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The Avenue

Against Me! Q&A

By ROBERT HILSON | Oct. 1, 2008

The three greatest things to possibly come out of Gainesville: Emmitt Smith, Gatorade and Against Me! It might be surprising to learn that the resident punk heroes eat at The Top, listen to The Streets and are playing a benefit show for the Civic Media Center this Sunday at Common Grounds. Yeah - not very anarchist of them. But lead singer/songwriter Tom Gabel also does interviews while dodging traffic. Now that's more like it.

The Avenue

Michael Cera and Kat Dennings Q&A

By JORDANA FYNE | Oct. 1, 2008

Michael Cera and Kat Dennings keep it cute and awkward as two teens getting to know each other in "Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist," a one-night, feel-good frolic through New York City. In between tickling and throwing things at each other, Cera and Dennings chatted in a national phone conference about their new movie, which opens Friday.

The Avenue

Funkatron

By MEGAN HERON | Oct. 1, 2008

Reggae-hip-hop band Funkatron defines its name as "the musical creation and expression of five individuals' hearts and souls."

The Avenue

A diplomatic wardrobe

By REGINA STUZIN | Oct. 1, 2008

If you ask my friends, they'll be the first to tell you that I'm definitely not a politically active person. My knowledge of the presidential candidates is shallower than a kiddie pool, but with the shambles our nation is in, I thought it would behoove me to catch Friday night's debates. After all, what better way to learn about our potential future presidents than watching them civilly duke it out on national television?

The Avenue

Give this biker a brake

By ERIK VOSS | Oct. 1, 2008

I'm an optimist when I look at transportation: If it's faster than walking, it's good enough for me. Stopping never comes to mind.

The Avenue

Film may or may not leave you choked up

By DAVID STUZIN | Oct. 1, 2008

A fantastical view of the world's sleazier characters, "Choke" is a surreal softcore porn movie where the story is better - and more appealing - than the sex but just as graphic. Self-proclaimed sex addict and medical school dropout Victor Mancini (Sam Rockwell), cons people into loving him by pretending to choke at restaurants and having others save him. He then uses these people for money to keep his dying mother, Ida Mancini (Anjelica Huston), in "nice" hospital facilities. Content in this wayward lifestyle, he meets his mother's new doctor, Paige Marshall (Kelly Macdonald), who, with an almost angelic demeanor, manages to turn Mancini's life upside down by telling him he might be Jesus's half clone forged from the ancient holy foreskin. It's pretty mind-boggling.

The Avenue

Band mixes moods and grooves for eclectic sound

By ZACH SEYMOUR | Sep. 24, 2008

Members of Gainesville band Moodhosa said their sound is hard to explain - even for them. There's a backdrop of gutty, gritty Delta blues, hints of funk, undercurrents of reggae and a smattering of good, old-fashioned rock 'n' roll. What shapes Moodhosa's groove is exactly what makes rock music great: a respect for the classics, an acknowledgment of contemporaries and a personal touch.

The Avenue

Going green is new trend

By JORDANA FYNE | Sep. 24, 2008

The green movement is spreading through America like a forest fire. Even in the celebrity world, green seems to be the new pink.

The Avenue

Reggae–metal band The Expendables not so disposable anymore

By HENRY TASKIER | Sep. 24, 2008

In their formative high school years, members of the California reggae-metal band The Expendables claimed they sucked so much as musicians that they labeled themselves "expendable," said Geoff Weers, singer and guitarist for the band. A few years and four albums later on the band's national tour, the name stuck.

The Avenue

Band’s album more catchy than kitschy

By ROBERT HILSON | Sep. 24, 2008

As the classic saying goes, incinerate your ride once, shame on the lighter. Incinerate your ride twice, shame on The Pink Spiders. The Nashville power-poppers have a way with flames, but such is the combustible nature of a touring band on the brink. After accidentally torching an equipment trailer between gigs a few years back, they decided to one-up themselves by setting ablaze an entire school bus. The Spiders traveled Partridge Family-style, at least until the tires melted. It does make a great story, so score it a Pyrrhic victory on the road to the top.

The Avenue

A 21st birthday bash: lose the sign

By GABRIELLE FALCONEIR | Sep. 24, 2008

One of the most iconic figures in the Gainesville bar scene is the "21st birthday girl." She usually comes in with a gaggle of girls who are borderline overdressed for the bar or club, and she has always already had too much to drink.

The Avenue

Despite transparency, humorous soul of 'Ghost' revealed

By DAVID STUZIN | Sep. 24, 2008

I'm going to bring my manhood into question here and say that "Ghost Town" is a cute movie. That's the only apt definition for something that's fun to watch and mildly romantic but doesn't offer the suspense, symbolism or surprise - unless you count the joyous physical proof that Cameron from "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" is still around as surprising - the general population uses to classify a movie as good. But it's a nice movie and worth going to see if you're in the mood for something light.

The Avenue

All my friends tell me…

By ERIK VOSS | Sep. 24, 2008

My friends tell me I'm an old man trapped in a 20-year-old's body.

The Avenue

Gay men make good girlfriends, cock–blockers

By STEPHANIE DUNN | Sep. 24, 2008

Let me introduce myself. I'm Stephanie, and I'm a fag hag. But let me make a few things clear before your mind conjures up the image of that outspoken MAC makeup artist who so perfectly embodies the stereotype of the textbook fruit fly. I'm not a pudgy hanger-on, and my self-esteem is nowhere near lacking. I don't cling to gay men because otherwise, I'd never get within three feet of a penis. I'm definitely not the kind of girl who thinks that she alone can turn any Britney-squealing, homosexual man into a burly football fanatic. I don't brandish my gay friends like accessories, nor do I harbor any "Sex and the City" fantasies of being a cosmopolitan surrounded by sophisticated sodomites. Somehow, I just always found myself surrounded by gay guys and never thought much of it until everybody started asking me why.

The Avenue

Boycott the talking animals

By ERIK VOSS | Sep. 24, 2008

In a few weeks, Disney will release the movie "Beverly Hills Chihuahua," yet another gem from the live-action-films-about-talking-animals genre.

The Avenue

Fashion on the avenue

By REGINA STUZIN | Sep. 24, 2008

Your first date with someone is incredibly important. It determines the outcome of the relationship. They say first impressions are everything, and hopefully your first date ends well with no walk of shame (see last week's article).

The Avenue

Up–and–coming band doesn't sweat small stuff with 'Sweat It Out'

By MEGAN HERON | Sep. 17, 2008

Their tour bus caught on fire, they were dropped from a record deal, and two of the three original members of the band are out. While this might have spelled the end for many bands, The Pink Spiders pushed on. With their latest album, "Sweat It Out," hitting stores Sept. 23, The Pink Spiders will continue to roll with the punches.

The Avenue

Bar hop right out of your comfort zone

By GABRIELLE FALCONEIRI | Sep. 17, 2008

I have lived in Gainesville my entire life, and I understand as much as anyone how small this city can seem. After working in the bar scene for so long, I rarely go out without running into somebody I know.

The Avenue

Fedora hat takes over fashion world

By ASHLEY ROSS | Sep. 17, 2008

If you're having a bad-hair day, in need of a cover-up for the orange dye that won't wash out of your hair from last week's game or just looking to put a little Humphrey Bogart in your life, the fedora hat is coming back in style more than ever.

The Avenue

Director of Oscar–nominated film visits Gainesville

By JESSICA METZGER | Sep. 17, 2008

Tania Hermida is an independent filmmaker with a vision to show truth and important stories. Best known for her role as second assistant director for the Oscar-nominated independent film "Maria Full of Grace," her first feature film "Que tan lejos" (How much further), which will be shown at the upcoming Gainesville Latino Film Festival, was a product of her desire to create a "road film."