Johnny Cash

'Man in Black' remembered

John Simons

A&E Contributor

To call Johnny Cash a country singer would be to understate his broad appeal and lasting impression on popular culture. He was a talented musician, yes, but he was also a charismatic personality and a larger-than-life icon. Like all truly big stars, Johnny Cash had the ability to transcend genres, because it wasn’t just the songs, it was the man behind the guitar that interested people. Cash’s simple charm and somber demeanor made him a truly likeable performer who is widely recognized as an idealized symbol of the hard-working, common-man American.

His appeal was broad as well as deep, and although most of his hit singles, such as “Ring of Fire” and “I Walk the Line,” came on the country charts, he also made Top 10 on the pop charts, and was inducted into the Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame in 1992. Beside music, Johnny appeared in a movie with Kirk Douglas and had his own television variety show on ABC. “The Johnny Cash Show” ran for two seasons.

Toward the end of his career, Cash tried quite successfully to reach a younger audience, and much like novelist Kurt Vonnegut, he somehow managed to remain “cool” even into old age. In 1996, at the age of 64, Cash released “Unchained,” which features a lovely version of a Beck song, “Rowboat,” from his indie album, “Stereopathetic Soul Manure,” as well as a cover of Soundgarden’s “Rusty Cage.”

But Johnny will probably be most remembered for his live prison albums, “Johnny Cash At Folsom Prison” and “Johnny Cash At San Quentin.” “Folsom Prison” remains the most popular Johnny Cash album of all time.

Bloodthirsty

Hollywood slowly brings back violence

Nicole Hatzidakis-MacDonald

A&E editor

There is a change in the messages being sent in movies being produced these days. Remember about five years ago when moviegoers would go and see a good, old-fashioned ass whoopin’? The most exciting parts were the blood, guts, gore, maybe some bones exposed, along with murder, hijacking, hostage taking and other unsettling acts of violence. Yes, pure entertainment.

Then something changed. It has to do with New York and the Twin Towers and the 11th day of September. In a split second, America’s view on entertainment was temporarily changed. What was considered exciting just the day before was once again meaningless violence. Every blow we saw, we could feel, like it was coming straight for us. The bloodshed seen on television could parallel violence seen in everyday lives, and people got scared. It was no longer funny to see someone get shot or a car stolen. The amusement and rush that once surged in our veins from watching a plane be hijacked was replaced with nightmares of the unthinkable happening to us or loved ones. There was no longer an invisible barrier protecting us from the violence in the picture-show; we were no longer invincible, and this genre of production was no longer considered entertaining.

But something changed. I began to realize larger-than-life violence is beginning to reappear on the silver screen. This summer, as I sat through the movie re-make of “S.W.A.T.,” I saw a hijacking, hostage situations, and yes, many good, old-fashioned ass-whoopin’s. And I will admit, it was entertaining. The first violent scenes were a bit shocking, and the hostage scenes made my heart beat a little faster. However, it seemed to be a good thing. There was gore, though nothing extremely nauseating. Perhaps Hollywood knows we are not ready for that.

As Hollywood slips back into this violent dream, hopefully we will still be able to distinguish the wrong from the right, and the entertainment from the tasteless blood. It is inevitable that one day, full bloodbaths will no longer be an on-screen taboo. The only question is: when will we be ready for it? Hopefully, we will gracefully fall back into the ungraceful life of entertaining ourselves with violence. We can only hope Hollywood will be patient and slowly reissue gory scenes to give us time to heal our wounds.

Moshing 101: Be safe, be nice, beware

Nicole A. Hatzidakis-Macdonald

A&E Editor

Bumbershoot! Pretty exciting! After 10 hours in lovely Downtown Seattle, experiencing music from American High-Fi, Common, Black-Eyed Peas, Evanescence, and Cold, I have come up with a survival guide for the mosh pit. This list is for first-time moshers.

• Tie your shoes tight; do not wear flip-flops.
• If you lose something, look for it later. Don’t bring a purse.
• Don’t expect to see the show.
• Duck when foreign objects fly.
• Crowd surf; don’t fall.
• Headbang.
• If someone falls near you, pick that someone up. Favors are often returned.
• Say hi to everyone you “encounter.”
• Smile.
• Don’t eat anything around you; it’s no longer safe.

Staff positions open for Spindrift magazine

Do you like art and literature? Want to see what it’s like to make a good book? “Spindrift,” Shoreline’s art and literary magazine, has staff positions open for the 2003-04 academic year. These are paid positions open to current SCC students. Please see Gary Parks, Spindrift advisor, for details and application process information (546-4785; gparks@ctc.edu). Note different deadlines for positions.

Because of specific art and design skills needed, the magazine’s art editor is selected through the Art/VCT program. See Christine Shafner or Sigrid Cannon in Art/VCT for details.

Spindrift Managing Editor

Manage the magazine’s production and event schedule; help with communications and class visits; organize and run weekly meetings; help make selection and design decisions; coordinate with staff and volunteers; and in general, make sure things get done. 210 hours per year at $10.13/hr. Preference given to applications received by Monday, Oct. 6.

Spindrift Literary Editor

Organize reading of manuscript submissions; make final selections of literature for publication; help with communications and class visits; participate in weekly meetings and “Spindrift” events; help make design decisions. 150 hours per year; $10.13 / hr. Preference given to applications received by Monday, Oct. 13.

Spindrift Marketing Manager

Organize and publicize “Spindrift” events such as readings and information tables; place the book in local bookstores and follow up; keep inventory; help with “Spindrift” communications and class visits; participate in weekly meetings and “Spindrift” events; help make selection and design decisions. 120 hours per year; $10.13/hr. Preference given to applications received by Monday, Oct. 13.

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