Albuquerque Journal from Albuquerque, New Mexico • Page 11

Sit Speaks Out Through Pop Music nkb JOURNAL Monday, July 23, 1973 Fatima Youth Mass Saturday at Church By ARLEXE TELLEZ Del Norte High School Xit (crossing of Indian tribes) is a group of young Albuquerque Indian musicians, ard through their music are protesting injustices done to the American Indian. "Xit as a group started out a little over seven years ago." recalls Tom Bee. "It was originally a rock roll band and we played at high school dances anywhere we could find work. We were a jukebox band we played everybody's material. "Four years ago we wanted to do an album about the mistreatment and the injustice done to the American Indian in America.

We hadnt done it previously be- cause no record company would believe in the project "We had offers from Electra and RCA to do rock roll. They didn't want us to do a politically oriented album." At the time "we are still doing plain rock roll. To eat and survive we did four to five hour jobs. Off hours we practiced our own material." Tom recalled. FINALLY XIT was approached by Motown.

"They (Motown) weren't sure if they were really interested. They didnt want to be mvolved with a hassle we're politically oriented, militant." Motown was persuaded, though. The annual youth mass and picnic sponsored by Our Lady of Fatima will be held thii coming Saturday at the church at 5 30 m. Archbishop James Peter Davis has been invited to celebrate the special mass which will feature the new YouthCantor Choir.di-rected by John Russo, and two guitar groups directed by Russo and Don Bren-nan. After the mass, supper will be served on the patio of the rectory, 500 Morn-ingside NE.

Headingthe planning committee of the youth wwawMawwaawaMwm sy --STTmmswi rsmbrms1 YWCA Art Camp Is Set Tom Bee Mac Suazo O.B. Sullivan Art Camp for high school students, a two-week program sponsored by the YWCA, will begin Aug. 6 at the YWCA Blue Triangle Camp. Openings are still available for interested high school students, male or female. Tuition includes daily Local Group Uses Music to Protest Injustices Records in Review As a result Xit has recorded two albums: "Plight of the which has shown up on several European charts, and a new one "Silent Warrior." the latter has i not only been released nationally but also international-' ly.

About Xit's first album Tom says, "It's American In- dian history in a crash course. The ablum has no lies it was made to make people aware of the problems that exist if we made enough smoke, all Indians would get organized, get involved to do something. "It (the album) deals with the government the bu- reaucrats, the BIA not the white man. It was not done to offend non-Indians. It was to bring together Indians, make them proud of their "Indianess' and it's true with both the young and old Indians," Tom explained.

"WE DO minority rock 'n roll. When I use the term minority, I mean anybody who has found themselves in a minority situation no matter whether you are brown, black, or red. We're not anti-white we're pro-minority." Tom Bee (of Sioux Navajo background) is Xit's lead vocalist, manager, co-producer and writer. Jomac "Mac" Suazo (a Taos Indian is bass guitarist and group leader. Other members are Leeja Herrera, a Santo Domingo, drums; Obie Sullivan, a Creed, keyboards; Tyrone King and Chili Yazzie, both Navajo, percussion; Peter Ware, (Kiowa Comanche, guitar; and blond R.C.

Gariss. part Cherokee, lead guitar. What are their onstage costumes like? "Contemporar- i says Tom, "but authentic Indian dress. We dont 1 come out in headdresses. We try not to use the Indian -heritage for acceptance we want acceptance as a group." i THEY'VE PERFORMED at the Whiskey A Go Go and the Poly Pavillion in Los Angeles, at many univeris-ty campuses, and in every major city in Italy.

While in Italy they made an appearance on the 8th Annual International Music Festival in Venice and have been invited to return this year. What has their audience acceptance been like? "Very good. It's strange the audiences have been primarily non-Indian and they've all been up rocking. We've been totally accepted we receive phenomenal acceptance. We've found we are accepted everywhere except in our own area," they said.

In the future Xit plans to tour the Midwest, perform at the Hollywood Bowl, do a complete tour of college campuses, tour Europe in September, tour Canada, and tour Japan in 1974. Will they do any local concerts? "We've been asked and we probably will. Our most critical audience is here states Tom, "We can go to California anywhere and get encores. But here they cant bring themselves to realize that 'these local guys' are profes- Taylor Story Honest; Lead Free Peaceful sional musicians this is our career. "OUR FRIENDS are totally freaked out.

They dont understand that we're sincere that we believe in what we're doing and that we will continue to do it even if it reaches the point where we have to finance ourselves. We have new ideas, fresh music. They had to accept our not playing just rock 'n roll. "To us it (music) is not a hobby," says Tom. "We've got to make it to prove to people that they were wrong.

So many said we couldnt make it. "Nothing is impossible, it just depends on how hard you work, how bad you want it, and how much you're willing to sacrifice. It's how strong you are inside to endure the pressures put on you." Xit hasn't always been so well off. They've had their share of hard times. Several years ago they lived in a truck and in a meatlocker (where they also held their practice sessions).

Once they were so broke that they had to eat nothing but popcorn for a month. ANOTHER TIME they could only afford to send Tom to Los Angeles so he could make his rounds of the re-Cord companies. Tom recalls: "I didn't have enough money at the time. I had to keep my clothes in a Greyhound locker and I slept four nights across from the YMCA in a phone booth. I had to get up early because people wanted to use the phone.

"The Hollywood circuit isn't new to Xit. The whole (music) industry is aware of us and now it's just a matter of time." "We're encouraged," adds Mac, "because we've seen a lot of groups that were close to us make it big." "We knew Alice Cooper." says Tom, "before he was Alice Cooper. They used to play in Albuquerque all the time. They were all the same guys except for the drummer." GOING BACK to politics, what does Tom think about Wounded Knee? "I think it would have had more impact if it hadnt been dragged out. But, out of all places it was the most strategic location.

It was the only thing that ever made the people go directly to the Indians it was the only movement of its kind to get the guys out to the field. "The part we play in this is that this week we're going to New York to play for AIM (the American Indian Movement) to help get an individual out of jail. It's a Wounded Knee benefit. "To us people say 'What are you doing to help the Indian Well, you don't have to go out and burn a building or get a machine gun and kill fifty people that will only make a small indentation," Tom continued. "I FEEL music is and always has been the best form of communication we carry the message and do the music.

Up there on stage we convey a message. "The whole thing is that very few people will listen to a speech. People relate to modern music with a message inserted; they enjoy it while at the same time we can make our point." What are Xit's political goals? Tom replies, "I'd just like to see them (the government) stick more to the 'Pledge of Allegiance' the part 'with liberty and justice for, The government should practice what it preaches." What action should Indians take? "They should keep speaking out," says Mac, "Unity is important. Anything is possible if enough people are talking out." Bl group is Julie Scanlon. recently elected teenage delegate to the parish council.

Assisting at the affair willbe John andMartin Eckert. Yolanda Shaw, David Martinez. Sylvia Pacheco. Paula Hanosh. Giner Parkes, Lonn Hurley.

Brigid Brennan, Ann Woodward, Elizabeth and Chuck Oliver. Josephine andOscar Huber, Mary Swanick, Matt Wehling. Lisa Dennedy, Richard Herrera, Marty and David Barnaby, Joanne Martinez, Louis Salinas and Paul Sanchez. transportation to the camp in Tijeras Canyon, and instruction in drawing, wat-ercolor, oils, ceramics, sculpture or printmaking. Also, several scholarships are available for students who need financial aid.

Further information is available from the YWCA at 316 Fourth NW. song; it serves to slightly diminish the thoughts expressed elsewhere, lacking any eloquence. The flip side is superior to the first, containing perhaps the finest song on the album "Lavinia For-sythe Jones." Forthrightly relating the odyssey of a young girl of the "upper crust" from love to loneliness, Taylor conveys deep emotion without employing distracting embellishments. "My Father's Room" and the love song for side two, "Always You," are both excellent. GUITAR accompaniment is exemplary for the entire record, and the vocal background is appropriate.

These features, when added to Taylor's clear style, his projection ability in making the listener feel he is being directly communicated with on a plane which is more than trivial, and the musical completeness of each segment, sum up an outstanding album. service by Wide Range of Activities Explorers Posts Don't Stop for the Summer! Lake, explained Pattersoa New posts include 455, sponsored by the Albuquerque Bar for people interested in the legal professions. Patterson and many post members feel optimistic and enthusiastic toward Explorer projects; Patterson also feels some of the posts have become essential in the area of emergency preparedness. By TOM HYSOM Eldorado High School "Allan Taylor The American Album" by Allan Taylor United Artists Records. Inc.

UA-LA078-F Allan Taylor's basic humanity and honesty is wholly evident in his collection of musical commentaries on America. While avoiding the traps of making petty, trite judgements on American morality or relating sweetly nostalgic episodes of Americana, he successfully reduces complicated subjects to simple thoughts which do not knock the listener over the head with their social message. ON THE FIRST side. "Get Down" and "Old Joe" are notable, both for their sincerity and musical effect. Why "Something's Changed," a typical and slightly hollow love number, was included is not known perhaps the formula for a successful disk includes at least one love he has OF THE TH6 PAST HOLES THAT ADVANCED 4 Salute to Albuquerque TEENAGERS! BUZZ a television reporter, and Forest Service personnel negotiated the climb during early morning hours, two Explorers manned a communiation center on the peak.

"WE GOT under the car (No. One) at 5:30," stated Karen. After helping haul the supplies up to the standed passengers, "We got out about 10:30 a.m." added Karen. Although admitting "it was pretty scary," she also said "I was really glad I'd done it." "We have a post that flies gliders," said Explorer executive John Patterson. Post member Rick Schreiber, Del Norte senior, offered more informal ion: "It started up last' fall," he explained.

"We're associated with the Albuquerque Soaring Club (and) go through the regular civil aviation program." Lessons in flying By TOM HYSOM Eldorado High School Effecting emergency operations during the somber, dark hours of early morning, learning to pilot sailplanes and other sorts of gliders, and mastering complex emergency communication procedures are among activities being tackled by Albuquerque Exploring Scouts this summer. Eldorado graduate Karen Blackshear, of Search and Rescue Post 432, was among the first to reach the recently stranded tram cars. After being called at "9:40 Wednesday night." she assisted in loading backpacks with food and medical supplies and filling water bottles. Preparations for the difficult ascent completed, pack shouldered, "At 11 o'clock we left," recalled Karen, and "started down the mountain." While the five explorers, Teens on Wheels i Ifc-WEAR-OLD BOZI-rS A YOUTH VOLUNTEER WTH Trie fUBUQUERflue CHAPTER OF THE ameri- operator tests and learning Morse code, while ACRA members pay a yearly fee to transmit and aren't allowed to perform such tasks as repairing their own radios. While conducting licensing classes and improving their own equipment, the radio hams provide communications for such things as kite flying contests and go-cart races.

"We just finished an emergency test," said Reese, who graduated from Manzano in 1972. The county-wide test included many posts and radio organizations, whereby each attempted to locate as many radios as possible during a 24 hour period, explained John Patterson. Ratings not expected to be available until August. Post 296 is sponsored by the Radio Caravan Club of New Mexico, which provides support in the way of equipment and skills, according to Reese. ANOTHER post.

404. is busy preparing and taking monthly trips throughout the state, all in four-wheel vehicles equipped with radios and is currently, shifting emphasis to search and rescue operations because of its ability to go places where normal vehicles might not be able to venture. Membership is open to any young person over 14 interested in roughing it and aiding others said Marty Castillo, post advisor. Patterson outlined other additional Explorer programs. For instance, "Our post down at KOB is getting ready to start a weekly radio grogram" and "The Law Enforcement Post is taking a law enforcement course at T-VI, he mentioned.

At least some members of Post 6, Medical, will attend a school in Rochester, Minn, at the Mayo Clinic. Social outings are a basic part of summer activities. "We've had several groups go out to Navajo Lake," and others have spet time at Conchas sors, and is hoping a large corporation will volunteer a balloon which could be flown with their name on it. If conversion plans materialize, Craig feels they will be the only such post in existence. Post 296, Ham Radio, is prepared to handle emergency communications.

When the phone system serving Anna Kasemann Hospital was out of order ten months ago, "We ran communications for 2 Vi days," recalled Reese Bevans, post president. He feels the post is "mainly just public service We can support large scale operations." One difficulty encountered by the post is posed by ACRA-Albuquerque Citizens Radio Association they don't enjoy the most cordial of relations. REESE FEELS this stems, partially, from the fact his post employs a "technical type approach to radio," passing standard dealers here in town, I find that, yes, different manufacturers do make differ ent width tires that carry the same size labeling. On dealer told me that even the circumference varies, so it's always wise to mount tires In pairs, especially on the rear where different circumferences can ruin differential gears. DEAR MIKE: The rear end of our 196S Impala sways back and forth at speeds above 40 mph.

The steering has no play in it, and we just put on four new shocks. What gives? WAGGIN' DEAR WAGGIN': It's probably your tires. To check, pump them all up to 40 psi and drive the car. If the sway is gone, you need new tires. Get some with stiffersidewalls.If the sway doesn't disappear, first check your rear sway bar.

If that's okay, take the car to a good root-end shop- sure to let your tires back dowa to normal pressures after the experiment) are earned through work on the Soaring Club's new hanger for each three hours worked" they (post members) get one lesson inthesailplane, said Rick. Under advisor Capt. Bob Endlich, Rick feels "It's really quite challenging." Although admitting "I've always been fascinated with flying" "I plan to go into the Air National Guard fairly soon," Rick has no plans to pursue flying as a career. "It's really sort of a hobby thing." CRAIG PORTER, Post President of 206, discussed his post's plans to convert to a hot air ballooning post. "We're just working on it.

We first got the idea when we had the international balloon competition here The post already has promises from balloon enthusiasts Mark and Greg Wilson they will serve as associate spon Available can buy a radiator and water pump for this car? NICE NIECE DEAR NIECE: Write to one of the two national Packard owners' clubs: Packard Automobile Classics, Bos 2828, Oakland, or Packards International, Box 1347, Costa Mesa, Calif. 92629. DEAR MIKE: Can two different brand tires with the same size rating be twodifferent widths? I had H78-14 tires on my car, and I replaced two of them with another brand, also labeled H78-14. These new tires, though, looked narrower, so I measured them, and sure enough, the tread is about an inch narrower. Is it possible that different manufacturers vary their tread width? SURPRISED.

DEAR SURPRISED: I hadnt thought so, but in checking with several-tire gah red cross, BEEN A MEMBER RED CROSS FOR TWO VEARS AMD ORGANttATlOH'S Several Sealers Are first aid clard. BUll CJURRENTW A VOLUNTEER WORKER IN tun siiomm to WVMw, Mrvt wrcw. L'lKl ufc lfBV)l'V I 'Ha Mas JnPlWcr TAC BER0slLV ROOM AT SAND A CASE. HOSPTTAL ft ALSO SErWES AS ft pftTTEHT ESCORT. HeWlLLBEA tfjNiORWS FALL AT DEL NORTE PLACED FOOTBALL OKI BOTH "THE SOPH VAJWTS TEAMS LAST NEAR AND UiEMT OUT FOR TRACK.

HE 114 THE OPrOMORdCGft5J ANT) THE GERAAfcN CLUB. on the engine until a mechanic finally traced the true problem. By listening very carefully, he heard something rattling around inside the muffler. He removed the muffler, cut it open, and found that a flap of metal inside it would lift up when the exhaust gas flowed through a certain way and at a certain speed. This flap partially sealed the exhaust and caused a lot of back pressure.

When we replaced the muffler, the Rambler ran fine. Maybe the Mustang is suffering this same disease. COULD BE DEAR COULD BE: Could be. Thanks for the P. DEAR MIKE: My aunt still drives the 1950 Packard that ray uncle bought new.

Parts and services are becoming hard to find. Can you tell where we By MICHAEL LAMM DEAR MIKE: I am the proud owner of a 1946 Indian motorcycle. This bike stood outside for several years, and the bottom of the gas tank has rusty scale in it. I've heard there's some kind of sealer I can buy to slosh around inside the tank to seal in the rust, but I dont know the name of it or where to get it. Can you help? CHIEF DEAR CHIEF: There are several such products on the market.

One is Pro-Tech, available from the Pro-Tech Products 620 E. Walnut, FoDerton, Calif. 92631. DEAR MIKE: About the fellow with the '66 Mustang that kept bogging down at speeds above 40 mph: I had a Rambler with the same problem. We tried everything and replaced nearly every part 4 VsA This scries is sponsored at a public the Bank that BELIEVES in our young people! I -J.