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The Michigan Daily

Thursday, October 23, 1986

Page 7

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Game

Theory

revive,

revise all expectations

By Beth Fertig
The preconception:
After seeing Game Theory live
at the Blind Pig last year and
listening to their records
extensively, one could safely call
them a good pop band.
The revelation:
After seeing Game Theory's gig
at the Blind Pig Tuesday night, one
would definitely call them a rock
and roll band to be reckoned with.
Game Theory, that winning
California combo led .by sing -
er/guitarist Scott Miller, has gone
through yet another line-up
alteration and the result is
smashing. With the help of new
rhythm guitarist Donette Thayer
and bassist Guy Gassuan, the band
absolutely pummeled their well-
packed audience with their cleanest,
strongest sound yet and the crowd
just ate it up.
In support of their new LP, The
Big Shot Chronicles (on
Rational/Enigma Records), Game
Theory played a hefty dose of that
album's fine material, in addition to
a seemingly endless supply of cover
songs. Their first set displayed a
rather toughened Game Theory;
Thayer's rhythm guitar and
Gassuan's solid bass framework
freed Miller to soar on his lead
guitar work. Their songs, which

emphasize pure pop melodies on
record, took on an added fire live
and their playing was tight as 'can
be. Keyboardist Shelly LaFreniere
and drummer Gil Ray seemed
stronger, too, within this context.
And Donette Thayer showed herself
fully capable of taking center stag'e
on her self-penned "Look Away,"
the only Game Theory song they
played that was not written by
Miller.
The band also showed a lot more
flexibility this time around, pulling
through unfamiliar cover songs-
such as as wiry version of the
Velvet Underground's "Some Kind
of Love"- on request without ever
having played them before. Last
year's model wasn't so in sync; the
four players showed a bit of fatigue
at times when trying to keep up
with one another. However, this
new line-up displayed a band that
worked extremely well with one
another and was capable of tackling
just about anything. Miller, a
tense, compelling, and witty
figure-- very much the man behind
his often cynical lyrics meshed
within his sweet melodies- was
firmly supported by the other band
members. Game Theory are truly
representative of their times.
Miller's songs are realistic, and
sensitive to the relationships and
characters he portrays, and the
sound shows the best that

contemporary technology has to add
to a good pop music framework.
Tuesday's Pig audience had an
apparantly unsatiable appetite for
Game Theory's ballsy performance.
Their well-rounded first set was
highlighted by their rivetting
numbers "Friend of the Family" and
"Curse of the Frontier Land" (off
the Real Nighttime LP), but
was slightly marred by a bit too
much feedback, especially on the
glorious "Like a Girl Jesus" where
the effect was overdone and
distracting. The crowd then called
them back for two encores which
together clocked in at longer than
the first set. The audience literally
wouldn't let the band go, and forced
them to play covers of "Kung Fu
Fighting," Big Star's "Back of a
Car" (with the help of one
enthusiastic audience member who
helped out on guitar), and, for the
last and final number, a fatally hard-
driving version of Roxy Music's
"Remake Remodel" which had the
whole bar squirming.
Game Theory is a band to watch
out for. They get stronger with
each record and every new line-up.
And if Tuesday's crowd-pleasing
performance is any indication, they
are fully capable of picking up
steam and attaining a success-filled
future.

Daily Photo by Andi Schreiber
Game Theory were called back again and again by an enthusiastic Blind Pig audience that
refused to let them go. Pictured above are band members Scott Miller and Donette Thayer.

Robert J. Smith
Professor of Anthropology, Cornell University
"From Village Japan to Rural Communities:
Perspectives on Richard K. Beardsley's
Contributions to the Ethnology of Japan"
Richard J. Pearson
Professor of Anthropology, University of British Columbia
"Okinawa: Changing Patterns of Trade and Exchange"
Walter Edwards
Assistant Professor of Anthropology.
University of Michigan
Discussant

The Center for Japanese Studies.
Department of Anthropology,
Museum of Anthropology,
and the Horace H. Rackham
School of Graduate Studies
Presents
The Richard K. Beardsley
Memorial Lectures
October 24
Admission: FREE and
OPEN TO.THE PUBLIC
4:30-6:30 p.m.
Auditorium A
Angell Hall
In celebration of the publication
Windows on the Japanese Past:
Studies hi Archaeology i itd Preihistorv


S.Books


Don Quixote
BY KATHY ACKERu
Grove Press
$7.95
Kathy Acker has distorted
Cervantes' theme of the personal
-quest into a surrealist nightmare
packed with dirty words, dogs, and
abortions. Hailed as the best in
"punk writing," Ms. Acker's new
novel, Don Quixote, is certainly
powerful. However, it is difficult
to discern whether this woman
perfects an innovative style or
simply rearranges that of others,
such as Jean Genet. At any rate,
some deep insights, witty word
choice, and emphatic statements
.emerge successfully.
Acker's Don Quixote is quite
,admirable in style. As one would
expect from a modern novel in the
surrealist tradition, the plot is
erratic and nebulous. In keeping
with the title, the plot involves a
woman who wanders the world
impassioned with a quest. Don
.Quixote's side kick takes the form
of an intellectual dog known as St
Simeon. The 'heroine, both a
"knight and a night," searches from

St. Petersburg to New York for
"Love."
Don Quixote begins forcefully
and maintains a searing pace for the
first one third of the book.
Unfortunately, the middle of the

book develops weakly as the author
seems to struggle with her style.
Acker's knight is a woman about to
have an abortion, armored in a
"puke green" hospital gown. The
See BOOKS, Page 8

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..: The Hil
Thur-Sat, Oct. 23-25 8:0
at: Performance Network
'Student Tickets $5.00
For Information: 973-3COG
DON'T MISS THE FUN!

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PEPPERDINE UNIVERSITY
MBA AT MALIBU
The Pepperdine MBA at Malibu program is recognized as one of the most
practical and real-world oriented programs in the nation. Designed for both
business and non-business majors, the program can be completed in one or
two years at the University's Malibu campus.
A representative from Pepperdine will be on campus to meet with interested
students. Enrollment for the Fall 1987 term will be limited to 75 students.
Date: October 29, 1986
Time:11:00 -3:00
Location: Michigan League, Second Floor
For additional information, please call (213) 306-5672.

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UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
School of Music
PRESENTS
UNIVERSITY/PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE
Eric Becher / Michael Udow, conductors
Thursday, October 23
Hil, 8:00 p.m. Free
BANDORAMA:
Featuring U-M Symphony Band, Concert Band,
Jazz Band, and Marching Band, and The Friars
Ti kets 65..3

THE CRAZY, UNBELIEVABLE
COMPLIMENTARY SALE
World's Best Tennis Shoe
in WOLVERINE Sye
OUR GUARANTEE: If you can find another pair
of shoes of similar quality and style for a better
price, we will give you a pair of ours free.
Oy995
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DATF Thurs Oet-. 23. 10 am - 6 nm FOR MAIL ORDER ON


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