Loose Record :: So You Know What You're Missing ::

Beat My Guest.
Back in 1999 a young kid from Pennsylvania traveled a great distance to get a glimpse of a new film called SLC Punk. The film wasn’t anything special cinematically speaking, but it was thought provoking especially since I had sent my formative years listening to various SoCal punk rock along with the oldies every kid my age has in their catalog. It hit close a little close to home since we had recently buried a friends brother who died while riding home in a vehicle piloted by a drunk driver. At the same time, here I was, this young quasi punk who was getting ready to jump ship on his friends in search of a better life in New York City. It was my belief that my current bastard tendencies would be shed in pursuit of higher education and a beautiful woman.

Five years later and I don’t have much to show for it. My pre-law aspirations were shed after 2 years of battling with the likes of Neitzsche, Mills and the like. Philosophy plagued my pursuit of everyday happiness. My Rawls like Veil of Ignorance was slowly being lifted and the horrors of society and adulthood scared me to death. In an effort to thwart all efforts of growing up, I turned back to music. The beginning has now proven that it will be the end. There are no other options for me, and in the end it looks like my Lillard like selling out won’t occur.

In any event, I brought up this film because there was a song in the movie that never managed to escape my memory. It had an infectious intro with a guitar part that hooks you from the beginning and quickly reels you in before giving the listener a chance to reject it. The song was used while the boys were setting out on their journey to Oregon to buy cheap beer for a house party they hosted. Until yesterday I had no face or name for the band that played the song that had the ability to stick with me even though I’d heard only a portion of it.

While walking into the office yesterday morning the song showed up on my iPod shuffle. It was Superchunk’s Beat My Guest. For sum reason Superchunk never made it into my collection. I was too busy paying attention to Epitaph rather than Sub Pop. At the time I couldn’t see myself buying into the indie crowd if for the only reason that I couldn’t get kids to drive to Pittsburgh with me to see shows. It was easier being a punk and listening to bands like Bad Religion and Pennywise. Little did I know that seven years down the line my life would revolve around the records Sub Pop puts out.

So here I am at 23 writing a few hundred words about nothing. There you are at whatever age reading my few hundred words about nothing. The point is, that song kicks ass. I don’t know yet what the song is about, but I have a feeling it will have some sort of impact on me.

Fat Mike For President.

Ali Meyer just dropped me this link. Since my computer at work is fucked beyond belief, I’m hanging out with the student workers in their room so this computer doesn’t have any speakers, but luckily I already know the song. Check it out if you want a good laugh at Bush and remember, if you don’t want your country to be guided by an idiot son of an asshole, you must get off the couch in November and allow that voice of yours to be heard.

Keep Your Fingers Crossed.

Today Pitchfork reported that Rivers Cuomo discussed plans for Weezer’s fifth record with Billboard earlier this week. The band is waiting until the black rimmed front man finishes his Fall semester at Harvard to put out the record so he will be free to do some touring, (or at least I think so). I’m hopping we see a departure from the Maladroit subtle metal style, but either way I won’t be getting my tattoo removed.

A Break From Rock.
There have been numerous rock shows in the neighborhood this week, but I’ve opted for sports instead. On Tuesday Matt, Noah, Mandell and I hit up the courts for a couple games, but the heat was destroying all of us so we returned to 186 to watch the Pistons finish off the Lakers in impressive fashion. The apartment was crowded, but it didn’t matter because the game was so damn good. It was nice to see a team of throw away players pull it together and win a World Championship. You have to credit Larry Brown for bringing these kids together and developing a system that caters to each of their individual talents. Now I can’t wait to see the deconstruction of this Lakers team. I have a feeling their starting five may have at least 3 new players at the onset of next season.

Yesterday we did more of the same except this time we were joined by Builder and Jason (who runs the extremely informative blog Productshop NYC). The games went smoothly though my shot had deteriorated in the matter of a day. After the game we (minus Jason) cruised up to Croxly Ale House for a couple drinks and some 10cent wings. Yeah, 10cent wings sounds like a beautiful thing, but when 5 guys order close to 70 wings things can get ugly. We had a poor showing and must have dumped close to 20 of the wings. Poor birds, giving their legs just to be thrown away later.

Did You Get That Memo?
This is a heads up for all of you French Kicks fans. Yesterday I received an email regarding a big corporate show the Brooklyn boys are doing at (WTF?) Bloomingdales in Soho on Thursday, June 24. The show is being put on by Blender and Puma so I’m sure the boys will be decked out in cool trainers. It’s and RSVP show so if you want to get listed write to rsvp@blender.com. It’s sure to be a shit show so you’ll have to get their nice and early. There is some icing on this cake in the form of 2 hours of free drinks.

I stole a smaller image of the invite from Jin… thanks?

Builder Is A Good Sport.
I just received an IM from Builder who is now at work. It read, “Just found another dick in my shirt pocket.” If you don’t know we plastered his room in gay porn while he was away on business. You should buy Dan, Kyle and I drinks for a job well done.

Did You Get That Other Memo?
Yesterday I received another email from Max of the Natural History. Their drummer is leaving the band in pursuit of a different career so if you can hit hard and enjoy their catalog than drop him an email. His letter reads:

Hey Everybody,

The Natural History is looking for a new full time drummer. Our First love, Derek Vockins, is leaving us to pursue architecture. So it goes.

For those of you who are familiar with us, we are looking for Someone who plays like Derek in that they a) hit the drums hard and, at times, aggressive, but b) also have a certain finesse. We're not looking for someone to turn to us and say "what do you want me to play?" (although we do give lots of suggestions if we have something in mind). We're looking for someone who wants to put their creative input into the band. This is a full time thing. You have to be willing to practice 3 to 4 times a week and be willing to go away whenever.

We're wrapping up our second record with Derek. He's leaving after then. We'll be touring a whole bunch this fall in the US starting on Sept. 5th for 5 weeks and then for another 4 weeks wrapping up right before Thanksgiving. That touring would be with YOU! Our new record will be out early next year where are a bunch more touring will resume. Most likely the record will come out in the beginning of February. That touring would be with YOU!

For those of you who might have this email forwarded to you, we play Pop music a la Beatles, XTC, Elvis Costello, Spoon, Kinks.

On top of all this, my brother and I are nice guys, if I do say so myself, who have fun playing in a band. Thanks.

Max (info@thenaturalhistory.com)

So give it a shot if you want to go on tour and have a kick ass time with a couple of really nice guys. If only I would have learned how to play, then maybe, just maybe a dream of mine could be filled. Max, do you need a tour manager?

Hype Or Hoax?
Numerous NYC blogs are starting to spread the rumor that the Beastie Boys will be playing in all five boroughs next Wednesday, June 23. They will be making a stop at the band shell in Prospect Park which is a great venue. There has yet to be any solid confirmation on this information, but keep your ear to the ground if you like that b-boys sound. Will someone burn me the new disc, (I’m pointing at you Adam)?

Burn This City. New York City.

Are you going to the Franz Ferdinand show at Webster Hall this evening? I hope so because I’ll be there dancing as much as possible. If you have tickets for tomorrow nights show at Volume, be advised that the show has been moved to the Warsaw. I don’t know the specifics because I’m planning on hitting !!! (Chk Chk Chk) at the Bowery, but you should look into it if you are currently a ticket holder. I’ll be joined by the likes of Matt, Hawkins, Christie and a couple other lucky contenders. I may also have an extra ticket or two (no promises) so let me know if you are interested. Drop this boy and email or give me a ring. We are planning to hit a happy hour with reckless abandon so let me know if you want to be part of the shitshow.

Thursday, June 17, 2004

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