Robby Roadsteamer, Part I: Working on a cure for death

North Shore comedian and musician Robby Roadsteamer gets unplugged this winter with his new album “L.R.P.”

By Brett McCabe

After being dropped from Mass Appeal, a subsidiary of Universal Records, almost as quickly as he was picked up, North Shore comedian and musician Robby Roadsteamer wouldn’t let that stop him. He continued on right back where he started, but this time with an entirely new outlook on life, music and society. With a new album due in December, Roadsteamer’s prepared to take on New England from a whole new angle.

Influenced by Bill Hicks, Denis Leary, Andrew Dice Clay and George Carlin at a young age, Robby Roadsteamer was on the road to make people laugh before he even knew it. His website features a regularly updated sitcom and he is a part time DJ on 104.1 WBCN. With his backing band, he is best known for the single “I Put a Baby in You,” which got airplay on over 200 radio stations in the U.S. and the video was featured on VH1.

After deciding to drop his character act, which was his version of Andy Kaufman’s Tony Clifton, Roadsteamer is ready to reveal to the world the real person under the wig and sunglasses. Just releasing the album “I’ll Be at Your Funeral” (described as a concept album about dinosaurs, Nintendo and the North Shore) this past summer, Roadsteamer has already finished recording his latest album, this time without the help of his band. The new album, “L.R.P” is Robby Roadsteamer unplugged and will be released in every Newbury Comics branch on Tuesday, December 4.

I met up with the Masshole at a bar in his current residence of Allston Rock City to talk to him about the new album and see what his favorite 80’s action movie was. Brandishing his Boston accent, he describes what it’s like to put a mask on every day for work, what society really thinks of artists and music today.

“Hi, I’m Robby Roadsteamer. This song’s about video games.”

The last time Roadsteamer performed with an acoustic guitar in a public setting was at the Comedy Connection in 2000 and it was a disaster. Comedian Steve Sweeny went on stage first and killed. During Roadsteamer’s turn on stage, he had to close his eyes just to finish off the set. His fragility is what led to developing his stage persona. “Personally, I did it because I was scared,” he said. “Those sunglasses were the best because my eyes, you can tell when I’m nervous, angry, sad, everything.”

Earlier in his career, Robby wrote songs to make people laugh. To name a few, many with his former band the Sweatpant Boners, there are, “I Put a Baby In You,” “Fire!,” “Save Your Virginity” and “Shower Games.” But with support from his friend Reverend Glasseye (who beat him in the 2005 WBCN Rock’n’roll Rumble), Roadsteamer finally completed his goal of recording an acoustic album, which wasn’t based on just making people laugh. However, instead of going James Taylor on his fans, the new album features more cynical, thought-provoking lyrics.

After doing his first solo acoustic gig in years, Roadsteamer grabbed the sound engineer from the club to drag to New Line Studios in Cambridge and said, “Dude, you wanna record an album with me? ASAP? Life’s too short!” Next to his vanilla cupcake scented Yankee candle, Roadsteamer sat down in the studio, refusing to wear headphones, and played the way he does when he is in his own bedroom for eight hours straight.

The new album boasts song titles such as “New Hampshire: Live Free or Sigh” and “The Marijuana Train.” Roadsteamer sang some of the lyrics to the latter for me: “Well I wake up in the morning and I put my mask on/And fake it for the norm/All day long/I talk to customers, my life is [expletive] dirt/My life is [expletive] dirt/Sell another shirt…/I’m leavin’ tonight…(laughs)”

Roadsteamer went on to explain more about artist development: “It’s still in a comedic sense, but the fact of it is, being an artist, what are you supposed to do? You’re supposed to reflect what you see, what you feel, what you perceive. I think a lot of that is lost on the musician today. Music today is what would sound good in the back of a party, what looks great on TV. And that’s what is perpetuated as success because nobody wants anybody to say what they say anymore. Because, who knows. Maybe people could start coming out like ‘WOW, maybe nine to five, dying at eighty with a 401k isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Maybe I was capable of doing more.’”

He continued, “I look at it like we’re all wearing a mask. We wake up in the morning, we go to work. We put on our work mask. We’re not really ourselves, ya know. You work at your job… We don’t wanna be constantly fighting with other people.”

Roadsteamer mused “People only mind a bad day at work, for example. There’s stuff that triggers it. There’s stuff in your own head. There’s stuff to make you perceive you are having a bad day at work.” He added, “It’s also mindfulness. It’s like saying we work retail and I come up to you and I’m like ‘Sir, this coffee is a piece of [expletive]. It tastes like crap.’ Now there’s two ways you can look at that person: ‘I don’t care, it’s a [expletive] coffee. Shove it up your [expletives]’.’ Or you can be like: Oh man, this person’s really attached to coffee. Wow. All right, well this is my job. I’m being paid to do this. I mean, I’m going to be doing this no matter what for nine hours anyway, I might as well…It’s all how you look at everything.”

Check out next week’s issue for part two of the Robby Roadsteamer interview. In the meantime, check out roadsteamer.com for more information.

Super Smash Brothers Melee Tournament

The Super Smash Bros. Melee tourney last Thursday, held by the UMass Dartmouth Theatre Company, drew 52 players with the finals lasting almost 10 rounds.

A competitor listens to his headphones while playing in one of the last four-player rounds in the Super Smash Bros. Melee tournament.

Comedy Night

Audience members are called on stage to show off their dance moves.

The opening comedian does his “Baconator” impression.

University Library honors male writers

By Shara Sarnelli

Writers have influenced the world for centuries with their words. Now it is time to honor four distinguished male writers while they also influence the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth.

On Thursday, November 29 at 7 p.m. in the Library Browsing Area, the Claire T. Carney Library Associates will honor male writers Andre Dubus III, X.J. Kennedy, William Martin and Richard Ward. The writers will receive achievement awards in short story, poetry, prose and biography. The awards will be presented by Susan Rothschild who is the president of The Claire T. Carney Library Associates.

This program about great American writers, hosted by Chancellor Professor Emeritus Mel B. Yoken, will serve as a benefit to expand, renovate and modernize UMass Dartmouth’s library. A reception and book signing will follow the discussions. Books will be available and autographed by the authors.

Although this program will be beneficial and influential, tickets are $20 for Library Associates members. Students, however, will have free admittance with the proper college ID. Tickets will be available at the door, but reservations are encouraged to be made in advance and checks should be made payable to The Claire T. Carney Library Associates, sent to, 1032 Sterling Street, New Bedford, MA 02745.

Andre Dubus III teaches writing at both Tufts University and Emerson College. He is the author of “The Cage Keeper and other stories,” “Bluesman” and “House of Sand and Fog.” “House of Sand and Fog” was a finalist for the 1999 National Book Award and named an Oprah Book Club Pick.

X.J. Kennedy is considered one of America’s most popular poets. Kennedy taught English at Michigan, at the Woman’s College of the University of North Carolina, Tufts and Wellesley. Kennedy has won many awards, including the Lamont Award of the Academy of American Poets for his first book, “Nude Descending a Staircase” in 1961.

William Martin is The New York Times bestselling author of many novels such as “Cape Cod” and “Harvard Yard.” Martin’s latest novel, published this past spring, “The Lost Constitution” continues a chronicle of America history through the story of treasure hunter, Peter Fallon. This novel began with Martin’s work “Back Bay.” Martin was the recipient of the prestigious 2005 New England Book Award.

Writer Richard Ward is the Chancellor Professor Emeritus of the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth and is a graduate of Harvard University with a Ph.D. from the University of Michigan. He is the former dean of University of Massachusetts Dartmouth’s School of Business who has published numerous articles and two books, “Gramps are for all Season” and “The Fragrance of Heliotrope: The Presence of Cecilia,” which is a memoir of his late wife.

For additional information, please contact Damaris Berner at 508 999-8671 (email dberner@umassd.edu) or Professor Yoken at myoken@umassd.edu.

THE BEER BARON

The best of the best: Rogue Chocolate Stout

By Gary Albert

A little known fact about myself is that I am nearly as much of a chocolate connoisseur as I am a beer snob. Given that, it probably wouldn’t surprise you that my favorite beer is also a chocolate flavored one.

Rogue Chocolate Stout, from Rogue Brewery in Oregon is the best of the best. I’ve tasted several Rogue beers before and I’ve yet to be disappointed. When I had Rogue Chocolate Stout last year, it was the first beer I’ve drank where I’ve said, “I have to try this again.”

Brewed with real chocolate, it pours a fizzy dark cola color and has a strong look of dark chocolate. The head is thin and dark brown, much darker than expected, about three-quarters as dark as the beer itself. The brew smells of coffee and dark chocolate. It has a very mocha vibe to it, while still maintaining a definite hop and malt presence.

The first sip is pure cocoa – it’s all dark chocolate. Underneath the chocolate I can sense coffee and oats, typical flavors in stouts, and the light carbonation fits perfectly with this style.

The next taste is both bitter (in a good way) and sweet (in a better way) at the same time. There’s the bitter roasted coffee flavor with a sweet chocolate flavor on top. In later sips I’m also noticing a distinct hint of vanilla on the tongue, which is very nice. The chocolate smell also surfaces a lot more as the beer warms, which is a pleasant surprise. The aftertaste is also, along with the rest of the flavor, chocolate. Even being an intense dark stout, this beer has nothing to hide and no strange or odd flavors that you might see in other dark stouts.

The mouthfeel is plain, but milky and coffee-like. It has the texture of chocolate milk. All of these factors make it the perfect dessert beer, as dessert, or with dessert. Of course, the best food match would be a chocolate or creamy snack.

Rogue Chocolate Stout is also, for a stout, very drinkable. The only issue with drinkability is the typical stout heaviness, but it is not a negative factor. For that matter, a heavy stout beer isn’t something you want to be having all night, but at 6% alcohol, you probably could.

I really think that it is an amazing choice for a snack or dessert and I wouldn’t recommend any other beer I’ve tasted over it.

Appearance: 5/5

Smell: 4.75/5

Mouthfeel: 4.75/5

Drinkability: 4.5/5

Taste: 5/5

Overall: 4.9/5

This beer is nearly perfect. The coffee and chocolate goes well together, and the chocolate is abundant throughout the tasting, resulting in you wanting more after every sip. I’m recommending it in place of any other stout, or any other dark beer for that matter; Rogue Chocolate Stout will not only surprise you, it will set the standard for your beer expectations.

If you have a recommendation for a beer for me to review (anything goes), want to comment on or criticize my review, or just have questions regarding beer, send me an email at UMDBeerBaron@gmail.com.

MATT'S UNKNOWN MUSIC CORNER

Free-for-all music fest: Part II

By Matt Meylikhov

I have very little time here, children, so let’s bust right into the good stuff.

This Will Destroy You – Purely amazing post-rock band. They took a style many thought was repetitive and boring and grew into it. One of the best post-rock bands out there, and my personal favorite. Their new EP, “Young Mountain,” is out now and their full length album should be following soon.

Helios – Hailing from good old Massachusetts comes Helios, an ambient electronic band. If you need to study for a final, might I recommend some Helios for you? They have definitely helped my grades. The album “Eingya” is available now.

Oren Ambarchi­ – Along the same lines of Helios, Oren creates very ambient and docile tones for you to listen to. I often put this CD on when I want to go to sleep because it’s so calming. So if you have trouble sleeping because of your roommate, Oren Ambarchi is for you. His extremely docile album, “Suspension,” is available for you now.

Immanu El – If you like beauty in your music, then look no further. If you like ugly music though, turn away now. Immanu El is one of the most beautiful bands right now. Not in the way they look, but the tunes they make are absolutely fantastic. The combinations of sound they manage to put together can make a grown lumberjack cry. Just listen to the song “Killerwhale, Moaning” off the “Killerwhale EP.” The first time I heard it, it absolutely floored me. So go floor yourself with the EP and if you can find it, check out their full length, “They’ll Come, They Come,” both available now.

Eluvium – Matt Cooper writes and performs music of all different styles for your entertainment under the moniker Eluvium. He does electronic music, piano music, orchestral music, spacey rock music; everything you could ever want from an instrumental artist. “An Accidental Memory In The Case Of Death” should already be part of your CD collection.

Behold… The Arctopus ­– Before a class that I’m in starts, the professor likes to play music. On one particular day, he played Behold… The Arctopus. And my face was shredded off so horrifically, I had to be rushed to the hospital for an over dosage on pure awesome metal. Face melting, super shredding metal. Enough said. “Skullgrid” is available now. You won’t regret it if you like metal.

The Ocean ­– Imagine, if you will, a concept album about the creation of the earth. From the beginning of its formation and its chaotic natures all the way through to where it finally settles down and becomes the earth you know and love. Now imagine that on an awesome metal album. What you have is the incredible 2-disc CD “Precambrian” by The Ocean, where you are hit by a giant wall of sound and knocked to the floor and not allowed to rise until the earth is finally created. This is one good deal.

Cult of Luna – One morning my alarm clock started playing with this heavy song called “Dark City, Dead Man.” While I was barely awake, I looked around and could feel the heaviness of this song just beating my sleeping body telling me to wake up. I became pretty addicted to Cult of Luna’s CD “Somewhere Along The Highway” for quite a long time. If you like heavy music, you can get into this album. It’s a great blind buy.

Buried Inside – I heard this album described to me as “a wall of sound.” I was told I might not like it. That it might be too heavy and epic for me. Boy, were those people wrong. I definitely like it a lot and you will, too. If you like good, heavy music, I mean. If you like The Rocket Summer, then stay far away. But if Buried Inside doesn’t blast you straight in the face, I don’t know what will. “Chronoclast” is available now.

By The End Of Tonight – Not exactly heavy metal or anything of the sort, but they have songs that will shred you to death like Wolverine after a few drinks. Just go get a copy of “The Gunlsinger EP” to see what I mean. That CD is flippin’ sweet. Even my dad loves it. So it just goes to show you are never too old to rock.

Public Enemy­ – Possibly the greatest rap collective of all time. “Fear Of A Black Planet” is absolutely supreme as far as rap albums go. With incredible lyrics and songs that actually mean something, Public Enemy is a must have for any person who even remotely thinks about rap. Throw all that radio garbage away and pick up “Fear Of A Black Planet.” It’ll show you that rap is not all about b’s and h’s.

GZA – Not going to lie, I’ve been absolutely addicted to “Liquid Swords” lately. GZA, who you might remember from Wu-Tang, is one of the best things to come out of the Wu. I cannot stress how awesome “Liquid Swords” is. I think anyone could get into this CD, even if you’re not a big fan of rap in general. This is the rap CD for everyone.

Well, that’s all I have time for this week. As always, mmeylikhov@umassd.edu to send me your recs. Next week I wrap up the entire music fest trilogy, so look forward to a random assortment of good music for you.

Animated characters dance their way into the CVPA this weekend

NORTH DARTMOUTH, Mass. — The University of Massachusetts Dartmouth Design Department announces the 2007 Fifteenth Annual Digital Media Festival. The Fesitval will occur on Friday, November 16, at 7:30 p.m. in the College of Visual and Performing Arts, Recital Hall Room 153.

This annual festival will present a variety of student work and features two and three-dimensional animation, still images and interactive media projects from classes at all levels. Design Department professors of Digital Media Harvey Goldman, Mark Millstein, Scott Ahrens, Shawn Towne and new faculty member Heather Shaw will be on hand to introduce and discuss the work. The Festival is free and open to the public, but seating is limited.

Formerly known as the Electronic Imaging program, this year’s festival is the first to carry the new, more appropriate name Digital Media, changed officially last spring. In the Digital Media major, students pursue studies in digital imaging, storytelling, animation, interactive media, web design and virtual reality. Many alumni from this UMass Dartmouth program have gone on to hold important positions and make significant contributions to the animation and design industry.  

This year, alumni Dan Flynn, will be on hand to receive the Distinguished Digital Media Alumni Award, and to show a short clip of Word Girl, the new PBS animated series he works on at Soup-2-Nuts, the Watertown, Massachusetts based studio he was recruited by after graduating last spring. Word Girl is a new animated series on PBS that follows the every day life and superhero adventures of a normally mild-mannered 5th grader, Becky Botsford. Disguised as Word Girl, she fights crime and enriches vocabulary usage, all in a day’s work.     

Highlights for this year’s festival also include

three-dimensional animated computer characters from Professor Harvey Goldman’s Digital Media Four class, competing this year for the championship in the Dance Contest. Students use three-dimensional modeling and animation software to design and build their own characters, and then storyboard and animate a unique walk and dance for each. In the festival, every character will have a chance to parade their goods and show off their dance moves.

Student work from last spring’s course in Virtual Reality, taught by Professor Scott Ahrens will also be featured. In the department’s Virtual Reality Laboratory, students create and study immersive computer generated experiences and environments. The theme of the work shown in this year’s festival is Dangerous Places. The lab’s mission is to train the next generation of creative leaders to use synthetic simulations to address real world design and communication needs. The Virtual Reality Lab is now entering its fifth year of operation.

New faculty member Heather Shaw will introduce a new focus of study in the Digital Media area, Motion Graphics. Professor Mark Millstein will present sequences from his storyboarding and storytelling course, Digital Media Two, and Professor Ahrens and Towne will present student work in interactive media design. Senior students in these classes develop programs that teach through careful interface design and organization of content.

Admission is free, but seating is limited and on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information about the program go to the website: www.umassd.edu/cvpa. For further festival info please contact Professor Harvey Goldman at (508) 999-8563 or email him at hgoldman@umassd.edu.

ASK MISS CHERRY

What to do when trust is an issue with your partner

By Miss Cherry

Dear Miss Cherry,

Is there some way to prove to my girlfriend that I haven’t been fooling around behind her back while I was away on vacation? She keeps asking me and I’m being honest when I say I didn’t, but she won’t believe me. What should I do?

– James

Dear James,

There’s no way to actually prove to your girlfriend that you have been faithful to her on your vacation, unless you had 24/7 video surveillance. But the first step to take in settling this matter is asking: why would she be so bent on thinking this? Do a little detective work to see where she got this notion. Has one of her close friends been cheated on recently? Did another friend suggest to your girlfriend that you might have been unfaithful because you were away on vacation? Try talking to your girlfriend to see why she is so worried about this issue.

A second way to try and resolve this is looking into your relationship. Have there been any trust or honesty issues lately? Would there be any reason for your girlfriend to doubt your faithfulness? Maybe you have been busy and distracted lately, so your girlfriend takes it as losing interest in her. If this is the case, take a little time to show her how you feel about her and your relationship. Tell her you think she’s the most beautiful woman you’ve ever laid eyes on. Take your girlfriend out to a candle-lit dinner. Write her a poem or a card or leave sweet notes in her purse. Show her that she is the only woman in your life and you want no other.

Another possibility is that a similar situation happened to your girlfriend. An ex-boyfriend may have cheated on her while on vacation. Or she might have cheated on an old partner and thinks that you are doing the same thing that she did. The only real way to resolve this is talking to her about it. A relationship can’t survive and thrive unless there is solid trust between both partners.

EDITOR’S NOTE: While Miss Cherry’s advice is well-researched and supplemented with matierals provided by on-campus Health Services, she is not a trained health professional.

All serious medical questions should be discussed with a trusted family healthcare provider or member of the university’s dedicated Health Services or Women’s Resource Center staff.

Health Services can be contacted at 508-999-8982 or visited online at www.umassd.edu/studentaffairs/health/.

The Women’s Resource Center is located in Pine Dale can be contacted at 508-910-4584 or visted online at http://www.umassd.edu/wrc/.