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03
contents
Volume 1 Issue
2 Issue Three 2009
six
twenty-four
Lifestyle Accessories
Tattoo Artist J. Michael Taylor
ESSENTIALS eight
ART & CULTURE
GAMING
thirty
ten
Stephen Lynch
Resident Evil 5
HUMOR twelve
TECH
Geek Gear fourteen
MIXOLOGY Black Vodka
FEATURE thirty-eight
RELATIONSHIP Advice on Love forty-two
MUSIC
Stephen Lynch forty-eight
LIFESTYLE eighteen
MOTO
NISMO 370Z
Suicide Girls fifty-eight
FASHION Ayya Wear
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publishers
Letter from the
See more on Porsche Design’s newesr phone in Gear on page 12.
T
he evolution of Tampa Bay’s Pulse Magazine continues! For months the public has spoken and we have continued to listen. In just a short time we have amped our publication to bring you something hot and entertaining with a classy mainstream appeal. From the creative mind of Chad Kirby and the long days and nights from our street team comes a full color can-
vas of what is happening now...the Pulse of Tampa Bay. From models in pink to guys in ink, from bars to cars, we continue to cover ALL aspects of life and entertainment on the local scene. And as we all have heard, “economy” is the new four letter word. So we strive to bring you all of this at low costs to our advertisers and the continued efforts of our contributors. We thank you all for your support! See you next issue!
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Regards, Chad and Billy
Chad and Billy
STAFF PUBLISHER
DESIGN
DYNASTY MEDIA GROUP, Inc.
DYNASTY MEDIA GROUP, Inc.
EDITOR
FINANCIAL DIRECTOR
CHAD KIRBY chad@pulsemagazinetampa.com
MANAGING EDITOR BILLY BLAIR
Anthony McGeough tony@pulsemagazinetampa.com
MARKETING DIRECTOR Hugo D. Aviles hugo@pulsemagazinetampa.com
billy@pulsemagazinetampa.com
SALES
PHOTOGRAPY
Joanna Skibko
Becky Johnson Charles Williams Ed Kolton
joanna@pulsemagazinetampa.com
Mike “The Greek” Kavallierakis mike@pulsemagazinetampa.com
EVENTS
To advertise contact Dynasty Media Group, Inc. 813-618-0297
Joanna Skibko joanna@pulsemagazinetampa.com
Vol. 1 Issue 3 Tampa Bay Pulse is published monthly by Dynasty Media Group, Inc. Tampa Bay Pulse Magazine is a registered trademark of Dynasty Media Group, Inc.. Tampa Bay Pulse Magazine is in no way responsible for loss or damage to unsolicited items. Reproduction in whole or in part is prohibited. Copyright 2009 by Tampa Bay Pulse Magazine and Dynasty Media Group, LLC. All rights reserved.
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Essentials MLB Glassware
Baseball fans will love the chance to declare their loyalty with glassware featuring their favorite team’s logo. Our precisionetched collection is available with the insignia from each of the 30 teams and may be personalized with a name up to 10 characters. Sold individually. Pilsner, Serve Bowl, Double Old-Fashioned and Beer Mug are shown (clockwise). $19.00 - $39.00 www.potterybarn.com
First Unstationary Bike
RealRyder® International, developers of the first unstationary bike, announces the RealRyder® ABF8, an indoor cycling bike that can tilt, turn and bank like a road bike. The RealRyder Indoor Bike uses patent-pending CoreBalance technology in a unique, articulating frame which allows the user to ride fluidly in three dimensions. The result is a 5-in-1 workout for the whole body – not simply legs and cardio, but also upper body, core muscle groups and balance. www.realryder.com
BodySound Recliner
BodySound seating answers the need for full impact, large scale sound in a smaller space. The sound and the seating are one and the same. Now a home theater can fit nicely into an apartment, condominium, small bedroom, or the corner of a greatroom. Each seat powers its own 7-speaker personalized surround sound system. Every user can fine tune the audio characteristics of their seat to their preference. BodySound technology automatically adjusts the volume to match the users’ settings. The sound is crisp and clear, preserving every detail of audio information. BodySound technology is seamlessly embedded within fine furniture, covered in 100% Italian leather. Seating can be ordered as recliners, connected rows or curves of seats, love seats, couches, or custom configured. Starting at $5,995 www.bodysoundtheater.com
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Gaming
Resident Evil 5
The biohazard threat has not ended Just when it seemed that the menace of Resident Evil had been destroyed, along comes a new terror to send shivers down player’s spines. Chris Redfield, returning Resident Evil hero, has followed the path of the evil literally around the globe. After joining a new organization, Chris heads to Africa where the latest bioterrorism threat is literally transforming the people and animals of the city into mindless, maddened creatures. He is joined by a new partner, Sheva Alomar, who lends her strength, intelligence and sharp-shooting skills to the mission. In order to survive, Chris and Sheva must work together to take on the challenges of discovering the truth behind this evil plot. Utilizing a revolutionary new co-op mode of gameplay, players will be able to assume control of either Chris or Sheva and experience Resident Evil in new ways. In Resident Evil 5, Capcom will have players fearing the daylight as much as they have feared shadow in previous games.
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Co-producer and series veterans Jun Takeuchi (Lost Planet) and Masachicka Kawata (Resident Evil 4 Wii Edition, Resident Evil: Umbrella Chronicles) unleashes an unprecedented level of fear for the next generation in Resident Evil 5, the sequel to one of the highestrated videogames in history, according to Metacritic.com and Gamerankings.com. Promising to revolutionize the series by delivering an unbelievable level of detail, realism and control, Resident Evil 5 is certain to bring new fans to the series. New technology developed specifically for the game, as well as incredible changes to both the gameplay and world of Resident Evil will make this a must-have game for gamers across the globe. The latest in the Resident Evil series, which has sold over 34 million units since the original game was released in 1996, as well as spawned a multi-million dollar trilogy of films from Sony Pictures. Resident Evil 5 will revolutionize the Resident Evil series, just as Resident Evil 4 did.
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Humor Deflowerd
A boy confesses to his father, “Dad I finally had sex”. Proud of his son’s willingness to share, the dad grabs two beers from the fridge and hands one to his son. “Now that you are a man, do you have any questions son?” he asks. “Just one dad” the boy replies, “When will my ass stop hurting”? Bob was in trouble. He forgot his wedding anniversary. His wife was really pissed off and told him, “Tomorrow morning I expect a gift in the driveway that goes from 0 to 200 in 6 seconds and it better be there”! The next morning Bob wakes up early and goes to work. When his wife wakes up, she runs to the window. Sure enough, there is a gift wrapped box in the driveway. Confused, the wife put on her robe and ran outside and brought the box back into the house. She opened it and found a new bathroom scale. Bob has been missing since Friday.
Lifesavers
A teacher was doing a study testing the senses of first graders using a bowl of lifesavers. The kids began to identify the flavor by color. Redcherry, yellow-lemon, green-lime, etc. Finally the teacher gives them a honey flavored lifesaver. After eating them, none of the kids could identify it properly. The teacher decides to give them a clue, “It’s what your mommy calls your daddy sometimes”. One little girl looks up in horror, spits out her candy and yells, “Oh my gosh, these are assholes”!
Twins
An ugly woman walks into a store with her two kids. A man walks up to her and ask, “Are they twins”? “No” she replies, “Why do you ask”? The man says, “Because I can’t imagine someone fucking you twice”.
Football Education
How do Detroit Lions fans teach their kids to count? 0-1, 0-2, 0-3...
Don’t Make a Sound
3 explorers were looking in the forest when they were captured by Indians. They were taken to their chief, and he said go out into the forest and come back with 10 of the same kind of fruits. The first guy comes back with 10 bannanas, and the chief says, shove them all up your butt without making a sound. So the 1st guy gets 2 bannanas in when he starts screaming, so the indians kill him. The second guy comes back with 10 berries, and they shove 9 in and are about to shove the 10th in when he starts laughing, and so since he made a sound the indians killed him too. Now the first two explorers souls fly out of their bodies and into heaven and they start talking.
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The first explorer says ‘Hey dude why did you laugh you could’ve gone back and told out families what had happened’.
The young man then opens the digital photo in Adobe Photoshop and exports it to an image processing facility in Hamburg , Germany
The 2nd explorer replies, ‘Sorry I just couldn’t stop when I saw fred comin down the hill with 10 pinneapples.
Within seconds, he receives an email on his Palm Pilot that the image has been processed and the data stored. He then accesses an MSSQL database through an ODBC connected Excel spreadsheet with email on his Blackberry and, after a few minutes, receives a response.
Monkey Business
A guy walks into a bar with his pet monkey. He orders a drink and while he’s drinking, the monkey starts jumping all over the place. The monkey grabs some olives off the bar and eats them, then grabs some sliced limes and eats them,then jumps up on the pool table, grabs the cue ball, sticks it in his mouth and swallows it whole. The bartender screams at the guy, “Did you see what your monkey just did?” The guy says, “No, what?” “He just ate the cue ball off my pool table - whole!” says the bartender. “Yeah, that doesn’t surprise me,” replies the patron. “He eats everything in sight, the little twerp. I’ll pay for the cue ball and stuff.” He finishes his drink, pays his bill, and leaves. Two weeks later he’s in the bar again, and he has his monkey with him. He orders a drink and the monkey starts running around the bar again. While the man is drinking, the monkey finds a maraschino cherry on the bar. He grabs it, sticks it up his butt, pulls it out, and eats it. The bartender is disgusted. “Did you see what your monkey did now?” “Now what?” asks the patron. “Well, he stuck a maraschino cherry up his butt, then pulled it out and ate it!” says the barkeeper. “Yeah, that doesn’t surprise me,” replies the patron. “He still eats everything in sight, but ever since he ate that damn cue ball he measures everything first!”
Finally, he prints out a full-color, 150-page report on his hi-tech, miniaturized HP LaserJet printer and finally turns to the cowboy and says, ‘You have exactly 1,586 cows and calves. ‘That’s right. Well, I guess you can take one of my calves,’ says the old cowboy. He watches the young man select one of the animals and looks on amused as the young man stuffs it into the trunk of his car. Then Dick says to the young man, ‘Hey, if I can tell you exactly what your business is, will you give me back my calf?’ The young man thinks about it for a second and then says, ‘Okay, why not?’ ‘You’re a Congressman for the U.S Government’, says Dick. ‘Wow! That’s correct,’ says the yuppie, ‘but how did you guess that?’ ‘No guessing required.’ answered the old cowboy. ‘You showed up here even though nobody called you; you want to get paid for an answer I already knew, to a question I never asked. You tried to show me how much smarter you are than I am, and yet, you don’t know a thing about cows...this is a herd of sheep. ... Now give me back my dog.
Cowboys and Yuppies
An old cowboy named Dick, was overseeing his herd in a remote mountainous pasture in Colorado, when suddenly a brand-new BMW advanced out of a dust cloud towards him. The driver, a young man in a Brioni suit, Gucci shoes, RayBan sunglasses and YSL tie, leans out the window and asks th old cowboy, ‘If I tell you exactly how many cows and calves you have in your herd, Will you give me a calf?’ Dick looks at the man, obviously a yuppie, then looks at his peacefully grazing herd and calmly answers, ‘Sure, Why not?’ The yuppie parks his car, whips out his Dell notebook computer, connects it to his Cingular RAZR V3 cell=2 0phone, and surfs to a NASA page on the Internet, where he calls up a GPS satellite to get an exact fix on his location which he then feeds to another NASA satellite that scans the area in an ultra-high-resolution photo.
Top Ten Reasons Why Beer is Better Then Religion
10. No one will kill you for not drinking Beer. 9. Beer doesn’t tell you how to have sex. 8. Beer has never caused a major war. 7. They don’t force Beer on minors who can’t think for themselves. 6. When you have a Beer, you don’t knock on people’s doors trying to give it away. 5. Nobody’s ever been burned at the stake, hanged, or tortured over his brand of Beer. 4. You don’t have to wait 2000+ years for a second Beer. 3. There are laws saying Beer labels can’t lie to you. 2. You can prove you have a Beer. 1. If you’ve devoted your life to Beer, there are groups to help.
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Tech
iPod Shuffle
World’s Smallest Music Player Now Talks to You The all-new iPod® shuffle, the world’s smallest music player at nearly half of the size of the previous model, and the first music player that talks to you. The revolutionary new VoiceOver feature enables iPod shuffle to speak your song titles, artists and playlist names. The third generation iPod shuffle is significantly smaller than a AA battery, holds up to 1,000 songs and is easier to use with all of the controls conveniently located on the earphone cord. With the press of a button, you can play, pause, adjust volume, switch playlists and hear the name of the song and artist. iPod shuffle features a gorgeous new aluminum design with a built-in stainless steel clip that makes it ultrawearable. The third generation 4GB iPod shuffle is now shipping and comes in silver or black for a suggested price of $79 (US) through the Apple Store® (www. apple.com), Apple’s retail stores and Apple Authorized Resellers. iPod shuffle comes with the Apple Earphones with Remote and the iPod shuffle USB cable. iPod shuffle requires a Mac® with a USB 2.0 port, Mac OS® X v10.4.11 or later and iTunes® 8.1 or later; or a Windows PC with a USB 2.0 port and Windows Vista, Windows XP Home or Professional (Service Pack 3) or later and iTunes 8.1.
P´9522
Porsche’s Newest Phone The P´9522 from Porsche Design achieves the familiar goal of setting new standards. Solid aluminum with a clear, purist design. Absolutely functional. The scratchproof mineral glass and large display support touchscreen navigation and guarantee maximum quality. The purist design of the P´9522 complements its sophisticated technology: 5.0 megapixel camera with video function, high-resolution OLED display and sensitive fingerprint sensor. Wireless LAN for unrestricted internet access. The highlight inside: an intelligent GPS navigation for reliable orientation. Reliable, precise, showing the way. $800 porschedesign.com
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KEEPS YOU ON ALL DAY...
UP ALL NIGHT. www.rubyy.com
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Mixology
vodka’s
BLACK I Sheep
f you’re tired of plain old vodka, you can always turn to flavored or designer products for a bit of a change. Some of these, of course, are all about the taste -- your apple, raspberry, citrus, and chili vodkas, for example -- while others are clearly about the sophistication -- your Grey Goose, Snow Queen and DIVA. But there’s one line of vodka that stands out because of its color, and that vodka is black vodka. How black vodka is made varies by manufacturer. Some color the vodka without adding any flavor -- though this claim is often disputed -- while others add flavor and change the color for an additional effect. Flavored or unflavored, black vodka adds style and sophistication -- plus it’s a great talking point when used as a mixer.
How black vodka is made
There are only a handful of black vodkas on the market today. The biggest here in North America is Blavod, which uses black catechu as its coloring agent. Catechu is an extract from the Acacia shrub, which is distilled by boiling the wood in water and evaporating the resultant brew. Don’t worry if you’ve never heard of catechu before -- it’s an astringent that’s used in some types of medicine as well as in breath-fresheners. It’s also an effective dye. Fruko-Schulz is a Czech producer of black vodka that uses humines -- a naturally occurring organic polymer -to color its product. Other manufacturers of black vodka, such as Eristoff and Znaps, which are most commonly found in Europe, aren’t as concerned about affecting the taste of their product and actually trade on their black vodka’s unique flavors.
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The major brands of black vodka
BlavodBlavod If you’ve had black vodka in North America, it’s likely been Blavod. This UK-produced black vodka trades on its distinctive color and clean taste. Some say that Blavod is a premium bottle that can stand up to the best of the non-colored bottles, while others suggest that its color has affected the taste. Some people swear there’s an herbal or medicinal tang to the vodka’s finish, but this may just be psychosomatic. Taste or no taste, the word on Blavod is that it’s a very smooth bottle with nice notes of cloves and dark berries, and it’s well worth the trouble to find. Fruko-Schulz You’ve probably never heard of Fruko-Schulz black vodka. This is a Czech-produced bottle that
The drinks
Because there are two primary types of black vodka on the market -- unflavored brands like Blavod and Fruko-Schulz and flavored products like Eristoff and Znaps -- not all of these drinks will work with just any black vodka. You should be able to substitute unflavored black vodka for regular vodka in a drink without any difficulty. Things, however, can get a bit more complicated with the addition of wild berry or licorice flavors. Black vodka is very versatile and can turn any of your favorite vodka-based drinks into a new experience. Be sure to experiment with any colored mixers for a cool twist on old favs. We’ve sourced a handful of the best black vodka drinks out there -- either because they look cool or they taste great... or both.
embodies the best Eastern European production standards. The manufacturers use the finest grains and specially treated water to distill their product, with the addition of humines to color the drink. The result is a premium bottle of black vodka. Eristoff Eristoff is a 100% grain spirit, triple distilled and charcoal filtered for best quality. And while it excels at producing regular vodka, the company also distills a black
vodka line -- a vodka-based spirit with wild berry flavoring added. You might want to think of this one as a good club drink. It’s good neat, but improves with energy drinks or soda. Znaps Vodka Finally, anyone who’s been to Sweden likely knows about Znaps Vodka, a pure-grain vodka from the Scandinavian nation. Znaps, whose name is a Swedish twist on the German word schnapps, is available only in Europe and South America, so don’t be surprised if you haven’t seen it locally. The company produces nine different flavors of vodka: lemon lime, vanilla, blackcurrant, blackthorn, elder, roses, wild strawberry, apple, and Black Jack -- a shooter that’s a blend of vodka and black licorice. Now that you know the black vodka players, what do you do with them?
vodka’s black sheep
Whether you choose to call it real vodka or not, the bottom line is
that black vodka is a cool new way for spicing up classic vodka drinks. Some bottles are even so good that people like to drink them straight, but we don’t think that’s necessary -- we love the cool effect you get from layering black vodka with other colored mixers.
The controversy
Despite its growing popularity, some people will tell you that black vodka isn’t actually vodka at all. In fact, domestic American spirits can only legally be called vodka if they are without “distinctive character, aroma, taste, or color,” and black vodka clearly doesn’t fit this mold. Luckily, other countries don’t have these standards, so it’s OK for Blavod, for example, which is produced in the UK, to call its product vodka when it’s clearly not without a distinctive color. All of which is to say that we may never see a bottle of domestically produced black vodka in the U.S. •••
Black Martini What’s cooler than a sleek black martini with just a splash of vermouth? You could probably go with either flavored or unflavored brands here, but the classic martini should be made with unflavored. Black Widow This one’s a simple mix of black vodka and Red Bull (or cranberry juice if you prefer). If made properly, the vodka will float on top of the energy drink or juice. So, while it gets an A+ for appearances, you may want to stir this one up before taking a sip. The Black Widow is great with flavored or unflavored black vodka. October Screwdriver Something bizarre and cool happens to Blavod when it’s mixed with orange juice -- you get a green drink. For more fun, chill your orange juice and layer the Blavod on top for a dramatic two-tone effect. You’d be welladvised to stick with unflavored black vodka for this one. Black & Blue This one’s made by floating black vodka on top of Blue Curacao, but to really pull it off well you need to make sure the Curacao is properly chilled. This drink is uber-cool and hits like a truck. Black Jack Do shots of Znaps Black Jack straight up -that’s what it’s made for!
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Moto
Sweet Spot Super Evolution of the Iconic Nissan Z
T
he all-new, second generation NISMO 370Z, which is set to go on sale at Nissan retailers nationwide in June 2009, continues the tradition of the original by offering unique performance and design attributes that true sports car enthusiasts are looking for – straight from the factory. Like the limited production NISMO 350Z introduced two years earlier, the new NISMO 370Z is a tuner-Z® enthusiast’s dream, featuring a 350-horsepower 3.7-liter V6, racing-inspired exterior and interior styling, a specially tuned suspension and special super-lightweight 19inch forged alloy wheels. >>> 18 Issue Three 2009
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The new NISMO 370Z starts with the unmatched foundation of an advanced Nissan FM (Front Midship) platform, refined 4-wheel independent suspension and 3.7-liter DOHC V6 engine with Variable Valve Event and Lift Control (VVEL). The VVEL system helps optimize intake valve open/close movements, allowing the needed air to be sent promptly to the combustion chamber at the precisely optimized time. For its use in the NISMO 370Z, the 3.7-liter VQ-series V6 produces 350 hp @ 7,400 rpm and 276 lb-ft of torque @ 5,200 rpm. The NISMO Z®’s enhanced engine power and acceleration is provided through use of an exclusive H-configured exhaust system design and muffler tuning, along with optimized ECM (Engine Computer Module) control. The NISMO 370Z is offered only with a close-ratio 6-speed manual transmission with Nissan’s new “SynchroRev Match” function, the world’s first synchronized downshift rev matching manual transmission system. The “SynchroRev Match” function automatically controls and adjusts engine speed when shifting to the speed of the next gear position, essentially “blipping” the
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throttle to smooth out any up/down shifts. This not only allows the driver to focus more on braking and steering, it improves vehicle balance and smoothness by reducing the typical “shock” when the clutch is engaged. The system can be deactivated with a button next to the shifter for drivers who prefer less vehicle intervention. The NISMO 370Z features a tight, rigid body structure with a strut tower bar brace and a pair of performance dampers, which quickly and efficiently react to and control body vibrations from road input via the tires, contributing to the NISMO 370Z’s outstanding stability and performance feel. The NISMO Z®’s double-wishbone front/4-link rear suspension design suspension is specially tuned for
exceptional stability and handling. Compared to a standard Nissan 370Z Coupe, front spring rates have been dialed up 15%, rear spring rates 10%, front stabilizer bar rate upped 15% and the rear stabilizer bar is 50% stiffer. The roll stiffness rate has been increased by 15% and front and rear damping factors have been increased by 40% and 140% respectively. The NISMO 370Z rides on unique 5-spoke Nissan-branded 19-inch RAYS forged aluminum-alloy wheels (19x9.5-inch front, 19x10.5inch rear) mounted with Yokohama ADVAN Sport Y-rated high-performance tires (P245/40ZR19 front, P285/35ZR19 rear). Bringing the NISMO 370Z to a stop
are standard NISMO Sport Brakes with large diameter 14.0-inch front and 13.8-inch rear vented rotors with 4-piston front and 2-piston rear aluminum calipers. The braking system also includes a variable ratio brake pedal for a more direct pedal stroke feel, Anti-Lock Braking
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tional – expressing dynamic movement while enhancing airflow and downforce for enhanced aerodynamic performance.” The NISMO 370Z is offered in five exterior colors: Pearl White, Brilliant Silver, Magnetic Black, Solid Red and Platinum Graphite. The NISMO 370Z’s driver-centric interior includes NISMO logo seats with black and red fabric and red stitching, a NISMO tachometer, steering wheel with smooth leather and red parallel stitching, smooth leather-wrapped shift knob and aluminum trimmed pedals. A special serialized plaque of authenticity, located on the vertical panel above the floor-mounted console, is matched to each NISMO Z®, identifying its unique serial and model year designation. The NISMO 370Z’s 2-seat interior layout is built around a deeply scooped instrument panel with a full-length center console separating the driver and passenger’s seat. In the rear is an open cargo area with enhanced storage and accessibility. The instrument panel includes a 3-pod cluster with oil temperature, voltmeter and clock, while the speedometer and tachometer include an “initial sweep” function, coming alive when the NISMO Z? is first started. Both the driver and passenger’s seats are structured with an anti-slip material in the main seating surface. The sporty woven cloth seats feature standard 8-way driver’s/4-way passenger manual adjustments. Adjustable front seat Active Head Restraints are standard. System (ABS), Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist (BA). A Viscous Limited-Slip Differential (VLSD) is standard on all NISMO 370Zs, along with Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC). Responsive steering is provided by a vehicle-speed-sensitive power-assisted rack-and-pinion design that has been reworked (versus the NISMO 350Z design) with redesigned mounting bushings and a column insulator to provide improved response. Unwanted steering kickback and vibrations are reduced with the use of a solenoid valve that acts like a damper when there is a harsh impact load. Along with its standout performance, the new NISMO Z® offers a standout appearance inside and out. The functional and fully integrated aerodynamic body pieces include an extended front nose design
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with a canard design at each corner for improved downforce and a fully integrated chin spoiler. The NISMO 370Z has an overall length of 174.3 inches. Special side sills and a unique rear bumper help control airflow under the vehicle, while the functional rear spoiler increases downforce. The NISMO 370Z exterior also includes a wide stance, sculptural fenders, upswept quarter windows, bold “boomerang” shaped headlights and taillights, vertical door handles and aluminum hood, door panels and hatchback. The headlights are a High Intensity Discharge (HID) bi-functional xenon design with an auto on/ off feature. “One look at the dramatic NISMO 370Z body and you know that this isn’t your everyday sports car,” said Castignetti. “The styling is highly emotional yet totally func-
Standard interior comfort and convenience features include Nissan Intelligent Key® with Push Button Start, power windows with one-touch auto up/down feature, power door locks with auto-lock feature, a center console box with a new non-intrusive cover design, automatic climate control, rear window defroster with timer, two 12volt power outlets, four cupholders (two in door panels, two in center console), dual overhead map lights and a AM/FM/CD/ AUX 4-speaker audio system with illuminated steering wheel-mounted controls. “The NISMO logo is prominent throughout the cabin, reinforcing the mission and special capability of the vehicle,” said Castignetti. “The NISMO Z® is the complete package – inside, outside and under the skin.”•••
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Art & Culture
thE iNkoF& ARt
J.Michael Taylor
Photos: coolworld photography & kgtoops photography
E
very so often we come to a crossroads in our life. A time when a decision is made that will forever alter the path we travel on. In most cases we can look back on that time and say, “Hey, I am so glad I did this instead of that”. It isn’t often we come face to face with what could have been. Today I had the pleasure of meeting up and coming tattoo artist, J.Michael Taylor. And I’m tattooed green with envy.
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Seventeen years ago, when i moved to Tampa to attend art school, i took a job at a local tattoo establishment. I apprenticed for about a year before beginning to do work on my own. My career came to a halt when, over a weekend, my boss decided to pack up the shop and leave town. I had the option to pursue tattooing or move forward with the graphic design I going to school for. I chose graphic design. Now so many years later I am sitting with a man who is living my dream. Walking into the studio I was immediately met by the J.Michael himself. This guy is one of the rock stars of the art world. Do I ask for an autograph? Do I take a quick photo with my phone? Do I throw my panties? The unique thing about tattoo artists for the most part is you get all the talent of a traditional artist with little to none of the ego and pretenciousness. Is it possible to be both working class and rock star at the same time? Did Bruce Springsteen or Bon Jovi pull that off? Will J.Michael want to strangle me for referencing those guys in an article about him? So I pull up a seat, turn the page in my note taking notebook, and try my best not to appear overtly jealous of his talent, job and perfectly quaffed hair. J.Michael got his start in tattooing three years ago when he apprenticed for D. Willy at Sweet Baby Octane, in Columbus, Ohio. Prior to that he punched a clock doing graphic and web page design. Deciding, like most artists, that there was increasingly little difference between the tie he wore and a noose around his neck, J.Michael took the leap into tattooing.
Buccaneer Chris Hovan Having a background in fine art and graphic design helped in fast tracking his career. In the past a “tattoo artist” could get by simply being good at tracing an outline and coloring within those lines. The only concern was to make the lines clean, and don’t misspell any names. Like any medium, the art of tattooing has grown by leaps and bounds. J.Michael’s pieces more closely resemble his original paintings only on human canvas. You won’t find any peace symbols or tribal arm bands here. Save that for the fair or buy one at the drug store. Here there be works of art. As I sat in the studio admiring his original paintings, I was gob smacked that someone could advance so far in a craft as technically difficult to master as it is artistically in such a short amount of time. I truly thought he had been at this far longer judging from his work. As I said before, this is not the place to come for a heart on your ass, or cross on your ankle. Have an idea of what you want, but leave the execution of that idea up to the professional. You will be far happier with a piece created by an artist that gives a shit about what he is working on versus some generic design off the wall. True artists like J.Michael shine when allowed to express themselves in their work. You wouldn’t ask Picasso to paint you a picture of dogs playing poker would you? Nevermind, that might actually be really cool. But you catch my drift.
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So where can you find J.Michael? Since arriving in the Bay area in February, he has been working out of Forbidden Images in New Port Richey. Walking into the shop I was surprised at how relaxed and inviting the atmosphere was. I have been in many shops that were either too sterile and no personality, or not sterile enough and oozing with potential future doctors visits. J.Michael, and studio owner Litos, were very welcoming. There was no sense of outlaw biker attitude here. To be honest, were it not for the machines laid out in preparation for his next appointment, it would have been easy to forget i was in a “tattoo parlor� at all. As it turned out, his next appointment was Tampa Bay Buccaneer Chris Hovan. He is that big guy with all the tattoos on the front line. Well, after today, add one more to the arm and one more to the portfolio.
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Cover
Stephen Lynch
The Beyonce of Scandinavia
Whether he’s singing an ode to an ailing grandfather (and the inheritance that his death will bring), breaking up with a girlfriend because of her racial make-up (she’s just “too white”), or opening the door to his mind to let the voices inside his head sing out, Lynch is a self-proclaimed “musician trapped in the body of a comedian.” His unique blend of musical based comedy has earned him fiercely loyal fans around the world who live to experience his sold-out live shows, three best-selling CDs and DVDs, and his top-rated Comedy Central Specials. In March 2009 Stephen will release his fourth much anticipated CD, 3 BALLOONS and christen Comedy Central’s new live entertainment division by embarking on a four month, 25 city U.S. tour before heading to Europe. Once the tour is launched, Comedy Central will craft a new, live 1 hour special followed by a DVD featuring the comedian, promoting both during the live shows. Raised in Saginaw, Michigan, Stephen is the son of a former nun and priest. He admits to actively entertaining friends and family since he was a child. True to form, Stephen graduated from Western Michigan University with a B.A. in Drama, and
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found his talent as a comedic songwriter. Stephen moved to New York in 1996, with the goal of becoming a performer. While temping during the day, Stephen wrote songs and performed at clubs and underground music venues around Manhattan at night. He quickly developed a devoted fan base and became a regular on the wildly popular “Opie & Anthony” radio show. The radio exposure, matched with Stephen’s live shows and rabid following, turned the heads of the Comedy Central Network, which invited Stephen to record his 1st special in 2000. That special became one of their highest rated performances, almost unheard of for an unknown. Stephen’s 2nd special debuted in January 2008, with similarly high ratings. In 2006, Stephen Lynch stepped onto the Broadway stage for the first time in the title role of The Wedding Singer. His performance earned him nominations for the highest honors in American Theatre including the Drama League Award for Distinguished Performance, the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actor in a Musical, as well as a nomination for the highly coveted Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical. Stephen’s albums: “A Little Bit Special,” “Superhero,” and “The Craig Machine,” have sold nearly a half million copies around the world. His first DVD, “Live at the El Rey” was certified Gold by RIAA. Stephen has toured with some of the biggest names in comedy, including Lewis Black and the late Mitch Hedberg. He’s also headlined his own sold out shows throughout the United States and Europe, where he is considered “the Beyonce of Scandinavia.”
When not touring the globe for screaming fans, Stephen resides in New York with his wife. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– We were able to chat briefly with Mr. Lynch in anticipation of his upcoming show at the Hard Rock in Orlando. Having been a fan since the first album, “A Little Bit Special” ( I tried to find “Half a Man”, but no luck), it has been interesting to see your music evolve. If im not mistaken, 3 Balloons is the first album in which you use a full band, is that correct? Why the change? and how does that affect the dynamics of your stage show? Frankly, I got tired of hearing just my voice and a guitar on my records. As a musician, I wanted a more layered sound, more dynamics, some countermelodies, other instrumentation, that sort of thing. You know how the Beatles did “Sgt. Pepper” or Radiohead did “Kid A” or Tone Loc- wait, ok, forget that last one. I needed for the songs to get their due musically. Enough with just the comedy already. You did some time on Broadway in the musical version of “The Wedding SInger”. I was kinda surprised to see that. Was it the challenge of Broadway? An excuse to stay in one place for a while? Did that influence your new album in any way? I grew up doing musical theatre. I studied it in high school and college and I did many years of summer stock. I told my agents to let me know if anything interesting came across their desks and within a week, there was “The Wedding Singer,” or “TWS” as we savvy theatre vets call
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times, to suddenly find some new way of delivering a line or melody or getting a new laugh, that’s what’s fun. The rest is nerve-wracking, vomit-inducing stress. I can’t wait to retire. But I need to make some more dough first. Come on, Foxworthy, put me on the next Blue Collar Tour. You obviously have the voice to sing professionally...was that ever a consideration, to sing, i dont know what the word would be, “commercially”, top 40, in a band? Or has comedy always played a role. i guess, which came first, the comedian or the singer? The fact that I get to do what I love, which is write and play music, is a miracle to me. I don’t care if it’s through comedy or musicals or folk music or my album of Lionel Ritchie covers (coming soon). Comedy is something that I sort of wandered into accidentally. It has given me a backdoor into the music world, so I’m thankful for that. But I have no interest in it aside from that; in other words, if I suddenly lost my singing or songwriting ability, you wouldn’t see my in front of a brick wall telling jokes. I’d have to find a new line of work. Something I’d be really good at, like runway modeling. After broadway are there any aspirations for television or movies. You are a good lookin (im not gay, lol) gentleman. Do you feel you could be the next Dane Cook? besides the money, would you want to be? I get offered TV and movie opportunities all the time, I just have no interest in doing something uninspired or middle of the road. I think I will end up having to write something myself to want to be in it. I’m
it. I heard a tape of the original music that had been written for it and thought the songs were very well done; catchy, of the time, and funny. I figured it would be a challenge and yes, a way to get off the road for awhile. Plus, I would get to live out one of my dreams: sequins and jazz hands! Your bio says that Spinal Tap was a huge influence. They just performed wigless and acoustic at the Hard Rock. What was it about them that led you down the path you are on? I was impressed that they took the music as seriously as the comedy, and to me, that’s what makes their songs even funnier. If I got one thing out of that movie (besides a thousand laughs and a new respect for Howard Hessman), that was it. After your first comedy central special you started opening for Jeff Foxworthy? How did you avoid becoming another piece of the Blue Collar “alumn”? And i do say that with respect. you cant fault someone for making money. i just don’t see their brand of comedy and yours gelling. I actually only opened for Jeff Foxworthy once, many years before my CC special. It was at a county fair of some sort and I got paid $500, in ten dollar bills, for about 6 minutes of work. The audience did not love or hate me. They couldn’t have cared less, actually. I have some pictures of that performance that were taken from the back of the audience and you can see that not one person is looking at me on the stage. Good times. What is your favorite thing about performing? Discovering something new. In doing a song I’ve done a thousand
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From college I moved to New Yor dreams of becoming an actor. Or Or a temp worker. I managed to the latter in about 2 days. Dream come true! working on a script now called “The Gay Pulse Magazine Writer Who Called Me Good Looking.” Touché. A few rapid fire questions: What’s in your iPod right now? Newly added: a lot of Gram Parsons, live Brandi Carlile, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah. Does your guitar have a name? Gibson. Rufus Wainwright or Loudon Wainwright? Rufus for the voice, Loudon for the wit. Best road story? I stole my road manager’s room key and plastered hardcore gay porn pictures over every square inch of his hotel room seconds before he arrived with a girl on their first date. Good times. ••• Check out www.stevenlynch.com. for album info or download from iTunes. Also, make sure and get your tickets now for Stephens upcoming show at the Hard Rock in Orlando!
rk with r a rock star. accomplish ms really DO
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I joined the band for three reasons: one, because I loved to sing; two, girls love dudes in rock bands; and three, to show off my new gray stonewashed Lee jeans I got from Sagebrush. This was 1989. 34 Issue Three 2009
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FDIS-Tampa uses First Data’s processing engine. First Data powers the global economy by making it easy, fast and secure for people and businesses around the world to buy goods and services using virtually any form of payment. Serving millions of merchant locations and thousands of card issuers, we have the expertise and insight to help you accelerate your business. Put our intelligence to work for you.
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Relationship
Your Relationship
Recession-Proof
T
here’s no question that the world is experiencing a scary economic patch at the moment. In times of uncertainty, a steady relationship can be a place of solace to escape to -- or it can become another war zone waiting to be demolished by a tank in the shape of an empty piggy bank. Here’s how to keep your relationship riding high through the Dow’s recent and frequent lows.
Be honest
Ever find yourself yelling at your girlfriend for expecting you to be a mind reader? In times of personal turmoil, turn that rant on yourself. The difference is that you don’t withhold your struggles from your girlfriend expecting her to figure out your Rubik’s Cube of emotions all on her own. You don’t want her to figure it out because you think you should shoulder the burden yourself -- and that’s often doubly true when financial issues are the root of the problem. There is nothing better than a real man -- one who takes charge and makes a girl feel protected without all the unattractive smothering -- to recession-proof your relationship. That said, however, your girl wants to be there for you. If your job is in turmoil, talk to her about it and let her ease the pressure a bit. If you’re stressed and worried about cash flow, let her into that bubble of dark thoughts and maybe she can help pop it. Helping you in the bad times is part of her job as the amazing girlfriend that you let into your life -- it’s also the ideal way to recession-proof your relationship.
Stay active
Changing your financial lifestyle means cutting back -- and expensive couple outings will probably end up on the chopping block. This doesn’t have to be cause for alarm. In fact, a little extra thought and creativity can more than make up for a little less dough being spent and can recession-proof your relationship. 38 Issue Three 2009
Used to eating out a few times a week? Recession-proof your relationship and try cooking a meal together instead. Regulars at the movies? Join Netflix, learn the art of Jiffy Pop and appreciate just how much more comfortable your ass is on your sofa than in those theater seats. Don’t get stuck thinking that penny-pinchers are relegated to being couch potatoes. Get out there and explore! Whether it’s hiking a local trail or visiting a used bookstore, there are tons of fun, cost-efficient activities you can do together when you start thinking outside the money box to recession-proof your relationship. Plus, planning and exploring unmarked (and affordable) date territory together will definitely breathe new life into your relationship -- no credit card needed.
Make a budget
It’s likely that if you’re in a long-term relationship and/or living with your girlfriend, there are shared finances involved. That means that if you’re serious about making a financial change, you both have to be committed to it. Recessionproof your relationship and set aside some time to make a budget for both of you. Include all the essentials, but don’t forget to add in a little wiggle room if you’re able. Factoring in money for little extras beforehand will mean you won’t have blown it when you come home with that new video game or she splurges on a new pair of shoes.
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Make a shared savings goal
No matter how creative you get with your “cheap dates,” it’s normal to feel a little frustrated with cutting back. Instead of denying yourselves everything when you recession-proof your relationship, come up with a mutual savings goal together -- like a weekend vacay. Keep it no-pressure and put any extra money you each have into a joint account little by little (or go old school and keep it under the mattress -it’s probably more trustworthy than some banks right now). Watching those numbers add up gives you something to look forward to and work together toward as a couple.
Don’t take it out on her
It’s natural to unleash your frustration at uncontrollable situations on the ones you love the most. Romantic, huh? Just try your best to be aware of the real reason why you’re angry or moody at your partner at any given moment. When you recog-
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nize that the root of your anger doesn’t stem from the fact that she overcooked the spaghetti but rather from the fact that you’re stressed, you’ll be better equipped to talk it out and recession-proof your relationship in the process.
recession-ready relationships Most of us are 100% helpless in making this recession end any quicker. But here’s a silver lining: You are fully able to keep the economic fallout from affecting your relationship with a little communication, some self-awareness -- oh, and some help from that amazing girlfriend we mentioned earlier. Plus, less money to spend out on the town could mean more time spent at home between the sheets. And if your lady turns out to be less than amazing and is totally unsupportive during these stressful times, consider the recession a blessing and kick her to the curb. Your financial situation will straighten out eventually, but her attitude likely won’t. •••
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Music
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Basic
Back To
I
YOU ROCK WE ROCK LETS ROCK
Photos by Becky Johnson Studios
sent a confirmation text at around 9am to confirm that everything was still on for the photoshoot. Our photographer, Becky, was already sipping coffee at the Starbucks in Centro Ybor and Jeremy indicated he was on his way. As i fought the traffic on the expressway I had to ask myself one question: was I really trying to shoot a rock band in Ybor at 10 in the morning? As I cross the courtyard to the Starbucks I see Becky sipping her coffee. So far we are the first to show. I sit down with my “black coffee” and discuss what the plans are. My old friend Eric Bice (drums) and Andy Stafford (guitar) come walking up. Funny how at quarter past ten in Centro Ybor, rock stars tend to stand out among the hipster artists, tourists and military reservists that are milling around. Even without their instruments there is no doubt these guys are different. The four of us sit outside just as vocalist Jeremy Thomas and bassist Jason Gaines walk up. After a quick round of introductions, gaming planning and refills and we start down 8th Avenue to our first location. Walking to location gave me time to talk with the guys. Those familiar with Basic Rock Outfit, or B.R.O., may notice the two new faces of Eric and Andy. The original lineup and recently undergone a change when former guitar player Joe Sanders and drummer Jason Alfano decided to persue other opportunities. Andy has been involved with the band in the past as a writer on a few songs and long time friend of Jeremy’s. Andy and Eric met while playing together and when a drummer was needed, he seemed like the perfect fit. I had yet to see the new line up play. I asked them if there was any difference? Often times when half a band is replaced it is difficult to maintain the original sound. And this is with big-name national acts. I can only assume
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it It is even harder for more locally focused bands. After sitting down with the guys it became apparent that this new incarnation was perhaps the best yet, and fans would not be disappointed. Jeremy pointed out that in the past a live show was more of a mini showcase of 4 separate musicians. They may have sounded good together, but they didn’t really gel musically. Thinking back to a few of the shows i had been to I could now see what he meant. The new Basic Rock is anything but basic. Together they work to sculpt the sound of the band. There are no front men any longer. Everyone has their role. Andy points out that being a musician isnt just about playing your part of the song to the best of your abilities, but also being able to lend support to the other members in order to build a cohesive sound. This new attitude toward playing makes for a better live show all around. If you have never seen B.R.O. before what can you expect? For me, this had to be one of the few bands I’ve seen where the audience actually wanted their original songs over the covers. Of course there are the obligatory Freebird shoutouts, but Basic Rock really shines when they are performing their own songs. And the proof is in the fans. I was surprised to see people singing along to the songs I hadn’t heard of (at the time). Why so shocking? Well, just today i found myself singing along with my kids to a Hannah Montana song...I’m by no means a fan of hers, but the song has been force fed to me for so long that I picked up the lyrics. So, for a local band, who maybe doesn’t get the radio play of say a Daughtry or Nickleback (p.s. Nickleback is a four letter word to Jeremy), the karaoke factor is a huge testiment to their music. But don’t take my word for it...hear Basic Rock Outfit for yourself at basicrockoutfit.com and on their myspace page myspace.com/basicrockoutfit.•••
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48 Issue Three 2009
Suicide Girls:
Beauty Redefined By Missy Suicide
The Suicide Girls (suicidegirls.com) are the alternative, pierced, and tattooed online sorority that has become a worldwide phenomenon. Started in Portland by Missy Suicide and her friends in 2001, the Suicide Girls broke conventional notions of beauty and the pin-up girl ideal as defined by men’s magazines and the culture at large. Unlike the stereotypical blonde, anorexic, and surgically enhanced buxom babes of the “Baywatch” ilk, Suicide Girls come in all shapes and colors, with the aesthetic leaning more towards punk rock and vintage Betty Page 304 pages, 11x11, $49.95
A
MMO Books presents an exciting look at the fascinating women who inhabit the Suicide Girls community. With an introduction by founder Missy Suicide, and personal stories from Suicide Girls from around the world, Suicide Girls: Beauty Redefined shines a light on a new female aesthetic that pushes aside the “girl next door.” Suicide Girls: Beauty Redefined explores the Suicide Girl phenomenon from the start of their website to their one million unique weekly visitors today. This large format and luxurious tome, features nearly 400 pages of the over 1,800 alternative pin-up Suicide Girls from around the world.
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About Missy Suicide
Combining her love of pin-up photography, music and art with personal ideals of female empowerment nurtured in DIY culture, Missy founded Suicidegirls.com as a place where a woman can be herself and where her confidence, creativity and uniqueness are what define her. While it is true that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, Missy found the camera lens of mainstream media a bit myopic for her taste. Suicide Girls began and has grown from a desire to expand mainstream culture’s definition of what is beautiful, and to show that it can be realized in a more diverse range of woman than those who grace the pages of most fashion magazines and movie posters. What started for Missy, as personal expression has new become a revolution.
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54 November Issue Three2008 2009
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Fashion
AyyaClothing
these are wild times
Photos by Sequoia Emmanuelle
F
or anyone who grew up with the shadow of a nuclear holochaust looming overhead, or post apocolyptic movies like Mad Max, these were the clothes we should be wearing by now. A sort of Gothalyptic chic. Ayya believes each article of clothing is a container for a unique story that can only unfold when someone puts it on, and begins to create their own adventure.
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Men’s Freedom Puffa Jacket - Green Men’s Hydrogen Cargo Trousers - Blue Military Style Boots
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Born of a continually evolving collective mission to create a life worth living from the disintegrating raw materials of the dominant paradigm, AYYA is one living example of community in action. AYYA is a collective of friends magnetized to each other through the underground cultures of the North American West Coast. We have been working together for many years, across many continents, creating clothing, performance, environments and events all on a mission to evolve culture. This incarnation of our vision is the result of our ongoing experimentation in supporting each other, our art and our extended community while remaining in service to a story larger than our own. Our production is based in Bali, where we have been cultivating a workshop with 15 local employees. We are learning how to transcend “fair trade� as we go, from creating scholarships for the children of our extended family to attend college, to collaborating on health and wellness programs, to participating in ceremony together, to laughing together 60 Issue Three 2009
The original meaning of apocalypse is “the lifting of the veil”, not “the end of the world”. In these wild times, we must all be prepared to stand strong amidst forces which would attempt to threaten our creativity and our integrity. AYYA is the nectar in the belly of the beast. pulsemagazinetampa.com 61
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and learning from each other. We are continually researching and developing how to create a truly sustainable, eco, thriving business. The exquisitely unique and extraordinarily wearable clothing of AYYA is created with the pure intention that each garment provides a portal for its wearer to enter into a magical narrative of their own creation. Our
vision is that the choice to step into our gear is also a commitment to living a life of humble power and integrated offering. Whether your avatar is an enigmatic urban renegade, a forest dwelling spirit singer, a nomadic culture cross-pollinator or a shape shifting untouchable, AYYA will drape you in the second skin you crave. ••• www.ayyawear.com pulsemagazinetampa.com 63
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