Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current | View Entire Issue (March 25, 2017)
ENTERTAINMENT Saturday, March 25, 2017 East Oregonian Page 3C Pendleton garage band fights against ‘the end’ B eing member of a rock band is akin to being in multiple significant other relationships at once. The necessities of communication, compromise, coordination and shared vision are all there but it is balanced out among three to five people. Thus, being in a high school garage band is much like having (many) a high school sweetheart, and who can forget the tribulations after graduation when lovers must fly apart to J.D. their respective Kindle post-secondary Comment education plans? Pendleton- based rock band Suspect’s debut album, “This Don’t Have To Be The End,” is an encapsulation of this mini drama. Contained within is a collection of classic rock-influenced guitar riffs and confessional lyrics from four young men who’ve grown up and rocked out together. Lifted from the lyrics of their original song of the same name, “This Don’t Have To Be The End” is also a fitting album title for a band that is temporarily separated by age and distance, yet manage to hang on to each other. Vocalist Nolan Bylenga, most well known to East Oregonian readers for his track and field accomplishments, is currently attending the University of Florida. Guitarist Austin Oklay and bassist Max Verdin, while still residing in Pendleton, are both high school graduates as well, leaving Maverick Beach as the sole high school-aged member. Prior to “This Don’t Have To Be The End,” Suspect recorded a few demos, though Beach says, “None of them were actually too serious.” Absence makes the heart grow fonder in some cases and after Bylenga left for Florida the band became inspired to produce a formal document of what they had built together. A patchwork schedule of recording sessions over Bylegna’s winter break and a sense of urgency yielded the raw tracks that Beach mixed and mastered at his home studio, Mach 4. The most important catalyst for bringing the band together was the Pendleton Center for the Arts’ annual Rock and Roll Camp. Bylenga, Oklay and Verdin had all played together in various formations since elementary school but it wasn’t until Beach moved to Pendleton it 2014, attending that year’s Rock Camp, that the foursome came together for the first time. It was there that the band formed, taking the name Suspect from one of the merchandise workshops they attended, and gave their first performance at the concert that caps off the week-long camp. Rock and Roll Camp has also helped Suspect develop an entrepreneurial drive. The band has taken it upon themselves to ensure their album is being distributed through popular online music retailers as well as having physical copies in select outlets. One of the most impressive elements of Suspect’s debut is the promotional material the band has produced surrounding it. We live in an age where publicity is as important as (or in some cases supersedes) the creative content it buoys. Suspect understand this well, producing a set of music videos and press photos that convey their narrative of four earnest and wide-eyed country boys that just want to play some rock and roll. Take for example, the music video for “This Don’t Have To Be The End,” which is a collage of shots of Suspect performing their song against backdrops of wheat fields and grain silos, Bylenga pensively traipsing though a forest lip syncing, and pickup trucks barreling down gravel roads. The band and their photographers Kaden Clark and Gale Bird took care to shoot during dusk hours when natural light is at is softest and most saturated. Much of the publicity for Suspect has been crafted by Beach, who at this point should be considered a producer due to all the behind-the-scenes and conceptual work that he has contributed. Beach’s father, currently a math instructor at Blue Mountain Community College, had previously taught a publications course that left Beach with home access to sound, photo and video editing software for him to experiment with. Through trial-and-error and watching online tutorials, Beach learned how to polish Suspect’s raw material for public consumption. Obviously this won’t be the end of Suspect. They intend on giving a proper album release celebration performance when schedules allow. Like high school sweethearts, there will be summer vacations, spring break, and long weekends to provide for temporary reunions. Who knows, sometimes high school sweethearts are still together decades after school has let out. ■ James Dean Kindle is the East Oregonian’s entertainment columnist, the executive director of the Oregon East Symphony and a Pendleton musician. Contact him at jamesdeankindle@gmail.com. WHAT TO DO BRIEFLY Festivals Echo Red 2 Red XC •April 1 •Intersection Main/Dupont streets, Echo www.echored2red.com $45/adults, $20/youths. In its ninth year, riders start and finish in downtown Echo. Includes all ages and skill levels with awards and a raffle after the race. Race postponed from March due to trail conditions. File photo Train Robbers to hold up Pendleton PENDLETON — Familiar faces will take the stage as Tylor and the Train Robbers return to Eastern Oregon for a pair of Pendleton shows. The group will perform Friday, March 31 from 9 p.m. to midnight at Hamley Saloon, 8 S.E. Court Ave., and Monday, April 3 from 7-9 p.m. at Great Pacific Wine & Coffee Co., 403 S. Main St. There is no cover charge at either show. In addition, all ages are welcome at the GP. Tylor Bushman, who grew up in Helix, cut his teeth on the Wheatstock stage as part of the Bushman Brothers. He has most recently been a part of the Boise music scene. For more about the band, visit www. tylorandthetrainrobbers.com. Exhibit introduces new Smithsonian museum LA GRANDE — A poster exhibition about the newest Smithsonian museum, which opened last September in Washington, D.C., can be viewed at Eastern Oregon University in La Grande. “A Place for All People: Introducing the National Museum of African American History and Culture” will be open to the public Monday, April 3 through Friday, April 7 in the Multicultural Center in the Hoke Union Building on the university’s La Grande campus. Also, Gwendolyn Trice, executive director of the Maxville Heritage Interpretive Center, will make a presentation during a public reception Wednesday, April 5 at 4 p.m. The exhibit and Trice’s presentation will showcase stories of African American people and their contributions to the local community and the American story. Trice’s father lived and worked in the town of Maxville, constructed in 1923 in northern Wallowa County by a Missouri logging company and later closed in the 1930s. Many of its residents were African American loggers and their families who relocated from the south to northeastern Oregon. For more information, contact Laura Hancock at 541-962-3585 or lhancock@ eou.edu. For more about the new museum, visit www. nmaahc.si.edu. Adams Day •Saturday, April 8 •Adams, various locations www.cityofadamsoregon. com Free entry. The Adams La- dies Club is throwing a party in celebration of the start of the Triangle Little League. Includes a parade, breakfast, vendors in the park, yard sales, library book sale and baseball games all day. BMCC Arts & Culture Festival •April 17-20, various times •Blue Mountain Community College www.bluecc.edu Free. Open to the public, ac- tivities are planned on the Pend- leton and Hermiston campuses of BMCC. Art, Museums Terrific Tuesday: Sheep and Sheep Ranching •Tuesday, March 28; 7 p.m. •Heritage Station Museum, 108 S.W. Frazer Ave., Pendle- ton Free. John Doherty will guide listeners through the his- tory of the Doherty sheep ranch near Gurdane. A sheep ranch- ing exhibit also is on display in the main gallery. Let’s Call It Spring •Tuesday-Sundays, 10 a.m.- 6 p.m. •Peterson’s Gallery and Chocolatier, 1925 Main St., Baker City www.petersonsgallery.net Free. Features a collection of bright and colorful artwork by favorite artists. In addition, new spring chocolate line is avail- able. Opening reception held in conjunction with the First Friday Artwalk. Runs through March 31. Chuck Close: Portraits •Tuesday-Fridays, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Saturdays, noon-4 p.m. •Pendleton Center for the Arts, 214 N. Main St. www.pendletonarts.org Free. Selection of Close’s works from the collection of Jor- dan Schnitzer. “A Place for All People” •Wednesday, April 5; 4 p.m., public reception •April 3-7; 11 a.m.-4 p.m. •Multicultural Center, Hoke Union Building •Eastern Oregon University, La Grande www.eou.edu Free. The poster exhibition serves to introduce the Nation- al Museum of African American History and Culture. The newest Smithsonian museum opened last fall in Washington D.C. The public reception features a presentation by Gwendolyn Trice, executive director of the Maxville Heritage Interpretive Center. “The Path of Totality” •Monday, April 3; 9 a.m.- 5:30 p.m., art accepted •Friday, April 7; 5:30-8 p.m., opening reception •Crossroads Carnegie Art Center, 2020 Auburn St., Baker City www.crossroads-arts.org $15/members, $20/ non-members. Up to three piec- es accepted by amateur and professional artists depicting the theme inspired by the upcom- ing Aug. 21 total solar eclipse. Show and sale runs April 7-29. instrument, voice, family and friends. tendo 64. Jamie & Luke •Thursdays and Fridays, 8 p.m. •The Pheasant, 149 E. Main St., Hermiston •Friday, March 31; 6:30 p.m. No cover •Sno Road Winery, 111 W. Main St., Echo Nuketown •Friday, March 31; Saturday, April 1; 8 p.m. No cover •Wildhorse Sports Bar, Wild- horse Resort & Casino, off I-84 Exit 216, Mission •Friday, March 31; 9 p.m. •Hamley Saloon, 8 S.E. Court Ave., Pendleton •Monday, April 3; 7-9 p.m. •Great Pacific Wine & Coffee Co., 403 S. Main St., Pendleton No cover for either show. The show at GP is all ages. Yaquina Bay •Thursday, April 6; 7-9 p.m. •Great Pacific Wine & Coffee Co., 403 S. Main St., Pendleton No cover, all ages. Also fea- tures DoublePlusGo. Decade X •Friday, April 7; Saturday, April 8; 8 p.m. No cover •Wildhorse Sports Bar, Wild- horse Resort & Casino, off I-84 Exit 216, Mission Design •Friday, April 14; Saturday, April 15; 8 p.m. No cover •Wildhorse Sports Bar, Wild- horse Resort & Casino, off I-84 Exit 216, Mission Night life Brewers Grade DJ music •Saturday, March 25; 8 p.m. No cover •Wildhorse Sports Bar, Wild- horse Resort & Casino, off I-84 Exit 216, Mission The American West •Wednesday, March 29; 7 p.m. All ages, no cover •Great Pacific Wine & Coffee Co., 403 S. Main St., Pendleton Live Music Thursday •Thursdays 7-9 p.m. No cover •40 Taps, 337 S.W. Emigrant Ave., Pendleton Open Mic at GP •Thursday, March 30; 7-9 p.m. •Great Pacific Wine & Coffee Co., 403 S. Main St., Pendleton No cover. All ages are wel- come during the last Thurs- day of each month. Bring your LOL Comedy Jam •Thursdays; 8 p.m. •Wildhorse Sports Bar, Wild- horse Resort & Casino, off I-84 Exit 216, Mission. No cover. March 30: Julian Michael; April 6: Art Krug Mac’s Trivia Night Tylor and The Train Robbers Music Digital Karaoke •First Thursday of month, 8 p.m. No cover •Mac’s Bar & Grill, 1400 S.W. Dorion Ave., Pendleton 21 and older. East. Drink. Think. Teams of 2-8 compete in trivia contest with other teams. Live host and prizes. Wine tasting •Fridays, 4-8 p.m. •Sno Road Winery, 111 W. Main St., Echo. Open Mic •First/third Friday each month, 8 p.m.-midnight •The Packard Tavern, 118 S.E. Court Ave., Pendleton www.facebook.com/groups/ pendletonopenmic Karaoke w/DJ David •Fridays; 8 p.m. •Riverside Sports Bar, 1501 Sixth St., Umatilla DJ and dancing •Fridays, 8 p.m. •The Pheasant, 149 E. Main St., Hermiston Cimmi’s Late Night Martini Lounge •Saturdays, 8 p.m. •The Pheasant, 149 E. Main St., Hermiston Karaoke w/DJ David •Saturdays; 8 p.m. •Riverside Sports Bar, 1501 Sixth St., Umatilla Lock, Stock & Lipstick Ladies’ Night •Saturdays; 8 p.m.-2 a.m. •Sub Zero Restaurant & Lounge, 100 W. Highway 730, Irrigon No cover. Drink specials from 8-10 p.m. Live DJ with fe- male-friendly music. Whiskey Wednesday Game Night •Wednesdays; 3-7 p.m. •The Pheasant, 149 E. Main St., Hermiston No cover. Xbox 360, Ninten- do Wii, PlayStation 3 and Nin- •Fridays; 9 p.m.-midnight •Virgil’s at Cimmiyotti’s, 137 S. Main St., Pendleton No cover. Features martinis, mixology and music. Theater & film “Treasure Island” Auditions •Monday, March 27; 10 a.m. •A.C. Houghton Elementa- ry School, 1105 N. Main Ave., Irrigon Free. Auditions for the Mis- soula Children’s Theatre pro- duction is open to ages 6-18. Rehearsals will be held through- out the week with a performance scheduled Saturday, April 1. “Moana” •Friday, March 31; 7 p.m. •Vert Auditorium, 480 S.W. Dorion Ave., Pendleton www.pendletonparksan- drec.com Free. Family-friendly movie. Concessions available for pur- chase. Dancing With Your Pendleton Stars •Saturday, April 8; 7 p.m. •Vert Auditorium, 480 S.W. Dorion Ave., Pendleton w w w. f a c e b o o k . c o m / events/402373760146806 $20. Presented by CAPE- CO, features six local celebrities teamed up with members of the Utah Ballroom Dance Compa- ny. Hot tickets •2-Day Midget Wrestling Fiesta!: (Micro Wrestling Fed- eration). April 14-15, Midway Bar & Grill, Hermiston. VIP, front row and general admission ($20- $40) via thepheasant.ticketleap. com •Prestige Championship Wrestling 1: (featuring former UFC star “Filthy” Tom Lawlor). April 15, Eastern Oregon Trade & Event Center, Hermiston. ($15-$50) via www.pcprowres- tling1.eventbrite.com •Chippendale’s. April 29 at Wildhorse Resort & Casino. Tickets ($34-$54) available via www.wildhorseresort.com •Viva Las Vegas Rockabil- ly Weekend: April 13-16, Las Vegas. Early bird four-day pass ($140) through March 15 via www.vivalasvegas.net •What the Festival: June 16-19, Wolf Run Ranch, near Dufur. Three-day music, art, film and interactive festival. Features 90 electronic music DJs on eight stages and the largest splash pool in North America. Camping options available ($300-$2,500) via www.whatthefestival.com •Pendleton Whisky Fest: (featuring Maroon 5) July 15, Pendleton Round-Up Grounds. Box/grand stand seats still avail- able ($70-$95) via www.pendle- tonwhiskymusicfest.com •Northwest World Reggae Festival: (music, camping, food, vendors) July 28-30, Pfau Pfam- ily Pfarma, 13 miles west of San- dy. Early bird prices ($120) via www.nwwrf.com ——— Want to get your event list- ed in our calendar? Send in- formation to community@eas- toregonian.com, or c/o Tammy Malgesini, 333 E. Main Street, Hermiston, OR, 97838. MOVIE REVIEW ‘Life’ is a mediocre science-fiction thriller By JAKE COYLE AP Film Writer Life is a box of chocolates, a highway and, alas, a mediocre science-fiction thriller. In Daniel Espinosa’s “Life,” an international space station orbiting the Earth intercepts an automated capsule returning from Mars with samples: rocks, dust and, as it turns out, a tiny monocellular organism that proves the existence of life on another planet. The thing, though, about those monocellular organ- isms from Mars is that they grow up. When Dr. Hugh Derry (Arioyon Bakare) injects the cell with glucose, it begins rapidly growing bigger, beyond its petri dish. (Yes, “Life” is, above all, a lesson in the dangers of too much sugar.) The crew — including Jake Gyllenhaal’s troubled veteran, Ryan Reynolds’ cocky engineer, Rebecca Fergu- son’s microbiologist and Hiroyuki Sanada’s new father — celebrate their remarkable discovery and “Life” ★★☆☆ R, 102 minutes Alex Bailey/Columbia/Sony Pictures via AP Jake Gyllenhaal appears in a scene from “Life.” observe its development. “You’re going to be a daddy,” Reynolds’ astronaut tells the proud Derry. Derry, the biological expert of the bunch, hopes the organism — dubbed “Calvin” — will teach the scientists about the origin, the nature “and maybe even the meaning of life.” Such glories, however, aren’t in store. The harsh revelation that Calvin brings is that life — violently striving for survival — finds a way. Unfortunately, “Life,” the movie, doesn’t. Once the alien lifeform strengthens and gets loose, “Life” surrenders to a tiresome chase away from not just its ravenous creature but from the movies “Life” so obviously takes it cues from. “Life” certainly can’t come anywhere near the well-earned horrors of “Alien,” nor does it boast anything like the silky splendor of “Gravity.” Espinosa (“Safe House,” “Child 44”) claustrophobically encloses the drama in a fairly realistic space station that, lacking sufficiently cinematic production design, doesn’t allow for much movement. Unlike Hollywood’s recent, more ambitious sojourns into space, “Life” is a grittier, clunkier B-movie monster movie in zero gravity. An extraterrestrial Frankenstein is hunted with implausible dimwit- tedness by a bickering human crew. Penned by Rheet Reese and Paul Wernick (“Deadpool,” “Zombieland”), “Life” doesn’t have much of the sarcastic wit the screenwriters have shown before. Instead, it’s merely a terse, prickly cheap thrill. Not until the film’s final moments — finally free of the space station — does the movie finally find its own bite.
