Dear Shane MacGowan

Dear Shane MacGowan,

Thanks a lot for drinking with me Saturday night. Never mind what people say about you being a reckless drunk junkie. You're good company. I mean, even though you now reside in a wheelchair and look like the Nazis destroyed by the spirits of the Ark at the end of Raiders of the Lost Ark, no one else sings as nonchalantly about spending Christmas Eve in the drunk tank as you. I kind of wish you hadn't ashed all over my room and shat on my floor, but hey, you're Shane MacGowan.
Thanks buddy, cheers!

-T

Playlist
MLIW - Midnight in America
Chuck Ragan - Los Feliz
HWM
Billy Bragg & Wilco - Mermaid Ave. I
Explosions in the Sky

Axl Rose circa 2007

Shiiiit...

Broken Bones

Do you remember going to Chuck E. Cheese as a kid? Were you one of the ones whose parents threw your birthday parties there, or just the ones who were invited? I clearly remember having friends who were the "Chuck E. Cheese party kids". My parents put my birthday parties on in my garage. I remember it was before they had much money, and we would literally play pin-the-tail-on-the-donkey and use coloring books.

Then when my dad got a new job and we got a pool, I was suddenly more popular. My parties were packed and my gifts got better. One year Connie & Pa (Sutherland grandparents) bought me a neon-green and black Nash skateboard. It should be stated that my driveway was excessively steep and long; ideal for sledding, not skateboarding, as it was a couple of hundred feet long. I flipped and I told my friends and cousins to follow me; that I would christen this amazing gift with blood and tar. Well, the truth is I thought I would make it. There was no doubt in my mind. "It's my birthday," I probably thought, "I'm indestructible!"

I remember walking up the driveway with my friends staring at me in awe. I felt so good. So cool. It was my only chance as an only child to prove my worth to the kids of my neighborhood. Then a cousin ran screaming into the house to warn the adults of what I was about to do. Realizing I had about three seconds before 15 ripened authorities ruined my birthday, I sprinted to the top, stood on the deck, and cruised down. At first I remember thinking, "this isn't so bad." Then I picked up speed at a horrifying rate. I don't think I lasted more than 75 feet altogether. I was tossed off the board and I fell on my knees. I don't remember the pain, but I can imagine it was agonizing. I definitely heard screaming. I ended up skinning my knees so badly that they were black from the tar for months. Blood was everywhere. I still have very faint scars on my knees to this day.

Anyways, I think that's where it all began. I would go on to break my leg under the wheels of an ATV and my ankle twice playing tennis. I would get my thumb caught in a van door and almost lose it completely on Thanksgiving day, at the same house where years later I would break my leg. I would fall on concrete steps and lose three front teeth, and crack two ribs skateboarding down a grass hill. I would crash my bike into my garage and lodge my handlebar under my chin. I would have my nose broken twice, once in a fight and once because the (older) singer of Most Precious Blood swings his mic very aggressively. I would get a few concussions (hockey, pillow fights in hotel rooms, Converge shows, more hockey). I lost count of the stitches. But I would also get a haematoma on my maiden tequila night, and chip countless teeth thanks to the fake teeth installed because I used to gnaw on pens like meat. I'm sure there's more, I just can't remember them all right now. I guess I hit my head a few too many times.
22 years and still going strong.

Playlist
Beta Band - The Three EP's
Subhumans - From the Cradle to the Grave
Against Me! - New Wave
Jesu - Conqueror
Converge - You Fail Me/Jane Doe
Michael Patrick MacDonald - All Souls: A Family Story from Southie

The Polyphonic Nightmare

Over the last two nights I have had dreams that revolve around two bands: one of which I love and one of which I loathe.

The first began in suburban Rhode Island, where I met the leader of the Polyphonic Spree. I should state here that that "band" has always freaked me out to no end. I don't get it, and I don't want to get it. I'm okay with keeping the hell out of cults. In my dream though, they were less a "band" and more an environmental group, so I hesitantly joined.

After some time, I began to realize that they were in fact, trying for a New World Order-type worldwide cult in which everyone wore white and danced in the fields. I tried getting out but they wouldn't let me, so I ran away. Fearing for our lives, Shelly and I moved to upstate New York to get away.

I have these terrifying images in my head of a group of eight or so people in white robes chasing after me through fields and forests, trying to gas me.

I hate the Polyphonic Spree.

Last night I dreamt that Botch reunited at the Tweeter Center. For some reason my parents came and when we sat down the venue suddenly changed in a Transformers-way into a trailer home. Botch played in the trailer home and my parents freaked. People were going off left and right and my mom hid in the back corner. My dad tried fighting everyone there, and after the first song Rick ta Life walked in. People immediately tried killing him with knives and boots and a pretty serious melee broke out.

I don't know what goes on in my brain but whatever it is, I hope it keeps up.

LOLMETAL

http://warehouse.carlh.com/article_141/

Just go here. It's amazing.

Sake

Sake on Monday night with fellow gentleman Drew already made my week. I had always wanted to try it. Drew heard that it "tastes like fire." It smelled like white wine and tasted like a shot with half vodka, half whiskey. Quarts of Bud from Midtown and the History channel finish off nights well.
I hope that luck comes my way and I get a job at http://www.empowerment-group.org/
Loving this rainy weather. I hope it holds up.

Playlist:
Modern Life is War
Black Sabbath
Pissed Jeans
Suicide File
The Clash
Salinger - Nine Stories re-read

Pissed Jeans - Hope for Men

A lot of bands sound so alike, you don't remember the first time you heard them. A year ago I booked Paint it Black at La Salle University and I left it up to Andy to decide who opened up for them. As a fan of Count Me Out, I was really excited about Cloak/Dagger being on the bill, and I didn't give much thought to this band called "Pissed Jeans." He did mention though, that they had recently signed to Sub Pop, so I went to their Web site and downloaded "Closet Marine" - four of the brashest minutes my ears have endured.
When they showed up to unload I was taken aback by how "normal" they looked. Especially the singer, they all looked like they had just gotten off their 9-5's. The other bands wore Minor Threat t-shirts and special edition Nikes. Pissed Jeans wore sweaters and boat shoes. Then they played...
Words like "primal" and "frustrated" come to mind when explaining their noise. They were wonderful. I bought their record and since it has been a staple in my rotation.
Last week they released Hope for Men, their debut lp for Sub Pop. I never realized how much they take from the Black Flag book until this record. The lyrics, like the "concept" of the record, deal with the mundane loneliness and frustration that accompanies modern life.
A million reviews have already been written about this band and record, which (rightfully) use the same adjectives and descriptions. I can't overstate however, how terrific this band is.

You'll feel a lot better with this record.

Sweet Leaf

Saturday night was the final Boy Sets Fire show. We got there early so that we could get a spot on the balcony and we were successful. Tim Barry from Avail opened and was a blast. A lot of people started playing the Johnny Cash style a few years ago but Barry is one of the best at it. Like Avail shows when he constantly thanks "y'all", his country/bluegrass music is Southern and honest. BSF opened with "Release the Dogs" and closed with "Rookie"/"After the Eulogy." I wanted to hear more from the Day the Sun Went Out, but overall it was a great show. They played for at least 90 minutes. I had a problem with that show going on in my backyard and not being there.

That night I met two Aussies. We talked a lot about Silverchair.

Erich's art show was Friday.
http://www.myspace.com/erichroehre

I (finally) saw Mean Streets. It's amazing.

That's all

If You Like Music...

The new Pissed Jeans is unbearably good. You should get it if you like music.

There's a "new" band called Pygmy Lush. If you liked pg. 99, City of Caterpillar or Malady, it has all of those guys in it. They have a record coming out soon on Robotic Empire.

Torche is really great too.
So is Clockcleaner.

www.myspace.com/pygmylush
www.myspace.com/torche
www.myspace.com/clockcleaner

For Those About to Thrash...

New Waste and Coliseum songs up on their myspaces. New Coliseum comes out in August and new Waste in a couple of weeks! Summer!!!

http://www.myspace.com/municipalwaste

http://www.myspace.com/coliseum

Riding the Skies

I found these rad pictures from the 4/25/07 Lightning Bolt show at Circle of Hope in Philly. Great show.

Kamera

I finally hooked my camera up to my computer. I live with very, very, very cute cats. It's kind of sick.

Emo

Watch this segment from local cable news in Utah on "emo." It's amazing...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KYyUT3lG96Q

I <3 Bill Waterson

I give you the Calvin & Hobbes Searchable Database!!! Waste the day away!!!

http://www.transmogrifier.org/ch/comics/search.cgi?options=advanced

(Thanks, Shelly.)

Bye Bye Moose

So it seems Manny came up big last night and put the pathetic Yankees in their place. Thank you, Tavarez. My man Dan Shaughnessy had some great words about last night, as usual.

The highlight:

"While Pettitte and Schilling work at Yankee Stadium, Clemens will be pitching in Trenton (Double A). He is on course to return to the majors in Toronto next Tuesday. The perfect scenario would then have Clemens pitching at Fenway against the Sox on ESPN's "Sunday Night Baseball" June 3. This would result in mayhem not seen at a Boston sports venue since July 1972 when the Rolling Stones showed up at the old Garden four hours late after getting arrested at the Warwick, R.I., airport. Boston Mayor Kevin White was credited with preventing a riot and the Stones, naturally, were greeted with wild applause when they finally hit the stage at 12:30 a.m."

"The Rocket will not be greeted as kindly. In fact, his reception will make Johnny Damon's return to Fenway look like a parade through the Canyon of Heroes. Imagine Don Imus being introduced at next year's NCAA Women's Final Four."

In other great sports news, the Ducks eliminated the Wings last night for a trip to the Stanley Cup against the Sens. At the very beginning of the season, my prediction was Anaheim vs. Buffalo. I'll pat myself on the back - the Sens eliminated the Sabres in the last series, so I came surprisingly close. This is going to be a very close series. I would like to see the Sens win, because they've been around for longer and never won the Cup, plus I'd like to see a Canadian team take it all. Then again, I wouldn't at all mind if Giguere won. I love this time of year...

Quack Quack Quack Quack

Killer Cars

Friday night we left the Electric Factory and headed towards home to hit up some bars. When we began to cross Callowhill I noticed that there weren't any cars coming, and that their light would soon be turning green. As a result, I "jogged" across the intersection. Right when I got to the end I heard Shelly or Jeff Doug yell something to me. I looked to my left and saw a white car barreling towards me, seemingly unable to slow down. It all happened so quickly and before I knew it I was riding on its hood for about 20 feet. I quickly realized that I absolutely could not fall; if I fell I would be seriously hurt. Now, here's a quick history of me: I'm accident prone and I have terrible balance. Terrible balance. Apparently however, that's until I'm in serious danger. I rode that hood like a surfer rides a wave, and I kept my balance the entire time.

When I landed on my feet I immediately shook my body to make sure I wasn't seriously hurt. When I realized that I wasn't, I started walking in small circles in complete disbelief that I had just been hit by a fucking car. It was then that I noticed Shelly shouting at the driver after making sure I was okay, and the driver in turn yelling at me. That was the moment I came down to reality, walked to her window, and said, "Stop yelling at me! You just hit me with your Car! Okay?" I ended up fine. I took her information after convincing her that indeed, everything was fine and I wouldn't sue her or anything, it would just be a good idea to get the information.

Getting hit by a car was truly frightening. It was also one of those instances when I step back and say, "Only me..."

Graduation Playlist!!!
Dinosaur Jr. - Beyond (This new record is mint! Get it!)
Neil Young - After the Gold Rush
Queens of the Stone Age - Lullabies to Paralyze
Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds - Murder Ballads
Morrissey - Ringleader Of The Tormentors (Just got tickets! June 29!)
The Boss - Nebraska
Dylan & the Band - Before the Flood

I Just Wanna Bang on the Drum All Day

It's official. On Sunday afternoon I graduated from college. I'd say "What a strange experience" or something sentimental like that, but honestly it felt natural. My uncle came down with my parents and we had a blast. The weather was perfect and the Guinness flowed like water. Last Wednesday I began interviews. I found my way up to Norristown and aced an uneventful and disappointing interview. That evening though, they invited me back for a second round the next day - a sort of "day in the life" experience. Again I trecked a couple of hours via train and bus to the suburbs. Long story short: I found myself an hour into Delaware selling pizza discounts door to door. I kid you not. That's what my writing gets me with a "direct marketing job". Needless to say, an hour into it I told him that I wouldn't be working for him. It was a frustrating and sobering experience because the guy I had the interview with directly lied to me about what I'd be doing so that he could get me there.

In unrelated news, I'm really trying to stomach this new Wilco record. The first times I listened to it I was completely disappointed - angry at Tweedy for making such a half-assed effort. Now though, some of it is growing on me. I also picked up the new Dinosaur Jr. record, Beyond. Now that is some stellar music. Mascis still rocks harder than Slayer. Speaking of metal bands, Venom was in my dream last night. They played La Salle's Dunleavy room. I just remember Erich and Lou being really excited for some black metal. Anyways, Dinosaur are not metal, they just bring me back to 1984. Well, they bring me back to 1984 the way a weekend with Jeff Doug brings me back to 1969.

Speaking of Jeff, he's coming down Thursday for a few days - namely the inappropriately confusing lineup of Mastodon, Against Me!, Cursive and TAAS on Friday night. Either way, it will be a trip.

If you dig stuff along the lines of Isis, Pelican, or My Bloody Valentine, there's a terrific "project" called Jesu, which recently released a new record, Conqueror. You can stream it at http://www.jesuconqueror.com/

I also shut down my old "lastfm" page because I'm very computer illiterate, and opened up a new one. Add me if you still keep one up. http://www.last.fm/user/whiteriot13/

And one last thing...come on Buffalo! You were my Cup picks. Regardless, Chris Drury and Daniel Brière remain hockey gods.

Lux Interior

The Cramps have to be one of the greatest bands of all time. Check out these videos...one is live from the Napa State Mental Hospital. How did that show ever happen? How did authorities at a mental hospital let a band like the Cramps in?! Horror sex rockabilly punk pulp fiction. It's all there. The audience wanders around the room dancing like zombies. It's so strange. "Somebody told me you folks are crazy. Well i'm not so sure about that."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5OMuj4FpII

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9aYGKsbjP0

The Break-Up

Friday I hiked around the city getting tickets for the last shows of two of my favorite bands: Kill Your Idols and Boy Sets Fire. BSF at the Troc is going to be a blast. It's been so long since I've seen them or anything, but I remember in high school when I borrowed J Ro's copy of "The Day the Sun Went Out"; I immediately copied it onto a cassette and listened to it over and over and over again for years. That was probably the first record that you could be angry and intense while maintaining a good deal of sensitivity. I remember going out and buying "After the Eulogy" not long after that and, even though it wasn't as "essential" to my youth, it still made an impression on me and I played the shit out of it. I feel like a lot of people are going to cry at this show. That will be entertaining, but I can't blame people for letting that band mean so much to them.

Saturday afternoon saw the final Philadelphia show for KYI. I've been really stoked/bummed on this show for awhile. I have never, since the 10th grade, missed a KYI show. Well, I missed one but it wasn't my fault. The last time they played was at the 7 Seconds show two years ago. I remember the show was almost canceled because of some lame fight involving FSU and a Champion roadie. We all waited in the cramped Church basement for over 1 1/2 hours until the decision was made to carry on. I was right up front and KYI walked on and made those 1 1/2 miserable hours completely worth while. Always been too punk for a lot of hardcore kids and too hardcore for most punk kids. Consequently, there shows have always been full of kids who listen to classic American hardcore. All hell broke loose that night, and in measuring it up to that, Saturday was kind of disappointing. There were so many people there but everyone just stood in the back. It was so fucking stupid. The last time they headlined in Philly there were about 30 kids there and we all went off because we all wanted to be there so badly. It was so obvious so early on this weekend that people were there so that they can say they were at KYI's last Philly show. Lame. I'd say about 15 of us consistently went off, but I was hoping for a lot more. Bad Brains and Jawbreaker covers rule though. Where was the Negative Approach!? Hopefully I can make it to there show in Jersey this weekend.

PS - I just heard that the Explosion are splitting too. Fuuucccckkkkkk...
PSS - Go Sox. Gregg, your Yankees suck.

Playlist
Pixies - Bossanova
Tom Waits