Radiohead is an art and experimental rock band that began performing in 1985, and their debut album, Pablo Honey, was released in 1993. They are most known for their song “Creep,” which was released as a single in 1992, but gained full popularity on the album version. But this song, and really their first two albums, don’t have that signature Radiohead sound, leading many fans to say that Pablo Honey is their worst album, which makes sense, because it was their first. This group was just learning what their sound was, and it was completely unique. 

As mentioned before, their first album was Pablo Honey, which immediately shoved the band into the spotlight across the UK. “Creep” was a massive hit among fans, but at the time, it was their only song on the radio. Immediately after, there was immense pressure for another album, another hit, another “Creep,” which then led to the release of The Bends. Their second studio album was released in 1995, and it features some of their most popular songs. “My Iron Lung,” “Just,” “Fake Plastic Trees,” “High and Dry,” all of these are beginning to capture the sound that many associate with Radiohead. That intense, sad, melancholy feeling that no other artist captures the way Radiohead does. This album was a near-perfect follow-up to Pablo Honey, but what they did next changed the band forever.

OK Computer has been credited as being one of the biggest left turns in music history. From the mellow acoustic sound of The Bends and Pablo Honey, this electronica masterpiece changed the band’s legacy forever. Released in 1997, this album is a fan favorite, with songs, “No Surprises,” “Let Down,” “Exit Music (For a Film),” and “Karma Police.” This album is part of the binary theory, which is a fan theory that combines two albums, as the songs fit seamlessly within each other. This dystopian album paints a picture of the future, where consumerism takes over. In the song “Subterrarian Homesick Alien,” Yorke describes feelings of isolation and anti-capitalism. Many of the themes in this song, and the album as a whole, will be later explored in Kid A and Hail to the Thief. 

Kid A was their next album, and it is almost completely electronic, and many of the lyrics seem random, and that’s because they are. Thom Yorke stated in an interview that the members wrote random lyrics and drew them from a hat, and that is how they wrote many songs for Kid A. Released in 2000, it features “Everything In Its Right Place,” “The National Anthem,” and “Motion Picture Soundtrack.” This follow-up to OK Computer is flawless. Each song has a different feel, and in my opinion, this is one of their best albums because of how unique it is. This sound is unlike other Radiohead albums; it's distant, synth-heavy, and overall, futuristic. 

Amnesiac was released in 2001, just one year after Kid A, and immediately, there is an obvious change in sound between the two albums. Amnesiac is still electronic, but it is also acoustic-heavy, more raw, more real even. It's less futuristic in the sense that it feels more down-to-earth. With the songs “Knives Out,” “You and Whose Army,” and “Pyramid Song,” there is a clear jazz and classical influence. This album, while many believe it is the B-Side or outtakes to Kid A, is a separate album in itself. Originally, these songs were to be featured on a double album, but Yorke felt kit would be too dense, so a separate album was created, and the B-Sides of Kid A were released separately. This album goes back to the roots of Radiohead, while still experimenting with new sounds that have not been featured before.

Hail To The Thief is my personal favorite Radiohead album, partially because it discusses Yorke’s hatred for the American Government, but also because of its sound. The title is a play on words with the famous “Hail to the Chief,” the American Presidential anthem, and it is in follow-up to three electronic albums, but now, it features the mellow sound that began Radiohead, almost as if they went back to their roots, while still featuring their innovative sound. Released in 2003, it features “There, There,” “2+2=5”, and “Wolf at the Door,” which, for me, are all some of my favorite songs. This album changes their sound to keep their ever-growing audience interested, while still feeling like Radiohead. This album debuted at number one on the UK charts, and it was an immediate sensation for fans. The rock-heavy feel of this album was in contrast to the previous, leading to a more truly traditional rock sound. 

In Rainbows is, in my own personal observation, their most popular album, and it has stolen the hearts of fans, This bright, electronic album was released in 2007, and it features, “15 Step,” “All I Need,” “Weird Fishes / Arpeggi,” and “Jigsaw Falling Into Place,” which again, are some of their more popular songs. This album is bright, upbeat, but also features gut-wrenching ballads that can make audiences cry. This album is also part of the binary theory. Which layers OK Computer and In Rainbows, playing one song, then the other in sequence to create a mega project, but Radiohead states that the theory is not complete. This album was their first album to be distributed online. The recording was up for pre-order, and within ten days, fans began downloading the MP3 tracks, but the reason this was so special was that fans could pay what they wanted for the album, even not pay at all. This led to less financial gain for the band, but that was not the goal; the goal was to distribute their music digitally, and make an impact on the way music is sold. 

The King of Limbs was their second-to-last studio album, released in 2011, and it sought to be a less conventional album in comparison to In Rainbows. This proved to be extremely beneficial. The King of Limbs was named one of the best albums of the year by publications including Rolling Stone, The Wire, NME, and PopMatters. At the 54th Grammy Awards, it was nominated in five categories, including Best Alternative Music Album. The most popular song from this record was “Lotus Flower,” which was the song behind the viral internet meme of lead singer Thom Yorke dancing. Despite mixed reviews from fans, this album has remained a cult classic in their discography since it was released. 

Their final studio album was A Moon Shaped Pool, was released in 2016, bringing an ambient closure to the life of Radiohead. Many songs on this album were written or recorded previously, and when recording, there was no rehearsal before; they entered the studio, and recording began. With songs, “True Love Waits,” “Burn The Witch,” and “Daydreaming,” this album was soft, ethereal, and a peaceful end to one of the most critically acclaimed rock bands in history. Critics loved this album. On the review aggregator website Metacritic, A Moon Shaped Pool has a score of 88 out of 100 based on 43 reviews, indicating “Universal Acclaim.” 

Radiohead is one of the most influential bands of the 21st century, and their music has inspired many other modern artists to break the norm and experiment, as in many cases, this can work out for the better. 

The first chill in the air. The crisp water on the windshield. It's officially the season of Smashing Pumpkins.

'Tis the season for Halloween, pumpkin spice, and chilly nights, but these recent nights have opened my eyes to a whole new world of music. “This Night Has Opened My Eyes” by The Smiths has been a fall favorite for me, but it was also a fall favorite last year. From the compilation album Hatful of Hollow, released in 1983, this song encapsulates the feeling of fall. It's low, mellow, and pushes and pulls the melody. “She could have been a poet, or she could have been a fool. Oh, you did a bad thing. And I’m not happy, and I’m not sad.” This is a line from the last chorus, and it is my favorite part of the song. The instrumental ending is absolutely beautiful, and I appreciate that it continues on and on. 

Fall is also the season of my birthday, and I will be turning 17. Currently, as a 16-year-old, I am the age of consent in Indiana. “Age of Consent" by New Order was released in 1983 on the album Power Corruption and Lies, and it is a new wave masterpiece. This song was featured in the 2019 thriller The Goldfinch, which brought the song back into the modern light. This song is five minutes and 15 seconds of pure autumn: the smooth guitar riff that carries the song, the electronic drums, the twinkly synth. It's truly a great song.

Even though the days are getting shorter, the sun is still shining. “Every Shining Time You Arrive,” by Sunny Day Real Estate, is a ballad from the album How It Feels To Be Something On, which was released in 1998. Sunny Day Real Estate was one of the pioneers of modern emo and has been an inspiration for many contemporary bands, including My Chemical Romance and Hot Mulligan. This album features some of their most popular songs – “Guitars and Video Games,” “Pillars,” and, of course, “How It Feels To Be Something On.”

Fall wouldn't be complete without apples. “Rotten Apple” by Alice in Chains is a grunge classic and a fan favorite among listeners. From the album Jar of Flies, released in 1994, it was released at the peak of grunge. Nirvana, Sound Garden, and Alice in Chains dominated the alternative music scene. This album is notorious for being absolutely gut-wrenching; it's intense, sad, and filled with emotion. The raw feeling is conveyed in a way like no other, and it's a musical experience that is hard to come by nowadays.

High school is a time when many think they’re grown, but in the end, we are all still young. “1979” by the Smashing Pumpkins is their most popular song in their discography, and it encapsulates the feeling of being young in a way I cannot fully describe. Melancholy And The Infinite Sadness is roughly two and a half hours long, and the deluxe version is about five and a half hours long; both albums feature some of the best songs in their discography. This song captures the essence of being young during fall; it feels like late-night drives with friends and crisp mornings with everyone you love.  This song was my top song in 2023, and it still is one of my favorite songs of all time. 

After just recently going through a breakup, Jeff Buckley’s “Forget Her” has been a new fall anthem. Jeff Buckley has been featured on many of my playlists, and this song is no exception. The album Grace is a work of art in itself; each song flows into the next, and “Forget Her” is one of my favorites from the album. “She was heartbroken from the moment that you met her. My heart feels so still as I try to find the will to forget her somehow.” This song is unapologetically heartbreaking, and I find myself coming back to it even more in these past few days.

Fall is my favorite time of the year, and not just because October is my birthday month. The way the leaves change, and the cool weather that allows me to layer my clothing, it truly is the most wonderful time of the year. My music taste slowly evolves as the seasons change, as the weather gets colder, the music gets slower, sadder, and melancholy. As summer fades into a memory, my summer music goes with it.

Cookies, doughnuts, bundt cakes, and frozen yogurt, what do all of these have in common? These are all popular items at dessert chains, and many have gone out of style.

At the turn of the century, frozen yogurt was all the rage. From Smyle to PinkBerry, frozen yogurt shops were seen all across America. Later in the 2000s, bundt cakes experienced a surge in popularity with the launch of Nothing Bundt Cakes. These fun-shaped cakes led America into the doughnut craze of the 2010s, with America running on Dunkin’. In 2025, cookie shops have seen a surge. Crumbl and Insomnia Cookies have seeped into college towns all over the United States.

In my experience, there aren't hundreds of frozen yoghurt places still open, bundt cakes are no longer at the forefront of Pinterest boards, and doughnuts are no longer the same aesthetically pleasing breakfast dessert go-to. On the other hand, nearly every major city will have a Crumbl or an Insomnia Cookies. 

Why is this? Why did froyo seem to fall off the face of the earth? The answer is simple: There just wasn’t a demand for it. Same with bundt cakes and doughnuts. The demand lowered after the new dessert came to town. Now, with cookies being the new fun thing, in 10 years, it begs the question: What will the new dessert be? 

Crumbl does the dessert game a little bit differently; there is a weekly rotation of cookies, cakes, and other desserts, and it keeps the masses interested. The six different desserts give people variety, and it is one of the many things Crumbl does right with their business. On the flip side, Insomnia Cookies is open late, so college students can get a quick, sweet treat delivered for relatively cheap. These businesses are trying everything to keep their relevancy because they want to stay in the dessert game, but it is only a matter of time before a new dessert comes to town. 

The dessert game is intense, and with the new way these cookies are marketed, they are fighting to stay on top of the sweet ladder. The rotating flavors from Crumbl bring a new variety that the dessert places of the past lacked, and this is a strategy that will hopefully inspire other companies, because it has proven successful.

On Friday, August 22, many LPHS students went to Taco Bell after the exciting win against New Prairie High School, but this celebration was cut short due to the devastating news at our local Taco Bell. One of the most beloved items is gone once again. Nacho Fries have gone back into the depths of the Taco Bell seasonal items.

Taco Bell is one of the many places to go in La Porte after school functions, every game, every competition, and every dance. Taco Bell will be packed with students from all extracurriculars. This happens for one of many reasons, but one of the main reasons is that it is open late. Our local Taco Bell is open till 3 a.m., and it is conveniently located about seven minutes from the high school by car, and it is within walking distance if one has enough time. 

On the Friday of the Milk Jug football game, the cheer and football team, marching band, student section, and members from all of these sectors could be found at the Taco Bell on Pine Lake Avenue. The drive-through line was in the road, and the lobby was packed, because many wanted cheap tacos and burritos. 

“Taco Bell is a staple for La Porte students. When I’m bored, I go to Taco Bell, because I know I will always find someone there. There is something about getting a cool Baja Blast after a football game. When I get old, I'll tell my kids about the good old days of going after games,” varsity cheerleader Aspyn Beaty said. 

The Nacho Fries are a fan favorite among LPHS students, with these seasoned fries being one of the most popular items on the menu. This is partially due to the false scarcity that Taco Bell creates. With Nacho Fries being a limited edition item, it makes people feel like they have to have it and not just because they taste great.

“They put something in the oil, I swear, and that’s what makes Taco Bell so good,” Color Guard member Peyton Ford said. 

The famous Nacho Fries will likely be back later this year or early next year, but this is truly a devastating time for all Taco Bell lovers across the country. 

Hair dye is one of the many ways people change their looks to express themselves, and as someone who has experimented with every color under the sun, I've learned many things about the types of dyes that can be found at Sally Beauty and local drugstores.

Semi, Demi, and Permanent

These are the three main types of hair dye permanencies that are available. 

The quickest to fade is semi-permanent, which lasts four to six weeks with proper care. Brands like Manic Panic and Arctic Fox are among the most common that are known for semi-permanent hair color. 

The next is demi-permanent, which is not as often found in stores. This is most common in the salon setting and lasts for upwards of eight weeks with proper care. 

Finally, permanent dyes, which are not 100% permanent, will fade over time, and need touch-ups if one wants the brand-new look. Most brands have permanent variants when looking in drugstores, but my personal favorite is Ion from Sally Beauty.

Bleach or no Bleach

Bleach is extremely dependent on what color others are looking for, as well as the permanence. Bleach can be very temperamental, so it is crucial to do a strand test, as well as consult with a hairstylist. For me personally, I use a kaleidoscope blue ice bleach and 20 volume developer. This combination gives a good life while still keeping a bit of health. One thing to note, bleach is very damaging, so if your hair has been previously bleached, heat damaged, or you are prone to breakage, consider a lower volume developer and multiple rounds of bleach over time. 

When dying bright colors, bleaching before is often a good option if you have dark hair, since the color will not be very bright without it. I recommend that if you are doing your hair at home, leave a day in between bleaching and dying so it gives the hair a small break, and there is a smaller likelihood of irritation. 

Brands

As previously mentioned, my favorite brand of dye to use is Ion, but this is not true for every color. I am not a fan of their light blues, but everyone’s hair is different, so it may work better for other hair types. Ion has a wide variety of permanent and semi-permanent dyes for a good price, but they do require the purchase of 20 volume developers if you are using the permanents. These colors usually fade well, and there is minimal shade change. For all of the brands that I will mention, the price ranged from $10-$15. The amount of dye used will depend on hair type and how much hair the user has.

Arctic Fox is known for their bright colors and how good their dye smells, so if users are sensitive to the smell of bleach and other strong smells, this would be a great option. Arctic Fox has only semi-permanent colors, and most fade very well, but some are known to fade into some interesting colors, most notably the greens and blacks. 

Manic Panic is another great semi-permanent option, especially if one wants a color that won’t last a crazy amount of time. Manic panic fades fast, especially if the user's hair is washed daily, but their bright colors are some of the best you can find. They also only come in semi-permanent.

Iro Iro is one I have not tried as much, but from what I have tried, they are high-quality dyes; many just fade quickly, which would be another good option if wanting one that will not last until hair is fully grown out. 

Finally, Splat Dye is one of the few that I will never recommend. Splat dye is known to stain the hair and not come out with rounds of bleach, color remover, and at-home treatments. Salons struggle to get splat out, so I would recommend staying away. 

Color Removing

There are many ways to remove dye, and the first, of course, is a color remover, which can be found at Sally Beauty as well as salons. My personal favorite is the Ion color remover, and it has removed stubborn black box dye from my hair with minimal damage. Salon color-removing treatments are also a good option, but can be expensive if one changes his/her hair a lot.

There are also a few ways to speed up fading at home. The main one is clarifying shampoo or Head and Shoulders dandruff shampoo. Both of these products are known to completely cleanse the hair and remove all oil. Therefore, they take off dye well and quickly. Many also recommend crushed vitamin C tablets in shampoo, but I have not tried this.

Hair Care

The process of taking care of dyed hair is simple, but very annoying if someone is a fan of warm showers. First, cold water is a must when getting bright color, because the cold water helps the hair fade more slowly. The second is to consider how much one washes their hair. The more often the hair is washed, the more times that water hits it, so the faster it fades. Absolutely, still wash the hair, because that prevents oil buildup and keeps your scalp healthy, but washing every other day or every two days will help preserve the life of the dye. Finally, avoid pools, lakes, oceans, etc., without a swim cap or one’s hair up. The chlorine in pools will suck the dye out, and having your hair in water for extended periods slowly fades the dye.

Closing Thoughts

Hair dye is a wonderful thing that makes changing one's look effortless, but it is very important to be careful with one's hair. It's very easy to fry off the ends with bleach if the user leaves it on for too long, or burn the user’s skin because one didn’t do a test strand. So before doing anything with bleach or anything similar, please consult a stylist. All dyes require different processing times, so make sure to look at the directions and follow them carefully for the best results.

Slicer Performing Arts Club is hosting its first annual SPArC 5K on September 7 at 10 a.m. beginning at La Porte High School to Kesling Park and back.

This event was put in place to support all performing arts at LPHS, from jazz to choir, and from theater to marching band; all of the arts will receive a portion of the proceeds. 

“We chose a 5K because we are looking for new and unique ways to raise funds for the performing arts, which wasn't being done by any other fundraising group. It is a great way to bring the community together to celebrate the arts. The Slicer Performing Arts Club is the primary funding source for all the performing arts at LPHS. So, the marching band, color guard, winter guard, show choir, and all the theater productions at the PAC are funded through donations. All proceeds from the event go directly back to the programs. SPArC is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization of parent volunteers,” Slicer Performing Arts Club Treasurer James Lear said.

The SPArC 5K is open to everyone, with options of running or walking, and future Slicers–grade 4 and under–can participate in the Mini Slicer Sprint, which will be held before the race. Medals will be awarded to all participants. In the race, medals will be awarded to the best overall man and woman, and other medals will be awarded to top finishers in each age group.

The race will start in the LPHS south lot, which can be entered off of 10th Street. Additional parking is available off the north lot and can be accessed through I Street.

Race sign-ups are available through the Slicer Performing Arts Club Facebook Group or this link.  To sign up for the race, the cost is $30, and sign-ups before August 22 are guaranteed a t-shirt. For the Slicer Sprint, the cost is $20. Sign-ups for the race end September 6, and spots are filling up fast, so hurry and get tickets to help support Slicer Performing Arts!

The La Porte High School Marching Band (LPMB) has officially started its summer season.

 This year's field show is called “Off The Rails” and will feature selections from composers John Fannin, Harry Warren, and heavy metal pioneer Ozzy Osbourne. 

The LPMB practices diligently throughout two camps in the summer and during the school year. The first is parade camp, where students learn the parade tune, the school song, and how to march properly. The drumline learns the yearly cadence, and the color guard learns flag work for the parade songs. 

The second camp is show camp, where students learn show music, dots, which tell where they are in formations, and visuals that enhance the performance. Members will also perfect “The Star-Spangled Banner” for upcoming football games, as they continue to work on technique and tone quality.

During the school year, they continue to work on these aspects to fine-tune their personal and group performance for competitions. These competitions prepare the band for prelims and, depending on how they score, finals. The LPMB had the opportunity to go to State in 2023 and placed 10th overall. Members are excited to put forth their best to try and make it once again. 

Their upcoming performances are at the La Porte 4th of July Parade and a Fox Park performance on August 14. The band also performs at home football games, pep rallies, and at competitions around the area.

As the school year comes to a close, summer is rapidly approaching. In other words, it's Sublime season!

To begin, I cannot make a summer playlist without mentioning Sublime, and more specifically, “Slow Ride.” Released in 1991 on the album Jah Won’t Pay The Bills, “Slow Ride” is a stoner rock anthem that carries my summer every year. Sublime is notorious for its laid-back and upbeat sound, and for a long time after the lead singer, Bradley Nowell, passed away in 1996, they didn’t tour. Now, Sublime is touring again with his son Jakob, and they have brought the Sublime sound to stages around the world once more. 

The 1990s were a great decade for music, pop culture, and fashion, and some of the most iconic albums and trends came from this era. But one thing that is notorious from the 1990s is rap music. From Notorious B.I.G., Outcast, and Ice Cube, it was a great decade for that classic '90s movie sound. One song in particular embodies this nicely: “It Was A Good Day” by Ice Cube is from the album The Predator, which was released in 1992, right at the beginning of the decade. This song is truly a song of the summer, again with its laid-back style, talking about a good day, it embodies a chill day where everything just seems to go right. 

`To continue on the '90s train, “Around the World” by Red Hot Chili Peppers is an unforgettable anthem. From Californiacation, released in 1999, this song opens the album with an unforgettable bassline that keeps the upbeat vibe throughout the song. Red Hot Chili Peppers are a rock powerhouse that is synonymous with summer. The late nights and early mornings on the lake with a large fountain drink in hand, and the waves crashing on the shore. 

My next song goes in a completely different direction. “Incinerate” by Sonic Youth is an American rock band formed in 1981 in New York. This song comes from the album “Rather Ripped,” and it features a driving guitar riff that carries throughout the whole song. Sonic Youth is the sound of my summer nights, the nights watching the stars or wandering downtown Chicago. On a similar note, “Tonight, Tonight” by The Smashing Pumpkins is another song that is synonymous with late nights in the dead of summer. From the 1995 album Mellon Collie And The Infinite Sadness, this song is a classic ‘90s rock anthem that has been on my playlists for years.

Finally, my current favorite summer song is “Take It Easy” by the Eagles. Released in 1972 on their self-titled album, this song embodies the laid-back summer experience. This is the song to listen to when cruising down county roads with all of the windows down. This song is deeply rooted in my soul, and it is extremely nostalgic to my time growing up in the Midwest. 

This summer, I want to live life like a Baja Blast because you never know when it will be your Baja last. Overall, summer is a time of joy, whimsy, and fun, and I can’t wait to see what new music I will discover.