Wednesday, September 22, 1999
The University Daily Kansan
Section A · Page 7
49
Revolution protests new KLZR
By Emily Hughey
writer@kansan.com
Kansan staff writer
After a few months of peace, the revolution is back.
This time, instead of setting its sites on a University of Kansas-related cause like in past years, the Templin Revolution is opening fire on the Lazer.
Templin Revolution, a student organization that historically has crusaded for students' causes and rights, is now fighting the format change at KLZR, 105.9 FM, from modern rock to Top-40 hits.
Two students behind the revolution, Brian Bartelt and J.D. Jenkins, noticed discontentment among the University population regarding the Lazer and decided to take action two days ago. By the end of the week, they plan to launch a full-scale boycott and protest against the Lazer's new programming.
The group plans to organize protests, create T-shirts, boycott Lazer advertisers and ultimately affect change in the Zimmer Broadcasting Co., the company that owns KLZR.
"It's something we're optimistic about," said Jenkins, Shawnee junior. "Templin Revolution has been looking for a project to get involved in, and I think this one looks good for this semester."
"The ultimate goal of our actions right now is to get the Lazer to revert to its old format," said Bartelt, West Des Moines, Iowa, junior.
Bartelt said he developed the idea to fight the Lazer's new music format upon noticing students' chargin with the line-up.
"We're still very much in the formative stages, but we're hoping to distribute information widely across campus about things people can do." Bartelt said. "We're interested in help — we want people to
know we're doing this, and we need some support. I don't think it will be too hard to get help, since I hear on campus that people are mad."
Walter Dimmick, associate professor of ecology and evolutionary biology, is one such angry person. He and Nancy Holcroft, Overland Park graduate student, created an anti-Lazer Web site, eagle.cc.ukans.edu/~dimmick/Lozer.html, to inform visitors of the businesses that advertise on KLZR. The site asks people to boycott both the Lazer and the businesses that advertise on the station. He said he thought 105.9 FM's transition signaled a falling down of traditional Lawrence originality.
"I think people in Lawrence should be upset because Lawrence prides itself on being a town with unique businesses," Dimmick said. "A little bit of Lawrence's pride just went down the drain."
Nevertheless, Templin
Revolution is serious about changing things.
Although he said he was not aware of the revolution's role in protesting the Lazer, Ken Stoner, director of student housing, said he was familiar with the revolution's work in other areas. Stoner dealt with the three Templin Revolutionaries, Bartelt, Jenkins and Chris Borniger, Wichita junior and a University Daily Kansan staff writer, when the group protested inflated phone bills in Templin last year. He said he thought the revolution was an intelligent and capable group, but he did not know enough about the issue to comment on its capacity to enact change.
"I know all three of those young men." Stoner said. "I think all three of them are very bright, very intelligent, very involved people."
Representatives from KLZR were unable to be reached for comment.
— Edited by Brad Hallier
Famous folk-rock guitarist to play gig at Liberty
By Clay McCuistion writer @kansan.com Kansan staff writer
Richard Thompson has released more than two dozen albums.
The 50-year-old British singer/songwriter has played his distinctive, folk-tinged rock for three decades and has been nominated for two Grammy awards in the 1990s. The Sept. 7 issue of Rolling Stone magazine describes him as, "one of rock's most original, stunning and frequently disturbing artists."
But for all his critical kudos and experience, Thompson has remained resolutely out of the mainstream.
"I don't know what drives people, why some acts are hits and others not," said Tim Griffith, manager of Liberty Hall, 642 Massachusetts St. "He just loves playing music."
Thompson will play at 8 p.m. tomorrow, as part of his U.S. tour. Tickets still are available for the show.
"One of his successes is that he hasn't gone mainstream," Crahan said. "He's widely respected by many guitar players."
Bill Crahan, Lawrence resident and guitar teacher, said that Thompson's cult status was good for his music.
Crahan has tickets for tomorrow night's show.
"I think he's a great player," he said.
HITTING THE ROAD
Who: The Richard Thompson Band, with opening act Dave Alvin
Who: The Richard Thompson Band, with opening at Dave Alvin
When: 8 p.m. tomorrow
Where: Liberty Hall, 642 Massachusetts St.
Why: New album, Mock Tudor, on Capitol Records
Griffith said Thompson had appeared four times at Liberty hall, most recently two or three years ago.
"He must like it here," Griffith said. "We were one of the smaller venues he picked. We're kind of in the middle of the country. You either go over or through us."
Thompson released his latest solo album, Mock Tudor, Aug. 25 on Capitol Records. The 12-song collection was produced by Tom Rothrock and Rob Schnapf, who have previously worked with Beck, the Foo Fighters and Elliot Smith.
Despite promotion and touring by Thompson, the album has not charted on the Billboard top 200 album chart.
Thompson, also a dulcimer and mandolin player, first came to prominence in the late 1960s as a member of the seminal folk-rock group Fairport Convention. He left the group in 1971.
In the mid-70s, he formed a duo with wife Linda. The pair made six albums, including 1982's harrowing Shoot Out the Lights, documenting the end of their marriage.
Singer/songwriter Richard Thompson will make his fifth Lawrence appearance tomorrow at Liberty Hall, 642 Massachusetts St. Contributed photo
menting the end of their marriage. In 1994, the release of Beat the Retreat paid tribute to Thompson. The album featured R.E.M., Bob Mould, Bonnie Raitt, Lobos and David Byrne and other artists performing his songs.
Edited by Matt James
Groceries the way it used to be.
Please call Toll Free at 1-877-282-4952 no later than September 29 and ask to speak with one of the program co-founders: Barbara or Richard
Groceries the way it should be.
The Pickadelle Square
Grand Opening
Buy ♦ Sell ♦ Trade
New & Used Clothing
15 E. 8th
(next to the Sandbar)
840-0290
Red Lyon Tavern
A touch of irish in downtown Lawrence 944 Mass. 832-8228
If you are a first or second year student, there is a prestigious on-campus leadership opportunity we have been asked to discuss with you
Eastside Auto Service
Receive a free break inspection when you St. get a $20 wheel balance.
9.95 841-4550
716 East 9th
*mention this ad at purchase
ATTENTION ALUMNI OF
DAILY DRINK SPECIAL!
4pm - 2am Mon. - Sat.
12pm - 12am Sunday
623 Vermont Lawrencr
749-5067
The National Young Leaders Conference, Washington, DC -or- The National Youth Leadership Forums on Law, Medicine or Defense
LIBERTY
Adult Classes In Latin, Swing, And Ballroom
Save 10% during our Semi-Annual Color Sale!
JCPenney
Styling Salon
Sun11-6, Mon-Fri 8-9, Sat 8-6
Ends Oct. 9th
Sometimes nothing catches their attention
Use white space to your
advantage when designing your
ad, it's an attention getter.
COLLEGE STUDENTS CANNOT LIVE ON RAMEN NOODLES ALONE.