since i’m a black jewish female poor college student, nothing i say is racist (thanks for the easy pass god)…

anyway, i was on the Chico State campus today i a saw HELLA BLACK PEOPLE!

it was kinda nice actually. good job!

thats all, thanks for listening. ‘night beeches… lets hug it out!

In a surprise move, Michael Franti and Spearhead will NOT be playing at Chico State on their upcoming tour in support of their new album, All Rebel Rockers. However, they will be part of a concert outside of the Republican National Convention along with Matisyahu and Anti Flag. Ready the water cannons, St. Paul police force…

From the Epitaph/Anti- press release:

Michael Franti and Spearhead’s All Rebel Rockers Out in Europe
Band to Perform at the Ripple Effect Festival at RNC on September 2
All Rebel Rockers Out Sept 9 in US

Recorded and produced mainly in Jamaica by reggae’s super-duo Sly and Robbie, All Rebel Rockers skillfully pairs Michael Franti’s decidedly left-of-center political messages with infectious dance tracks, creating what is arguably the grooviest protest record ever. The record comes out in the US on September 9th.
On September 2nd on the lawn of the of the State Capitol in St Paul MN, 10,000 music fans and activists will gather for their own sort of commemoration of the Republican National Convention, and Michael Franti will be there, along with Anti Flag, Matisyahu, the founder of Code Pink and many others. Called the Ripple Effect festival, the assemblage is described as “a daylong festival propelling a new wave of progressive action outside the RNC - going beyond the convention and beyond partisanship to empower and unite a diverse range of people with varying backgrounds and interests.”
A few days later, Michael Franti and Spearhead kick off their fall tour on September 6th with the annual Power to the Peaceful festival, which draws 50,000+ people each year to Golden Gate Park in San Francisco and was conceived and founded by Michael 10 years ago. More dates are expected to be announced shortly.

Michael Franti and Spearhead on tour:
Sep 2 Ripple Effect Festival / RNC St. Paul, MN
Sep 6 10th Annual Power to the Peaceful San Francisco, California
Sep 7 Power to the Peaceful Yoga Jam San Francisco, California
Sep 10 Ymir Community Baseball Field Ymir, British Columbia
Sep 11 Knitting Factory Concert House Spokane, Washington
Sep 12 Marymoor Amphitheater Redmond, Washington
Sep 13 Roseland Theatre Portland, Oregon
Sep 14 Earthdance Festival Laytonville, California
Sep 19 San Diego Street Scene San Diego, California
Sep 20 The Pozo Saloon Santa Margarita, California
Sep 21 KCRW’s World Festival Los Angeles, California
@ The Hollywood Bowl (with Ozomatli)
Sept 24 Cottonwood Park Mancos, Colorado
Sep 26 Paolo Soleri Amphitheater Santa Fe, New Mexico
Sep 27 Pine Mountain Amphitheater Flagstaff, Arizona
Sep 28 Rialto Theatre Tucson, Arizona

As Video Matt cleans out his drawers and closets he’s coming up with all sorts of badass old footage: Fall Out Boy live at Warped Tour, Vaux, Dropkick Murphys, etc. My favorite so far of course, is the above vid of Surrogate playing “The Fence” live at Chico State’s BMU Auditorium. I wonder why that is….

While Chico State is more famous for its night life than its academic pursuits, there exists quite a few bright minds who chose to mentor younger, bright minds. Some of these participate in a summer School of Rock-style band camp named The Collective Sound. In fact, The Collective Sound is going on right now. Last year the group decided to film a documentary of the goings-on of the staff and the campers, aged 12-18. Watching it will give you that warm on the insides feeling. Please enjoy Episode 12.

Local Ozzy Osbourne impersonator and Synthesis contributor Michael Dracul, who has been a fixture at every Karaoke night in Chico since I was still but a freshman at Chico State, recently parlayed his local notoriety into a shot at ultimate fame on the television show America’s Got Talent. Adding an extra twist, one of the three judges on the show is none other than Sharon Osbourne, wife of Ozzy. Check out the clip to see how Michael did.

While Chico State is more famous for its night life than its academic pursuits, there exists quite a few bright minds who chose to mentor younger, bright minds. Some of these participate in a summer School of Rock-style band camp named The Collective Sound. Last year the group decided to film a documentary of the goings-on of the staff and the campers, aged 12-18. Watching it will give you that warm on the insides feeling. Please enjoy Episode 5.

More info on Collective Sound can be found HERE.