Rebecca Riley

November 2, 2006

It’s Alive

By Rebecca Riley

A handful of local musicians are attempting to have their names etched onto the roster of American jazz innovators by joining in the long tradition of improvisational musical dialogue. These Isla Vista and Goleta residen...

October 12, 2006

Sweet Dreams Are Made of This

By Rebecca Riley

"The Science of Sleep" is the latest film by French director Michel Gondry, infamous for his work with such colorful musicians as Bjork and Radiohead, as well as his ability to meld reality and fantasy, as seen in his la...

May 11, 2006

Cd Review: Ball Hog – ONE

By Rebecca Riley

Both goofy and rabble rousing at times, Ball Hog's first album, ONE, gives an accurate glimpse of the band's live performances, as well as providing a vessel for its political views.

April 27, 2006

Just the Two of Us

By Rebecca Riley

Mavis Staples' personality radiated from the stage to every seat in Campbell Hall this past Tuesday night. Considering the length of time that she has been singing - about half of a century - her voice still manages to e...

April 25, 2006

Canadian Immigrants Taking Over White Collar U.S. Jobs

By Rebecca Riley

With all this talk about immigration and "closing the borders," I couldn't help but get to thinking. Maybe instead of closing our southern border, those ever wise and self-righteous men in Washington should really take s...

March 9, 2006

Mogwai | Mr. Beast | Matador

By Rebecca Riley

For our beloved Daily Nexus readers who have not yet heard of Mogwai, I would briefly describe them as an instrumental rock band that utilizes the versatility of the electric guitar in all of its varied forms: overdriven...

February 1, 2006

The Hairbrain Scheme | You’re A Nation | Fank You! Records

By Rebecca Riley

There are not many bands that can meld the sound of pigs screaming while being slaughtered behind a layer of lush, chorused pop vocals.

January 26, 2006

Ball Hog vs. The Behemoth Experience at Biko

By Rebecca Riley

I had been spending the majority of last Saturday locked in my room listening to Devo's "Freedom of Choice" on repeat, hiding under my covers and stroking an autographed 8x10 glossy of Mark Mothersbaugh before I learned ...

January 26, 2006

“The Power of Nightmares: The Rise of The Politics of Fear”

By Rebecca Riley

Adam Curtis' BBC documentary, titled "The Power of Nightmares: The Rise of the Politics of Fear," played at Campbell Hall this Monday to a sizeable audience ready to revel in what promised to be a Bush-bashing free-for-a...

November 10, 2005

Live: Broken Social Scene @ The Henry Fonda Theatre

By Rebecca Riley

This week, my Monday night was usurped by the opportunity to see Broken Social Scene and Feist play at the Henry Fonda Theatre in Hollywood. After a short jaunt south on the 101, I arrived in Los Angeles a little strung ...

October 27, 2005

Deerhoof | The Runners Four | Kill Rock Stars

By Rebecca Riley

The Commercial Review: The Runners Four is the hottest new album on the racks this month! Deerhoof is back with their same old sound, but this time around they challenge their listeners with a much mellower tone and a so...

October 6, 2005

Local Motion

By Rebecca Riley

Since the opening of the Empty Garage Showspace in February of 2005, the venue has become a beacon for the burgeoning Isla Vista local music scene. The Empty Garage sits behind an apartment complex at 6587 Cordoba Road,...

April 21, 2005

Live: 04-15-05: Pillowfight, Concrete Straight Jacket, Disconnect & End on End

By Rebecca Riley

After passing by the merchandise table stocked with vegan cookies and DIY 'zines, the first thing that hits the olfactory receptors is the smell: sweat. Then the noise: loud, disjointed, primal and, at times, pretty damn...

April 13, 2005

Clean-Up Turnout Leads to Program’s Expansion

By Rebecca Riley

With a wave of new student groups lining up to clean the beach this quarter, The Shoreline Preservation Fund (SPF) has been sending dozens of volunteers to Isla Vista and beyond through its new and improved Coastal Servi...