Image provided by: West Linn High School; West Linn, OR
About The amplifier. (West Linn, Oregon) 1921-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 1, 2009)
Ü 009 9 Features M idnight C allers songs available on iTunes _ C ole H ulden _______________ "rock and roll with ooh la la's" Berkham said. Together for a little under a year, they Staff Reporter When people think of a band, usually the first thing that comes to mind is a group like ; a group that made a name for themselves and transformed the rock industry Three West Linn bands hope to do the same— in their own distinct way. is a group that's really going somewhere. Known for writing all of their own material, it consists of Dave Berkham, senior, guitar and vocals; Cameron Mazzia, senior, bass; Jeremy O'Connell, senior, drums, and Jake Thiede, senior, who The Beatles M onday Combo M idnight Callers plays lead guitar. Creating eir own unique soun / they are best described as David Berkham, Jeremy O'Connell, Cameron Mazzia and Jake Thiede, seniors, practice with their band Midnight Callers. The band's new single is now available on iTunes and will soon be out on vinyl. Photo courtesy of David Berkham Pass welcomes holidays at White House ■ L e x i W elp Staff Reporter Lynn Pass, art teacher, kicked off the holiday season with a trip to the White House, ate dinner with the First Lady, and had the honor of designing and creating an ornament that hung on the White House Christmas tree in the Blue Room. Putting in a couple weeks of endless work, Pass created one of the five ornaments from Oregon. The entire endeavor started last summer when school was out. "I received an e-mail and then a phone call from Congresswoman Darlene Hooley's office," Pass said. Hooley had been asked to find an artist to represent the Fifth District by creating an ornament that would be placed on the Christmas tree in the White House. The ornament, made out of silver plastic was in diameter and depicted the state bird, the Western Meadowlark, and the state flower, the Oregon grape, along with a painting of Mount Hood and Multnomah Falls. After the ornament was taken down, it wasn't returned, but instead was placed in the archives within the White House itself. "I wanted to represent Oregon, and I just thought of the places I like to take people 9 inches Lynn Pass, art teacher, holds the finished ornament that she created for the White House Christmas tree. Pass traveled to Washington D.C. for a reception hosted by Laura Bush, former First Lady. Photo courtesy of Lynn Pass people heard us, they would enjoy it if they like rock music" Berkham said. Their music is available on iTunes, but you can also check them out at Myspace.com/ MidnightCallers. is a band that focuses more on the jazz side of the music spectrum. Members include Brady Wilhelm, senior, drums, John Rognlie, sophomore, piano, Timothy Comfort, senior, trumpet, Kyle Brooks, senior, trombone, Michael Biancardi, junior, alto sax, and Georgia Muggli, sophomore, bass. They have been playing in a jazz combo since the beginning of the year. Inspired by jazz greats, they meet as a group and play together on Monday mornings in the band room. Band members participate in many different activities, such as Muggli who is involved in band and orchestra through the school. Going even further from the original rock band concept, and pushing the jazz into an even more alternative sound, is a group known as when they come to Oregon to visit," Pass said. Pass traveled to Washington DC on Nov. 29 and went to the White House with her husband to see the decorated tree. While eating dinner at the White House, they had the opportunity to meet with other artists who designed ornaments. Her students were very positive about the honor. "She amazes me with the amount of talent she seems to have complete control over and you can just tell she has a passion for art in her life," Emily Weisenberger, junior, said. In addition, Pass received recognition in the and for her achievement. Her ornament also was shown on The Today Show "I just felt really honored to be asked in the first place. It really does give you confidence in the work you've done," Pass said. Tidings West Linn The Oregonian go out and play a couple times a month. "When you make music a job, it feels like a job," Berkham said. O'Connell and Berkham both agree that when they practice for big shows or recording their music it can seem like work, but they always have a good time. Becoming big and famous is always a want, but to them, the overall idea of playing as a group is just to have a good time. Each member puts their own personality into the music, creating a very unique sound. are playing at venues with people who are almost double their age, and who are astounded at how they don't just learn famous songs and play them, it's always their own material. What started as random jam-sessions is now becoming quite a big deal. "We are more mainstream rather than loud, trashy punk music. The songs are fun and catchy, making it more memorable. I'm sure if Callers M idnight M ustard Thumb and the Pizza Fingers. "I'm pretty sure we're the best band ever, hands down," Riley King, junior, said. King, who plays trumpet, trombone, percussion, and vocals, is joined by Kyle Lissman, junior, bass, guitar, glass bottles, and vocals; Carlos Splitstoser, junior, trumpet and glass bottles, Isaac Gay, junior, the tenor saxophone, Jason Meindl, junior, guitar, and Stephan Splitstoser, freshmen, who played in the song "Dean" on the alto saxophone. Band on ¡Tunes_______ ______ - continued on page 15 In times of stress do you have someone you can talk to? Someone with life experience? If your are: o Depressed o Fighting with mom and dad o Having problems with peers at school o Can’t stop partying Text,Call or Email Donny 503-320-9190 | wrightcounseling@comcast.net Wright Counseling and Consultation Services LLC. 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