Wednesday October 22, 2003 michigandaily.com artseditor@michigandaily.com Rffrw~wTS 5 mmmimii5 By Jared Newman Daily Arts Writer Ever since the death of bassist and founding member Allen Woody, Gov't Mule, the blues/jazz rockers that origi- nally spawned from the resurrect- ed Allman Broth- ers Band, have been doing some soul searching. The quest to find a Gov't Mule Tonight at 7 p.m. At the Michigan Theater replacement has been long and hard, but after three years of touring and two studio albums full of all-stars and per- sonal heroes, members Warren Haynes, Matt Abts and Danny Louis have found a permanent bassist in Andy Hess. Hess has performed for years with many top acts including the Black Crowes, Joan Osbourne and John Scofield. But oddly enough, this latest outfit is his first full time experience, and he's excited for the change. Hess said, "With a lot of these different gigs that I've done over the years, I've always kind of felt like I was a hired gun. And that's cool, but this is some- thing where I feel more a part of it, like or if they like you as a person they'll recommend you. And you'll still become friends with those people, I'm John (Scofield)'s friend, he's someone that I'll want to call up." His capability to work as a sideman in previous projects is largely due to his ability to create fat tones without stealing the show. He understands that one doesn't have to play like Victor Wooten to be an excellent bassist. "That's not my thing, I mean that shit's off the hook, but it's just not how I play. I like the role of connecting with the drummer and being supportive of other people." In the limelight or not, one can't help but watch Hess perform - there's a lot to be said for a performer who can be interesting simply by playing their instrument. "It's not like you have to have the right pants or whatever. It's all about having fun and making some good music." Whether he's just bobbing his head up and down or making a face as if he's shocked by sound, his mannerisms always E amplify his unique style. Plans to work in the studio are also in the making, but not before the band flexes its live muscle. Watch Andy Hess and the rest of Gov't Mule get further acquainted tonight at the Michigan Theater. S Groove - Watch out, Stomp! There is another group in town and tomorrow and Saturday night the sounds of Groove will be rever- berating all through campus. Armed with brooms, trash cans, metallic lids and sticks, this group of students will create raucous rhythms to rock the rafters. THE HOTTEST PICKS IN ENTERTAINMENT FROM A DAILY ARTS WRITER Bloom, boom, badoom, badoom. RETOOLED MULE BASSIST HESS FINDS A PERMANENT HOM 'Hey, we're going to take a picture and you're in it.' There's different ways of how you're treated and how you feel." Despite the shift from being a bassist for hire and a full-fledged band member, Hess maintains that there are no hard feelings between him and his previous employers. "Most of the gigs that I've gotten are through recom- mendation, and if you have the goods Spy Kid: Meeropol to discuss Rosenberg family legacy Vadim Repin - If classical melodies are more your style, then the University Musical Society debut performance of violinist Vadim Repin is the place to be this weekend. Mixing a fiery passion and poetic artistry with an absolutely perfect technique, Repin will be weaving beautiful tapestries of music at Rackham Auditorium this Sunday night. "The Matrix Reloaded" DVD - While the second installation of the "Matrix" trilogy brought mixed reviews, the DVD is well worth a purchase. Everyone can agree that the visual aspects of the movie are out of this world, and the DVD takes viewers behind the scenes, showing the magic of the film. Did you know that Carrie-Anne Moss was actually weaving in and out of traffic while going the wrong way during the highway scene? Michael Vartan from "Alias" - Talk about twisting the happily mar- ried scenario! "Alias" has just entered its third season and already, Vaughn (Michael Vartan) has been forced to keep secrets from his wife and deal with being literally stabbed in the stomach by Sydney. You have to hand it to Vartan though; he plays the brooding man well. "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" - As is tradition, the State The- ater will be screening "Rocky Horror this Saturday" at midnight. If you have never been, you can expect an auction of virgins, a lot of strangely dressed people and an inter- active movie experience of mammoth propor- tions. Before attending, brush up on the steps of "The Time Warp." Courtesy of 20th Century Fox DAILY AwTs. PUBES. THERE, WE SAID iT. By Alexandra Jons Daily Arts Wter It seems as though nothing positive could result from a court case tried in an environment where jingoism, the fear of nuclear war, anti-Semitism and McCarthyism are prominent, but activist and author Robert Meeropol is try- ing to do just that. The son of con- Robert Meeropol At East Quad Tonight at 8 p.m. against the death penalty for 30 years; prior to his activism, he practiced law and attended the University, receiving undergraduate and graduate degrees in anthropology. A few decades after their deaths, Meeropol and his older brother Michael sued for the release of 300,000 secret FBI and CIA documents con- cerning their parents. After learning what happened to them, Meeropol wanted to assist political activists fac- ing adversity. The purpose of the RFC is detailed in its mission statement: "The Rosen- berg Fund for Children was established to provide for the educational and emo- tional needs of children whose parents have suffered because of their progres- sive activities and who, therefore, are no longer able to provide fully for their children. The RFC also provides grants for the educational and emotional needs of targeted activist youth. Profes- sionals and institutions will be awarded grants to provide services at no or reduced cost" Released to commemorate the 50th anniversary of his par- ents' execution, N Meeropol's memoir "An Execution in the Family: One Son's Journey" details his transition from orphaned child to politi- cal activist. The Rosen- berg brothers suffered a k deprivation similar to that which the RFC wishes to prevent: In 1953, his par- a ents were executed after z being convicted of con- spiracy. The Rosenbergs allegedly conspired to obtain informa- tion about the atomic bomb for the USSR. When the couple refused to falsely implicate others in exchange for clemency, they were executed. While Julius Rosenberg was indeed a member of the Communist Party, the trial was tainted by alleged prosecutorial mis- .,.conduct and took place when public and political opinion was being shaped . by the likes of Sen. Joseph McCarthy. Accomplices and wit- nesses in the trial were given preferential treat- ment, while other defen- dants and prosecutors allegedly fabricated testi- mony and attempts to appeal the death penalty were thwarted by presiding Judge Irving Kaufman's evocation of an outdated law. victed spies Julius and Ethel Rosen- berg, Meeropol started the Rosenberg Fund for Children in 1990 to honor his parents' memory and carry on their tra- dition of leftist activism. He has been writing, lecturing and organizing Adh.