Born Against were one of the best punk bands to ever exist. The lyrics were as edgy and creative and hard hitting as the music was. Their songs which I've re-heard hundreds of times over still inspire me. Especially 'Mary & Child':
"Once again the battle field is your body and those
who want control have laid down their terms in black and white
and red all over. They keep the backstreet butchers in business
as advertised from a bullhorn.
And the all knowing man has set up his make believe graveyard
with tiny white crosses, for millions of make believe souls.
And someday I'd like to see a cross set up for a real life human being
who bled to death to maintain the sanctity of Mary.
Mary and child scream the bigots who couldn't care less about human life.
Obey their self righteous lies as your sisters and daughters die.
All decisions are final. Your body is forbidden."
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Saturday, August 9, 2008
Alkaline Trio
I've had a sordid love affair with the music of Alkaline Trio for about the last two years. Prior to that, I viewed the band and all of their fans as B-grade gothy Hot Topicians and didn't give them a chance.
Let me preface this by informing you that I grew up on pop punk and have never stopped loving it. I covered it in a shroud of hardcore/grindcore/whatever for about 10 years, but it was always a pleasure, even if sometimes a guilty one. The early 90's Lookout! Records and Fat Wreck Chords catalogues were trusted advisors to what I should be listening to (and they still, to some degree, hold that position).
Anyhow, I found out that two members of Alkaline Trio were members of the Church Of Satan. At first I thought "that's only slightly less lame than Hot Topic", but then I realized it was the actual LaVeyan Church Of Satan. Okay - I thought - they're obviously atheists with a taste for tongue in cheek. So I gave them a chance and was instantly hooked. Essentially simple pop songs with a matured punk edge, and some of the catchiest and most negative and dark lyrics I've read. I mean, a love song about fire? Sign my up! In addition, some of their songs about growing up religiously I could relate to and really dug their metaphors.
So I continually got hooked on their new material, as well as their back catalogue.
I caught wind they were coming through Denver and despite their growing popularity with a hit song on commercial radio and being in the upcoming MTV video music awards, they were playing a 500 capacity club. I slept on getting tickets and when I finally sought them out, they had been sold out for awhile. I ended up paying $100 for a pair, and sold one for $60 - so I stil paid more than twice the face value to go...by myself.
And that was the big thing I faced. After moving to Denver and finally being in a city where bands stopped on tours, I always had no problem going to shows alone, because I knew I was going to see bands I really want to see. These usually ended up being small, obscure shows with low attendance though. This show would be a packed "ballroom", with an audience made up of die hard fans, and those who just recently heard them on the radio.
...and that was exactly who was there, with me in the middle. I've posted man "love the music, hate the kids" type show reviews, but it just seems to keep happening more frequently these days. Maybe I'm getting old. Maybe live music has become something totally different than what I grew up on.
About a third of the audience were fans who had loved them for like 10 years. And that's cool. They packed the front, sang every word and threw their bras at Matt Skiba (no shit). Though I, being already tired, stayed near the back and sung along to their new(ish) songs. This is where the chads and chadettes were too. The fucking dingbats who just heard their new single on the radio and used it as an excuse to party. These visor wearing skanks poured beer on each other and danced like Lil' Wayne was on stage. Fuck off.
But, the band was good. I'm old I guess.
Let me preface this by informing you that I grew up on pop punk and have never stopped loving it. I covered it in a shroud of hardcore/grindcore/whatever for about 10 years, but it was always a pleasure, even if sometimes a guilty one. The early 90's Lookout! Records and Fat Wreck Chords catalogues were trusted advisors to what I should be listening to (and they still, to some degree, hold that position).
Anyhow, I found out that two members of Alkaline Trio were members of the Church Of Satan. At first I thought "that's only slightly less lame than Hot Topic", but then I realized it was the actual LaVeyan Church Of Satan. Okay - I thought - they're obviously atheists with a taste for tongue in cheek. So I gave them a chance and was instantly hooked. Essentially simple pop songs with a matured punk edge, and some of the catchiest and most negative and dark lyrics I've read. I mean, a love song about fire? Sign my up! In addition, some of their songs about growing up religiously I could relate to and really dug their metaphors.
So I continually got hooked on their new material, as well as their back catalogue.
I caught wind they were coming through Denver and despite their growing popularity with a hit song on commercial radio and being in the upcoming MTV video music awards, they were playing a 500 capacity club. I slept on getting tickets and when I finally sought them out, they had been sold out for awhile. I ended up paying $100 for a pair, and sold one for $60 - so I stil paid more than twice the face value to go...by myself.
And that was the big thing I faced. After moving to Denver and finally being in a city where bands stopped on tours, I always had no problem going to shows alone, because I knew I was going to see bands I really want to see. These usually ended up being small, obscure shows with low attendance though. This show would be a packed "ballroom", with an audience made up of die hard fans, and those who just recently heard them on the radio.
...and that was exactly who was there, with me in the middle. I've posted man "love the music, hate the kids" type show reviews, but it just seems to keep happening more frequently these days. Maybe I'm getting old. Maybe live music has become something totally different than what I grew up on.
About a third of the audience were fans who had loved them for like 10 years. And that's cool. They packed the front, sang every word and threw their bras at Matt Skiba (no shit). Though I, being already tired, stayed near the back and sung along to their new(ish) songs. This is where the chads and chadettes were too. The fucking dingbats who just heard their new single on the radio and used it as an excuse to party. These visor wearing skanks poured beer on each other and danced like Lil' Wayne was on stage. Fuck off.
But, the band was good. I'm old I guess.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Bad Movies
Sometimes you see movies like The Tattooist and think "what the fuck was that?" But then you see a trailer like this:
What the FUCK.
What the FUCK.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
At The Gates Reunion
I had the good fortune to be in a city that the At The Gates reunion tour was hitting. I had been excited for it for months. Although I liked all of their stuff, like most metal fans, Slaughter Of The Soul will always hold a big place in my heart. I was really impressed how they said that they were only going to do this tour, and not record a new album because they knew they would never top their classic. Which is true. And I'm glad they're not.
Toxic Halocaust was just okay. They were too cheesy, so it kind of ruined it. Plus they needed another guitar player.
Municipal Waste was amazing. Fast, fun, and not too serious. They weren't there to steal the show, but came close. I really think they're spearheading the speed metal comeback, and doing it with great finesse.
I didn't even see Darkest Hour set up or tear down. I was there to see At The Gates, not a band who has built a career off of ripping off At The Gates. Taylor and I went and got a slice of pizza right as MW finished, and returned as the headliners were about to start.
I think I would have been totally satisfied if they played Slaughter Of The Soul front to back. I like their other stuff, but whenever I listen to it, I just want to listen to SotS. The soundguy did a pisspoor job mixing, so you couldn't hear all the little nuances that you know are in there, but it was still good. The crowd was pitiful though. Half the people there didn't even know who they were. In fact, walking back in, we saw some big douchebucket talking to the singer for Municipal Waste:
Douche: "We totally came just to see you guys, man!!"
Singer: "Really?? Well, make sure you stay for At The Gates, they're the reason this is happening."
Douche: ":.....uh, I've never heard them before. Are they good?"
Now picture what a metalhead who has no idea who At The Gates is looks like. Got it? Half the room were these idiots. All wearing the Darkest Hour shirts they just bought, trying to figure out the physics of a "circle pit". There was one stupid fuck who had no shoes on, holding glow sticks who was running around karate dancing. It was infuriating to watch, and you couldn't not keep an eye on him because he was the type that would make an effort to run into every single person there.
All in all, it was a good experience though. I finally got to see some of my favorite songs ever written played live, which was satisfying. Still though, there's a part of me that wishes I still only had the mental image of what seeing At The Gates would have been like, rather than having these goddamn posers taint the reality by raping it's beautiful Swedish corpse.
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Dark Knight
The Dark Knight was awesome, and Heath Ledger stole the show. An amazing last performance.
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Friday, June 27, 2008
Guitar + Ear
I'm in a new band now, and during practice in a fit of being stupid and failing to be funny, I nailed my own ear with the butt of my SG. This was 5 days ago and it still really hurts. I fear I'm going to get cauliflower ear from it.
What an embarassing story that'll be to tell.
What an embarassing story that'll be to tell.
Monday, June 23, 2008
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