Punk originals Descendents return
When many of today's bands name off influences, the Descendents are frequently one of them. Their power-pop anthems of the early- and mid-'80s paved the way for most of today's players. The funny thing is, the Descendents, although missing in action for eight years now, have never really left, but instead, evolved.
The Descendents started out as a three-piece back in 1978, with founding member Bill Stevenson being the only member remaining in the band. In 1980, Milo Aukerman joined the band, and released the "Fat" EP in 1980, and then "Milo Goes To College" in 1982, which remains one of the most influential early '80s punk albums to date.
'English Patient' puts romance back in film
Lately, a true romantic masterpiece that combines elements of passion, conspiracy and drama, has been missing from theaters. The film, lacking the lofty topics that plaque frivolous love stories, has somehow vanished into the depths of cinematic grace - that is, until "The English Patient" waltzed onto the big screen.
With its dynamic cast of characters and heart-wrenching plot, "The English Patient" pulls not only at one's heart strings, but also one's perspective on life, love and relationships. It enwraps audiences in the miseries and the ecstasies of war, while also revealing that destiny depends on more than sudden desires.
Being popular won't stop Nada Surf
It's always hard for a band with one hit single to try to overcome the stigma of never being able to generate another hit. It sure seems that way for Nada Surf, but anyone who has listened to their debut, "High/Low," knows there's a lot more waiting in the ranks.
Matthew Caws, Daniel Lorca and Ira Elliot have only been a unit for two years now, but as Lorca explained in a telephone interview with The Michigan Daily, "Matthew and I have been playing together for 14 years now."
UK's Scene swims to Shelter
The group has sold more than 1 million albums in the U.K., they hang out with Oasis. It is opening for heroes The Who on the "Quadrophenia" tour.
What band is this? It's Birmingham, England's Ocean Colour Scene, which is touring America to support its MCA debut, "Moseley Shoals." With recent U.K. hits like "The Day We Caught the Train" and "You've Got It Bad," Ocean Colour Scene is ready to take on America.
Comedian Bernie Mac attacks Motown on Saturday
Bernie Mac is coming to town.
Well-known for his appearances on "HBO's Def Comedy Jam" and his long list of movie roles - including the not-so-saved minister in "Friday," the blunt-speaking uncle in "House Party 3," a homeless beggar in "Above the Rim" and the sarcastic "nigga-need-coat-like-coat-need-nigga" passenger in "Get on the Bus" - Mac is no stranger to fans of African American comedy. Even if he prefers that no one think of his style of humor in that way.
Souls bounce through St. Andrew's on current tour
If you're getting sick of the monotony of 1990s California punk, the Bouncing Souls might be the band for you. These guys make sure they don't sound like all those bands. Instead, Bouncing Souls blends old-school East-Coast hardcore and humor to come up with a derivative, yet fun and unique sound.
Guitarist Pete Steinkopf, drummer Shal Khichi, bassist Bryan Kienlen and vocalist Greg Attonito started playing together in high school in New Jersey. In a telephone interview with The Michigan Daily, Kienlen explained how the band was doomed from the start: "After high school ... we kind of just moved into a punk house together. I remember those days ... feeling like everyone had us convinced that we had completely thrown away our future."
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