LETTERS

Editor,

In response to I Ain't Hatin's comments (Letters, March 9), stating that people who go to rock concerts don't go with an agenda: Obviously (the letter-writer has) never been to a punk or metal show where Nazi skinheads have shown up. They show up to represent their faction: Aryan Youth Movement, Aryan Brotherhood, White Aryan Resistance, or whatever ignorant group is popular at the moment. As a former concert promoter I've seen it happen. Yes they do show up at concerts, and they aren't there to spread love in the pit.

On a second note, I have to say metal and punk lyrics are just as violent as gangsta rap. Hatin' is either blind or he has never bothered to read the lyrics to Slayer's Reign in Blood album: "Ripping apart / Severing flesh/ Gouging eyes / Tearing limb from limb." Pretty gruesome. I doubt singer Tom Araya has ever butchered anyone, just like I doubt most gangsta rappers have ever shot cops. It's only music.

I think everyone can remember Dan Quayle protesting Ice T's thrash band, Body Count and their song "Cop Killer" (a metal band, not a gangsta rap album). He openly stated that he didn't like rap but he did like Eric Clapton. It took a stand-up comedian to point out that Clapton covered a Bob Marley tune called "I Shot the Sheriff." Violence exists in rock music as well as hip-hop.

"Hatin'" also has a habit of blaming the victim by stating: "Your misery and anger are self-inflicted." Perhaps he forgot that rap (and rock 'n' roll) was created by black people. African-Americans are only 12 percent of the population but they compromise 44 percent of death-row inmates. Four out of five African-Americans are denied housing loans. African-Americans are seven times more likely to go to jail than white people. Of course black people are angry and you're saying it's self-inflicted! Ever hear of a thing called slavery?

If you don't like rap that's you're choice. Don't listen to it. I personally can't stand techno, but I haven't asked local night clubs and concert venues to ban techno acts because designer drugs are more prevalent at techno and house shows. It would be a lousy excuse to deny to everyone else because I didn't like it. You claim it's not about race. But the way you criticize hip-hop and not rock is an obvious double standard.

It's not about the music. Throughout your letter you seemed like you were struggling to resist saying the "N" word.

Signed,

Sonja's recent column, "All in La Familia," was remarkable in its honesty and clarity. Sonja, you are remarkable. Who else can use the word "skillion" in successive columns and make it work? I'm going to miss you. Good luck.

I just read your review of Rebelpalooza (March 9, "Putting the Looza in Rebelpalooza") and I have to agree with you. Except I'm partial to 311, I see them every time they are here, so I still think they were the best. I think Rebelpolooza sucks just for the fact that UNLV puts it on. The people there are completely oblivious to everything! They should know it's still cold out at the beginning of March. If they really need to have it this time of year, you would think they would hold it at the Thomas & Mack, especially seeing that it is on UNLV grounds. The vendors could fill the entrance halls where all the food and beverages are at. And it should be a crime that there was no beer! There are so many things that UNLV could do with that show and they just don't. The only thing about this year's show is that they finally had some cool bands, like 311 and Swollen Members. Unwritten Law was cool about 10 years ago, when their last album came out! If 311 weren't playing I wouldn't have gone. I almost froze to death! Hopefully, the people at UNLV that put the show together will read your review and take it into consideration for next time.

I was recently informed that I was mentioned in the article about how Maryland Parkway could be revived (January 19, "Days of Future Past"). Now I always butted heads with Ian, (but) I was not difficult to deal with. I tried to maintain the integrity of the Rock Avenue and the whole concept of KUNV, however I had to battle those in charge.

Do not believe that Don Fuller was in charge. In fact, the alumni association along with "The Foundation" were in fact "in charge." I fought them to keep the integrity of what a college station should be. I enlisted the help of the student body, but my ideas were squashed. Don Fuller and the university, along with the Almighty President Carol, quelled the concept of college radio. In fact, they incorporated KNPR staff to facilitate their ideals. It is a fact that the rock programming and the culturally diverse programming would always out-gain the jazz programming in fundraising.

I kept to the ideal of what college radio should be. I tried to make bands available to those under 21—unheard of at the time. Hell, you couldn't see a band at the Hard Rock at is inception unless you were 21! When I tried to throw a show for those under 21, I was always stopped. I had to have the bands perform live on the airwaves under constraint.

Do you remember the Rainbow Library? We supported Benway Bop, Pabco, The Tubes, anywhere music could be used to just have fun and see bands. Now this town allows under-21 shows. If it weren't for KUNV and OUR vision, this could not happen. Do you remember the Dickies, Babes in Toyland, or even NIN at the Huntridge?

I read your article on the Fila velour suit (January 19, Consumer column, "Fila So Good") and I am in total agreement. I have owned three velours and two nylon. The only thing is that I live in South Carolina and have a time finding Fila velours. I see designs on television sometimes that are very nice but I cannot track down a store here or online. Could you help me find the head-turning Fila velour suits that I love so much. I have become known for collecting them. I also met the owners of Fila once while I was in Atlanta in Hooters and I was draped head to toe in Fila. The socks the shoes, everything. They gave me a Fila pen, which I hold very close to me. I am addicted to the Fila velour. Please help me.

Somewhere in our love of government TV, we got all flustered and confused the county's TV station, Channel 4, with city's TV station, Channel 2, in a blurb about Mayor Oscar Goodman as the Readers' Choice Best Local Hero. The Weekly feels embarrassed to the point of mortification about the error.