Good luck to local rockers Rocket Ajax who performed a showcase on Wednesday at Sportsfield Roxxx for Artemis Records. It seems like everyday something new is happening for these guys. They've got Clear Channel on their side and they are a great band, so wish them well.

The big news in the local scene this week definitely is the shakeup in personnel in Blister 66. Long-time guitarist Philo and bassist Andy are no longer with the band. Ex-Blister 66 member Joe is now back on bass, and former Childproof axeman Taylor is now on guitar. Word has it that Philo and Andy have joined forces with local hip-hop heavyweight Mike V. All parties involved are great people and we wish them all the best of luck.

Former members of the bands Bitter and Hallucinasia have joined forces and should be out soon. The band has a thumping edge to them and are calling themselves Tyfoid Mary, so keep your ears open.

I recently got a chance to check out the progressive/jazz/funk band Host. If you get an opportunity to see these guys, jump at it. They are without a doubt one of the best bands out there.

Speaking of great bands, never miss a chance to see Itis. The band is out of Colorado Springs but travels the country extensively. The group is full of wicked musicians, and their humor is second to none. This band is probably the most entertaining band I have ever seen. I was laughing hard as hell all night long. I can't believe they aren't signed.

Clean-cut rockers Love .45 have begun playing covers with their originals in an effort to expand their fan base. The financial side plays into it also. I saw them last week at Iliff Park Saloon and they sounded awesome.

--Bill Terrell

Keep me informed on what's happening with you. E-mail me at rogue@doctor.com.

NATIONAL MUSIC SCENE

The biggest story right now is the breakup of Rage Against the Machine, everyone's favorite Marxist rap-metal act. The center of the breakup is front man Zack de la Rocha, who claims that the band simply can't remain together because there's no consensus on where they're going. The split has been a long time coming, especially since the band couldn't decide on a management team and ended up with two different managers. Nobody's sure how the breakup will affect the slated November release of the new Rage album, but it's clear de la Rocha will be recording solo soon. The band is also planning to continue, although there's no word on who de la Rocha's replacement will be. Whether this split is temporary or permanent, nobody knows for sure, but nobody's surprised either. After all, how long can a multi-platinum band rail against the evils of capitalism before hypocrisy sets in? Disarm your guns, though; you can't really call Rage a hypocritical band until they reunite for an Eagles-like tour in 2035, charging $240 for general admission.

In case anyone's curious, the Spice Girls have not broken up despite losing their Playboy model Geri Halliwell (Ginger Spice). In fact, they're actually releasing another album in the not-too-distant future. Rage Against the Machine breaks up and the Spice Girls keep kicking. Is there no justice in this world?

-Chris J. Magyar

FILM NOTES

If you missed the 23rd Denver International Film Festival then your life is less full than it could have been. This sounds overblown, but is true. From the new Mamet to the directorial debut of Jason Alexander of "Seinfeld" fame, the feature-length fiction films were, at the least, very good. If you missed the chance here, make an effort to see The Acting Class, Two Family House, The Navel, and Requiem for a Dream. Amongst the quality shorts, "Rejected," by Don Hertzfeld, director of "Billy's Balloon," was also screened. Of course, more deserve mentioning but these count in the "must-see" category.

Where the festival really shined, however, was in the non-fiction category. Seldom does one get the chance to view quality documentaries, let alone all in one place and easily accessible. South, the story of Ernest Shackleton's Antarctic adventure is a marvel simply for the fact that it exists. I Remember Me, about chronic fatigue syndrome, continues to win awards and may just become "important" over time. House on Fire, a piece on AIDS in the African-American community, may also reach the "important" stage if enough people have access to it.

Thankfully, Milestone Film and Video will be there to do its part to keep quality films alive. To honor Milestone's 10th anniversary, a series of four films were shown at the festival: the previously mentioned South, The Mystery of Picasso, The Trail, and Chac: The Rain God. All four films are available on video along with the rest of Milestone's unparalleled collection.

Also notable was a collection of short films by Colorado independent filmmakers including Dan Boord, Luis Valdovino, Novuyo Masakhane, Lianna Bodzin, Daniel Salazar, Larry McLaughlin and Academy Award winning producer, Donna Dewey.

Get out your calendar now, contact the Denver Film Society and mark next year's dates. If you miss it again, it's sort of like missing a parent's birthday--only worse. --Bryce Edmonds

THREE QUESTIONS WITH JASON ALEXANDER

Jason Alexander has directed a new film entitled Just Looking. It is a coming-of-age story set in the '50's, about a 14-year-old kid from the Bronx trying to spend his summer learning more about his newest fascination, sex. This is Alexander's second stab at directing a feature film, although some might remember him as the character George Costanza on the obscure little '90's sitcom "Seinfeld."

Do you think a wider base of knowledge about so many things in today's world blurs kids' perspectives?

Jason: I tell my own kids, "You have one job, you've got to get to 18 and screw up as much as you can, because it has no real consequence yet. Make tons of mistakes and find out what you like, and what you think and what you don't like." I think kids have always been doing that.

Do you think it is different for kids growing up now as opposed to the in the'50's?

Jason:I know it's harder on my son at eight, now, than it ever was for me when I was eight. On Saturday mornings when I was eight years old, I'd get on my bike at 8 a. m., say goodbye to my folks, and they didn't know where the hell I was until I got home for dinner, and it wasn't a problem. I can't let my kids go do that, we've got bad stuff right around our neighborhood. I don't know how to give my kids enough autonomy so that they don't need to be babysat all the time É I wonder how that's going to impact them.

Do you ever feel suffocated by George Costanza in your life and career?

Jason: No, it would be easy to let yourself. It comes from not being stupid. I don't have unreal expectations. George is the biggest thing I will ever do in my career, ever É The first thing everyone is gonna say is, "George." The world and I have to collaborate to very quickly get over that impression. When Jason shows up I have to be Jason, and not ... be George. And when I play a part, I have to do the part well enough so that George is gone. But the audience also has to allow it. As long as we can make that collaboration, I don't care what your first impression is, you can have George all you want. It (" Seinfeld") was an amazing experience, and it wasn't like we were doing a sitcom that I go, "Oh god, I'm 'ALF'." If I was on "ALF," and it was the number one show, I'd probably sit here and go, "I'm sorry, I was on 'ALF'."

--Josh Tyson