Davy Rothbart thinks a little bit of voyeurism is healthy and natural. In fact, as the founder of FOUND Magazine and the author of the new book, "FOUND," Rothbart has made a living out of voyeurism.
The third and fourth levels of the MSU Main Library can be a creepy place. The silence rings in your ears, old books tower above your head, and smells of grandmother's attic reach to potent levels. East Lansing's rare and specialty book stores are similar to these unique qualities.
Tipton, Mich. - Every year, thousands of Catholics travel to Italy to worship at the Vatican.
A four hour drive isn't enough of a reason to make Dia Bishop get a tattoo in her hometown of Toronto, rather than at East Lansing's Splash of Color Tattoo & Piercing Studio. Bishop, who visits East Lansing frequently, has two tattoos.
Whether you're heading back to MSU for your senior year or for the first time, you're going to need some good tunes to get your mind off of above-ground-pools and barbecues.
Oh, the power of the hangover. The pounding headache, the queasy stomach, the dizziness, the extreme sensitivity to light and sound and the general overwhelming feeling of regret - all part of nature's punishment for having a little too much fun the night before. Although most people know drinking in moderation is best, many get caught up in the moment and can't resist the temptation to tip back a few too many with close friends. After making late-night prayers to the "porcelain god" or the nearby trash can, some students try any hangover remedy to end their misery. Sitting on a blue couch at an off-campus party spot, then-music education freshman Paul Kelly said the sign of a bad hangover is waking up the next day still drunk.
Nestled discreetly in a quiet suburban neighborhood in northern East Lansing lurks a man who calls himself "Dr. Evil." His office, not unlike the workstations used by other men of his kind, is discombobulated: Half-sheets of paper inscribed with random numbers decorate his desk between computer chips, circuit boards, a computer and other random paraphernalia.
With the year stacked full of theater productions, concerts and comedy shows to help entertain students, some venues are opening their box offices to pre-sales and discounts to help ease students' wallets as well as their minds. Tickets to see comedian Dave Chappelle or the Tony Award nominated production of "Oklahoma!" can usually cost about $100 a show, but with MSU student discounts and Wharton Center memberships, students will most likely save more than they spend. "We offer the cheapest Broadway prices in the country," Wharton Center Manager of Public Relations Bob Hoffman said.
"Alien Vs. Predator" wasn't a terrible flick. That said, it wasn't a good flick either.
Calvin Cooke has played the sacred steel for 48 years, and doesn't plan on stopping any time soon. The Cleveland native, who moved to Detroit looking for work 35 years ago, has gone from a young boy, playing the steel pedal slide guitar at his church, to one of the most influential sacred steel players in the world.
Introspective lyrics, dark notes and chords strewn together to yield mysterious guitar rhythms and a voice as smoky as a bar at last call- make Sam Phillips' eighth full-length album worthy of great musical respect. The original talent of Phillips revolves around her unique yet simple guitar playing, which comes across both vintage and beautiful. Phillips' successful mixture of folk, rock and catchy hooks is only complimented by the other talented artists performing behind her. Possibly the best aspect of "A Boot and a Shoe," is the active, hypnotizing drum beats from multiple drummers.
"Collateral" if nothing else, is a chance for two actors to shine outside of their usual roles.
If I were stranded on a deserted island and given only one CD to listen to for the rest of my life, it would be Jimi Hendrix "Blues." The album, officially released 24 years after Hendrix's 1970 death, is a compilation of the guitar god's take on tunes by influential blues artists such as Muddy Waters, Elmore James and Booker T.
The Rock and Roll Bass Guitar is very obviously an East Lansing-based band. Anybody who has ever driven on MSU's campus can completely relate to the seventh song on their debut album, frankly titled, "F--k you MSU parking motherf--ker." The lyrics to the 44 second-long track are just two lines: "F--k you MSU parking patrol/$25 can't stop rock 'n' roll." And the rest of "Co-Enzymes, You Bitch!" seldom disappoints. The Rock and Roll Bass Guitar is comprised of three MSU students, a bass guitar and some drums.
If I were exaggerating when I say "The Village" is the worst movie ever, I would be happy.
Screaming guitars, strange lyrics and mellow magnificence make up Wilco's latest album, "A Ghost Is Born." As a friend of mine said after hearing "A Ghost is Born" for the first time: If Neil Young and Beck were to have a love child - the result would be Wilco. As with Beck, sometimes Wilco's lyrics don't make any sense at all.
I've got pretty high expectations for a band whose name is a tip of the hat to Spinal Tap guitarist Nigel Tufnel's confusion. The fast-paced, heavily distorted guitars, along with a hard-hitting rhythm section and deep growls serving as singing, help Cleveland's Amps II Eleven fulfill those expectations. With catchy guitar riffs, a la Clutch and deep bellows a la Lemmy from Mot?rhead, Amps II Eleven indulges in metal ecstasy, while staying far away from the dreaded genre of butt rock, also known as nu metal.
"I, Robot" is the loose adaptation of certain elements from a slew of stories written by Isaac Asimov.
Fart jokes, vulgar sex talk and stupidity make up the contents of Adam Sandler's fifth and latest comedy album, "Shhh … Don't Tell". The album starts out on the right foot with the hilarious skit, "Sid & Alex," in which Sandler plays Sid, who receives a birthday phone call from his friend Alex.
Okemos - Not even a mile away from a clustered Grand River Avenue, paved roads turn to dirt and the noise of traffic is absorbed by towering trees. Where the quiet serenity of the countryside on a sweltering hot Sunday is interrupted only by a breeze carrying brief relief from the heat and a few muffled guitar notes. Rolling into a crowded driveway, drums, keyboards, bass and women's voices fill in the sound that becomes recognizable as none other than Pink Floyd. The tranquil location is the practice space for Lansing's Floyd tribute - The Surrogate Band.