6 [A&E]
Monday Sept. 26, 2011
Palomar’s Animé Club meets from 2-10 p.m. on Fridays in MD-316. The club was initiated in 2000, plays Animé movies and games during meetings. They are always looking for Animé fans to participate. (Daniel May/The Telescope)
Animé Club brings culture to Palomar ANDREW TER VEEN THE TELESCOPE
It’s a typical Friday night at Palomar College; quiet, cool, and dark. But in MD-316, strange things are afoot: women with cat ears and tails arrive on Earth from other planets, intricate middle school romantic dramas unfold, and then there are the tentacles. Debates rage, votes are taken and fans scream. Yes, it’s just another Friday night for the Palomar College Animé club. Animé, or Japanese animation, covers a wide range of animated film and television from a diverse spread of cultural influences. The medium first gained widespread acceptance in Japan during the 1980s, eventually finding a rabid fan base in the U.S. during the late 1990s, before becoming the more than $4 billion industry it is today. The genre encompasses popular and diverse franchises, such as the Pokémon television program, which has been around since 1997. It goes all the way to the mature-themed films of Studio Ghibli, such as “Ponyo,” “Princess Mononoké” and “My Neighbor Totoro.” “Animé is widely misunderstood,” Animé Club Vice President Eric Pecheco, 23, said, “It’s broad; it’s more than just cartoons and porn.” Pecheco and club president Anthony Sciacca, 23, are trying to change that perception, one Friday at a time. The club, founded in 2000, has undergone a distinct shift in tone since Sciacca took office last spring.
A club member for the past several years, Sciacca recalls that the club was not always the most inviting social venue. “It used to be that it was ‘Shut up, no talking!’ But we’re trying to change that, make it more fun for everyone,” Sciacca said. The club still has some rules, of course. Members meet every Friday at 2 p.m. and decide on a particular set of shows or movies to watch during the course of the 8-hour-long meeting. Sciacca informally mediates the decision-making process while trying to maintain order amongst a crowd of two-dozen avid (and often highly outspoken) fans. Selections are chosen based on majority opinion, with one overarching rule; no English-spoken dialogue. But, English subtitles are provided for those in the audience who are not fluent in Japanese. “If it’s in English, we only watch it if there’s unanimous support,” Sciacca said. “Otherwise, Japanese only.” An hour-long break midway through the meeting gives club members an opportunity to grab dinner and some fresh air before jumping back into the marathon viewing session. “We don’t mind if people go inand-out during the meeting, but we ask that if people are gonna talk, they take it outside,” Pacheco said. Club meetings are hardly silent affairs, with audience members frequently making jokes and comments throughout the viewings. Previous incarnations of the club have amounted to quiet weekly
viewings, with little interaction between the club’s leadership and members. This semester, however, Sciacca has laid out plans for several off-campus excursions to a variety of events and locations around San Diego County in an effort to get the club out of its insular routine. “We’re planning a trip down to Mitsuwa (a supermarket specializing in imported Asian foods and merchandise), as well as Anime Expo, Comic Con and Anime Conji.” Sciacca said. These venues all prominent figures in the Animé industry, and offer club members an opportunity to pool their resources while exploring their passion and enthusiasm for the art. Outside of these distinctly Animé-themed trips, the club also has plans for more general-interest outings, including Knott’s Scary Farm and Disneyland. These trips aren’t related to the field of Animé, but are, as Sciacca said, “Just for fun.” They are a part of his effort to make the club about more than just watching Animé, but by creating a more social atmosphere within the club. Sciacca and Pacheco said they realize that much of what the club does each week can be accomplished at home; anyone can sit and watch these programs. For them, the club is about more than just the television shows and movies. It’s about the shared experience of enjoying art, one Friday at a time. Contact Andrew ter Veen, staff writer, at aterveen@ the-telescope.com
Movies that are screened during the weekly meetings are chosen unanimously and cannot feature any English-spoken dialogue. (Daniel May/The Telescope)
Newest Red Hot Chili Peppers album features signature funky sound ALBUM REVIEW Who: Red Hot Chili Peppers Album: “I’m With You” Why Listen: Classic RHCP offbeat music with quircky lyrics Rating: 3 out of 5
Red Hot Chili Peppers promotional photo for “I’m With You.” (Courtesy of BB Gun Press)
DARIEL WALKER THE TELESCOPE
Five years after the hit album “Stadium Arcadium” and one new guitarist later, the Red Hot Chili Peppers have released the longawaited album, “I’m With You.” Debuting at No. 2 on Billboard’s Top 200 album chart, “I’m With You” is now the No. 1 album in 17 countries, though it doesn’t quite measure up to their past albums. The newest single from the album, “The Adventures of Rain Dance Maggie,” has become the band’s 12th No. 1 single on Billboard’s alternative songs chart. Loyal Red Hot Chili Peppers fans will enjoy this album because they love the band, but they will be a tad disappointed. This album is good, but it’s not great. There are no memorable songs like there were on “Stadium Arcadium,”nothing like “Dani California” or “Hump De Bump.” This album doesn’t exactly make you want to jump out of your seat and dance.
Although fans won’t be thrilled with the album, critics are praising the Red Hot Chili Peppers. The new album maintains the Pepper’s signature funky sound and quirky lyrics such as, “Tick tock I want to rock you like the eighties, cock blocking isn’t allowed,” from the song “The Adventures of Rain Dance Maggie.” Songs like “Monarchy of Roses” and “Factory of Faith” incorporate a sort of disco-esque vibe. While the song “Look Around” is the most energetic track, featuring handclaps and catchy melodies. There is a certain loss of excitement and energy on the album, which is probably a reflection of the loss of an outstanding guitarist, John Frusciante, who chose to leave the band in 2009. Frusciante was replaced by Josh Klinghoffer, a friend of the Red Hot Chili Peppers who frequently collaborated with the band. Although Klinghoffer is a talented musician, there is still an evident void of energy left by Frusciante’s absence.
As far as rhythm goes, the band is better than ever.There’s no doubting that bassist Flea is a force to be reckoned with. Lead singer Anthony Kiedis is a powerhouse, as usual. His quickpaced slurs and clever lyrics are what really define the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ sound. After nearly 30 years, it is evident that the Red Hot Chili Peppers have had their share of ups and downs, but have continued to grow personally and artistically. Although this is not the best album that they have ever released, fans will still look forward to what they will create next. The Red Hot Chili Peppers are one of the most creative rock bands of their generation. They continue to produce fantastic funky music that their fans adore. Even after 30 years in the music business, these L.A. funk-rockers aren’t even close to being done. Contact Dariel Walker, staff writer, at dwalker@the-telescope.com