What?

Sometimes, i like things just like this...

Kissing Tigers/ Devon Williams

Isla Vista's BIKO Co-op had much to discuss about this last Friday night, November 14th. In the mix was a celebration of the two IV Rec. and Park board elected student officials Liz Budah and Josh Cataldo, along with an audible set of music brought to BIKO by SBDIY, which included UCSB alumni Kissing Tigers, and Beirut's touring opening band of Devon Williams. With the night of indie rock beginning roughly around 9:30, clusters of people and animals including a group of chickens in the back yard coop, prepared for a long night, with loud live music in the garage, and a live DJ in the house. Devon Williams loosened up the crowd, taking them from body swaying to congregated groups of lively rug cutters in the concrete paved garage. Devon and the Los Angeles trio put some influence into the crowds behavior with their heavy drums, booming amps, and ambit vocals, not to leave out the stirring guitar solos . With the party growing in the house of seemingly limitless rooms, the first set was off in the garage and Aunt Dracula was next on the roster. This Philadelphian thrash band stood out this night with their grime tone causing swarms of energetic collegians to shake their heads, pump their fists, and mosh throughout the set. The keyboard, laptop, drums, and guitar, twisted the tempo along with the band's "shocked-like" grooving, rhythm and yelling. With the co-op festivities at its peak, the packed driveway made room for the IV "Darling" band, Kissing Tigers took the stage with their 5 man set. These electro-indie rockers , who now reside in Los Angeles, packed the garage and then some, causing quite a bit of commotion all around the co-op. The dancing made up most of the environment within the garage, while people who overlooked from outside the garage opening listened and watched the crazed audience crowd surfing and tossing one another. The night at the garage ended with no slowing down for the spectators, as the Buda and Cataldo bash continued just within the house, giving people a reason to linger around to talk to the bands, as well as to enjoy the BIKO community.

This article can be found in the Santa Barbara Independent: Issue Nov. 20-26

Lucky Dragons/ Pit er Pat/ Dead Western

At night, the BIKO Garage becomes a "House of Noises". Lucky Dragons, Dead Western, and Pit er Pat headlined a night of sounds, experimentation, and energy. The night started off with The Absence of Sound Before the Storm. This local duo brought power and pleasure from the reverb, foot pedals, and laptop computer. Chowger (Justin Chou) held a steady yell through the mix of noise, hip-hop, and bass. Following this was Hecuba, a duo from Los Angeles. Hecuba took the stage with a synthesizer, a snare, and a every energetic vibe. Both musicians brought the crowd to their senses as they took rhythm in spontaneous outbursts of body movements and drum work. Pit er Pat, touring from Chicago, procceded to take the stage. The trio introduced itself with a quick but powerful drum pattern, starting off a jungle trance. With two Dr. Samples synthesizers, the bassist and drummer took this band of instruments into a tunnel of distortion and thunder. The somewhat psychedelic sounds of Pit er Pat led to the erratic sounds and momentum of Lucky Dragons. This Los Angeles trance band took order with scattered objects on the floor, a flute, and a loopy device that is affected by the amount of people who interlock hands, feeding off the energy. This made for an uproar of curiosity and intrigue. Lucky Dragons made up their set of dancing through the crowd and creating repetition of sound through their computer and pedals. Closing the show happened to be Dead Western, taking the stage with red acrylic paint down both of his cheeks. The Sac town acoustic guitarist played a full line up of sullen folk songs with interludes of crowd pleasing jokes, remarks and even just noises. "Yay, for college!!" was a repeated quote of Dead Western. He finished off his set by incorporating an audience assistant to hold his kazoo as he sang his last song. The music ends, but the crowds still linger talk to the touring bands and buy merchandise. These free shows in Isla Vista are brought together by SBDIY (Santa Barbara Do It Yourself). For more info on free IV shows go to: www.myspace.com/sbdiy

2541 Modoc Rd. Evictions

Over 30 families from the Hillshore Gardens on Modoc Rd. received 60 day eviction notices in October. These families were given until December 12th, the day of Virgin of Guadalupe, to leave their homes. Many of these latino families have been living at these apartments for over 8 years. The families have begun organizing with the assistance of the Pueblo Education Fund to fight for a mediation process with their landlord, MRP Santa Barbara LLC, through the Rental Housing Mediation Task force. The landlord has agreed to begin mediations. Pueblo Education Fund is now training the tenants for negotiations.

Tenants, community members, as well as CLUE Santa Barbara gathered on November 8th for a vigil to bring awareness to neighbors and members of the community.

OSO In Photographs

Theres so much you can say about Oso. This psychedelic rock, mixed with some folk influence, definitely brings people to their feet. Dancing, moshing, and yelling are what to expect when Oso takes hold of a local music venue, such as muddy waters. Phil Taylor on the unicycle, while playing the guitar... while singing, is definitely a crowd pleaser let alone the stunning stare. For those who have been less fortunate to see them, should definitely put this band in their top 10 to see live. Probably number one band to see live in Santa Barbara. 

Girl Band/Lake/Desolation Wilderness

We might assume a Sunday night in Isla Vista typically involves massive groups of college goers to overindulge in alcohol consumption before their return to their books and homework, but that’s not the entirety of enjoyment in IV. The interwoven community that regularly joins at the Biko Garage enjoyed a night of grooving, dancing, and the reunion of a local I.V. “Sweet-heart” band. Girl Band opened with a set of new music, incorporating Mallory, Michelle, and Rebecca’s individual works to create an acoustic, harmonic atmosphere. Desolation Wilderness followed with a loud set of subtle sounds that created a sway in the crowd. With small adjustments, rearranging, as well as a subtraction and addition of band members, Lake was ready to take the stage. Lake turned up the heat, as well as the pace of the crowd with their lively lyrics and unique, danceable sound.

Trombones, trumpets and some strange bells made their performance even more of a visual interaction. To end off the night, was again Girl Band, bringing tenderness to the hearts of many who sat and stood around this trio as they played an old set that caused a steady whisper as people sang along to the songs people held with them during the months of Girl Bands separation. A poorly performed fake “I’m gunna leave” gesture to create an encore commotion, made the intro for the last song, which ended a good night at BIKO.

Fast For Our Future

On October 15th, 21 days before the 2008 election, immigrants, movement leaders, day laborers, faith leaders, student leaders, grassroots organizers, musicians and artists, and people of conscience rose out of fear and began one of the largest hunger strikes in American history.

“The Fast for our Future” set up a permanent encampment at La Placita Olvera (or Olvera Street Plaza), the historic heart of Los Angeles, for the duration of the hunger strike. In the same spirit as César Chávez and Mohandas K. Gandhi, our shared sacrifice and commitment to the Immigrant Rights Movement will inspire a historic mobilization of Latino, immigrant, and pro-immigrant rights voters. We must remember the I.C.E. raids, those detained and deported, the families torn apart, the dreams deferred. We must remember the marches, the walkouts, the boycotts, and the promise we made: “Hoy Marchamos, Manana Votamos.”

(Text from the fast for our future website)