Sleeveface is awesome!!!

Check out this site, http://www.sleeveface.com. I want to submit one!!!

Trial - The Vera Project in Seattle - 4/22/09

What an awesome and crazy show. I love standing just behind where the stage-divers land so I don't get hurt, but I still get to witness the craziness up front. At least one guy got totally knocked out and another had a bloody face or nose. I know it sounds cheesy, but singer Greg Bennick spoke between songs about a lot of things important to the band, like using the energy and feeling from a show like that one to inspire yourself and transform the world around you. He talked about the Vera Project and how that venue is living proof that we can all find inspiration in ideas and make them into something real. For the most part, he keeps a very positive edge to his message which is rare in hardcore. If he was some sort of atheist minister, I'd totally go to his church. The dude knows how to speak and how to motivate.

I only got 3.5 hours of sleep the next night before working, but it was totally worth it. This was my second time seeing them, and they are easily the most intense, inspirational band in the history of hardcore (as I know it, anyway).

Here's the night's setlist I nabbed from http://xstuckinthepastx.blogspot.com

I Don't Believe in Earth Day

Because you should live every day like it's Earth Day.



In other news, I'll be driving (by myself, ironically) down to Seattle after work to see hardcore legends Trial play a sold-out show at the Vera Project with 108, Pulling Teeth, Skin Like Iron, Lewd Acts, Wait in Vain and Parasitic Skies. Life rules.

Record Store Day

Record Store Day is tomorrow. Check out the list of participating stores (3 in Bellingham!) and the list of exclusive items. I'll be picking up the My Morning Jacket exclusive double 10", the Sonic Youth 7"s, the Pavement live album and possibly the Sublime 7" (they were my favorite band growing up and it has two of my favorite songs).

Are YOU going record shopping tomorrow?

Kylesa - "Static Tensions"

This is my first record review of something I have been digging lately. Let me know what you think of the album if you pick it up.

First off, I need to mention that I had not heard Kylesa before this release, and I've yet to go back and check out anything else they've released. Some friends whose taste I usually trust never say anything good about this band so I always hesitated. However, Last.fm has recommended this band to me every time I log on, so I decided I should finally check out the new record; and I am glad I did. I think you should do yourself a favor and check out this album without any preconceived notions of this band.

Kylesa has two drummers, live and on the recordings. Being a drummer, I think this is a huge part as to why I love this record so much. The percussion is often simple and tribal, but very powerful and heavy-as-shit. For the most part, the drummers are playing the same thing and at times almost sound like a single kit. But then other times (like the toms during the beginning of "Unknown Awareness") it sounds like a marching band's worth of drummers playing their cadence and heading straight for you.

I really dig the occasional psychedelic tones that some of the songs have, especially on the closing track "To Walk Alone." It's nice to hear a band like this taking some chances and being successful in the end, without being overly experimental and boring. I like that the there are no six minute songs on this record. I love the dual male-female vocals. The flow is perfect and there is enough variety that it never looses my attention. So far, this is looking to be one of my favorite records of 2009.

P.S. Check out the song below. It's not very good audio quality, but should give you an idea of what to expect. Go to their Myspace page to hear my favorite track on the record, "Unknown Awareness." Also, do yourself a favor and listen to this album with headphones.

Standout tracks: Unknown Awareness, Only One, Almost Lost, Nature's Predators
Recommended if you enjoy: Torche, Helms Alee, Baroness, Zozobra

Kylesa - Scapegoat

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Vision For High-Speed Rail in America

This makes me giddy. Click the image for the full story on the White House site and HERE for the federal Department of Transportation info site.

Bend, Oregon

A few weekends ago, some friends and I embarked on our yearly trip down to Bend, OR, for lots of beer, food and friends. Oh yeah, and some nature, too. Here are some shots I took from our trip, in photo and caption format.


Finally got to eat the Rainbow Cake! Molly made the cake (which had an awesome frothy beer mug made of frosting on top) for Nate's birthday that we celebrated while on the trip. She didn't follow the recipe from that site for the cake - she made her own white cake instead. The one in the recipe sounds nasty.




The main purpose of our trip was to tour several local breweries. We hit up the Deschutes Brewery, the Bend Brewing Company and the Full Sail Brewery. It was especially cool for Nate and Molly since they've recently started brewing their own stuff.


The punishment for passing out early is being serenaded by the loudest, most drunken rendition of The Star-Spangled Banner that the group can muster. Obviously, I fell asleep way early.



On our last full day, Chris and I decided to meet his cousin and drive to Mt. Bachelor to go tubing! Unfortunately I couldn't get a picture, but basically you take a special "tube lift" up the hill and there are 6 or so tracks that run side by side down part of the mountain. At first I thought it looked lame, but you really get a lot of speed! My face was the only thing exposed, causing ice to build up in my beard. That was weird, but I am glad I had that layer of protection.

It was probably my favorite trip down there, out of the past three years. I hope next year can top it!

Brüno

Finally, the trailer for Brüno has arrived! IMDB says it is out July 10! I know it's pretty gay of me, but my only complaint is his hair. I guess they probably had to change it from the Ali G. Show since he's gained popularity due to Borat. Anyway, check it out. And it's NSFW.

Tim And Eric Awesome Show Great Job!

One of the only reasons I wish I had cable. These guys are hilarious. This is probably one of my favorite skits I've seen so far:

And also for a good laugh, be sure to check out the 3-part ad Zach Galifinakis was commissioned to create for Absolut Vodka, also starring Tim and Eric.

April Fool's Day

Every April 1st, I usually tend to stand back and observe everyone lying and screwing with each other, hoping the whole time that I am not going to be a victim. Isn't it odd how we have one day a year where people are encouraged to trick one another and lie publicly? Facebook has been pretty entertaining, with everyone saying they are moving, quitting facebook or something equally predictable. Google always participates, and so did YouTube and a ton more.

Every year I enjoy reading about a lot of video game-related pranks and fake stories coming across the web and in magazines (RIP). Here's a good list that 1up.com posted:

http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3173539

What was your favorite April Fool's joke / prank / story? I thought these were pretty funny, but obviously jokes:





p.s. Bjork is apparently taking over as lead vocalist for Led Zeppelin.