ‘High Waters’ and the introduction of RIVERS RUBIN In this section of the last issue of Strike, we brought to you ‘High Waters’ - the first album our Editor & Publisher released under the alias name, ‘Underground Oceans.’ Now, we bring to you the follow up to ‘High Waters,’ ‘Broken Heart Gadgeteers.’
over thirty backing tracks, all thirty of the instruments are played by Stewart. “The song has seven different orchestras all playing at the same time. One of them is actually played on a wood-saw with a violin bow. When you listen to the song, though, you won’t recognize seven orchestras. You’ll hear one. And that’s the Broken Heart Gadgeteers is what point; it all works as a whole so you Stewart considers an “experimen- don’t realize it’s so many parts.” tal project.” The ten song album is a journey into the depths of rock and Broken Heart Gadgeteers is Stewroll. “I wanted to create a rock al- art’s attempt to define a rock n’ roll bum with the suave nature of Alex sound. “This is the first record (He’s Turner, but the lovability of a Harry released seven now) where I’ve felt at Chapin record. Plus, I want to do it home with my guitar playing. Each entirely without drums,” says Stew- track has guitar solos, rocking riffs art. ‘Gadgeteers’ attempts to do that, and wonderful tidbits on the guitar. as Stewart uses a myriad of instru- I feel as if this record has solidified mental nuances in order to avoid the a specific style for myself that I can use of drums, and at the same time, carry on throughout all my albums provide the listener with an epic now. ‘High Waters’ struggled to find soundtrack to their lives that can be a sound that remained constant blasted as loud as their car speakers throughout the whole album, but I can take it. feel ‘Gadgeteers’ does that.”
leased with a music video directed by Strike writer Aaron Bilek. “Aaron did a great job capturing the frustration of the song. It’s a song about being in the friend-zone with a girl. That’s a frustrating thing.”
named Rubin Rivers is someone who I greatly respect, a black United States sergeant in the second world war. His heroic efforts caused them to award him the Medal of Honor posthumously in the 90’s. So, my name reversed is his forwards. That This is the last album Stewart will be means the name has three different going under the name Underground meanings and inspirations. That’s a Oceans, though. In fact, this album lot more than most names!” has one overlying theme and goal to set the stage for Rivers Rubin. As Rivers Rubin, Stewart intends to walk in the steps of Ziggy Star“The name I’m going under from dust. “I’ll never forget when I heard here on forth is Rivers Rubin. Lots Ziggy Stardust. I loved the idea of of artists change their names; it’s a this amazing conceptual story told very common expression of individ- over the course of an entire album. uality,” says Stewart, “There’s a rea- So, I’m going to be doing the same son for it, though. I absolutely love thing. The first Rivers Rubin album, the first name Rivers. It’s unique and which has already been written, is a very cool sounding. Rivers Cuomo concept album similar to ‘Stardust.’ has been one of the most influen- It tells a wonderful, crazy story from tial people and musicians for me beginning to end. throughout my development as a musician, so adopting that name was We can expect the Rivers Rubin cona given. I was also greatly inspired cept album in the spring of 2014. “I’d by Rubin Carter, someone who Bob love to share it with the world by ‘When The New Year Comes’ was the ‘I’ll Still Wish You Were Mine’ was Dylan was equally inspired by in the March or April of this year. The time first single off the album, and it was the second single from the album, 1970’s. So, I decided to take Rubin’s of Underground Oceans has passed, met with the most acclaim Stewart released a day before the album on first name as my last, since I love the the time of Rivers Rubin can now has ever had from a song. Utilizing January 12th. The single was re- unique sound of it. Finally, a man begin.”
‘Broken Heart Gadgeteers’ and ‘High Waters’ are available for free with liner notes on BrettStewart.net
Broken Heart Gadgeteers: The Songs When The New Year Comes Welcome to Suburbia Vegas Scary Movie Actress Broken Heart Gadgeteers I’ll Still Wish You Were Mine Placeholder: The Song Baby Blue Box Weightless Love Broken Lights available on brettstewart.net