| View: | my blackened heart |
| View: | lost souls |
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| View: | phantoms |
| These are the latest 50 entries. Missed some shit? You dumb fucker, haul back asswards assward . | |
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Abandon hope, ye who enter.
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| Sunday, November 22nd, 2009 |
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| Friday, November 20th, 2009 |
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Brooklyn, NY's Suffocation put out their sixth album this summer and it's fucking amazing. I've seen them live twice and they blow most other bands out of the water. Technical Death Metal pioneers and innovators, they've never really recorded an album with production that awarded their sound much justice until now. Blood Oath is their best sounding release to date even though I'm still sure that the live sound is infinitely better. Seriously, if you ever get the opportunity to see them live, feel the rumble of their monstrous sound and appreciate the technicality of their intricate songwriting it's more than well worth it. And they're all really nice, down to earth guys. I can't say enough nice things about Suffocation. Cooler than hell. |
| Thursday, November 19th, 2009 |
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| Yesterday I interviewed Assemblage 23's Tom Shear. You should read it because it was a fast, fun interview that I really enjoyed doing. |
| Wednesday, November 18th, 2009 |
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| Thursday, November 12th, 2009 |
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I've just "shared" my thoughts on File Sharing. Guaranteed to get a few people all riled up. |
| Saturday, October 24th, 2009 |
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I wish the milkman would deliver my milk when I'm yawning. I wish the milkman would deliver my milk in the morning. I wish the milkman would deliver my milk when I'm yawning. I would like some milk from the milkman's wife's tits. I would like some milk from the milkman's wife's tits. |
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Is it wrong to be positively giddy about working on a project that I'm well aware is going to piss a lot of people off? There's a lot of complacency and too much of a "yes-man" attitude regarding a specific issue and I'm about to publish something that will most likely kick a number of individuals in their complacent, if not downright ignorant, asses. Some might actually call for my head as a result. It could quite possibly undermine everything I've achieved up to this point. But I don't care. My intentions are not malicious in spite of what some will invariably claim. Quite the contrary is true. I'm just sick and friggin' tired of being pounded over the head with what one side regards as gospel truth. There are three sides to every story and I guess I'm always most open to that third side. I'm not just the "devil's advocate." I'm the devil himself. |
| Friday, October 23rd, 2009 |
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Maybe it's just because I'm drunk but I think that X-Rx is quite possibly the worst fucking thing I've ever heard. Fisher Price: My First Industrial. And yeah, someone's going to shout out something even worse, like Rammstein (sorry, that's moving into retardation territory - and they're not Industrial, just bad Nu-Metal with electronics) but I'm pretty much convinced that X-Rx is the aural equivalent of dogshit. I know they get a lot of clubplay because the music requires absolutely no thought or creativity. It's just mindless, zombielike 4-on-the-floor beats. Rave music with more crunch. And it needs to stop. Someone should tell this act to please quit recording...uh, what they think is "music." And every DJ that encourages them by playing their crap should be kicked in the teeth. Smegma like this is killing electronic music. Maybe it's wrong of me to specifically single them out given how many acts out there are relying on the same tired formulas and making club nights so stale and predictable. But it's just that, right now - at this moment - I really fucking hate X-Rx. |
| Saturday, October 10th, 2009 |
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 Lenore has a book called Feely Bugs. It was one of the first books she really got into when she started taking an interest in such things. Each page has a cartoony looking bug on it and includes some feature that's texturally different from the others. There are soft bugs, bristly bugs, leathery bugs, sticky bugs, etc. Lenore took to bending over and rubbing her nose on the "feathery" bug. She really liked the way it felt on her nose.Her favorite comfort toy is Roadrash, a pink bunny that ![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small} hypoxia found in the street one day. After bringing it home and cleaning it up it's become Lenore's prime companion. In particular she enjoys holding Roadie and rubbing his soft, bunny ears on her nose. She can be seen doing this quite frequently, almost compulsively and always with a penetrating, otherworldly stare. It's pretty cute and hopefully not a cause for alarm. |
| Thursday, September 24th, 2009 |
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I was reminded of this recently. |
| Saturday, September 19th, 2009 |
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| ( Cut due to photos and lengthy text. ) |
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Lj is a pain in the ass to update with my phone so I was mostly dealing with Facebook while I was out of state. I've got some stories and pictures to share so I'll probably do that here since Facebook ain't so great where lengthy posting is concerned. And I don't even really bother with Twitter. I read that only about ten percent of people who sign up for Twitter actually use it with any degree of regularity and I just can't see the point of ever going there unless it's to make updates for the people following the DTC Tweets. By and large I find Twitter one rung up the ladder from useless. So yeah. When I get some time I'll share some stories and images of Colorado and Wyoming. I haven't done anything with DTC in about two weeks as well so I'm going to have to start working on that. Too much to do. |
| Tuesday, September 8th, 2009 |
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I just found this comment on a Yahoo forum: "He used the word "We" too often. This country is based on the "Me" factor not we, we is socialism..." Dear fucking christ. Maybe this is the end. Are people this fucking ignorant and downright fucking stupid? Everywhere?! |
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So you know what would be nice? If this allegedly "Liberal" media of ours would start running stories educating people (Conservatives in particular) about what Socialism actually is. Because every time a Conservative starts crying "Socialism!" I know they're uneducated and have no idea what they're talking about. It's the Red Scare all over again with the Cons. And they just keep making themselves look nuttier and nuttier to the rest of us. |
| Monday, September 7th, 2009 |
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ESA to call it quits - Electronic Substance Abuse news, torrent, wikipedia, free MP3, download Posted using ShareThis |
| Sunday, September 6th, 2009 |
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| So yeah. In case you missed it: I did a really fun and lengthy interview with Jamie Blacker of ESA. You can read it right here. Spread the word on this one because I'm pretty proud of the chat we had. And if you don't have The Sea & The Silence head on over to Tympanik Audio and grab a copy. |
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It's after 2:30 in the morning. I've been trying to write but it's been slow going. I don't update this thing much anymore because there just isn't any damn time. I work. When I'm working I have no internet access. When I get home I have to spend time with the baby and family and try to fit in computer time but I'm not the only one who uses the computer. Sometimes I'll try to stay up watching TV or something while the wife is on the computer but wind up passing out on the couch before she's done. When I do get the computer I have to be as quick as possible catching up with all the news and blogging before I get into research and writing for DarkTwinCities. I'm always working on reviews, interviews and putting together DTC blog posts. It's friggin' exhausting, to be honest. I think about just giving up on DTC all the time because I often feel I just can't take it anymore. If I had more time or more help it wouldn't be so bad. And hell, if I hadn't had nightraven's help with reviews over the past few months I'd already have packed it in. DTC isn't exactly a "professional" site. But I want it to be as professional looking and as consistently current as possible. If I can't manage that and get things done in a timely manner I'm just not going to do it anymore. I don't want my name attached to something that's half-assed. And frankly the people who are into the styles of music I cover aren't the most helpful lot. In fact they seem particularly adept at shooting their own selves (as well as the artists) in the foot through their own careless attitudes. I often wonder why I bother and why I just don't go back to writing about Metal. Metal is so much more fun anyway and the people who are into it are passionate about it. In the next week I'm going to be MIA because I've got a lot on my plate. It involves family business, traveling and other things. skywayman has his own wedding and stuff so DTC is going to be pretty dormant for the next couple weeks.It's been a lot of fun connecting with the artists and labels; the few people who actually strive to make a difference when it comes to electronic music. I've met some truly great people and I feel for them because they're working in a market where they're doomed from the onset. Some of these artists have tried to put together "street teams," which is laughable considering that the people who appreciate their music are dead set against anyone else liking it, damning the artist to few sales and empty shows, all out of some sense of, "If more people start liking this music I won't be hip anymore," or something. It's truly pathetic. Seriously. I hear people say, all the damn time, they don't want more people liking this music. And my only thought is fuck you. You're the problem, not the solution. Go fuck yourself. Then kill yourself. You are truly useless. I enjoy sharing music. That's why I do what I do. It's not enough to just listen to it and enjoy it. A big part of the enjoyment comes from getting other people to enjoy it as well. I can't, for the life of me, understand why someone would be intent on making sure as few people as possible get into great music. There's this misguided idea that if something becomes at all "successful" that it just isn't cutting edge or even relevant anymore. It's like some sort of hipster retardation that has infected underground electronic and the mindset of those who prefer these styles. And I find it maddening. Part of me just wants to throw my hands up and walk away. Another part of me wants to fight to build a huge audience that will hopefully completely alienate all these "Stompier-than-thou" douchebags to the point where they disappear completely and leave the rest of us to actually enjoy a growing, flourishing scene where the possibilities seem limitless. I get so angry. |
| Friday, September 4th, 2009 |
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So there's this guy I dig. His name is Josh Homme. He was in a band years ago that sort of provided the impetus for what is now widely known as "Stoner Rock." The band was called Kyuss. They were really fucking cool. Well, Kyuss eventually broke up and Homme formed another band that was even cooler. You may have heard of them. They're called Queens Of The Stone Age. Their third and most popular album featured Dave Grohl of Nirvana and Foo Fighters fame on drums. Well, Dave's back with Josh only it isn't for a Queens album. It's for a new project called Them Crooked Vultures. It's a three piece with Homme on guitar and vocals, Grohl on drums and none other than Led Zeppelin's John Paul Jones on bass. My dick gets hard every time I watch this brief clip. Just so you know. |
| Tuesday, September 1st, 2009 |
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So it took just over a year but we finally got Lenore to take more than a few steps. Curiously enough she seems to have more balance than Daddy does after half a bottle of whiskey. |
| Sunday, August 30th, 2009 |
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I hate you, man. I really hate you. I mean, I love you and your music but I really hate you. It's easy to write up a review that's critical of an album's deficiencies while praising the hits. It's elementary. It's a piece of cake. But every album you put out is so goddamn good that I'm always at a loss for words regarding what I should say about it in a review. And each album just gets better. It's becoming extrememly hard to write up reviews for your work. You make my life difficult even as you bring me so much joy through your music. So I hate you, man. I really, really hate you. Quit being so friggin' good at what you do. >:( Cordially, blueyeddevil
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| Saturday, August 22nd, 2009 |
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This isn't someone I know personally but it is someone whose story touched me in a personal way. In the words of her friend Megan: "I have a friend named Casey, who I met when she was a beautiful, slightly shy 16 year old through my friends Miss K and her father the Oak King/Traveler. In the past 3 years I have gotten to know Casey a little better and have watched her grow in confidence, passion and poise. Last fall she went away to college where she got to experience a lot of the things that make life both joyful and sad. She grew more into her own person which happens to be incredibly strong at its core. Then after months of increasing pain in her back she went to have it checked (again) and the chiropractor cared enough to be very thorough in the exams he put her through. What they discovered was that Casey has a large tumor eating away at her in her back and hip. The diagnosis? Osteosarcoma. Casey isn't dying but the cancer has metastasized into her lungs and right shoulder. She will also be having her right leg and part of her pelvis amputated this September. This is because while the tumor has shrunk a little, between it and the chemo her leg has fractured badly just from walking on it. A week or so ago Casey entered into a contest by Victoria's Secret. The prize is a trip for two to New York City for 3 days of pampering at a spa, staying in a nice hotel, a shopping trip and seeing a city Casey has never been to. Although, she seems to be more excited about being able to ride in an airplane. :) So, if you have a minute each day - please vote for her at Profile #880." Y'know what? I don't care whether you're the militant, anti-corporate, anti-sexualization-in-Pop-Culture type or some puritanical Christian who thinks companies like Victoria's Secret signal the "End Of Days," or whatever silly shit in which you choose to believe. I believe in people. I believe that sometimes honest, wonderful, unassuming people are befallen by horrible, wretched circumstances that aren't at all fair. Life isn't fair. There is no true justice. The innocent are often stricken with impossible cruelty and the guilty often go free. The universe is a chaotic and unruly place that doesn't adhere to simple-minded ideas regarding "fairness." But every so often you get the opportunity to soften the blow for another human being who just needs a little helping hand. This doesn't cost you anything but a moment of your time to potentially brighten someone's day. It's a tiny gesture for a fellow human being who could use something nice right now. And if you really can't handle doing this without having something shallow involved in the process just consider all the rest of the vapid douches vying for this prize to which you'll be granting disappointment. Hopefully that will at least put a smile on your conflicted, rotten face you smug piece of shit. And thank you in advance. VOTE HERE Then spread the word. I can't do this alone. |
| Wednesday, August 12th, 2009 |
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Link Back in high school I was a mess. No really, a complete mess of an individual desperately seeking some sort of identity. I suppose that's pretty normal but when I look back on those years I'm more than a little embarrassed by what a schmuck I was. I was pretty into Metal (that much hasn't changed) and I wore the tight jeans and Metal band Tshirts, sporting the classic Eighties mullet. I wasn't much into the other kids who were into Metal though because they were just so...I dunno. Uninteresting. And sort of dumb. They weren't well read and couldn't hold a conversation to save their own lives. When I started auditioning for plays the Metal kids couldn't figure out why. I mean, what the fuck was I thinking, right? I guess that was the point. I was thinking.The drama kids couldn't figure out why I was auditioning for plays either. They couldn't wrap their heads around the fact that some Metalhead dirtball was trying to crash their scene. But I was very much into Shakespeare. And I had a pretty fierce advocate. A man named Ert Jones-Hermerding. I knew Ert from junior high. He was a teacher at Plymouth and happened to move to my high school when I entered Cooper. I had him for Speech class, and Oral Interpretation. He was a great teacher, the sort you never forget. Beyond that he became a good friend and a mentor. He was so much more than a mere teacher. He was an inspiration. I was lucky in that I had a pretty close relationship with him. There was a bond shared between us. But then, I can't really say I was lucky since Herm (as we called him) shared a bond with most every kid who crossed his path. That's just the way he was. He could be stern when he needed to be but more often than not he was the wise friend you could approach when you needed help with schoolwork or even personal problems. He was a football coach for a number of years but I knew him as the drama teacher and the director of some of the greatest productions in the district. He encouraged me to get involved in drama and those experiences coupled by his guidance completely changed my life. The movie Dead Poets Society came out around my junior year and the character Robin Williams played could be easily compared to Herm. He had authority but was never condescending. He felt like one of us. And you could approach him with anything. Hell, it was often difficult just getting some time alone with him but I remember all our one-on-one chats in his office. He could be lighthearted and joyously entertaining or he could be passionate and full of intensity. But he was almost always incredibly thoughtful. There have been some people in my history who have shaped me more than any other outside influence. Herm was in the top five. It was impossible to dislike the man. If you know anyone from my school district they will tell you about Herm. We all have our stories. He affected so many people the mind reels at the potential number. He was just the sort of teacher you wish every teacher could be. And more. I didn't keep in touch. I don't think I've seen or spoken to Herm in over a decade. He retired from teaching six years ago. The other day while riding his motorcycle there was an accident and Herm died at the age of 62. It kinda hurts to think about it. Even though there are years between us and circumstances didn't keep us in contact the news was a shock and it feels as though a part of me has died as well. The world lost a great man too soon. This is horribly unfortunate. I guess a memorial has been put together for Friday night at my old high school. I expect the place is going to be packed. But Ert isn't gone. His spirit lives on in all the lives he affected and those lives, in turn, impart his spirit to others. Very seldom will you ever see a legacy that stretches as far and wide as the one left behind by Ert Jones-Hermerding. Thanks for everything, Herm. I owe you so much. You were the very definition of a hero. |
| Friday, August 7th, 2009 |
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Tosh.0. The wife and I love this show. It's basically a ridiculous, low budget ordeal featuring a comedian riffing on all the stupid shit people put up on the internet. And it's incredibly fucking funny. Take the footage of this guy who was invited on a news program to discuss his band, er...something. It must have been an early morning show after a late night of partying and the kid managed to throw up on the set right in the middle of the interview. Internet gold. So Daniel Tosh invited the kid on the show to party it up some more. It's become a ritual to sit and watch this thing every week. We've never laughed so much during a program. Stupid, I know. |
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...one year.
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| Sunday, August 2nd, 2009 |
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...no sir, don't mean maybe.
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| Saturday, August 1st, 2009 |
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Raven wanted to have her friend Katie sleep over tonight. Katie lives down the block and is a couple years younger than Raven (which, for those of you playing the home game, makes her nine). She's a real cutie though not in that, "I should consult the Pedobear on this one" sort of way. For supper I was making arctic char, a salmon-like fish that's a little bit heavier/oilier with a surprisingly silky texture. After coating it in olive oil and seasoning it, placing onion slices on top, I put it in the oven which had been set to broil for a good fifteen minutes, then turned the heat down to 375. This gives the fish a good sear but keeps it moist and tender as the temperature goes down slowly. After another fifteen minutes I pulled it out, dolloped it with a mixture of sour cream, mayo, lemon juice and chives then added fresh tomatoes and scallion greens. I accompanied this course with a french baguette and broccoli that had been steamed with fresh garlic, ginger and a mixture of hoisin and red pepper w/ garlic sauces. Nothing too complicated. Raven won't eat fish. Even though Katie was willing the girls decided to fry up hamburgers on the stove instead. But Katie was watching me pretty intently as I was cooking, occasionally asking me questions. Toward the end she said, "Wow, you're a much better cook than my Dad." I chuckled at her candid nature and asked her how she could be sure since she hadn't actually eaten any of my cooking. She shrugged and replied, "Because you look like you actually know what you're doing." Alrighty then. So I followed up with, "Well, what does your Dad like to cook?" She thought for a minute, then said, "Oh...all sorts of stuff. Hamburgers...hot dogs...um, fish. Well, fish sticks..." and she trailed off. Alrighty then. Katie tried a little of the fish and seemed to really like it. Lenore loves fish. She gobbles it up lickety split, nooo shit. But then we have yet to find someing Lenore doesn't like. She'll pretty much eat anything although it becomes clear pretty quickly what her favorites are. Aside from all that I've been a completely useless piece of shit today. I have plenty to do but don't feel like doing a goddamn thing since the moments when I feel like I can get away with such an attitude seem rare these days. Fuck it all. |
| Sunday, July 26th, 2009 |
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This is pretty much the way I imagine skywayman's love life must be like. |
| Wednesday, July 22nd, 2009 |
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If you want to fuck with Mike Tyson and Flavor Flav, be my guest. Seems strange you would but whatever. Just don't fuck with Tom Waits. And for no real reason, even!
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| OMGtheyoquieroTacoBelldogdied!!!1!!11! |
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So I really like Alice In Chains. I first saw them live back around '91. It was the "Clash Of The Titans" tour featuring Megadeth, Slayer and Anthrax. This little unknown band from Seattle was the opener and "Man In A Box" had just begun its rotation on the radio. They were eerie, swampy and heavy. I really dug the music. I became a fan that day. What more can I say about them you don't already know? Everyone knows how things turned out. Layne succumbed to all the drugs and shortened the life of this great band as well as his own life. Some think the idea of a new AiC record is heresy. How can you do that without Layne? Well, Layne was only 1/4th of the band. While he played the tortured soul to perfection with his distinctive voice and amazing range it was always Jerry Cantrell's baby. He wrote the music, came up with a lot of those off-kilter harmonies. His solo albums are quite good. Well, Alice is back with a new singer named William DuVall. From what I've heard he can cover the Staley material but he's no Layne. He's a different person and you certainly can't fault him for that. Musically, though, it's just like the old Alice. Slow, grinding, impossibly heavy guitar and bass with hard, plodding percussion. I'm excited to hear the whole album. Dismissing them merely because of Layne's absence is a mistake. This is still some great, haunting music. And all the shitty rock bands you hear on the radio have nothing on Cantrell. "A Looking In View" Black Gives Way To Blue is due out September 29th. |
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Management is always looking to send drivers home. Every day they ask around to find out who wants a day off. They're able to do this because volume has dropped so far that they can consolidate routes and put less people to work. Typically there are always drivers who don't mind taking a day for themselves. When business is strong getting a free day off is like pulling teeth so a lot of the guys are enjoying this while it lasts. I am not one of those guys. I have bills to pay. I have a house payment. I have a baby. I don't want unpaid days off. But I showed up to work today and there was no work for me. So I got sent home. Part of me likes the fact that I got a day off but a larger part of me is only thinking about those lost wages. It's going to hurt. I'm just hoping this doesn't become a regular occurrence. |
| Monday, July 20th, 2009 |
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So can someone please tell me why we're spending so much time "looking back" to the moon landing? I've been googling it but all I come up with are the stupid "conspiracy" theories. I really don't give a rat's ass whether or not it was "faked" because either way it seemed like a pathetic waste of time. What was accomplished? We went there. We "made it" to the moon. We landed, played some golf, drove a rover around, planted a flag and left. Then never went back because...well, what's the point? It's a useless rock. Yaaaaaay, we made it there. But beyond that, who really gives a flying fuck at a rolling doughnut? How many millions were spent to get a few guys up to the moon, ostensibly for absolutely nothing? And now, 40 years later, we're still saying, "Yaaaaaay, we made it there." Big fuckin' deal. |
| Monday, July 13th, 2009 |
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| Saturday, July 11th, 2009 |
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| So if you've got some time on your hands this is fun and interesting. Try out the Helen Keller Simulator. Good times. |
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So after months of deliberation my Sister and I decided on JD Hoyt's for my Parents' Anniversary dinner tonight. The food is well-prepared, the menu is diverse and it isn't located in St. Paul. My Parents are both Twins fans and, as luck would have it, they're retiring former Twins pitcher Brad Radke's number tonight (he was inducted into the Twins Hall Of Fame last night) and holding a party at JD Hoyt's after the game. My Father, in particular, is excited about this. I couldn't care less because I think baseball is extraordinarily boring. And I used to play the "sport." For most of the game you're either sitting on your ass waiting to bat or standing out in a field picking your nose and waiting for someone to hit the ball in your direction. Athletes my ass. But my Parents really dig it. They also are big fans of the game show network but unfortunately Gene Rayburn and Wink Martindale couldn't make it to supper. Unfortunately, we have to sit through church before dinner because my Parents are renewing their vows or some such bullshit. So I have to deal with the burning, flaking skin and sharp pains associated with being inside the Lord's house for an hour. Should suck. Hopefully dinner will be much better. |
| Saturday, July 4th, 2009 |
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So the 4th of July weekend mixed with that CONvergence stuff made for a slow night at Zero, but dj_nitrogen and I decided to throw caution to the wind and just have some fun. It was a pretty eclectic mix and Craigy Craig even threw in some classic Public Enemy for gits and shiggles. We took turns, alternating every couple songs and I couldn't tell you all that he played but here's what I contributed from what I can remember; Lords Of Acid The Crablouse My Life With The Thrill Kill Kult Delicate Terror Junkie XL Billy Club Angelspit Kill Kitty (KMFDM Remix) Aesthetic Perfection Spit It Out Uberbyte Say What?? Imperative Reaction Fallout KMFDM Never Say Never Hocico Fed Up Noisuf-X Voodoo Ritual Alter Der Ruine Elevator Noise Prong The Banishment (Wolfzilla The Angry Moon Mix) Strapping Young Lad Fucker Prometheus Burning Ouroboros Deathride ESA Dead Fucking Desire ESA Cursing High Wycombe Room 101 I had a fun ride home. Perhaps I'll get into that at some other time when both my mind and body aren't fried. |
| Thursday, July 2nd, 2009 |
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| In honer of Whitesnake and Judas Priest playing live tonight at Harriet Island, check out the Metal Yearbook. |
| Sunday, June 28th, 2009 |
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| Mark Spybey: The DTC Interview |
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...but some of these are pretty rich. |
| Saturday, June 27th, 2009 |
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| ( ...see. I told ya so. ) |
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So I certainly don't consider myself as Robert Christgau or anything but when I see a horribly written and poorly thought out music review and it allows for comments would it be uncouth of me to explain exactly why the individual should not be "writing" music reviews. I mean, seriously. Would that make me a complete dick? I don't consider myself a great writer by any stretch of the imagination but I read complete crap on a daily basis here on the internets. It gets frustrating. And it isn't just that the people can't write for shit. There's no imagination or passion behind it. No attempt is made at making it an interesting read at all. And when it's evident they just didn't "get" the subject matter it becomes infuriating. Can I be a dick? Please? |
| Friday, June 26th, 2009 |
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...and cuter than hell. |
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I suppose I could chime in with all the obvious jokes like everyone else and belittle MJ and chuckle over his sad fate because, y'know, the guy was a freak. Right? I mean, he was acquitted of those child molestation charges in a court of law but obviously he molested children. Isn't that right? He had to have molested them because he was such a freak. He loved children. He probably loved them a little too much. And he was so "weird." So obviously he was touching them. Beyond that there was all the garish plastic surgery and the goofy animals and collections and...hey, waaay beyond eccentric. Easy target. We built this man up as one of the greatest music figures of the twentieth century and then, rather predictably, we tore him down. That's what we do as a society. We build 'em up and knock 'em down because it's fun. And it sells advertising and it sells magazines. And hell, he made it so easy. I mean, just look at the guy. I'm sure he reeked of pederasty in person. Well, y'know what? Fuck you. MJ furthered music in his time. He was a brilliant artist and performer. I was a huge fan. I see no shame in admitting that. From the time he burst on the scene as the young(est), short(est) member of a fantastic group of brothers called the Jackson 5 he mesmerized audiences everywhere. And when he grew up and went solo he won over the hearts of every music admirer. He took Soul, R&B and Pop and fused it all together into something powerful and irresistible. Then this thing called MTV came along and he elevated the "music video" into an art form. He was cutting edge, he was musical brilliance, he was performance bliss. He was the spirit of not just one age but a few. At one time it seemed there would never be a moment when Michael Jackson wasn't the "King Of Pop" because no one could touch him. There were the ailments. There was all the plastic surgery. Personally, I think they really fucked up the surgery and then spent so much effort trying to fix it that they kept fucking it up more. It's like when you put together a song or a sketch/painting/portrait and there's something that doesn't work so you try to fix it but just fuck it up even more. It's horribly unfortunate but it happens. And it wasn't as though he had an enviable childhood. Read up on his parents sometime. And he was thrust into the spotlight from the beginning. You have no idea what that does to a person. It skewed his whole perspective and affected the way he developed in an extreme way. I always felt bad for the guy. But I also really dug his music, all the way up through Dangerous. MJ had more impact on music than most any other artist out there. It's a shame that things ended the way they did. And I'm not just talking about the last twenty-four hours. The last fifteen years were hard. But that just follows suit with how the greats end up. Greatness and misery go hand in hand. And this was another Elvis situation, quite frankly. Someone recognized that as much as society loves to build up stars and tear them down they also love a good comeback and there are people who put down a lot of money to see Jackson rise again. To ensure it would happen they "augmented" his health with whatever it would take to make the upcoming tour happen. They got him addicted to drugs that ultimately did him in. I'm convinced of that. While it's rich in irony it's also utterly ridiculous that it could happen in this day and age. But Jackson was like a child, even at 50. He was too trusting and too ignorant in the face of those who were manipulating him. Yes, he was way past his "prime." He was in no physical condition to be of any relevance in what the "market" has now become. His death isn't just a "shock," it's symbolic of the death of the way things used to be. Everything that built MJ up is gone now. Everything is completely different now. He was a relic. And he was also difficult to behold and sort of creepy as well. That doesn't lessen his impact. He may have exhibited a childlike ignorance which ultimately did him in but he also possessed a creative brilliance that affected generations and influenced most every musician of the past forty years. I regard his passing as sad. I mean, it is what it is. But it's unfortunate. And I still love his albums. People can tear him down all they like. The man can pass into the restful black. But the music is still there and it's still just as great as the first time I heard it. MJ FTW. |
| Thursday, June 25th, 2009 |
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Not safe for work. But then, ( who wants to watch a guy stick his pecker into a light socket even at home? ) Boys and their peckers, I tell ya. |
| Wednesday, June 24th, 2009 |
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I'm going to buy a print of this for Lenore's room.
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So here's a perk that comes with home ownership; I just walked into my back yard with a big axe and caused some violent destruction. Now I have that, "I need a cigarette after sex" feeling. A cigar will be better. |
| Tuesday, June 23rd, 2009 |
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So here's something really super mega bitchin' cool: Over at The DTC Blog Dan Clark of Stromkern, Null Device and The Dark Clan has begun writing a regular guest blog detailing the trials, tribulations and travails of being a recording/touring artist (and much love to my wife for designing the banner). This is something I've wanted to include for a while now and will seek out other musicians to contribute as well. I've always figured that since musicians in this scene are pretty cool about making themselves accessible to their fans they might appreciate a forum where they can give said fans some idea about what they go through as they build on their artistic venture. If fans gain some more understanding maybe so many won't be so quick to torrent the albums for free, complain about ticket fees, merch prices or performance woes, etc. And maybe someday we'll have world peace. Or, at least, whirled peas. |
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Abandon hope, ye who enter.
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