HERE WE GO......

Two weeks from tomorrow, August 13th 2010, I will be making probably the biggest change of my life. My wife, Alisha, and myself are moving to Austin Texas.

I know it's only 200 miles away, but thats 200 miles from everything I have ever known.

 

My emotions are very mixed about this. I love my friends,my family, and my job. I will miss this all terribly, but on the other hand, I would hate to wake up 50 years old, and have never lived outside of the same 30 mile radius of where I was born.

 

The job hunt is probably the worst feeling of all time. I am leaving a job that I absolutely love, and the people here have truly become friends, not just work drone idiots.

 

The good news is, we have signed a lease on an amazing apartment in midtown Austin. It's in a great spot, and is just spectacular. Also, being that we are both Vegan, we are moving to the only place in Texas that caters to our lifestlyle.

 

We will be having a going away party on August 7th at the Doublewide in Dallas. so try to make it out. say your goodbyes.

 

I love you.

 

 

Long time comin.

Band of Horses: Infinite Arms album

I used to hang out at a bar called Caves Lounge. Some of the best memories of my life so far are from nights, and days spent drinking with friends, and listening to what would become the soundtrack to that period of my life, at that bar.

 

Band of Horses seemed to systematically play just about 2:00 am as the bar was closing down, and people were shuffling through the front door. Once I stopped goin to Caves as much, any time I would hear Band of Horses I would get the warm fuzzies reminding me of simpler times.

 

A little over a year ago now I bought both previous full-length albums, "Cease To Begin", and "Everything All the Time". and over the past 14 months or so I have probably listened to Band of Horses more than any other band, grasping on to them like I hadn't with any other band since highschool.

 

With said all that, it is hard to explain how much I had been anticipating May 18th 2010 for new songs. Ben Bridwell's voice singins songs I hadnt heard yet.

 

I pre-ordered the album, and recieved the :"Laredo" single as a teaser. I wasnt too impressed. I listed several times. I wasnt impressed.

 

The album came. I woke up 2 mornings ago, and checked my itunes where it had automatically downloaded while I slept.

On the way to work I played the alnum through for the first time. I was again... not impressed. I got to work that day, and put on my headphones. I luistened intently all the way through the album. I wasnt impressed.

 

I took a day off from it yesterday, and was honestly somewhat depressed about it.

 

and now..  Here I sit writing this, listening to "Infinte Arms", and now it all seems to make sense to me.This is a great album. I will go on record as saying that it is different.I almost wish I hadnt ever heard them until today, and this was my first listen to Band of Horses.

 

If you are not a Band of Horses fan, this album may change your mind. If you are... Dont go into this thing looking for the next "Everything All the Time". just pretend htis is something totally different. I give it a thumbs up.

 

 

Weekend fun.

5 Things.. Spurrier-style

5. STEEL PANTHER:

    Friday evening my good buddy John called me, and asked me to go see Steel Panther with him at the House Of Blues.  I new nothing about them, except that they are some sort of neo hair metal band. I listened to a few songs via iTunes, and it was awfule.. like really bad.. However, at this point I had already promised to go, and couldnt rightly back out so Alisha and I reluctantly went. then... BAM!!! they were amazing. It was a full-on joke. They were overly stereotypical of the most extreme hair-metal bands of the 80's. during breaks between songs the banter was hilarious. Lexxi Foxx (bass) would pull out a mirror and lipstick every chance he got to touch up his make up. Not that it was any kind of selling point for me but Dallas' own Tony Romo was there, and joined the band onstage for a horrible perfect rendition of Guns N Roses' Sweet Child o' Mine. I will go see them again.

 

4. ELO: Time.

    When I first got into Electric Light Orchestra, this was the album I heard. I have a general rule that I do not buy albums multiple times. If it gets lost or stolen, TUFF.. Well this has definitely been one exception to that rule. I have had this album stolen from me, and lsot a few times. Every time I buy this album someone new falls in love with it, and understands ELO a little bit more. Dreamy Synth powered ballads about the future, and living in space, falling in love with computer-women, and perfectly executed vocoder effects make this the space album that the Beatles wished they would have made, had they made it to the 80's. I highly reccomend this to EVERYONE..  brutally fun.

 

3. MUSINK:

    This weekend I have yet another tattoo appt. with Dean Williams to finish this EPIC piece he has bestowed upon... my arm. I have never been to a tattoo convention, and with that said, obviously never been tattooed at one. Should be loads of fun. Tons of good bands. Come out if you can, keep my old-lady company. Hosted by Oliver Peck.

 

2. WILCO: Being There.

    The other night I was looking for something to blow my mind. I have as of late, been on the hunt for an amazing album to inspire me. It has been a while since I have found anything that truly moves me. It just came to me that I needed some Wilco. I downloaded this album, and fell in love. not just with this album, but Wilco, and again, I hate that I have been so late in warming up to what may be one of the most introspective workin bands of our time. beautiful, just beautiful.

 

1. I'm Hungry..

 

   DIG!

Cokie the Clown

So..

 

By now lots of you have heard about the infamous Cokie the Clown incident at SXSW. I was not there, and maybe I'm glad that I wasnt; but here's what I have gathered from several sources. I will also reference an article from www.pinpointmusic.com that is very extensive.

 

Saturday evening the last full night of South by Southwest. Cokie the Clown, the alter-ego of Nofx's singer/bass player Fat Mike took the stage at Emo's Annex.

 

Cokie stimbled on stage to a crowd of roughly 200 or so people all expecting a lighthearted acoustic sing-a-long jam sesh to some old Nofx tunes. What they got instead was truly.... Disturbing.

 

Cokie began the show by passing out close to 40 shots of Patron Anejo Tequila that he poured from a bottle he had apparently brought with him.

 

After proceeding to play a few songs including a song called "Drinking Pee" , and "Orphan Year" he began telling what are assumably "true" stories. One was about a roomate he had whom came into the room to show Mike his busted up bloody face that he received after trying to hang himself, and falling to the ground face-first. the friend did successfully get the job done later that day. Another and possibly the most disturbing story was in regards to suffocating his dying mother to death after she begged for him to help her die. He told one about an instance where him and friend "Melvin" (Eric Melvin, Nofx guitarist) basically watched as a girl was dragged kicking and screaming to be raped without helping.

 

At this point obviously the mood of the crowed was at the least... somber. Cokie apparently played a couple more songs. He ended the set by showing a video that was made by the same videographer that was onstage filming the entire time, and was apparently made just prior to Cokie taking the stage. the video was of Cokie Pissing into a bottle of Patron Anejo Tequila, and then filling shot glasses to pass out to the audience.

 

Nofx, and Cokie/Mike have been banned from Emos for good...

 

I highly reccomend reading the full article here: http://www.pinpointmusic.com/cokie-the-clown-sxsw-2010-fat-mike/

 

also there is a video of the... "video" at TMZ.com

 

Genius, or simply disturbed. you decide..

 

DIG!

WEEKEND/ SXSW...

Alisha, and I decided to go to Austin this weekend, and it wasnt until I called a good buddy (Goob), that I remembered that it was the final weekend of SXSW. I checked some schedules, and saw that the if we left early enough the next day we could get to see Andrew WK, and GWAR. I was stoked.

 

So.. We left too late to see Andrew WK, and GWAR, and I was kinda bummed.. we couldnt get a hotel in Austin so we stayed in Round Rock, jsut outside of Austin. We ordered a pizza from Promise Pizza's to our hotel they are the only pizza place in TX to serve a vegan Daiya Cheese pizza.. spectacular..

 

We called a cab to get us into downtown, and after waiting for an hour, and a half, decided to drive out ourselves. We met up with Goob, and a couple of his friends, and after searching for something  to do for a couple more hours. I saw on Twitter that Dallas's own, The Ramonahs (all drag Ramones tribute band fronted by Oliver Peck) was playing right down the street. On the way I ran into Beau Bridges. We had a great time watching The Ramonahs, lots of Dallas buds showed up..  lots of fun.

 

Sunday.. Alisha and I hung out on the overly crowded Congress street, did a little shoppin, and saw Val Kilmer (whom is fat as a cow) eating out on the street at a Mexican restaurant. BATMAN DUDE..!!!

 

overall.. good times. lots of fun.

Top 5.

TUNAGE...

 

RED ANIMAL WAR: Seven Year War

                               I LOVE these guys, I love this band, I love this album..

 

FLAMING LIPS: The Soft Bulletin

                         Embryonic was so inspiring that I had to pull out the older albums to see just what a jump these guys

                         had made, I had damn near forgotten how good this stuff is. Pure Oklahoma genius.

 

HOT SNAKES: Automatic Midnight

                       This was the first full length from Hot Snakes, Im a huge fan of anything Rick Froberg or John Reis does

                       and this is no exception.. beautiful.. Drive Like Jehu in space.. mmmhmmmm

 

DESCENDENTS: Milo Goes to College

                          I dunno.. I kinda feel like if I need to review this album you probably shouldnt be reading this.

 

MUNICIPAL WASTE: The Art of Partying

                                I had briefly listened to these guys in the past, and then finally decided to get the album

                                (via i tunes). WOW.. this is the best respresentation of harcore/thash crossover its just so

                                intensely good, its hard to grasp the extent of the metal happening here.. haha.. seriously

                                get into this. 

 

DIG!! 

 

 

Long overdue Top 5, and some other things..

The other things.

 

I GOT MARRIED!!

I had originally planned on documenting our entire trip though the mountains, and our wedding, and all the good stuff in between, but i was just having too much fun to do it.

The wedding went off without a hitch. So much fun,  and we are still the hottest couple in town. just sayin..

 

Now I'm back, and married, and happy, and tired and all that stuff. I turn 30 in less than a week. too weird to fathom yet.

 

Tattooing saturday with Dean, and then partying that night for my B-Day.

 

NOW FOR A LONG OVERDUE TOP 5 ALBUMS OF.... Right Now!!

5. Townes Van Zandt: S/T

    This is the 3rd album released by Mr. townes Van Zandt. he has reached his stride here. Sounds amazing. If your a fan, you already know about this album.  Songs like "Waitin' Round To Die" and "Fare The Well Miss Carousel" just truly blow my mind, I guess not much more can be said than that.

 

4. Crosby Stills Nash, and Young: Deja Vu

    Wow! This album is drenched with beautiful harmonies, and greasy hippie anthems like "Almost Cut My Hair" along with radio hits like "Teach Your Children Well" and "Our House". What a cool band this was. totally underestimated. I had always thought of CSN&Y as a radio/family friendly band, but now I understand maybe its just the Neil Young aspect, but very politically driven, and I can jsut imagine kids parents explaining that theyare not aloud to listen to this drug induced stanic garbage. How cool..

 

3. Pinhead Gunpowder: Carry The Banner

    This is an album that  I was pretty much addicted to in about 1998. If your not in the know P.G. is one of Bille Joe Armonstrong's (Green day) side project band. This has really held up. The best west coast pop-punk period. The best cover of Diana Ross' "Mahogany" period.

 

2. True Widow: S/T

    I hadn't heard of True Widow until about 6 months ago, and so I was already behind the curve on this truly mesmerizing Dallas band. I have since seen these guys play locally probably 10 times, and have been impressed nearly everytime. However, there was surely an air of mysticism in the studio when this album was recorded, as this is the most hauntin, and beautifully hypnotic album I have heard in some time. I just can't get enough of this. It's insanely good.

 

1. Flaming Lips: Embryonic

    So... I LOVE The Flaming Lips. I have been a fan for some time. Until now, The Happy Bulletin, was probably my favorite album, then i thought. How ccan these4 guys ever get more trippy than Yoshimi ?.. well... here it is. this shit is amazing. If Zapp and Roger, The Mahavishnu Orchestra, Black Flag, and Frank Zappa all went into the desert, took too much peyote to handle, and recorded in one take on to a reel to reel with on microphone, it would probably sound a lot like this album. I cant even tell you how important this album might be if Miles Davis was still alive.

Dont take my word for it though.. go listen to it now.. If your not so sure, go download the song "Worm Mountain". Then let me know what you think.

 

 

We made it..!!!!

So..

On the way in yesterday we took a pretty nasty detour through Oklahoma
city that cost us about 3 hours.
Turns out... It was the perfect mistake. See. If we had taken the
"correct"route through amarillo we would have driven directly through
the blizzard that ascended on north Texas last night.

We made it to Dalhart Last night which was not only uneventful but
smelled strongly of fried foods and cow manure. There was a train that
came about 20 yards from our heads and I dreamt it was kosher to carry
guns like in the wild west.

NEW MEXICO !!!

We are here. We found a rad coffee shop And a rad store that's like a
beige Whole Foods. World Cup coffee is also great.

Here we are at the hotel. Fire's goin in the fireplace. There's snow
in the mountains, and oh yeah... The pic is from our window it's pretty.

More later

FINALLY

So. We are actually leaving Arlington now. Next stop Dalhart. 8 hrs.
This is gonna suck.

Changes, and pissed.

There are a lot of things happening right now. It's a very happy time.. It's also very trying times on other horizons.

 

IM GETTING MARRIED..

 

I have been engaged to a wonderful, and beautiful woman.. Miss Alisha Lambert for about 3 years. It has been a long engagement, and we have finally decided to go ahead and tie the knot. Since about Christmas we have been planning a trip to New Mexico. Alish is VERY fond of New Mexico, and proposed the idea that we just get married while on vacation. I happilly accepted as this seems so much more..... "us".

 

Of course in the beginning I think we both had the idea that a big traditional wedding was the way to go.. lots of people. food, booze, friends, the whole 9 yards. Well, we have both changed quite a bit in the last 3 years. We are no longer the drinkin' stinkin' up all night n'er do wells that we once were, and therefore have a lot less "friends" than we once had. Maybe we just grew up. Either way this is what makes us happy.. This is the way WE want to do it. Come have a drink with us at the Double-Wide tomorrow night and celebrate our final few days as 2 seperate people.

 

on another note...

 

THE NORWAY SPIRAL.

 

If you know me very well at all, you know that I am (unfortunately) quite a conspiracy theorist. I become rather entagled in the underlying issues that make people squeemish to think about. The everlasting UNKNOWN.. 

 

Above is a picture of what has commonly become known as "The Norway Spiral". You should youtube it, and watch the videos,i will not go into my speculations, or others speculations as to what this might, or might not be.  I want you to view it for yourself, and tell me what you think it is. 

 

This was filmed in the sky above the northern most island of Norway December 9th 2009. there are no news stories covering the strange event. There are no documents comfirming or denying that it even happened, and more importantly, THERE IS NO ACCOUNTABILITY, nobody is taking any credit for this, and it was no secret. this happened, and nobody wants to explain.. 

 

What we do know is that it truly happened, and that over the past 10 years or so there have been other "spirals" over China, and other parts of the world. We also know that. Whatever it is, it is obviously something that a few elite people know about, and DONT want us (average joes) to know about.

 

I dont know about you, but I am noticing more and more things happening in the world that are like questions with no answers, and I DEMAND ANSWERS. Do i have to become a free mason or start training for a government position to get some answers.

 

This is frightnening stuff here. We should all be priveleged to know what is goin on in the world in which we are citizens. WAKE UP!!!!..

On the way to work today..

I was listening to Circle Jerks, Wild In The Streets. My speakers are busted (BAD), and it sounded like shit, but it hit me that I have got to start playing music again. I'm not talkin about recording country, and folk songs either. I'm lookin for a few good men. Degenerates need not apply. Attitude is a must, on our... endless quest. Sorry, got sidetracked.

 

I HAVE TO start another punk band. I know I'm almost 30 now, but it flows through my veins. I miss playing shitty shows around town to a buncha drunk losers who could care less. I miss the simplicity of those short angry songs played at breakneck speeds, and  I miss the whole ritual of lugging my equipment around, and getting paid in beer.

 

Beyond all that.  I miss the comraderie of being in a band. i miss the inconvenience of gathering 4 dudes and practicing in a sweatlodge. Talking about the songs, making flyers (do the kiddos still do that?)

 

So.... Who's in?

very fitting lyrics?... perhaps...

I'm not a cool guy anymore
As if I ever was before
I took a look at all the signs
Then rolled it over in my mind
The feelings I could not release
Became a bitter part of me
What was I thinking of?
It couldn't stay the way it was
I looked at my reflection
And I saw a stranger's face
I saw where I was going
And I had to walk away

I lost a girl, it's Just as well
She tried to save me from myself
I've still got her on my mind
Tossing and turning in my bed
But if she had stayed another week
I would have dragged her down with me
She took it till she'd had enough
Is that what I thought love was?
I told her "see you later"
But it's hard to see at all
At the bottom of the barrel
With your back against the wall

I'm not a cool guy anymore
Left it behind, then closed the door
I know you can't escape the past
Now I look back and have to laugh
I was my worst enemy
It almost got the best of me
What was I thinking of?
It couldn't stay the way it was
I looked up one day and saw that
It was up to me
You can only be a victim if you
Admit defeat

Yowza...

another week has come and gone in the life of old Spurrier. My little brother Shawn has set a blog you should also be reading. you can check it out here> www.shawnspurrier.com. hes rad.. not as rad as myself though.. just kiddin.

 

So, I didnt really do shit this weekend. Went to Chris Brown's with all intentions of recording. Instead, ended up skateboarding with his daughter Madison for a couple hours. Think I have to buy a new skateboard.. this eont last long I'm sure. Saturday evening Alisha, and myself went to her sisters house, and had some wine.. Well, truth be told.. they all had some wine, and I had TOO MUCH wine.. I dont remember much except for mocking the Cuckoo clock.. just sayin.

 

Sunday...

Alisha, and I sat around for most of the day, and watched Fight Club. Then last night we rented the movie "9" if you dont remember, it came out about a year ago, and i remember wanting to see it in theaters, and now I am thoroughly dissapointed that I didnt. As far as post apocolyptic animated puppet/robot movies go.. this was amazing. I was highly impressed. subject matter was a little intense for the kiddos I'd say. Seriously, check this out. very good movie.

 

Conan..

Friday was Conan's last tonight show, and as I expected I got a little teary eyed with Conan. Neil Young was amazing, and beautiful as always, and then in true Conan fashion the last bit was Freebird featuring, Beck, Billy Gibbons, Ben Harper, Max Weinberg, Will Ferrell, and of course Conan himself playing a very classy Silverburst Les Paul Custom. I will truly miss Conan until his assumed return to the airwaves. Peace be with you kind sir. 

 

Lastly...

Tonight at the Propght Bar in Deep Ellum, Strike Anywhere, Saboteur, and Last of The Interceptors. Not sure if I'll make it yet, but you sure should.. ha..

 

DIG!

Just around the bend.

Im turning 30 years old on March 7. I know it's not a huge deal, so I wont make it one.  I wont lie though, it is somewhat bothersome to me. I feel like I'm no longer aloud to screw up. No more bad decisions with an easy out. hmm.. Oh well.

 

March 6th I get tattooed during the day. Deano thinks this could be our last session, I think I will just keep having him set me up appointmens anyway. Point is... I had previously decided to lay low and not do much on my birthday at all.. Well, I changed my mind. I would like to get a couple of bands together. Possibly True Widow, and Saboteur. Hopefully at the Doublewide.

 

Lets make this happen duders.. I'm gonna get shitcanned.

All Kinds of cool stuff.. and some really really shitty stuff too.

I will start with the really really shitty stuff.

 

Friday, we had our annual "Sales Kickoff Party" at the House of Blues here in Dallas. It started at 12:30, so I left my job around noon to give myself time to get there and get comfortable. While driving to the House of Blues I reached into my pocket to grab my brand new iphone, and simultaneously heard a couple thuds on the roof of my car, immediately realizing that it was my phone. I panicked turned around, on the service road of the highway mind you, and saw it. I pulled over ran to grab it. It was only the soft silicone case that I had to protect the phone from drops, and dings. I got back in my car flustered and made one more attempt to locate the phone.. I FOUND IT, and the cars were all straddling it so everything was perfect. I parked my car, and as soon as i stepped into the street...  an RV came out of nowhere, and smashed my brand new iphone, moving it right into the tracks of the next 3 cars behind it. ATT wont help, Apple wont help.. Im using a 20 dollar "go-phone" right now.  FML.. 

 

some neater stuff.. 

 

I have pretty much decided that Karate Kid (1-3) are my favorite trilogy of movies EVER, and not to mention that Karate Kid part 1 is simply one of the best movies ever. 

 

On that note. Alisha and I saw Youth In Revolt this weekend, starrting Michael Cera, pretty good. Not as funny as I though, but still pretty good. 

 

and lastly.. 

 

Last winter I went through a "pipe phase" I have always, enjoyed the idea of smoking a pipe. there was always something so interesting to me about the whole ritual. I used to watch my Paw-Paw pack his pipe, light it, re-pack it, re-light it. and then... the most beautiful clouds of smoke swirled around. Followed by the most amazing smells that I can specifically remember today.  So...  I had my pipe phase last year for several months, and to this day have a collection of some highly sought-after vintage Savenelli pipes, a Nording, and some other vintage pipes that some pipe conniseurs might shit themselves over.  However, they are now collecting dust in their stand on the top shelf of my closet. What made me think about this is that this morning on my way in to work I smelled a scent I immediately knew. It was "Sunset Rum" the sweetest, and most amazing aroma that I know of being burned by an old man in front of the building I work in. Mmmmmm... I dont really see myself pulling out the old pipes anytime soon, but I sure did miss that smell.. 

 

just sayin.  

new 5

5. IPHONE

    I finally broke down and bought an iphone. so far so good, I'm impressed. much better than the first gen. Google phone I had been sporting for alittle more than a year. Any good apps anybody wanna recommend?

 

4. NOFX

    I dont have too much to say on this subject, I have just been so into NOFX lately.

 

3. TATTOO

    I did another session on my arm on saturday. I am not posting pics this time because we are still just doing shading. I will say that it was the most painful tattoo session I have ever experienced all inner bicep area, and elbow.. OUCH!!

 

2. JAWBOX

    I bought the remastered version of For Your Own Special Sweetheart this weekend, and it is truly KICK ASS!! I have always loved this album, and now it actually sounds like it was recorded in the last 20 years.

 

1. CONAN vs. JAY LENO

    This is a subject that not only angers me, but also makes me sad, and sickens me a little too. I have been watching Conan since the infancy of his show back in the early 90's. Throughout the years he has remained my favorite late night talkshow host. I felt very happy and proud of Conan when i heard (several years ago now) that Conan was being handed the Tonight Show torch, which has got to be every comics ultimate goal. Now to hear that Conan is being pushed out because Jay Leno's tired ass format cant even keep his aging audience up until 10:00 pm anymore. Let me put this a little simpler. It seems that Conan O'Brien is being screwed out of the tonight show because Jay Leno is a failure. Maybe the entire format is worn out. We obviously dont live in a day and age when Johnny Carson's humor would rouse an audience as it did throughout the 70s and 80s, and this is yet another reason that Conan should be given a chance. I am calling for an all out NBC/ Jay Leno boycott. that is of course upon line-up change. Until then, skip the movies at night, skip your sports-center or King of The Hill re-runs, and watch Conan, if they see that his core audience is still watching maybe we can make a difference.

 

I went on tour (as a merch guy) with a band called Los Straitjackets back in 2001, and one of our stops was at the old Latenight with Conan O'brien show in New York city I met Conan and he was one of the most genuinely friendly, and enigmatic persons I have ever met. So.. Maybe this is a little personal to me but I'm sure there are at least a few of you reading this share my love of the comfort of the Tonight Show, and Conan in particular.

 

 

On the other hand

Sorry to keep harping on this, but I have been thinking again.

 

To be truly opposed to something like Vegetarianism, which is merely someones personal choice, whether it be for health reasons' animal rights or whatever is INSANE. Thats like me being against people with diabetes trying to refrain from eating too much sugar.

 

If you want more facts on why I personally choose not to eat flesh, let me know, but that is not what this is for.

I am just so frustrated with peoples stupidity.

ELITIST...!!!

This is for you Putt.

 

I have never had a problem debating personal beliefs, and theories with willing parties. I have also always had a general rule that I will not push my beliefs, and or theories on anyone, nor even speak of them unless asked. I understand that a lot of the things that make me who I am; i.e. being a non meat eating, tree hugging anti-religious liberal in this highy conservative area I live in can also cause some tumultuous tension with my elders, and even some peers. 

 

With that said. I want to address some things  that have been said to me more than once now, and give my feelings on them. I have been called an "Elitist" for things such as being the afore mentioned Vegetarian, as well as being basically called stupid and again an elitist for doing even the smallest things to help preserve this world we live in like recycling. 

 

I am thoroughly ENRAGED right now. How can you call ME an elitist for not eating meat?!?!?! This is a personal choice for my health as well as animal liberation. Seems to me like you picked up that term from one of your favorite conservative talk show hosts, and it stuck. I was also called an elitist for recycling as well as having been told that recycling is "Stupid" and it is a waste of money.

 

Are you serious right now? WOW!! YOU ARE THE ELITIST. To believe that your religion is the only religion. To believe that it is STUPID, and A WASTE OF MONEY to take small steps to make the place YOU live in a better place. To refer to facts as Theories because they dont fit your uber right wing agenda.

 

YOU DONT DEBATE, YOU PREACH..!!!! In your world, you are right, and everyone else is wrong. you are the reason the world looks at America as a bunch of fat loud mouth morons running making fools of themselves. It is YOUR views that are ELITIST, NOT MINE!!..

 

Now go ahead, and clog some more arteries Preach the true and uninspired word of Jesus around the office place, and tell everyone how they are fucked in the head, while I continue to try to make this a better place to live in.. You also mentioned intolerance. Maybe I am intolerant. but only of foolishness. I WILL NOT ACCEPT YOUR INTOLERANE ANYMORE. I WILL NOT BE ONE OF THE UGLY AMERICANS..!!!

 

Go ahead, and pull out your fucking right wing rhetoric, and hit that button to leave comments, and make 'em good.

 

 

 

The holidays, and a top 5 to boot.

So... the holidays went off without a hitch. The only downfall being that I was so busy that this 11 day break I have had from work seemed like 4 days. I had also hoped to be totally rested and renewed by today, as I do return to work tomorrow. On a moer postivie note. I did get to hang with the fam, some good friends, some old friends, and my beautiful fiance Alisha quite a bit. That makes me happy. The new year is now here, and its time for me to get my ass in gear.. Maybe I'm more reafdy than I think I am.

Now for a long overdue. Top 5.

5. Them Crooked Vultures.
     FINALLY got this cd.. and of course its genius its beautiful, and did I mention its the best line up ever.. I can imagine Dave Grohl calling Josh Homme on the phone asking "hey dude, wanna start a band with me ad the bass player from LED ZEPPLIN?"

4. The Specials.
    I was pretty into ska during that cheesey 3rd wave of the mid-late 90's, but since then I have completely removed myself from it.. I was missing out. I bought a specials cd the other day, and its just so good.. I guess now I need some Slackers, some Suicide Machines, oh geez..

3. NOFX Backstage Passport.
    I don't have cable so I only caught parts of it on youtube a year or so ago. I bought it on DVD the other day and have watched the first several episodes.. Hilarious.. simply amazing that these 40 year old morons run around the world jaunting across all of the places I would NEVER play.. check it out if you have EVER been a fan

2. Fred Perry.
    I struck gold at Urban Outfitters this last weekend and found a black (with orange stripes) Fred Perry track jacket.. 20 bucks. What a steal I'm in love, and I can't take it off..

1. TATTOO.
    I'm getting closer on this sleeve.. next Saturday january 9th.. next sitting.. should be... greuling?

I HATE RESOLUTIONS, But...

I genereally steer clear of making resolutions for myself. It seems as though your setting yourself up for failure. However, this coming year, there are a few things that i really feel like i should do that will change my life. Thats what its all about it seems. So...  here is a short list of a few of my "New Years Resolutions" for 2010..

 

1. Procrastination is OUT!!! 

    I was thinkin about making seperate goals for things like working out, and being more proactive, but all of those things Seem to fall into the same category. I NEED TO STOP PROCRASTINATING!...

 

2. SAVE MONEY!

    I have said several times that i was going to start putting money back, and stop spending so much. Well, the time has has come to make this a reality. I will be 30 in March, and i certainly dont want towork 'til i die, therefore I HAVE TO PUT MONEY ASIDE.

 

3. FOCUS MORE ON MY CAREER.

    A few short years ago, I was working shit-jobs, I had no car insurance, I had nothing. I could barely afford to eat. I got very lucky to find and maintain the job I have. Not only do I love my job, I love the people I work with and it is something that I have taken some advantage of. I must start spending more time and energy on my job.

 

4. GO VEGAN!

    I have been teeter tottering on the line between Vegetarian, and Veganism. What can I say, I love chocolate and Cheese. However, I feel like this is also something that I need to take more seriously.

 

5. SLOW DOWN.

    I have been trying to do more things for me lately, things that make me happy, and make me feel good about ME.

one of these things is just to slow the fuck down, and take a look around.

 

Anyway. theres a few, I'm sure that more will follow.

 

DIG!

5

LATE  BLACK FLAG:

Unfortunately, it took me quite sometime to understand the greatness, and importance of Black Flag, who have become one of my favorite bands of all time now. With that said, I have until recently only celebrated the first few years of Black Flag's highly eclectic catalog. In the past few weeks, thanks to Pandora.com,  I have realized that Black Flag really never recorded anything that I do NOT thouroughly enjoy. Why was I not able to grasp The Process of Weeding Out, and why did I never understand that was a pot reference, why did Loose Nut not get to me like the angst of Damaged? Either way, this shit is bad like Michael Jackson, and now I have to buy every single Black flag album that i dont currently own. FINE!

 

I HAVE GREAT HAIR

just sayin..

 

CHRISTMAS IS COMING, and rapidly:

It's here. It's really here. Christmas, the end of the year, and all the good stuff that comes along with it. However, this year more than ever, the bothersome comments from the Christians in my life are really buggin the SHIT out of me. truly. It is not just hearsay that late December has been a celebration of the Winter Solctice long before the holiday was hijacked to be called the birth of Jesus. serioulsy we all know Jesus was more than likely born in the Spring. So point being this, Christians, dont let the shortening of the name of the holiday bother you X-mas is not a way of taking Christ's name out of the holiday, it is merely an abbreviation. Beyond all of that, if you are celebrating X-Mas the way the majority of America has done for so long, then forgive me for saying, but it doesn't seem very Christ-like in my eyes anyway.  (stepping off of my soapbox)

 

COFFEE:

I Love Coffee, so much, truly.. I love black coffee. I think it is probably the best thing to ever happen to anyone EVER.

fair trade coffee of course :-/

 

SLEEPY:

Maybe it's a Vitamin D defficiency due to lack of sunshine. Maybe its my bear like instinct because I'm such an animal and all, but as much as i LOVE this beautiful cold wintery weather outside, it simply makes me tired, and hungry..  What gives?

 

 

 

 

 

People are CARAZAY...

Dude..

Things (5 or so of them...)

1. OPERATION IVY:
    I had forgotten... These guys should really do one of those punk rock reunion tours that are so pop these day. Is Dave Mello unaccounted for? This cd really does mean a a lot to me.. I'ts like the best friend you don't have to talk to for months or even years In this case.. and... its how I learned to play bass...

2. THE FOG:
    The other night in Austin; Alisha and I had gone out and had a great night.We went to a couple of bars & I pretty much got hammered on Gin an Tonic's and Newcastle. Alisha was fine. She drove.. we went to eat at a restaurant called Magnolia which was good. I had vegetarian spinach quesadilla's I don't remember how good they were. When we left the restaurant to drop home our buddy Chris aka "Goober".. A thick heavy and quite menacing fog had set in that was so severe I thought I might have been dreaming at times. It was really intense. This was 5 in the morning also mind you. We finally made it back after apparently circling our hotel numerous times. This morning. Monday 11/23/09 about 7:00 am. When I was driving in to work this morning that same fog.. this dense dizzying cloud had set in.. again I wondered if I was sleeping

3: AUSTIN:
    So.. that leads me to our Austin trip this weekend. We left Saturday about 6 in the evening, and arrived at roughly 9. As I mentioned before, we went to a few bars that night which resulted in a rather nasty hangover on Sunday. We ate at Mother's, the 2nd best vegetarian/vegan retaurant in TX. Next to Spiral of course. Then drove to Congress Ave. In downtown Austin to walk around and shop. Alisha bought a few christmas gifts for people.. I got a hair cut. It was beautiful weather.  To bad about the hang over.

We decided to wait on moving to Austin for now however. Here's how I see it, and kinda how I view austin in general. North side Austin is relatively inexpensive, but it's the Burbs man.. you might as well live in Cedar hill or somethin'...  Southside of Austin is cool but maybe too cool, like kinda expensive and pretentious funky.. hipster galore.. The mexican area off of Cesar Chavez is probably the raddest area to me but don't know about living there, but the allure and the charisma of austin is Hyde park to me.. close to downtown good restaurants, gorgeous scenery. And guess what?... I can't afford that.. bummer.. So maybe in a few years we can do it the right way.. until then..
   Dear Austin,  You're only 3 hours away

4: HOME RECORDING:
    - have decided that I do want to leave a musical leagcy behind. I don't care about "making it" anymore or even really playing lots of shows. Though, that has also latley started to wigh on me. The idea of being in a BAND again, playin shows and bullshitting with friends.... anyway.. sorry, back on track. The legacy I would like to leave is simply.. music.. I. Think about Stevie Martin a guy who was a good friend to the Brown family and never "made it" but instead left behind hundreds of songs. A catalog of country/folk/Grnad Prairie gems that are adored played and even recorded by his friends, including the songs "Picture Show", and "Denver City Driver" recorded by my band The Outlaw Radio Show.

Now it seems to me that the only real way to leave this sort of a "legacy" is not to just be writing music all the time. That wouldn't do me any good anyway, as the chicken scratch method I have adapted as a way to write my music down couldn't be figured out by even the finest scientists and musicoligists. But to record, and be recording perpetually. The only way it seems plausible to do this is to be recording myself. Wouldn't you say so?
   

5: THANKSGIVING:
    Mmmmm... 3 more days. Vegan Thanksgiving. Mmmmmmmm... I'm so excited, it also means that the holiday season is truly here... It's gonna be a good one.

Post Script.
90210 season 8 is coming out... TOMORROW... that's big news...

5.

5. GETTING BACK IN THE GYM:

    Been getting back in the gym, feels good.. feels real good, cathartic.

 

4. BLACK PHANTOM CRUSADES:

    uhm... congrats guys.. When i was putting together my new case of cd's to listen to for the next month or so,

    I decided to do mainly all singer songwriter stuff, as thats kinda what I've been into lately, Kris Kristofferson, Nick

    Drake, Elliott Smith, Leonard Chohen, and now..  Red Animal War, Black Phanton..  Hell of an album..

 

3. MY MORGAN MOROE:

    I am absolutely in love with my guitar, i'ts a Morgan Monroe MVS-45 Creekside. I cant put it down. I have been playing

    this guitar for around 2 yrs. now, and I still cant believe how inexpensive it was. Of course I'd still rather be playing a

    Martin, but this girl holds up, and its more beautiful, easier to play and easily as resonant, and crystal clear as the

    afore mentioned brand that happens to be about a thousand dollars out of my range.

 

2. OBITS:

    Did anyone see OBITS on Jimmy Fallon last night? I missed it.. :-(

 

1. THANKSGIVING:

    6 days, and then, our secnd annual Vegan Thansgiving feast. Mmmmmm

Session 2. 12 hours in..

OUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCHHHHHHH!!!!!

TOP 5 Things...

5. Getting tattooed on Saturday. 11/14 (hopefully *crosses fingers*)..

    The last appt. I had was canceled as Disco Dean was sick. I hope that he realizes that this Saturday is the day after

    Friday the 13th which is a busy day for Elm Street Tattoo.

 

4. Writing.

    I have been writing new songs like crazy. Really excited to record some of them. I really think some of these songs  

    would be great for me and my brother to record.

 

3. The Holidays season is here.

    I know that in general the holidays are over commercialized consumerist ugly Americanism at its best, but there is

    still something very magical to me about November, and December.. I love it.

 

2. Uhm... I'm freeing my hair.

  

1. The Lemonheads

    I guess this album came out about a year ago or so, and my interest was only peaked because Bill Stevenson, and

    Karl Alvarez, possibly my favorite rythym section of all time, accompany Mr. Dando on the self titled release.

    This is a great album. I was never really a Lemonheads fan before now, but I think if this is any reflection of previous works I will be buying more.. It seems so honest, and just good Rock N Roll. Imagine Foo Fighters meets ALL. (percolator era). I highly recommend this album, and for ANYONE.. I'm impressed. 

 

DIG! 

   

A few new things.. kinda...

This Monsters of Folk cd is pretty good. I think in my mind I hyped it up to be better than it turned out to be, therefore I can not say that it's great. There is a lot more programmed/electronic drums, and synthesizer than i also initially expected. I first heard of them on Conan O'Brien and i was pretty much floored.. Lots of God talk.. That's fine I suppose.

Some of the songs are seriously rad, and give me chills so dont get the wrong idea here. All in all, it may have been better titles as "Kings of Indie"?

 

I finally saww Paranormal Activity last night, after being pretty much begged for the last few weeks. It was frighteneing. They did a really good job of building suspense. I will say it resembled Blair Witch a little too much for comfort. I had heard stories of people puking, leaving, a girl Alisha works with cried? I've seen preiveiews of people just terrified. I didt vomit, cry, or have to leave, but... I can see where I might have been that frightened if I beieved in demons, and demonic possesion. See it. It is worth seeing as even though it was not as frighteneing as I was expecting. I give it a "C".. I would have given it a "B-" if I didn't think it was a pretty blatant Blair Witch replica.

 

Lastly,

 

I may have written about it, I may not have, but I have been really into Neil Young. WOW!! I had previously only really listened to Harvest, though still probably my favorite album, and my favorite Neil young style, there is simply sooooooooo much more of Mr. Young. I didnt realize there was the dirty rock side the off time signature Nirvana meets Bob Dylan side. Neil Young is another one of those singer song-writers that is NOT known for having a great voice; something about it makes me feel comfortable, like my wild hippie great canadian uncle is singing me relevant lullabies.

There is a greatest hits on sale right now at Target for 9.99, if your still hip on compact discs, if not, do what you do, but now is theseason to be listening.

 

F%&K the National Dairy Council

OK.. I'm gonna rant again...

 

Were you aware, that many decades ago the National Dairy Council cut a deal with the FDA to be able to provide most to all of the nutritional information to schools, doctors offices, and nearly anywhere else you saw a food pyramid when you were a child?

 

Did you also know that not only are we the ONLY species (no exception) to drink the milk of another spicies, not our own? Beyond that, we are also the ONLY spiecies to drink milk at all after infancy. ewwww right?

 

How about this... We have been trained all of our lives to believe that milk is good for you, dairy builds strong bones right? Where you ever taught that too much calcium, and Vitamin D is directly related to  Arthirits, and Ostheoporosis?Think I'm full of it? google "dairy and arthirits".. here's one of many links on the subject. http://www.notmilk.com/forum/798.html . This particular link is worth reading, it is a short letter written from one dairy farmer to another. short read, dont be lazy :)

 

im outta angst now, but heres a list of diseases, and issues directly related to the consumption of dairy:

 

Acne, Alzheimers, Anemia, Asthma, Autism, Attention defecit, Congestion, Depression, Ear infections, Headaches, Heartburn, Infertility, Kidney Stones, Leukemia, Lungworms, Obesity,

 

just sayin.

 

 

 

 

 

I think i figured it out.....

So..

 

I think I put my finger on this change thing, and it's simpler than i thought, and yet harder to accomlish at the same time.

It was never "something" that needed to change.. it was EVERYTHING that needs change....

 

It's Monday Morning, i'ts November now. This weekend held 2 events that really solidified the season. Saturday was Halloween, and then in the wee hours of the morning between the evening of Halloween and early Sunday morning, we were finally able to set our clocks back that elusive hour that slips away during the scorching summer months.

 

So, saturday during the day, I worked a little bit, then I went and tried to fit in with the Uptown Dallas crowd, drinking Che'ladas in the a West Village with a good friend watching the rich folk parade their costumed Chihuahuas around in between the Bentleys, and Ferrari's. In the evening after Alisha got off of work we drove to Grapevine, and had a late Halloween dinner with her sister and her boyfriend at their cozy abode.

 

Sunday, I litteraly laid in bed most of the day watching the tube, playing a little guitar, but mainly trying to put my finger on this change thing that has been plaguing me for weeks, and months even. It all hit me when I realized that not one thing but so many little things can change, and profoundly shift my life. Here's a little list of things for you.

 

1. I will become more active in writing music again (have already written 3 gems in the last week)

2. I will start drawing, and painting again.

3. I will get a few new books to read

4. I will work out EVERY DAY, and if I do happen to miss a day I will work out the following day.

5. I will bring my lunch to work more often, if not all of the time.

6. I will save as much money as possible.

 

So there's a few,  there will be more, and I will have to post them, as sort of an accountibility program.

 

DIG!