The Marble Index Go To Rock Ridge

The Marble Index Go To Rock Ridge

07/12/07
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(PR) Hamilton, Ontario-based trio The Marble Index have signed with Rock Ridge Music. Their sophomore record, “Watch Your Candles, Watch Your Knives,” is scheduled for release in the United Stated on October 9th. The album was recorded at Hamilton, Ontario’s Catharine North Studios, with producer Scott Shields (the Mescaleros, G.U.N.) at the helm.

Says band guitarist/vocalist Brad Germain: “We are pumped about signing with Rock Ridge. Getting our songs released in the U.S. by people that are behind what we're doing has always been what we were after.”

Says Rock Ridge A&R Manager Ben Miller: "With songs such as 'All That I Know' and 'We Always Complain,' The Marble Index grabs their listeners with hard- hitting, catchy rock songs that reminds you of everything you love about rock 'n' roll.”

How To Deal With With A Conservative When You Must

If you know me at all, you know that I cannot stand Ann Coulter. She is a condescending, high horse siting, strangely angry woman, who's politics are so black and white that she often makes a penguin look like a bird of the tropics. I have seen several interviews with her and they all have one thing in common. She talks over the person asking questions, she doesn't answer the questions and gets defensive and attacks the person interviewing her.

Now I have never been the man show type. I don't watch the show really so I don't really know anything about Adam Corolla. However, I now find him to be a great guy. Good work buddy. You took care of the person who pisses me off more than anyone else in the political media.

Here's The Hate On The States

As I write this, the United States Men's National Soccer team is playing in the Copa America. Copa America is South America's international championship. For those of you who don't know,[1] the United States MNT just won the Gold Cup, which is the North American championship. The only reason they were in this Copa America was because they were the special invite.[2]

The fact of the matter is you have to feel bad for the US guys during this type of tournament. Not because they have lost 3-1 to both Paraguay and Argentina. I mean because I have decided the US MNT is the most hated team in the world. Here are the reasons that I think this is true.

1. Politics- I don’t need to fill you in here. People hate this country. This isn’t thanks to G.W., this has been the case for a long time. Like the Yankees of the free world. America is loved and America is hated. People love when good things happen to us. People cheer against us.
2. Not Our Sport- Its annoying when the world beats us at basketball. But the world loves to beat us at in soccer because this is their game. We are just viewed as the new kid that wants to play their game. Not to mention we aren’t really on their level yet.
3. No Fans- How can a team that doesn’t have fans get love or respect from someone else’s? When was that last time you found yourself casually cheering for the Kansas City Royals?

They get booed more mercifully than anyone I have ever heard in sports. They always have a fan in me though. I can already see they aren’t going to advance in the Copa but I am still proud of they way they continuously handle themselves with class. This goes for American fans too. When the Untied States plays you often can’t hear the ‘Star Spangled Banner’ because of the boos. I know the American fans would never do that. Once again proving that the overweight, frat boy society that we live in will is the class of the free world.

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[1] And I am guessing that’s almost all of you

[2] Mexico, who the US beat to win Gold Cup was invited as well

Best Songs Of The First Half Of 2007

So this weekend marks the end of the first half of 2007. It has been quite a year so far. My Bears played in their first Super Bowl in 21 years, we have learned who is who in the future presidential primaries, Paris has gone to jail, Imus lost his job and Florida has won everything. Musically for me i find myself listening to less and less hard stuff and more and more indie stuff. Oh no... I'm an indie kid.

Any way, here are my favorite songs of 2007 in no order:

Peter Bjorn & John- Young Folks

"if I told you things i did before
told you how I used to be
would you go along with someone like me "

Young Folks is a electronic folk song that seems to get catchier each time you listen to it. The electronic drums, male & femal vocals, sing along chorus, but most of all the whistling hook. It brings to mind an updated version of Serge Gainsbourg & Bridget Bardot's Bonnie & Clyde.

Queens of the Stone Age- Turning on the Screw

"You got a question? Please don’t ask, it
Puts the lotion in the basket
You say bigger’s better but bigger's bigger
White boy dressed up like a figure
Drawn inside a toilet on the wall
The world is round my square won’t fit at all"

Sometimes a band comes out with a song that is such a good example of their own music that it amazes me. Kinda like Guns 'N Roses- Mr. Brownstone, The Smith's- How Soon Is Now?, Social Distortion- Cold Feelings and so on. When I first grabbed a copy of Era Vulgaris, I went straight to the song Make It Wit Chu since I wanted to hear the changes from Desert Sessions. Then i went back to teh beginning. When this song was at about 0:17 I said, "wow this sounds like QOTSA" to one of my co workers. The guitars seem to swirl around your head when you listen to it and the melody of Josh Homme's voice seems to hang above you and put you in a trance. The lyrics in this song are twisted and as dizzy as the instruments.

Kings of Leon- Knocked Up

"who'll call us renegade
Feel like we're living crazy
We like taking on the town
Some people getting lazy
I don't care what nobody says, no
I'm gonna be her lover
Always mad and usually drunk
But I love her like no other."

I'll admit it, I liked the other two albums better. However, the second the first song on the new Because of the Times, I knew that I was going to love this song. The lyrics are great, the music is great. Of all of the new songs, it for the first time was pretty obvious that they have been spending time on the road with Pearl Jam and U2. The guys proved they had grown up but I have to admit I do miss the more whiskey soaked sounds from Aha Shake, Hearbreak.

The Stooges- My Idea of Fun

"They break your skin, when you're a kid
They steal your soul, and keep it hid
And that is why, I hate mankind"

The thing I love about this song, is how much the Stooges stayed to their roots. I love the New York Dolls, but their new record sounds like a new record. Weirdness could have been a Stooges record 40 years ago! Sex, drugs, violence everything that you would expect from a song fronted by Iggy Pop. He hasn't lost a step at all. When I saw him live, I could not believe this man was 60!

Emily Haines & The Soft Skeleton- Crowd Surf Off a Cliff

"Cursed with a love that you can't express
It's not for a fuck or a kiss
Rather give the world away than wake up lonely
Everywhere in everyway, I see you with me."

The words are beautiful. The piano is beautiful. The singer is beautiful. This song grabs your right when it starts. The piano so simple forces emotion out of you and almost makes you scared. It's sexy. It's sad. I love this song. I don't know if its better in a low key lounge setting, or if you are home from the lounge back in your bed enjoying the fruits of a successful night on the prowl.

JJ Grey & Mofro- Circles

"So please forgive me for what some other man did too you
Before I came along
Cuz I don't want to go on fighting and fussing over something
I can't change at all
There's no way I can change the past or your pain
I don't want to fight walking in circles
I'm not the one who hurt you so deep down
Let's start a new now walking in circles"

This song actually wins the timing award. I learned about this band from a co worker right while I was really into a southern bluesy sound and these guys are like the Black Crowes. Some people call them a "front porch soul" band. Really they are a great blues band that gets funky whent hey need to. They have a great strings section and JJ kills it on the organ.

The Game Is Half Over

I am a pessimistic sports fan. Basically I see every game... no... every situation in every game as Murphy's Law. For example, I almost always think the next pitch to the other team is going to be a home run. I can't help it. My New York friends don't really mind because the only team we share is Syracuse. My Chicago friends get annoyed with me about it. They blame things on me because I am negative energy and they remind me I am a "half empty" guy when we win games.

Perfect example happened to night. The Cubs were winning the whole game and went into the top of the 9th where the Rockies scored 6 runs to take the lead. I predicted the 3 run home run that gave Colorado the lead. Then I text messaged my friend.

"Way to close the game out guys... good work."

The response I got was, "one game against the Rockies? Big deal you're just torturing yourself."

Moments later, Soriano hit the game winner. My friend then texted me again, before my viewing on MLB.tv on the internet showed me the game winner.

"Cubs win... you suck... letting one inning dictate your emotions."

Well, he has a point. I get caught up in my teams. I wouldn't say it ruins my day when they lose, but I will say I'm much happier when they win.

The Social Right & The Social Left

On Friday, I went to a club called La Boucarou in the East Village for a birthday party. I need this place explained to me. It was such a shit show. First of all, luckily we get there early enough that we didn't have to wait in line. Yes there were velvet ropes. Nothing sends me screaming in the other direction quite like velvet ropes.[1] Ok, so the décor was unoriginal, you weren’t even allowed to sit unless you bought a bottle, the music sucked. Not even like bad southern hip hop sucked, like Fergie sucked. To make matters even worse, a huge percentage of the tools there were for a white party. These kids were acting like big balers at the lame club, with bad music, wearing white pants, white blazers and white shoes.

So my question to the people who run this establishment, work the door and the kids in the white… why this place? Why should someone wait in line for shit decour, lame music, expensive drinks, douchy uncreative kids? And don’t say because of the girls that were there because frankly there weren’t that many girls there let alone good looking ones. This is why my friends don’t go to these types of places.

This weekend I went to my first MMA event. It was Cage Fury Fighting Championship. Which is about as cheesy as the term extreme sports or half the names for all of the professional wrestling leagues. Any way before I talk about the fight a few observations on the people at this thing and remember its Atlantic City, New Jersey:

The Males

• Flat rimmed baseball hats
• Cursing
• Ogling and discussing what they would do to certain females
• Drunk
• Tons of people claiming to be friends with one or more of the fighters
• Wearing t shirts from the fighters, their gyms or UFC guys
• Club hair
• Diamond earrings
• Thick accents, even if they have never been to New York

The Females

• Played the gender role of the hunted
• Short skirts
• Shorter cut shirts
• Comically large implants
• Stripper heels
• Drunk
  
• Hair coloring in various streaks and colors
• Hanging on a guy with all of the above

Now as you can probably guess this isn’t my type of people from either gender, but I have to admit I had a great time with them. I like to think I’m hip in my own way and a dork in my own way. The people at the event probably didn’t understand me either and I am totally cool with that.

The crowd was actually a larger age range than I expected. Everything from dad's with kids, to older men, teenagers, college kids, twenty something’s, thirty something’s and the biggest surprise (though in retrospect shouldn't have been) was the number of cougars.[2] There were also a lot of fights in the stands probably about five on the night. The first being the best as it happened before, during and after the security got there. What made it even funnier was that it was too 45+ year old white guys, with guts.

The fights themselves weren’t the best I had ever seen, especially the first 3 that went the distance. They also took way to long between the fights to actually get things going, thus causing more beer drinking. Which, of course, I had no problem with.

We were there to see Kimbo Slice, of street fighting/youtube fame.[3] He fought Ray Mercer and beat him less than 40 seconds in the first round by a choke. I was hoping for an all standing fight but Kimbo learned some ground technique and Mercer clearly didn’t. So there goes that idea.

Once the fight was over again we went to the casino where I went to win about a grand. I went on a fantastic blackjack run while singing “the devil came out to play” and dancing wit h my friend who was cheering me on and pressuring me into betting $100 bets. Yeah, we looked like drunk idiots, but the people at the table loved us.

The weirdest part was when we left the casinos in the morning to head back to the city, we saw a cloud of smoke raising above the city that was stretched for what looked like a mile. I had never seen anything like it before. Some guy on the radio reported it as a dumpster fire, but according to a local paper it was coming from the Casino Control Commission. Thankfully no injuries were reported. To the right is a picture my friend took on his phone while we were driving home.

You can pretty much say that if I am the center of a my personality spectrum. On Friday night I hung out with the right wing and on Saturday I hung out with the left wing. I’m not sure I have ever had both like that before. I was at a false trendy place and then a place full of mongrels. The only thing they have in common is that they all think they are ballers and they go out to these clubby type places. Well I guess we can agree to disagree. Either way, I love casinos.

In other great news, the North Siders swept the White Sox at US Cellular this week taking the series 5 to 1 this year. Now they just have to keep this momentum going.

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[1] Of course like all shit show clubs that line is only meant for the males

[2] Cougar (as defined by urbandictionary.com)- An older woman who frequents clubs in order to score with a much younger man. The cougar can be anyone from an overly surgically altered wind tunnel victim, to an absolute sad and bloated old horn-meister, to a real hottie or milf. Cougars are gaining in popularity -- particularly the true hotties -- as young men find not only a sexual high, but many times a chick with her shit together.

[3] http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=kimbo+slice&search=

The Old West Gangsters & The 600th Shot

Nothing really new but i noticed something pretty funny at dinner recently. A bunch of music industry schmoes were sitting around a table talking business, talking music, family, friends, girls... nothing too different from any other group of twenty and thirty something males do. We talked about Barry Bonds, we talked about the... um... t shirt on the female bartender.

It had occurred to me that we were all sitting there with out Blackberry's sitting on the table in front of us. When someone got up, he put it in his pocket. When he sat down he pulled it out of his pocket and put it on the table. It was like we were sitting around in shitty Jesse James movie, and we all sat down to play poker but put our guns on the table to keep everyone from cheating.

I had dismissed this as me doing something that seemed comfortable. It actually may have been the fact that we subconsciously were showing how important we were and what important things we had to take care of. The precise reason that those who don't have Blackberrys hate them. So here we are showing how cool and important we are... isn't that just like a group of guys in the 25-35 range? Please believe it.

Also, congrats to Sammy Sosa for the 600th home run. I am happy that he did it against the Cubs so that we had some fans to cheer for him too. Nice work Sammy.

It's All About Simplicity

So I was at Shea Stadium a couple weeks ago and my seat was broken. The old man who was working as usher decided the best solution was to have my friends sit in their seats and me sit in another section. Clearly this was not an option. I don’t know if you have ever been to Shea, but their ushers are notoriously rude and stupid. I have seen 10 year olds getting yelled at for moving up to the row in front their parents to get one foot closer to the action. Any way, this guy made such a production. He walked us half way around the stadium to his supervisor who just said sit somewhere else. He said, “sit in another section if the people come for those seats, please move.” That made sense! A simple solution. Is it that difficult to be nice?

In pictures, I’m bringing back bunny ears. I just feel like at in your mid twenties that can be randomly funny.

I’m not sexist. Let me say it again, I’m not sexist. However I do think that women are infinitely worse drivers than men. I had a woman cab driver the other day, who was also the nicest cab driver I have ever had. She had lead feet. We went from 0 to speeding in no time then she slammed on the breaks at the last second. She also had no idea where Ludlow and Stanton was. She wasn’t the best driver I have ever had but she was really nice. She took me to see the Methadones at Cake Shop.

Cake Shop might be the best place I have ever been. It’s a venue, a bar, a coffee bar and a vinyl store. So I got to watch the Methadones, then I brought a pint of Guinness upstairs with me and while enjoying it, looked at vinyl. Amazing! Disney World for music guy who enjoys the booze.

After I finished up with the night of Guinness and Cockney Rejects records, I decided to walk home. They haven’t had bands play at Continental in several months now. Why does Trigger sit outside still? What is his job there?

It was fleet week this past week. For those of you who don’t know what that is, its when the sailors all come to New York City dressed in their uniforms for a week of boozing, concertgoing and woman ravaging. They do all of these things well. These guys even the one’s that are flat out dick heads do so well with the ladies this week. Just that Sunday, I walked into a bar to watch the boys from MRNORTH do an acoustic set, when I saw a woman sitting at the bar wearing a sailor hat. Within minutes sure enough I guy in all white comes stumbling out of the bathroom. They eat each other’s faces a little and they went back to her place. So she dug him simply because his uniform. The guy was a dick but I guess what does that have to do with the price of tea in Long Island? God bless America.

This past week I was in LA. Why do people from LA show up every where that’s fun late and everything serious on time? Of course it would be more annoying if the opposite were true but seriously why does this happen? You know the 405 sucks. You know how long it takes to get places but they show up to dinner, concerts, sporting events, etc. late. You can see it. The next time you watch the Dodgers, Lakers or Clippers look at the crowd the first 10 minutes in the game, then look again 45 minutes into the game.

Memo to all bars. Put ice in the urinals. I am a huge supporter of it as it generally keeps the smell of stale beer piss down. Also I have never once to been to a place that has that when a guy comes out and complains. Every guy says, “there is ice in the urinals. I aimed in one spot and watched that shit melt.” Its all about simplicity.

Sponsor Me For The AIDS Walk New York!!!

Hey All,

I'm going to be participating in the AIDS Walk NY.

If you would like to donate to the cause... click the link below.
ill orange's 2007 AIDS Walk New York Page

Be Good...
io

Clear Channel Ruins Another Good Time

As I start please look to the right. That plain boring sign was the sign for Irving Plaza for a while. Frankly, I am not overly nostalgic about it since I have only lived in New York for four years. That being said though, I have lived in Gramercy a short 8 block walk from my favorite biggish venue in Manhattan.

I had heard about the name change a while ago. Clear Channel in all its LiveNation glory has changed the name of Irving Plaza to The Filmore New York At Irving Plaza. Not to be confused with The Los Angeles Angeles of Anaheim.

As you all know, the Filmore East was a famous venue where several classic live albums were recorded. So now, we have a fake nostalgic venue. Kinda like CBGB in Las Vegas. Long live rock!

This is the sign that now hangs on the otherwise quietest street that goes up/downtown in Gramercy. I despise it. Now this isn't something I am going to dwell on. Its still going to be my favorite biggish venue in the city, and its still near my apt, its just turned into an eyesore.

Now we just need that character Trigger over at Continental to bring back the low end bands that used to play there and call it the Continental Airlines Theater at Continental. Or Nicki at Don Hill's to call his venue the MTV's The Hillscenter.

Clearly neither of these options makes sense and I'm just being annoying. I just don't understand why a name change let alone a sign change is necessary. I will never call it Fillmore I doubt any one over the age of 15 will. If you want to make a difference put it on the upcoming show board not the sign that I have learned to love when I walk past it. That plain sign always seemed like it was mine. It was my favorite theater. It was in my hood. It was my sign.

I should have posted this a while ago... i rule!

Ben Miller Assumes A&R Manager Post At Rock Ridge

2006-07-21

The Rock Ridge Music Label has promoted Ben Miller to A&R manager/industry liaison. In his new role in the company, Miller will serve as an A&R rep, an industry liaison, and a talent scout. Previously, he was responsible for overseeing and growing the Rock Ridge Music Street Team initiatives.

Says Miller: "It's been an honor to have the opportunity to grow with Rock Ridge. I look forward to the new challenges, and I am fully prepared to hit them head on."

Of Miller's new role in the company, Label Principal Jason Spiewak says: "Ben Miller is a critical part of our team, and his ear and ability to build strong relationships will serve him well as our A&R Rep."

Prior to joining Rock Ridge Music, Miller was a junior account executive in new media/online marketing at Special Ops Media.

Rock Ridge music launched two years ago and offers its artists a label, artist management, national distribution, and a place to develop and maintain a solid career in the music business. Rock Ridge Music can be found online at http://www.rockridgemusic.com. Among the artists that call the label home are the Ike Reilly Assassination, Travis Mitchell Band, Tony Lucca, Six Ounce Gloves, Five.Bolt.Main, Dan Lavery, BlueSuedeGroove, Redding, Indorphine, Cinder, Domeshots, Northwest Royale, Accident Experiment, Stroke 9, MRNORTH, Boy Hits Car, Blanco Diablo, Edgewater, and more.

TRASHLIGHT VISION Signs With ROCK RIDGE MUSIC - May 1, 2007

New York City-based four-piece TRASHLIGHT VISION, which bills itself as "sleazy trash/punk rock 'n' roll," has signed with Rock Ridge Music and will release its album, "Alibis and Ammunition", nationally on July 10. The CD features 12 tracks of turbo-charged rock that is both uncompromising and in-your-face. The first single, "Allergic to You", will ship to radio in early June.

Formed in 2004 by former MURDERDOLLS member Acey Slade, the band boasts a GUNS N' ROSES-meets-MISFITS vibe, and it is driven to bring New York City-style punk rock back to the forefront.

Regarding the signing, Slade commented, "Finally, a label that is brave enough to infect America with Trash rock! We are proud to have the Rock Ridge team with us in our quest to bring dirty, gritty, punk rock to the place it was born — the US of A!"

Says Rock Ridge Music A&R Manager Ben Miller: "TRASHLIGHT VISION's dirty sound combines everything mean and gritty about punk and hard rock. Their high-energy shows keep you begging for more but almost glad when it's over so you can look away and not worry about missing anything."

Prior to signing with Rock Ridge, TRASHLIGHT VISION had already completed three U.K. tours on their own and with no label support. They have played on three continents (Asia, Europe and North America), and shared the stage with everyone from BACKYARD BABIES to THE BUZZCOCKS. As a band embracing the DIY approach, they screen-print their own merch and flyer their own shows.

TRASHLIGHT VISION is:

Acey Slade (vocals, guitar)
Steve Haley (guitar)
Roger "Rags" Segal (bass)
Len Thomas (drums)

For more information, visit www.trashlightvision.com.

http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=71597

MySpace Blog Recap

Wednesday, February 14, 2007 Calling All Unsigned Bands Playing At SXSW!!! I'm going to be heading to Austin for SXSW and I'm looking for some unsigned bands to check out... if thats you... let me know, also when you are playing and where! See y'all in Texas! 10:45 AM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment - Edit - Remove

Monday, February 05, 2007 One of the best weekends of my life... as i'm sure everyone knows by now... Peyton Manning and Company beasted my Chicago Bears. I'm disappointed but i'm not mad... this was one of the most fun sports seasons I have ever had... this weekend and the hype being with my family and friends it was fantastic. Thank you Chicago for partying during the game hype and going out and taking the loss in stride... even when we went out after the game we still had a great time... The most fun sports season i have ever had in no particular order... 2006 Chicago Bears (NFC Champs) 2003 'Cuse Basketball (National Champs) 2003 Chicago Cubs (NLCS) 1998 Chicago Cubs (Wild Card, Sosa's 66 hrs) 1995/96 Chicago Bulls (4th Championship, 72-10 regular season) 1995 Northwestern Football (Big Ten Champs, Rose Bowl) Now all I can say is what North Siders have said for almost 100 years... There's always next year... 5:11 PM - 1 Comments - 1 Kudos - Add Comment - Edit - Remove

Monday, January 29, 2007 Billboard Charts In the newest Billboard Magazine, check out the Heatseaker Chart. The Heatseeker chart is the top 50 albums who have never cracked the top 200, basically its a chart for developing bands. This week Psychostick- We Couldn't Think Of A Title is number 41... Just ahead of The Hold Steady! They are also highlighted as the Hot Shot Debut. Thank you to everyone who has helped with release as well as picked one up. word... 2:58 PM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment - Edit - Remove

Monday, January 22, 2007 Super Bowl XLI Current mood: ecstatic As you may or may not know the Chicago Bears are on their way to Miami for the Super Bowl. The Bears bar was insane yesterday. People standing on tables screaming for most of the second half. Strangers hugging... girls shirts coming off it was a ridiculous day of wonderfulness. With the Bears doing the country the favor of getting rid of the hurricane stories during a football game... I will be making a triumphant return to the city of wind, delicious pizza and home of the Bears. We will do our part to bring the Lombardi Trophy to the team with the most victories and hall of famers in the history of the NFL. Its been 21 years since we last enjoyed this glorious occasion. Bear Down!!! 1:37 AM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment - Edit - Remove

Thursday, January 11, 2007 Guiness Is Delicious... This past weekend I went to a bar called Floyd in Brooklyn to join my fellow Spurs supportors. The Yid Army was there in full effect... Tottenham played for the nil nil draw with Cardiff City (who they should have dominated) but i had me several pints of Guiness during the game... i dont know if it was cuz it was 10:30 am or what but Guiness is a very tasty beverage which i hope to enjoy more often. 5:37 PM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment - Edit - Remove

Thursday, December 21, 2006 Miami and St. Bart's Well y'all I'm off to Miami for a night then to St. Bart's... I have never been ot either before so I'm pretty pumped... I haven't gotten a good night sleep in weeks. I'm just looking forward to being a lazy slob for the whole time I'm in St. Bart's... drink some bad carribean beer and maybe even a tropical drink of some sort... enjoy the holidays and happy new year and enjoy where ever you are spending it.... hopefully not for $100 entry fee somewhere in Manhattan... i'm kinda on a blues kick right now... so the plane playlist will include... Robert Johsnon, Little Willie Anderson, Charlie Musselwhite, Muddy Waters, Kings of Leon, Black Crowes, Social Distortion, Cold War Kids, The Raconteurs, Eagles of Death Metal, The Ike Reilly Assassination, The Rosewood Theives, Stevie Ray Vaughn and of course Johnny Cash... reading to include "A Million Little Pieces" and "Congralations: You Just Met The I.C.F." word... 12:33 PM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment - Edit - Remove

Tuesday, November 21, 2006 Firenze In just a matter of hours, I am heading to Florence, Italy. I have never been and I am meeting the Miller Clan in Frankfort, Germany then flying to Italy together. Don't miss me too much... Plane music to include: Jeff Buckley, Tegan & Sara, Metric, Emily Haines, Sufjan Stevens, Cold War Kids & MRNORTH.... plus i have to finish Fargo Rock City and the new Paterson book, Cross... word... TONIGOL!!!! 12:22 PM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment - Edit - Remove

Monday, November 20, 2006 Meadowlands Sweep So I would not describe myself as someone who talks shit in sports or anything for that matter. I just am happy as hell that the Monsters Of The Midway came into New York and beat both teams in back to back to weeks. If only just so I don't have to listen to my all the New Yorkers... Thats right bitches... New England is next... Bear Down!!! 2:51 PM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment - Edit - Remove

Wednesday, October 18, 2006 Hey Chicago... The Ike Reilly Assassination will be playing at the Double Door on Saturday November 18th. Tickets go on sale this Saturday. That's right, bitches... Mr. Reilly is back... bear down.... 5:35 PM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment - Edit - Remove

Thursday, October 05, 2006 Duuuuude.... Current mood: excited How good are the Chicago Bears? I will be in the midwest this weekend in a certain city that begins with a "C' ends with an "O" and has a "Hicag" in the middle. And I have tickets to see the Monsters Of The Midway do what they do best against the Buffalo Bills. May the Deep Dish, Italian Beef, Steaks, and Old Styl Beer flow like water... maybe even a Chin's Mai Tai for dessert. BEAR DOWN, CHICAGO BEARS!!!

European Soccer (I mean football) Is Going Too Far...

MILAN, Italy -- Italian soccer player Paolo Di Canio was suspended for one game on Tuesday for making a fascist salute to fans during a match last weekend.

Di Canio was also fined $11,977 by the Italian Soccer League. The 37-year-old forward will miss Lazio's match at Lecce on Wednesday.

"It was a political sentence, it was an unjust decision," Di Canio told a Rome radio station. "My gesture has nothing to do with political ideologies."

Italian papers ran photos on Dec. 12 showing Di Canio with his arm outstretched as he was being substituted during the second half of Lazio's 2-1 loss to Livorno the previous day.

The arm gesture is associated in Italy with the salute used under the rule of fascist dictator Benito Mussolini.

Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi, who also owns Serie A team AC Milan, called Di Canio "an exhibitionist."

That game featured teams whose fans have opposing political allegiances: Lazio fans waved swastika flags while Livorno fans had red Communist flags. Clashes between Livorno fans and police were reported outside the stadium before the game, with one officer slightly injured.

Last January, Di Canio was photographed making the salute after his team's 3-1 victory over AS Roma, a gesture that drew widespread condemnation. He was fined $13,400 by the federation but maintained his gesture had no political significance.

Lazio president Claudio Lotito said his club will appeal the fine.

Old News But Hilarious

From CNN.com
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Ex-Creed singer Stapp, 311 in fight

BALTIMORE, Maryland (AP) -- Former Creed lead singer Scott Stapp and members of the band 311 were involved in a fight on Thanksgiving in the lounge of a luxury hotel, according to hotel security staff and 311 members.

311 were in Baltimore for a weekend concert when several members ran into Stapp earlier that day, band drummer Chad Sexton told The Associated Press. Both Stapp and 311 have the same producer, and Sexton said there were no problems during the first meeting.

But Stapp later came into the Harbor Court Hotel bar while Sexton and bandmates SA Martinez and P-Nut were watching basketball on television. He stepped in front of the screen and said, "311, I am ready to fight," according to Sexton.

Sexton said the band tried to defuse the situation, and Stapp went to the bar to drink. Later, he made "inappropriate" comments to Martinez's wife, and was confrontational with Sexton.
"All of a sudden, he clocked me in the left side of my face," Sexton said. "Then a huge fight broke out."

During the melee, Martinez broke a finger and later went to the hospital to have a cast put on his hand. Security guards eventually broke up the brawl. Police were called, but no arrests were made, according to hotel security.

"It was an unfortunate incident," Sexton said. "We are not brawlers." Beth Keifetz, vice president of publicity at Stapp's label, Wind-up Records, wouldn't comment on the reports of a fight.

But Jonathan Jordan, director of security at the hotel, said the incident was captured on security cameras. He said Stapp was "attacked" by several members of 311 and that it took two security guards to break up the fight.

"It was definitely started by 311," Jordan said. Officer Troy Harris, spokesman for the Baltimore Police, said the department didn't have any record of officers responding to the hotel.

Great Analogy

This was written by a dear friend of mine regarding his favoirte sports team
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To my friends and Michigan football fans:

Fuck Lloyd Carr. Fuck him hard out of hatred. As if he just murdered baby seals by beating them with golden retriever puppies. See my analogy below:

You know who Lloyd carr is. Lloyd Carr is the brain inside a typical girl at the bar. You start talking with the girl and see that she is wearing hooker boots and showing cleavage. A slut..jackpot. A possible winning season with possible National Championship hopes...jackpot. You buy the girl drink after drink. You spend Saturday after Saturday watching the team. You start to question if you are really going to get laid tonight or if the girl is just done up that way because society dictates that she should turn boys on, but not give away the goodies. You start to question if Michigan can win out or if they are getting lucky with close games and they still carry some brand equity simply because they are "MICHIGAN". You begin to realize that you wasted money and 53 minutes talking to a girl who you don't like for her mind, but rather for her physique and the fact that you get hornier with each beer. You begin to realize that after a few close losses that you may have wasted your energy caring for the season as it was hopeless all along and that once again you were dooped by loving a team so much, but with each victory you calculate what needs to happen for your hope to stay alive. You finally are tanked up enough to ask the girl to go home with you and she says that she has a lot of work tomorrow, but that you should call. You are finally at the final game against OSU and you realize they need to win and PSU needs to lose to Michigan state in order to make it to a BCS game, but Michigan says "we are going to lose in the last 2 minutes of the game", but here is a donation slip for our alumni organization, you should pay us money and then maybe you can get season tickets for a winning seasons. You go home all tanked up, you lie in bed and try to beat off only to pass out from the alcohol poisoning making its way through your system.

You end up sitting on December 28th watching a game that doesn't matter only to be pissed about the entire season and hate Lloyd Carr. You wake up the next day and realize that it was your fault because the girl was just like any other girl at the bar, but you still go out the next night looking for the slut. Come August you begin to prepare yourself for another Michigan year hoping that this is year when Michigan football isn't a cocktease.

Fuck Lloyd carr for being a hooker boot wearing, big titted showing, old-fashioned cock tease.

Hippies Suck!

Well... tonight I went to see the Dark Star Orchestra... aka the biggest con of all time! The band sounds like the Dead, but lets be honest mad not them. I was never a huge fan. Sure I liked a few tracks anyone who understands the blues and rock does.

I saw a few things that didnt make sense. First of all, there were people in suits. Isn't that the first hippie no-no. Don't be confined by clothes that people tell you to wear.

Second, I saw a girl wearing a hippie top, a hippie skirt and NIKE's... Are you serious? Being someone so focused on political freedom and wearing Nike's is like someone against drugs and liberalism taking Oxicontin (hi Mr. Limbaugh).

However the weirdest thing was that people went to see a bunch of dudes and one girl play/sing some elses tracks... can anyone explain that to me? A cover band sold out Irving Plaza. Now I will give them credit for what they do becuase there is an obvious demand for it. If you don't know anything about them, what the do is play a Dead show from start to finish, note for note. The audience gets there and doesnt know which of their endless shows it can be from start to finish. So thats cool i guess, it just wasnt really my scene.

Now, I'm just working on keeping myself dry and warm... almost too much too ask on a night like tonight, but do your best. Buenas noches....

The Most Beautiful Conversation...

Yes I am back from Europe and have a lot to write about but first i have to write something that is long over due...

A few weeks ago I lost my Great Aunt. She was more like a grandmother to me than an aunt. I saw her that often and she loved me and my brother and sister that much. She became really sick before I had gone home a few weeks ago. She had been battling leukemia for several months now. While on the phone with her for her last good day, she and I had the most beautiful converstation I have ever had in my entire life.

She sounded very weak and scared. "Hello Ben, I just want to tell you that I've had the most wonderful life. You were a very big part of it. I love you very much. I am very proud of you and you have always been an angel in my eyes."

"I love you too... You have been a very big part of my life too."

Thats all i was able to say... She was very tough on me during my rough years of drugs and academic probation. This cleared all of that. Forever.

I had the opportunity to see her once more though she we in a coma. I held her hand. Everyone was talking to her. I didn't. I wanted to keep that as the last converstation that we had. It was perfect.

At her funeral as I threw one last flower on to her as they put the soil over the casket... I told her again I loved her and explained why I didn't say anything that day. I am positive she thinks I did the right thing.

The hardest part about the whole thing was watching my Grandmother, her twin sister. "Goodbye My Beautiful ----. Goodbye my love." Blowing kisses and and shaking her head at the same time.

Thats all i want to say about this right now so goodnight... And always remember...

Appreciate Life And Those Around You Who Mean The Most...

NIN and QOTSA

Last night I went to see NIN and QOTSA at Madision Square Garden.

Dude, these were some of the older musicians that are still very rellevent in new rock. Not to take anything away from the Rolling Stones or Cream but you know what I mean. Josh Homme and Trent Reznor have not missed a beat. The show was fantastic. Trents band was great despite Chris Vrenna not being there. The last time I saw NIN I was 12... now im 24... i figure i will see them again when i am 36, 48, 60! I saw everthing from a father with tattoos on his face to a kid getting a hand job between the beer cart and the bathroom for everyone to see.

I leave for Spain today for 10 days... dont worry i will be bringing a notebook and pen with me everywhere that i go. I have been to Spain before and I loved it there. My sister is living out there right now and im really excited to see her hood. I am also really excited to see what its like being an American in Europe in an Anti-Bush world.

The last time i was out there the only thing the world could be mad at the US for was having a leader that loved blow jobs... but hey who doesn't?

aight im out... i will have something about spain when i get back...

World Series

This week the Chicago White Sox won their first World Series Championship since 1917. That is mad long. As you know I’m a Chicagoan myself. I wasn’t overly impressed by the whole thing and people think that’s weird. People who aren’t from the North Side that is. Have you ever been to Chicago? If you have… have you ever hung out both on the South Side and the North Side in the same trip? Of course you haven’t.

They are two completely different worlds. They might as well be two different cities. All these differences can easily be summed up in using baseball. Now I’m from the North Side, as is 99.99% of the people I know from Chicago.[1] They have a U.S. Cellular we have Wrigley. One of them is among the least favorite parks in baseball and has a corporate sponsor name. One maybe falling a part a little bit, but it’s a throwback to baseball history and is a vacation destination for baseball fans all over the world every year and is one of the most popular parks in the league.

One team gets criticized for its fans having to much fun.[2] They drink too much and party instead of paying attention to the game, which is a sellout despite the fact that they are in last place. The other had trouble selling out while in first place. So this empty stadium gets filled by people that run on the field and beat up and umpire and a first base coach for an opposing team. They also managed to have one of their fans slap the wife of an opposing player during the World Series.

Ok so lets talk scandals. One of their scandals was throwing the championship. I’m not the first to say that throwing a game is the worst possible thing that a team can do. Well in 1919, one of these teams did that because the players thought they were underpaid. The other team cheated too. One person managed to not only cork his bat, but is a likely steroid abuser… that’s not impressive either but hey he and another player almost single handedly resurrected the sport after a the 1994 strike.

Now I don’t hate the team from the South Side. I certainly don’t like them, but they are more or less another team in the league to me. They may as well be from another city.

Here is the biggest problem with the Cubs. They have no ability to do what the Red Sox and White Sox just accomplished. The White Sox came out of no where this year. No one had them winning that division let alone the World Series. The Cubs seem to get respect year after year[3] but can do nothing with it. They truly are cursed. Look at the last three years. The Cubs have their Bartman Moment, but we all know that’s just a symbol. Gonzalez misplayed a routine ball, Mark Prior fell apart, and the Cubs had another game to right the wrong. They didn’t and they lost in the 2003 NLCS after leading 3 games to 1.

The next year the Red Sox broke their Curse as the Yankees collapsed. Then the White Sox won theirs by having some of the worst umpiring I have ever seen in my life.[4] So 1918 is gone. 1917 is gone too. 1908 remains. Its going to remain for a long time. I’m not cool with that especially now that my brother losers have both won. That just leaves us.

Don’t get me wrong I’m not a hater. This was the best team this year they deserved to win the world series. How are you going to give the championship to fans like that though, and to a guy like Carl Everett? Carl Everett thinks that anyone who does not believe in Jesus and Christianity is going straight to hell. That’s a champion? No... thats just the president...


[1] I know this is going to be one sided just hear me out any way.
[2] Is that the best insult you can come up with?
[3] It’s a more recent occurance since now they actually try and win instead of just fielding a team while we drink and get sun.
[4] Piersynski to first after he struck out, home runs that were doubles, hit batsmen that weren’t hit it was a disaster