Bird: Opens
next week for
Nickel Creek
Continued from page 8
audience here."
But Bird has finally grabbed the
attention of his compatriots. During
the last stretch of his North Ameri
can tour, Bird played to sold-out
crowds. Now he heads into a
national tour with bluegrass band
Nickel Creek.
His live shows prove to be as
compelling as his studio work. The
live set allows him to experiment on
stage with sounds and syncopation
in ways that he never could in his
earlier Bowl of Fire days.
"I could change the arrange
ments, try something new and I
wouldn't get any dirty looks for it,"
Bird said.
Now Bird gets looks of admiration.
The relationship between musician
and audience is close at his live
shows. The experimentation of
rhythms and his playful vocals,
which stray and wander from the
original melodies, bring the audi
ence close to the creative process.
"Anything could happen stum
bling around, sort of cooking some
thing up on stage," Bird said. "I real
ly enjoy sort of discovering things on
stage in front of the audience."
But don't get used to it. Atthe heart
of Bird's experimentation lies an impe
tus to move forward. Bird worked
closely with electronic musician Mar
tin Dosh during the last leg of his tour,
and hopes to collaborate in the future.
Bird said he hopes to record a more
minimalist album next.
"I want to make something very
spare, but still engaging," Bird said.
Bird is opening for Nickel Creek at
the McDonald Theatre, located at
1010 Willamette St., on December 9th
at 8 p.m. Tickets are $22for advanced
sales, $25 atthe door.
Behrendt: Comic's self-deprecation is the heart of his set
Continued from page 10
O'Brien," "Larry King Live," "The
Tonight Show" and even "Oprah," but
the dating guru isn't done dishing out
knowledge yet. On Nov. 15, he re
leased his first solo comedy project,
"Greg Behrendtis Uncool," a 128
minute DVD of a stand-up perform
ance at the San Jose Improv.
Long story short Behrendt's routine
is hilarious. His subject matter is fresh
and current, his humor is wonderfully
self-deprecating and smart, and his
fast-paced and poignant delivery is
reminiscent of other contemporary
comic idols like Brian Regan and Dane
Cook, though he's a bit dirtier than Re
gan and a bit more in touch with his
feminine side than Cook.
The majority of his jokes are based
on personal experience. Nowthathe
is inching into his 40s with purportedly
great difficulty, the comic is convinced
he is no longer cool (thus the title) and
he demonstrates the manifold reasons
he believes this to be true.
"You have to understand the jour
ney," he said during his routine. "I
came to Los Angeles in 1993 to be a
rock star. I am now a contributor for
Cosmo Girl. I have a chain wallet way
past my prime. I have to wear glasses
to watch porn. I hurt from sleeping,
but I love my life."
To Behrendt, "your 20s are sub
versive and unquestionably cool."
Certainly, he must have learned a
little something about that right here
in Eugene. Attending the University
of Oregon in the '80s, he started out
as a business major but eventually
ended up in the theater department.
When you reach your 30s, Behrendt
says, "you've hit your stride," but
when your 40s come to call, you're
suddenly "blind-sided by a wave
of uncoolness."
This premise, however, is fairly de
ceptive. Even though he publicly airs
out fears that he is "too old to rock"
and that he's become "the creepy old
guy" at concerts, Behrendt is far from
uncool. At least the women in the au
dience of his performance seem to
think he's cool, and it's easy to under
stand why. His book and much of his
stand-up empowers women. He is
both sensitive and masculine, notto
mention sexy—the dream guy com
bination of the "Sex and the City" set.
7 came to Los Angeles in
1993 to be a rock star. I am
now a contributor for Cosmo
Girl. I have a chain wallet
way past my prime. I have to
wear glasses to watch porn.
I hurt from sleeping, but I
love my life."
Greg Behrendt | Comedian and author
Indeed, the comic is not afraid to
show his knowledge of fashion.
During a bit on why "adult rock
shows" — a 25-and-older concert
with no opening actthat starts at 7
p.m. — would be a good idea, he
warns a young concert-goer who is
drunk off "gin and guava juice or
whatever he stole from his parent's
liquor cabinet" to "back it up" be
cause he's wearing cashmere.
But this ease with his feminine
side does not mean Behrendt is out
of touch with other men. In fact, he
likely reaches many with a joke
about his wife and a fellow mom
from their children's play group
dropping their pants and discussing
grooming tips when the second
mother announces she will be
posing for Playboy.
Also, despite his fixation on age,
Behrendt's jokes are appreciated
by many generations or at least
those who are old enough to hear
the f-word. From tips on trick-or
treating, to the proper way to rock
an air guitar, to the challenges of
playing Pictionary with his wife on
married-couple game night,
Behrendt touches on experiences
almost everyone can understand
or recall.
Overall,this DVD iswell-worth$15
and two hours of yourtime. And those
who enjoy it may want to look into
Behrendt's stand-up tour, which is
scheduled to begin in January 2006.
kgerhard@dailyemerald.com
classes
are on campus.
*
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fO
your
social
life
doesn t
have to be.
m
m
s*
*
m
m
Monday Nights
buy a brew
get a free
slice of pizza
6-10 p.m.
pool.
always.^
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UNIVERSITY HEALTH CENTER
L ' * 1
i
-
\
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t .
mmmMm
PLAN AHEAD FOR
THE HOLIDAY
Health Center open through December 12.
Health Center closed on December 13 and will reopen
on January 9 to resume regularly scheduled hours.
I'
£
Hours for December 10 & II
10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Hours for Monday December
10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
DON'T FORGET
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birth-control needs
low cost over-the-counter items
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appointments: 346-2770
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the holidays
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to local independent bookstores
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