NEWS
THE BATTALION
tion
nued from page 1
t about every state out
(cept for a couple, is deal-
i significant budgets short-
aid Julie Bell, the educa-
agram director with the
d Conference of State
ors. “And almost every
looking at higher educa-
ler through a budget cut or
i increase.”
ourse, the specific finan-
ture for education varies
ate to state. Overall, the
Board found that students
ic four-year colleges this
d an average of $9,663 for
fees, room and board,
many students, staying
a attend more-affordable
nity colleges is the alter-
> covering tuition increas-
student loans.
Ilarification
e Feb. 11 page 1 article
"scrap fire may be
ed in senate proposal,"
Barringer and Ryan
trick are co-chairs for
Bonfire Coalition
ittee.
Battalion regrets that 3
D column appearing on
>B titled "The future of
contained unattrib-
information obtained
y from another
ation.
pride in their organiza-
aem that many Aggies
litary around the world
g the same pride that he
t the company. The Ross
ider did not discuss the
tyne said.
teers, one of the Corps'
; the honor guard for the
ets are members of the
performs the 21-gun-
is and Muster.
ne, you may qualify
estigational topical
age and older;
ravel.
iagnostic tests, and
participants at no
ireh iiic,
1417
36 toll fro*
LLION
Hhief
Irow, Sports Editor
<son, Sci/Tech Editor
s, Photo Editor
sLuna, Graphics Editor
vn, Radio Producer
aster
nday through Friday during tlis
during the summer session
University. Periodicals Postage
ress changes to The Battalion,
3-1111.
nts at Texas A&M University in
ournalism. News offices are in
313; Fax: 845-2647; E-ioail:
rorship or endorsement by The
ig, call 845-2696. For classi-
L5 Reed McDonald, and office
-2678.
ach Texas A&M student to pick
:opies 254. Mail subscriptions
517.50 for the summer or$lO
:an Express, call 845-2611-
Aggielife
The Battalion Page 3 • Wednesday, February 12, 2003
On the road again
Former Toadies vocalist brings his new band,
The Burden Brothers, to College Station
PHOTO COURTESY OF LAST BEAT RECORDS
The Burden Brothers, featuring former Reverend Horton Heat drummer Taz Bentley (left) and former
Toadies vocalist Vaden Lewis, will perform tonight at Concept on University Drive. Doors open at 8 p.m.
By Kendra Kingsley
THE BATTALION
When the popular rock group Toadies first dis
banded, Todd Lewis had a lot of time on his hands.
“I had to keep my brain active,” said Lewis, the
Toadies'former lead vocalist. “I helped photogra
phers set up props, and I worked with my brother-
in-law, who was starting up a power tool business
because I had to keep myself busy.”
These days, Lewis is still constantly on his feet,
but it’s not because he’s working a typical nine-to-
five job.
Along with Taz Bentley, a current member of
thelzzy Stradlin Band and the former drummer of
both Reverend Horton Heat and Tenderloin, Lewis
created The Burden Brothers, an eclectic rock
band that will perform tonight at Concept in
College Station.
Lewis, who has adopted his legal first name,
Vaden, said he and Bentley create a unique
sound together.
“(Taz) is a little more pop-oriented than I am ”
Lewis said. “I write things that are weird and edgy,
and he writes things that are easier to listen to. It’s
a cool mix.”
Lewis, a Dallas native, said he met Bentley
through the Dallas music scene but never per-
fomed with him during the Toadies' lifespan.
“After the Toadies broke up, I thought, ‘screw
it,’” he said. “That only lasted about a month.
Then, just on a lark, (Taz and I) met up, got togeth
er in the studio, wrote some stuff and headed to
Chicago to record.”
From that partnership, Lewis said. The Burden
Brothers evolved and is thriving under Dallas-
based Last Beat Records, an independent recording
label. Lewis said he and Bentley chose to pursue
an independent label rather than a larger-scale label
loescape certain management issues.
“We wanted to attack (our music) on a major
label scale without a major label,” Lewis said.
“Without the pressure of a big label, we don’t feel
as constricted with our time, but there’s really a lot
more work involved than there was witli the
loadies. There’s a lot of paperwork and phone
calls, but it’s very gratifying.”
In addition to handling The Burden Brothers’
internal issues, Lewis said he and Bentley find
ways to create the band’s unique style.
“Taz and 1 have similar ideas about what we
want to do with the band, but we’re still figuring
out a lot of it,” he said. “At first, we were just
going to do it on the Internet and through live
shows, but we didn’t want it to stay contained; the
Internet is too limited. We’re trying to make our
music more mainstream without losing our style.”
When performing live shows, Lewis said, he and
Bentley employ the talents of Casey Orr (former
bassist/vocalist for Rigor Mortis), Mike Rudnicki
(guitarist/backing vocals for Baboon), Mark Hughs
(bassist for Baboon) and Josh Daughtery (guitarist
for Pinkston). Lewis said the band is able to create
a more diverse sound by employing these guest
musicians for different songs.
“We wanted to go every direction we could
(with our music), so we call on a bunch of differ
ent musicians,” he said. “We have a lot of fun
together, and I think that combination makes for a
good live show.”
Chris Bowlin, a junior mechanical engineering
major, who saw The Burden Brothers perform in
San Marcos, said he couldn’t agree more.
“(The Burden Brothers) are the best live
show there is,” he said. “(Vaden) has been my
favorite frontman of any band because he has
the coolest voice. He really gets into the crowd
and has a good time.”
Bowlin said he is a fan of The Burden Brothers’
distinct sound and will be at Concept for the
band’s live show Wednesday.
“All of (The Burden Brothers’) songs sound
different,” he said. “They have several songs that
I’d love to hear on the radio, and they sound
great in concert.”
Mary Elzner, a sophomore biology major, said
she attended The Burden Brothers’ concert in
Houston last summer and has been planning to
attend Wednesday night’s concert since the begin
ning of the semester.
“I’ve had a flyer on my dorm room door since
January,” she said. “(The Burden Brothers) is sort
of an underground band, so that’s why so many
people haven’t heard of them. I’ve been telling
everyone about (the band), and I’ve already recruit
ed six people to go with me.”
Justin Wolfshohl, a sophomore microbiology
major, has been a fan of Lewis since he could pur
chase an album.
“When I was in seventh grade, the Toadies CD
was the first CD I ever bought,” he said. “(Lewis)
is definitely my favorite performer of all time, and
his shows are killer.”
Wolfshohl said Toadies fans may expect similar
music from Lewis, but The Burden Brothers’ has a
distinct style and sound.
“People will probably go to the show on
(Lewis’) name alone, but when they get there
they’ll realize it’s a quality show,” he said.
“(Lewis’) vocals say it all, and Taz can tear up
the drums like nobody’s business. It’s a show
for everyone, and I don’t think anyone will be
disappointed.”
For now, performing concerts and writing
new music are plenty to keep The Burden
Brothers occupied.
“We have enough to keep us busy and happy,”
Lewis said. “We want to be on the radio, we want
to be on Conon O’Brien, we want to do all those
things that mean you’re successful, but there’s no
formula. Who else gets to make a living at having
fun and making people happy. It’s a blast.”
The Burden Brothers will perform at Concept
tonight. Tickets can be purchased at Journeys or at
the door for $10. Doors open at 8 p.m.
m \sms\V (Chimney Hill Me Center)
WED.
. 12
These GREAT Drink Specials
Wed. thru Sat.
ms m n mu
SI EAR GRINDS
$1 BAR DMNfS
■
SI CALL GRINDS
$2 (AH lUStS
AS UDIES UNDER
SI LGNGNECDS
$2 LCNGNECKS
(M1 21
SI GRAFT DINTS
$2 HAM BINTS
4# Slum 11
TILL 11 D~M.
11 BmM. TIL CLOSE
PCCL I I CU
I < HIM I S
it <<ir
WIDE SCREEN
TVS
STEEL DACE
ECC/H
I Icve
"LIVE" 1.1.
Playing all ve in
favorite lilts...