The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current, February 12, 2003, Image 3
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...