lies are just exercises

2012-01-12T11:30:00.001-07:00

Bangers are a punk rock band from Cornwall, England. They posted about this band on their Facebook wall. I like it.

1978, smiling politely by Martha

Weakness

2011-12-28T13:06:00.003-07:00

Weakness (I Know)

Just how many times can you hold your head up?
Just how many times without support?
If you’d just reach inside—fortitude lies within
There you’ll find your strength, and you’ll…

Start caring.
Start sharing.
Start giving.
Start living.

(I know – I know — I know – I)
I know you’ve tried so hard to be a man.

I see you standing there with your hand in pocket
Will you seek the truth with an open heart?
You need to have resolve—you give respect, you get respect.
You need to push yourself so you’ll…

Start caring.
Start sharing.
Start giving.
Start living.

(I know – I know — I know – I)
I know you’ve tried so hard to find yourself – but it’s not easy.
I know you’ve tried so hard to be a man – without weakness.

So it seems your – your sense of reason
Is like a can tossed on the side of the road
No position, no tradition
No allegiance to the things that you hold (so dear).

It’s not too late…

Destroy your weakness.

Wynken, Blynken, and Nod

2011-08-08T14:16:00.001-07:00

Commerce

2011-07-28T16:11:00.005-07:00

Wow. I'm constantly amazed.

We had people walk in our door today, and they said they wanted to pay invoice for a brand new Civic — a car we don't have, thanks to Honda placing all their manufacturing eggs in one big Japanese basket.

It's not like Honda has a big markup on the Civic in the first place. You won't see the big rebates and discounts that you find in other manufacturers. Honda doesn't need to. They don't believe in cheapening their product like that, and it's shown time and time again that the aggressive tactics auto companies use to push their product often shows up later in the resale values.

The Civic is not distressed merchandise. It has a long and rich history, with accolades and awards. It is well-known as a reliable and dependable vehicle. And for the 2012 model, Honda redesigned it, added more features, and raised prices only marginally, less than 1% for most models.

Then there are those who will say, "Well, car dealers are crooks"

Sure, some are. I can name a couple dealers in Phoenix who turn large numbers and use "bait and switch" tactics. They'll quote invoice price to get you in the door, and they they hit you with that inflated "accessory" addendum and force you to negotiate it. That's how they bring profit back into it.

Even with the history that the car industry has, the internet has changed everything. People are more informed now, and that's a good thing. The playing field has been leveled.

But, and this is a big *BUT*, tell me ONE other industry where you can walk in and say "I want to pay what you paid"?

Just try it at the pharmacy. Try it with a real estate agent. Heck, try it at Walmart. Good luck to ya if you do.

Ugh.

Crazy on the Square today.

2011-06-25T15:04:00.001-07:00

Craving new music, file sharing, and a possible New Year's Resolution

2010-12-31T12:23:00.001-07:00

One of my passions in life is music. For as long as I can remember, I've been someone who craves new music, and I've always looked for new ways to find it and share it with my friends.

I remember going to a (long-gone) store in Wellsboro called the The Brass T-Shirt when I was in my early teens, and the lady who ran it had access to mail-order music catalogs, and it blew my mind. Here were all these records (& bands) that I would have never had access to through the local Ames dept. store — some that I had heard about through magazines like Circus or Hit Parader, and some that I had never heard of. So I'd take my chances and order some obscure record (or cassette, as this was before cd's became the norm), and if it was good, I'd share it with my friends, and they would make a copy too.

Though the years, this is how I discovered many great bands, and some you may have even heard of. For example, this is how I first got Metallica's "Kill "em All" on vinyl back in '82 or '83. Then I think there was the Anthrax "Spreading the Disease" album, which Rich Rawson and I freaked out about. There were also some lesser-known bands like Fugazi, the Dayglo Abortions, Bad Religion, Quicksand, Naked Raygun, NOFX, and the Offspring — these were all bands that I discovered by reading magazines, and DIY zines, and thumbing through mail-order catalogs, and then shared with my friends. Some of them even became huge (Green Day, anyone?)

I'd get some album or cassette, and then freak out, and then have to run and tell my friends. I remember the day having Metallica's "Ride the Lightning" on cassette, LOVING IT, then playing it for people — and many were like, "Ugh! That's too heavy, the guy can't sing!"

But I loved it anyway, and I knew they were going to be HUGE. Of course, "Master of Puppets" came out, and lots of people were getting into them, and my friends and I then felt we were in on something before the masses caught on.

There are so many examples: the Circle Jerks, and Greg Hoke getting his Circle Jerks t-shirt and offending people who didn't know it was a band... The Anti-Nowhere League and the Meatmen, just some of the bands that influenced the original members of CCAB to start playing music in Louie Reese's barn... Suicidal Tendencies, the Cro-Mags, Exodus, Slayer, and Megadeth; all good examples of bands that my friends and I bonded over, our own little scene in small town Wellsboro.

I won't even go into the hair-metal scene, except to say that I was the first guy (that I know of) to find out about this little band called Ratt who had a cool demo, and were just getting ready to release their first album, "Out of the Cellar". I work my Ratt t-shirt to school with pride, like it was something that set me apart.

Later on, I worked at a store in Mansfield called "Speed of Sound", which was owned by a local musician and sold musical gear like guitars and strings, drumsticks and drum heads, pedals and effects, etc.

This was a great avenue to meet all the local guys (and a few girls) that were forming bands and creating a scene around the county (guys like Jeff and Jamie Morral, Ritchie House, Dennis Gee, and Jimi & Timi Martin are just a few — I met so many, and the names now escape me, but I'm sure many of you could help here.)

Not long after I started, I convinced the owner, Wayne Krause, to start selling tapes and cd's. I figured that I personally knew so many people who were interested in new music, AND there just happened to be a university in town, so it was a no brainer.

We set up an account with a major music distributer and it just plain EXPLODED. Soon the tape & cd section was a huge part of the store's retail business, and over time Wayne gave me the leeway to order what I thought would do well. I'd try stuff out, then call up my friends and tell them to come over and buy some tape or cd we just got in. The band "Lord Tracy" comes to mind, another band nobody had heard of, but now (for some of us) their "Deaf Godz of Babylon" is a classic.

I remember one particular discovery that blew up big time: I had read about this band called NIRVANA who had released an album called "Bleach" on indie label called SubPop, so Wayne let me get one in, open it up, and play it in the store (even though it really wasn't his thing). People liked it, so when "Nevermind" came out and blew up like it did, we were right in front of the wave.

I'm proud of moments like that.

I DJ'd at Mansfield University a few years later (thanks to Ben Nevin), and not only had access to a MASSIVE amount of cd's and new bands, but had a new way to share what I'd discovered. Although that didn't last long (I dropped out), it was an amazing few years.

Which brings us to today. Cd's became the OLD way to get music. MP3's became the norm, and file sharing services like Napster, Morpheus, LimeWire and more came along and revolutionized the industry. And you know the rest: lawsuits, bands taking stand against file-sharing, music stores closing, Napster and LimeWire getting shut down... Etc, etc.

Everyone got an iPod. Every band got a Myspace page. Rhapsody and Pandora came along. Blogs sprouted up everywhere. And through it all, I adapted how I continued to look for new music. I still prefer "the underground", so these days I have a list of blogs I check out via Google Reader, and Pandora throws in music it thinks I might like based on my listening habits. I even have an account on Emusic to BUY the albums I can't find for free on the blogs.

I've been thinking about how much great music I've gotten over the years, and thinking I might "pay it back" (or "pay it forward" or some other rewarding cliche). I'm considering learning how to rip a cd to my computer, compress it through WinRar or WinZip, and sharing it through MediaFire or my Dropbox account. I would only do it with cd's I own (or owned at some point and have the MP3's still), and would share by posting it on my blog.

It's still just a thought, but one I felt inspired enough to type this whole thing out. So, we'll see. You might start seeing me posting some of my favorite cd's soon.

Or not.

CD's for Sale

2010-12-19T18:27:00.003-07:00

If anyone is looking for some cheap CD's, take a look at my list of CD's I have up for swap on SwapaCD.com. It's not that I NEED to get rid of these, I'd just like someone else to get to enjoy 'em for awhile :)

I'm more than happy to entertain offers, and I can even take payments through PayPal.

10,000 Maniacs
In My Tribe

Posted: 10/26/2009 1:27 PM ET

Ace Troubleshooter
It's Never Enough

Posted: 8/6/2009 1:49 AM ET

Best Kissers in the World
Puddin

Posted: 9/19/2009 3:09 PM ET

Big Wreck
In Loving Memory of

Posted: 11/20/2008 2:46 PM ET

Bob Mould
Bob Mould

Posted: 10/2/2010 6:45 PM ET

Bodeans
Blend

Posted: 11/20/2008 2:24 PM ET

Boy Sets Fire
In Chrysalis

Posted: 3/9/2009 2:42 PM ET

Boy Sets Fire
Live for Today

Posted: 11/20/2008 2:30 PM ET

Brooke
Coming Home

Posted: 7/6/2009 10:04 PM ET

Bruce Hornsby
Harbor Lights

Posted: 9/19/2009 2:44 PM ET

Buddahead
Crossing the Invisible Line

Posted: 11/20/2008 2:45 PM ET

Buddy Jewell
Buddy Jewell

Posted: 9/19/2009 2:47 PM ET

China Drum
Goosefair

Posted: 9/19/2009 3:12 PM ET

Compulsion
Comforter

Posted: 8/6/2009 1:51 AM ET

Depeche Mode
Ultra

Posted: 11/20/2008 2:47 PM ET

Dishwalla
Pet Your Friends

Posted: 9/25/2010 7:39 PM ET

Dog Society
Test Your Own Eyes

Posted: 11/20/2008 2:48 PM ET

Downset
Do We Speak a Dead Language

Posted: 11/20/2008 2:59 PM ET

Dragmules
2a

Posted: 11/20/2008 3:00 PM ET

Earth Crisis
Breed the Killers

Posted: 11/22/2008 7:10 PM ET

Edwin Mccain
Messenger [ENHANCED CD]

Posted: 12/19/2010 8:25 PM ET

Far Too Jones
Picture Perfect Walls

Posted: 11/20/2008 2:45 PM ET

Fig Dish
That's What Love Songs Often Do

Posted: 3/9/2009 2:41 PM ET

Gary Allan
Smoke Rings in the Dark

Posted: 8/10/2010 5:15 PM ET

Goo Goo Dolls
Boy Named Goo

Posted: 11/20/2008 2:25 PM ET

Graham Colton
Drive

Posted: 12/3/2009 5:08 PM ET

Haste
Mercury Lift

Posted: 11/20/2008 2:28 PM ET

Hootie & The Blowfish
Scattered Smothered & Covered

Posted: 1/13/2010 11:36 PM ET

Jason Michael Carroll
Growing Up Is Getting Old

Posted: 12/15/2010 3:57 PM ET

Jedd Hughes
Transcontinental

Posted: 8/6/2009 1:51 AM ET

John Mellencamp
Mr Happy Go Lucky

Posted: 9/19/2009 3:06 PM ET

John Mellencamp
Uh Huh

Posted: 4/2/2010 6:02 PM ET

Lemonheads
Car Button Cloth

Posted: 2/24/2010 7:53 PM ET

Lit
Place in the Sun

Posted: 9/19/2009 2:45 PM ET

Moses Mayfield
The Inside

Posted: 7/6/2009 10:07 PM ET

Offspring
Smash

Posted: 11/20/2008 2:49 PM ET

Orangutang
Dead Sailor Acid Blues

Posted: 11/20/2008 2:30 PM ET

Our Lady Peace
Clumsy

Posted: 9/30/2009 12:02 PM ET

Poison (Artist)
Native Tongue

Pro-Pain
Contents Under Pressure

Posted: 11/20/2008 2:29 PM ET

Samiam
Clumsy

Posted: 11/20/2008 2:26 PM ET

Samiam
You Are Freaking Me Out

Posted: 11/14/2009 1:31 PM ET

Sammy Hagar
Ten 13

Posted: 1/20/2009 8:44 PM ET

Seaweed
Spanaway

Posted: 6/25/2010 4:23 PM ET

Shakira
Oral Fixation Volumes 1 & 2 [SPECIAL EDITION w/Bonus DVD]

Posted: 9/25/2010 7:39 PM ET

Sick of It All
Just Look Around

Posted: 5/22/2010 5:12 PM ET

Simon & Garfunkel
Best Of: Tribute Performed By Stars at Studio 99

Posted: 9/25/2010 7:40 PM ET

Skinlab
Disembody: New Flesh

Posted: 4/11/2010 1:39 PM ET

Skinlab
Revolting Room

Posted: 11/20/2008 2:26 PM ET

Snapcase, Boy Sets Fire
Snapcase / Boy Sets Fire

Posted: 3/9/2009 2:33 PM ET

Strange Celebrity
Remedy

Posted: 11/23/2008 5:08 PM ET

Various Artists
Anti-Matter

Posted: 2/24/2010 7:56 PM ET

Various Artists
In-Flight Program

Posted: 2/24/2010 7:57 PM ET

Various Artists
Singles: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

Posted: 8/6/2009 1:50 AM ET

Virginia Coalition
Home This Year

Posted: 3/22/2010 12:32 PM ET

Zoinks
Bad Move Space Cadet

Posted: 6/3/2009 3:42 PM ET

Comics and musicians

2010-11-27T13:05:00.003-07:00

Just watched a great documentary on stand-up comedians called I Am Comic. Now I'm not gonna give a synopsis here because, A. I'm too lazy, and B. because there are people who get paid to do that stuff. So click on the link and read about it yourself if you want.

Essentially it's about an ex- stand-up comedian-turned-filmmaker Jordan Brady who's doing a documentary on stand-up, so he enlists the help of another ex stand-up, Ritch Shydner, who has written a book on the subject. They interview other comedians about the whole process and the comedy scene in general. Along the way, Ritch develops the itch to get on stage again after 14 years, and you watch as he shakes off the cobwebs and starts honing an act again (and struggles with some bigger questions as he goes).

There, I gave a synopsis anyway. I couldn't help it. Call it verbal diarrhea.

What's really interesting about the film is that it's such a open and honest piece (and frank too, so if vulgarities bother you, then, uh, don't bother.) You get to see the bigger picture of what stand-up is about. The drugs and sex, the boredom and neurosis, the culture of performing, etc. etc.

What struck me is the underlying drive for these people, and it differs from person to person. For some, it's the rush of getting a laugh. For others, it's that, and the art of creating. Quite a few liken it to making music, the ebb and flow of notes and rhythms and the thrill/risk of presenting it to an audience.

It makes me think of the correlations in my life. I have always had a passion for music, which lead me in my late teens to participate in starting a band, even though I was lacking in real vocal talent. This then lead me to running sound for bands, which I did for years, but again I lacked the talent (and drive) to do it on a bigger level.

Then years later, helping in reforming the band again, and finding myself deep in the process of it; creating, growing... and struggling with it too.

You struggle with the balance of it. Balancing your need to create with your desire for acceptance and maybe even adulation. The desire to write a hit, something catchy and accessible — and trying to see if you even can; if you even have the talent, and if your voice and your need to remain true to yourself will come together with that talent to make that possible.

It's something I struggled with terribly in the second version of my band. There was this exploding scene that we were lucky enough to get involved in, and a big part of me craved the icing on the cake, so to speak. I wanted to be able to write catchy songs, to be able to sing like my idols, to be able to really voice my passion. For me, the passion won out in the end. I can't say I wrote any hit-like songs, at least not in my mind. Not songs that made people cheer, or sing-along, or dance (or mosh, to use and old-school term). I dunno, maybe some will disagree with what I'm saying, but truthfully, I can't say we were popular or successful on a bigger level. We had respect, but it wasn't like we had dozens of screaming fans at each gig.

Now, don't get me wrong, I'm proud of what I created. But the struggle is still — to this day — in my mind. You create something and then see what wins out: artistic integrity or the desire for affirmation or adulation. It's the very fortunate (and very few) that get both.

In this film there's a distinct moment where the guy is trying to sum up what it's like to get back on stage again after 14 years. He realizes that, at his age, he has to determine if it's worth it.

Is it worth going back to the scene and the lifestyle — to put his existing life as he knows it into storage and deal with the crappy pay; the unhealthy road food; the boredom of long days doing nothing until you get 5 minutes, or ten minutes or whatever; the urge to use chemicals to help you cope (or create) and the consequences of that choice — and the whole risk/reward thing when you begin to create again and run the chance of either applause or rejection (or worse, heckling).

Isn't it the same thing for most people? Who doesn't enjoy making people laugh? But so few of us have the ability (or drive) to do it as a lifestyle choice. And even if we did, we'd then run up against the age-old question that every person who creates runs into: "Am I any good?"

I guess what I'm trying to say on a deeper level about this documentary (in such a rambling, stumbling-and-bumbling manner) is that after watching this film, it struck me that there's a thread that runs through every story of a person who feels a need to create: how much do I need it and how far will I go to feed that desire? And of course, will I suck?

Also, it didn't hurt that there was some funny s**t in it too.

Moving Targets

2010-09-16T11:21:00.002-07:00

One of the problems I have with my passion for music is my inability to express how I feel about any specific band or album in any detail. I can tell you how much I like it, but as far as writing a review, forget it. I don't know if it's laziness or A.D.D., but I just can't do it.

So, I read other people's reviews a lot. And I end up discovering a lot of great new music. Sometimes I also come across a review of a band or album (notice I still use that word? Yeah, I'm old-school) that I love, and I end up rediscovering some great music, and feel like sharing.

Like with the band Moving Targets. In the late 80's and early 90's, I listened to a lot of bands on the Taang! label, like Bullet Lavolta, GangGreen, the Hard-Ons, early Lemonheads and MM Bosstones, and Moving Targets.

Moving Targets was a three-piece led by Kenny Chambers, who happened to also play guitar in Bullet Lavolta. Their music was a great blend of punk and the post-punk alternative of the era, and I bought every cd they released.

So today I saw that Kenny Chambers had released a new solo cd, and upon some searching, found out that this new one was more or less in tribute to his bandmates in Moving Targets, both of which had passed away in recent years. I did some more searches, and came across this blog post on the Moving Targets double cd, "Brave Noise / Burning in Water". "Brave Noise" was one of my favorite cassettes (there's the old-school again) back in 1988.

Here's the link:

Moving Targets - Brave Noise & Burning in Water (1986-88, Taang!)

My latest favorite (music) blog.

2010-09-04T12:44:00.005-07:00

It's no secret I'm a music junkie. I think I've said that more than a few times on this very site. One of my Saturday morning rituals is to drink coffee and scan blogs for fresh and exciting new music.

My Google Reader account has about 20 RSS feeds that showcase some very cool music blogs, and Can You See the Sunset from the Southside? is a great one. A kindred spirit where the love of music is clearly expressed and shared.

I can't even list all the bands I've been exposed to via this blog, but No Friends, Spanish Gamble, The Menzingers, Daylight, Gunner's Daughter, Juniper Tar, Gatorface... that's just a few.

He also does a "Pop Punk Junk" series that samples some great Pop-Punk, which I've always been a sucker for. Here's the latest one: Pop Punk Junk Vol. 14

freedy and coffee

2010-06-27T10:29:00.004-07:00

Sunday morning, woke up early, 6:30 am with a song playing in my head and looking at the clock with wonder and disdain. Why is it that I can go to bed at midnight on a Saturday night and be wide awake early Sunday morning? If I tried to pull that shit on a Tuesday, I'd wake up a grumpy mofo.

Anyway, the song was "Underwater Life" by Freedy Johnston. This is a guy I've sort of followed since '94, when the incredible "This Perfect World" cd came out, and "Bad Reputation" became firmly planted on my "Favorite Songs of All Time" list.

So as I'm just lying there just staring at the ceiling fan, I decided to pick up the Droid and re-affiliate myself with his stuff on Rhapsody.

Now, as rabid a music fan as I am, the one thing I truly cannot do is succinctly summarize a musician or a band — I've never been able to work in those terms like a decent critic can do. I can only tell you if I like it, and maybe even why.

Freedy Johnston is a singer-songwriter who's always been loved by the critics and hardcore fans, yet never been a success in a "moving units" context. "Bad Reputation" was his one true hit, in the same way that "Walking In Memphis" is the one song that Marc Cohn is widely known for.

He's someone that I think I appreciate more now that I'm in my forties, the kind of music I can close my eyes and imagine myself in a modern-ish condo in Chicago or a coffee shop in downtown Nashville. Maybe that's because Freedy himself is from podunk Kansas, but moved to NYC at an early age. His style suggests that comfortable middle Americana, but there's a sophistication that suggests more substance than "Aw shucks", more world-wise and refined than down home.

I also read a really great review of an intimate show he did recently in Boston, where the reviewer talks about being one of twenty-or-so people to see Freedy play in this large performance arts-type space. As a music geek, I can relate to having someone who plays music that you connect with on a deeper level, and then the thrill of seeing them up close and personal, and feeling like that small few that are there with you are sharing a secret that only those of you know about.

In any case, he expresses it much better than I, so it's a good read even if you don't know Freedy Johnston's music.

Excerpt:

"It was a tough night forFreedy Johnston. But it had nothing to do with the fact that only about 20 people had come to the Center for the Arts at the Armory in Somerville for his scarcely publicized show. And it wasn’t just because his guitar bit the dust earlier that day. Rather, he was frustrated because he could not properly tune the guitar he borrowed from opening act Mike Fiore to play the title track from his forthcoming, long-awaited album, “Rain in the City.” ...

The rest can be found at "Concert Review: Freedy Johnston" at safedigression.wordpress.com

I hope you check out his music when you get the chance.

I hope you get the same thrill I get.

- Freedy Johnston at Wikipedia

- Freedy Johnston on Myspace

Royal Court of China

2010-06-08T10:56:00.003-07:00

Back in '89 or '90 I stumbled across this band, Royal Court of China, and their 1989 CD "Geared & Primed". It was a straightforward rock for rock's sake album, you know the kind — after the hair metal backlash kicked in, bands went back to non-flashy rock 'n roll. Kinda like Guns & Roses before the drama.

Sadly, there were a LOT of craptastic bands doin' the same thing, and therefore few were memorable. And it wasn't that Geared & Primed was a great album, but there were definitely songs that I would show friends and would get played over and over. Songs like "Half the Truth" and "Six Empty Bottles" ("I've got six empty bottles of Tequila, and I'm thinkin' of you, not too clearly at the moment.") and "It Came Crashing Down the Staircase" made it worth the purchase.

Listen on Myspace

There aren't a lot of bands in this vein that got much notice, especially with grunge happening, but this album — along with The Poorboys "Pardon Me" (which you can get a used copy over at Amazon for a penny) — has songs that I STILL listen to, almost 20 years later.

LINKS:

Their Myspace page
Their website.
Google Blogspot search

Heard on Pandora (Part 1)

2010-05-21T14:15:00.006-07:00

Pandora is a great place to listen to music. Not only can you customize stations based on your listening preferences, Pandora also throws in stuff that you might like. I'e heard a lot of great songs that I may not otherwise have had the opportunity to hear.

It used to be Yahoo Music (when it was Launchcast), and Last.fm is pretty cool too, but Pandora is my (latest) favorite online radio site.

Here's some great songs I've loved lately:

(in no particular order)

Sweet Apple - "Do You Remember" - a 70-ish rocker from the latest side project of J. Mascis (Dinosuar Jr.). If you own a Camaro, roll the windows down and crank this one up.

Peter Wolf - "Tragedy (featuring Shelby Lynne)" - I was just blown away when I heard this song. I remember Mr. Wolf from the 80's band J. Geils Band — and truthfully, I had never considered checking out his solo stuff because of that. Then I heard this song. If all aging rockers had the ability to crank out sweet Stones-inspired tracks like this, the music world would be a better place. Or maybe I'm just getting old.

Justin Currie - "A Man with Nothing to Do" - I've been a big fan of Del Amitri since 1992's "Change Everything," which is (in my mind) a perfect pop record. So I was excited to hear Justin Currie's voice again, as his 2nd solo cd, "The Great War" has just come out. Will have to check more from this.

Country Music

2009-11-21T16:15:00.003-07:00

Lately I've been thinking it's funny how much I've been getting into country music, progressively more and more, in the last 10 years...

I've always loved music, and even when I was a metalhead as a kid, I still had that pop music side (VIZION with Lee Z), as well as punk rock, classic rock (Bob Seger, AC/DC, Kiss, Alice Cooper), hardcore, indie rock...

I've run sound for cover bands, sang in every band that would let me...

But as I get older, country stirs something in me that I can't describe. It's like hearing a James Taylor song — when I was a kid, our local radio played all that kind of stuff all the time (Steve Schaeffer at WNBT - did I spell it right? He's STILL DJ'ing today I bet) — as a kid, you don't have that emotional connection to it as you do when you're older.

Now when I hear "Country Road" (or "Fire & Rain"), it's like the journey has created all these layers to it... I think of my childhood and Mom having the radio on all the time, I think of Scott Turner playing at the Gaslight every Friday night when I was in my twenties and still figuring out who I was, I think of Sunday drives when you just jump in the car and crank up the radio and see where the music takes you.

Country music...

The Charley Pride records at my grandmother's house. Working at WalMart and having these country music promo videotapes that played George Jones and Reba in endless loops, and selling tons of Tim McGraw / Garth Brooks cd's to locals and wondering what all the fuss was about.
Huffman's Office Equipment on Main Street where they always had country music on, and I knew that Tiffany Stewart was just cringing must of the time because she'd much rather hear Type O Negative or Pink Floyd.
The time I helped Kevin @ KC101 do a live remote because I had radio experience and knew the console, then seeing the possibility of a guy doing it out of a house (I was soooo tempted to buy a transmitter and start doing pirate radio)

Which brings us to today... I had a recent phone call with an old friend, someone I met in my teens primarily because of our mutual love for heavy music, and became the best of friends for some 20+ years now. When he & I talk these days, invariably the conversation comes around to what music we're digging lately, and I kind of felt too weird about it to tell him that — although I still look for new music of many types these days — more and more it's country.

I wonder now why I didn't share that... why I held that part of me back? Is it because he'd likely razz me about it? Nah, because razzing each other for us, over 20+ years, has become an art form, and we're secure enough in who we are to not give a crap if the other one looks at us weird. Is it because I knew he wouldn't be able to relate? Maybe. We don't get to speak much these days, so I'm not going to spend a lot of time talking to him about something he will not relate to. I don't know.

But, yeah, I'm really getting more an more into country. It seems to stir something in me, like an old friend, or a memory of home. I have every Joe Nichols cd. I'm totally looking forward to the new Jimmy Wayne coming out next week (ironically, he's covering "Sara Smile", and you don't get much more WNBT/classic rock/old-school than a Daryl Hall & John Oates song like that one). I'm into guys like Keith Urban, Dierks Bentley, Gary Allan, Tim McGraw, and even George Strait. I'm getting into new country too, like Lady Antebellum and Love & Theft, Craig Morgan, Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, & Chris Young. I love the song "Small Town USA", I saw Vince Gill in concert a few years back.

I don't talk or post a lot about it. I don't know why. Maybe it's because I don't see a lot of other people talking about country music. Maybe it's because my wife sees that side of me every day, and that's enough. I don't know.

So, yeah. I love country music. I said it. It's out there.

I can even put it up there right next to my love for my beloved hard rock/heavy metal, and alternative rock, and adult alternative, and classic rock.

And there's exceptions too. There always are. I still can't stand the "Yee Haw" aspect, that "Woo hoo, play somethin' country" vibe, the Trailer Choir "rockin' the beer gut" type twangy country party tunes...

I can't stand "Eight Second Ride", or "Save a Horse, Ride a Cowboy". I have my limits.

But I'd be happy to tell you what I love. I always have been, and always will.

If you'd like to hear some of the songs I've into this year, you can check out my playlist 'Country '09' on Lala.com for free:

Country '09

2009-08-30T19:03:00.003-07:00

Really looking forward to a couple new albums coming out in September:

Will Hoge - The Wreckage

I've been listening to Will Hoge since "Blackbird On a Lonely Wire", and so far the new songs sound great.

You can check out a couple songs at: http://thewreckage.willhoge.com

Bob Schneider - Lovely Creatures

Bob Schneider amazes me. He's got many sides: drunken frat-party rock with The Ugly Americans and the Scabs... and the singer-songwriter vibe of his solo albums "Lonelyland" and "I'm Good Now."

Just go to his website and listen to some of his commentary (unless you don't like hearing him swear - profusely). He's funny, and a little out there.

But I always enjoy new songs from him, and the "40 Dogs (like Romeo and Juliet)" single sounds great.

Christmas Wish List

2009-06-02T13:48:00.006-07:00

Yeah, that's right, it's only the 2nd of June and I'm already starting a Christmas Wish List.

"What's wrong with you?," you say.

Well, it's not that I'm greedy, it's that I'm forgetful. So I thought I'd start a list here because it's easy to blog with Flock -- if I see something I want, I can just click the little "blog now" button.

Here's the first item (and these will be in no order of importance / want):

1) The new 120GB Playstation 3

Priced right, Sony's slim-line PlayStation 3 (120GB) bundles the top-notch features of the earlier PlayStation 3 into a smarter, sleeker package.

(from PC World)

Sony just remodeled PlayStation 3 and bumped it up to 120GB, and shaved $100 off the price — now for just $300 you get a BD-Live capable Blu-ray player with 1080p HDMI output, Bluetooth, 802.11g wireless, an upgradable 120GB hard drive, gigabit ethernet, 7.1 channel Dolby Digital audio support... and yeah, and it plays PlayStation 3 games, too.

It won't handle PlayStation 2 games, but we have a PS2, XBox 360, and a Wii... so I think we're covered.

I've been waiting to upgrade to a Blu-ray player, and now that I can also do Web surfing and picture browsing on my 50" big screen with this new Playstation, I think I found THE thing I want for Christmas.

Oh, and a new couch.

Here's the next item...

2) The WD TV HD 1080P Media Player

I'm always wishing I could get all the songs and pictures on my computer into the living room. I've yet to upgrade to BluRay, or get a network bridge connected to my TV / home theatre, so I've found a simple solution: the WD TV Media Player.

Here's what I found on Circuit City (price was $99.99)

Combined with a My Passport portable drive (sold separately), this player is the most convenient way to play HD movies or user-generated videos, listen to high-quality digital music and show high-resolution slideshows of your family photos on your TV. Also works with popular USB drives, and digital cameras, camcorders, and portable media players that can be recognized as mass storage devices.

Designed for My Passport, works with many other USB storage devices - Play content from most popular USB drives, digital cameras, camcorders, and portable media players that can be recognized as mass storage devices. Full HD video playback and navigation - up to 1080p - Experience the spectacular picture quality of HD video and crystal clear sound clarity of digital audio. Use the included remote control to navigate through your entertainment choices using our crisp, animated HD menus. Collect without limits - There's no limit to the size of your media collection, just add more USB drives for more space.

Detailed Features

A Closer Look

Screenshots

Features

Advanced navigation:
- Thumbnail and list views – Browse your content by filename or by thumbnails of photos, album covers and movie cover art.
- Media Library – This unique feature lets you view all your media by media type in one menu regardless of its location in folders or drives. You can view your content by categories such as genre, album, artist and date.
- Search – Search by genre, title, artist, filename and partial filename.
Photo viewing:
- Create custom slide shows with a variety of transitions and background music
- Zoom and pan
- Search by filename, partial filename, most recently viewed and date
Movie viewing:
- Fast forward, rewind, pause, zoom, and pan
- View subtitles
- Search by filename, partial filename, most recently viewed and date
Music playback:
- Fast forward, rewind, pause, shuffle, repeat
- Search by filename, partial filename, most recently viewed and date
Access two USB drives simultaneously:
- Two USB ports on the player let you connect two USB storage devices and access them simultaneously. Our Media Library feature aggregates the content on both drives into one list sorted by media type.
HDMI and composite video connections:
- The High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) port lets you connect to the highest quality HDTV or home theater. Additional composite (RCA) outputs ensure compatibility with virtually all television sets.
Includes free media conversion software:
- ArcSoft MediaConverter™ 2.5 -- a fast, easy-to-use application that converts photo, video, and music files into formats optimized for use on the WD TV HD Media Player.
Ultra-compact design:
- Fits easily into your entertainment center.
Ideal For:
- Hassle-free playback of HD movies, home videos, digital music, and photos on your TV.

Minimum System Requirements

My Passport portable hard drive or other USB storage device with supported video or audio content stored on it.
Standard or high definition television with HDMI or composite video connections

Blogged with the Flock Browser

FAIL

2009-06-02T13:07:00.003-07:00

One of my favorite sites lately is FAILBLOG.com. This stuff brings a smile to my face every time.

See more: Fail Blog

Blogged with the Flock Browser

233 pictures of me

2009-05-02T15:47:00.001-07:00

Just trying out the Windows Live Photo Gallery thing …

View Full Album

Make Do and Mend

2009-04-18T11:12:00.003-07:00

I am a huge Hot Water Music fan. I could go on and on about that band, but I won't -- that's not what this blog is about.

It IS about how influential they are, and how many bands that are now sounding a LOT like them, picking up the torch with gruff vocals and catchy melodies.

There have been a lot. Here's just a few:

Small Brown Bike (though they were around at the same time as HWM, so you can't really say they are following them)
Lock and Key — who ended as a band last year, which is sad because I think they were at their peak at that point (go download the 3 song demo tracks for FREE at Purevolume and see for yourself)
Iron Chic, who features Latterman alums Phil Douglas and Brian Crozier as well current members of Small Arms Dealer and The Agent

Then there's Make Do and Mend. They're from Hartford, CT, and I can't really say they're aping HWM's sound... more like taking the passion and the approach, and expanding on it.

I'm checking out their latest EP, "Bodies of Water", and I'm pretty blown away. There's "Shambles", which starts out the EP as kind of a Brand New moody-ish piece, which launches into "Winter Wasteland", which just cements what they guys are doing. The song rocks.

From there, it's more of the same: up-tempo passionate rock that channels "Caution"-era melody and passion.

Look, I'm not good at elaborating about "nuances" and the "guitars buzzing like..." metaphors that rock critics use. I can only tell you that if you like any of the bands I mentioned above, you'll like Make Do and Mend.

— Note: here's a little bonus excerpt from a review I found about "Bodies of Water":

"Confession time. If Make Do and Mend didn’t put this record up on their website for free, I probably wouldn’t have listened to them. The problem lies in the reality that gruff punk is becoming dangerously watered down; everyone claims to be the new Chuck and Chris when in truth it’s your standard punk songs with whisky soaked vocals. Very rarely do the pretenders match the technical rhythms and bitter-sweet lyrics that gained Hot Water Music such a rabid fan base. So why should I spend more money on another clone?

Consider me shamed because whilst the HWM influence is clear, something else is at work. On ‘Bodies of Water’, Make Do and Mend have captured the knack for huge melodies, they have bottled the sadness of a thousand shoe-gazers and they have melded the two into an EP drenched in sincerity, ambition and passion."

Read the rest of the review over at Daily Dischord.

Make Do and Mend links:

Band Website — Myspace — Last.fm

The Dead Satellites

2009-03-28T18:31:00.005-07:00

There is one artist, Matthew Ryan, who I can say, with full confidence, is my favorite discovery of the last decade. This singer-songwriter has consistently blown me away, both with his brilliance and his passion.

Once again I am just amazed by his latest endeavor....

From Matthew's blog on Myspace:

I've began an informal side project with Greg Richling and Rami Jaffee. We're calling it The Dead Satellites. It's beautiful, ugly and cinematic stuff. I wrote the lyrics, sang and added some music here and there. Greg and Rami built the tracks and played most everything. And of course, my good friend Brian Bequette played some guitar on the rather horny, If I Wanted You (I Could Have You). I'm pasting the Press Release info just below, because it say everything more concisely than I'll ever achieve. I hope you'll give it a listen. And you have my whole-hearted permission to share the songs as much as you like. We're doing this for the love of it, there is no label involved. So, truth is, we're depended on you sharing it. We want people to hear these songs. We're just gonna add songs to our Dead Satellites myspace as we complete them. So far there are two - Shook Down and If I Wanted You, I Could Have You.

Best,M

MATTHEW RYAN GIVING AWAY NEW SONG ON THE INTERNET

"Shook Down" marks the debut of Ryan's new project, The Dead Satellites - a collaboration with producer and long time member of The Wallflowers, Greg Richling and Rami Jaffee of Foo Fighters/WallFlowers

NASHVILLE, TN - Matthew Ryan, one of America's "most captivating singer/songwriters on the current scene" (-The Republican), is offering a free download of his new project's debut single, "Shook Down". The collaboration with Greg Richling, a record producer and long time member of The Wallflowers and Rami Jaffee, of Foo Fighters and The Wallflowers, under The Dead Satellites moniker, is a meditation on the economy and greed.

"It's a song about the economic narcissism of the insiders that lead to our current financial crisis," Ryan says. "The song is essentially calling for a coup, or at the very least, accountability."

"With 'Shook Down', Matthew came up with a timely and powerful lyric, perfectly complimenting the music," adds fellow collaborator Greg Richling. "He is one of the finest songwriter's in America and I'm so blessed to have the chance to work with him."

At the heart of the song are victims of the crisis- regular working-class folks facing unemployment, going uninsured, foreclosure, and worse, all without a voice: "Workers on the news/They take it in the gut/And in the kingdom's view/It doesn't mean that much." The song concludes with a powerful chant torn from the headlines: "The average CEO makes 400 times what the average worker makes."

"On a personal note, I've watched my Dad go from a fairly comfortable retirement, to a stressed malaise," Ryan says. " It pisses me off. He worked 35 years, saved every penny, invested what he earned, and is now feeling took."

As far as The Dead Satellites go, it's an informal but potent collaboration.. The purpose is simple: "I want people to hear the music. There's no label involved," Ryan says. "It's just a couple of guys wanting a song to be heard in such strange times. A song always has the ability to comfort or rally people around an idea."

In the meantime Ryan is writing and recording a new solo record, building upon the success of his two most recent indie releases, From A Late Night High Rise in 2007 and Matthew Ryan Vs The Silver State in 2008.

Ryan and Richling are making "Shook Down" available for FREE on The Dead Satellites MySpace page, and there is a the direct download link for fans to share anywhere: http://cache.reverbnation.com/widgets/swf/31/widgetPlayerMicro.swf?emailPlaylist=artist_405799&backgroundcolor=1D1A1A&font_color=F61607&posted_by=artist_405799&shuffle=&autoPlay=false

The Dead Satellites plan to release songs on their myspace page as they finish. For songs and updates, check out: Myspace.com/thedeadsatellites

For further information, please contact THINK PRESS:Monica Hopman / (818) 291-9513 / monica@thinkpress.net

Links:
myspace.com/thedeadsatellites

myspace.com/matthewryan

Another article:
Matthew Ryan's The Dead Satellites Give Away Protest Song "Shook Down"

Chickenfoot

2009-03-27T10:55:00.002-07:00

I just heard about this... seems that former Van Halen members Sammy Hagar and Michael Anthony, Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith and guitar virtuoso Joe Satriani have banded together to form the supergroup Chickenfoot.

Wow. Check this out:

Sammy Hagar

For some people, his joining Van Halen was a sin committed against rock and roll, but frankly, I always thought that was bullshit... there was Van Halen Part I, and Van Halen Part II, and to me they were separate entities, each meant to be weighed by its own might and influence.

Van Halen, Part I, was a juggernaut. Pure and simple. I mean, the album Van Halen is and always will be a classic, and extremely influentual. Just think of what rock and roll would have been like if that album hadn't been let loose! C'mon! Running With the Devil! You Really Got Me! I could go on and on about Van Halen with Mr. Roth on vocals. But I won't. That's not the focus here.
Van Halen part II: Sammy Hagar. I've been a Sammy Hagar fan since 1981, when I first heard "I'll Fall in Love Again" from the album "Standing Hampton". His music seemed like the perfect mix of great hooks, a cool voice, and harder-edged rock. Three Lock Box had great songs, VOA had great songs, the supergroup HSAS had great songs (such a great album, and barely anyone knew about it).

Then he joined Van Halen in 1986, 5150 came out, and I loved it. No, really, I mean I LOVED IT!

I don't need to expand further, because you know the rest...

Chad Smith

Chad Smith, the Red Hot Chili Peppers. I don't need to say more, do I?

Joe Satriani

Joe Satriani is arguably one of the best rock guitarists of the last 20 years. His students have included Kirk Hammett of Metallica, Marty Friedman of Megadeth, David Bryson of Counting Crows, Kevin Cadogan from Third Eye Blind, Larry LaLonde of Primus, Possessed, Alex Skolnick of Testament, Rick Hunolt of Exodus, Phil Kettner of Lääz Rockit, Geoff Tyson of T-Ride, and Charlie Hunter. When his friend and former student Steve Vai gained fame playing with David Lee Roth in 1986, Vai raved about Satriani in several interviews with guitar magazines. What more can I say?

So, Chickenfoot. I'm gonna keep an eye on this. It should be interesting at the very least...

Links:

Rolling Stone article:
http://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2009/03/25/chickenfoot-supergroup-of-van-halen-chili-peppers-members-satriani-ready-debut

Chickenfoot on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?profile&id=44512487307

Blabbermouth.net:
http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=116811

and the Chickenfoot website:
http://www.chickenfoot.us/

Big Three auto CEOs flew private jets to ask for taxpayer money

2008-11-20T10:46:00.003-07:00

Yet ANOTHER story coming out now exposes MORE arrogance, hubris, and greed:

Auto Executives flew in PRIVATE JETS to Washington to ask US to give them money!

From CNN:

Big Three auto CEOs flew private jets to ask for taxpayer money

(CNN) -- Some lawmakers lashed out at the CEOs of the Big Three auto companies Wednesday for flying private jets to Washington to request taxpayer bailout money.

Chrysler CEO Robert Nardelli, left, and Ford CEO Alan Mulally testify on Capitol Hill on Wednesday.

"There is a delicious irony in seeing private luxury jets flying into Washington, D.C., and people coming off of them with tin cups in their hand, saying that they're going to be trimming down and streamlining their businesses," Rep. Gary Ackerman, D-New York, told the chief executive officers of Ford, Chrysler and General Motors at a hearing of the House Financial Services Committee.

"It's almost like seeing a guy show up at the soup kitchen in high hat and tuxedo. It kind of makes you a little bit suspicious."

He added, "couldn't you all have downgraded to first class or jet-pooled or something to get here? It would have at least sent a message that you do get it."

The executives -- Alan Mulally of Ford, Robert Nardelli of Chrysler and Richard Wagoner of GM -- were seeking support for a $25 billion loan package. Later Wednesday, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid reversed plans to hold a test vote on the measure.

An aide told CNN that Reid decided to cancel the test vote when it became clear the measure would fall well short of the 60 votes needed. Reid did, however, make a procedural move that could allow a vote on a compromise, which several senators from auto-producing states were feverishly trying to craft.

At Wednesday's hearing, Rep. Brad Sherman, D-California, pressed the private-jet issue, asking the three CEOs to "raise their hand if they flew here commercial."

Don't Miss

CNNMoney: More trouble for auto bailout

GM plant's closing like death knell in Dayton

Blog: Motor bosses arrive for bailout talks on private jets

Commentary: Fixing the Big Three

"Let the record show, no hands went up," Sherman said. "Second, I'm going to ask you to raise your hand if you are planning to sell your jet in place now and fly back commercial. Let the record show, no hands went up."

The executives did not specifically respond to those remarks. In their testimony, they said they are streamlining business operations in general. Watch Nardelli ask for help »

When contacted by CNN, the three auto companies defended the CEOs' travel as standard procedure.

Like many other major corporations, all three have policies requiring their CEOs to travel in private jets for safety reasons.

"Making a big to-do about this when issues vital to the jobs of millions of Americans are being discussed in Washington is diverting attention away from a critical debate that will determine the future health of the auto industry and the American economy," GM spokesman Tom Wilkinson said in a statement.

Chrysler spokeswoman Lori McTavish said in a statement, "while always being mindful of company costs, all business travel requires the highest standard of safety for all employees."

Ford spokeswoman Kelli Felker pointed to the company's travel policy and did not provide a statement elaborating.

But those statements did little to mollify the critics.

"If it is simply the company's money at stake, then only the shareholders can be upset or feel as it might be excessive," said Thomas Schatz, president of the watchdog group Citizens Against Government Waste.

But in this case, he said, "it's outrageous."

"They're coming to Washington to beg the taxpayers to help them. It's unseemly to be running around on a $20,000 flight versus a $500 round trip," Schatz added.

The companies did not disclose how much the flights cost.

Analysts contacted by CNN noted that the prices vary with the size of the plane and the crew, and whether the aircraft is leased or owned by the company.

Analyst Richard Aboulafia of the Teal Group said that $20,000 is a legitimate ballpark figure for a round trip corporate jet flight between Detroit, Michigan, and Washington. When asked whether they plan to change their travel policies as part of the restructuring needed to shore up their finances, none of the companies answered directly. But they said they have cut back on travel in general as revenues have fallen.

BMX memories, 20 some odd years later

2008-11-15T16:43:00.002-07:00

The other day I was looking at a website called BMX Museum, where this guy collects and restores BMX bikes from the 80's, and also allows other people to post pictures of old-school bikes that they have.

It was a nice trip down memory lane for me. As I tell my wife, anyone who knew me back then will tell you I was ALWAYS on my bike...

Well, except for when I was either:

1) Flirting with girls at Packer Park
2) Out drinking somewhere

Anyhow, my family was pretty poor, and although I'd walk into Bike City and dream about getting one of the many cool bikes I wanted (GT, Hutch, Redline, Kuwahara), we couldn't afford it.

My friends felt badly for me, so they threw togther a bike out of spare parts they had. It wasn't pretty, and nothing matched, but I didn't care. I could finally ride with them. And we rode ALL over town. We were OBNOXIOUS!

At one point we had this jump over by the Acme grocery store, it was this big pile of dirt that they had built up to put a gas station in (I think it was called the Downtown TimeSaver). We'd line up in the parking lot, pedal our asses off, and hit that jump.

I remember that different kids had different style. Some of us were really smooth, like Jamie Sherman, "Gunner" Chris Gundersen, Jon Keck -- and others had a lot of talent doing 'trick" jumps (Bill Rawson was a freak). I think Twit (Greg Hoke) even fell into the creek there with his bike and got hurt. I don't remember that too well.

Then there was me. I had NO style. I just always went fast and hit it hard. One time we were jumping up by Bill Rawson's house and I TOTALLY hit a jump too fast and LAUNCHED, like, 20 feet past the landing! On my ASS! It was embarrassing.

So, back to the Acme parking lot. On one fine day, there was a group of us hitting the jump, showing off, busting each others' balls. A couple of us (I think it may have been Ronnie Arthur or Brian Losinger) just decided to see how FAR we could jump, and I was DEFINITELY into that.

So I started pretty much over by Main Street, and starting booking across the parking lot. My bike was mostly steel parts, so it was HEAVY, which was a disadvantage if you wanted to fly. Man, I hit that jump as fast as I could, and FLEW! Like almost to the OTHER SIDE of this big pile of dirt, around 20-30 feet maybe.

Then my bike snapped. LOUDLY. Broke the frame. That was it for me. You can't ride a bike with a broken frame.

It sucked.

Some time later, my mom's boyfriend at the time (now my stepfather) went down to see Gary at Bike City and bought me this beautiful lavender GT he had hanging on the wall. I had been LUSTING after that GT because it was DIFFERENT that what everyone else was riding — Jamie had his Patterson, Jon Keck his Reach, Vern had a Kuwahara, Rawdog had a beautiful Redline, Jamie Morral and Rip White both had Hutch bikes — all nice bikes. And it wasn't like no one had GT's, but this one was PURPLE. Fucking purple! And I wanted it for THAT REASON.

To me, having a purple bike, when I knew how kids would talk shit about it (and me), was like a big "FUCK YOU!" And I was an angry kid.
BMX Plus! magazine, June 1985
23Mag.com, memories of BMX

To say I lived to be on that bike was an understatement. Probably one of the most important things to happen to me in my teenage years. That bike gave me pride and self-worth. To some people that may sound silly, because it was just a bike, but for me it was the nicest thing that anyone had ever bought for me. It wasn't a piece of shit. I could finally ride and not feel like the poor kid with the crappy bike. That purple GT was my LIFE.

Over the years I helped build Wellsboro's BMX track. I joined Price Pharmacy's BMX team (thank you John & Sandy). I raced to a 2nd place at the State Championships. I never could do many tricks, although I did learn how to coast backwards (once rolling down the entire length of Main Street).

And I went FAST.

- - -

Fast forward 20-plus years, and I still get nostalgic about that bike. I STILL wonder what happened to it — what asshole stole it, where it is now.

So, I was looking on BMX Museum, hoping to see some bike that even looked CLOSE to my old bike. Sadly, I haven't seen one yet. I've seen a lot of beautiful bikes on there, and once or twice I've seen purple GT's, but they're usually a Mach One, which was more of cheaper, entry-level GT (which the wanna-be's rode, ha ha).

The thing that's pretty amazing now is that for guys like me in our late 30's, those bikes now are worth a FORTUNE. I kid you not. There was a rare bike I once owned (which ALSO was stolen), a Hutch Judge Series, that recently sold for a rumored $5000. Yes, five-THOUSAND.I guess if you're nostalgic enough, there's a price that can be paid for a memory.

I wish I still had my bikes, any of them. Just to be able to see them again, sit on them, take a spin around the block (and like like a fool - some old guy on a kid's bike)... try to recapture that FEELING I always had on my bike...

FREEDOM.

EXHILERATION.

Going f***ing FAST.

Store all your songs online and access them anywhere

2008-10-22T10:48:00.003-07:00

I've been a fan of a site called LALA.COM for quite a while now, initially using it as a place to trade cds (you'd create "have" and "want" lists and LaLa would help you set up trades with other users, even providing you the postage-paid envelopes). Then Lala became a music site not unlike Rhapsody or others: you can listen to music, or pay 89 or 99 cents to download. I began using it as my one-stop site for new music, listening to whole albums and downloading the songs I really liked. In many cases I would also list that cd as a "want", and see if I could trade on of my cd's for it.

Recently LaLa added another cool feature to their site: a music locker. This lets you store songs from your personal library on Lala's Web servers, and then access them from any computer later. Instead of having a Windows Media Player library at home, and then a second library at work, and then a third library on our laptop, I can now just log into my account at Lala and listen to any song I own. Granted, it's not top-notch sound quality, and the interface is sometimes a little awkward, but it's all there: every single song I have had on any computer I own.

Here's a recent article about it:
Lala's awesome music locker service | Digital Noise: Music and Tech - CNET News

Welcome to the Recession

2008-10-15T17:07:00.006-07:00

"Migrant Mother," 1936 Dorothea Lange (read more)

What is making me laugh lately is all this speculation of "Are we heading into a recession?"

It seems to me we ARE in a recession. People are decidedly NOT spending their money. And why should they? The threat of losing a job or a home, and suddenly NEEDING that money, is keeping most of us from taking any cash out from under the mattress.

I also think that the media and the financial prognosticators are LOATHE to actually say we're in a recession now, because with human nature, to say it's true is to make it true. You only have to look at the run-on-the-bank days of the Great Depression. Financially, we are like lemmings. Panic is VERY contagious.

Here's an article I saw on AOL:

Stocks plunge anew as data points to recession

Investors agonizing over a faltering economy sent the stock market plunging all over again Wednesday after a stream of disheartening data convinced Wall Street that a recession, if not already here, is inevitable.

The market's despair propelled the Dow Jones industrials down 733 points to their second-largest point loss ever, and the major indexes all lost at least 7 percent.The slide meant that the Dow, which fell 76 points on Tuesday, has given back all but 127 points of its record 936-point gain of Monday, which came on optimism about the banking system in response to the government's plans to invest up to $250 billion in financial institutions.

Wednesday's sell-off began after the government's report that retail sales plunged in September by 1.2 percent — almost double the 0.7 percent analysts expected — made it clear that consumers are reluctant to spend amid a shaky economy and a punishing stock market.

The Commerce Department report was sobering because consumer spending accounts for more than two-thirds of U.S. economic activity.

The reading came as Wall Street was refocusing its attention on the faltering economy following stepped up government efforts to revive the stagnant lending markets.Then, during the afternoon, the release of the Beige Book, the assessment of business conditions from the Federal Reserve, added to investors' angst. The report found that the economy continued to slow in the early fall as financial and credit market problems took a turn for the worse. The central bank's report supported the market's belief that difficulties in obtaining loans have choked growth in wide swaths of the economy.

"Even though the banking sector may be returning to normal, the economy still isn't. The economy continues to face a host of other problems," said Doug Roberts, chief investment strategist at ChannelCapitalResearch.com. "We're in for a tough ride."

Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke offered a similar opinion, warning in a speech Wednesday that patching up the credit markets won't provide an instantaneous jolt to the economy. "Stabilization of the financial markets is a critical first step, but even if they stabilize as we hope they will, broader economic recovery will not happen right away," he told the Economic Club of New York.

Analysts have warned that the market will see continued volatility as it tries to recover from the devastating losses of the last month, including the nearly 2,400-point plunge in the Dow over the eight sessions that ended Friday. Such turbulence is typical after a huge decline, but the market's anxiety about the economy was also expected to cause gyrations in the weeks and months ahead.

See the rest of the article here: Stocks plunge anew as data points to recession - AOL Money & Finance

Happiness

2008-08-15T13:29:00.001-07:00

I'm at a weird place right now, and even deciding where to start to explain it is tough.

I'm just not happy.

Even in saying that, I feel I have to take stock in what I DO have:

I love my wife, she's wonderful. She's everything I always wanted in a partner.

I have a job that pays well for the work that I do -- I'm essentially paid for what I am able to do when the situation arises, not what I'm physically doing all day.

I have a pretty new house, it's only a few years old and in great shape (no need for major repairs). It's not as big as it could be, but it's cheap.

I drive a decent car, a 2001 Honda Accord, and my wife drives an '05 Accord. They're both safe, relatively fuel-efficient, and the car payment for the '01 is only $200 a month.

We're healthy (as far as we know).

We're not poor.

We have stuff (3 computers, 50" plasma TV, high definition channels, a washer and dryer, a dishwasher, etc...)

I guess what I'm saying here is that I have no clear reason to not be happy. I have all I need.

But it doesn't seem to be enough.

There's an emptiness. There's want.

I'm finding myself constantly wondering what it is that I need, what I am looking for, what it is that I'm missing.

I wonder if I'm unfulfilled somehow.

I wonder if I'm just self-absorbed.

I wonder if I've just been conditioned to believe I need more (wouldn't you LOVE to have a bigger house, a nicer car, better clothes, a bluetooth/MP3/GPS phone, hardwood floors, a well-stocked liquor cabinet, cool shoes, expensive toys? We're BOMBARDED every day by ads telling us we should HAVE IT ALL).

I'm frustrated. I know I should be happy, content. But I'm not.

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Band Alert

2008-07-14T11:47:00.002-07:00

Lately I've been digging this band Throw the Fight, with their catchy blend of rock/emo/alternative rock/hard rock — not unlike Bullet For My Valentine, but maybe not as heavy.

Their Blogspot page
Their Myspace page
Their website
Their Purevolume page
On Google

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Recession-Plagued Nation Demands New Bubble To Invest In

2008-07-14T11:22:00.002-07:00

The Onion cracks me up sometimes. Generally when I go to their site, there are a few posts that strike me as BRILLIANT satire.

The post below is one of them:

Recession-Plagued Nation Demands New Bubble To Invest In

July 14, 2008 | Issue 44•29

WASHINGTON—A panel of top business leaders testified before Congress about the worsening recession Monday, demanding the government provide Americans with a new irresponsible and largely illusory economic bubble in which to invest.

"What America needs right now is not more talk and long-term strategy, but a concrete way to create more imaginary wealth in the very immediate future," said Thomas Jenkins, CFO of the Boston-area Jenkins Financial Group, a bubble-based investment firm. "We are in a crisis, and that crisis demands an unviable short-term solution."

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A prominent finance expert asks Congress to help Americans rebuild their ficticious dreams.

The current economic woes, brought on by the collapse of the so-called "housing bubble," are considered the worst to hit investors since the equally untenable dot-com bubble burst in 2001. According to investment experts, now that the option of making millions of dollars in a short time with imaginary profits from bad real-estate deals has disappeared, the need for another spontaneous make-believe source of wealth has never been more urgent.

"Perhaps the new bubble could have something to do with watching movies on cell phones," said investment banker Greg Carlisle of the New York firm Carlisle, Shaloe & Graves. "Or, say, medicine, or shipping. Or clouds. The manner of bubble isn't important—just as long as it creates a hugely overvalued market based on nothing more than whimsical fantasy and saddled with the potential for a long-term accrual of debts that will never be paid back, thereby unleashing a ripple effect that will take nearly a decade to correct."

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"The U.S. economy cannot survive on sound investments alone," Carlisle added.

Congress is currently considering an emergency economic-stimulus measure, tentatively called the Bubble Act, which would order the Federal Reserve to† begin encouraging massive private investment in some fantastical financial scheme in order to get the nation's false economy back on track.

Current bubbles being considered include the handheld electronics bubble, the undersea-mining-rights bubble, and the decorative office-plant bubble. Additional options include speculative trading in fairy dust—which lobbyists point out has the advantage of being an entirely imaginary commodity to begin with—and a bubble based around a hypothetical, to-be-determined product called "widgets."

The most support thus far has gone toward the so-called paper bubble. In this appealing scenario, various privately issued pieces of paper, backed by government tax incentives but entirely worthless, would temporarily be given grossly inflated artificial values and sold to unsuspecting stockholders by greedy and unscrupulous entrepreneurs.

"Little pieces of paper are the next big thing," speculator Joanna Nadir, of Falls Church, VA said. "Just keep telling yourself that. If enough people can be talked into thinking it's legitimate, it will become temporarily true."

Demand for a new investment bubble began months ago, when the subprime mortgage bubble burst and left the business world without a suitable source of pretend income. But as more and more time has passed with no substitute bubble forthcoming, investors have begun to fear that the worst-case scenario—an outcome known among economists as "real-world repercussions"—may be inevitable.

"Every American family deserves a false sense of security," said Chris Reppto, a risk analyst for Citigroup in New York. "Once we have a bubble to provide a fragile foundation, we can begin building pyramid scheme on top of pyramid scheme, and before we know it, the financial situation will return to normal."

Despite the overwhelming support for a new bubble among investors, some in Washington are critical of the idea, calling continued reliance on bubble-based economics a mistake. Regardless of the outcome of this week's congressional hearings, however, one thing will remain certain: The calls for a new bubble are only going to get louder.

"America needs another bubble," said Chicago investor Bob Taiken. "At this point, bubbles are the only thing keeping us afloat."

- Suspicious Package Industry Falls On Hard Times April 9, 2008

The War on Drugs

2008-07-10T11:41:00.008-07:00

I ran across a news article just now stating that 2 guys were arrested in the Tucson area with nearly 2 million dollars worth of pot.

Here's the info:

TUCSON- Two men have been arrested in connection with the seizure of nearly 2 tons of marijuana, authorities said.

Arnulfo Vega MontaIno and Guillermo Carrillo Garcia were taken into custody in connection with the seizure, according to Sgt. Mark Morlock of the Counter Narcotics Alliance - a multi agency task force.

Morlock said the marijuana, which weighed approximately 4,000 pounds, was seized from a vehicle during a traffic stop and from a home Tuesday.

MontaIno was arrested on a charge of transportation of marijuana for sale while Garcia was arrested on conspiracy to transport marijuana for sale.

Detectives then went to Garcia's home where they found 2,200 pounds of marijuana in the laundry room and another 1,000 pounds in the back of another truck that hadn't been unloaded.

Authorities said the marijuana had street value of about $2 million.

This immediately made me think to myself:

1) Damn, that's a LOT of f**king pot!

2) Why is marijuana still even illegal?

I haven't smoked pot since I was in my twenties, but I know a lot of people who do, and they don't cause any trouble (and if they do, certainly not as much trouble as they do when they're drunk.

They aren't robbing people/stores for drug money. They aren't panhandling for quick money so they can go get a fix. They aren't getting baked and then going out and crashing their cars. They aren't jumping off of buildings or stripping down naked in drug-induced hallucinations and dementia.

Think about these common arguments against it:

Pot's a gateway drug. C'mon! If anything, ALCOHOL's THE gateway drug. I bet that statistically, people who have tried any drug - any drug period - started with alcohol first.

Intoxication is the same, regardless of the drug. Again, c'mon! I have seen more people get in their cars drunk and drive like stupid idiots, then those who are high. If you could magically turn every person who's driving drunk, into someone who's driving high, I'd feel a certainly feel a lot safer on the highway. Have you ever seen anyone drive high? They are the slowest, most paranoid "Am I keeping it between the lines" driver on the road. I'd even go so far as to suggest a high-school girl with a cell hone to her ear is the BIGGER threat!

My point here is this: I think that keeping pot illegal is stupid. Make it legal, tax it and control it like alcohol, keep people under control by keeping the DUI and public intoxication laws, and take the MONEY out of the hands of people smuggling and dealing.

Look, I know this is an INCREDIBLY oversimplified argument towards decriminalization. There are a lot of valid arguments against this thinking.

All I'm saying is this: we've seen that PROHIBITION doesn't work — isn't it time to take a long hard look at the WAR ON DRUGS, and take marijuana off the list?

Metalcore

2008-07-04T11:25:00.002-07:00

Just like with hardcore, I'm not as big into Metalcore as I once was. At one point, I was fully into Hatebreed, played their cd "Satisfaction is the Death of Desire" constantly - simply an AMAZING release, and considered by many to be a classic - probably one that brought metalcore further into the mainstream than it's ever been.

Flash forward ten years, and I'm married now, and have a good-paying job that helps bring the creature comforts when I want them. Simply put, I'm just not as ANGRY now. Sure, I have my moments, but as a whole, there's not a lot of heavy music lately that WOWS me like it used to... except maybe Lamb of God's "Ashes of the Wake" or Thowdown's "Vendetta".

Thinking about it now, the thing that has always made a heavy album stand out for me has been if the band can write good hooks, and create songs that are memorable for more than just being heavy.

A recent cd that caught my attention has been Sworn Enemy's "Maniacal."

"Maniacal" has hooks. Period. I was never really into Sworn Enemy all that much. I couldn't really tell you why - maybe it was the vocals, maybe it was simply I didn't find the songs all that memorable.

With "Maniacal", it seems that Sworn Enemy has learned how to turn up the HOOK quotient. Check out this review from AMG's Alex Henderson:

"Much has been written on metal and hardcore websites about the evolution of Sworn Enemy, who came out of New York City's hardcore scene in 1997 and became increasingly thrash metal-minded as time went on. This 2007 recording/2008 release definitely turns up the thrash factor, drawing on influences like Slayer, Exodus, Megadeth, and Anthrax. But Sworn Enemy haven't forgotten their hardcore roots; in fact, "thrashy metalcore" is probably the best way to describe Maniacal, which was produced by Tim Lambesis (of As I Lay Dying fame) and guitarist Joey Z. (Life of Agony).

Lead singer Sal LoCoco still sounds like a hardcore/metalcore vocalist; he screams and yells his way through this 34-minute CD, never failing to sound angry and rage-filled. And Sworn Enemy have no problem making metalcore and thrash sound like a perfectly logical combination because that is exactly what they are. It's true that hardcore and thrash had different beginnings; hardcore was a direct offshoot of punk, and thrash came about when headbangers were influenced by punk and starting playing a lot faster (Motörhead was arguably the first thrash metal/speed metal band, and the likes of Venom, Slayer, and Metallica weren't far behind).

Essentially, hardcore was punks acknowledging metal, while thrash was metalheads acknowledging punk -- and on Maniacal, punk and metal elements unite to create a loud, vicious, head-kicking sensory assault. There are, of course, numerous bands engaging in metalcore-related activities in the 21st century, but the thing that ultimately makes Maniacal worthwhile is the band's ability to come up with a fair amount of strong hooks.

Perhaps working with Hatebreed's Jamey Jasta taught them the value of hooks -- Hatebreed, after all, has had some of metalcore's best hooks -- and while Maniacal isn't quite as consistent as it could have been, it is still a generally decent example of Sworn Enemy's ability to thrash their way through metalcore."

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Hardcore

2008-07-02T19:34:00.002-07:00

I've always been a quiet fan of hardcore. There are sooooo many bands I could name here that would give you an idea, but here's a couple:

There are so many, some of them straight-edge, some post-hardcore. But no matter what the label was, the music's aggression and a sense of striving for unity, responsibility, respect -- it all spoke to me. I'm almost 40 now, and hardcore's come a long long way. It's no longer a common thing for me to get excited about a new hardcore band. But just the other day I got a sampler that had a song that grabbed me and made me want to check out the band.

Here's that song: Soul Control - "On Survival"

Check out their Myspace page too if you're interested. www.myspace.com/soulcontrolhc

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Pandora Internet Radio

2008-07-02T16:41:00.003-07:00

Internet radio has been around for a long time, and I'm tried my share of sites / programs streaming music over the 'net. Remember MusicMatch? Spinner? Live365?Well, my favorite place for online radio as of late has been Pandora.com.

Pandora is based around something called the Music Genome Project® -- and essentially you tell it what you like -- a song, or an artist -- and it starts playing. You then tell it what you like and don't like by giving a "thumbs up" or a "thumbs down" to each song.

You really have to try it. Creating your own customized station is SO easy. I have 5 differents stations; two are based around the bands Anberlin and Hot Water Music, and the others are "genre" related: Alternative Rock, Hard Rock, and Adult Alternative.

I've turned so many people on to this site I should get spiffed. Hey Pandora, how about a referral program, huh?

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Mmmmmm... Eclipse

2008-02-22T15:22:00.001-07:00

Mmmmmm... Eclipse, originally uploaded by 4Durt.

Wow, it's been a long, long time since I've blogged on here. Quite often it's on my MySpace page(s) where I post my crap.

Anyway, Flickr has become one of my favorite sites of the last few years, due to my second passion: photos. I absolutely LOVE looking at photos.

Since February is almost over, taking with it birthdays, lunar eclipses, dealing with the flu, Valentine's Day, and the Superbowl -- I thought this picture would serve as a nice way to tie it up.