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8A = THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
ENTERTAINMENT
WEDNESDAY, JULY 18, 2001
Einstein Electric returns with sharp sound
Groove-jazz band to play at Jazzhaus, two day Schwagstock concert
By Adam Koch Special to the Kansan
Einstein Electric (EE), the brains of the Lawrence music scene, returned after a two-year hiatus with its skills honed on a sharp sound.
The band's fifteen-minute jam-style songs and long concerts give its audience a healthy dose of great music. No strangers to practice, EE uses its broad knowledge of music theory to explore different styles and sounds.
"It is all about the music," said Brian Baggett, guitar and vocals.
The band started around 1993 under the name Einstein, but had to change to Einstein Electric because of copyright laws. The original band was composed of five members who played guitar, bass, keyboard, drums and auxiliary percussion. The band even received a review in the popular Deadhead magazine, Relix.
In 1999 EE took a two-year hiatus in trim and sharen its sound.
During their break, original members Baggett, Matt Miner, drums and vocals and Ben Singer, piano, organ and vocals, played groove-jazz under the name Embius Trio. The side project benefited the band by tightening
Upon resurrection this year, the Embrius Trio joined with new member Chris "Risky" Handley, bass and vocals, to reform Einstein Electric.
the trio's sound.
EE started its career with small gigs in Lawrence coffee shops and cafes. Soon after, the band played at bars, festivals and even a prom. The band self-released one CD to date, The Cosmic Imperative, which holds true to its jazz-style ima sound.
The band's upcoming shows include a tribute to Jerry Garcia at the Jazzhaus Aug. 4, where the band will pick one of the Grateful Dead's live shows and play the same set. After that, EE will play a show at Abe and Jake's Landing Sept. 1 with the Pocket
Space. formerly Space Pocket.
EE also will play both nights at Schwagstock, along with a score of other bands July 27 and 28 at the Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri. The cost for the two-day show, which covers camping fees, is $25. More concert information can be found at www.theschwag.com.
The band plans to release another album early 2002, and it is interested in tape trading, Internet exposure and winning local acclaim.
To hear some clips and find out more about the band, log on to www.einsteinelectric.com.
Koch can be reached at 864-4810 or
writer@kansan.com
SKATING INTO THE SUNSET
Jay Gray skateboards down Jayhawk Blvd. as the street reflects intense light from yesterday's setting sun.
PHOTO BY THAD ALLENDER/KANSAN
ENTERTAINMENT BRIEFS
Legally Blonde, The Score, rake in $39.4 million for week 1
The top 10 movies at North American theaters Friday through Sunday;
1. Legally Blonde, MGM, $20.4 million, $20.4 million, one week
2. The Score, Paramount, $19 million, $19 million, one week.
3. Cats & Dogs, Warner Bros., $12 million,
$58.9 million, two weeks.
4. Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within, Sony,
$11.4 million, $19 million, one week.
6. The Fast and the Furious, Universal, $B.1
million, $115.6 million, four weeks.
5. Scary Movie 2, Miramax, $9.6 million, $53
million, two weeks.
7. Dr. Dolittle 2, Fox $7.5 million, $84.7 million, four weeks.
8. Kiss of the Dragon, Fox, $6 million, $24.1 million, two weeks.
9. A.I. Artificial Intelligence, Warner Bros,
$5.2 million, $70.1 million, three weeks.
10. Lara Croft: Iomb Raider, Paramount,
$122.5 million, five weeks.
Country music staple Sawyer Brown to sing at the State Fair
HUTCHINSON, Kan. (AP) — The Kansas State Fair has signed country group Sawyer Brown as a headline act, completing the entertainment lineup.
The group, which has recorded 17 albums and was The Nashville Network/Music City News top vocal band for six consecutive years will perform Sept. 8 on the second day of the fair.
MOVIE REVIEW
The grandstand shows open Sept. 7 with Bull Blast, followed by the Sankey PRCA Rock-N-Ridin' Rodeo and Sawyer Brown on Sept. 8; AMA Extreme Motocross on Sept. 9; a free concert, "Kansas Sings," featuring Jennifer Knapp with Kansas Choirs on Sept. 10; Blessed Union of Souls with Dream on Sept. 11; Statler Brothers with Tara Lynn on Sept. 12; auto races on Sept. 13; Lee Ann Womack with Keith Urban, on Sept 14; Styx with Survivor on Sept. 15; and a free concert from the U.S. Air Force Heartland of America Band on Sept. 16.
Bevy of stars not enough to save bad movie from bad reviews
The Associated Press
The combination of Roberts, Crystal, Catherine Zeta-Jones and John Cusack held such promise, and the premise of
Such a sad irony that a movie called "America's Sweethearts" should leave such a sour taste, that the blindingly brilliant Julia Roberts should be so dull, that nearly every joke from comic genius Billy Crystal should land with such a thud.
going behind the scenes of a movie press junket dangled the possibility of biting satire.
Zeta-Jones and Cusack play Gwen Harrison and Eddie Thomas, the married co-stars of
But as directed by Joe Roth — founder of Revolution Studios and former head of Walt Disney Studios and 20th Century Fox — it's sporadically fun at best. More often it's ridiculous and over-the-top, until it ultimately spins shrilly out of control.
such wildly popular (and insufferably cheesy) films as "Autumn with Greg and Peg" and "Requiem for an Outfielder."
Self-centered Gwen leaves neurotic Eddie for her Spanish co-star. Hector (Hank Aaria).
Enter longtime press agent Lee Phillips (Crystal), who must
The last film they made together, "Time Over Time," is about to come out, and both stars (not to mention the studio) are in desperate need of a hit.
bring the estranged husband and wife together again, if only briefly, to pretend to get along for the pesky entertainment reporters to promote the film.
The only person who can help him is Kiki (Roberts), Gwen's sister and assistant, who was dumpy and insecure until she dropped 60 pounds.
Kiki still indulges Gwen's every whim and has the best shot at getting Gwen to the junket to promote her film.
Sometime between the interviews and the cocktail parties, Eddie and Kiki realize they're in love.
That was fast! And it's unbelievable, especially considering their chemistry is nonexistent.
Madcap hilarity ensues including the required fistfights, misunderstandings and cases of mistaken identity.
Christopher Walken rescues a few scenes as the eccentric director who holds the film hostage.
Roberts deserves credit for taking the subordinate role and letting Zeta-Jones be the diva. But it's not much fun to watch.
Zet-Jones is luminous as the narcissistic film star, but even her radiance fades when the movie descends into Jerry Springer-style chaos in front of 300 members of the international press.
"America's Sweethearts," is rated PG-13 for language and some crude and sexual humor. Running time: 100 minutes.
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