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Playing cards with one's alter ego.

An alter ego (Latin, "the other I") is a second self, which is believed to be distinct from a person's normal or original personality. The term was coined in the early nineteenth century when dissociative identity disorder was first described by psychologists.^[1] A person who has an alter ego is said to lead a double life.

A distinct meaning of alter ego can be found in literary analysis, wherein it describes characters in different works who are psychologically similar, or a fictional character whose behavior, speech or thoughts intentionally represent those of the author. Similarly, the term alter ego may be applied to the role or persona taken on by an actor^[2] or by other types of performers.

The existence of "another self" was first recognized in the 1730s. Anton Mesmer used hypnosis to separate the alter ego. These experiments showed a behavior pattern that was distinct from the personality of the individual when he was in the waking state compared to when he was under hypnosis. Another character had developed in the altered state of consciousness but in the same body.^[3]

Alter ego is also used to refer to the different behaviors any person may display in certain situations. Related concepts include avatar, doppelgänger, impersonator, and split personality.

[edit] Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

The title characters in Robert Louis Stevenson's thriller Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde represent an exploration of the concept that good and evil exist within one person, constantly at war. Edward Hyde literally represents the doctor's other self, a psychopath who is unrestrained by the conventions of civilized society, and who shares a body with the doctor. The names "Jekyll and Hyde" have since become synonymous with a split personality or an alter ego that becomes capable of overpowering the original self.

Comic book usage[link]

In Pre-Crisis comic books, superheroes and their secret identities are often considered alter egos. The archetypal comic book hero, Superman, assumes the identity of the "mild-mannered" newspaper reporter Clark Kent in order to live among the citizens of Metropolis without arousing suspicion. Whereas Clark Kent's true self is Superman (or rather the Kryptonian Kal-El), Batman is a character created by Bruce Wayne in order to disguise himself for the purposes of fighting crime. The Batman comics and movies such as Batman Begins have also explored the theme of the true self (Wayne) becoming lost in or giving himself over to the alter ego, much like the plot of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. Post-Crisis comics flip this idea around for both superheroes. Superman becomes the persona that Clark Kent adopts in order to freely use his gifts to help the world without jeopardizing his friends, family and personal life. Conversely, carefree playboy billionaire Bruce Wayne becomes the alter ego necessary to hide the true persona of the crime-fighting Batman. The Incredible Hulk comic book series further complicates this theme, as Bruce Banner loses control to the Hyde-like Hulk whenever he becomes angry, yet also depends upon the Hulk's super powers in order to combat villains.

Comic book-inspired alter egos can be seen in other forms of popular fiction, including television and movie adaptations of comic books, parodies of this genre, and unrelated fictions such as Star Wars or Angel.

Performing arts usage[link]

Gene Simmons as "The Demon" of KISS

Alter egos are used by numerous performing artists who use stage or screen personae both to entertain audiences and to explore new identities for themselves. An early example of a musical group to make use of alter egos was The Beatles, who recorded and performed as Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band in order "to alter our egos, free ourselves and have a lot of fun".^[4] Alter egos would later be used for entertainment value by glam-associated artists such as David Bowie (as Ziggy Stardust and The Thin White Duke) and KISS, and to exploit horror themes by shock rockers Alice Cooper and Marilyn Manson. Often, these artists are known almost exclusively by their alter egos; for example, Brian Warner (Marilyn Manson) is seldom seen in public without his horror makeup.^[5] In 2004, Jay Sean made innovative use of an alter ego in Me Against Myself, where his two personae, one an R&B singer and the other a rapper, clash in a rap battle.^[6]

In contemporary Hip Hop, artists such as Eminem, Lil Wayne, Traphik, B.o.B, Kool Keith, Nicki Minaj, Tech N9ne and T.I. have used the alter egos Slim Shady, Tune-Chi Lee, Timothy de la Ghetto, Bobby Ray, Dr. Octagon. Roman Zolanski, Tecca Nina and T.I.P., respectively, to explore divisions in their personalities. T.I.'s album T.I. vs T.I.P. even directly appropriates a Jekyll and Hyde plot. More subtle uses of alter egos can be seen in artists who redefine their image for an album, such as Christina Aguilera as Xtina and the members of My Chemical Romance as members of an outlaw gang known as the Fabulous Killjoys, and artists who describe their stage personalities as different from their private ones, such as Beyoncé Knowles' identity as Sasha Fierce, Katy Perry's identity as Kathy Beth Terry in music video "Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)". Another example of a celebrity who uses an alter ego is Skye Sweetnam, who uses her alter ego, Sever, to express her obsession with zombies and her sexual desire. She uses this name when she performs with her band, Sumo Cyco.

Comic performers also make use of alter egos as a part of their routines. The Marx Brothers performed throughout their careers as their vaudeville characters. For example, Julius Marx would play (and be credited as) Groucho, whether he was cast a professor (as in Horse Feathers), a veterinarian (A Day at the Races), or a president (Duck Soup). Standup comedians such as Don Rickles (Mr. Warmth) and Jackie Mason (Hartounian) can be said^{[by whom?]} to have developed their shtick into distinct alter egos. Performer Andy Kaufman was chiefly known to fans through several characters, including the Foreign Man (later Latka Gravas), Tony Clifton, and Kaufman's impersonation of Elvis Presley. The biopic Man on the Moon depicts Kaufman as a man whose true identity was difficult to isolate, even by his close friends, because of the prevalence of these alter egos. Actor Sacha Baron Cohen, who has often been compared to Kaufman, is similarly best known as the characters Ali G, Borat Sagdiyev, and Brüno.

Professional wrestlers can also be said^{[by whom?]} to perform as alter egos (or ring names), such as Terry Bollea, who used the character of Hulk Hogan, and Mark Calaway, who is best known as The Undertaker.

Milwaukee Brewers center fielder Nyjer Morgan occasionally goes by the alter ego "Tony Plush", although not usually.

Singer/songerwriter Beyonce used an alter ego named Sasha Fierce when she wrote her album I Am...Sasha Fierce. Beyonce stated that she wanted to explore her romantic side and her aggressive side. ^[7]

In film[link]

In the Our Gang short Mama's Little Pirate, after Spanky gets in trouble for touching his dad's flashlight he gets sent to his Bedroom and he talks to his alter ego. For another example, you can watch Hannah Montana.

In Fight Club, *SPOILERS* the narrator, played by Edward Norton, takes on an alter ego, played by Brad Pitt. The narrator takes on his alter ego after dissatisfaction in his life and by the end of the movie tries to eradicate his alter ego.

In Youth in Revolt, the protagonist Nick Twisp, played by Michael Cera, is a shy, socially inept teenager who is hopelessly in love with Sheeni Saunders. Twisp then creates an alter ego to help him win her love.

See also[link]

• Pen name
• Ring name
• Stage name
• True self and false self

References[link]

v t e Superhero fiction Media Comics · Film · Live-action TV series · Animation · Video games · Role-playing games Plot elements Superhero · Supervillain · Superpower (List) · Secret identity · Alter ego · Comic book death · Women in Refrigerators Continuity Continuity · Canon · Retroactive continuity · Reboot · Crossover  Portal:Superhero fiction  ·   Category:Superhero fiction

Tame Impala
Tame Impala at the V Festival, 2009
Background information
Origin	Perth, Western Australia
Genres	Psychedelic rock, Neo-Psychedelia
Years active	2007–present
Labels	Modular Recordings
Associated acts	The Dee Dee Dums Pond Mink Mussel Creek Space Lime Peacock Giant Tortoise Allbrook Avery
Website	http://www.tameimpala.com/
Members
Kevin Parker Dominic Simper Jay Watson Nick Allbrook

Tame Impala is the psychedelic rock project of Kevin Parker^[1] from Perth, Australia. They are signed to Modular Records. The band came to prominence in 2010 with the release of their debut album, Innerspeaker. Their name refers to the impala, a medium sized antelope.^[2] They like to see themselves as "a steady flowing psychedelic groove rock band that emphasizes dream-like melody."^[3]

Biography[link]

Early Career[link]

Tame Impala were formed from Kevin Parker's original blues/jazz/psychedelic band, the Dee Dee Dums. The Dee Dee Dums consisted of Parker (drums ) and Luke Epstein (guitar), with the band getting second place at the 2005 AmpFest^[4] and winning third place that year in the state final of The Next Big Thing.^[5] In October 2006 Epstein was replaced by drummer Sam Devenport, Epstein going on to play with Sugarpuss. The Dee Dee Dums went on to win the WA state final of the National Campus Band Competition.^[6] In late 2007 the band renamed to Tame Impala unveiling another new drummer and replacing the two-guitar attack for the more traditional guitar/bass/drums format. Devenport went on to pursue an acting career.^[7]

In July 2008 the band signed a worldwide deal with independent label Modular Recordings.^[8]

[edit] Tame Impala EP

The signing was soon followed by the release on their self-titled debut EP in September 2008.^[9] Due to Kevin Parker's original artwork there was some confusion with the EP title and many believed it to be called Antares Mira Sun.^[10][11] The artwork is an interpretation of a slide he saw in an astronomy lecture, which demonstrated the difference in size between the stars Antares, Mira and the Sun.

The cover art is meant to be a painting; an interpretation of a diagram, so those labels are just there to make the diagram make sense. But lo and behold, there were reviews coming out saying "And Tame Impala's new EP 'Antares, Mira, Sun".

—Kevin Parker^[12]

Tame Impala went to number 1 on the Australian Independent Record Labels (AIR) Chart and number 10 on the ARIA Physical Singles Chart,^[13] with three songs, "Desire Be, Desire Go", "Half Full Glass of Wine" and "Skeleton Tiger" which received national radio airplay on the Triple J Network.^[14][15] Tours in 2008 included supports for You Am I, The Black Keys, Yeasayer and MGMT, as well as performances at Southbound, Meredith Music Festival, and Falls Festival, as well as a national headline tours in support of their EP. 2009 tours include a sold out 6 date 'Skeleton Tiger' national headline tour, a 5 date UK tour including Nevereverland UK, V Festival, Groovin The Moo and a stadium tour with The Living End and Gyroscope.

Tame Impala appeared on Triple J's Hottest 100 2008, their first appearance on the list, with "Half Full Glass of Wine" reaching number 75. The song is also on the Hottest 100 compilation.^[16][17]

[edit] Sundown Syndrome

Tame Impala’s first single, "Sundown Syndrome", was recorded at Toerag Studios in London, with recording engineer Liam Watson, whilst the band was there in March 2009.^[18] "Sundown Syndrome" was premiered by Richard Kingsmill on his 2009 show on triple j on Sunday 10 May. It was released in July 2009 on vinyl and electronically along with a cover of Blue Boy's "Remember Me".^[19]

The band embarked on a national tour supporting the single through September and October 2009.^[20]

"Sundown Syndrome" was included on the soundtrack of the Oscar-nominated film "The Kids Are All Right."

"Half Full Glass Of Wine" was used in HBO's hit TV series Entourage as the closing song for an episode.

Tame Impala appeared at Big Day Out in early 2010, performing alongside bands Muse, The Mars Volta, Kasabian and Rise Against, among others.

"Remember Me" appeared at number 78 on Triple J's Hottest 100 for 2009.

[edit] Innerspeaker

Tame Impala's debut album, Innerspeaker, was released on 21 May 2010. In the U.K. it's official release date was 28 June, however iTunes accidentally made it available to buy immediately (not pre-order) on 12 May. The album was released in the United States on 8 June to general and critical acclaim. Pitchfork named it Best New Music.^[21]

On a interview with Triple J talking about the album's recent nomination for the J Award, Parker stated that they have secretly been recording a new album. "Jay and I have been recording pretty compulsively and album number two is nearing potential completion already and I'm so excited about it that I'm having trouble keeping myself from telling you all about it." This comes as a big surprise as this statement was released only months after their debut album, Innerspeaker, was released.

The band has been busy touring during mid 2010, with their 'Innerspeaker album tour' commencing on 13 May 2010, as the opening band for MGMT's 2010 American tour. The band returned to Australia to play at Splendour in the Grass festival, which was followed by a European Tour in July (including an appearance at the Reading Festival) and a national Australian tour in October. In November they returned to the UK and Europe for a fifteen date tour, including their largest London headline show to date which was attended by Noel Gallagher, Tom Meighan, Sergio Pizzorno, Noel Fielding, Alexa Chung and Alison Mosshart,^[22] the band then went on to the United States for twenty headline dates including sold out New York, LA and San Francisco. They also received four 2010 ARIA Music Awards nominations which include, 'Album of the Year' and 'Best Rock Album' for Innerspeaker, 'Best Group' and also 'Breakthrough Artist'.^[23]

On 29 November 2010 Tame Impala's debut album "Innerspeaker" won Australian youth-oriented radio network Triple J's highest honor, taking out the J Award for Album of the Year ^[24]

Second Album[link]

On 7 December 2011, Kevin Parker began mixing a new album with producer Dave Fridmann.^[25]

On 2 March 2012, they stated via Facebook that the new album was "finished, mixed, mastered, mooged, broinged, and beeped". Drummer Jay Watson expects it to be released in Mid 2012. Stated in an Interview posted on their website, Kevin Parker said that the next batch of songs "Represents a departure from his previous work by incorporating an expanded sonic palette, more emotional song writing, and a more pronounced narrative perspective." The album, set to be released in October 2012 was created by a similar set up as the debut album, being that Kevin Parker wrote and recorded the great majority of the album by himself at his home in Perth, Australia. ^[26]

In an article published in April 2012 by Triple J Magazine, Kevin Parker revealed some details about the forthcoming, currently untitled second album by Tame Impala. The majority of recording had taken place in France, and as a result, one of the tracks are titled, Un, Deux, Trois. Other song titles revealed are, Nothing That Has Happened So Far Has Been Anything We Could Control, and Apocalypse Dreams, one of the first songs Parker has co-written with drummer Jay Watson.

Band members[link]

Live[link]

• Kevin Parker – vocals, guitar, kazoo
• Jay "Gumby" Watson – drums, backing vocals
• Dominic Simper – guitar & synth (previously bass)
• Nick "Paisley Adams" Allbrook – bass (previously guitar & keys)

Studio[link]

• Kevin Parker – vocals, guitar, bass, drums, keys
• Jay Watson – drums, keys, guitar
• Dominic Simper – percussion, bass, guitar, effects

Discography[link]

Albums[link]

• Innerspeaker - Modular Recordings (21 May 2010) AUS #4^{[27][28][29][30][31]}
• Untitled (TBA) - Modular Recordings (October 2012)^{[32] [33]}

Live albums[link]

• Live at the Corner - Modular Recordings (May 2010)^[34]

EPs[link]

• Tame Impala [H.I.T.S. 003] - Hole in the Sky (August 2008) (12" vinyl)^[35] (limited re-issue April 2009)
• Tame Impala EP - Modular Recordings (September 2008) AUS #82^[36]

Singles[link]

• "Sundown Syndrome"/"Remember Me" - Modular Recordings (July 2009) (7" vinyl)^[37][38]
• "Solitude Is Bliss" - Modular Recordings (April 2010)^[39]
• "Lucidity" - Modular Recordings (July 2010) ^[40]
• "Expectation" - Modular Recordings (December 2010) ^[41]
• "Why Won't You Make Up Your Mind" - Modular Recordings (February 2011)^[42]

Remixes[link]

• "Mammalian Locomotion" - Abbe May (October 2010) [Track 2 of "Mammalian Locomotion" single]^[43]
• "End of Line" - Daft Punk - Walt Disney Records (August 2011) [Track 11 of Australian version of "Tron: Legacy Reconfigured" CD]^[44]

Collaborations[link]

• "Big City Lights" - Canyons - Hole in the Sky (May 2008) [Track 3 of "The Lovemore EP"]^[45]
• "Tonight" - Canyons - Modular Recordings (November 2011) [Track 8 of "Keep Your Dreams"]^[46]
• "When I See You Again" - Canyons - Modular Recordings (November 2011) [Track 9 of "Keep Your Dreams"]^[46]
• "Children of the Moon - The Flaming Lips - Warner Bros. Records (April 2012) [Track 5 of "The Flaming Lips and Heady Fwends"]^[47]

Awards and nominations[link]

WAMI Awards[link]

ARIA Awards[link]

J Awards[link]

Rolling Stone Awards[link]

APRA Awards[link]

The APRA Awards are presented annually from 1982 by the Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA), "honouring composers and songwriters".^[53]

References[link]

External links[link]

• Tame Impala on Myspace
• Tame Impala official website

Sean Long

Long playing for Hull in 2010
Personal information
Born	(1976-09-24) 24 September 1976 (age 35) Wigan, Greater Manchester, England
Playing information
Height	175 cm (5 ft 9 in)
Weight	85 kg (13 st 5 lb) [1]
Position	Stand-off/Five-eighth, Scrum-half/Halfback
Club
Years	Team	Pld	T	G	FG	P
1994–97	Wigan	12	2	2	0	12
1997	Widnes	9
1997–09	St Helens	265	124	812	20	2178
2010–11	Hull	22	6	0	0	24
	Total	308	132	814	20	2214
Representative
Years	Team	Pld	T	G	FG	P
2000	England	6	2	5	0	18
1997–06	Great Britain	15	4	14	1	45
Source: RLP

Sean Long (born 24 September 1976 in Wigan) is an English former professional rugby league and current rugby union footballer with Preston Grasshoppers.^[2] He has played for Wigan, Widnes and Hull but is best known for playing for St Helens in the Super League. Internationally he has represented England and Great Britain at Scrum-half/Halfback. Although primarily a Scrum-half/Halfback he has also played many games at Stand-off/Five-eighth.

Playing career[link]

1990s[link]

After signing from local amateur side, Wigan St. Judes, Long started his career at Wigan Warriors. After Wigan Warriors released him from his contract, Long moved to Widnes Vikings, where he attracted the attention of several of the Super League's top clubs. He was signed by St Helens in 1997^[3] to replace the departing Bobbie Goulding.

In the 1997 post season, Long was selected to play for Great Britain from the interchange bench in two matches of the Super League Test series against Australia.

Long twice set the St. Helens record for the number of points scored in a Super League season, gaining 284 points in 1999 and 352 points in 2000.^[4]

2000s[link]

In the 2002 Tetley's Super League Grand Final, Long kicked a last-gasp field goal which gave St. Helens the Championship.^[5]

Long has gained many club honours and has won three Lance Todd Trophies for man-of-the-match performances in the Challenge Cup final after St. Helens won the trophy in the 2001, 2004 and 2006 finals. By 2005, Long had scored 2000 points for St Helens. During the 2005 season, he sustained a broken cheek bone in a challenge by Wigan's Terry Newton.^[6]

Long scored his 1000th goal for St. Helens on 22 February 2009 in a game against Huddersfield.^[7]

During 2006, St Helens won both the Challenge Cup and Super League. Following the season, Long was selected for Great Britain in the Tri nations. Long played in the first game between Great Britain and Australia, which resulted in Great Britain's first victory in Sydney in 18 years, with a score of 23-12. However, on 13 November 2006, Long returned home from the Tri-Nations tour, with 'personal reasons' cited as the reason by Great Britain coach Brian Noble.^[8]

St. Helens in 2007 took all honours apart from the Super League title when they were beaten by Leeds at Old Trafford in the Grand Final. In 2007 Long played his testimonial match for St. Helens playing against Leigh. Former St. Helens players returned for the game, including Chris Joynt, Tommy Martyn and Paul Newlove. St. Helens won the game 40-10.^[9]

Long officially retired from International football on 16 April 2007, wishing to concentrate on his club career. He has stated that it is a "big possibility" that he will play football in the NRL in the future.^[10] Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks and Kangaroos coach Ricky Stuart expressed some interest in employing in the Shire in 2008 but the arrangement was cancelled.

He played in 2008's Super League XIII Grand Final defeat to the Leeds Rhinos.^[11]

On 1 June 2009 it was announced that Sean had signed a two year contract with Hull for the 2010 and 2011 seasons.^[12] Also in 2009 an Autobiography, Longy: Booze, Brawls, Sex and Scandal was published.^[13]

2010s[link]

Sean Long announced his retirement from playing rugby league on the morning of 10 August 2011. He now has a assistant coaching job ^[14] with the Salford City Reds. On 1 November it was announced^[15] he had signed a playing contract with Rugby Union side Preston Grasshoppers in SSE National League 2 North.

References[link]

External links[link]

• Sean Long St Helens Career Page on the Saints Heritage Society Website.
• Sean Long Wigan Career Page on the Wigan RL Fansite.
• International Statistics at englandrl.co.uk
• Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org