THE LUCKY 13

Tye Sussmann

Vocalist/guitarist for Antapex

Antapex is metal to the max! Thanks to infusions of death metal, hardcore and more throughout Antapex’s head-banging discography, it’s tough not to rock out to the band. Guitarist and vocalist Tye Sussmann is the founder of the band.

What was the first concert you attended?

Bullet for My Valentine, Escape the Fate and Black Tide at the Knitting Factory in Reno, in 2010. I had been listening to metal for several years before that, but I had no idea what I was in for. Actual fistfights broke out right next to me. It was wild.

What was the first album you owned?

Linkin Park, Meteora, one of the few records that was given to me as a teenager that really helped shape the music I would soon grow to love. It remains one of my favorite records to this day. Chester Bennington is still my favorite vocalist.

What bands are you listening to right now?

Shadow of Intent, Lorna Shore, Mental Cruelty, Trivium, Killswitch Engage and Amon Amarth—all of which were big influences on me while writing the first Antapex record. I can’t get enough of these guys.

venue would be Goldfield in Roseville. A truly classy venue.

What’s the one song lyric you can’t get out of your head?

“To know I am at fault. I bite my tongue and hang my head in shame. But I know from one look in your eyes. All along you deceived me,” Currents, “The Death We Seek.”

What band or artist changed your life? How? Bullet for My Valentine, hands down. I got a lot of flak for it, but they are the reason I even picked up a guitar. I had my first guitar for two years that sat in a case before I had the courage to play it. I was inspired to do some covers by them, and I taught myself how to play thanks to them. I got to meet them and thank them for having such a massive impact on me.

Down

1. Medium range speakers, slangily

2. Buck’s ending

3. Ump’s statement

4. Asleep, usually

5. Pronoun chosen as the American Dialect Society’s latest Word of the Decade

6. Flower in a dozen

7. Nocturnal flyers

8. Stadium chant, sometimes

9. Big volume

10. Senate Majority Leader from 2007 to 2015

11. King of gods, in Egyptian myth

12. The “R” in “pi R squared”

13. Malaria fly

18. Decreased

22. German for “eight”

25. Type of mentality 26. Koko, e.g.

28. Not live, so to speak

29. Make changes to 30. Secondary course of study

31. Babble on 32. Lots (of)

34. It helps keep your heel from falling out of your heel

39. Small keyboard

40. Scholastic URL ender

41. Tattoo of the ancient mariner?

43. Still-alive member of CSNY

45. Name after Abdul-

46. 1998 Masters and British Open winner Mark

47. Name before Abdul48. Scheduling spot 52. Cult classic Britcom with the theme song “This Wheel’s On Fire” 54. Planner abbr. 55. Dermatology case 56. Tiny Tim’s strings, for short 57. ___ of the D’Urbervilles

58. Bi- times four 59. Hide-and-go-___ 62. Rower’s need

© 2023 Matt Jones

Find the answers in the “About” section at RenoNR.com!

What artist, genre or musical trend does everyone love, but you don’t get? I’m pretty set in my ways when it comes to music that I listen to. I listen to metal 98% of the time; the other 2% is hard rock, punk rock and some pop. Trending bands like Ghost or Sleep Token don’t resonate with me. It’s just not my thing. I’m about the riffs and the BPMs.

What musical act, current or defunct, would you most like to see perform live? I would love to see 2008 Linkin Park live. It would be a dream to catch those first few records live. I’m sad that I never had that chance.

What’s your favorite musical guilty pleasure? Elton John, except I’m not feeling guilty. I’m a huge fan of his!

What’s your favorite music venue?

My favorite local venue would be Alturas Bar’s Cellar Stage. It’s such a great place to get your bearings as a new musician and a wonderful place to experience all the talent that is available here in the Reno metal scene. Dennis, Patty and John are all super-accommodating. Check them out if you haven’t already! My favorite non-local

You have one question to ask one musician. What’s the question, and who are you asking? I would ask 1986 Metallica what kept them going after the Cliff Burton tragedy. Hearing it straight from them would be daunting, I’d imagine.

What song would you like played at your funeral?

At the risk of sounding vain, one of my own: Antapex, “Blacker Than Black.” The track is quite literally the farewell note from me about my own mortality, and is for anyone thinking they may feel alone in suffering through depression. That is something I will always be passionate and understanding about. It sums up what I experience mentally every day, and I find that the lyrics say it all, in hindsight.

Figurative gun to your head, what is your favorite album of all time?

Right now, it’s Lorna Shore, Immortal, an absolutely brilliant record from top to bottom. I never thought I would have enjoyed it as much as I did when I first listened to it.

What song should everyone listen to right now? Check out Enterprise Earth, “They Have No Honor.” What a tune.

DAVID ROBERT

Shaving for a cause

Are you ready for St. Baldrick’s Day? At 6 p.m., Friday, March 17, the Northern Nevada Children’s Cancer Foundation will hold its 18th Annual Shave for the Brave event at the Reno Ballroom, 401 N. Center St. The St. Baldrick’s Day event happens each year around St. Patrick’s Day, in conjunction with the national St. Baldrick’s Foundation. “Shavees” collect pledges; barbers shave the shavees’ heads at the event; the proceeds go toward childhood cancer research. The NNCCF says it has raised more than $3.3 million, with more than 4,000 heads shaved, during these events since 2006. Learn more www. nvchildrenscancer.org. We interviewed NNCCF events manager Jessica Lee via email; here is an edited version of her answers.

What is the history of the Northern Nevada Children’s Cancer foundation?

The Angel Kiss Foundation was founded in 2000, in memory of a 5-year-old boy named Jarryd who passed away from leukemia. The Keaton Raphael Memorial, Reno, office was founded in 2004 in memory of a 5-year-old boy named Keaton who passed away from neuroblastoma. These two foundations worked side-by-side to help families battling childhood cancer. They joined forces to create the NNCCF in 2009, which expanded their reach and services to help more local children.

What does the Northern Nevada Children’s Cancer Foundation do?

It is our mission to enhance the quality of life for children with cancer and their families by providing financial assistance and compassionate-support programs, while advocating for increased research funds and raising public awareness. We provide services to all of Northern Nevada, from Tonopah north. It is the only nonprofit in the region solely dedicated to childhood cancer. Each year, we help approximately 135 children. All programs and services are provided at no cost to the families, and there is not an income requirement to receive services. Northern Nevada families are encouraged to apply for assistance if the person is 25 or younger, has a confirmed cancer diagnosis, and is a resident of Northern Nevada.

What is St. Baldrick’s Day?

The St. Baldrick’s Foundation is a volunteer- and donor-powered charity commit- ted to supporting research to find cures for childhood cancers and give survivors long and healthy lives. Here’s how it started, according to the St. Baldrick’s website: “Tim Kenny issues a challenge to colleagues John Bender and Enda McDonnell: How will you give back in return for your own good fortune in business?

Enda’s thick head of hair gives John the big idea—shave their heads for donations to raise funds for kids with cancer. The first St. Baldrick’s event took place at the former Jim Brady’s Bar and Restaurant in New York City. What began as a challenge between three friends on March 17, 2000, has grown into the world’s largest volunteer-powered fundraising opportunity benefiting childhood cancer research.”

What are some Reno St. Baldrick’s stories? We have had people dye their hair green for St. Patrick’s Day just for fun to shave their head. We have amazing people come out for this event, year after year, including Team Kylee’s Wish, who will be participating for their 16th year. They have shaved a total of 827 heads and have raised more than $685,000 for childhood cancer research. The entire family has shaved 35 times. Inspired by Kylee’s wish that no other child would have to suffer from cancer, her father, Kehl; her mother, Julie; and her siblings, Kehli and Kasey, have been leading a team in her memory for 16 years.

Are there any requirements or rules? What happens to the hair?

At St. Baldrick’s head-shaving events, shavees raise money for childhood cancer research by pledging to shave their heads in support of cancer patients, who often lose their hair during treatment. We don’t collect hair donations, but volunteers are welcome to shave their heads at St. Baldrick’s events and donate their hair to another organization. The barber will cut the hair into many small ponytails; then we will provide a baggy to secure the hair, as well as information on different organizations they can donate to. It’s a great way to help two charities at once!