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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 12, 1998)
he Bait e Battalion Aggielife Page 3 • Thursday, November 12, 1998 outhern booking Mllet rocks B-CS with hristian music tonight m Ptigel researchers, fa California-1 ny, are workin 11-year old Be; ffort will takep A College of Ve ,vith the assist ) 12 people, icity Project s areas of cat ivhich could of contracef: i. rid creativity ther are perti: canine clonir: loning project exciting fc . “Imaginatictfe we really neftiB-|H|he lights are dim, the music is pumping, the crowd is ms ofhowi:J|| dancing and in their hands are frying pans. It may oing to beapi||X sound a little weird, but to panheads, fans bringing skil- ulture buU i e ts and frying pans is normal at a Skillet show, an health." P Memphis-based modern rock band will be making a Istop in Bryan tonight on their Hey You, I Love Your Soul tour 1 it The Lighthouse. I Bill Batchelor, owner of The Lighthouse, said Skillet ex emplifies Christian music of the ’90s and the type of music ||he Lighthouse will play. I “Christian music is very diverse and covers everything ■•om pop, rock, ska, folk and gospel,” he said. “Christian mu sic is not Amy Grant. It has grown a lot from that. BY MARIUM MOHIUDDIN The Battalion The Lighthouse offers club goers smoke-free, alcohol-free atmosphere T i Page 1 /iduals shouli make a differ' only one per I in yourowr.|| “The bands playing tonight, Skillet and Skypark, are rock a global socitland punk. It is just that the lyrics are different. The songs are iw, there isa *ositive, and they are not about sex, drugs and adultery. Je- :h one of us- sus is not mentioned in all the songs.” s creations. | Skillet has been highly acclaimed by critics in both the tendency!C:®hristian and mainstream markets, and their single, its in allobjiLocked in a Cage,” is getting heavy airplay on mainstream iness, ignor: rock radio stations. 1 Billboard Magazine said Skillet is the newest Christian act of slavery iiito cross over into the secular world. dng,” Pietisill “With many reviewers comparing the band to Nine Inch ory representl^j a ils and Stabbing Westward, many are picking this group ts descendai j to be the next big cross over,” reports the magazine. “This nust workttj power trio rocks hard, with deep roots in electronica and in- iety willcoitj dustrial music, but they also know how to bait an irresistible ennium. rock hook.” jortunity cJ Aside from their diverse sound, Skillet is also known for all enjoy lit its relationship with its audience and its fans, who are known a 'd- j as “panheads.” 11 Ken Steorts, guitarist for Skillet, said, in a press release, | there are different levels of the audience. I “There are levels in ‘Skillethood,’” he said. “Those who I |r| Bon’t know who’s who, those who become ‘Skilletfanz’ through hearing our music and then ‘Panheads,’ those who . come to three or four sbipws traveling up to ten hours, bripg- ton Qpin?tit skillets, banners, writing on their cars and so forth. SportsEdittt f "Of course, we love them all, but we have a special place rsity r, Managing Wf es, City Editor ey, Radio Prodi r, Night NewsE® <vn, Web editor in our hearts for ‘Panheads.’” Robert McKay, Ml othy Kang, Robert ctor Van Scoit, lanisha ParekM») any Grant, Jody Bill! Flores & Terry ith Patton, Jody Rae ibert Strickland & nt Publications, a MUf! 1 13; Fax: 845-264?; l'> al.and national dispiti'' iceliouisare8a.tl'S? < attalion.FiTstaipyfe^ summer. ./londaythrougliRirt'- at College Station, ation,IX 77843-1111 PHOTO COURTESY OF ARDENT MUSIC Skillet is(from left to right) Ken Steorts, guitarist, John Cooper, bassist and lead vocalist, and Trey McClurkin, drummer. The band will play with Skypark tonight at The Lighthouse at 7:30. The band is composed of vastly different backgrounds. John Cooper, Skillet’s bassist and lead vocalist, grew up play ing the piano, studying the trombone and taking voice lessons. Steorts played the trumpet and got a master’s degree in modern music composition. Trey McClurkin, Skillet’s drummer, got his start playing on Tupperware. Bill Ellis, a writer for The Commercial Appeal magazine, said in a press release that Skillet is the best sound to emerge from Memphis in years “Where lots of Christian acts appeal to youth by trying to play whatever is fashionable, Skillet rocks hard,” he said. “I’m sure because they find music as cathartic and powerful as prayer. The band’s gutsy spirituality deserves an audience beyond the converted.” Opening for Skillet is Skypark, another Christian-rock band also known for its popularity in making the cross over to the secular charts. Joey Aszterbaum, lead singer for Skypark, said in a press release the band relates to people because they sing about common feelings “The album is about relationships and insecurity,” he said. “This is not a Christian thing or a non-Christian thing. It’s a human thing. “ It isn’t just complaining and moaning about problems but it’s an open and honest dialogue between people who are hurting and God, which is what history consists of.” The Skillet/Skypark show begins at 7:30 p.m. at The Light house. Tickets are $8 in advance at Brazos Valley Christian Books and Gifts and $10 at the door. For more information call 260-7119. BY MARIUM MOHIUDDIN The Battalion I he typical college club scene brings to mind alcohol, smoking and loud music. A club without the cigarettes and alcohol may not seem possible. However, The Lighthouse, which is in the Westgate Shopping Center, is setting out to open Aggies’ eyes to a new form of fun. Bill Batchelor, owner of The Light house, said the idea for the club emerged form the College Station mayoral race. “When I was running for mayor in the spring, we had a debate in February at KEOS (89.1), a community radio station,” he said. “I asked them (KEOS) if I could do a Christian rock show. They were kind of hesitant because they were worried about me preaching. I assured them I would not be preaching, but it would be Christian rock so the subject of Jesus would come up.” In April, Batchelor began the show, and four weeks ago, he decided to go beyond the radio show and create a nightclub. He began by looking into different places and found Gary Seaback, who had a vacant but fully-equipped club. Batchelor said he was lucky to find the club because he did not have to worry about getting the equipment. “It was all ready to go, and it saved me a lot of money and work,” he said. “We have a three-month lease, which ends on Jan. 31, with the option for renewal. I am leaving the back door open just in case be cause I am not sure if it will work.” The Lighthouse opened on Oct. 21 with a moderate turnout. “On opening night, we had 300 people come in and that was without any adver tising,” he said. “However, on the other nights, there has not been that big of a turn out. So, we are bringing in live music, be cause I know that is what people like. ” Batchelor said there is an audience for this type of club and not all students are interested in the same thing. “You are assuming that among the 43,000 students, all of them are interested in drinking and smoking,” he said. “I’m sure there are people who don’t want to be surrounded by drinking and smoking. “Every Tuesday at the Central Baptist Church we have Breakaway and there are about 2,500 students who attend ... Con servatism is here. There are students who shy away from alcohol and smoking.” Batchelor said one has to look no fur ther than Sweet Eugene’s Java House, which has enjoyed great success. “They [Sweet Eugene’s] do not serve al cohol, they do not allow smoking and it is always packed,” he said. “However, we are presenting a club atmosphere. We have a dance floor, billiard tables and lights. “Some of the students asked if they could bring a couch, but it is not the at mosphere that I am trying to present. 1 hope I never put a couch in here. It is not set up that way.” - The music is exclusively Christian mu sic, but Batchelor said The Lighthouse is open to everybody. Jamie Pearson, manager of The Light house and a youth pastor of Fellowship Freewill Baptist Church, said the club is meeting a need of the students. “I went to a Bible college, but I also went to nightclubs,” he said. “I know what it is like, and we want to offer some thing that is not being offered. I really think it will take off, and I am really ex cited because we need a place like this. “I know many who go to The Texas Hall of Fame, because they want to dance, but they do not like the environment. It is our responsibility to offer something they want. “This club is for those who like to dance but don’t like alcohol and,.do not want to have to deal with the temptations.” Batchelor said they are trying to create a relaxed atmosphere. “It is mainly an atmosphere to come, re lax, dance, play games and have fun,” he said. “It is a party atmosphere. It is not a quiet place because it is a club. It is anoth er way to have fun without the sexual pres sure and people trying to pick you up.” The Lighthouse is open Tuesday through Saturday from 8 p.m. until 1 a.m. >ns Board V 7, 1999. :, R at the Daper, and 303 0-4 (Editing -ancia Cagle aid Building, jv. 18,1998. -ions Board *8, in room 2a Wm tmst *« I I''M L iBp J' a \h >1 w Enroll in the “-f! San Jacinto College Mini December 2T, 1 998 - January 8 / ? 999 Spend the holiday with us and get college credit! Complete three hours of college work in three weeks/ December 21 - January 8. Computer Information Systems Economics English Geography Government History Legal Assistant Mathematics Physical Education Psychology Sociology Speech Call today for information! San Jacinto College Central San Jacinto College North San Jacinto College South 8060 Spencer Hwy., Pasadena, IX 5800 Uvalde Rd., Houston 1 3735 Beamer Rd., Houston 281-476-1816 281-459-7129 281-922-3432 Surprising San Jac. Gateway to the Real World EVERYDAY SPECIAL 1 Large 1 Topping Pizza $ 7.99 or *6.99 (after 1 0 p.m.) Daily Lunch Specials Better Ingrediejnts. Better Pizza. Serving Texas A&M Campus 846-3600 Pizza By The Slice 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. Weekdays Now Accepting Aggie Bucks Off Campus Call College Station Bryan 1100 Harvey Rd. 3414 East 29th St. 764-7272 268-7272 Now on The Battalion’s web page A 24-hour, multimedia news service for the Internet from The Associated Press • A comprehensive, up-to-the-minute news report combining the latest AP stories with photos, graphics, sound and video. • Headlines and bulletins delive[ed as soon as news breaks. http://bat-web.tamtt.edu The Northgate Safety Awareness Committee Present Northgate Safety Awareness Forum Voice your concerns and opinions on the incidents occurring in the Northgate area. YOU WILL BE HEARD! Find out what is going on and what changes are being made. Open to all. Tuesday, November 17, 1998 MSC Flagroom 7 p.m. Persons with disabilities call 845-1515 to inform us of your special needs. We request notification three (3) working days prior to the event to enable us to assist you to the best of our abilities.
