University Daily Kansan
Friday, February 23, 1979
7
Some people aren't catching disco fever
By DOUG HITCHCOCK
Staff Reporter
It's everywhere. Diaco fashion, diaco hairaties,
diaco dancing and, worst of all, diaco music, all glut
influenced by the hip-hop genre.
Everybody seems to like disco, almost. Students, teachers, even parents can all be seen shaking their heads.
Accompanying the onstage of "disco-mania," several musicians who held the respect of vast rock 'n' roll audiences, have crossed over to the disco market.
Groups like The Rolling Stones and Rod Stewart lept into the disco business, releasing recordings earmarked for the unmistakable throb, the matching that is an integral part of any disco recording.
Disco also has drawn groups other than the Stones and Stewart.
THE BIGGEST RECORD OF 1978, in terms of sales,
was a product of those pop-rockers, the Bee Gees.
They successfully fused pop-style vocals with
the disco beat to produce big-money music.
Other mainstays of the rhythm and blues field like Johnny "Guitar" Watson and Al Green are also known.
However, for every musician who crosses into the strictly structured, uninnovative disco vein, there are others whose alliance with rock 'n' roll has only been strengthened by disco's existence.
On The Who's latest album, "Who Are You," a song called "Sister Diaco" voices the group's strong anti-racism stance.
'Goodbye sister dance/my dress, left you behind/Goodbye now you're so low/flat, plastic, deaf.
Another long-time rocker, Jesse Colin Young, let his feelings about disco be known before beginning in the mid-1980s.
YOUNG STRODE to his microphone, raised his first and velled. "Disu discus." The crowd went wild.
In Lawrence, three KU students have made their anti-disco sentiments public by smashing pumpkins on the walls and doors of local discos and by "saving" them as they are burned by burning it in front of the establishment.
However, most disc groups never will have the satisfaction of seeing or hearing a crow go wild, even with approval. They rarely leave the studio long enough to book a concert date, let alone perform.
Although there are a few touring disco-ensemble, most disco groups prefer to stay in the safe, secure confines of their recording studios. Of the groups currently producing disco music, nearly all of them rely on heavy studio mixing and overdubbing. On any particular recording, a string section, background bass and extra instruments are blended into the record to send the music a glosser, slicker sound.
BUT, PUT THAT group on stage, with just their instruments and voices and they would be at a loss for music.
With no tapes of extra guitar parts and synthesizer solos or buttons or knobs to adjust, the sound that has
Nobody ever said it was easy to perform music live, and concertes are not always a profitable means to present music. It costs money to sustain a tour. Roadies, hotels, food, transportation and other services cost the more people it takes to run a tour, the more it costs, the less profit can be made.
become so familiar on their overplayed records changes.
Since disco is admittedly a profit-motivated style, most groups decided to can the concerts. It just costs too much. Only the most successful disco musician can afford to take an entourage on the road.
**THIS IS WHEN rock 'n' rollers have an indisputable advantage. Rock was developed in live-music situations. The bands usually are smaller and perform for the most popular acts, the equipment is minimal.**
Rock musicians have always relied on their instrumental ability and stage presence to make their
Disco舞用了在 recording studio. From the start, disco music used the latest recording technology and was a fast-paced, energetic track.
Even dedicated disco-philes will admit that they don't like to sit and listen to the music.
"It makes me want to dance, I just can't sit still," one addict said.
But, that is little excuse for the rhythmic and harmonic dohrums that characterize the music.
RESIDES, IF THERE is a need to dance, throngs of people can be seen on the dance floors throughout
Lawrence, shaking to live music. That's right,
dancing to rock 'n' roll.
But, in Lawrence, if not everywhere else, diaco is taking over. The formula melodies, abundant lyrics and computerized rhythms are impersonal, sterile and boring. Still, the diaco dungeons keep popping up.
It's called an escape, a chance to fantasize.
"It's fun," and "You ought to try it," are common responses.
Well, I've tried it and I agree with the T-shirts. Disco sucks.
ON THE INSIDE, gaggles of men and women sit around tables violating state and federal intoxication levels, staring. Staring at you, staring into space, staring at the dance floor.
When you pull the doors of a disc open, the music rolls out, cries of "freakout," "burn baby burn" and macha man "flood out with waves of unending pain and the wailing synthesizers, all at incredible volumes.
It is nearly impossible not to stare, though. The flashing strobing, day-glow lights and the overstated, sexually-contrived clothes distive the novice discourages them from falling to notice anything. They're accustomed to it.
Out on the dance floor, lines of people jerk and twist their way through amazingly repetitive group dance steps. They watch themselves and others trying to keep in step.
In between songs, the dancers mill around on the floor. But when the next record starts, it's a signal for them to crank up to another frenzy, in time with the screaming music.
SPEAKERS PLACED around the room allow no escape from the sounds. The music is just too loud, especially with speakers hanging right above the tables.
The only opportunity to converse is between songs and then you have to compete with the disc jockey's play.
It is hard to explain the revival that discos have undergone within the last couple of years. From all indications, disco was preparing to kick its legs in the air, dead at least, when Bugsy's, one of only two discos in town, closed its doors. In fact, Bugsy's shut down as a disco and re-opened as the Lawrence Opera music room of the main promoters of live music in the area also with Paul Grey's Jazz Place and Off the Wall Hall.
Curtis Reinhardt, manager of the Opera House said, "Lawrence has always been a notated for live music. People seem to appreciate a live show here because of that."
"But, discos have their place. I can dance to disco every once in awhile, but there's more spontaneity in live music. After you've been in a disco for a half hour, it starts to get old. Once you ve seen all there is to see in a disco, you know what to expect every time you go back," Reinhardt said.
So, if you like to disco, go ahead. You can join the ranks of millions that are already on the floor, or you can just hang out.
If you happen to appreciate individuality, spontaneity and good music, take heart. Concert will present you with the greatest experience.
UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Arts&Leisure
UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Spare Time
Night Life
Lawrence Opera House, 644 Massachusetts St.
- Festival: Big Band Show, Feb. 23.
- Pott County Pork and Bean Band, Feb 24.
- Off the Wall Hall, 737 New Hampshire St.
Curtis and Maryane; Bakers Cookin'
Banks.
- Murphy's Law, Nolan and Kessler, Feb. 24.
Theatre
- Vanities by Jack Heifner, Feb. 23, 24, 8 p.m., Lawrence Arts Center.
- Romoe and Juliet by William
Shakespeare, ed. 22, 24 and March 13, 8
Simmons.
Concerts
- Edie Money, Feb. 24, 8 p.m., Memorial Hall.
- American String Quartet, Chamber
Symphony at 2, 4, 6, 8, Swar-
worth Rectal Half
Rhythmical Quartet
- KU Symphonic Band, Feb. 25, 3:30 p.m.
University Theatre.
Films
- Willie Nelson and Tanya Tucker, Feb. 25,
8 p.m., Municipal Aud.
- Pretty Baby, dr. by Louis Malle with
* 232-759-7080 and Sarah Sandard, Feb.
* 232-759-7080 and Janet Malle
- Women in Prison: Being a Prisoner, riot by Suzanne Jasper and Time has No Sympathy, riot by Kristine Samelson, 7:30 p.m., Feb. 26.
Ernest Schoessack with Fay Wray, 7:30 and 9:30 p.m., Feb. 27.
Recitats
- Ugsetu, dir. by Kenji Mizoguchi, 7:30 p.m., Feb.24
Jim Bailay, celio, Feb. 25, 8 p.m., Swarthout
Recital Hall
- King Kong, dir, by Merian C. Cooper and
Maint Agee, violin, Feb. 28, 8 p.m., Swarthout recital Hall.
Nancy Nehring, viola, March 1, 8 p.m.
Swarthout Recital Hall.
Exhibits
**Art and Design Gallery, Visual Arts**
Bring up Undergraduate crafts students from the arts to design. Visit Michael Gontesky, sculpture, Mar 5; 16:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, 1:30 p.m.
- Kansas Union Gallery, Kansas Union,
Bronx, New York; show, through
Feb. 24; john Tallman print;
through Mar. 23, 9:30 a.m to 5 p.m., Monday
through Friday, 10 a.m to 4 p.m., Saturday,
11 a.m
7 E Gallery, 7 East 7th St., Al Loving,
colleges, through Mar, 7; Oils by Dennis Hielm,
Mar 10, through April 4, 10 a.m. to 5.30 p.m.
Tuesday through Saturday.
Valley West Galleries, 2112-A West 25th
Valley, Watercolorware by Chaten Sanderson and
James Burton, through March 4, 10 a.m.
to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday, Open
from noon.
- Lawrence Arts Center, 9th and Vermont Street, Lori Moll's paintings, Helen Martin's pottery and Ann Schlagger weaving. See location through Friday, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday.
From the church of a small-town Georgia preacher to the more modern prose of Nikki Gliwik is where "Stepin" will take you.
'Steppin' to depict black lifestyles
"*Steepin*," a theatrical production in honor of Black History Month, was written, produced and directed by University President Daniel E. Sponsored by the office of minority affairs.
The play sketches black culture from the early 1980s to the present. It's three acts each act on the works of certain black playwrights, singers and poets.
cerpt from the play "Purkle," written by Ossie Davis. It depicts the lifestyle of a black southern minister and relationships with people in his conkreteny.
One act, "Purlie Victorious," is an ex-
Another act, "That Ole Cotton Club," focuses on the 1928 jaz age and the Cotton Club. The club's one of the few places where blacks could display their musical talent without prejudicial treatment was the club where Katherine and Bessie Smit began their careers.
THE FINAL ACT of the play is "Black Men, Black Women, Black Life," and
presents poetry which characterizes the changing lifestyles of blacks. Poets represented in the in this presentation are Mari Vaness, Don L. Lee, L尼克 Gioluvman and Nuzake Zhang, author of the play "For a Friend Who Dies," to end a suicide. When the Rainbow is Enuf."
THE 20-MEMBER cast will present "Stephen" at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 26, in the Lawrence High School auditorium. Admission is free.
"We're hoping that presenting the play at Lawrence High School will attract more community interest," Vernoll
Spearman, assistant director of minority affairs, said.
The cast wanted to use a University auditorium for the production, but Rock Chalk Revue rehearsals in Hoch Auditorium and the production of "Romee and Juliet" in Murphy Hall made that
"The biggest hope, though, is that the production of "Stepping" will spur enough student interest to serve as the focus of a Black Arts Society." Spearman said.
Filmmaker seeks social change
By MARK L. OLSON Staff Renorter
Gerima is visiting the University of Kansas as part of Black History Month. Two of his films will be screened while he is here.
The problems that face the people of the world, many of which are the byproduct of capitalism, could be alleviated if people would learn to communicate on a more personal level, or they become a year-old filmmaker from Ethiopia, says.
They are "Bush Maria," the story of a black woman in Los Angeles and her children. She lived for 300 Years, "a film about an Ethiopian family learning to cope with modern life."
Through his films, Gerima said, he tries to show the benefits of a society responsive to social need.
"A lot of times, people confuse aesthetics with social need," he said. "My films should make human beings want to talk and strive toward change."
Gerima, who has a master's degree in
fine arts from the University of California at Los Angeles, teaches at Howard University in Washington, D.C.
He said a filmmaker today must know more than the technical aspects of cinematography. He must have a good foundation in history and must also be aware of the social atmosphere, both local and international.
"In the final analysis," he said, "the filmmaker will have to answer the international question."
Gerima said all directors should have a philosophy to use as a theme for their works.
"Your philosophy should never be static, it should be moving all the time," he said. "In a film, I want to work with people. I can get one another in personal relationships."
Gerima said his stop at KU was part of research for a new film. He said he started studying filmmaking in 1971, but had no plans to do any doctoral studies.
"Every film you do is your thesis," he said.
Haile Gerima
If your field is agriculture you can work overseas as a Peace Corps volunteer. Sign up today at Placement Office for a talk with recruiter on campus; Feb. 27: University Placement Center, 223 Currant-O'Leary Hall; Feb. 28-March 1; Placement Office, 210 Strong Hall.
Cresters P
OLD WORLD
DELICATESSEEN
Cheese Emporium
Eat In or Carry Out
Sandwiches
Meats
Soups
Cheeses
--mfg. list
$7.98
- serves on Communications Committee
Student Sonato Public Relations Director
- responsible for Student Senate advertising in the Kansan.
Relations Director
- coordinates Senate open houses
- plans special programs and projects
Constituent Services
Director
- assists with Summer Orientation
- handles complaints/suggestions that relate to Student Senate
- serves as a sounding board for students
- works on communication problems that involve students or senators
- updates Senate publications
Applications are available in the Student Senate office. Applicants will be contacted about an interview. For more information contact Senate Office Level 3, Kansas Union, 1200 W. 78th St., KS 66035.
DO YOU WANT TO FLY?
Doadline for Applications is Thursday, March 2, 1979
Student Senate is funded by Student Activity Fees.
If you have that feeling, then you're in luck. Air Force ROTC Flight Instruction Program (FIP) is available to you. It's designed to teach you the basics of flight through less lessons in small aircraft of a civilian operated aircraft.
The program is an EXTRA for cadets who can qualify to become Air Force pilots. It
taken during the senior year in college, FIIP is the first step for the cadet who is guna
in formation.
ROTC
AVOR FORCE
Gateway to a great way of life.
This is all reserved for the cadet who wants to get to the ground with Air Force silver pilot wings. Cheeky
Sophomores and Juniors. Apply now for the 2-year ROTC Program. Get a commission when you graduate. See if your qualifier Call Capt. John Macke, 864-4576, or stop by the Military Science Building, Room 108.
SISTER KETTLE CAFE 14th Mass.
TISSER KETTLER'S CAFE answer to the All-American meal, the CHIESE-GRAINBURGER, is a wholesome sandwich which will satisfy such a beet. So grate a friend and take advantage of the dessert offer, also cheese-burgers for the price of one.
Lawrence's only Vegetarian restaurant invites you to check out the eating alternative we offer, high quality nutritious vegetarian food.
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