Handbooks for the Sellout

2009-11-18T21:25:00.003-05:00

Upon arriving at the Tremont Music Hall last night with my friend, we were greeted by a very enticing scent. Someone somewhere nearby was baking doughnuts. After spending forty-five minutes searching with our noses (with the help of a stranger who informed us that the smell was coming from the food processing plant and not an actual restaurant and then directed us to the nearest Dunkin' Doughnuts) we entered the venue to find that there were very few people there. We sat down in the only large couch where we remained for the first two bands.

Monarchist opened the show up fifteen minutes late. They were probably waiting for more people to show up but they never did. Their set, while good, was boring. There have obviously been some member changes since the last time I saw them (almost two years ago.) The lead singer is now the bassist and there seems to be a missing guitarist. Originally they played a sludgey form of Hardcore, but their new sound is more similar to the Post-Metal of ISIS. Like I said, it was good, just boring.

Meth Mountain was up next. I have never seen them before but they did play a show that I attended a few months back, but didn't actually watch. They played a form of Hardcore Punk very much like later Black Flag albums, but their lo-fi poor playing style didn't translate very well to an actual stage environment. They are definitely the kind of band you watch in dingy basements or on a Saturday afternoon in a record store. A few technical problems showed up, but overall their performance was decent.

At this point a few people began trickling out, which is understandable since it was a Tuesday night show and I'm sure a few people had to work in the morning. Trap Them played an energetic Converge inspired set. Trap Them is one of the increasingly popular bands on Deathwish Records so the fan reaction was pretty good. And the guy who looked just like my brother really got into them. Thrashcore/Power-Grind is probably a good description of their genre and they lived up to the hype.

At last the headliners took the stage. At this point the club was half empty. Apparently the people just couldn't stick around. Narrows played a great set. They utilized two large stage lamps pointed towards the audience to give an intense back lighting effect. This is obviously taken from the lead singer, Dave Verellan's, old band Botch. Botch was extremely influential to some modern Hardcore bands and Narrows continues this style, albeit in a more subdued fashion. With one extremely loud amp deafening the audience, they blazed through their set. Dave has not lost much of the energy he became known for and he showed an appreciation for the audience who stayed till the end. The best line of the night was when he proclaimed that they "felt sexier than the girls who left two bands before" them.

Overall it was a laid back show, which is fine by me after going through three days worth of bands two weeks before.

Up next, it's Fireworks on Friday night in Greensboro.

FEST RECAP

2009-11-02T19:47:00.003-05:00

The Fest was incredible. The annual collection of beards, booze, and bands did not fail to live up to expectations. Here is a run down of the highlights.

Most Wanted to See Band - Mouthbreather put on an incredible set at 1982 on Saturday night. After learning about this band a couple months ago and rocking out on their full-length debut, I became extremely excited when I discovered they were playing the Fest this year. Mouthbreather plays Revolution Summer inspired Emocore in the vein of Rites of Spring, Embrace, and the new band End of a Year. Their set was full of songs I didn't really recognize and a few standards that were great. They were the only band that I interacted with physically when the lead singer kept putting his arms around me and a couple other guys in the front row. Apparently only music nerds like Mouthbreather because I stood next to a Steve Albini look-alike and a guy who looks like he plays lots of D&D. They ended their set with a cover of Nirvana's "Territorial Pissings" which almost brought a tear to my eye because He Is Legend used to like covering that one. My only complaint is that they didn't play my favorite song but it's alright.

Most Exciting Set - Polar Bear Club played to a packed out room at The Atlantic on Friday night and I've never seen more outstretched arms. After waiting in line for quite a while and sitting through an over exhuberant Mezingers set and a very boring Ghost set, PBC finally took the stage. This band is going to be huge. Next year they'll probably end up playing either the Venue or the Common Ground. A nice mix of new and old songs and great crowd reaction, it was well worth the wait.

Most Emotional Moment - American Steel played Friday night at the Venue to a decent sized crowd. American Steel has become one of my favorite bands in the last couple weeks only because of their albums Destroy Their Future and Dear Friends and Gentle Hearts. This band has such touching lyrics that probably stem from their lead singer beating cancer a few years ago. When they played "Smile On Me" from Destroy Their Future I got choked up during the line "I don't wanna feel the hurt no more, smile on me baby." One of the most enjoyable sets all weekend.

Most Painful Set - It has come to be expected that Dillinger Four is going to have one of the best crowd reactions. For past couple years D4 have been the biggest supporters of The Fest and truly understand they fans. Of course, when they played The Venue Saturday afternoon the audience was there. We were at the front of the stage and my knees have never been in worse shape. Crowd surfers and pushing galore. Reminding everyone why the Fest is so much fun.

Reunions! - This years Fest had some big names dust off their instruments and get back together to rock. Small Brown Bike, Samiam, Snuff, PEZZ, The Ghost, Clairmel, Panthro UK United 13, The Thumbs, and Radon all came out to celebrate with the people. Even the bands who once called it quits and got back together in the past couple years (Coalesce and 7 Seconds) played.

Disappointments - The biggest disappointment this year was my attempt to see Andrew Jackson Jihad at the smallest club at the Fest. I got in line forty minutes early to get in and didn't move further than around the corner. It was almost worse because Dead To Me was playing at the same time and I missed their set to wait in line. Luckily I got to see Dead To Me at a Warehouse show later that night after the main shows were over. Also missing any good band who played the Common Ground because of their ridiculous lines.

Comadre Everywhere - So Comadre played...and played....and played again. A house show Friday night with Touche Amore and Daniel Striped Tiger saw the band doing an entire set of Refused covers. I wish I knew more than "New Noise" but it was still an experience. The next night they played with Dead To Me, Banner Pilot, and a bunch of unknown bands at a Warehouse. The Warehouse show was insane and you could swear the lead singer was going to kill someone. Next day they played their offical Fest set at the Market Street Pub. I missed it but seeing them twice was already enough.

Funniest Moments - Off With Their Heads started their set with "What's up ding-dongs?" It was pretty much the only thing they said but it was a good show nonetheless. D4 had Paddy posing with Jesus and Green Man and proclaiming that "Since last year, it has become a joke that The Fest is nothing but fat guys and beards and New Balance shoes. So I decided that from the neck down I am a certified plumber and the head up a skinhead."

There were so many moments at The Fest that its kind of hard to cataloge it all. But rest assured, I'll be back next year.

We don't use this anymore

2009-07-17T14:31:00.001-04:00

We just don't really care anymore....its done

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Where Blood & Fire Bring Rest Finally Coming to Vinyl

2009-04-28T22:09:00.005-04:00

After ten years from its release, one of Zao's finest releases is finally coming to vinyl. Blood and Fire shook the Hardcore world when it came out, it was something new to the general Hardcore scene and it still stands up as an incredible album even today. Broken Circles Records is going to be putting it out and if their work on the Further Seems Forever - How To Start A Fire LP pressing is any indicator of the work this label can do, this one will be a stunner.

According to guitarist Scott Mellinger if this re-release is successful then this could lead to other Zao albums getting vinyl re-issues. Oh if only there could be a Liberate Te Ex Inferis vinyl with new art that the band actually wants to have on it, then the world would be a perfect place.

Not only are Zao re-issuing Blood and Fire but their new album Awake? is about to drop May 5th on Ferret Records as a limited CD release and digital download. Looks like Zao is living up to their Greek name's meaning.

A Horse is a Horse of Course of Course...

2009-04-20T00:12:00.002-04:00

Good news! The Horse has returned. The amazing Neon Horse has just announced that they will be releasing their new album Haunted Horse - Songs of Love And Devotion will be out this summer and you can the first single off of the album now.

For those who follow the band they may recognize this song. A few months back they posted a demo version of "Yer Busy Little Beehive" and now you can hear it in its fully mixed glory. Oh this album will be tremendous.

Neon Horse plays garage rock in the vein of Starflyer 59 (which makes sense considering SF59 mastermind, Jason Martin plays guitar in the band). Lead by the enigmatic Norman Horse (Mark Salomon of Stavesacre, The Crucified, Outer Circle fame) uses his eternally creepy and strangely seductive voice to draw you in, and you cannot resist.

Very very excited for this.

He Is Legend - It Hates You album cover

2009-04-16T02:22:00.001-04:00

It's official, He Is Legend has signed to Tragic Hero records and their new album It Hates You is due out June 23rd. You can pre-order now and get the cd with a signed booklet

Coalesce posts tracks from OX

2009-04-03T14:37:00.004-04:00

Coalesce has uploaded two new tracks from their forthcoming album, which will be their first new full length since 1999's 012: Revolution in Just Listening. If you thought that album couldn't be topped, this new material from OX, which is due out June 9th on Relapse Records, will surely give you something to look forward to. I am highly disappointed in missing Coalesce perform a few months back at the Scion Rock Fest, though, regardless of the circumstances involving my early departure, I would not have been able to even get in the room and a lot of people were turned away from the performance, which reportedly ended with the sound man cutting them short saying, "You fucking suck and you broke all my mics!". yep, sounds like a Coalesce show.

Drips Coffee House Bringing the Metal to Hickory

2009-04-01T23:41:00.002-04:00

So Drips Coffee House located in downtown Hickory has had some pretty incredible shows in the last few months since opening up. Most notably Black Cobra's, U.S. Christmas, Just Die!, She Rides, and Crawford Downs (gotta plug ya Joey.)

But it looks like Drips is about to really hit it big. Upcoming shows include U.S. Christmas, Nervous Breakdown (80's Hardcore band from Germany), Projexocism (go FaZe), Allison Moe, Stinking Lizaveta (incredibly weird Stoner Doom/Post-Metal that has gained a cult following), Dark Castle (killer Doom Metal duo and the nicest band I've ever met), Thrones (has worked with The Melvins, Sunn O))), Harvey Milk, and High On Fire), Ca$hio (Ben Teeter of U.S. Christmas), and probably the biggest band to play there (not official yet).........

*Drumroll*

Cattle Decapitation!

Thats right, Grindcore/Death Metal legends may be playing Hickory.

Not to mention the many other Folk, Indie, Rockabilly, and Experimental bands that make the local scene so nice.

Come out to these shows if you can.

Converge, new songs

2009-04-01T15:42:00.000-04:00

Brakesbrakesbrakes

2009-04-01T00:40:00.002-04:00

Almost a year ago I discovered an incredible band from the United Kingdom. Known as Brakes in the U.K. and brakesbrakesbrakes in the U.S., this wonderful Indie Rock/Americana band has not really got much attention. Lead singer Eamon Hamilton has a voice very reminiscent to Shrek. Great songs about pineapples fighting porcupines, picking up the phone, and Dick Cheney littered their first album Give Blood, and their follow up album The Beatific Vision expanded on their unique brand of rock. After spending a small amount of time playing in the hugely popular British Sea Power, Eamon Hamilton has obviously taken some influence on the new album.

Touchdown, the new album that will be available April 19, is good but different. Much lighter and moodier, doesn't quite live up to the excitement as previous works. Highlights include the songs "Don't Take Me To Space (Man)" and "Red Rag." This album is good, but it lacks a lot of the humor that Give Blood had.

Zao posts new song

2009-03-30T15:53:00.004-04:00

That's right, the legendary Zao has uploaded a new track from their forthcoming album, Awake? which is due out 5/5/09. I will definitely have to give this song a few more listens, its good, but its not quite what I was expecting. Yet again Zao manage to throw long time fans through a curve while still holding onto their signature sound. I have no fear that this album will disappoint, but you wonder with such high expectations how will they pull through? well, they've always come through in the past, I expect nothing less this time around. This particular track hints at [self-titled] era writing but with similarities to material from Funeral of God.

*edit* on further listening, the opening riff reminds me heavily of their cover of Black Flag's "Black Coffee" then there is the familiar Zao dissonance. The vocals are nice and natural sounding but not under produced like on The Fear Is What Keeps Us Here. I'm getting the feeling that this album will fall somewhere between the rocked out elements of Parade of Chaos and the genre-defining metalcore of FoG.

A note on my bastard child

2009-03-29T16:17:00.005-04:00

Lately, I've been somewhat busy with a burgeoning social life and school assignments, not to mention going through the mental/emotional aftermath of being dumped. I will not go into any details on that because 1)I am not the kind of person who likes to publicly air the details of my relationship and 2) everything is copacetic, we are "just friends" now and it works, so there.
Considering all of this it is very hard to find myself in the right frame of mind to write(ie: wank) about music on the Internet in the stupid, lazier version of music journalism that is a blog(yick)

As I am not a professional writer and do not get paid for my contributions to the think tank of modern music opinionated jackoffs I find it very easy to not f-u-c-k-ing care about this blog. Yes, that's right, I'm like a father finally admitting that he does not love or care for his bastard child who has no prospects and will never amount to anything, unlike some brilliant, creative individuals who are able to overcome their father's abuse/reproach. The difference between these poorly concocted metaphors is that unlike the prodigy child with a bad relationship with his father who reconnects with him after he sees all that his son has accomplished and realizes that he has been a fool all a long and my blog is that, my child has garnered no success or popularity or contributed anything useful to society and is in fact quite thick. Its time we stop pretending.
(If you are detecting a slight degree of British to my writing, this is not coincidental, I have been watching a lot of Zero Punctuation and British skit comedy lately, and its rubbing off on me)

Anyway, what was the point of this whole post? nothing, I was just bored and feeling sickish so I decided I would get my mind off things by blowing another load of gibberish into the stratosphere of the Internet. Lets be honest, of all peripheral sources of music journalism this has to be one of the more peripheral. I am NOT calling an end to this blog because will always need an outlet when I need to geek about Frodus(look look!) or randomly feel like writing a review or posting a cool video I stumbled across. I simply felt that I should go ahead and inform my regular readers(what, all two of you?) what you have already come to grips with, I don't post here often, don't expect me to. But check at least once a week if you will, because you never really know.

Dear Brandon Ebel....GROW A FUCKING PAIR!

2009-03-19T23:32:00.005-04:00

Tonight, I stumbled across some interesting information. While sitting around, "borrowing" wireless from my neighbors and listening to He Is Legend I decided to do some looking around. While on their last.fm page, I noticed that there were several tour dates listed that are not listed on HIL's myspace page, most notably of these dates were several dates on the VANS Warped Tour, which I was not aware that they were on this year. I did a little bit of investigating(i.e. Google) and came to no fruitful conclusion on this, as nothing official came up. So I decided to check Solid State's website and see if they had any info on this. none. what's more, He Is Legend is no longer listed on their active roster. This would lead one to believe that they are no longer with the label. Rumor concerning this have been circulating since, uh-oh, they dropped the F-Bomb in one of their new demos(which have since been removed from their myspace, with the exception of "Everyone I Know Has Fangs") This rumor is further advanced due to their recent work with Tragic Hero Records out of NC, with a song being featured on a sampler as well as performances on Tragic Hero affiliated shows. Hearsay has led to the belief that HIL's forthcoming album will be titled It Hates You and should be released some time in March/April, though this tentative release date is seeming less likely as time goes by. Anyway, HIL is also not listed as a former band on Solid State's website, so, its completely possible that their contract has ended and they are currently talking through another possible contract. However, I highly doubt this is the case with rumors going around for years that the band has been known to be potheads of sorts, the picture of Schuylar smoking a bowl that he use to sport on his myspace page doesn't help alleviate this rumor. On top of all that, we can't have poor Christians ears being corrupted and tortured with such vile words as, "fucking". As if words made you any more or less Christian, need I direct you to a little band called Raft of Dead Monkeys featuring unquestionably Christian T&N alumni such as Jeff Suffering and John Spalding(90lbs. wuss), Doug Lorig(Roadside Monument), Matt Johnson(Roadside Monument and Blenderhead), Jonathon Ford(Roadside Monument and Pedro the Lion), and Damien Jurado. It kind of seems like Ebel has gotten scared of controversy and takes too much pressure from "Christian Book Stores" that are idiotic enough to carry the entire catalog of a "not strictly Christian" label and then demand that stickers be put over disturbing album covers, see exhibits 1 and 2, and were shocked to discover that The Agony Scene is not nor ever was a Christian band. As soon as you start slapping the label "Christian" on anything you are bound to run into controversy and I'm pretty sure Jesus ran into his fair share of controversy back in the day. so, yeah, rant over, I'm gonna go listen to that David Bazan song where he says "camel fuckers".

An Unnatural Progression

2009-02-11T22:52:00.006-05:00

In the last 2 weeks I have made a number of discoveries and have delved into different artists music, that I had been familiar with in the past. The following is a mix of a few choice tracks. Forgive the seemingly haphazard ordering of tracks, I have listened to it, so trust me, it flows fairly well. I just arranged them in the order of date added.

*Click to download*

Handbooks for the Sellout mix:

An Unnatural Progression

1. Converge - "Wolves at my Door"
2. Harvey Milk - "Decades"
3. The Jonbenet - "Behold, the White Whore"
4. Combatwoundedveteran - "I Talk, You Listen"
5. Sinaloa - "Seek Harbor"
6. Breach - "Lost Crew"
7. Hot Cross - "Figure Eight"
8. Mouth of the Architect - "Hate and Heartache"
9. Johnny Hobo and the Freight Trains - "Whiskey is my Kind of Lullaby"
10. Loma Prieta - "We're Wedded Wrong All Along"
11. Andrew Jackson Jihad - "Bad Bad Things"
12. Bon Iver - "For Emma"
13. Foals - "Heavy Water"
14. Defiance, Ohio - "I Don't Want Solidarity If It Means Holding Hands With You"
15. DeVotchKa - "You Love Me"

Oh yeah, blog

2009-02-09T23:49:00.004-05:00

Ah, one of the many hazards of college life. Distractions. It seems I have been completely distracted from this little blog I curate(not sure if I used that word right, but whatever, screw you) I guess, this isn't really one of my priorities and it never has been but I still like keeping it somewhat up to date, which, I guess is what I'm going to do in this post.

Unfortunately, this post won't really be much about music, correction, this post will still involve music but rather than being focused on the music itself this post is about my personal life as of late, which music always plays a role in. This post is currently distracting me from a homework assignment that I have been putting off since last Thursday. I am supposed to be writing a journal entry for my Survey of Music Business course here at lovely Montreat. My predicament is this, the journal is supposed to be about "Success", which I am taking to mean, "success in the music business" but the topic is so ambiguous for a journal, that I'm not even sure about how often it needs to be updated, that I am having a hard time directing my thoughts. The only recurring theme that pops into my head is somehow incorporating a reference to the Simpsons with Bart's "S-U-C-C-E-S-S, that's the way you spell success *hooyugh*" line, which of course further distracts me as I think about Homer's "I am so smart, I am so smart, S-M-R-T, I mean, S-M-A-R-T, I am so smart." line, and like any Simpsons quote, inevitably leads me to my personal favorite "You'll have to speak up, I'm in a towel." Anyway, back on topic, kind of, I guess I'm really just going to get up tomorrow morning, pull some crap out of my ass and turn it in. I just feel like such a douche though, turning in cruddy work to Mr. Auman, one of my favorite teachers ever and my advisor.

Also, tomorrow I start working Tuesday nights, not gonna be fun, but at least its better than Friday nights like last semester. Girlfriend will also be working tomorrow night, but that will be after I get off of work, so not fun. Then again I can always stalk her at work, since she will just be in the library doing homework anyway.(yes, that's right, I'm going to be one of those guys who starts mentioning his girlfriend in his blog posts, if you don't like it you can suck on a lemon)

Speaking of girlfriends, Valentine's day is coming up. I'm so glad she doesn't really care much about Valentine's day, thus there is no pressure on me to do anything over-the-top romantic and I can just give her flowers, candy, and a card. I've never liked Valentine's Day very much, I mean, I always kind of wanted a reason to like it, its just such a...guh...holiday. Why one commercial, money pit, holiday to celebrate love? I still like some of the tradition of it. Anyway, yeah, tying in yet another Simpsons reference, I wonder if I can find a "I choo-choo-choose you" card("aw, chocolate, that'll never come out", "...'they did the mash....the monster mash....'...aw crap! not again")

Hey, I finally satiated my craving for Chinese food yesterday. Just a heads up, if you are ever going I-40 through Black Mountain, stop and get you some No. 1 China, uh-maze-ing.("or as the Indians call it, maize" damnit another one, I can't stop)

On the horizon: Becoming the Archetype show in Hickory with Gates of Assyria and my old band, that's gonna be pretty sweet | Johnny Cash look-a-like concert at the "coffeehouse" the following Thursday, if I grow balls and go through with it, I am going to clean house | Holy Shit Fest is coming up, the plan, as far as I know is, leave here with my brother and neighbor, and possibly buddy Grant at like 2 in the morning, stop at Wafflehouse for breakfast, get in line around 6-ish, eat a bunch of pre-purchased food right before we go in, watch 11 hours of amazing music, then drive back that night, get back around 4:30-5:30 in the morning, wake up Stone and John and harass them, then go to bed and sleeeeeeeeeeeep

this post has been link free, because I'm fucking lazy, google, it works

2008 in the life of Samhain, a musical odyssey

2009-01-11T14:58:00.007-05:00

I guess its time for one of those big, 2008 look backs, eh? Okay, so let me take a look

According to last.fm, one of my favorite discoveries this year, Converge was my most listened to artist, clocking in at around 200 plays(scrobbled plays mind you, that's not counting the times I've listened to them on CD) This year has been a growing year for me, in a number of ways. As you can see Converge has taken a huge part of that growth. I have seen so few bands pull off such dedication and develop such a unique sound. 2008 marks the year that Converge established themselves as one of my favorite artists of all time. Converge also had a hand in my personal life, as I grew steadily in bitterness towards past failures and the off and on depression I experienced for years before. This year I found so much comfort in the chaos and emotional turmoil of Jacob Bannon's voice. I have tried desperately to emulate Kurt Ballou's guitar styles, and have been blown away again and again with their musicianship. If only I had found Converge a year earlier, I feel like I could have avoided a lot of heartache.

Speaking of last.fm, did I mention I'm obsessed? Since I joined in April this past year, I have had over 27,500 plays, and I'll probably have twice that many this coming year. Thanks to last.fm I have made a number of great discoveries and I have explored the music of bands I was previously familiar with. But let's step back a few months first. Since my brother's break up with his ex-Fiancee early in 08, him and I have found a new love, emo. Oh, how we wrote off this genre so harshly in the past, when there are so many amazing bands to be heard, Saves the Day, Jawbreaker, The Weakerthans, etc. Eventually this spun off into my new found adoration of true screamo/emo-violence, standout favorites being Circle Takes the Square, pg.99, Hot Cross, and Stop It!!(members of City of Caterpillar)

Early 08, I finally caved in and started listening to Between the Buried and Me. Their progressive metalcore has captivated my mind with tech death riffing, virtuoso sweeping, grinding tumult, soothing jazz interludes, prog rock melodicsism and diversity, not to mention Tommy Rogers sings like an angel. It quickly became evident, my goal in 08 was to bring my band, All the Living, as close to sounding like BTBAM as possible, and this was to be by any means. I pushed and pushed and dropped BTBAM references and brought back Keegan's affection of the band. But oh well, I guess not all things were meant to be, it seemed being as metal as possible was the main goal of the band, and though I don't regret being part of ATL, I still wish I could have had slightly more artistic expression in the band. Then again, one week I wanted to play nothing but skramz!! then the next BTBAM obsession escalated and then the next Converge was the only thing I could think about, so, who knows what we would have come out sounding like. Of course, you don't even want to get me started on the Colors Live DVD they put out this year, *gush*.

Summer brought with it a few shows for ATL, some of the most fun I've ever had in my life were with the guys, at practices, hanging out in parking lots, and runs to Taco Bell and Cookout. I can never forget the angry mob massing outside of F3 to encourage a fight between Think Back and A Closed Casket Funeral or the douchebag who kicked Keegan in the face during Pandah because we got in his way while he was "throwin' down" like you hXc kids like to say. That night left a huge impact on me and I desperately wanted out of that town, the late night drive out to Vale with Michael, Justin, and JB was so serene and beautiful and one of my favorite memories from the summer. As I stood in a field in the middle of nowhere looking down on the lights of Hickory, JB said something that stuck with me "Dude, you look so windswept and epic right now" to which I responded "That's how I feel right now JB" Hickory showed me its ugliest that night and I so much wanted to show them, that there is far more to life than their postering bullshit. Thank God, Drips' is making a change in that town.

The summer also brought with it a closer friendship with Grant and Cory, a renewed interest in punk rock, and a beach trip that set me up perfectly to head home and wait for school. The night before I headed up to Montreat, Justin and I met up with Cory and Grant to see a terrible independent film that was filmed in and around Asheville, during which we muttered smart ass remarks, after which we muttered more smartass remarks during the Q&A, and the even after we stood outside making smartass remarks about the film. Don't get me wrong, the movie had a lot of potential, and the main actor wasn't absolutely terrible, it just blew.

My first semester at Montreat found me with a girlfriend(that's right, a real life girl!) and reaquainting myself with The Avett Brothers, one of the best groups from this great state of North Carolina. Their raw emotion and brilliant southern accents intertwine perfectly with acoustic guitars and banjos to create an almost unclassifiable brand of folk rock. Then of course, there's that pretty girl from Southern Pines(hehe) who makes it all so much better with her offkey singing and love of beards. Seeing The Avett Brother's this winter was a dream come true, made all the better when its shared with someone so wonderful. but anyway, enough sappy, romantic stuff, this is a music blog right?

Well, that's my 2008, one of the best years of my life, and I mean that with complete honesty.

A Host of Locals pt. 3

2009-01-09T17:41:00.006-05:00

On the heels of the recent signing of High Point's The Ascendicate to Solidstate Records, as well as the recent signings of Wretched and A Hero A Fake to Victory Records I've decided its time I spotlight some NC bands that deserve way more attention(as well as kiss ass in the music scene to get brownie points, woohoo!)

Just Die!(Asheville)

I've known about these guys for a while now but never gave them much of a listen, until I saw them live at Drips' Coffeehouse in Hickory this last wednesday, wow! I was blown away. After meeting the guitarist Matt at the beginning of the show, one of the nicest guys in NC hardcore I've ever met, I knew I was going to love them. Frontman Steve, who reminds me of a hardcore version of my football coach, bantered with the audience with a positive and uplifting message, that there is more than hardcore, and to stand for something bigger than us all. After their set they handed out free copies of their CD since their label couldn't print out the corresponding cardboard sleeves. This, their debut album, No Time for Poetry is a furious 13 tracks in 19 minutes of posi-hardcore punk.

Guernica(Charlotte)

Epic, emotional, post-hardcore from Charlotte. Sounding sort of like a cross between Alexisonfire and Cult of Luna. They've got a new EP streaming on their myspace, so I definitely recomend checking that out. Guernica hail from the deep and mysterious Charlotte art scene, revolving around Lunchbox Records. Playing with these guys in the summer of 08 was a treat and I was thoroughly impressed by their sense of dynamics. If only I had a few more dollars, I could have bought that Giant shirt off of them for cheap.

Gates of Assyria(Hickory)

Gates of Assyria is coming up strong in the NC scene. One of the few "scenecore" bands I still pay any attention to. I frankly think they get too much shit for being "the same ol breakdowny crud" as their newest track, "Temperance" shows a lot of development in the band as vocalist Ethan grumbles "Beware these thoughts, they'll carry you on their shoulders, like giants" with an impressive rasp. The riffs may not be anything new, but they have a solid sound and are doing more for the local scene that a lot bands in the past ever did. I'm stoked to see these guys heading out on the road this summer and I wish them the best of luck.

I Buy Too Much Music

2009-01-09T00:15:00.003-05:00

Since my top ten albums of the year don't fully represent the amount of music I actually purchase. So here is a list of everything I bought this year or received for free.

Smashing Pumpkins - Gish
Smashing Pumpkins - Siamese Dream
The Famine - The Raven, The Reaping
Coheed & Cambria - Good Apollo I'm Burning Star IV: Volume One From Fear Through the Eyes of Madness
Pet Genius - Pet Genius
Stavesacre - Friction
Tegan & Sara - The Con
Sleeping Giant - Dread Champions of the Last Days
Emily Haines & The Soft Skeleton - Knives Don't Have Your Back
Jacob Golden - Revenge Songs
The Aquabats! - The Aquabats vs. The Floating Eye of Death! and Other Amazing Adventures Vol. 1
The Aquabats! - Myths, Legends, and Other Amazing Adventures Vol. 2
Avoid One Thing - Avoid One Thing
Avoid One Thing - Chopstick Bridge
Unsane - Scattered, Smothered & Covered
Patrick Watson - Close to Paradise
John Wilkes Booze - Five Pillars of Soul
Nirvana - In Utero
The Proletariat - Voodoo Economics and Other American Tragedies
Boxbomb - My Obsession
Codeseven - A Sense of Coalition
Jesu - Jesu
Showbread - Anorexia
Showbread - Nervosa
Yoav - Charmed & Strange
Advent - Remove the Earth
Mail Order Is Fun Compilation
Don Caballero - World Class Listening Problem
Norma Jean - Norma Jean vs. The Anti-Mother
Thrice - The Artist In the Ambulance
Neon Horse - Neon Horse
Ska Is Dead Compilation
Silversun Pickups - Pikul EP
Silversun Pickups - Carnavas
Thoughts of Ionesco - For Detroit, From Addiction
Soul Embraced - Dead Alive
The Austerity Program - Terra Nova EP
Bell X1 - Flock
Cursed - I
Cursed - II
Cursed - III: Architects of Troubled Sleep
Guernica - Currents
Boysetsfire - The Misery Index: Notes From the Plague Years
Anthony Green - Avalon
Cable - Northern Failures
Trenches - The Tide Will Swallow Us Whole
Rites of Spring - End On End
Telescreen - The Solar Sea EP
Carcass - Heartwork
Off With Their Heads - From the Bottom
J Church - The Horror of Life
Small Brown Bike - Nail Yourself To the Ground
Coalesce - 012: A Revolution In Just Listening
The Ting Tings - We Started Nothing
Becoming The Archetype - Dichotomy
Sunday Music Vol. 3 Complilation
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds - Abbatoir Blues / The Lyre of Oprheus
Prong - Cleansing
American Hardcore: The History of American Punk Rock 1980-1986
Lucero - Rebels, Rouges & Sworn Brothers

There we have it. Everything I recieved this year.

Year In Review (3 of 3)

2009-01-02T22:29:00.003-05:00

Here it is. Top ten albums of the year. Great year for music so I'm gonna get right to it.

10.) Becoming The Archetype - Dichotomy
I've been waiting for this one for a long time. Produced by the amazing Devin Townsend, this album met every expectation I had. Original guitarist Jon Star has returned to make the band complete. Readers of this blog will remember the excitement I expressed every time this band announced something new about the album. BTA has released the album of their career, that is until the next one.

9.) Anthony Green - Avalon
This Circa Survive vocalist has written numerous acoustic songs over his time in the band. Each of these songs have his trademark high vocals. Very few musicians can match his notes. This album is beautiful and intimate, reflecting many things but mostly love. Backing band and friends from Green's home town, Good Ol' War create very fine intricate Folk Rock. A great band in their own right. I am excited to see what else Green is capable of.

8.) The Famine - The Raven, The Reaping
Amazing. Brutal. God among men. All words to describe The Famine. This band is made up of former members of Embodyment, and this is where the band left off after their first album Embrace the Eternal before the band changed their style from Death Metal with Grindcore influences to a more mainstream Hard Rock sound a la Sevendust. Kris McKaddon has left Demon Hunter (his talent was being wasted any way. HEAR THAT CLARK BROTHERS!!!???) and his vocals are as brutal as ever. The Famine play Death Metal, in a way that doesn't sound like an At The Gates, Cannibal Corpse, or Carcass rip off.

7.) Telescreen - The Solar Sea EP
When I discovered that Classic Case broke up I was extremely disappointed especially since I had never seen them live. Fortunately it wasn't the last time chance I was going to see the band in some form. Telescreen is made up of Jared Draughon and the Tuttle brothers from legendary NC Hardcore band Codeseven. Telescreen is a band to keep your eye out for. This EP was released independently and sold at shows, but the shows are better than the album. Playing behind a giant silk screen with stunning video footage being played over top of the band. Beautiful soaring Space Rock in the vein of Cave In. Telescreen have signed to Tragic Hero Records from NC so be on the lookout for an incredible new album sometime this year.

6.) He Is Legend - 2008 Demos
Fuck you this is my list and I'll put whatever I want to on it. So what if this isn't an actual album, or even a EP, or even available in solid form. But these four songs are incredible. "Decisions, Decisions, Decisions," "Everyone I Know Has Fangs," "Stranger Danger," "Don't Touch That Dial" are probably some of the finest songs HIL has ever recorded, unfortunately I doubt that the f-bomb on "Don't Touch That Dial" will make it on to their album. Damn you Tooth & Nail, you just keep finding ways to piss me off.

5.) The Tallest Man On Earth - Shallow Grave
Kristian Matsson sounds a lot like Bob Dylan, except a little grittier, and he's from Sweden. After reading about this one man acoustic band in Paste Magazine (the hipster choice) I had to hear him, and its turned into one of my favorite albums. Great stuff.

4.) Andrew Jackson Jihad - Only God Can Judge Me EP
Seeing AJJ live at the Fest was a dream come true. The band that I can listen to any time, and sing along with nearly all the words. This is one of my favorite releases by AJJ but of course I'll love everything they put out.

3.) Coalesce - 012: A Revolution In Just Listening
I know, this isn't a new album, but its just so good I had to include it. This re-released, remastered copy of their finest album was repacked with new art (damn Clark brothers did something right this year). Getting to see Sean Ingram and the gang live was another highlight of my year. And now the band is reunited I can't wait to hear their new album.

2.) Dillinger Four - Civil War
Six years in the making, D4 have probably made the album of their career. A little slower than most of their other releases but Civil War has some of the catchiest chorus' ever written. Up until a month ago this album was going to be album of the year until I heard...

1.) Off With Their Heads - From the Bottom
The best album of the year. Angry, depressing, pop punk. There isn't much I can say about this album, just get it. You won't regret it.

Year In Review (Part 2 of 3)

2008-12-29T00:54:00.003-05:00

So after some time waiting for a new AC-adapter for my computer I can now continue to finish up my year in review list. Today's focus is on live performances I have seen this year. I have chosen ten shows, and again they will not be in any particular order because how fair is it to rank a bands performance against another? Each band offers something different. This has been a light year for concerts for me with the exception of The Fest which was 250+ bands in Gainesville, Florida.

10.) Henry Rollins - The Orange Peel (FEB)
I finally had the opportunity to see my master on his spoken word tour this year, and it was nothing short of amazing. He spoke for 3 hours and only took one drink of water 2 and 1/2 hours into his set. Henry spoke on many things as he always does. He talked about being in Pakistan when a major political figure was assassinated, his experience meeting David Lee Roth, seeing Ted Nugent when he was in high school, singing lead for his favorite punk band The Ruts before the death of their guitarist, going to a Nick Cave concert and singing on stage alongside Jello Biafra, and many more amazing experiences that I will never have. It was quite amazing. Now if only the seats had been more comfortable.

9.) The Holy Mountain - The Fest 7 (OCT)
The last band to perform at the Fest, The Holy Mountain played with intensity unmatched by many. Comments by the lead singer were humorous and it seemed like they did not understand why anyone would want to see them live. After meeting a fellow Swarm fan before the performance I was informed that they put on an amazing show and he was right. Definitely a band that I will want to see live again.

8.) Pandah - YMCA Teen Center Hickory (MAY), Brookford Community Center (JUN), Volume 11 Tavern (OCT)
I have seen this band perform three times this year and had the chance to see them 3 other times. As always this local band blew me away. What makes them better is that I know everyone in the band and they are all really great guys (and gal.) I'm sure I will be seeing them perform over and over again in the next year.

7.) American Cheeseburger - The Fest 7 (OCT)
Another of the 19 bands that I personally experienced at the Fest, American Cheeseburger play a style of Hardcore very reminiscent of The Descendants and other 80's Hardcore bands. This band played through their set too fast and played 3 songs over again, after spraying the audience with silly string. These guys were all about having fun, and their spastic and ferocious approach will have me wanting to see them again.

6.) Dillinger Escape Plan - The Valarium (JAN)
This performance was quite the surprise, a last minute addition to an As I Lay Dying show, this band blew me away with their insane performance. Not being a fan before seeing them I didn't really know what to expect and believe me, the hype is true. Quite possibly one of the most exciting Metal/Hardcore bands out there. Legendary.

5.) Dillinger Four - The Fest 7 (OCT)
The second Dillinger band I have seen this year, D4 were great. Probably the biggest draw to the Fest and its no wonder why. Hot on the heels of releasing their amazing album Civil War, they played a great set of classics and new hits. I heard all the songs I wanted to and more. Such a fun band.

4.) Coalesce - The Fest 7 (OCT)
One of my biggest musical influences currently I was extremely excited to see this newly reformed band and they did not disappoint. Sean Igram has so much intensity as a front man, I want to be him. Towards the end of their set Sean jumped into the crowd and started moshing in the pit alongside the punters. And during the last song, the guitarist did the same except he flailed about on the floor like a man possessed. This band was worth almost breaking my glasses to see.

3.) Hour of the Wolf - The Fest 7 (OCT)
Another band that I had never heard before who blew me away. Hour of the Wolf remind you of the glory days of 80's hardcore. Naked bass players and lead singers who make themselves bleed from the forehead, there is nothing like this in modern Hardcore. A must see. And their Black Flag cover wasn't too shabby either.

2.) Andrew Jackson Jihad - The Fest 7 (OCT)
The band I wanted to see the most. AJJ was everything I hoped and more. After covering The Misfits, and then playing a medley set they played a 3 song encore. Every voice in that room knew every word and it was quite chilling. Guest horns by Bomb the Music Industry! members was nice as well.

1.) He Is Legend - Cats Cradle (OCT), Amos's Southend (DEC)
I have seen HIL play live 5 times now and every time I am left hoarse and sweaty. My absolute favorite band around today. I will continue to see them every single possible chance I get and will not be disappointed.

Other bands I saw this year that I can remember.
As I Lay Dying, Still Remains, Evergreen Terrace, Whitechapel, Between the Buried and Me, Advent, Nightbear, Weedeater, 20 Eyes, Gut Fux, No Honor Lost, All the Living, My Hero Is Me, Wrath and Rapture, Crawford Downs, Sever the Tie, Monarchist, Gates of Assyria, Mousetrap Bonanza, Capsule, Black Tusk, Black Cobra, Dark Castle, Ninja Gun, Chris Wollard & the Ship Thieves, Paint It Black, Atom & His Package, Ampere, Comadre, Deep Sleep, Exmortus, Malebolgia, Jonathan Ammons & The Electric Ghost Collective, Projetxorsism, and others I'm sure I forgot.

Update!

2008-12-18T19:26:00.004-05:00

Apophis will be opening for Becoming the Archetype on February 22nd along with Rest Assured(ex-Evangel)* and Gates of Assyria.
The EP should be out by the end of the year or mid January at the latest.

Also, look out for Lifewrecker, still no drummer yet, but think Monarchist/Advent/Converge-ish

*Rest Assured may not be on the show anymore, I will update once I find out

Things just keep getting slower....

2008-12-17T17:43:00.002-05:00

Regardless of whether or not I have any faithful readers, I feel it is time for an update. I am currently home from school as I have finished my first semester at Montreat and with only one F, Woohoo! That's not enough to put me on academic probation so I'm safe til summer. As I sit here listening to Coalesce, I have a couple things running through my head, aside from school. Aside from Christmas, this break has me excited for two things. One, I am looking forward to taking some time to record guest vocals on a few tracks for my old band, currently known as Apophis. They have been hard at work for a while now tracking guitars and bass. I think drums will be up next for them, then its on to the vocals. I will be joining Hans, Chris, and possibly even Keegan and my brother and fellow blogger(former Apophis vocalist) Justin. This will be insane, and a wee bit unnecessary.

In other local music news, a new project is in the works, headed up by Keegan on guitar and Josh also of Apophis on bass with Justin taking up the mic. An official drummer hasn't been selected yet, there are some choices, we'll see how things work out. I am very stoked to see this take off, some terms used to describe the early phases of this project are, "hardcore", "crushing", "sludgy, Cursed type stuff", "I was just listening to Cable and the first riff Keegan played was just like it". A possible name has been chosen, but at least at this point nothing is set in stone. If Keegan is reading this, I would love to get in there somewhere, guitar maybe?

Hmm, well, other than that I am currently working on my top ten list for this year. Though my internet access is limited so it might not get published here until sometime towards the end of January. In the mean time I'm looking forward to Christmas and The Avett Brothers' concert on the 30th. I also might be taking up vocals/guitar with some friends this coming semester at Montreat, still need a drummer though. Anyway, in the meantime, a Merry Christmas, Chappy Chanukah, Righteous Ramadan, and Krazy Kwanza to you all.

2008 A Year In Review (Part 1 of 3)

2008-11-29T02:24:00.003-05:00

Even though the year isn't completely over, its that time where you start putting together what you think of as the highlights. Since music is a huge priority in my life thats pretty much what I'm going to focus on in the next couple posts. Next year I plan on keeping track of more than music by keeping a list of every movie I see and book I read. Tonight I am going to discuss my musical obsessions of the year.

Much like every music nerd, I get on kicks for certain genres of music or bands and do my best to get everything I possibly can. This year is no different. So here's my list in no particular order.

Mix CD's - This year I discovered the joy of making mix CD's, much like my hero John Cusack in the film High Fidelity. To this date I have made 16 mixes for myself, and 3 others for friends. These mixes tend to be filled with my favorite songs ever, cool songs, and tracks from albums that I have not had a chance to listen to in their entirety. I used to number them, but have since just resorted in putting the dates they were created on them because it doesn't really help me remember what is on them no matter what I write. I can put on any CD and be surprised by what comes on next. If you would like, I'll even make one for you special.

True Emo - When I say true Emo, I don't mean Taking Back Sunday, Hawthorne Heights, or My Chemical Romance. When I say Emo I mean Jawbreaker, Samiam, Rites of Spring, Embrace, and The Weakerthans. These bands all captured the true spirit of Emo which is not swooped hair and horn rimmed glasses no matter what Fuse tries to tell you. Emotional Hardcore. Bands that really express how they feel without trying to cash in on any trends. I've even begun listening to bands like Further Seems Forever and The Juliana Theory, two bands that I used to hate with a passion. Now I like them. Lets say my music taste has matured, or de-matured whatever you want. I like this stuff. Maybe I can relate to it better than I did in the past, but there is something about Emo that just makes a lot of sense.

Noise Rock - More specifically bands like Unsane, Cable, Today Is the Day, and The Austerity Program. Harsh, ugly, heavy, and powerful. Noise Rock bands sing about their tortured existence not unlike Emo, but with a sound that reflects the pain that these bands were feeling. After writing a large number of poems and songs this year I have realized that I would be an excellent lyric writer for a Noise Rock band. That and the music just fucking brutalizes you in a personal way that Death and Black Metal just don't touch.

Forgotten Tooth & Nail Bands - Blenderhead, Roadside Monuments, and Ninety Pound Wuss were some of the most overlooked bands in the entirety of Christian music. These bands all showed a level of originality that I have not managed to find since then. Not to mention the relationships that all these bands have to each other. Each band has traded members at least one time or formed the extremely controversial band Raft of Dead Monkeys. Speaking of controversy, these bands all had some of their own. Usually because of lyrics that were not becoming of a Christian band, but more honest than all of Christian Worship music combined. The music world lost an important figure in John Spaulding, who succumbed to lung cancer last week. He will be missed, bu his contribution will not be forgotten. Bill Power, Jeff Suffering, and John Ford are my heroes and I wish that I had half the musical talent that these fellows had. Even though these bands are no more, we can still hear their current endeavors in Jeff Suffering & the Hideous Thieves and Unwed Sailor among others.

Chris Colohan - Famed lead singer of The Swarm a.k.a. Knee Deep in the Dead, Ruination, Leftfordead, and Cursed. Everything this man touches turns to musical gold, but only for a short amount of time before the bands collapse. Cursed is the most recent, but I'm sure he will show up again and when he does I will be wearing my bootleg Swarm t-shirt proudly.

Dan Yemin Bands - Another musician that seems to do no wrong. Originally part of the legendary Lifetime. He has gone on to play in bands like Armalite (with Atom Goren) and Kid Dynamite (featuring future None More Black lead singer.) His newest band Paint It Black has released some of the most thought provoking Hardcore Punk with a bite and message. Having seen him perform at No Idea Fest 7 this year was definitely a dream come true.

Dischord Records - Run by Punk legend Ian MacKye, Dischord has released some of the greatest punk albums of all time by groups such as Fugazi, Minor Threat, Shudder to Think, and Rites of Spring. Dischord has a somewhat incestuous musical pool that they pull from. Dischord hasn't done a whole lot this year but they don't have to put out another album ever again because there is so much good music to pull from.

Henry Rollins - I am in love with this man. At one point earlier this year I was watching The Henry Rollins Show on DVD, listening to the Rollins Band, reading The Portable Henry Rollins, and had purchased tickets to see him perform his spoken word tour live in Asheville, NC. Henry is an amazing multi-tasker and since that point I have purchased a "What Would Henry Rollins Do?" t-shirt, spoken word DVD, and his book A Dull Roar (which I reviewed earlier this year.) Whatever Henry does I will take an extreme interest in him, and continue to support his entertainment decisions.

RIP John Spalding

2008-11-26T15:15:00.002-05:00

http://www.buzzgrinder.com/2008/rip-john-spalding

this just about ruined my day. I'm not the biggest Ninety Pound Wuss fan but I regret not listening to them more earlier. Our prayers are with his family.

Currently listening: "Act Up" by 90lb Wuss

Rolo Tomassi - "I Love Turbulence"

2008-11-19T23:15:00.001-05:00

Since I'm too busy with school and don't have enough time or the mental capacity to write anything worth reading lately, I'll just leave this here

A Hero A Fake are still douchebags, Wretched signs to Victory Records too, and Drips Coffehouse

2008-10-29T16:10:00.003-04:00

So yesterday, I finally got my grubby mitts on a copy of Between the Buried and Me's DVD/CD of Colors live. I've been anticipating this release since summer when I found out about it and now that I finally have it I can hardly wait to take the time and sit through what is being called one of the greatest metal performances. As I am ripping through the packaging I notice a sticker detailing this release and at the very bottom reads "Plus a Bonus CD of a new band you must hear!". Strange, I thought to myself. I had not heard of this. So I open the case and who's name do I see, none other than A Hero A Fake. Some of you might remember my problem with them. So Victory's attempt to get more attention to these toolbags is to continue to play out the BTBAM comparison(that only exists because they play "proggy" hardcore and recorded with Jamie King)

In other local scene news, Wretched(previously known as And Since Forgotten), also from Charlotte signed up with Victory Records. At least these guys aren't douchebags.

Finally, guess who is playing at Drip's Coffee House in Hickory tonight. Weedeater, that should be interesting. I wonder if Dixie will invite anybody to join him as they freebase in their van. Anywho, they are being supported by Black Cobras and U.S. Christmas. If you are in the Hickory area, don't miss this show, unfortunately I will not be there, though my brother, and fellow blogger, the Welshman will be in attendance.

Video Confirmation of recent Frodus sighting

2008-10-21T20:04:00.000-04:00

FRODUS Sighting #382 - DOLL Show - HOUSE of SWEDEN from S. J. Perron Guidry on Vimeo.

Battles - "Tonto"

2008-10-13T17:00:00.001-04:00

Man, its stuff like this that really makes me want to play music

NC Band to Play Roadburn Festival

2008-10-06T01:22:00.011-04:00

Roadburn Fest which is one of the biggest alternative music festivals in Europe will be the home of Beyond the Pale in 2009. For those of you unfamiliar with Beyond the Pale, it is a mini-festival put on by the legendary Neurosis. In the past bands such at ISIS, Oxbow, Shellac, and Low; as well as multiple performances by Neurosis, Tribes of Neurot, Steve Von Till, and Scott Kelly.

About 15 bands usually play and Neurosis has begun announcing the first. So along side Neurosis next year not only will be The Young Gods, Akimbo, and Guapo but Marion, NC own U.S. Christmas will be playing.

Says Scott Kelly, "In all my days I have never had a band find me in the way that U.S. Christmas did. From deep in the mail pile of 2 months of submissions for combatmusicradio.com, I picked up this demo and put it on my stereo. Instantly the subtle dissonance and space began to crawl around me as "Lazurus" began, USX is like no other. I was instantly intrigued, I had to know more about this mysterious band.
From deep in the Appalachians in North Carolina comes the sound of 3 guitars, 2 Theremins, and a rhythm section straight from the center of the earth. U.S Christmas will be the true revelation of Beyond the Pale at Roadburn '09

FCI sighting

2008-10-04T17:23:00.001-04:00

ZOMG! guh...uw...whuh.....

"Division of Laura Lee at the Swedish Embassy… some of their gear broke.. the PA was going in and out and they left the stage defeated to regroup. Then completely off the cuff the remnants of the FCI with Cassette Saadat took the stage for a rendition of Invisible Time Lines… first time in 10 years. It was Sweden 1998 all over again for 1 song… this inspired DOLL to come back and finish their set…. the future? Unknown…

CONTROL IS ALWAYS AUTOMATIC."

You don't know how badly I want this to lead to a Frodus reunion.

Apple may close iTunes store, I proceed to not really care

2008-10-01T14:50:00.005-04:00

So, its looking like Apple might be closing the iTunes store.

Basically, The National Music Publishers Association wants more from digital sales. They are asking for a bank breaking 9-15 cents a track.

Apple currently pays about 70 cents to labels, which is then broken down to about 0.9 cents to bands.

In response to this, Apple may close the iTunes store, which is currently the #1 music retailer in the U.S.

Hey, by the way, I finished my "Death Threat to the American Music Industry"
I might post it somewhere soon, so Facebook and Myspace friends be on the lookout.

Also, Avenged Sevenfold has a new song out. If the slide guitars and banjos are any indication, it seems A7X is head in a country direction. Who knew? I'm really hoping it doesn't get picked up for radio play, I don't need another terrible song to listen to while I'm at work. Its bad enough I have to listen to so much Hip Hop and R&B, I don't need the one half-decent rock station to add more shitty songs to its programming. I almost retched when the chorus came in.

Anywho, watch this
Robots 3 Humans 0

This Album Just Gets Better and Better

2008-09-28T02:00:00.002-04:00

So not only the new Becoming the Archetype album going to be fucking incredible, being produced by Devin Townsend, have a pretty cool name (Dichotomy), and have their original guitarist back. Now they have announced the guest vocalists on the album and they are none other than Ryan Clark (that jerk gets in on everything) and HEAVY DEVY HIMSELF!!!! I truly hope that we get to experience the entire Devin Townsend vocal experience. I don't know which I would like to hear more, clean singing, screaming, or growling. Hmmm... how about all three.

www.myspace.com/becomingthearchetype

No sympathy for a sinking ship

2008-09-24T13:31:00.002-04:00

As I sit around my room in the dark I write my "Death Threat to the American Music Industry" an argumentative essay recommending the abandonment of the current recording industry, I try to understand the minds of women and my relation to them, listen to music, and surf the web looking for interesting pieces to bring to your attention.

In the next half hour I will be turning in the second draft of my dramatically entitled research essay(technically its my first, but I won't get into why that is) for English Comp II. Lets see how well this goes over.

When you consider where my mind has been for the last several weeks you can understand my tendency to procrastinate. Though last night was definitely a very good night, and hopefully things will continue to make this much sense. You see, the last two years of my life I was distraught over my own ineptitude with women, one in particular, and the crushing disappointment I felt at every turn. The last few weeks here have led to a drastic shift in my life, one that has dramatically bolstered my confidence. I am comfortable in my own skin and renewed in my mind and heart.

but anyway

Hey, have you heard the new album by self described "power violence super group" United Nations? its pretty f-ing sweet. I definitely recommend you give it a spin.

Converge has some super awesome looking merch left over from their tour. Pick it up in the Deathwish store

Zao is recording a new album for Ferret Records, with Tim Lambesis of As I Lay Dying

Going through my writings...

2008-09-23T03:10:00.002-04:00

...I found this one I wrote this summer and now it seems very appropriate to post it because I think I may have found it.

Embraced

All I want is to be held.
this big strong guy just
wants a beautiful girl
to hold him like he's the
only person in the world.

To know that there
is someone who cares about
you with no doubts
would probably make my
heart beat out of my chest.

Even holding hands would
be enough right now.
That feeling of like there is an
electrical storm in your lungs
causing you to perspire.

The shakes.
That nervous pulse rate
fear, excitement, building
to critical mass
a little queasy feeling as well.

I want someone
to be faithful to
to pick her up in bad times
To let me love her,
wholly and unconditionally.

I think I have.

Happiness

2008-09-23T03:04:00.002-04:00

I'm happy
I'm more than happy
I am fucking happy
People who know me
Know that I'm a pretty jolly guy
But I'm really happy
And it's because of a girl
I know, I know, shut up
It's different this time
It's better
Its more real
It's scary
i don't want to make any mistakes
Can't rush things
But it feels right this time
I don't know where it's going to go
But I'll wait and see
Because I'm fucking happy.

Anesthesia

2008-09-23T03:03:00.001-04:00

Numb me

Don't crack
Don't crack
Stop thinking
Stop thinking
Everything's ok
Everything's ok

Paranoia raging
Thrashing about my insides
Fear escaping
Knotting up my chest
Nervous sweat
Dripping down my face and back

Numb me

Speak up
Speak up
Please look
Please look
Stop staring
Stop staring

Hunting me down
Chasing through my thoughts
Smelling my blood
Muscles ache from exhaustion
Closer than ever
Waiting to take the last shot

Numb me

Like being pulled underwater
Legs wrapping in chains
Grasping for last breath of air
Sinking closer to despair

Numb me

Telescreen Signs to Record Label

2008-09-23T02:32:00.003-04:00

Telescreen, one of the best North Carolina bands out there, has finally signed to a semi-popular record label. Tragic Hero Records, also based out of NC, is the current home of Akissforjersey, My Hero Is Me, and Boxbomb among others. This type of distribution will increase the bands coverage, which is very helpful. Telescreen's brand of Space Rock is very reminiscent of later Cave In.

Taken from the bands Myspace.
"So we now have a record label! We are all excited about working with Tragic Hero for a number of reasons. They are based just down the road from us and they really support NC bands. Its a small but really big label at the same time and once we put out our first release, you should not have any problems finding it at stores anywhere in the country. And most importantly ......it's a fair deal.

Official press release:

North Carolina's Telescreen have just announced their signing to Tragic Hero Records. Telescreen, whose loose musical description includes experimental and ambient rock, is populated by four ex-members of Codeseven including Eric Weyer (guitar), Jon Tuttle (bass), Matt Tuttle (drums), and James Tuttle (guitar) alongside vocalist Jared Draughon, formerly of Classic Case. Guitarists Eric Weyer said of the band "This is not an extension of Codeseven, at all. We are branching out and pushing the boundaries more with the newer stuff that we're doing."

"For us, it's all about our live show; we're really trying to stress that." Weyer continued. "When we play we have a screen that's in front of us complete with projectors and we have a light show. You can't really see us until the lights kick in. When people watch it, it's like they're watching a movie, that's what we're trying to do. We are trying to bring a new way of looking at going to a show." They will have plenty of chances to show off their live show as Telescreen will spend two weeks on the road with Dredg from October 30th to November 15th.

The band plan to release a multi-media CD/DVD on the label in 2009. Look for updates shortly"

Telescreen will be playing with He Is Legend, Boxbomb, and House of Fools on October 9th at the Cat's Cradle, in Carrboro, NC. Hopefully we'll see you there.

David Firth Is A Genius

2008-09-11T02:47:00.004-04:00

For those of you who have been on the internet for a while you may be aware of an internet cartoon series called Salad Fingers. Salad Fingers is a cult phenomena about a little green man who has a fondness for rusty taps. Fans of Salad Fingers may be aware of the man responsible for these disturbingly funny cartoons. His name is David Firth and he is one of the most talented people on the face of the planet. Not only is he twisted enough to come up with Salad Fingers, but he is also the creator of Burnt Face Man and MC Devvo played by his good friend Crust.

On top of his humorous videos, he is also a little bit of a musician. And this is where Locust Toybox comes in. David has made music for his internet videos over the past years, he has also created entire albums of his own music. Very much in the vein of Aphex Twin and Boards of Canada, Locust Toybox is a style of electronic music called IDM (a.k.a. - Intelligent Dance Music.) The music he makes is wonderful. Not nearly as dark as his cartoons make him seem, the music has a sense of whimsy about it and is rather relaxing to listen to.

Locust Toybox is very enjoyable and a great introduction to a genre of music that I will admit, I have not explored enough. What makes his music so great, is that he gives it away. He has 6 full length albums up for download at his Myspace right now. I only have the newest one but I will be downloading the rest as soon as I have a chance.

Along with LT, David makes music in another form of Electronic Music called I Am the Manager. This project is more ambient and does not feature nearly as much breakbeat in his music as well. More about atmosphere than actual music.

Next up is a little different. Grape Digging Sharon is an Indie rock band that features his friend Crust and other collaborators from his website. GDS sounds like The Beatles if they were any good. There are also albums for download on their myspace as well.

If you don't like Indie Rock or IDM, then perhaps you would like to listen to music inspired by 70's era David Bowie. Cyber Craig and the Circuit Boards are perfect for you. Space rock that can only be compared to David Bowie. Great for a laugh.

Finally I shall mention MC Devvo and Shady Piez. David Firth is Shady Piez, Crust is Devvo, and it's hilarious. The music is very much British Rap. Grime with lyrics about doing drugs. Every song. It's hilarious mainly because of the way the Devvo pronounces his words. Fun Stuff.

Please check him out. I love what he does and hope he keeps doing it in all his medias.

Locust Toybox - www.myspace.com/locusttoybox
Grape Digging Sharon - www.myspace.com/grapediggers
I Am the Manager - www.myspace.com/iamthemanager1
Cyber Craig and the Circuit Boards - www.myspace.com/cybercraig
MC Devvo and Shady Piez - www.myspace.com/mcdevvo
Fat-Pie - www.fat-pie.com

Christian video games, A Softer World, Zach Galifianakis, and a Playlist

2008-08-27T15:26:00.007-04:00

*click to enlarge*

I like to go to really bad movies in their fourth week, when there's no one but me and one other person in the theatre, and I like to sit right next to them. And their like "excuse me", and I'm like "Shhh...I can't hear Keanu." - Zach Galifianakis

Hey did you hear? Now we have another way to buy Jesus and combine worship with entertainment.

And finally I've been working on a playlist recently. so far I've got....
1. Tegan and Sara - "I Was Married"
2. Anthony Green - "Babygirl"
3. The Avett Brothers - "I Would be Sad"
4. Anathallo - "Dokkoise House: With Face Covered"
5. Atom & His Package - "I Am Downright Amazed at What I Can Destroy With Just a Hammer"
6. This Bike is a Pipe Bomb - "What to Do"
7. Blenderhead - "Transatlantic Solo Flight"
8. Starflyer 59 - "Do You Feel that Way?"
9. Maps & Atlases - "Invitations to Late Nights and Tea Parties"
10. Beloved (US) - "Before There Was You, There Was Everything"
11. Roadside Monument - "On Molasses Lake"

I need more, I was thinking maybe some Gaslight Anthem. I'm not sure what else

Stange How the Night Ends

2008-08-27T02:57:00.001-04:00

Tonight ends with me standing in the rain.
Not quite what I expected.
New experiences in my life.
Feeds fear and uncertainty.
I've got one less thing to worry about though.
It feels good.
I hope it stays this way.
I might need to stand in the rain a little more.

Apophis will destroy us!

2008-08-22T09:08:00.002-04:00

As you may or may not know I have been a vocalist in a metal band for 2 years. Now that I and the drummer, Damian, have gone off to school it seemed fitting to bring it all to an end. All the Living could be said to have gone on an indefinite hiatus. but never fear, the remaining members of the band have reformed with my brother, and fellow blogger, Justin Hensley as vocalist. Keegan, our second guitarist and the founder of ATL has shifted over to fill in Damian's position on drums. Finally they have added a new guitarist and a very good friend of ours, Joshua Slagle.

Be on the look out for Apophis!

Trenches!

2008-07-30T15:24:00.003-04:00

Trenches has signed with Solidstate Records. Can I be the first to say, "duh"?

Their upcoming album is entitled The Tide Will Swallow Us Whole and is due out Sep. 16th.

For those of you who don't know, because you're stupid or something, Trenches is the current project of former Haste the Day vocalist, Jimmy Ryan. Musically they fall much closer to Mouth of the Architect than any other Post-Metal/Atmospheric Sludge/Metalgaze/Whatever other genre meshing name you want to come up with, bands.

Though they may fit in better on some smaller label like Level Plane or Translation Lost, Solidstate was obviously going to be the label they chose. Of course this is a huge risk for Mr. Ebel as this style, though it has been gaining more and more attention is still not a proven seller. On the bright side however, this will open up a few metalcore kids to a very lively and creative underground movement.

Oh, by the way, while you're at it. Go check out Kentucky Waterfall, the side project of Trenches guitarist, Joel Lauver.

Our eagles...become....vultures!

2008-07-24T00:05:00.003-04:00

Oh me! its midnight, I need to go to bed, I'm bored and Robot Chicken is on tv but I can't help myself I have to watch the video for "Eagles Become Vultures" by Converge because its one of the sickest, most awesome videos I've ever seen and remains one of the most incredible songs I've heard. Jacob Bannon's barking voice and insane, "I'm gonna fuck you up" faces, Nate Newton's headbanging and bass slinging, Kurt Ballou's visceral, assaulting guitars and need I say anything about Ben Koller? he remains one of the best drummers in hardcore and will be for all time.
This is Converge!

Summer Book Recommendation

2008-07-22T23:24:00.002-04:00

Before I joined my family on their family vacation I decided that I needed to get a book for the car ride. So I picked up Blindness by Jose Saramago. It's a good book but the day before I left for vacation I saw a book on the shelves that I had to have. It was called A Dull Roar: What I Did On My Summer Deracination 2006 by Henry Rollins.

If you know me, then you know that I have an enormous man crush on Henry Rollins. He was the lead singer of two incredible classic hardcore bands S.O.A. and Black Flag, as well as the 90's hard rock band the Rollins Band. His time in Black Flag is one of the most important eras of music. His spoken word tours are the stuff of legends. He can act, he hosts his own tv show on IFC called The Henry Rollins Show, and he does a weekly radio show that goes by the name Harmony In My Head. This man can do it all and A Dull Roar shows exactly how busy he is.

The book takes place during the summer of 2006 which see's our hero finishing season two of his IFC show, acting in the film Wrong Turn 2, and embarking on a tour with the Rollins Band in support for classic punk band X. The book gives an insight to the mind of Henry Rollins and in it you find that he is a depressed workaholic who has social anxiety problems.

The book, being a diary, repeats in many places, but it is forgivable because of the stream of conscious writing style. The book also gives his work out regiment and his daily food intake. The man is extremely healthy and in incredible shape, but never good enough for himself.

The most important bit of information to take away from the book is that you should never approach him in public unless you know him already. Knowing this now will prevent me from ever making my hero uncomfortable in public.

Great book, pick it up, even if you don't know anything about him.

Bikini's!!!!

2008-07-22T12:26:00.002-04:00

As I write this I am sitting in a house at the beach. Last night when I was sitting on the beach reading A Dull Roar by Henry Rollins, I was distracted by a female walking towards the water wearing a two-piece bathing suit and I came to the realization that I greatly dislike the bikini.

I'm weird I know. I'm a straight guy who doesn't like women wearing skimpy clothing as "swim wear." To I just find bikini's distracting. I would much rather look at a woman's face and hold a long conversation with her than look at her body.

I know a lot of guys love them and want to know what is wrong with me. But I don't understand those guys, I don't understand 90% of the male population.

I would never approach a girl wearing a two-piece for fear of looking where I don't need to look. The single piece bathing suit is form revealing, why isn't that enough?

Even if I had a girlfriend I would prefer her to wear a single. I don't want other guys ogling her.

Oh well. Just another aspect of our society that I don't understand.

Learn the Definition of Grindcore, Kids!

2008-07-21T22:41:00.000-04:00

Grindcore is not about baby killing jokes and breakdowns. However references to serial killers and half time moshes, abound. It’s not about clever alliterations like Hailey Homicidal or Cannibalized Casey Cadaverment. Grindcore doesn’t even really have to be clever but it is often far more intelligent than this. It’s not about scenes or their respectful politics. The only politics you will find in grindcore are in the lyrics of more politically conscious bands. You do not HxC dance to grindcore. You push, shove, slam, run, and make like a mad man. You do not coordinate your moves and stand in your own little comfort zone swinging your arms around like a retarded gorilla wanting more milk. Have an original thought instead of two stepping to every groove simultaneously with everyone else in the room.

Yes, pig squeals may have been derived from grindcore and death metal but your lyrics sheet shouldn’t consist of phonographic syllables resembling the sounds of farm animals. Also, do not tell me, “This is a breakdown.” Unless I’m a complete dumbass, this is not necessary, I know what a breakdown is and I can also tell when one is coming from a mile away. Your songs shouldn’t be written around breakdowns. In fact, your longest song should probably only be about 2 minutes unless you add a bunch of feedback at the beginning and end of the song. Grindcore, as it was originally intended is an extreme form of hardcore punk, by combining the concise and socially conscious attitude of crust punk and the extreme nature of death metal. So your tight pants, white belts, black hoodies, and ‘tsunami’ hair do’s can suck a railroad spike.

Rolo Tomassi

2008-07-21T10:28:00.002-04:00

Rolo Tomassi is a British synth driven, female fronted noisecore band hailing from Sheffield. Their self-titled EP brought to mind the frantic noise rock of An Albatross with the confusing fuck you, musical approach of The Locust. What is most surprising about this band is their age, considering the complexity and experimental nature of the music they play, all of them are around 18 and 19 years old. The band can also boast a 7" on legendary underground label, Holy Roar. Their next work entitled Hysterics is sure to be a staggering opus much like their earlier material which suggested a working knowledge of Noisecore/Screamo/Power Violence amongst the band members.

In Retrospect: Atom and His Package - "I'm Downright Amazed at What I Can Destroy With Just a Hammer"

2008-07-21T10:26:00.004-04:00

and I am downright amazed at the catchy melodies and tongue in cheek lyrics one man can come up with with just a guitar and a synthesizer. Much love for a band I missed.

A Hero A Fake signs to Victory Records

2008-07-20T22:10:00.003-04:00

A Hero A Fake signed with Victory Records. Check out the news here.

the short version:
Pretentious, unpopular band from Charlotte signs bad contract with Victory Records, will be screwed in the long run, currently still douche bags who recorded with Jamie King in hopes that it would make them sound like BTBAM, it didn't and they sound worse live. Oh did I mention they faked their playcount on myspace? yeah. That's credibility.

Dave Davison of Maps & Atlases playing "The Ongoing Horrible"

2008-07-20T20:48:00.002-04:00

Since my infatuation with this band is insatiable, here is an amazing video of one man with an acoustic guitar producing some of the most beautiful sounds with some of the most innovative techniques.

I Fail You

2008-07-20T20:28:00.004-04:00

So, I have come to realize that it has been a very long time since I last posted and that last post was a fairly lazy one at that. So I will remedy that with the following, but you will have to excuse me if this post seems lacking in any ways as I am currently at the beach for a week and have already been burned out by the sun, not to mention the 6 mile walk and ensuing bike ride on a one speed bike against the wind.

Recently most of my internet activity has revolved around the marvelous website, last.fm. I am in love with this thing. So far I have mostly used it to find and listen to screamo and mathcore bands, I am quickly finding that this is some of the best music I have heard with endless potential to be even better than it is, the sheer versatility and experimental nature, every band has its own unique quirks and idiosyncrasies. As well as screamo, I have delved into a few noise rock bands and math rock bands.

Currently I am listening to the Bird Barnyard EP by Maps & Atlases, the new wunderkind of math rock and a current darling in the indie music world.

NEW LIVING SACRIFICE SONGS!

2008-06-10T20:32:00.002-04:00

Today Living Sacrifice uploaded two very short clips of new material to their myspace. Oh boy! This just gets better and better. The tracks are entitled "Death Machine" and "The Battle" from what looks like an upcoming album also called Death Machine along with new artwork that looks very much like a Dave Quiggle design. click to enlarge

Hey look, Sigur Ros

2008-06-09T17:17:00.003-04:00

So yeah, you can listen to Sigur Rós' new album með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust which translates to "With a buzz in our ears we play endlessly" for free on last.fm. I have to say, at about halfway through the album, it's pretty darn good but then again it is Sigur Rós. Unfortunately, the album isn't even out yet and there are already a ton of hipster naysayers who think just because the band is using some english lyrics that they have sold out. It may not match the intense emotion of ( ) but I would certainly rank it pretty close to Takk... as far as sweeping and creative goes.

Old news is old

2008-06-08T15:11:00.004-04:00

Regardless of whether or not you frequent Buzzgrinder.com I highly recommend you check out the site to see a great jab at yours truly. First read this article on Decibel's Top 20 Stoner Albums and read the ensuing comments. Then read this. I larfed.

Nice Guy Blues

2008-06-08T14:00:00.002-04:00

“You’re such a nice guy.” This is a compliment, but it’s probably one of the biggest kick in the balls that a guy can receive. That little sentence is full of so much hidden meaning. It could mean “You are non-threatening to my romantic situation.” Perhaps it is code for “You have great qualities but for some reason I am going to go for an asshole.” My personal favorite is “I have no interest in you at all and you might have a tiny penis.”

After being told by multiple female friends that I’m a great guy and any girl who wouldn’t want to be with me is crazy, yet I can’t seem to get a date, I have decided they are either lying to me or they don’t know what they are talking about.

With my history of falling for girls who never return my feelings I just want to be given a chance. What’s that? You find me horribly repulsive and the though of touching me makes you throw up in your mouth a little bit? I’m sorry, I guess I can inform you that you are annoying as hell and I was willing to look past that to see the good parts of your personality, which is really hard considering your hyena laugh and utter lack of anything interesting to say. That’s right, go talk to the meathead who is only talking to you because he thinks he can get you into bed in twenty minutes where afterward he’ll kick you out because you are being to clingy.

Or maybe it bothers you that I can hold a conversation with you for an hour and be able to tell you what color your eyes are instead of how big your breasts are. Perhaps it scares you and makes you uncomfortable, forcing you outside of your world of dumb jocks and judgment douche bags.

I guess there is no room in this world for sweethearts and guys who remember your birthday. Instead you whine and wonder why all the good guys are gay or taken.

The Famine

2008-05-19T16:26:00.002-04:00

The Famine, featuring former members of Demon Hunter and more importantly Embodyment, has released a new song off of their upcoming debut, The Raven and the Reaping. The song is called "Behemoth". The Raven and the Reaping is due out on Solidstate Records next tuesday so make sure you check that out. They will be on tour this summer with Demon Hunter, the reunited Living Sacrifice, Oh Sleeper, and North Carolina's own, Advent which features former members Beloved.

Pelican-Dead Between the Walls

2008-05-14T16:42:00.002-04:00

Last Chance Fan

2008-05-02T13:57:00.003-04:00

I'm always a fan at the worst time.
Cave In broke up 2 years ago.
They were incredible live.
You should have downloaded that album.
Now you'll never have the chance to see them.
Whats that? You like Piebald now?
They played their last show 2 weeks ago.
Oh yeah and your favorite band reunited a month ago.
Guess you didn't get the email.
They played three encores.
Jawbreaker, Further Seems Forever, Classic Case
Great bands.
Too bad you blindly hated Emo for no good reason.
Pop Punk lyrics mean a lot more than Death Metal.
Melodies are harder to come up with than riffs anyway.
Oh well, you were narrow minded but you aren't anymore.
Keep your eyes open.
The next great thing is on the way.
This way you can say you saw them first.
Which makes you a better fan than anyone else.

All I Deal With is Masturbators and Potheads

2008-04-29T12:47:00.002-04:00

So work last night was interesting. It was Monday and kind of slow. I was over at the newsstand doing regular straightening. Over by the Men's Interest section there was a guy who was definitely under the age of 18. I walked back to the other side and he was gone. I didn't think much of it until I saw Joe, my manager walked over to the same section and put two Playboys on the shelf. He told me that he saw the kid walking towards the bathroom with them and he asked him not to bring them into the restroom. The kid said he just found them and Joe took them from him.

Well a minute later that same kid went back to the newsstand and grabbed more magazines and took them into the bathroom. I went in after him and used the restroom and could hear him turning pages of the magazines. I went back out to the customer service desk and found Joe. I told him we had a masturbator in the restroom. Joe asked me to come with him and stand in the hall way until the kid came out. Joe was going to stall him and I was going to go into the restroom and get the magazines. When the guy came out I went into get the magazine but I only found a gay mag stuck in the toilet seat cover dispenser. I came out and the guy was gone and Joe was there. He followed the kid out to the parking lot and he watched him jump the retaining wall of the parking lot and the kid had the magazines in the back of his pants.

Immediately after I found that out I walked to the customer service desk where a guy stopped me and said "I'm going to ask you a liberal question. Do you have any books on marijuana? Not against it but pro-pot." I told him not really we have books on growing it but thats it.

Needless to say I became depressed about the state of our society. Stealing porn and reading books about pot seems to be a national pastime.

The Largest Sigh of Relief I Could Muster

2008-04-25T13:30:00.003-04:00

So finally after weeks of worrying about getting into Gaston College in order to take summer classes I finally got it. I will be taking Principles of Biology. Hopefully I can convince the registrar at Montreat to use this as my replacement for failing Bio 111. I wasn't able to get into Bio 112 because of a technicality, now I am going to try and do late registration at CVCC and get into Bio 112 there. I might have to get the professors permission to do it though, but its worth a shot.

This week has been one massive anxiety attack. I've been so worried about not getting in, now I just hope that this will be enough to get my GPA back up to a 2.0.

The best thing about all this is after I was almost ready to give up on college all together, my friends prayed for me and I've really felt God. He listens and I hope this is what he wants from my life. The fact that we don't know exactly what to do is pretty difficult to accept. I've been praying for patience and two different times this morning I sat with my head bowed praying silently and as hard as I could.

For those of you who have been praying for me, THANK YOU WITH ALL MY HEART!!!! MAY GOD BLESS YOU IN EVERY THING YOU DO!!!! YOU ARE ALL BEAUTIFUL AND I LOVE YOU ALL!!!!

I'm so full of happiness and emotion right now I can't believe it. I love God so much and I can't believe he has given me another chance at redeeming myself. I don't deserve it and I've blown it so many times in the past, but I will try my hardest to not screw up this time. Thank you God. I don't know where I'd be without you.

Well, if you've got the magic, then I've got the moves

2008-04-25T02:25:00.002-04:00

He Is legend has released four new demos on their myspace page. These four demos represent the logical transition that He Is Legend was destined to make, bass heavy grooves with spacey guitars and gruff but melodic vocals. Schuylar doesn't scream much in the songs but when you've got such a beautifully husky voice, screaming is overrated. The demos were recorded at Warrior Sound by former He Is Legend and Classic Case and current Filter guitarist Mitchell Marlow. The tracks are killer, even featuring a cello on one song and guest female vocals on two others. I think it's safe to say what I'll be listening two for the next several months. Now I want to see these songs live, but then again, maybe I've already heard one. I saw them a few months back with Far-Less, Telescreen, and Josh Moore(ex-Beloved). After technical difficulties resulting in useless mics the band began playing what was obviously new material, after the problem was sorted out the band wrapped up their set, which was simply astonishing. Also, you may be surprised to hear the f-word in one of the songs. Brandon Ebel can suck it.

Muxtape

2008-04-21T01:44:00.003-04:00

In honor of this, our one hundredth post I have decided to begin uploading a new muxtape every two weeks. If you've never heard of muxtape, it's basically a way for internet savvy music nerds to upload their own mixtapes, up to 12 songs. It's a great way to share music, without breaking any copyright laws. No downloads though. Handbooks For the Sellout

Muxtape 1

1.Frodus - Invisible Time Lines
2.Gorilla Bisctuits - First Failure
3.Andrew Jackson Jihad - Scenesters
4.Dead Kennedys - Drug Me
5.Baroness - Red Sky
6.Capsule - Cobalt Connection
7.Pusher - Scapehole
8.Roadside Monument - OJ Simpson House Auction
9.Clockcleaner - Human Pigeon
10.Hot Water Music - The Passing
11.Converge - Annihilate This Week(Black Flag cove)
12.He Is Legend - Cape Fear

80's Hardcore themed food products

2008-04-20T22:05:00.001-04:00

I wish this was real. Click to enlarge

I don't know why I'm so late reporting on this

2008-04-20T20:49:00.002-04:00

Cult of Luna has finished recording their new album, The Eternal Kingdom, for Earache Records. You can read about the whole story here. Here's the album cover.
The album is being released in Europe on my birthday, June 16th, but doesn't come out in the US until July 8th.

Norma Jean - The Anti Mother - Day One

2008-04-20T16:48:00.002-04:00

Norma Jean has uploaded a new video of the pre-production for their upcoming album, The Anti-Mother, which is being recorded with Ross Robinson(Norma Jean, At the Drive-In, Glassjaw) who was considered the godfather of nu-metal for his involvement with Korn's first album and the subsequent bands of the genre he worked with, though he has since denounced the genre for it's complacency. Anyway, here we get our first real glimpse of NJ's new drummer, Chris Raines.

Between Two Ferns: Jimmy Kimmel

2008-04-19T22:16:00.001-04:00

Genghis Tron now has an official merch store

2008-04-19T15:00:00.003-04:00

http://www.indiemerchstore.com/genghistron

Check it out and support the band.

This is personally my favorite design.

Quell - "Pants Ain't Tight, Belts Ain't White, You've Got a Lot to Learn About Rock'n'Roll

2008-04-19T02:04:00.005-04:00

Wondering what you've just witnessed? This is(was) the mysterious, Quell. A hardcore band based in Greensboro, North Carolina. Their only album, One Man's Struggle with the English Language, was released on Goodfellow Records, current home of such acts as Spitfire, Intronaut, and The Handshake Murders. Quell was a brutal, confusing, beautiful blend of Tech Death and Metalcore, boasting three amazing guitarists. Let me tell ya, a lot of bands could take some pointers from these guys. Unfortunately, Quell is no more, though I was pleasantly surprised to discover today that currently one former member of Quell is also a part of the NC post-metal gods, Giant.

The Recession

2008-04-18T23:17:00.002-04:00

Ever been kicked really really hard? and it felt good? That's one way of describing Nebraska's Recession. Citing the 90's as their influence, The Recession play a form of mathcore/hardcore/noisecore whatever you want to call it that is more musically similar to Deadguy, Coalesce, and Training For Utopia than any band out there today. Combining malicious offbeats and destructively hooking grooves, The Recession embodies what hardcore should be, a wall of throbbing, low end, in your face heaviness and a fuck you attitude. This is hardcore in spite of hardcore.

Capsule

2008-04-17T14:42:00.003-04:00

Band: Capsule
Current Release: Blue
Label: Dippy/Robotic Empire
Genre: Post-Hardcore/Mathcore

No this is not the Japanese electronic group by the same name, this is the ADD workings of a Miami, Florida based mathcore group. With a punk rock mindset and the shredding technicalities of metal all offset by off times, Capsule create a sound that is both haunting and beautiful. Shifting from tempo to tempo, Capsule can seem a bit confusing at first and you may get lost the first few times you try to comprehend their music but with patience you will have come to find Capsule to be a surprising breath of fresh air.

Becoming the Archetype to record with Heavy Devy

2008-04-15T14:59:00.003-04:00

Yep. That's right, Becoming the Archetype is going to be recording their third album for Solidstate Records with THE Devin Townsend, best known for being the insane front man of Strapping Young Lad and The Devin Townsend Band. After hearing the great work he did on the last two Darkest Hour albums and the fact that City is one of the heaviest albums I have ever heard the upcoming BTA album, which is going to be entitled Dichotomy, is going to be one damn good album.

Straightedge Youth

2008-04-14T00:06:00.004-04:00

You know you look stupid don't you?
Can't speak right or even stand up.
Isn't having fun worth remembering.
I'm ashamed to be around.
People are casting judgments on us.
But you don't care, you're drunk.

That cough sounds so attractive.
Stained teeth and bad breath.
Killing yourself with every inhale.
I know you can't help it.
If you don't you'll end up worse.
Just don't freeze outside smoking.

You need your daily fix.
What happened to your life?
Begging for money to get you high.
The pain must be so very intense.
I try but I can't understand.
You do not need those drugs.

Wake up next to a stranger.
Is it terrifying?
Being alone is hard, I know.
You are better than that.
He was only using you, its true.
You're just his little piece of ass.

"I'm a person just like you."
And I'm not better.
I'm not judging, I love you.
"I don't need a crutch."
Trying not to sound self-righteous.
"I've got the straightedge."

My way of life is simple.
No drugs, no booze, no smokes,
No sex without love.
It's not for everyone.
"Death before dishonor" is a joke.
But I'll probably end up that way.

My Music Is My Help

2008-04-14T00:01:00.003-04:00

"Why do you listen to such angry music?"
She asks waiting for an answer.
"You're such a nice guy, I don't get it."
As if angry music means you are too.
"Sometimes I worry you are a sociopath."
Quite the opposite actually.
"It's not very Christ-like behavior."
Don't judge me, it's not Christ-like.
"The singer sounds like he's possessed."
Because certain sounds are evil.
"Do you need some help?"
My music is my help.

Russian Circles - "Death Rides a Horse"

2008-04-13T21:13:00.000-04:00

In Retrospect: Coalesce - "A Disgust For Details" live at Michigan Fest 2002

2008-04-13T15:39:00.002-04:00

Psyclon Nine

2008-04-13T01:01:00.003-04:00

When I was first introduced to the various forms of extreme metal, I was NOT a fan, mostly because of the fact that I was somehow scared by the whole concept. "Why would they scream in to the mic like that? Why would they tune their guitars so low? This is just weird, I think I'll stick to Sum 41 and Good Charlottle." Well, after becoming used to the whole concept, I started to understand everything, and the music slowly but surely started to grow on me, and I became less and less freaked out by the whole concept. Well now I can for sure say that, tonight, while listening to the "Psyclon Nine" album, I have become scared once again.
A politically driven band hailing from California, "Psyclon Nine" has a nice black metal base drenched in industrial techno keys and groove. The "Psyclon Nine" album makes for a good listen, but I'll admit it's not for everyone. The album has it's ups and downs, like the ever so slightly annoying high pitched male vocals, and some sections that sound like they are ripped directly off of an "Infected Mushroom" record.
Overall it's a good listen, I recommend at least checking out their myspace and seeing what they are all about.
RATING: 3 I would consider this some pretty tasty ear candy..

Trenches are deep, trenches are empty

2008-04-10T11:51:00.003-04:00

Jimmy Ryan's(formerly of Haste The Day) new project, Trenches, has released a new practice demo on their myspace profile, so check that out. There's no vocals but it's still interesting to see where they are going musically.

Also, sad news. Dead to Fall has broken up.

I'm Tired of All These Potheads.

2008-04-09T11:41:00.002-04:00

Damn, potheads. Don't they have anything better to do? I have had 2 new encounters with my favorite part of society last week at work.

One night while I was working in the music department I had a customer come up to me and ask "Can you look up and see if there are any DVDs on hydroponics?" (For those of you who don't know, hydroponics are a specific way of growing marijuana.) I looked it up and nothing came up with a search. Then he asked "Just try looking for the word marijuana." He had a unique southern accent. A sort of redneck meets frat bro. I searched for DVDs on "mary jane" and nothing came up of course because Barnes & Noble doesn't really sell many how to DVDs. The thing is B&N has not problem carrying books on how to grow cannibus and not one, not two, not three, but four marijuana enthusiast magazines! I really wanted to yell at the guy "READ A BOOK!", but thats not professional.

Two nights later while I was at customer service I had a different customer come up to me and ask "Do you have any books on weed?" Whenever I get these questions my attitude changes when dealing with the customer. Normally when a customer approaches me I am smiling and attentive through the entire process. When a pothead asks me something I project this attitude that I don't give a damn. I told the guy we had books on how to grow it and we have magazines, he didn't want that. I don't know what he wanted exactly I could have shown him some books in the True Crime section or the Criminology section but I knew he didn't want that.

Why? Why do the potheads pick me out? The guy at the gas station a couple weeks back seemed to think I knew where to get it. As my friend Wylie wants me to yell out one day "What about me makes you think I know where to get this stuff!" I honestly don't know where to get weed. I know a guy who could probably get me some but he doesn't do it anymore and he hates when people ask him anyway.

All this does is add to my growing list of things I feel bad about our society.

They Drew Their Swords

2008-04-08T16:15:00.003-04:00

The Chariot has premiered their new video off of The Fiancée, "They Drew Their Swords" will only be up for 24 hours so hurry up and watch it so you can say you saw it cause, you know, you have to get...scene points..or something. I don't know what kind of cred you get in the hxc scene these days or if The Chariot even counts for anything anymore.

Shameless plug time

2008-04-08T16:06:00.002-04:00

Seeing as how we seem to be getting more and more readers I thought it would be about time I shamelessly plugged a few things.

check out my band, All the Living. There's a link on the side bar.

Also check The Shotgun Message link, also on the side bar. It's a very small messageboard that I run, feel free to join and talk with us.

whew, I feel dirty now.

Breach

2008-04-05T22:53:00.002-04:00

As you may, or at least should, know Northern Sweden was home to some of the world's finest hardcore and more specifically Umeå is known as the European hardcore capitol. Boasting such bands as Refused and Cult of Luna and home to other important local acts such as Doughnuts and Final Exit, Umeå was the main vector of Swedish hardcore spreading out to other regions to lead to the formation of many important bands. One such band was Luleå's Breach, as well as Stockholm's Blindside and Eskilstuna's Selfmindead.
Made up of one half of former Swedish punk band SUPERDONG, whose other half formed Fireside, Breach was a big ball of pummeling noisy anger. Sounding like the hardcore equivalent of Neurosis and Unsane. After appearing on a few compilations the group released their first EP, Outlines, on Burning Heart Records. In August of 1995 they released their first full length album Friction which is cited as "the heaviest album that year". Their second full length, It's Me God, was released in 1997 and found the band delving deeper into their Neurosis, Jesus Lizard, and Unsane similarities. Their decidedly darker and minimalistic third album, Venom, was released in May of 1999. Finally, in 2001 the band goes off the deep end on their last album, Kollapse, which finds their sound completely twisted and beaten down into an Old Man Gloom/Zozobra-ish post-metal though there are a few faster paced "out there" punk songs on the record. The album is described as:
"a perfect mix of walloping noise, scary and solemn introvert mayhem that could be the soundtrack to your favorite horror-movie, or the voices in the head for any modern western citizens angst & fear."
Official Myspace
Fan Myspace

I'm not desperate! I promise!

2008-04-04T13:55:00.001-04:00

Being single is hard. For those of us who are, we know it and don't need to be reminded. There are times when I wish I could spend the entire day with someone I loved and cared about. The trick is finding that person.

For me, finding that person is very difficult. Almost every girl I ever develop feelings for either doesn't feel the same way about me, is taken, or I can't tell how they feel about me.

Many times I take a female friend being nice to me as her liking me. It's weird. I hate doing that because it's not true. They are just being a friend. But then there are the times when they do like you! Then you don't know what to do at all.

Love or the chase for love is long and winding and I'm getting tired of it. Don't think that I am desperate. I'm not going to take any one that comes in my life. I'll only take someone that I really like and want to spend time to get to know them as best as possible. I don't want to date for fun. I want to date for the possibility of marriage.

Just to have someone hold my hand under the table when I'm at lunch with a bunch of friends. Someone to surprise me with little notes and messages telling me they love me. Someone who will sneak up behind me and tackle me with a hug. Tease me, be nice to me, intrigue me, and just be there.

Prayer

2008-03-31T21:29:00.001-04:00

Every time I pray
she ends up getting hurt.
I feel bad but
I'm happy too.
All I'm asking
is for Your will.
What are you doing?
Is this a test?
It's not fun.
I'm only confused.

Handbooks Review: Torche - Meanderthal

2008-03-29T15:42:00.009-04:00

Torche is a groove driven pop-sludge stoner metal band from Miami Florida and Atlanta, Georgia so comparisons to Mastodon and Baroness are mandatory. But never you mind the similarities and the common scene, Torche(like Baroness and Mastodon) are in a class all of their own. Boasting a heavy weight line up of Cavity, Floor, and Shitstorm members Torche is the heaviest band I have ever seen live and unless I see someone like Sunn O))) that's not going to be changing anytime soon. Having a guitar sound like bombs dropping, punky drum work, and Floydian vocals soaring to some of the catchiest melodies you will hear in any sludge band defines them as entirely unique. On their self-titled first album for Robotic Empire records they demonstrated a slightly amateurish fusion of Melvin's and Queens of the Stone Age style stoner rock. Though amateurish, it is still a great, fun, catchy listen but if it weren't for the calmer, trance like moments breaking up the mix and the short play time it may have worn with time. On their second release In Return the crustiness is upped a notch though this is nice it is overall a fairly unmemorable release simply because of the short play time. Finally we come to their newest outing, the forthcoming Meanderthal, and the riff-masters are back and better than ever. This album perfectly captures the pure intensity and spaced out heavy as balls entity that is Torche live. Meanderthal(you've got to love the name) opens with the soaring instrumental "Triumph of Venus" which leads into the war-like crushing of "Grenades". The third song, one of my personal favorites so far, "Piranha" opens with a stop and start chopping riff that calls to mind the the QUOTSA single "Sick, Sick, Sick". The following track, reminiscent of their self-titled release, brings the pace down several notches and chugs, trippingly along, before the album takes off again into the energetic, "Speed of the Nail" followed by one of the more interesting songs on the album, "Healer" which makes me think of a space rock punk band, like if Cave In's Jupiter had been re-worked by Bad Religion. "Across the Shield" kind of sounds like a throw back to "Fire" from their first album without verging on self-plagiarism. Then things get really hashed out and by the time "Sundown" has settled just under the horizon "Little Champion" rolls by in 34 seconds in time. "Without a Sound" reminds me why the album is called MEANDERthal as it kind of just thunks along before launching into one of Torche's greatest compositions, the epic "Fat Waves". The longest track on the album, is the ensuing "Amnesian", clocking in at 6 minutes, 25 seconds, reminding me an awful lot of their first album's closer, the 9 minute, 32 second epic "The Last Word". Finally the Meanderthal comes to a rest on the rumbling, pure sludge, instrumental title track. Overall this album is a perfection of Torche's strive for prehistoric heavy rock. It leaves you wondering if their following releases will be nearly as good, if so, it's something to look forward to. Meanderthal in a sentence could best be described as a pack of triceratops, who got a hold of a gravity bong, stampeding through a mine field.
Rating 4.5

Ghost Mice

2008-03-27T02:52:00.004-04:00

Ghost Mice is: Chris Johnston(AKA Chris Clavin) and Hannah Jones, an acoustic folk punk duo of former members of The Devil Is Electric. They play a style of punk music similar to Andrew Jackson Jihad, Defiance, Ohio, and This Bike Is a Pipe Bomb. In their own words:

"We play 100% acoustic. We never use amps or mics (except at Plan-It-X Fest and on Oct. 28, 2006 for The fest V]). We have been playing in bands together for about 7 years. We started Ghost Mice in 2002 because we tired of being restricted. We were tired of having to travel in big vans and depend on amps, PA systems and electricity. With Ghost Mice we can travel very light and we need nothing to play. We often play in back yards or on the street corner in front of the venue. We have toured the USA many times and we toured Europe (Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark, Austria, France, Spain, Belgium, England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland by foot. We hitch-hiked and took trains to all of our shows. It was fun and very liberating. We sing a mix of personal and political lyrics, we are anarchist, we are dedicated to the DIY ethic and the struggle to make the world a better place. We play music and travel for fun and to meet new people. Music is our lives. We love travel. We are nice and a little shy."

In retrospect

2008-03-27T02:42:00.000-04:00

Ninety Pound Wuss - "Something Must Break"

Iwrestledabearonce - the next big thing

2008-03-27T02:29:00.003-04:00

If you haven't heard of them then you are in for a surprise. This band caught me completely off-guard. I assure you, you will hear much more about this band in the next few months.

Now an explanation of what you've just seen. A combination of powergrind and deathcore(which is starting to pop up more than I originally anticipated) with the typical, tongue in cheek humor of the current power-pop, witty post-hardcore scene. but they don't got shit on these guys.

Art Spotlight: John Baizley

2008-03-27T02:12:00.003-04:00

John Dyer Baizley, guitarist and vocalist of Post-Groove gods, Baroness is an artist based out of Savannah, Georgia. He has no website of his own but a quick search of the internet will dig up several magnificent works. You may recognize some of his work from those Job For A Cowboy shirts you see at every hardcore/metal show or the album cover for metalcore band Darkest Hour's most recent outing.

What is wrong with people?

2008-03-17T12:40:00.002-04:00

So today on the way to school, I stopped at a gas station to get something to drink. For some reason this gas station is always busy no matter what time of day I go in there. It was 8:30 AM and as I was standing in line there were two customers in front of me. One of them was buying lottery tickets and the other was buying beer. At 8:30 in the morning. I was dumbfounded. Is your life so bad that you need alcohol at the beginning of your day? Is that lottery ticket going to save you? It was Monday morning.

I proceeded to go to my car and when I couldn't get my $14 CD player to work (which it never worked right the day I bought it) I threw it at my dashboard because I was pissed off, which resulted in in completely breaking it. So now I don't have a CD player in my car, there is nothing good on the radio, and I'm depressed that I live in country where Lotto tickets and beer are what people buy on Monday mornings.

Not a nice way to start your week.

Hmm...

2008-03-05T11:52:00.001-05:00

It's probably not a good idea to stand outside until 2:30 in the morning, talking to a girl who has a boyfriend.

Last Night

2008-03-01T14:36:00.004-05:00

So last night when I got off of work I needed to get some gas because I was dead on empty. So as I pulled out of my work parking lot I almost get creamed by an asshole in a monster truck who was going way over the speed limit for a parking lot. So I was a little shaken up and a wee bit pissed.

When I got to the gas station there were two cars full of people just sitting there by the building. The people inside were being really loud and yelling stupid stuff. I couldn't tell if they were yelling at me but it was kind of annoying. When I came back outside from paying, one of the cars took off with wheels squealing. If I had been walking any faster I probably would have been hit by the idiots.

While I was pumping the gas the other car pulled up to the pump where I was at and was like "What's up cuz?" I shrugged and said not much. He then asked "Feeling alright tonight?" I nodded "Sure." Then he asked the million dollar question, "Know where we can score a blunt?" I just shook my head and said no. Then they pulled out and drove away.

What about me, made them think I knew where to get some pot? Is it because I drive a raggedy car. Or was it the fact that I have a beard? Despite the fact that I was "well dressed" in my work clothes. It kind of made me mad because I hate potheads. These guys were obviously lacking a few brain cells just by the way they were talking. Why would they want to kill the precious few they had left?

Whatever. Just reminds me of why I hate Hickory.

Handbooks Review: Genghis Tron - Board up the House

2008-02-21T15:20:00.006-05:00

Feel the might of nerd grind! Seriously, one of my best discoveries recently and certainly one of the most original and truly unique bands out there today. Genghis Tron is made up of three dudes hailing originally from Poughkeepsie, NY and currently based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. By combining elements of power violence grind with IDM, Industrial, and Ambient, Genghis Tron has carved out a nice piece of metal notoriety. With extensive use of synthesizers the band manages completely without bass or drums. After their debut full-lenght Dead Mountain Mouth and a handful of EPs under their belt it's no wonder these Cybergrind pioneers have signed to Relapse Records for the release of their second full-length, Board up the House. Recorded by Kurt Ballou (Converge guitarist) at God City Studios. The production is pristine, proving Kurt Ballou to be a masterful engineer. This release is a fluid stroke of electronic grindcore genius. Far more subdued than Dead Mountain Mouth, which was a caustic masterpiece of kinetic synths and frantic vocal and guitar work. Don't get the wrong impression though, everything that Genghis Tron was before is still present but inter-spliced more frequently with slower paced ambient elements. Board Up the House strikes quickly with the first few jolts and then kind of drifts in mid air, like the calm before the storm striking again and again with several swift lightning bolts. Mookie Singerman shrieks as if he were another mechanical piece of the burbling electronics and machine gun drum programming. Guitarist Hamilton Jordan taps and shreds and then seamlessly drifts into ethereal calmness throughout all eleven tracks. It's almost as if Board up the House gives several quick kicks to the bread basket and then sits you down and asks you why that just happened. Fans of somewhat similar mathcore giants, The Dillinger Escape Plan, will be pleased to know that Greg Puciato appears on the album to contribute guest vocals to the song "Colony Collapse" though, to be honest, I didn't even notice. The vocals lend themselves more as an extra instrument to the frantic musicianship except in the calmer moments in which Mookie sings in a low monotone, awash in reverb, such as on the spectacular "I Won't Come Back Alive". Michael Sochynsky's, as well as Mookie's, keyboards and synths give an upbeat feel at times, reminiscent of fellow Synth Noise Rockers, An Albatross. Go buy Board up the House, now! Don't question it! Do it!
Rating:4.5

Andrew Jackson Jihad

2008-02-20T18:06:00.006-05:00

Artist: Andrew Jackson Jihad
Album: People Who Can Eat People are the Luckiest People in the World
Label: Asian Man Records
Genre: Indie/Folk
Similar Artists: The Avett Brothers, Neutral Milk Hotel

People Who Can Eat People are the Luckiest People in the World is a phenomenal album by the Andrew Jackson Jihad, whom I first encountered on Asian Man's myspace. I immediately fell in love with the album's first song "Rejoice!", this album is full of similar upbeat sounding songs with terribly sad lyrics. The band is primarily made up of two guys, though a number of other musicians can be found on this album contributing upright bass, acoustic guitars, and a horn here and there. The folky music is beautifully juxtaposed by dark lyrics, with even one song taking on the perspective of a murderer describing how he killed an entire family to a member of that family before killing him as well. Simply magnificent!

Poetry Sucks

2008-02-20T12:31:00.003-05:00

"The innocent skyline dances
like a child on rose petals."
What the hell does that mean?
This is the sort of pretentious stuff
that "poets" put out every day.
What does it mean?
Why does it matter?
No wonder poets can't make a living at it.
It doesn't make sense.

You sit there in your coffee house,
reading T.S. Eliot and sipping lattes.
Then you pull out your journal
so you can express your "feelings,"
but you dont write it that way,
you come up with metaphors
and then tell me I have to look deeper.
Just say what you are thinking
like a normal human being.

Poetry is for hipsters and teenage girls.
The hipsters do it because they're full of themselves,
And teenage girls are hormonal.
Write something entertaining, like fiction.
Don't be a fourty-something, sitting in a corner
crying because no one gets you.
Grow up and face the facts.
You are a loser.
Unless you wish you were a teenage girl.

And these vulgar poems about sex.
You pass them off claiming double meanings.
Just admit these are your fantasies.
Guys writing sex peoms from a woman's
point of view is kind of creepy.
Maybe you are gay and are scared to tell people.
No one cares.
You might as well be writing dirty limericks.

Poets take notice
I'm watching you.
I don't "get you."
Call me narrow-minded.
I don't care.
I know I'm right.
Quit acting holier than thou.
Tell me when you write a book
then I'll talk to you.

*Writers note. I don't mean everything in this prant (poem-rant.)
...or do I?

The Ocean

2008-02-19T21:37:00.003-05:00

Many hails for metal from Berlin, Germany! The Ocean, or The Ocean Collective as they are sometimes called are currently on tour in support of their second Metal Blade release and fourth full-length album, Precambrian. Self described as "ambient soundtrack doom rock", The Ocean shows similarities to Mastodon, Baroness, and other such technical groove driven metal bands that have been gaining steady popularity lately. In the first two years of their existence, which began in 2000, about 40 musicians joined and left the band until a stable line-up was established.
In 2003 the band released what would be their first milestone, the Fogdiver EP which, though the band featured at least 2 live vocalists, was completely instrumental. During the winter and spring of 2004 The Ocean wrote and recorded material for two future releases, the more subdued material from these recordings was released as FluXion in August 2004 as a joint release by Make My Day and Throne Records. Though they had been more critically approved on their preceding release, FluXion found itself being much more commercially accessible. After signing to Metal Blade Records they released the remaining material from these sessions as »Aeolian«. Though there was only one vocalist on FluXion, seven different vocalists appeared on Aeolian, including Nate Newton(Converge bassist), Sean Ingram(Coalesce), an Tomas Hallbom(Breach).
In Late 2007, The Ocean released a double album(as Aeolian and FluXion were intended) entitled Precambrian. The first half, the substantially shorter and similar to Aeolian in heaviness, entitled Hadean/Archaean. The second half, the longer and more subdued, entitled Proterozoic. The Ocean will soon be hitting the road for a US tour with Kylesa and Lair of the Minotaur.

Hollywood Babylon

2008-02-18T12:41:00.000-05:00

Star, People, In Touch, Life & Style. We’ve all seen them lined up in grocery stores. These gossip rags that talk about celebrities non-stop. Each one claims to have exclusive information that can “only be found here.” The people who write for these pieces of garbage must have a hard time sleeping at night. All those years of studying journalism and reporting to only end up talking about stupid things celebrities do.

If you asked 50 random people who their state representative was and then ask who Hilary Duff is dating, more people would probably know the second one. What good does it do? Celebrities are probably the worst thing to happen to film, music, and television. Who cares!!! What do you gain from it? Why waste the brain cells on Paris Hilton. It’s not like she has any of her own. All these celebrities are train wrecks. Are we supposed to feel better about our lives? “My life sucks but at least I’m not Lindsay Lohan.” The sad thing is there are millions of people in worse situations, but we don’t see their faces plastered everywhere.

When I turn on the TV I want to hear something useful. Something that effects me. I want to know what the presidential nominees believe when it comes to the economy. Not the fact that Britney Spears goes clubbing without underwear. I would like to go clubbing with her, but I don’t mean dancing. I mean taking a big stick and clubbing her with it.

What bothers me is that people read this stuff. Why? I don’t want to be vulgar but READ A FUCKING BOOK! Watch a foreign film. Listen to independent music. Paint a picture. Do something productive.

I guess I should feel better superior because I’m above things like this, but I would be much happier if the country would grow some brains. We’d all have far more fulfilling lives.

If I could I would go back in time to when the 1^st amendment was written I’d change it to “freedom of speech/press except when it comes to celebrity gossip. No one needs to hear it, under penalty of death by ravenous hedgehog.

If in a few years if you hear stories about a disturbed man going around and putting pipe bombs in paparazzi cars and shooting celebrities as they come out of night clubs drunk, do me a favor and not tell the police you know it’s me.

I Am Not a Stereotype

2008-02-18T12:38:00.001-05:00

I’m weird. I don’t fit in. One look at me and you probably think “Metal Head,” but if you look at my music collection you’d probably figure out that metal is not my favorite genre of music. My all time favorite genre is ska. If you don’t know what ska is, imagine swing crossed with reggae and punk. It is known as the happiest music on earth. One look at me and you would imagine I live for dark brooding music.

Don’t get me wrong, I love the sound of Brutal Death Metal. The feel of the heavy pounding guitar, churning away the air around you, but Metal isn’t even my second favorite genre. It might be my fifth favorite. Strange isn’t it?

I guess the group I identify with the most is punk, but I’m not nearly the nihilist. I don’t want to break stuff.

I’m straight edge (no drinking, smoking, or drugs) but I’m not so straight edge I slap beers out of hands and have x’s tattooed on my body (even though I want one.)

I’m not a Goth, hipster, emo, rocker, psychobilly freak, raver, hardcore kid, or country fan; I’m nothing. I kind of like that fact and I don’t. I don’t care for labels or dislike them either, but I miss that feeling of belonging. I don’t have one place to go to talk to people. I can’t talk to my Metal Head friend about punk because they believe it takes no talent to play. I can’t talk to indie music fans about head banging because the music is “too angry.” You can’t talk to contemporary Christian music listeners about anything if it’s not Christian.

The only thing I really am is a music nerd and I don’t know enough of those

Sappy Poem

2008-02-18T12:35:00.002-05:00

Her smile is wonderful.
It’s so warm and full of care.
Even when she isn’t feeling well that smile will still creep out.
It’s a subtle smile.
Sometimes if you are looking at her and she starts smiling you aren’t aware she is doing it until it reaches its full potential.
It melts your heart when you see it.
Makes you feel like there are butterflies inside.
As cheesy as all this sounds it’s true.
If you disagree I’ll kick your ass.
There we go, that balanced this out.
Of course now there is a “poem” with her smile and the word ass in it.
It doesn’t sound as flattering.

Struck By Truth

2008-02-17T22:41:00.002-05:00

Struck By Truth: An Ontario, Canada quintet of experimental hardcore in the vein of Cave In and Converge. Formed in 2003, Struck By Truth has released one demo and one full-length album. Their debut album Seeds, produced by Greg Dawson(The End, Moneen, Mare), was released independently in 2005. Musically, Struck by Truth is a crash course in thrash riffing and hardcore two step pacing. Vocally the band shows similarities to more hardcore punk bands like Stretch Arm Strong and Comeback Kid. There is also a strong melodic atmosphere akin to Converge and Dillinger Escape Plan's more subdued moments. Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end. Struck By Truth called it quits in June of 2007.

Handbooks For the Sellout - Mix 2

2008-02-17T21:14:00.002-05:00

I decided to share some songs that I really enjoy and hope you will too. It's mostly a rock/punk collection and hopefully the musical theme fits.

Handbooks For the Sellout
Mix - 2

1. Five Iron Frenzy - "Handbook For the Sellout"
2. Alkaline Trio - "Blue Carolina"
3. Andrew Jackson Jihad - "People II: The Reckoning"
4. Holly Golightly - "For All This"
5. Boris the Sprinkler - "Kill the Sex Pistols"
6. The Avett Brothers - "Talk On Indolence"
7. The Aquabats! - "My Skateboard!"
8. Outer Circle - "It Must Be Wonderful"
9. Clockcleaner - "Vomiting Mirrors"
10. Blenderhead - "Transatlantic Solo Flight"
11. One21 - "Ghetto Blaster"
12. Dan Sartain - "Walk Among the Cobras P.T. 1"
13. Brant Bjork & the Bros. - "Chinarosa"
14. Ryan Adams - "Nervous Breakdown" (Black Flag cover)
15. Coheed & Cambria - "Blood Red Summer"
16. Buzzcocks - "What Do I Get"
17. Bedouin Soundclash - "Gyasi Went Home"
18. MU330 - "KKK Hiway"
19. Chuck Ragan - "For Broken Ears"