It is guys like these who make it so difficult to walk up steps. Tsk, tsk... Photos by Raul Rubiera Jr. www.RaulRubiera.com

By James Johnson

Entire musical careers ride on the hope of one day being offered the golden ticket that is a record label contract - for Fayetteville-based metal rockers Nephilym however, that golden ticket turned out to be the preverbal nail in the coffin. On April 2, at the new location of The Rock Shop (directly across the street from the old location, at 128 South King Street), the boys of Nephilym will reunite for the first time in two years and this time the music industry isn’t invited: this show, says Nephilym, is strictly for the fans.

In the early to mid-2000s, Nephilym, which consists of drummer Brett Druzak, guitarist Josh Smith, bass player Bobby Byford, guitarist/vocalist Brent Underwood and vocalist Mike Fraizer, was one of the growing numbers of metal bands that began to gain traction within the Fayetteville music scene. Though performing almost exclusively at the recently closed Jester’s Pub, the release of two albums (2005’s “Pandora’s Lullaby” and 2006’s “Another Day”), and the word of mouth provided by soldiers from Fort Bragg helped create a loyal fan base both within the community and beyond. That far reach led to their catching the attention of Warner Brothers Records, who flew members of the band out to California in the hopes of grooming the band into something that Smith described as unrecognizable.

“They wanted to change what our band was so much that - well, it wouldn’t have been us,” said Smith. “They wanted to replace people in the band; they wanted us to change our appearance. It was like, ‘if the band you want isn’t the one standing in this room, why did you even come to see us?’”

“Honestly, any band that can make it through that, I have respect for,” said Underwood. “They will make you a monster.”

Though the band managed to walk away from “the monster” that was the music industry without being swallowed, the wounds remained and shortly afterwards, the infection spread.

“It helped separate us from the herd of other bands in the area, but it also opened our eyes to the dirty stuff the industry tries to do … after we walked away, some of us didn’t want anything to do with the industry again, and some of us were more encouraged to find a label that would fit us better,” Underwood said. “Those differing views of where we were going and where we should be going started to cause tension. Certain members didn’t want to drop everything to travel, some were more dedicated and some had pretty much had it. Egos clashed, really. We were all so full of ourselves.”

“Eight or nine months after the Warner Brothers thing, it became like a job,” said Smith. “No one was having fun anymore.”

To the shock of those who thought Nephilym would help put Fayetteville’s music scene on the map, the band inevitably broke up in 2008, with many of the original members refusing to talk to the others. Since their breakup the members have moved on, with most of them helping to form new bands, such as Messenger of Hope and Memphis Witch. Despite the messy breakup the decision to reunite, said Fraizer, came about fairly casually.

“We were just hanging out and we got to talking … Like, fans became really personally angry with us when we broke up. It was weird… Today, we’d still have people coming up to us, asking if we’ll get back together, so we figured, what the hell?” said Fraizer. “We’re older now, more mature … Since we made the announcement, it has been crazy - everywhere I go I hear someone ask me about it.”

“It was just weird that anyone still cared - that we were even relative at all,” said Underwood. “Back then, we were only adults on paper. I am really glad we broke up, because since then we’ve been able to grow so much as musicians that it is like night and day.”

Currently, the band is not openly making any plans beyond their April 2 Rock Shop performance, though they are open to writing new music together, if the demand is there. Among the other artists performing will be musical heavy weights, The Fifth, Dark Water Rising and Rookie of the Year, with more to be announced. Call 910-321-ROCK for more information.

...Leonardo Di Caprio, a reluctant Peter Pan.

By Jaymie Baxley

The new period thriller “Shutter Island” is a winning genre exercise from legendary director Martin “Wacky Eyebrows” Scorsese. Based on the novel by Dennis Lehane, the film’s red herring laced plot (which borrows substantially from “The Wicker Man”) chronicles U.S. Marshal Teddy Daniels (played by Scorsese fixture Leonardo “Get Rid of That Stupid Mustache” Di Caprio) investigation of a missing mental institution patient on the eponymous isle. Aided by new partner Chuck Aule (Mark “Only Good in Supporting Roles” Ruffalo) and the facility’s head psychiatrist Dr. John Cawley (Ben “There’s Nothing Funny About Ben Kingsley” Kingsley), the determined Daniels scours the asylum for clues and repeatedly comes up empty handed. Vivid nightmares, uncooperative doctors and WWII traumas hamper Daniels research and cause him to bounce from one paranoid suspicion to the next. He eventually finds himself ensnared in a web of escalating conspiracies, which push him further and further away from sanity’s threshold.

Possibly one of the most nuanced ghost stories in recent memory, “Shutter Island” earns its scares the good old fashioned way, through potent visuals and hand wringing tension. It’s rarely reduced to cheap “thing popping out from behind thing” tactics (see “The Wolfman”….better yet, don’t). Some credit may be due to the film’s grandiose score, which lends a little eerie to a few of “Shutter Island’s” less exciting sections, of which the film has its share. At 138 minutes in length “Shutter Island” could have benefited from a little trimming (thrillers are generally more thrilling when taut). Despite its long running time, the film maintains a tight grip on the audience’s attention until the final twist reveal, a classic “eureka!” moment where every stray dot seamlessly connects.

Since most of Scorsese’s recent films have contained a little more sprawl (”Gangs Of New York,” “The Aviator,” “The Departed”), “Shutter Island” may initially seem slight as an entry in the director’s late career cannon. And it is. But it is by no means a throwaway picture. “Shutter Island” harkens back to Horror’s bronze age, when a distorted perception was just as terrifying as any sociopath with a machete.

RANK: 4/5

Come on, it's 2010, and you're still using a cell phone to spy on your boyfriend?

By Charlee Sairrino

Q: My boyfriend recently started turning his phone face-down. I noticed it the other day because it was going off a lot and he was ignoring it. Normally, he puts it out of sight or has it on silent. Does this mean anything?

A: I don’t know, does it? It could be a sign that he is getting more comfortable with you. Enough to leave it out and for you to know how wildly popular he is. Maybe it’s a tactic to get you to be jealous and wonder about it? … Or - stick with me on this - it could mean absolutely nothing.

However, this is kind of a good question, so I asked a few guys for their opinion on the matter … Yep, on occasion, I do ask for professional opinions from subject matter experts … In this case, those experts are two single guys and one guy who is attached. Here’s what they had to say:

Single Guy #1: “Well, I have an iPhone and the entire text pops up. I don’t know who will be texting me what, so I turn it over to avoid awkward moments that I will have to explain away if anyone sees it.”

He went on to say that he will act more interested in his phone than a chick if necessary so she will get annoyed and leave. That way, there are no awkward explanations about how he doesn’t want to see her anymore. What a gem.

Single Guy #2: “Unless I am expecting a call or text from family, or it’s something I can share with the girl I’m seeing, I usually put my phone up and get back to it later. It’s rude to have the ringer on, even if you don’t answer it.”

Good manners. I like it.

Hooked Up Dude:

“I have it out but facedown so that I don’t spill stuff on the face of it, that’s all.”

When he asked the girl he was seeing why she kept her phone in her purse she didn’t skip a beat as she replied, “So I am not distracted from spending time with you.” … Boy, if that’s not a guilt trip, I don’t know what is.

Honestly, you’re reading a lot into nothing. If you can sense the relationship ending and you are looking for clues to confirm it, then your own paranoia should be considered your first clue.

He was ignoring his phone, so obviously, he was more interested in you than whoever was tele-stalking him. It’s not really his phone you need to keep an eye on anyway: check out his social networking sites. That’s where it’s at.

Ollie Forde (left) and Claudia Warga do ... um... baseball related stuff ... we think? Photos by Crystal Lovelady.

By James Johnson

Every now and then we like to abduct local artists and musicians, hold them at gun point and then ask them the most important questions we can muster. This week we challenged local actress Claudia Warga to answer our deepest most personal questions – we also asked about her new show “Play Balls,” which is ending its run at the Gilbert Theater in downtown Fayetteville this weekend (Feb 26 - 28).

“Play Balls” is a comedy which tells the vaguely true story of the first female baseball umpire, Lucy Posner, as played by Warga. Tickets for the show are $10 each. Find more info at the GilbertTheater.com

Fayetteville FEED: How has the show’s run been so far for you?

Claudia Warga: It’s been good – it has been tiring – but it has been exciting. We’ve been finding new stuff every night. I’m not used to doing three weekends (two is my norm’), but it is better this way, I think. You get to find more. We’re even doing Thursday shows and they’ve been picking up a bit more too.

F.F.: While remaining aware that in theater there are no small roles, only small actors (i.e. Danny DeVito), this is arguably your largest role, right?

C.W.: I would consider it my biggest role, yeah. I was in “Wait Until Dark,” and technically that was a large role, but in this one I get to speak with the audience, which somehow makes it feel different.

F.F.: Did you have to learn how to play baseball in preparation for this show? Or at least take classes on the art of scratching yourself?

C.W.: I grew up playing a lot of baseball. I actually quit playing when I got into theater. I pitched on a few softball teams, so yeah, I know how it is to try to fit in with the guys.

F.F.: This is a three person cast, including yourself, actor Ollie Forde and due to some last minute change, show director Antonio Bonilla – how is It working with them?

C.W.: I’ve done a lot of plays where the director has to step in to take over a role, so I am kind of used to it. (Peter) stepped in, and already knew where he was going with it – it is kind of cool working with Peter. The cast has evolved as the show’s run has progressed, which is fun.

F.F.: The language in this show is kind of strong, even by Gilbert Theater standards – did this present a problem when having family in the audience?

C.W.: Absolutely not… The language is part of the show, and part of baseball. When you play baseball, hang out with the boys – words pop out. My mother was like, “I wish you didn’t say that,” but she enjoys it anyway.

F.F.: Now that the run is coming to an end, are you experiencing any sadness?

C.W.: Oh yeah – definitely. We’ve been working on this since January, and it seems longer than that. So much has changed. There is some sorrow; I’m going to miss it. I wish we could run another few weeks.

Editor’s note:

For those looking for a really good show and a way deduct some taxes, March 6 the Gilbert Theater will be holding a fundraiser entitled “A Little Light Music.” For more information, call 910-678-7186.

No horse play here... Photos by Raul Rubiera Jr. www.RaulRubiera.com

By Jaymie Baxley

Since forming in late 2006, Fayetteville’s Rogue Roller Girls have become a formidable presence in the national roller derby circuit. Despite this, most locals perceive the girls as physically repressed stay at home mothers jonsing for some extracurricular hobby a little more thrilling than pilates. This preconception couldn’t be further from the truth according to team treasurer and player Mary Jane Achey. “We’re not bored house wives, we’re all very passionate about this.”

Achey, who skates under the charming alias “Slipknot,” is the team’s eldest player and has been pivotal in the group’s transition from recreational curiosity to major industry presence.

“Back when I started, we didn’t have budgets or anything. Now we’re pulling a profit,” she said. “We run more like a professional business now. Don’t get me wrong, we still go out and party. Things are just much more …coordinated now. ”

While it’s unlikely that anyone would confuse the suggestively clad roller girls for brownie scouts, some might presuppose that they don’t possess the inherent tenacity or psychical drive to be as savage as male athletes. Darci Kearn, who dabbles in various positions under the alias “TriixE Titanium,”  stresses the contrary: “The draw for most of us is in the physicality of the sport. I mean, the more aggressive you are, the better,” said Kearn. “In any other sport you’d get in trouble for that.”

She added that it’s not uncommon for skaters to stagger away from bouts with bloody noises or inflated lips.
It’s never a smart idea to judge a book by it’s cover, especially if that book has fists and doesn’t like the way your teeth are arranged.

Photos by Raul Rubiera Jr. www.RaulRubiera.com

“I think a lot of people assume we’re a bunch of whores. While we do wear scandalous outfits, most of us have jobs and children,” said pivot player Shantell Saulsbury, AKA “Southern Hail.” “We’re each more socially open around the rink, more extroverted in that context. People on the outside probably think I’m a square. ”

“Most people think we’re a bunch of trouble makers or ruckus raisers,” added team mate Ilene Henderson. “People base what they see off TV shows and movies.”.

“I had wanted to do this for three years,” said petite, 23-year-old Stephanie Teeple, the team’s youngest player. A few months back, Teeple conjured the nerve to participate in one of the group’s open practices. Endorphins were loosed, knees were scraped and Teeple never looked back.

“I’m looking forward to my first bout but I am nervous,” she said.

She has good reason to be. For all the baseless misconceptions people may have about her team, one rumor remains a safe bet: Hell hath no fury like a woman in roller skates.

Rouge Rollergirls Schedule (all bouts take occur at Round-a-Bout, 880 Elm Street- Eutaw ):

March 27, 2010
vs. Greenville Derby Dames

April 10, 2010
vs. DC Rollergirls

May 1, 2010

vs. Hard Knox Rollergirls

June 12, 2010
vs. Capefear Rollergirls

July 24, 2010

vs. Richmond Derby Demons

September 4, 2010
vs. Carolina Hurticanes

Pull a switch - see what blows up.

By Staff McGee

by Charlee Sairrino

Q: I’ve been dating a man who is a few years older than me and he’s kinda married. Well he’s technically separated, but he still supports his ex-wife and their kids. We live together now and even though I know that he will be divorced soon, I can’t help but think that maybe he still wants to be with his ex. When we go out, he has to meet me places and he always introduces me as his friend when we are more than that. I haven’t been through his phone or his MySpace yet.

When I ask him about it, he says he doesn’t think that we should label our relationship and that he had enough of that being a husband. What am I missing?

A: Apparently you are missing part of your brain - or all of it - along with any respect you have for yourself. Let me also point this out for you: until the dude signs those divorce papers, he’s technically still married to his wife and the kids are the glue that will bind them together forever in parenthood (if not in marriage).
But I’m pretty sure that it’s not his wife you have to worry about here. It’s his wandering eye and I’m also sure his age has nothing to do with it.

Your man just got out of a marriage, he’s not really looking to settle down again and definitely not so soon. He doesn’t believe in labels because they ruin the chance of meeting a girl he wouldn’t mind calling his girlfriend. Just rest assured, it won’t be you. You are mainly the means for him to get back on his feet. He has a place to stay and a girl to take care of him during this financially taxing, emotionally frustrating and sexually needy time in his life. If it means anything, when he introduces you to his friends as his ‘friend,’ they already know the deal. Hey, at least he’s bringing you around them! If you look at it that way, it’s a win.

Obviously, you weren’t aware of the raw deal you were getting, so I’ll give you a bonus tip. More often than not, when you hear a guy is separated or just recently single, it means he is in a state of emotional unavailability. That’s like a stop sign for a chick who wants a boyfriend. This guy neither wants or is able to give you what you need in relationship and will only focus on what he needs and what he needs is whatever you will give him as long as you don’t ask for anything in return. So, do yourself a favor: don’t bother snooping in his stuff (you will just get your feelings hurt) and let him go. I’m sure there is someone out there who will tattoo your name on their
body.

Editor James Johnson

By James Johnson

We’ve had an overwhelming amount of support from residents regarding the Fayetteville FEED magazine’s first print issue - most of the praise is awesome, and we can promise has gone straight to our heads (Jaymie no longer allows people to look him in the eyes - which hasn’t been a problem since he started refusing to wear pants), but every now and then we’ll hear what we consider backhanded praise, such as “this magazine is great, why do it in Fayetteville?” or “this would be cooler in Raleigh.” These comments need to stop - and so I am addressing them here.

I make no bones about the fact that Fayetteville is far from flawless - but one flaw that is more glaring than all the crime, strip clubs and Super Wal-Marts, is the almost total lack of town pride. Face it - no one wants to hang out with the girl who has low self esteem - just ask a girl with low self esteem if she is a waste of life, and I guarantee you she will say yes… ‘Cause the truth is, you, the person reading this right now, you are a part of this city and if the city sucks, it is a reflection on you. You suck.

If just five locals tomorrow each decided they were going to do something to make their town a little cooler, we can guarantee it would make a difference. Take Shawn Adkins, owner of Fayetteville’s own Rock Shop - the guy started out booking bands for Huske Hardware, and any day, he could have taken his talents to any ol’ city, opened up a music venue, or put on a concert, and that town would have benefitted - but instead, he decided to put some faith in the town he was already living in - and has opened what has become an institution, which in April, will go from making Fayetteville cool, to putting our city on the map in regards to famous rock tours.

That is why we decided to base the FEED in Fayetteville - we may not have the most music venues and we may not have the greatest reputation, but we do have people - and people are the only ingredients a city needs to improve on all of the above. Just add water.

Below are some ways you can make your town cooler.

1.) Organize a live concert. The bigger the better. All you need is the space and location. Know someone who has a warehouse? Even the library allows you to put on events without charging you a penny. Just whatever you do, please don’t hire an ’80s rock cover band … ugh… we’ve had our fill.

2.) Art gallery opening. The Feral Art Collective is a great example of local artists who decided that they weren’t going to wait for the Arts Council or anyone else to show off their work. Find a local business with spacious walls, and offer to have the opening there - the business gets a crowd of customers coming in, and you get to have a real life gallery opening. Wine and cheese are of course optional.

3.) Black box theater. For those unaware, black box theater is live theater that can be done just about anywhere - these are usually bare bone shows. If you don’t want to risk money on paying for the rights to produce a play, write your own you lazy sons o’ bitches, or find one that is public domain.

4.) Zombie walk.

We just think these are cool for some reason… uhm, do your research.

5.) Pester local politicians.

If there is a change in the city you wanna have made - make it so. Go to the City Council meetings (they happen every Monday), be vocal and annoying - and odds are good, you’ll affect some change. Write to local magazines (hint hint) and newspapers about your cause. It’s your city - it is time you start acting like it.

Autumn Nicholas loves herself some guitar. Photos by Raul Rubiera Jr. www.RaulRubiera.com

Story by James Johnson, photos by Raul Rubiera Jr.

Acoustic rock artist Autumn Nicholas hit a wall last year - the figurative kind of wall that leaves you breathless and filled with self doubt. For many, this kind of wall can crush ambition, block creativity and force one into exile, for Nicholas - it was just another hurdle to climb.

At 20 years old, Nicholas has learned a lot about herself in the past four years of being a working artist in Fayetteville. Nicholas began raising eyebrows when she was first seen performing at local open mics, such as those found at The Coffee Scene. She stood out, and not just because of her fauxhawk or good looks - Nicholas had a visible passion, which could be heard in every note she played. Her sultry vocals and kinetic guitar work earned her a loyal following of supporters.

Nicholas is fairly open about her sexuality, which is in itself, very open, as she is a firm believer that gender and love are not things that necessarily go hand in hand. Her openness allowed her to meet someone whom to this day she deems as her eternal soul mate - Courtney Chatelain. The two decided to make it official last year and had a wedding ceremony performed at The Rock Shop, which was documented for an as yet unaired MTV special.

Nicholas followed this giant step in her personal life by a fittingly large step in her music career, by trying her hand in the musical lottery known as “American Idol.”

Unfortunately, fame by way of Simon Cowell was not in the cards for Nicholas, who was one of the millions of artists turned away after auditions. Things didn’t get any better upon returning home, as Nicholas found herself without a steady job and facing a conflict within her personal life. In the interest of tastefulness, we won’t go into detail, suffice to say, this was the aforementioned wall.

Autumn Nicholas. Photos by Raul Rubiera Jr. www.RaulRubiera.com

“There are times like that in every musician’s life,” said Nicholas. “It was something to learn from …”
Nicholas and Chatelain’s relationship changed, but not necessarily for the worse says Nicholas, as the two remain very close. She took the joblessness as an excuse to work extra hard on her music career, snagging herself regular gigs through the popularity of her dynamic sound.

“Yeah, it forced me to work extra hard. It was a make it or break it kinda thing,” Nicholas said. “Get out there and bust your butt if you can’t make it in retail.”

Perhaps Nicholas’ biggest change, and possibly her most challenging one, was her decision to enroll in college, where she hopes to pursue a degree in music business.

“I definitely want to think of this more as a business,” said Nicholas. “You should know what you’re getting into before someone gets something over your head.”

Nicholas credits her parents for helping give her the strength to continue and the encouragement to pursue her education.

“Honestly I’ve always had a good relationship with them … and I thank God for that,” said Nicholas. “Not everyone has the backbone. My mom and dad are the reason I’m here and have given me any gifts that I have. I love my family very much and they are honestly what drive me.”

It is that unconditional love which has always been a driving force for Nicholas through every challenge and figurative wall she’s come upon.

“That’s my biggest philosophy … love has no gender, no limits. Love who you love and love yourself… You must accept yourself as a person… Acknowledge a person as a person, no matter how they look. If you want to be different, you have to be tough, or go home. Step through the door - and say hey.”

Currently Nicholas is writing her first official album, which she hopes to release later this year. One can catch Nicholas’ performance every Thursday night at Paddy’s Pub, on Raeford Rd. For more information, click here.

For all your auto-tuning needs.

By Staff McGee