Because I realized just how big of a thief I really am.
Hour of the Wolf/Lewd Acts-Split EP. Really very solid stuff. HOTW are already one of the most underrated bands in punk/hardcore, and these three tracks further prove why they should be bigger. Fast, catchy, good lyrics, and pretty damn fun. Lewd Acts has been a band I've been meaning to check out for some, but these four tracks from them REALLY make me wish I had done it sooner. No bullshit here, pissed off punk with a slight hardcore influence. Last track is probably my favorite off of the whole split. My love for this drove me to download...
Lewd Acts-Dark Days. Fast, cool. angry. Just liked I expected. Their interview on hardtimes.ca only helped build my interest in them and this cements them as a crucial band in my book.
Misery Index-Traitors. One of the few death/grind bands I can still stand (and listen to regularly) and this was one of my most anticipated releases of the year. Kurt Ballou not only plays guitar for one of my favorite acts, Converge, but has produced many of my favorite records of the past few years (Modern Life is War, Hope Conspiracy, Disfear, and Blacklisted to name a few) and he doesn't disappoint here. They haven't sounded this alive in a long time, and the grind and crust influences are stronger than ever here. The re-recorded version of "Ruling Class Cancelled" with guest vocals from Tomas Lindberg is badass as well.
Negative FX/Last Rights-Discography. All the shit I've heard about Jack Kelly still didn't stop me from checking this out. I'll admit, Ceremony's cover of "Feel Like a Man" played a part in me checking it out as well. You can feel the hostility and anger of the 80s here and even the last track, a live one from their gig at Mission of Burma's last show, gave me an understanding of what they were. Dudes might have had an unintentional hand in giving birth to hardline (which I hate) but this music is damn impressive.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Fakes Like You (Make Me Sick)
Yesterday was probably one of the worst days I've had, in terms of health at least. There wasn't a single time within an hour where I didn't have to use the bathroom. While I think its entirely possible that I caught a bug from eating at Taco Bell (something that I don't do very often), its more likely that some drunken fratboy passed something on to me at the Flogging Molly concert on Friday.
And speaking of that, there is no worse feeling in the world as a music fan than when one of your favorite bands' fanbase suddenly becomes infected with these guys.
The scum of all music fans, the frats. They don't really know much about the band, minus that one AWESOME DRINKING SONG THEY GOT, and don't really believe in respect for those around them, but they're going to the show anyway. They worship Sublime and think Jack Johnson is a poet. They just want an excuse to drink and act rowdy. They'll mosh to anything with distortion and even if it calls for it, the radio.
These guys absolutely ruined the show for me, and for quite a few in attendance as well. It was my fourth time seeing Flogging Molly, and my second time seeing the Loved Ones (who were great, even with the obnoxious trash who thought they were "too emo"). You could NOT not be sucked into the pit at this show. Heck even my mother, who will be 60 in July 2010, was being pushed and crushed by their drunken stupidity. This also marked the first time I've ever purposely uppercutted someone in the balls. I think my biggest gripe with the whole experience though was comparing this to another show: I had to attend As I Lay Dying a few months ago (due to many friends wanting to go, I offered to be the nice guy and drive them). Security was about as strict as a giant outdoor concert that night, yet at this show, they could clearly see people being physically hurt and just ignored it. There were men beating their girlfriends outside and nothing was being done about it. It was disgusting, and those main contributing factors (plus an absurd price on drinks, alcoholic or not) that have influenced me to make a decision to never go there again. Sorry to folks expecting to see me at Rise Against/Alkaline Trio/Thrice/Gaslight Anthem, but I'd rather drive 6 hours to MD and see those bands than to suffer through corporate ignorance and drunken idiocy again.
But now that thats over, this week's show will hopefully make up for it.
Trap Them, Fight Amp, Advent, and Columns are playing in Raleigh on Thursday. Quite a fan of every band, though I've yet to see any of them live. Torch Runner is also playing, but alas I haven't listened to them yet. I've been a major Trap Them binge recently, and can't wait to see them. Fight Amp is perfect for anybody who likes Kylesa, Torche, and Tragedy.
Until then, take care. And stomp a fratboy.
And speaking of that, there is no worse feeling in the world as a music fan than when one of your favorite bands' fanbase suddenly becomes infected with these guys.
The scum of all music fans, the frats. They don't really know much about the band, minus that one AWESOME DRINKING SONG THEY GOT, and don't really believe in respect for those around them, but they're going to the show anyway. They worship Sublime and think Jack Johnson is a poet. They just want an excuse to drink and act rowdy. They'll mosh to anything with distortion and even if it calls for it, the radio.
These guys absolutely ruined the show for me, and for quite a few in attendance as well. It was my fourth time seeing Flogging Molly, and my second time seeing the Loved Ones (who were great, even with the obnoxious trash who thought they were "too emo"). You could NOT not be sucked into the pit at this show. Heck even my mother, who will be 60 in July 2010, was being pushed and crushed by their drunken stupidity. This also marked the first time I've ever purposely uppercutted someone in the balls. I think my biggest gripe with the whole experience though was comparing this to another show: I had to attend As I Lay Dying a few months ago (due to many friends wanting to go, I offered to be the nice guy and drive them). Security was about as strict as a giant outdoor concert that night, yet at this show, they could clearly see people being physically hurt and just ignored it. There were men beating their girlfriends outside and nothing was being done about it. It was disgusting, and those main contributing factors (plus an absurd price on drinks, alcoholic or not) that have influenced me to make a decision to never go there again. Sorry to folks expecting to see me at Rise Against/Alkaline Trio/Thrice/Gaslight Anthem, but I'd rather drive 6 hours to MD and see those bands than to suffer through corporate ignorance and drunken idiocy again.
But now that thats over, this week's show will hopefully make up for it.
Trap Them, Fight Amp, Advent, and Columns are playing in Raleigh on Thursday. Quite a fan of every band, though I've yet to see any of them live. Torch Runner is also playing, but alas I haven't listened to them yet. I've been a major Trap Them binge recently, and can't wait to see them. Fight Amp is perfect for anybody who likes Kylesa, Torche, and Tragedy.
Until then, take care. And stomp a fratboy.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Extra extra read all about it!
Oh how I wish I could have thought of a more clever pun than that one. Alas, it'll have to do.
I guess this is an update of sorts on my last entry.
-Apparently, you can't just set up a time to take the postal exam. Rather, you are e-mailed as to when there is an opening for a test. Why I wasn't informed of this before is baffling. Oh well. I'm still keeping my fingers and toes crossed on this one. I've got confidence that I could do something with this. And if not, at least I'll get a refund for purchasing that damn book.
-No All That Remains, No Carcass, No Afroman, but I DID go to Weedeater/Earthride/Hope and Suicide. Show was great, though there was a somewhat somber mood throughout the night due to Gollum's drummer having passed away two days beforehand (they were originally scheduled to open the show). When I first moved to this town in September 2005, Gollum was the first local band I watched. They played for free at Riverfest 05 and I managed to talk to the guys, specifically their guitarist Frank. They were always down to earth and very thankful for every bit of support they got. I can't imagine what they're going through right now, but I wish they all the best. But as for the show, Weedeater played for quite a while, but were just awesome. Not only are they this town's heaviest band, but they're probably one of the heaviest bands you'll ever see live. Hope and Suicide were a lot better than the last time I saw them, kinda sound like if Botch and Coalesce grew up worshiping stoner metal. Earthride were rad. Just the right amount of dirge, groove, and heaviness that one could ask for. And plus they were from MD! I couldn't ask for more. :D
-Burn After Reading was very entertaining. I wouldn't name it as one of my favorite Coen Bros. films, but it was still quite the enjoyable black comedy. Frances McDormand was great, and I think I might try to be Brad Pitt's character for Halloween. Hehehe
-The extras work wasn't particularly thrilling, nor is it something that I'd do for a living, but I can't complain too much about being paid to basically do one simple routine throughout the day. I worked on a "Slamball" segment for One Tree Hill. All we had to do was play a part in the audience, reacting when needed with cheers, applause, concern, etc. The catering food was pretty dang good (had some great pasta). I spotted a few people that I knew down there (some that were a pleasant surprise to see, another one not so much) and got to spend most of my time talking to a very nice (and very attractive) actress who decided to do extra work that day (though she originally thought it was work on a different set). Go check out Maureen Mountcastle on imdb and thats her. She even gave me the names of several people who do agent work and headshots photography in case I come to like this. I will say though, that she is the first person I've met who not only disliked the Dark Knight, but complained about how its big budget could have been used to feed nations throughout the world instead....................okay......because as we all know a) Hollywood runs the world and our government shouldn't be the ones fixing this problem and b) we all want our movies to look like they were made by The Asylum. But anyways, I'll be mailed a check for my work and am actually going back for more work next Monday. w00t.
I think thats it for now. I'm heading down to Myrtle Beach for Flogging Molly/The Loved Ones/Beat Union on Friday, then possibly hitting up the Hazmat for the first time for a show on Saturday. The only things I downloaded recently were Black Ships-Omens and Negative FX/Last Rights-split, but I haven't really gotten around to listening to either. I'm sure I'll post some more schtuff within the next few days.
I guess this is an update of sorts on my last entry.
-Apparently, you can't just set up a time to take the postal exam. Rather, you are e-mailed as to when there is an opening for a test. Why I wasn't informed of this before is baffling. Oh well. I'm still keeping my fingers and toes crossed on this one. I've got confidence that I could do something with this. And if not, at least I'll get a refund for purchasing that damn book.
-No All That Remains, No Carcass, No Afroman, but I DID go to Weedeater/Earthride/Hope and Suicide. Show was great, though there was a somewhat somber mood throughout the night due to Gollum's drummer having passed away two days beforehand (they were originally scheduled to open the show). When I first moved to this town in September 2005, Gollum was the first local band I watched. They played for free at Riverfest 05 and I managed to talk to the guys, specifically their guitarist Frank. They were always down to earth and very thankful for every bit of support they got. I can't imagine what they're going through right now, but I wish they all the best. But as for the show, Weedeater played for quite a while, but were just awesome. Not only are they this town's heaviest band, but they're probably one of the heaviest bands you'll ever see live. Hope and Suicide were a lot better than the last time I saw them, kinda sound like if Botch and Coalesce grew up worshiping stoner metal. Earthride were rad. Just the right amount of dirge, groove, and heaviness that one could ask for. And plus they were from MD! I couldn't ask for more. :D
-Burn After Reading was very entertaining. I wouldn't name it as one of my favorite Coen Bros. films, but it was still quite the enjoyable black comedy. Frances McDormand was great, and I think I might try to be Brad Pitt's character for Halloween. Hehehe
-The extras work wasn't particularly thrilling, nor is it something that I'd do for a living, but I can't complain too much about being paid to basically do one simple routine throughout the day. I worked on a "Slamball" segment for One Tree Hill. All we had to do was play a part in the audience, reacting when needed with cheers, applause, concern, etc. The catering food was pretty dang good (had some great pasta). I spotted a few people that I knew down there (some that were a pleasant surprise to see, another one not so much) and got to spend most of my time talking to a very nice (and very attractive) actress who decided to do extra work that day (though she originally thought it was work on a different set). Go check out Maureen Mountcastle on imdb and thats her. She even gave me the names of several people who do agent work and headshots photography in case I come to like this. I will say though, that she is the first person I've met who not only disliked the Dark Knight, but complained about how its big budget could have been used to feed nations throughout the world instead....................okay......because as we all know a) Hollywood runs the world and our government shouldn't be the ones fixing this problem and b) we all want our movies to look like they were made by The Asylum. But anyways, I'll be mailed a check for my work and am actually going back for more work next Monday. w00t.
I think thats it for now. I'm heading down to Myrtle Beach for Flogging Molly/The Loved Ones/Beat Union on Friday, then possibly hitting up the Hazmat for the first time for a show on Saturday. The only things I downloaded recently were Black Ships-Omens and Negative FX/Last Rights-split, but I haven't really gotten around to listening to either. I'm sure I'll post some more schtuff within the next few days.
Monday, September 8, 2008
Agenda for the next couple of weeks
Being jobless, while slowly driving me insane, has actually given me more opportunities to set up better future plans.
Such as:
-Setting up a time to take the postal service exam. Shit looks relatively easy. If anyone hasn't heard already, they're opening a new post office in town and they're looking for help. You can either call and order the testing book or, if its more convenient, head to your local library and check out the testing book. You don't HAVE to get a perfect score, seeing as how most of the test is double checking addresses and zip codes, and they'd rather you get get 150 exactly right than get 100 out of 300 wrong. Plus, $20/hr, including benefits=WINRAR.
-Trying to head to All That Remains in Myrtle Beach. I WAS going to try and head to Carcass/Rotten Sound in Raleigh, but a combination of ticket price, distance, merch price, and responsibilities (watching the house for a few days while ze mutha is out of town) are interfering with that show. Figure it might just be easier to see ATR in Myrtle Beach because a) I can head out late since they're the only band I give a shit about on the show and b) the show is half-priced. Everyone going to Carcass though, have fun. But PLEASE don't spend $30 on a shirt or $60 on a hoodie like they're charging. Doing a reunion for the kids my ass.
-Doing extras work on Monday the 15th. Fincannon apparently rarely calls people back, and you have to be the one to continuously call them in order to find openings for work. But alas, I got a call today about working for 12 hours on Monday. I wasn't informed about what film or show it might be for (if its my guess, its One Tree Hill) but its money regardless.
-Going to Afroman! Been a while since I've been to a rap show and this should be sure to provide many lulz.
-Seeing Burn After Reading. The Coen Bros are probably in my top 3 of my favorite filmmakers and any time they work with George Clooney or Frances Mcdormand, they produce gold. I'm considering seeing Righteous Kill, but its been so long since either of those has had a really good film to me (though I did like RDN in Stardust).
And thats about it for me. Go download the new cd from Mitch Hedberg "Do You Believe in Gosh?" Its one of the last shows he did before he died. Listen to Harms Way. Don't stagedive if you're heavy. Go see Death Threat on their new tour. Read the Walking Dead.
-R
Such as:
-Setting up a time to take the postal service exam. Shit looks relatively easy. If anyone hasn't heard already, they're opening a new post office in town and they're looking for help. You can either call and order the testing book or, if its more convenient, head to your local library and check out the testing book. You don't HAVE to get a perfect score, seeing as how most of the test is double checking addresses and zip codes, and they'd rather you get get 150 exactly right than get 100 out of 300 wrong. Plus, $20/hr, including benefits=WINRAR.
-Trying to head to All That Remains in Myrtle Beach. I WAS going to try and head to Carcass/Rotten Sound in Raleigh, but a combination of ticket price, distance, merch price, and responsibilities (watching the house for a few days while ze mutha is out of town) are interfering with that show. Figure it might just be easier to see ATR in Myrtle Beach because a) I can head out late since they're the only band I give a shit about on the show and b) the show is half-priced. Everyone going to Carcass though, have fun. But PLEASE don't spend $30 on a shirt or $60 on a hoodie like they're charging. Doing a reunion for the kids my ass.
-Doing extras work on Monday the 15th. Fincannon apparently rarely calls people back, and you have to be the one to continuously call them in order to find openings for work. But alas, I got a call today about working for 12 hours on Monday. I wasn't informed about what film or show it might be for (if its my guess, its One Tree Hill) but its money regardless.
-Going to Afroman! Been a while since I've been to a rap show and this should be sure to provide many lulz.
-Seeing Burn After Reading. The Coen Bros are probably in my top 3 of my favorite filmmakers and any time they work with George Clooney or Frances Mcdormand, they produce gold. I'm considering seeing Righteous Kill, but its been so long since either of those has had a really good film to me (though I did like RDN in Stardust).
And thats about it for me. Go download the new cd from Mitch Hedberg "Do You Believe in Gosh?" Its one of the last shows he did before he died. Listen to Harms Way. Don't stagedive if you're heavy. Go see Death Threat on their new tour. Read the Walking Dead.
-R
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Audio Goodness
2008 has been pretty shitty so far when it comes to bands' longevity. I speak mainly of the breakups of new school/future kings such as Modern Life is War, Cursed, Sinking Ships, Himsa, etc.
Luckily though, we've been privileged to have some already solid records come out as well. Some come as already welcome additions to a strong catalog (Cursed, Trash Talk, Disfear), while some come as complete surprises that nobody would have expected (Metallica!).
So here's a list of some of 2008's jams that I've been digging this year. Hope you get around to checking some of em out.
My personal 5 favs so far this year have been:
Disfear-Live the Storm. Didn't think they could top Misanthropic Generation, but leave it up to Kurt Ballou to make it possible.
Cursed-III. Every record gets angrier, dirtier, and smarter. Unfortunately they broke up the same year that they released this, their magnum opus.
Blacklisted-Heavier Than Heaven, Lonelier than God. They keep getting better, and Blacklisted have shaken off any notions of what they might or might not be by delivering a bleak, quick, but brilliant piece of hardcore.
Torche-Meanderthal. Probably the best "rock" record of the year that isn't getting the attention it deserves. I know Steve Brooks has tried to refrain from calling his band "metal," but if this doesn't get you raising the horns and nodding/banging your head, you're listening to the wrong record.
Trash Talk-s/t. If this doesn't make you want to just punch something or someone, get your ears examined. 12 songs in just 14 minutes (the longest being 4:31 and the shortest being :09) and yet every single one of them packs a wallop. And hell, how can ya not resist screaming "RIP ME SUCK ME STAB ME FUCK ME!" at the top of your lungs?
Some other ones worth mentioning:
The Banner-Frailty
The Carrier-No Love Can Save Me
Ceremony-Still Nothing Moves You
Eluveitie-Slania
Fight Amp-Hungry for Nothing
Flogging Molly-Float (took quite a while to really absorb though)
Killing the Dream-Fractures
Made Out of Babies-The Ruiner
Metallica-Death Magnetic
Opeth-Watershed
Reign Supreme-American Violence
Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band-The Whole Fam Damnily
Soilent Green-Inevitable Collapse in the Presence of Conviction
The Sword-Gods of the Earth
This is Hell-Misfortunes
Toxic Holocaust-An Overdose of Death
Trapped Under Ice-Stay Cold
There's still quite a decent amount of cds that I still have to get around to listening to, like the new Ghostlimb, The Endless Blockade, Arsis (bought it but haven't listened to it yet), and the new Jucifer (same deal as Arsis). I'm sure they won't disappoint though.
Luckily though, we've been privileged to have some already solid records come out as well. Some come as already welcome additions to a strong catalog (Cursed, Trash Talk, Disfear), while some come as complete surprises that nobody would have expected (Metallica!).
So here's a list of some of 2008's jams that I've been digging this year. Hope you get around to checking some of em out.
My personal 5 favs so far this year have been:
Disfear-Live the Storm. Didn't think they could top Misanthropic Generation, but leave it up to Kurt Ballou to make it possible.
Cursed-III. Every record gets angrier, dirtier, and smarter. Unfortunately they broke up the same year that they released this, their magnum opus.
Blacklisted-Heavier Than Heaven, Lonelier than God. They keep getting better, and Blacklisted have shaken off any notions of what they might or might not be by delivering a bleak, quick, but brilliant piece of hardcore.
Torche-Meanderthal. Probably the best "rock" record of the year that isn't getting the attention it deserves. I know Steve Brooks has tried to refrain from calling his band "metal," but if this doesn't get you raising the horns and nodding/banging your head, you're listening to the wrong record.
Trash Talk-s/t. If this doesn't make you want to just punch something or someone, get your ears examined. 12 songs in just 14 minutes (the longest being 4:31 and the shortest being :09) and yet every single one of them packs a wallop. And hell, how can ya not resist screaming "RIP ME SUCK ME STAB ME FUCK ME!" at the top of your lungs?
Some other ones worth mentioning:
The Banner-Frailty
The Carrier-No Love Can Save Me
Ceremony-Still Nothing Moves You
Eluveitie-Slania
Fight Amp-Hungry for Nothing
Flogging Molly-Float (took quite a while to really absorb though)
Killing the Dream-Fractures
Made Out of Babies-The Ruiner
Metallica-Death Magnetic
Opeth-Watershed
Reign Supreme-American Violence
Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band-The Whole Fam Damnily
Soilent Green-Inevitable Collapse in the Presence of Conviction
The Sword-Gods of the Earth
This is Hell-Misfortunes
Toxic Holocaust-An Overdose of Death
Trapped Under Ice-Stay Cold
There's still quite a decent amount of cds that I still have to get around to listening to, like the new Ghostlimb, The Endless Blockade, Arsis (bought it but haven't listened to it yet), and the new Jucifer (same deal as Arsis). I'm sure they won't disappoint though.
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