From: owner-ammf-digest@smoe.org (alt.music.moxy-fruvous digest) To: ammf-digest@smoe.org Subject: alt.music.moxy-fruvous digest V2 #104 Reply-To: ammf@fruvous.com Sender: owner-ammf-digest@smoe.org Errors-To: owner-ammf-digest@smoe.org Precedence: bulk alt.music.moxy-fruvous digest Tuesday, December 8 1998 Volume 02 : Number 104 Today's Subjects: ----------------- VEGGIES and FAKE IDS! [shazalinrea@juno.com (Mindy J Munson)] Re: quick Kirkland review [ksucy@eznet.net (Shilfiell Nels Rada)] Re: Gulf War Song: it still applies [shazalinrea@juno.com (Mindy J Munso] Re: Another Pointe-Claire Review [nafio@my-dejanews.com] Re: Another Pointe-Claire Review [Nate DeRose ] Re: FruTripping/ '98 highlights etc [jenncyn@aol.com (JennCyn)] Re: Big favour [vika@ibm.net (Vika Zafrin)] Re: quick Kirkland review [caroline ] Re: FruTrip: Clinton to Quebec [kpfruhead@aol.com (KPFruhead)] Re: Frtripping/Frshow Highlights of 98... [schr9271@fredonia.edu] Re: Another Pointe-Claire Review [shazalinrea@juno.com (Mindy J Munson)] An Essay About Frvous--I Got an A on It!!! ["KatieWow" ] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Wed, 09 Dec 1998 00:48:34 GMT From: shazalinrea@juno.com (Mindy J Munson) Subject: VEGGIES and FAKE IDS! Day two of no meat. Not a big count, but the first time I bothered to count. Quasi-Vegitarians away!!!!! (my war cry as a quasi veg) As for the ID thingie. Thank you for your responses!!! I did recieve a few that did state that they weren'1 too keen on the idea, though. Tanx for being honest! Because of this fact, I will not use one. I wouldn't want negitive response of any kind from you wonderful folks! Ill just see if I can get by wearing my glasses *g*, and if not Ill go candel stick bowling or sompthing =+). Maybe Ill come back and see if the lads will come out a speak to me! Love ya all! Fruchild ___________________________________________________________________ You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail. Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com/getjuno.html or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866] ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 09 Dec 1998 00:51:59 GMT From: ksucy@eznet.net (Shilfiell Nels Rada) Subject: Re: quick Kirkland review In article <3.0.1.32.19981208171407.0069f4a0@mail.smith.edu>, caroline wrote: > listening to sound check: > "I'll take a little less of Dave in mine." - Murray (as if monitors are > coffe or something?) > "Check one two, dooby dooby doo." - Murray Hehehe...remember "sibilance?" It sounded like snakes were let loose in the lobby when most of us started echoing Mike's test. Sibilanssssssssss..... Of course, that's before the keep-away game started and the lobby crowd got rowdy. > other banter (not sure where it fits in): > about 4 or 5 songs in, they made a reference to the "Exquisite Corpse" sign > hanging above their heads. There was an art show there, but the > juxtaposition of the sign above the band was highly amusing. Ever since I got back and retrieved the CD from work, I've been listening to Shriekback's song "Exquisite Corpse" from their Sacred City CD. This is probably the only time that I've been able to find a link between my two favorite bands! OK, so no one's ever heard of Shriekback and I'm the only one that's even vaguely amused by this, but that's usually how my life works anyway. :D - -kimberly ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 09 Dec 1998 00:41:50 GMT From: shazalinrea@juno.com (Mindy J Munson) Subject: Re: Gulf War Song: it still applies >I've had "breakdowns" as you call them too, and probably will be on anti- depressants for the rest of my life to avoid having one again. It's definitely not an experience I ever want to repeat. But it came out of childhood stuff that I had to come to terms with in order to understand and like myself, and allow myself to have as much sympathy for me as for any other person I felt bad for because they were in pain. Your personal pain is no less valid than anyone else's, whatever its cause may be. Peace to you, Mindy. You're a gentle soul. >Lori Thank you Lori. This meant a lot to me. I probably would be on antidepressants but I refused to, which now I am glad I did. My brother is 29 and since he started prozac he must take it for the rest of his life. I also wouldn't want my parents spending all that money on me. My biggest problems were the ones with my father which I am slowly getting over (another reason I am so glad for my religion. I might not be alive without it), and I have recently found out that it the "break downs" were genetically passed down from my gma. They really aren't too terrible. Just crying for no reason for a long time. In some ways its even relieving Fruchild ___________________________________________________________________ You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail. Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com/getjuno.html or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866] ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 09 Dec 1998 00:28:42 GMT From: nafio@my-dejanews.com Subject: Re: Another Pointe-Claire Review nafio@my-dejanews.com wrote: > FRUVOUS!!!!! And then I went on to describe the show in a scant 3 paragraphs. However, other fun things that happened occurred to me so I will, as Rob suggested, commit poor net-ettiquette and follow-up my own post. Before Fruvous took the stage I noticed the mic for the doumbec was there and hoped for Extended Sahara, which we did not get. But we did GET Sahara, and I was right in front of Murray's monitor. I've raved about this song before, and with the monitor so close I couldn't resist.. I put one hand lightly on a corner of the monitor (didn't want to tip it or anything, it was just on a chair, and certainly didn't want Murray deprived of hearing everything) and felt the percussion and bass. I probably looked a little weird to both Jian and Murray, it's a little different than just laying hands on the stage to get the vibrations off of that, but I wasn't bothering to look at anything.. just feel it. If I had my way I'd have my hands on a speaker for the whole show, but as I can't I do make an exception for Sahara. The amount of audience participation was high, especially if you count all the bloody requests. During the Kids Song intro, Jian asked "And what was that constituency..?" and half the audience replied "THE KIDS." There weren't quite glares going on but it was close. But Jian turned it into a good thing by replying "The rest of this intro will be conducted under the Cone of Silence. And that group was, Agent 99?" Jian:"No! Dave?" Dave:"Himey" Jian:"Missed it by that much" I forget Mike's too but the point is.. Get Smart references!! The stuffed animals in front of Jian got some comments too. "We have these stuffed animals that appear on stage..." Kevin's black, vibrating cat, which had been onstage the night before got called "The Orgasmic Cat" and Jian had fun with it and the microphone. (Probably not as bad as you're visualizing but it was funny) Someone also remembered the Pokemon had appeared before (Belongs to Kimberly [Kristaffer's Mum] and got beaten by Spidey at the Tralf) Other people have pointed out the other great stuff, like Dave the Junior Engineer, so I won't make you read it twice. Another note on the amount of requests. There were ups and downs. It was started off by some idiot who decided he wanted GE&H early in the set, followed by someone who yelled "Play some Bargainville!" "Sure!" Dave replied, and the guitar promptly died. "Or I would if the guitar was there." So whoever it was was encouraged to repeat the request and we got River Valley, which Jian said was his "request". (ie it was on the setlist, like everything else they played, excluding GE&H) The more creative requests (as things got out of hand) got some "Ohhhh!"'s from the guys. When it became clear that the guys were gonna stand and listen to requests until people shut up it was actually nice to hear people asking for actual rarities. When someone finally asked for "Big Fish!" Jian replied "Jeez they're digging up the dregs of the request barrel now." Dave: "Yeah.. what hasn't been requested yet.. Big Fish!" (this is about where Murray started in with his democracy comment) However the absolute worst were the requests were being made for GWS when the guys came out for encore. Murray had the pitch pipe and someone yelled "The die is cast!" as if yelling for GWS wasn't the best way to NOT get that song. I was actually quite glad that they went into Boss instead. Kudos to the guys btw. I've seen them get really pissed off about requests and they handled the overload with much humour. It must have been really frustrating to play new songs and have them seemingly so unappreciated, especially since the setlist was quite Bargainville-heavy apart from the new stuff. They knew the crowd would want Bargainville stuff and planned for it but even then people kept demanding things. Mike even explained at one point that "Patience is a virtue" As has been pointed out, even though we were perhaps the silent minority, there were a ton of people who travelled to see the show and truly did appreciate hearing the new songs. Thanks so much for all the great shows this past years guys - we think you're worth listening to, and more. Fiona - -- "I'm SO a Dave's people if it weren't for Mike..." - -Marie-Claude Nov 16/98 - -----------== Posted via Deja News, The Discussion Network ==---------- http://www.dejanews.com/ Search, Read, Discuss, or Start Your Own ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 08 Dec 1998 20:49:34 -0500 From: Nate DeRose Subject: Re: Another Pointe-Claire Review nafio@my-dejanews.com wrote: > As has been pointed out, even though we were perhaps the silent minority, > there were a ton of people who travelled to see the show and truly did > appreciate hearing the new songs. Thanks so much for all the great shows this > past years guys - we think you're worth listening to, and more. Ya know... I'd like to take a moment here to second what Fiona said....... I was thinking during the show what a shame it was the half the audience was only listening to the bargainville songs....... So, I too would like to voice my appreciation for the new songs! I really like them...... and I hope that the guys realize that there actually WERE some people there who were listening intently. :) In addition.... I'd like to say how amazing it is that these guys take the time to talk to their fans... listen to their fans..... and really interact with people on a personal level. It's a rarity.... and I know that I speak for a number of people here, when I say that us fans out here really appreciate the time and energy that the band puts into each and every show they play. So, on behalf of myself, and probably others, I'd like to say: Thank you Fruvous!!! :) Cheers, nate ------------------------------ Date: 9 Dec 1998 02:08:17 GMT From: jenncyn@aol.com (JennCyn) Subject: Re: FruTripping/ '98 highlights etc >i think it would have to be ShowBliss, actually, since the same thing happens >to me after phish shows and (used to happen after) dead shows. Yeah, and it's too easy to slur the last syllable on PhishBliss. Especially if you've had, er, an extremely blissful time. (PhishBlish?) - - jenn (To steal a line from Red Dwarf: "I am not pished!") ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 09 Dec 1998 01:58:31 GMT From: vika@ibm.net (Vika Zafrin) Subject: Re: Big favour Fru-Monique delighted us with: >I know I haven't been here long and I don't know a lot of you, but I >have a really big question. Anybody willing to give a southeastern >Ohio Fruhead a ride to FruCon? Or carpool or something? As much as I'd personally love to give you a ride, Monique, I kinda live out of the way (Boston). :) HOWEVER, in addition to posting here (a wise move), check out http://www.fruvous.com/frucon2.html and read the section on ride-sharing. Then follow the link to see the list of people (slightly incomplete -- Tom P., we'll get you on there soon, I promise!) willing to give rides, and their info, including ways to contact them. - -v, shouldn't be reading the ng, but am. sue me. Vika Zafrin vika@ibm.net "The wonderful thing about Shakespeare is that when it's done well, it makes people feel smarter than they are. As opposed to dumber than they are. There is really no in-between." - Spencer Golub ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 09 Dec 1998 02:11:50 GMT From: caroline Subject: Re: quick Kirkland review kimberly reminded: >Hehehe...remember "sibilance?" It sounded like snakes were let loose in >the lobby when most of us started echoing Mike's test. >Sibilanssssssssss..... lol - yeah! i forgot that one. that was really early on when we Smithies were all sitting & reading, and all of a sudden we *all* looked up and mimic-ed "sibilance". how cool. ;) >Of course, that's before the keep-away game started and the lobby crowd got >rowdy. hey, we were good little frufans: we stopped before we killed anyone, although i doubt if the Kirkland's pamphlet rack in the corner will ever be the same. ~Caroline ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ There's only one thing that I know how to do well, and I've often been told that you only can do what you know how to do well, and that's be you. Be what you're like. Be like yourself. - TMBG, "Whistling in the Dark" "Yes: I am a dreamer. For a dreamer is one who can only find his way by moonlight, and his punishment is that he sees the dawn before the rest of the world." - Oscar Wilde, "The Critic as Artist" "I am the fountain of affection I'm the instrument of joy." - Great Big Sea, "When I'm Up" ------------------------------ Date: 9 Dec 1998 02:54:18 GMT From: kpfruhead@aol.com (KPFruhead) Subject: Re: FruTrip: Clinton to Quebec >We left Clinton around 10:30am, directions in hand, and followed NY route 8 >for a LONG time... after leaving most traces of civilization behind, we >started to pass through a land of fallen-down barns and >confederate-flag-bedecked houses... not a car in sight for miles. (other >than some battered pickups parked beside the houses) fifty or so miles, >that is. we started keeping a list of the interestingly-named places we >passed through: > >Poland >Russia (which is now what we think of whenever we hear "River Valley"... >"go move to Russia" is a much more real threat now ) >Ohio >Speculator >the home of "The Original Lincoln Logs" >Word of Life Bible School >Word of Life Ranch >Word of Life Resort >Word of Life Inn >Word of Life International Headquarters (sensing a theme here? the town was >OWNED by WoL...) >Schroon Lake >Saranac Lake (especially amusing after the guys' comment on Saranac beer >the night before) >Peru >Chazy Sciota >the Miner Institute >Mooers > Ha!! We vacation right up there every year, love the area!! Just a couple of things you missed: The Silver Star Diner - This is right next to the Lincoln Logs building. Impossible to miss because of the huge statue of a chicken standing right out front. This is commonly known as the "Chicken Diner" Loon Lake - We rent a cabin on the lake every summer to stay at... absoultly beautiful. The Narrows - The best pizza place in upstate NY! Great food, and a great mini golf course as part of the grounds! Just thought I'd let you in on some highlights you missed on your trip! :) Ken ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 09 Dec 1998 02:44:43 GMT From: schr9271@fredonia.edu Subject: Re: Frtripping/Frshow Highlights of 98... hmmm....I posted this yestarday, but dejanews is telling me that it didn't go through...if it did and I'm lying about the whole thing, I'm sorry and you have my permission do delete now....if not and you would like to hear more recalling of this year, then read on..... I've been in a reflective mood latly (as comes with the end of the semester/year). This has been my first year as a *true* fruhead (only saw 1 show in 97) and I wouldn't have given any of it up for anything in the world!!! If anyone told me last year that I would become *this* obsessed about a band and try to follow them around and see them 11 times in one year I would have laughed in their face. I'm laughing as I write this actually, but for different resons... Let's begin... Fredonia: Ok, so I saw this really cool band over the summer and now their playing at my school. I have to work for the show anyway, so I might as well go see them....famous last words. "Andrew Lloyd Webber Improv" "Kids Song" "If you Only Knew" "Gulf War Song". This was my first experience meeting fru-heads *waves to Andi, Lisa, mary, and Chrissy* and meeting the guys *swoon*. I never thought a band like them could be so down to earth and cool and friendly and...and...and Murray liked my dancing! The insanity trip begins.... Record Archive: As I told Mike, they are one of the few things that will get me *willing* out of bed that early on a Saturday morning. My parents are now starting to worry about me... "Fly" "Authors" "Love Potion" Lilac: Good friends (converted 2), beautiful weather and a fruvous show...what more could anyone want? "I Wish I had a Lawn" "Save the Lilacs" "Stuck in the 90s" "River Valley" Finally, some of my friends understand what I'm talking abut when I say "I'm on a fru-high" Media Play (Niagara Falls): First fru show with a parental figure...who'd have thunk it? "I Will Hold On" "Towels from Home" Dave as a Media Play employee, fun with the tv monitors. I gave the guys the pastel collage I did of them...now you know I'm getting obsessed! Mel Lastman: First fru trip!! Thanks Taryn and Toni for a wild weekend - who wants the tim...bits with the special glaze? "Extended Sahara" "Shania Twain" "Purple Shirt" "Dangerous Pork Tenderloin" "Lazlo" "Marion" "Pisco" Having a group discussion with Jian that started with what his jacket was made out of. I don't think we will ever be allowed in to the St. Cathy's Tim Hortons again! Danforth: I believe we were the only one's insane enough to drive up from Rochester for both shows. "I Love My Boss" "Hold On" rain, rain, and more rain. Who will be wear the bridal gown, guys? and our "devil-ish" waiter at the greek place after wards.... Harro East: This teaches me that 3 months is FAR too long to go without a fruvous show. Opening, opening act - SNMNMNM! "Minnie" - with guest appearance by a lil red fox ^_^ "It's Only a Paper Moon" where did the lightsaber come from? "Horseshoes" - with awesome violin! "Psycho Killer" more dancing and silliness to SNMNMNM by the fru bus. Playing my Isoka (aka Fru-flute) to Jian, by request. *fru hugs!* Tralf nite 1: hanging out and meeting tons of fru-heads in the line! Using friend Greg's back as my personal drum kit. "Raja" "It's Too Cold" "Nuites" "Girl from Iponima"...well some of it anyways....oh those sheep, cows, dogs and "ruling elite" Tralf nite 2: Thanks *mom* ^_^!!!!!!! Meeting more and more fru-heads (and converting some of my own). Our "critter corner" is slowing growing and I'm becoming rather scared, "Extended Sahara" - I could never get tired of this one, "Grudge" "Homeward Bound" "Cross Border Shopping" Fun with christmas lights leading into Dunkin Donuts improv, the unfortunate stomping of Pikatchu by Spidey, a misunderstanding leading to a 3rd encore!!! getting thanked afterward for bring new people to a show ^_^ Alfred: Now I know I'm nuts....I decided finally to go as I left work and walk to my car...and promptly left for the scariest fru-trip yet...got lost on the way there and back...but all worth it (of course). "Raja" (again) "Martinique" "Freak Out!" fearing for my life because I go to Fredonia, religious intro to KoS....and the trip continues....... Add to this joining the NG somewhere in summer and my recent addition to IRC... Wow! What a year it has been!! To all the friendly fru folk I've met in my adventures so far, your guys rock!!! Thank you so much for making me feel so welcome in the land of Fruvous and adding to the anticipation and excitment of going on fru-trips. I hope to meet even more of you guys in 99. May it be great year and one that will go down in the fruvous history books as another one to remember!!! can't wait for FruCon!!!!!!!!!!! Amy "Alright! Who fruvoused the cat?" ~Mike Ford - -----------== Posted via Deja News, The Discussion Network ==---------- http://www.dejanews.com/ Search, Read, Discuss, or Start Your Own ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 09 Dec 1998 03:28:09 GMT From: shazalinrea@juno.com (Mindy J Munson) Subject: Re: Another Pointe-Claire Review On Tue, 08 Dec 1998 20:49:34 -0500 Nate DeRose writes: >Ya know... I'd like to take a moment here to second what Fiona >said....... >I was thinking during the show what a shame it was the half the >audience was only >listening to the bargainville songs....... >So, I too would like to voice my appreciation for the new songs! >I really like them...... and I hope that the guys realize that there >actually WERE >some people there who were listening intently. >:) >In addition.... I'd like to say how amazing it is that these guys take >the time to >talk to their fans... listen to their fans..... and really interact >with people on >a personal level. >It's a rarity.... and I know that I speak for a number of people here, >when I say >that us fans out here really appreciate the time and energy that the >band puts >into each and every show they play. > >So, on behalf of myself, and probably others, I'd like to say: >Thank you Fruvous!!! >:) > >Cheers, >nate > > > HERE HERE!!!! Fruchild ___________________________________________________________________ You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail. Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com/getjuno.html or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866] ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 8 Dec 1998 22:06:50 -0500 From: "KatieWow" Subject: An Essay About Frvous--I Got an A on It!!! For those of you who care to read, I'm posting an essay I wrote for my writing class on Früvous and the dawn of a new age in America. I have combined a couple of Früvous experiences into one for seamlessness, but it really doesn't sound contrived (I don't think). Anyway, I'm pretty proud of it, and it's kind of amusing, so I thought I'd share. Here it is: Essay #4 Draft #2 Kate Leahy 03 December 1998 O Canada . . . As I stood in line outside a converted bank at Baltimore and Eutaw streets last Monday, I couldn’t help admonishing myself for not wearing more comfortable shoes; but I quickly decided to forgive myself for the error, as I could be considered relatively new to the experience of seeing bands this way-—standing in line for an hour or more to garner good standing position which I would be challenged to hold through what promised to be a disappointing opening act in anticipation of an experience which is all but unknown, but viciously savored by those who are wise. I could also reassure myself with the unspoken promise that no matter what the foot discomfort and freezing cold, the show would more than make up for it. The band I and my line-standing compatriots were enduring such hardships for is not your typical club band. They are a Canadian quartet of self-proclaimed “hippie-dorks” whose repertoire includes songs written for dumbek (a Persian drum), accordion, Flute-o-Phone, and no instruments at all. Even their name proclaims their silliness—-Moxy Früvous, a pair of nonsense words that really don’t have any meaning (every band member will give you a different definition—-believe me, I’ve asked). The real kicker of their live show, however, is the in-between song banter which produces classic live-CD moments such as the “lowest highest point” song in which band members quizzed a Rhode Island audience on which American state had the lowest highest point (for the record: 1. it’s Delaware; 2. the band members [four in total] had guessed it in the van from the Trivial Pursuit card with which they were playing in two tries; 3. it took the audience [about two-hundred in total] nearly four minutes to get the answer, and their guesses included New Hampshire and New York). They’ve amassed a small but dedicated following (of which the author is a member) whose members have been known to drive twelve-plus hours to see their “boys” (as they affectionately refer to them) play an in-store concert at Border’s Books, schedule work vacations to travel to shows, and sleep on the floors and ride in the cars of people with whom their only previous contact had been a couple of prearranged phone calls. To the outside observer, this seems fatalistic; to the relatively small inner frü-circle, it's common and even expected. I stood there with parents and their children, complete strangers who had baked cookies for the entire line, and people willing to give me their extra tickets so I wouldn’t have to buy at the door. I danced with a seven-year-old girl as her mother and I sang loudly the lyrics of one of the Frülads’ (another term of endearment) best-loved songs: Once I was the King of Spain, a palatial palace that was my home. Once I was the King of Spain, now I vacuum the turf at SkyDome I talked about “The Princess Bride,” "Rent," and the Who with people I had never met, but with whom I had formed a strange, sudden connection. I found myself looking back not-so-fondly on the music of my adolescence. You see, I had the unfortunate experience of spending my formative years in a veritable musical cesspool of self-loathing and general apathetic disgust. Vacant stares and apathy ran rampant. It was the age of the waif, the Gulf War, and the retaliation against teen pop stars like Debbie Gibson and New Kids on the Block. As it always had, the music of that era was a manifestation of that generation’s rebellion against the one which had come before it. This particular generation, fondly named “Generation X” by author Douglas Coupland in his 1991 work of the same name, was essentially known for nothing—for being the generation which left the hopes of its forebearers totally unfulfilled. Its music fit it perfectly, just as the music of previous generations had fit their own. Ron Perl mentioned that the music world turned upside down when teenagers gained a means of acquiring expendable income. It seems to correspond that when this “revolution,” occurred, music became the defining characteristic of a generation. In the ‘Sixties, the music of the Beatles could be used to trace the attitude of the world’s youth from happy in the early portion of the decade to cynical in the latter half. The extravagance of the 1980s gave way to elaborate bands whose light shows were as intricate as their make-up and costumes. So what does a band like Moxy Früvous say about the youth of today, a band whose wardrobe is less rhinestones and big hair than thrift-store chic and whose light shows consist of whatever the bar’s got? It’s not really as complicated as it seems. This new generation is just as rebellious as those that came before it, but not in the “traditional” way. As I stood there watching parents and kids singing song lyrics together and wearing matching t-shirts, I realized that maybe the “you-just-don’t-understand-my-music” era might finally be ending. Kids and parents will agree on radio stations; the Parents’ Music Resource Center will spontaneously crumble to the ground. Tipper Gore will shut up. Kathie Lee Gifford will finally stop making albums as she’ll realize that parents only buy them because they’re the only ones without a foreboding black warning label on them. The world will achieve a state of musical and familial harmony. Well, maybe not; but this has been a rather disturbing trend. My own mother marvelled wide-eyed as my friends walked into my house in hip-hugging, bell-bottomed jeans this summer. Young adults who just two years ago would have turned up their nose in defiance at any article of clothing that didn’t have those three subtle-but-screaming capital letters (GAP) on the label are now rummaging frantically through thrift store racks to find the genuine article and therefore be even hipper than those who had resigned themselves to buying the modern-day knock-offs at that Former Fortress of the Acceptable. The youth of this generation have even formed a startling connection to their grandparents—the sudden return of swing music and dance is testament to that. There are current phenomena that serve to further this theory as well. The most-currently-sought-after concert tickets in the country guarantee a seat to see Barenaked Ladies, a group of five men approaching middle-age who are as likely to wear ridiculous polyester shirts, black dress socks with sandals, and pocket protectors as flannel, and are either distinctly overweight (though a couple have noticeably remedied that problem) or 98-pound-weakling-skinny. Two of the five have wives and children; one is engaged. Their songs are about Yoko Ono, what they would do with a million dollars, and the death of lead guitarist/vocalist Ed Robertson’s brother's death in a drunk-driving accident. They have described their music as “geek-rock” and referred to a recent concert at Philadelphia’s Spectrum as “the biggest geek in school throwing a party . . . and everyone showing up.” They dance like nerds imitating rap videos and call their fans the “most polite” in the world. They’re happy about life, won’t die of drug overdoses, and respect their fans enough to stop playing if big guys are muscling their way to the front of the crowd or people are throwing things in the air. They’re just decent human beings who have been working hard for ten years and are finally starting to be successful; the youth of America have embraced them—and so have their parents, as models not only of hardworking individuals, but of “rock stars” who don’t have to hate their fans or break things or take drugs. Strangely, this “parent-approved-Rock-and-Roll” is exactly the kind of thing any self-respecting teenager would have avoided like the plague four or five years ago. So I stood there in there in that club as young people and adults alike swayed in unison to an a cappella arrangement of an old tune by Gordon Lightfoot (yet another Canadian), laughed at the satire of “Greatest Man in America" (a “tribute” to Rush Limbaugh) and “Kids’ Song” (complete with off-the-cuff references to expatriate Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet), and sing loudly and dance goofily to the subtley intelligent “King of Spain,” a prince-and-pauper tale of a fallen monarch who now works at a Canadian pizza franchise and moonlights on the ground crew at Toronto’s SkyDome. Not only is this stuff fun—-it’s (insert violent shudder here) educational. What is this world coming to when albums that parents and kids like that actually teach them something sell more and more copies every day? One can only giddily, hopefully imagine. Maybe the rest of America is actually catching on and realizing that joy is joy no matter how old you are, and that sharing it only makes it multiply. Maybe we are approaching that long-awaited crossroads when we look back on our parents’ and grandparents’ lives and see the connections with our own, that our Gulf War is their Vietnam, that their pregnancy is our AIDS—their Watergate our Monica Lewinsky scandal. As my United States history teacher once said, “Those who fail history are doomed to repeat it”—it would seem that America has been failing history for a couple of generations now; maybe we’re finally learning the material and maybe we’ll pass this time. As the guys on stage stepped away from their microphones and gathered together close for the final encore, I felt like never before that perhaps this is just what is coming to be: Won’t you stand by the flag? Was the question unasked? Won’t you join in and fight with the allies? What could we say—we’re only 25 years old With 25 sweet summers and hot fires in the cold. That kind of life makes this violence unthinkable We’d like to play hockey, have kids, and grow old Fighters for Texaco, fighters for power Fighters for longer turns in the shower. Don’t tell me I can’t fight ‘cause I’ll punch out your lights And history seems to agree that I would fight you for me That us would fight them for we . . . In the words of Maya Angelou, “we’re more alike than unalike, my friends . . .” ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 09 Dec 1998 04:04:57 GMT From: Lynne Fisher Subject: Re: Big favour I dont know if Vika's FruCon page includes a "roadtripping" section, if not lemme know and I can work on it. (Actually I may not have much access to a computer from 12/22-1/4 but I'll do my best) If there is one, my advice would be to check it out, its on the happy fruvous homepage.... In other news, I am sure there are quite a few people travelling up to TO from Northeastern Ohio. I prefer company, so maybe once we all figure out who is going from BGSU you could get up here somehow and come along.... - -Lynne "Im not a psychopath either, just a geek in training... same thing?" >have a really big question. Anybody willing to give a southeastern >Ohio Fruhead a ride to FruCon? Or carpool or something? Meet me >Merci beaucoup (many times), >Monique ------------------------------ End of alt.music.moxy-fruvous digest V2 #104 ********************************************