Introductory columns are like flesh-eating bacterium.

They gnaw away at a journalist's soul and body because they require mindless babble, often go begging for help and are redundant - did I mention they're redundant?

I guess you could call me a beggar child gasping for his last breath of fresh air on the streets of Calcutta, but alas, it needs to be done.

I'm a Capricorn who loves music (obviously) and really digs '80s music and Weird Al Yankovic ... but, let's just cut to the chase, because you don't care that a goat is controlling my destiny or that my taste in music is odd for a 21-year-old male.

A few of my jobs are easy, in that I get to talk to musicians and review mainstream artists' music. I know what you're thinking: "That sounds tough, Kris, too tough for me - getting paid to attend concerts and talk to musicians."

It's tough being the music reporter, but someone has to do it.

However, there are still difficulties associated with the job. For example, keeping in touch with the local and independent music scene is tougher than you might imagine.

So, you wanna be a rock 'n roll star?

Well, here's your chance.

This is a call to all aspiring local musicians to send their best stuff to The State News. Chances are, you're not going to get your notoriety on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, so here's your best alternative.

There's more than 44,000 students on campus, then you add faculty and staff - and that's a lot of people who could give you your big break. Getting a story done on your band is also a nice clip for the old scrapbook and for dear ol' mom.

Whether you're a country soloist who plays guitar in his Spartan Avenue duplex, or a group of punked-out buds that get together to make some music in Akers Hall - you're all welcome to the Lowdown and MS&U sections.

Several indy bands have had their name in the paper before and have had significant area success, such as 19 Wheels and The Fuzz. This could be your chance. Plus, who wouldn't want to sit down and talk about life, love and all your inner demons with me?

Don't answer, it was a rhetorical question.

Heck, your name could be in this space come next week, that is, if you get in touch with me via phone, e-mail or snail mail.

Well, I'm already getting redundant and this column has turned more into a stream of consciousness babble-fest than an article, therefore, let's move on to another topic: Diversity.

As music reporter this semester, I want to try and have a diverse mix of reviews and coverage.

This is where you come in - again.

Let me know if I am not representing your musical genre. You don't have to send me death threats or hurl a guitar pick at my head, a friendly call or e-mail should do the trick.

Rap, country, rock, jazz, blues, Christian music - all, plus many other genres, deserve a place in the newspaper.

Are you sick and tired of reading alternative music reviews when you dig folk more than Peter, Paul & Mary? Then shoot me an e-mail with the name of a CD coming out soon and I will do my best to please the crowd.

After all, no musician, or in this case a music journalist, wants to get booed off stage.

Kristofer Karol is The State News music reporter. Reach him at karolkri@msu.edu.