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QUIDICHISM -
February 2002 I'd like to begin this month's newsletter by addressing the driver and passengers of a certain white mini van: I've recently been reading a lot about Jungian psychology. Archetypes, complexes, all that good stuff. One particularly fascinating topic is the power complex. You see, some men develop a strong power complex that will create a persona, or mask, that appears excessively strong and powerful. However, according to Jung, anyone with such a persona certainly has a weak, vulnerable anima, or inner-self. The victim of a power complex is often a sad, pathetic man. Such men are prone to professions that will grant them undeserved control over other people. Such men often become Madison police officers. Such men often harass high school students and give drivers of white mini-vans tickets. Such men aren't men at all, rather sorry, sexually deprived, hyper-aggressive, slightly retarded social rejects. On an unrelated note, is it unusual for temperatures to reach 60 degrees in January? While I personally think the mild weather is simply the result of naturally repeating patterns, I think now is an appropriate time to address the "global warming" chanting greens and plug nuclear power. Why is it that so-called greens chose to attack the only efficient form of pollution-free power production? For those of you in the dark, there are only two things in this universe. Empty space and energy: the "matter" that you learn about in 7th grade science classes is merely energy condensed into slow moving vibrations. Nuclear power is the only way of tapping into that condensed energy by actually converting tiny amounts of matter into usable energy. Using coal, gas or oil, it takes tons of both fuel and pollution to produce the same amount of energy that take only pounds of uranium. Granted, radioactive waste is not pleasant, but it also is not some glowing green substance that murders babies in the dark as some uneducated nuclear opponents cry. I look forward to the day when we can find a way to actually fission liposuctioned human fat, but in the meantime, nuclear power is the way to go. And the only thing holding this country back from embracing pollution-free power is public ignorance. Hope you like coughing. Seeing that this is the Quid newsletter, I feel obligated to actually mention the band. January was another busy month for us, and we now have three songs completely recorded and available for download on our new MP3.Com site, located at http://www.mp3.com/quidband. Help support us by listening to or downloading our songs. Every time we get a hit, we slowly climb the MP3.Com Progressive Metal charts. Recently, we haven't been recording, but writing. "Dead Center" is coming along nicely. John wrote some insanely progressive parts, which include a repeating four-bar phrase switching from 7/8 to 9/8 to 7/8 then to 11/8. Nuts. Try and mosh to that. In last month's newsletter I presented my review of music in 2001. Now it's Brian's turn: "Hey kids, it's time for an update, brought to you by Brian, on the more recent (and better) releases in the world of metal: Spiral Architect - A Skeptic's Universe Spock's Beard - V Soilwork - A Predator's Portrait Brian wasn't the only one with some differing opinions on music in 2001. After reading my take on Limp Bizkit, Andrew ([email protected]) writes: "Limp Bizkit sucks, that was cool. How about some anti-Creed sentiment? I mean, they ripped off Pearl Jam, who ripped off Nirvana, who ripped off Mudhoney, who quasi-ripped off the Melvins, who are the shit. I hate Creed. Mark Tremonti sucks." Wow, I almost feel bad running that, considering Mark Tremonti's mother died just this week. Almost. While we're on the subject of bands, Dream Theater, perhaps Quid's biggest influence, just released a new double-CD this week. If you consider yourself a Progressive Metal fan (and who doesn't?) you must buy this. Here's what John has to say about it: "As Roadkill has just so sardonically informed you, Dream Theater's 'Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence' is a must-own, transcending rock and progressive music and delivering an inspiring, introspective, and of course heavy, musical experience. 6DOIT (the album name, you idiot) has 2 CDs containing 5 tracks on the first CD and one continuous masterpiece on the second, examining the well-worn concept of mental illness. Let's have a short look at these tracks: 1)"The Glass Prison"--drummer/lyricist Mike Portnoy explores the familiar concept of a self-created mental prison, which is in reality only "glass," dominating your life. Here's a sample from the lyrics: 2)"Blind Faith"--singer James LaBrie advocates rejection: not of God, but of dogma. Labrie criticizes unquestioning servitude to human and ideological godheads: 3)"Misunderstood"--John Petrucci reacts against the pressure for individualism: 4)"The Great Debate"--perhaps Dream Theater's first openly socio-political song, TGD brings up the controversial issue of stem cell research, with samples aplenty of CNN and talk show discussion, panned left and right with liberal and conservative opinions, respectively. While dealing with a sensitive topic, the lyrics remain extremely objective and present both sides of the argument (almost) equally: 5)"Disappear"--Labrie, singing at his best, mourns an expired loved one, not in traditional "You're dead, I'm sad, maybe we'll meet again" fashion, but instead: BUY THIS before you buy ANYTHING on Brian's list. I give it three hairy thumbs up! (Guess I should've stayed away from that nuclear reactor...)" Thank you, John. SARDONICALLY (sar-don-ik-lee): in a scornful or cynically mocking manner. And I told you not to call me Roadkill in front of the kids. Well that covers the current music both in and out of Quid, but what newsletter would be complete without the latest conspiracy theory? This one comes from our co-conspirator in retarded newsletters, Rabid Ghost Chicken Online (http://www.angelfire.com/super2/rgco/home.htm): "Did you ever notice that the letter 'E' is used incredibly often within the English language? In one sentence (the last one), it was used 12 times. Amazing! The letter 'E' is a very frequently used letter, but why? The answer has been found. It has been discovered the letter 'E' is not an authentic part of our language. After tracing it back years from now, there is a point at which the letter never existed, and for a reason. The reason is this: evil space aliens from the planet Gmeulion created the letter in hopes of using it to slowly take over our innocent planet. As one can easily see, the letter is already practically everywhere. If we were to leave it get out of hand, soon our world would be swallowed by the over-usage of the letter. The Gmeulians would then rule our planet with a harsh, iron fist with the bold E as their proud emblem of rule. And so I end this informative message with some advice. Use the letter sparingly, or the unexpected may happen, and there will be no way back." Couldn't have said it better myself. Thanks for reading. I await your disgruntled emails. Send them in to me [Scott] at [email protected]. Until next month [in random number generated order], Brian |
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