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Over the years that Silversun Pickups have been recording music, they’ve been almost constantly compared to 90’s-era shoegaze, punk rock and psychedelic rock bands — think Smashing Pumpkins or My Bloody Valentine.

Their most recent release, Neck of the Woods, seems to actually try to embrace that association with the past. The resulting blend of ambience with grungy guitar hooks, ethereal vocals and thrumming bass is an homage to a time when rock was constantly being redefined. In doing so, Silversun Pickups have created one of the best albums of the year.

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The Fairfax County School Board approved a measure to investigate moving school starting times from 7:20 to 8:00 a.m., a motion that has resurfaced since it was intiatlly voted down by the board in 2009.

Although no plan currently exists to change start times, there is an intent “for the School Board to study how later start times could be achieved,” school board chair Jane Strauss said.

The revival of this issue can be partially attributed to the Start Later for Excellence in Education Proposal.

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Students disappointed with last winter’s lack of snow have something to look forward to: the lack of school closings has prompted the Fairfax County School Board to remove two school days from the end of the year.

Before the School Board vote, the last day of school would have been June 19. Now, students will be released on June 15. The extra two days have been relabeled as teacher work days.

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Both varsity and JV baseball are on track to achieve a winning record for spring 2012, thanks to intense work and player experience. JV, especially, is seeking to improve its game overall, in order to best prepare for next season.

As of press time, varsity’s record was 6-4. The last game, played on Apr. 17 against South Lakes High School, was an overwhelming victory of 10-1 in the Statesmen’s favor.

Junior Conor Boyle attributed the win to “good pitching, good defense, fewer strikeouts, and [making] the other team make plays.”

“It was nice to get the offense going,” Boyle said.

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In response to concerns over theft of student ID numbers to pay for lunches, the cafeteria administration has installed new picture verification technology in each lunch line. Under the new system, if a student is caught using someone else’s ID number, he or she will be formally charged with theft.

The new technology uses touch-screens, which have every student’s school picture uploaded. When a student ID number is put in, a picture of the corresponding person will come up on the screen.

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A rubber boot swaying on his head, multitudes of ties peeking out from under his salt-and-pepper beard, presidential candidate Vermin Supreme proudly distinguishes himself from the other presidential hopefuls with his signature opening line: “I am a friendly fascist, a tyrant you can trust.”

His campaign manifesto includes a mandatory dental hygiene law, funding for time travel research and an energy policy that involves harnessing the power of zombies.

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The Marshall football program recently welcomed back alumnus Greg Sullivan to become its new head coach.

Sullivan, who graduated in 1979, has a long history in coaching football. He spent five years coaching at Ottawa University in Kansas before moving back to the Northern Virginia area. After spending three years as a head coach for the football team at T.C. Williams High School, Sullivan became an offensive coordinator at McLean High School.

However, Sullivan’s time away from Marshall has not stopped him from following his alma mater’s team.

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After experiencing success at districts, the Theatre program placed third in the Feb. 10 Northern Region festival hosted by Lake Braddock High School.

The competition involved judging one-act plays. Marshall’s entry, “The Sea,” was directed by theatre teacher Mark Krikstan.

Despite their first place win over Stone Bridge High School and three other schools in the Liberty District competition, Marshall placed third overall at regionals. Junior Sarah Chapin was awarded Best Actress.

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