MAY 2011
MARCH 2011 - FEBRUARY 2011 - JANUARY 2011 - DECEMBER 2010 - NOVEMBER 2010 - OCTOBER 2010 -AUGUST 2010 - JULY 2010 -MAY 2010
5TH ANNUAL 2011 EMERALDS
OF THE CITY BIKINI CALENDAR CONTEST
the health, entertainment, and educational hub of North Carolina’s Tidewater and Coastal Plain region. Named “100 Best Communities for Young People” by the America’s Promise Alliance and ranked in the top ten of the nation’s “Best Places For Business And Careers” by Forbes Magazine, it’s no wonder that G-Vegas Magazine has also self proclaimed Greenville as second to none in good times, and beautiful women!
If you are new to the area, G-Vegas Magazine is getting ready to celebrate kick-off competition for it’s the 5th Annual Emeralds of the City Bikini Calendar Contest is happening Sunday, July 3rd at The Emerald Club in Emerald Isle, NC. This competition is a free for all competition. Defending champions and new contestants are all encouraged to come out for their chance to take home the cash prize of $1,000. The bikini competition will be taking place alongside performances by two of the most beloved bands you’ve every seen in Eastern North Carolina!
Heritage, which is a Florida based band has been adopted by the Crystal Coast as their favorite Reggae band, and of course our friends Spare Change, who have been voted No. 1 party band in Eastern North Carolina. Heritage will take the stage Sunday, July 3 from 7pm-9:30, leading off the bikini competition, and followed by Spare Change from10pm-2am.
If you can’t make it out to Emerald Isle for the kick-off competition, be sure to represent in Greenville for Round 1 (Location TBA) of this years Emeralds of the City Bikini Calendar Competition with your hosts DJ Dog and DJ Charlie Mack on the 1’s & 2’s.
Every Round the party starts at 12:00 p.m. and the competition starts at 3:00. If you want to sign-up on the day of the competition you must arrive by 12:00pm, or register online at www.g-vegasmagazine.com after June 1st!
Round 2 will be held at First Street Place Apartments on July 16th. End your Summer right with Round 3 which will be held at The Landing on August 20th the Saturday before classes begin! G-Vegas will finish up strong with Round 4 on August 27th, at The Bellamy. Come be a part of this awesome opportunity! G-Vegas Magazine is located at 116 E 5th St, Greenville, NC 27858, stop by and see us, or give us a call at 252-227-4313. | GV
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PLANET DAY OF SERVICE
The health, entertainment, and educational hub of North Carolina’s Tidewater and Coastal Plain region. Named “100 Best Communities for Young People” by the America’s Promise Alliance and ranked in the top ten of the nation’s “Best Places For Business And Careers” by Forbes Magazine, it’s no wonder that G-Vegas Magazine has also self proclaimed Greenville as second to none in good times, and beautiful women!
If you are new to the area, G-Vegas Magazine is getting ready to celebrate kick-off competition for it’s the 5th Annual Emeralds of the City Bikini Calendar Contest is happening Sunday, July 3rd at The Emerald Club in Emerald Isle, NC. This competition is a free for all competition. Defending champions and new contestants are all encouraged to come out for their chance to take home the cash prize of $1,000. The bikini competition will be taking place alongside performances by two of the most beloved bands you’ve every seen in Eastern North Carolina!
Heritage, which is a Florida based band has been adopted by the Crystal Coast as their favorite Reggae band, and of course our friends Spare Change, who have been voted No. 1 party band in Eastern North Carolina. Heritage will take the stage Sunday, July 3 from 7pm-9:30, leading off the bikini competition, and followed by Spare Change from10pm-2am.
If you can’t make it out to Emerald Isle for the kick-off competition, be sure to represent in Greenville for Round 1 (Location TBA) of this years Emeralds of the City Bikini Calendar Competition with your hosts DJ Dog and DJ Charlie Mack on the 1’s & 2’s.
Every Round the party starts at 12:00 p.m. and the competition starts at 3:00. If you want to sign-up on the day of the competition you must arrive by 12:00pm, or register online at www.g-vegasmagazine.com after June 1st!
Round 2 will be held at First Street Place Apartments on July 16th. End your Summer right with Round 3 which will be held at The Landing on August 20th the Saturday before classes begin! G-Vegas will finish up strong with Round 4 on August 27th, at The Bellamy. Come be a part of this awesome opportunity! G-Vegas Magazine is located at 116 E 5th St, Greenville, NC 27858, stop by and see us, or give us a call at 252-227-4313. | GV
7 PEOPLE YOU SHOULD
SOCIALIZE WITH IN COLLEGE
by BEN HERRING - The College Survival Handbook
The Jock - Hanging around The Jock is as good for your health as eating salads and drinking water. Along with maybe a few free tickets and the heads up on all the big parties, The Jocks’ overall healthy living is something you’ll want to pick up. So get off your lazy butt and do a little exercising with them. Being around their constant vigor to succeed might rub off on you.
The Greek - All the parties The Jock doesn’t know about, The Greek does. If someone’s having a party for their Grandmas 80th birthday and they’re getting a keg, The Greek can sniff it out like a bloodhound would an escaped convict. Another useful trait of The Greek is that they usually know who the easiest professors are from passed down knowledge by their “Elder Greekers”. So if you’re looking for an easy “A”, The Greek can typically point you in the right direction.
The Foreigner - To bring in a fresh perspective on your life, The Foreigner is definitely worth having around. That status quo American mindset of yours is due a culture shake-up right about this time in your life. It’s certainly worth experiencing now when your mind is still young and malleable, than when you’re old and less receptive to others’ ideas.
The Professor - It should go without saying that you should talk to your professor’s everyday. Even if it’s just about something random, whatever you can spark up a conversation about works. All you’re wanting is to at least have some sort of dialog and recognition between the two of you. Because when you come up asking to make up that test you missed because you overslept, your chances of being allowed to do so will greatly increase if they know your name.
The Hippie - There is definitely nothing wrong with throwing a little love in the picture. If The Professor is someone to make you stay on task, The Hippie is the complete polar opposite. They’re only mission in life is to have fun and maybe partake in a certain “Herbal Cigarette” (as Craig Ferguson likes to call them). Now, I neither partake nor condone in such “Herbal Cigarette” activities, but I do agree with the laid-back lifestyle. While having a great task oriented mindset at college is good, having fun is just important. The message of “living life to the fullest” has become sort of a cliché, but still needs not be forgotten when at college.
The Nerd - Everyone needs their very own personal Nerd. Someone to help do your homework when you’re feeling lazy, or stand in for you on a test you didn’t study for. Just say you’ll buy them the new Halo, WOW or “Dungeons and Dragons” if they ace it, and you’ve got them under your thumb forever.
The Advisor - Think of your college Advisor as your native guide, holding the lamp for you as you try to escape the darkness of a deep cave. They’re there to help you because they know what lies in the path ahead. Listen to their advice and I assure you the likelihood of your college survival will significantly increase. | GV
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TOP 10 WAYS TO GET NO PLAY
by JOHN MURTHA
New kicks, $80. Fresh shirt, $25. Nice cologne, $65. Finding your swagger? Priceless. I wore my nicest attire, I fixed my hair, and I even dropped my whole paycheck on buying her drinks, and yet I still went home alone. Story of your life? If this sounds like you don’t worry, you’re not alone; fact is, you’re the majority. As men, we feel that we have this profound understanding of females, when in fact most of us actually know very little about what makes them tick. The thing I’ve realized in recent months is that as smart as us men think we are, women are just as smart, if not smarter. Don’t let them fool you with pretty eyes, a nice smile, and (insert your preference here). Women are cunning creatures, it’s no coincidence the term vixen and cougar are often used to describe them. They know what they want, but more importantly, they know what they don’t. It’s not always about what you do, sometimes it’s more about what you don’t do. So I got to wondering, what is it that we do so often that sends us home flying solo? I got together with some of the most beautiful girls in Greenville to find out. Without further ado, here’s my take on their “Top 10 Ways to Get No Play.”
10. Jorts (Jean Shorts)- Listen, Farmer John, if you’re working construction or some other form of manual labor, ok, you get a pass. But, when it’s time to go out, for God’s sake put on some real clothes. No girl is going to brag to her friends the next day about the guy she met with jorts on, how would that one go? “I met the nicest guy last night, the best part is he’s such a hard worker, he came out prepared to frame 2x4’s in case the walls began to come down.” Case in point, either sew on leggings to make them full jeans or put on shorts that don’t make you look like Joe Dirt.
9. If You Can’t Dance, Don’t- According to my sources, no matter how much some women may lie, dancing translates to sex. If you have absolutely no rhythm she’s going to assume the same for your bed game. You might be saying to yourself, that’s not true, and you may be right, but she doesn’t know that. So instead of blowing up your spot give yourself a chance, just avoid the dance floor and let her think what she wants. At least if you don’t appear to be Carlton Banks, she has no reason to think you are.
8. Too Drunk- If you can’t get drinks at the bar or don’t want to pay for them, I can respect that. While I sympathize with your get hammered pre-game, keep in mind that your swag falls off exponentially. You said, “Yo gorgeous, you must be the most beautiful girl in Greenville.” She heard: “Blah blah blah, you’re hot as hell, let’s get out of here.” Generally, the type of woman who would respond to that is not the type you bring home to mom; also, she might leave you with a gift that keeps on giving. So gentlemen, drink to take off the edge, not fall off of it.
7. Pick Up Lines- I don’t care how suave you think you are, these never work. Unless you’re Leon Phelps, this is an easy way to get branded as the pick-up line guy you don’t want to carry that stigma around for the rest of your time here. No woman I’ve spoken to has ever been turned on by asking how much a polar bear weighs or if it hurt when she fell from heaven. Don’t even go there, using a pick-up line is like putting water wings on a fat kid, he’s still sinking every time.
6. Too Pushy- Yes, you’ll probably get sent home packing and might even earn a smack across the face with this strategy. Nothing turns a girl off more than a pompous ass forcing himself onto her. From personal experience, I’d argue this approach works maybe 1 out of every 10 times, so the real question is, how well can you handle rejection? If the answer is not well, find a new technique.
5. Remember Her Name- Nothing says I’m a retard like asking her name 5 times. Women want to feel appreciated and respected, not remembering her name is probably the quickest way to go from, “Hmm, maybe I’ll go back with him” to “Get away from me you creep.” Believe me when I say this, I’m guilty as charged on more than one occasion. The only advice I can offer is this, hope she’s more drunk than you and convince her she never told you her name to begin with. That’s a high risk, high reward defense, so you may just look even dumber.
4. No Friend Intros- Unless it’s a wingman introduction to her friend, never have one of your boys go up to her for you. There are 2 main reasons this will guarantee you and Mary Palmer go home together. 1. If you can’t go up to her yourself, she’s going to feel like she’s not worth your time; again we come back to appreciation and respect. 2. This one is the most important so pay attention. Women want men, not little boys, if you don’t have enough balls to go up to her yourself, you might as well be wearing a dress So guys, give her the courtesy of a nice introduction and at least a thought that maybe you’re not a complete scumbag.
3. Don’t Piss Off Her Friends- The most influential people in a girl’s life might be her family, but when she’s out for the night, it’s her friends. So, when they come up to you and proceed to kill the conversation, work with them, not against them. If her friends don’t like you and they’re in her ear all night, consider your chance to smush squashed. To counter this, be polite and have a wingman. The wingman is a valuable asset to have at all times, not to mention you might get to hook your up buddy as well. On other occasions, he might be taking a grenade, but that’s what Kevlar is for, right?
2. Don’t Stalk Her- If a girl says, “I’ll be right back,” chances are she won’t. That’s the nice way of saying “leave me alone I don’t want to talk to you anymore.” Maybe you’ll get lucky and she actually does come back, but if my assumption is right, DON’T STALK HER. Following the poor girl around the bar and forcing her to get a restraining order is never the key to her heart. Not to mention the fact that if she’s with her guy friends, you might be in store for a beating. Sometimes persistence pays off, but tracking her like GPS never does.
1. I Love You- Never, under any circumstance, do you utter these words. This is reserved for your Mom, Grandma, and ok, if you’ve been dating for a while, I’ll let it slide. With that said, the idea of those words signify commitment and trust, two things you have clearly not developed with someone you met that night. Committing to and trusting a strange girl from the bar is a great way to wake up in a bath tub with ice, missing an organ. I even tried to come up with some strange scenario where dropping this line might fly, nothing. Movies are filmed in Hollywood, not Greenville, there are no happy romantic endings after a night out where you realize this person is your soul mate. I am personally guaranteeing that if you say these words you will not only go home alone, you may have also found yourself a problem.
The best advice the women I interviewed gave me was this, be yourself and figure out what works for you. Trying to be a tough guy in your button down and visor while weighing a buck forty probably won’t work and might get you hurt. Tailor your swag to your personality. Have no fear, rejection is a part of life. Like I’ve said before, if you mess up, remember you’re in Greenville, there’s always somebody else. To all my homies, I say happy hunting, to all the ladies, as always we drink to you. | GV
MAY RECIPES
BY TAYLOR WHITE
Lemon Meringue Pie
Ingredients:
9-inch frozen pie shell
Lemon Filling:
1-1/4 cups granulated sugar
6 tablespoons cornstarch
1/8 teaspoon salt
grated rind of 1 lemon
2 cups boiling water
4 tablespoons butter
3 egg yolks
1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
Meringue:
3 egg whites
pinch of salt
1 teaspoon lemon juice
6 tablespoons granulated sugar
Directions:
Bake pie shell according to package directions until pie crust is lightly brown. Remove baked pie shell from oven and cool on a rack. Raise oven temperature to 400 °. First prepare the lemon filling. Combine sugar, cornstarch, salt, grated lemon rind and water in heavy bottom saucepan. Cook, stirring constantly over medium heat until mixture comes to a boil. Once mixture begins to boil continue to stir for another minute. Remove from heat and add butter to sugar mixture, but do not stir. Separate egg whites from yolks and place in different bowls. Add lemon juice to egg yolks and whisk together using a wire whisk or fork. Pour this mixture into hot sugar mixture and blend thoroughly. Lemon filling is complete. Pour lemon filling into lightly browned pie shell and bake at 400° for 10 minutes. As soon as you place pie in oven it’s time to prepare the meringue. Add salt to bowl containing egg whites and beat until soft peaks form. Next add lemon juice, then gradually mix in sugar until meringue is stiff.Remove pie from oven and spoon meringue over the lemon pie filling after it has baked for 10 mins. For best results form a mound with the meringue in the center of the pie, then spread out evenly to the outer edges. Set oven temperature to 350°. Place pie back in oven and continue baking until meringue is lightly browned. Cool your lemon meringue pie on a rack at room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 3 hours before serving. Add these recipes to your Soul Food collection and you will be sure to please! Ya’ll enjoy and come check me out next month for more yummy recipes! <3 Tay
Southern Fried Chicken Recipe
Ingredients:
2-½-3lbs of broiler-fryer chicken cut, cleaned and dried
1 c all-purpose flour
1 tbsp salt
1 tsp black pepper
Vegetable oil
Directions:
Mix dry ingredients in brown paper or plastic bag. Drop 1 or 2 pieces of chicken into bag at a time, shake until meat is coated. Continue until all chicken is coated with your flour and seasoning mixture. Set chicken aside for cooking. Over high-heat, heat about 1-½” vegetable oil in a black cast iron skillet. Skillet is ready to cook when a drop of water added to grease pops. Add chicken to skillet in a single layer, don’t overcrowd. Unless you have a large skillet you’ll have to do to batches. Reduce heat to medium and cook uncovered until meat is browned on both sides. Throughout cooking turn meat using tongs to avoid burning. As a general rule, cook chicken for about 15 min. on each side and wings and legs takes the least amount of time to cook. Before serving allow chicken to drain on paper towels.
Fried Green Tomato Recipe
Serves 4 - 6
Ingredients:
1lb firm green tomatoes (about 4 tomatoes)
½ cup white cornmeal
¼ cup all purpose flour
2 tablespoons sesame seeds
¼ teaspoon onion salt
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
2 eggs, well beaten
2 tablespoons milk (at least 2% milk!)
Vegetable oil for frying
Directions:
Wash tomatoes and slice them into ¼” thick slices. In a baking dish, combine white cornmeal, flour, sesame seeds, onion salt, and black pepper. In a small mixing bowl, combine eggs, milk and whisk together well. Dip the tomato slices into the egg mixture coating both sides of the tomato with the cornmeal mixture. In a heavy skillet, heat about ¼” of vegetable oil over a medium heat. Fry tomato slices in a single layer, about 2 mins. per side, or until golden brown. Drain on paper towels, or a clean brown paper bag. Keep the tomato slices warm in a 300° oven while frying the rest of the green tomatoes.
THE JAM SPOTLIGHT
by Paula Ryland
DAVIDDIXON - You might remember David Dixon from past G-Vegas Magazine issues specifically the story on “Blues Night” which Dixon has been hosting at various venues for a little over five years now, and frequently at Chef’s 505. You might also remember him from his tour with the Embers (old school Rythm and Blues/Beach/Soul) band based out of Raleigh.
Recently Dixon announced some changes in his music career and the Greenville music scene.
On Jan. 5th he reunited a former band, the “David Dixon Trio” for a show at Live. “It was an awesome night of live music featuring Ken Forest (of 5th Generation) and John Ray (formerly my band mate in “Dystonic”, currently of the Embers). Also, the coolest part of the show at Live was that I made a point to feature as many musicians as I could from local Greenville bands. All in all there were seven special guests from a wide range of local groups. Although the gig was on a Wed night we packed the place …”. said David.
In other news he recently had a 3-song (all original) EP recorded by Barry Knox of Parmalee mastered, and announced via Facebook that he is no longer playing with the Embers: “After 3years & change I will be leaving the Embers in mid-May. Its been a great experience, I have made some great friends, seen a few new countries, met some awesome fans, & have been part of a very successful band that is rich in history.
He is happy to be sharing his music internationally since it was previously only available at live performances. “I have recently had my original music featured on iTunes, the 3-song original EP on iTunes should be up soon as well.” said David.
He went on to say “I have recently started posting on my YouTube page live performances titled, “Acoustic Sessions”. Each performance is one volume number (ex. Acoustic Sessions Vol. 2) and I have begun posting featured performances of other local musicians in addition to my performances. Most recently, I have featured Josh Warren (of Josh Warren and the Revelation) who is a notable up-and-coming Rock/Reggae Greenville musician, and Adam Sebti (formerly of Blount Harvey and Dystonic). My plan is to feature others and continue to put out good music to contribute to the growth of our music careers and the local scene.” {You Tube search David Dixon Acoustic Sessions}
David added “Also featured on YouTube is an original song I wrote about Scott Thomas (of Parmalee) and about the shootings in SC that hospitalized him. The song is simply entitled, “Scott’s Song”{by David Dixon}. That song has gotten the most hits of all the recent stuff I have put up and I would love the people that know Scott, or are Parmalee fans to be able to hear the song I wrote about him (I’ve been friends with those guys a long time)...” | GV
NORTH CAROLINA X-FACTOR AUDITIONS
by Paula Ryland
On April 30th at the Cary Towne Center mall nearly 500 NC singers and vocal groups competed for one of three audition passes for the May 26th round 1 auditions in Dallas, TX. Dave Rose, co-founder and co-owner of Deep South Entertainment, was selected as a local judge along with internationally acclaimed singer-songwriter Caitlin Cary and two other judges.
The X-Factor auditions began in Los Angeles, CA at the end of March and previously the closest to Eastern North Carolina were in Miami, FL and Newark, NJ. Other options included visiting a traveling recording booth, the closest set up for that was in Nashville, TN, but it did allow auditioners in Alaska and Hawaii a shot along with over 56,000 others that went the booth route.
About the experience Dave said: “North Carolina has a lot of amazing talent and this Fox 50 X-Factor contest really showcased that fact. I am honored to have been involved and to be introduced to some new talent in this area.”
With a $5M Syco /Sony Music recording deal on the line, if you would like to try out and missed the Raleigh opportunity (unfortunately it was limited to the FOX 50 viewing area) and were born before March 1999, you still have a chance in Dallas. Remember to be there at dawn a day early for registration, and let us at G-Vegas Magazine know how it goes. A second round of auditions is scheduled for May/June for those that survive the first round, are not under contract and able to get to the auditions.
According to AccessHollywood.com, “…acclaimed music mogul L.A. Reid was the first star to be confirmed as a judge for Simon’s new show. Other celebrities reportedly being considered are Jessica Simpson, Paula Abdul, George Michael, former Pussycat Dolls singer Nicole Scherzinger and Mariah Carey.” and possibly Fergie.
“Simon said he still plans to be brutally honest on his new U.S. version of the talent competition, and offered advice to his flocks of would-be contestants around the country.
‘If you’re hopeless, we’ll tell you. Otherwise these shows become boring or fake,’ [Simon] said, before adding, ‘Don’t turn up and do a typical talent show audition… Try to be original, try to stand out… Don’t be afraid to be different.’” AccessHollywood.com
Dave Rose added “I admire all 496 of the singers we heard that day. Some were great and some still need some work, but all of them took the initiative to at least try. Auditions like this can be a very nerve-racking process. Most of them arrived very early in the morning and endured a long process just to get the chance to sing. Their tenacity and bravery alone tells me that all of them will be just fine in life. Some will be singers, some won’t. But that level of dedication and motivation is something that will take them far, no matter what life path they choose. Fox 50 and X-Factor should be commended for giving the people in our area such an opportunity.”
Maybe next year auditions will be at a university near you, we can hope anyway. | GV
PEACE, LOVE & REGGAE
by Barefoot Wade
Ahhhh yes...summer is finally lurking in the midst. And after this brutally cold and depressing winter, it’s not a moment too soon. I’ve always looked at April as kind of a “Sneak Preview” as to what the summer will have in store. Providing that theory is correct, summer should be nothing short of epic because April was an intensely cool month. Oddly enough, I didn’t pull any April fool’s day jokes on anyone this year. Nor were any pulled on me. In years past, I was the jerk that put rubber snakes in the bathroom or mayonnaise in toothpaste (which is surprisingly complicated, getting it blue is the easy part). I took sort of a “Live and Let Live” attitude this year and it worked out alright. Perhaps karma rewarded me, because a few days later Matisyahu played a surprise show on campus. Tickets were very reasonably priced and the turnout was quite acceptable.
Just in case you’ve been living under a rock for the last few years. Matisyahu is a Reggae singer who is also a Hasidic Jew. That may sound a bit odd at first, but it makes sense when you think about it. After all, Reggae music is extremely spiritual. (I have played Bob Marley songs in my Moms church on more than a couple occasions). Matisyahu played a laidback but very entertaining acoustic show. He was even cool enough to have some microphones set up and did a Q & A part of his concert. Sadly though, very few people were cool enough to ask him anything worthwhile, occasionally the questions borderlined insulting. But to his credit, he put up with it all with grace and dignity. Now a few people had worthwhile and/or funny questions to ask him, and some people just asked for pictures (a little cheezy, but I won’t hold that against you). But the majority of the questions were as follows “I met you 2 years ago...do you remember me?”, or “Will you play the Hanukah Song? (You have him confused with Adam Sandler… wrong Jew)”. Someone even asked him if he would get some BBQ with them after the show. I’ll just quote the singers response “Well first of all I’m Jewish and we don’t eat pig, on top of that I’m also a Vegan”. The moral of this story is, if you are going to get such a rare and wonderful opportunity to ask someone of his caliber a question, make it good. I couldn’t think of anything good to ask him, so I didn’t take up the Microphone space....but I digress.
Shortly thereafter was the “A Day With Out Shoes”, or as I like to call it the “I’m Not Alone In This World” day. This was a day in which we were all encouraged to go barefoot to raise awareness for children in 3rd world countries who don’t have the opportunity to have shoes. To some this sounds ridiculous but think about how many pairs of shoes you have in your closet. Then think about a kid in some random country just wants one pair of shoes. As simple as it may be, a day of being barefoot will put a lot of perspective in your life. Honestly, anytime you are able to think outside the box, you will be rewarded with knowledge and a better understanding of life. If you limit your thinking, you also limit your growth. My only regret for that day is that I did not attend the one and only bar in Greenville that likes to kick me out for being barefoot. They are also the smallest bar in town which may prove my theory about thinking outside the box.
A couple weeks later I went up to Maryland for a 3 day party. No real occasion, we just wanted to have a good time. Since I only perform in those parts a couple times a year, it gave me a chance to hang with some people that I don’t get to see very often. I feel like I should write more about this event, but honestly it’s all a blur. After all, how much can one expect to remember after 3 days of drinking and debauchery? Not to mention I stayed an extra day.
I made it home from Maryland for a whole 17 hours before hopping back in my van and heading to Raleigh to go see Jimmy Buffett. I’ve been going to Buffett shows since before I could legally drive and every year, I still manage to have more fun than the last time. The group I went with this year were clearly seasoned veterans of the Buffett scene. We had a generator, so I set up my all my gear with a PA system and had our own concert in the parking the lot. We also had a enough food to feed a hundred, more alcohol then the 50 of us were able to drink, Corn hole, horse shoes and other various games, water guns, glow sticks, light sabers, funky hats and a few large canopies to top it all off. Think of it in the same likes when you reminisce about your all-time favorite ECU tailgating party experience. Fortunately no one in our group was arrested or got alcohol poising to the best of my knowledge.
The very next day was the April 20 throw down at Sup Doggs in which we all gathered to celebrate “Earth Day”. And what better way to celebrate it by getting a bunch of really relaxed and laidback people together combined with some good music and some yummy hot dogs. The beer was very reasonably priced as well. This year Josh Warren and the Revelation rocked the house along with former Green-villians, Cindercat. Both bands, although very different in style, received a warm reception by the crowd. I had a few gig offers for April 20th, but I decided I wanted to take the day off to party, and was glad I did.
The next day after that was the annual “Barefoot on the Mall”. I meant to make it, but it just didn’t happen. Now sure, I could B.S. you and tell you I went. I could even call up some friends and get some basic info about it to back up some bogus story...but that just isn’t my style. If I haven’t lived it, I can’t write about it. Plus I’m not one for making up stories. My real life is crazy enough without me having to resort to such measures. Not to mention that if someone catches me in a bogus story, it raises a question of doubt with all future stories. And I’m not willing to sacrifice the integrity of my real life experiences to fill a few lines in an article.
Sadly, my deadline for this article is a mere 4 days before the Jah-Vegas Reggae Festival. So I’m not able to report in this issue how awesome it was. However, I am anxiously waiting with anticipation for this event. And it makes me wonder what great things will be in store for May along with the summer of 2011. I’m mostly going to be at the beach this summer. But you can catch me in Greenville on May 26 at Pirates Den (the bar with 75 beers) along with May 28 at the new Upper Deck club on Greenville Blvd. Meanwhile, Peace Love and Reggae! | GV
99.5 the X
The Rock Report
BLANDO | It’s been said that trends tend to go in 20 year cycles. Well lucky for us, it’s time for the 90’s to make their big comeback and the bands that defined the decade are leading the charge!
The past year has seen reunions from the likes of Soundgarden, Rage Against the Machine, not to mention the Red Hot Chili Peppers coming back from an “indefinite heitus” just over a year ago to record a new album due out later this year. Blink-182 members have stayed busy with their own projects but now have hit the studio to record a new album. Even the Beastie Boys have a new album coming down the road...just a few of the many reunited 90’s acts out there.
But the true salute goes to 2 bands who have been in the forefront since the 90’s and are having quite possibly the biggest year of their careers. I’m referring to Pearl Jam and the Foo Fighters. Pearl Jam is celebrating a 20th anniversary this year with remastered versions of Vs. and Vitalogy, a feature length documentary, a new album in the works, and planning a rock festival. The Foo also has a new album out, a documentary, a 3D live performance video, and are doing a tour playing in fans GARAGES!
MICK | The 20-year circuitous path of sound is so true. But, some sounds transcend time and stay as strong and true as the day the first album came out. Take Metallica for instance. I remember when I first heard Metallica. Now, I knew of the band as a kid in the 80’s but, had never really heard them until the summer of 1991 through the speakers of my buddy’s VW Scirocco listening to the Black Album. It was then I had to know more. So, I dove into the back catalog to find And Justice For All, Master Of Puppets, and Kill ‘Em All. I was hooked. Barring an odd creative stint in the late 90’s Metallica’s sound is as true today as it was in the 80’s. Their impact on the world of rock music hasn’t gone unnoticed. Which is why Artistdirect.com recently asked some of rock’s biggest artists when they first discovered Metallica and what the band means to them. Check it out.
Slash said, “I first discovered Metallica when they came out with their first EP. Metallica has always been one of my favorite heavy metal bands. I think that they are one of the most versatile metal bands that came out in the ’80s. They are also one of the most creative. I think that James Hetfield is one of the greatest heavy metal guitarists to ever walk this earth.”
Jonathan Davis of Korn shared his first experience hearing Metallica, “I first heard them on either Master of Puppets or Ride the Lightning. I was at my buddy’s house, and this guy came over and said, ‘You’ve got to hear this @#$!’ I was 14 years old or something; I can’t even remember how old I was. This dude put Metallica on, and I was like, ‘Wow, what the hell is that?’ They’re one of my favorite bands. I look up to them. They’ve been doing it for so long. That’s truly the band I look up to – them and Ozzy Osbourne. We’ve also toured with Metallica a bunch; it’s #$%&*!@ awesome!”
So, do yourself a favor. Whether you’re a seasoned Metallica fan or a rocker who’s never really experienced the band, listen to the early albums from the 80’s and you, like the music, will transcend time. Hopefully, without the big hair and muscle shirts. Rock Horns And Pudding On Board! | GV
MMA AT TIER 1 FITNESS BRINGS THE PROS
by Edwin Modlin II
Pictured: James Jones Jr. displays some Muay Thai action in the ring in a professional fight.
With the new fascination behind Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), it’s no surprise that there are a few new gyms where people can train for these fights, as well as become professionally ranked.Though there are a handful of these new gyms and dojo’s in Greenville, such as Fearless Fighting and All-American Martial Arts Academy, one such place – Tier 1 Fitness – is the home of Death Grip MMA and the teams newest professionally ranked fighter, James “Blackie Chan” Jones Jr.Tier 1 Fitness has a ring-style venue where fighters can train in a professional area for fitness as well as to put on the gloves and spar.Ron Cooper, head coach of Death Grip MMA, is a former Army Special Forces soldier, and makes for sure his fighters check their pride and attitudes at the door.
“Everyone is a constant student of this sport and is in a constant state of becoming,” he said. “No one walks away from this knowing everything. They’re constantly learning and adapting.”
Brandon Johnson and Neal Woolard, owners of Tier 1 Fitness, just celebrated a successful first year in business and are happy to host Death Grip MMA.
“One of the main differences with MMA, as opposed to boxing, is that in boxing you know you’re going to take hits to the head and body,” Johnson said. “In MMA, you could take hits everywhere on the body, as well as be involved in wrestling, Tae Kwon Do, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and so forth.”
According to Johnson, the sport is more about absorbing as little damage as possible and inflicting as much as possible in the shortest amount of time, whether body kicks or submission moves, as well as blocking punches and leg sweeps.
MMA incorporates the best elements of all kinds of martial arts, as well as wrestling, and puts them in one arena of competition.
“If anyone specializes in only one form of martial arts, they’re going to see that they won’t last long in a match as someone else who has a little knowledge of everything,” Johnson said. “That person who knows a little bit about everything will have more of an advantage over the opponent who specializes in only one form of martial arts.”
Jones started training in 2009 and really enjoyed it and wanted to do it full time. He’s always trained in boxing, but when he joined Death Grip MMA, he began to train in Jiu Jitsu, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and Muay Thai, which includes more complicated movements, holds, grips, strikes and kicks. All of which are just as effective, if not more effective, than boxing and Tae Kwon Do.
“However,” Jones said, “in MMA you need to know all of them.”Jones met Cooper about two years ago and wanted Cooper to train him. He previously trained in Tae Kwon Do and boxing but he was looking for more.Cooper added he doesn’t let anyone go right into a match until they have trained with him for 12 consecutive weeks.“Basically, they’re just road kill for those first three months,” he said. “The reason being is because people see it on TV and think it’s cool and want to do it. I want them to train for 12 weeks to see if this is what they really want.”Roughly 90-percent of the people that go to Cooper quit before the first four weeks. Of that 90-percent, more than half of them quit within the first five days.“It’s tough,” he said. “They get here and train like we do, but then they realize it’s just not for them. And there’s nothing wrong with that. This is not for everyone.” Jones said that training is actually the hardest part because they train for hours at a time, go eat, then go back to the gym and train for a few more hours.
MMA was not always in Jones future. When he began training with Cooper, he was a student at East Carolina University. Since that time, he earned his bachelor degree in Management Business Information Systems in May 2010, all the while, achieving the rank of Professional MMA Fighter with Death Grip MMA.Jones had his first professional fight in Dec. 2010 in Wilmington.
Training five hours a day, five days a week, Jones said has prepared him. He thinks positive and sees himself competing on the next level and ultimately wants to fight in the UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship).
Training for Life
Both Johnson and Woolard incorporate CrossFit training – essentially, constantly varying functional movements at higher intensity – to their clients and MMA fighters in top shape. “It’s designed to move large loads and to be functionally strong,” Johnson said. “It’s about going the distance without tiring significantly.”CrossFit training incorporates many functional movements that people are already accustomed too, as people rarely encounter anything that involves a bench press. ““We concentrate on many functional movements that people will need to use that will benefit them in everyday life,” Johnson said.
Some of the exercises involve moving tires, kettlebells, running, jumping, Olympic lifting, overhead jerks and many more functional movements.
“It’s training that won’t make you skinny and weak, but will make you strong and healthy,” he said. “We have lots of women in here that are tiny, but can lift two and three times their bodyweight over their heads.” Johnson said one of his clients is a prison guard who attributed CrossFit to saving his life when a door shut and he was locked in a room with an inmate who was acting out. “Men are more afraid of failure than they are of death. And we can push people to a level they never thought they could achieve,” Johnson said. “And Death Grip MMA can compete in an environment that is very well controlled and focused.”
DIAMONDS BLING
IN THE E.N.C. SPRING
by Tian “Geekboi” Reid
Spring equals baseball in Eastern North Carolina. Sunflower seeds liter fields and baseball diamonds gleam from Recreation Parks to Grainger Stadium.
America’s game is definitely one of Eastern Carolina’s favorite pastimes. Our teams dominate on all levels. We are home to champions on all levels of the game from Little League to Softball. We play hard but cheer harder.
Baseball has been a part of Kinston for the last 100 years. The Kinston Indians have enjoyed an affiliation with the major league Cleveland Indians for more than 25 years. However, this will be the last season the Indians will call Kinston home.
Chris Hemeyer, Director of Broadcasting and Public Relations hopes, “Everybody comes out not only to say goodbye, but to show other franchises the passion for baseball in our community.”
The best thing about being located in Eastern North Carolina, according to Hemeyer, was the fact that “people love and support baseball.”
He added, “Fans come from all over; most from outside of Lenoir county.”
There are 70 home games between now and Friday, August 2nd, the final regular season home game.
The K-Tribe will be celebrating their 25 years with the Cleveland Indians and will have giveaways centered around players like Jim Thome, CC Sabathia, Manny Ramirez, and former DH Conley Star Alex White.
The Kinston Indians have won 5 championships, their last coming in 2006. The ultimate finish to this season would include games played well into September culminating in a 6th championship.
When asked what legacy the Kinston Indians would like to leave in Eastern North Carolina, Hemeyer responded, “A legacy of winning, of being a good citizen in the community, and of a fantastic relationship with the fans.”
This may be the last season of Indians baseball in Kinston, but baseball will live on in Eastern North Carolina. Diamonds will always bling in the ENC spring! | GV
ENVIORMENTAL ARTIST
JUSTIN M. CAMPBELL
by Paula Ryland
Born in Chambery, a city in the French Alps, French-American sculptor Justin M. Campbell is the son of American father Brian and French mother Katia Campbell, and has been in Greenville since 2003. He grew up on the North Carolina coast developing an intimate connection with the subtropical wildlife in and out of the water. He still continues to hike some of the swampier areas around Eastern North Carolina spending time in nature and gaining inspiration. From an early age Justin began drawing, painting and sculpting.
According to justinMcampbell.com: “He worked on his own, imitating masters, and reinforcing craftsmanship and technical skills, whether in his father’s workshop, or in restoration sites overseas…He works on commissions conveying his emotional connection to the misunderstood creatures he grew up respecting.”
A deeper vision and experience than the surface he frequently leaves some skeletal structure showing in his works. Justin enhances his creations by doing background research and learning about habitat, habits and distinction of his subjects. He is also inspired by human form and has created large scale wall paintings, sculptural pieces, and more traditional drawings and paintings based on his inspirations. You may have seen some of his work displayed at UBE / Uptown Arts or his creatively painted white van with the image of a girl with flowing hair around town.
Lionfish, is one example that came out of an eight month long land/sea adventure through Southeast Asia and the South Pacific, is currently on display at The Bento Box in Wilmington, NC. Justin hopes his sculptures will draw attention to the plight of the planet as well as bring joy to those that view them. He wants to preserve more than the memory of his subjects, but to help ensure their continued existence. As Justin explains “...my work is a direct interpretation of the underlying ways in which progress has had a negative affects on our environment and the human condition.”
Preparing to embark on a 2 month explorative journey to exhibit, experiment and find more inspiration; Justin’s studio at ECU, were he forged his metal works in Iron, bronze and aluminum, will be vacated and some of his works stored, while others will be traveling with him. We wish him luck and good fortune on his journey and look forward to another opportunity to view and learn more about his works. In the mean time you can view some of his work at www.justinMcampbell.com. | GV
WATER FOR ELEPHANTS
by Sara Gruen|Novel
REVIEW by LORI FAVRE MOCKINGBIRD BOOKS
Water For Elephants is the fascinating tale of Jacob Jankowski. Opening with a tragedy, it moves back and forth through time as 90 year old Jacob recounts his life with a traveling circus, The Benzini Brothers Most Spectacular Show On Earth, in the 1930’s, as he struggles to maneuver the indignities of old age in a nursing home. But Jacob holds a secret that quietly reveals itself throughout his tale. Gruen has a poignancy and skill that makes you fall in love with Jacob and either love or hate the wonderful, unique characters that weave in and
out of his life. Ringmasters and sideshow acts, acrobats and lion tamers become his world, when he joins the circus after his parent’s car accident. A Veterinary student, he takes on the care of the many animals in the circus. Uncle Al’s abject cruelty is felt deeply, Gruen makes you want to physically look away when describing his terrible deeds. Her words are revealing and prolific. Water For Elephants is a little on the strange and whimsical side, but that’s what makes it so unpredictable and readable. Some scenes and events could be told with a little more detail, instead of rushing through them, but mostly it’s told with great descriptive flair. The glimpse into Depression era circus life comes alive. Gruen did her research well and in depth, studying the body language and behavior of elephants at the Kansas City Zoo with a former handler. It worked, because she describes beautifully what the elephants must be feeling. But as much as this is a story about a circus, Jacob’s world inside the nursing home is a major part of what brings the whole book together. Gruen then leaves the final pages for a fantastic revelation. All in all, Water For Elephants is a great book. I haven’t seen the accompanying movie yet, but I hope it lives up to the words on the page, so often they don’t. This is a must read for anyone who enjoys great writing and quirky, romantic tales. I did.
Your browser may not support display of this image. Your browser may not support display of this image. Your browser may not support display of this image. Your browser may not support display of this image. Four out of five books. | GV
WATER FOR ELEPHANTS
“Life is the most spectacular show on earth.”
MOVIE REVIEW by G-VEGAS MAGAZINE
Directed by Francis Lawrence. Starring Reese Witherspoon, Robert Pattinson, Christoph Waltz. Based on the acclaimed bestseller, “ Water for Elephants” presents an unexpected romance in a uniquely compelling setting.
Movie Summary : A veterinary student Jacob Jankowski, abandons his studies after his parents are killed and joins a traveling circus as their vet.
When Jacob Jankowski, recently orphaned and suddenly adrift, jumps onto a passing train, he enters a world of freaks, drifters, and misfits, a second-rate circus struggling to survive during the Great Depression, making one-night stands in town after endless town. A veterinary student who almost earned his degree, Jacob is put in charge of caring for the circus menagerie. It is there that he meets Marlena, the beautiful young star of the equestrian act, who is married to August, the charismatic but twisted animal trainer. He also meets Rosie, an elephant who seems untrainable until he discovers a way to reach her. Water for Elephants is illuminated by a wonderful sense of time and place. It tells a story of a love between two people that overcomes incredible odds in a world in which even love is a luxury that few can afford.
Movie REVIEW: The intricate and deeply involved plot of the best-selling Sara Gruen novel Water for Elephants is translated with elegance and grace onto the big screen.
It would have been easy to skip over the great detail that has made the novel so beloved, but filmmakers don’t hold back and the result is a beautiful love story with a interesting sub-plot of looking beyond the surface to see a less-than-desirable reality.| GV
BACK TO TOP
DEAR UNCLE TREY POUND:
How long into a relationship should I wait before having sex without a condom? I’ve been seeing a guy for two months now, we’re exclusive and he wants to stop using a condom because “it doesn’t feel as good.” I’m on the pill, so at this stage in our relationship, sex without a condom isn’t a deal-breaker. My friends say I should wait another month or two, but I’m not sure. What do you think, Uncle Trey Pound?
Signed, With or Without
Dear With: I’m with your friends on this one. While your relationship may be an exclusive one, give it some time for any past indiscretions to fade. While pregnancy may not be a concern for you right now (it should be--the pill isn’t 100%), there are some STDs that have an incubation period of up to six months. During that incubation period, an infected person can unknowingly pass along an STD to an unprotected partner. For that reason alone, wait a while before going bare.
Dear Uncle Trey Pound:
As far as problems go, this is a mild one. I’ve got a really good friend that I’ve known for about a year or so. We get along great, have good conversation, and that’s kind of where the problem comes in. There are times when she simply won’t. shut. up. It’s almost as if she has a compulsion to fill every second of silence with the sound of her own voice. It’s to the point that I find myself avoiding contact with her. She’s started asking if I’m upset at her for some reason, so I know she’s noticing the distance between us. How can I save the friendship while preserving my own sanity?
Signed, Friendship On Mute
Dear Mute: The easy answer is to drop subtle hints before she starts running off at the mouth. When you’re together, just mention how much you enjoy the “peace and calm” of a beautiful day. You could also try telling her that one of the things you love the most about her is her great ability to listen. That ought to shut her up, if only for a few minutes. If that doesn’t work, you’re going to have to take a more direct tact. Sit her down and tell her that constant conversation isn’t necessary between you because you “understand each other” so well. Good luck!
Got a question for Uncle Trey Pound? He's no therapist, but he's been to plenty. To benefit from their expertise, send your question to Trey Pound at trey@gvegasmagazine.com. Or check out his blog Trey Pound: Uncensored. It's all the news that ain't fit for print. It can be found at TreyPoundUncensored.blogspot.com
