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record store day 2011

2011-03-04T08:49:00.001-08:00

Record Store Day has become a day I look forward to now more than christmas or even my birthday. I guess that doesn't make sense since on other holidays you receive gifts. Record Store Day however is one where I get to just spend money on myself. Money I should be spending on bills or keeping myself fed. But hey, caution to the wind, I'll make my tummy rumble in time with my new records.

This year RSD falls on Saturday, April 16th. Bands and record labels alike are now beginning to announce exclusive releases for this holy Saturday and so far this year is shaping up to be much better than the last.

-Built to Spill has a limited 7'' picture disc available that features a live recording of them covering "Ripple" by the Grateful Dead. I think I'm going to skip this one actually. I love Built to Spill but a live recording of a Grateful Dead cover? No thanks. Plus, don't even get me started on picture discs!

-Sacramento's own Deftones are sort of a guilty pleasure for me. While I don't own any of their albums, I am pretty excited about their covers album coming out this RSD. Some of these have been released already but to have them all on one collection is going to be sweet. Their cover of Sade's "No Ordinary Love: featuring Jonah Matranga has always been a favorite of mine.

-Jimmy Eat World's Bleed American is getting the deluxe vinyl treatment. I'm pretty sure this will be everything that was on the deluxe CD version of this album but now transferred to three 140 gram hand numbered records is going to make this a must have for all early '00s emo fans.

-The powers of Nick Cave are back this RSD with a 12'' single of Grinderman's "Evil" on red glitter vinyl. This single features the album version of the song, two remixes and an alternate take on the song.

-If Green Day were releasing any of their own material I wouldn't care at all but this RSD these Bay Area men are releasing a 7'' with a cover of Hüsker Dü's "Don't Want To Know If You Are Lonely" on orange wax.

-Another cover 7'' comes from the indie-pop sensation of Jenny & Johnny. They are giving us a long time live gem, now studio recorded, cover of Gram Parson & Emmylou Harris' "Love Hurts."

-Deefhoof has two treats coming this year. First their long out of print "Friend Opportunity" is getting reissued via Polyvinyl Records with 2 bonus tracks. Second, Deerhoof is teaming up with Xiu Xiu to release a 7'' where they cover each other. Jamie Stewart and co take on "Almost Everyone, Almost Always," while Deerhoof's drummer, Greg Saunier, takes vocal duties on "Dear God, I Hate Myself."

-Last year Joan of Arc released a compilation entitled Don't Mind Control which is a collection of current bands that feature at least one member who has worked with Joan of Arc since their inception in 1995. Now this 17 track comp is being reissued on RSD on blue vinyl with an exclusive poster, gatefold jacket and a 24 track live recording (via download card) from the Don't Mind Control Variety Show.

-Another Polyvinyl reissue comes from Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin who are bringing back their debut, "Broom," to white vinyl. The vinyl has 3 bonus tracks not found on the CD and also comes with a download card for 2 more bonus tracks. To top it all off you get an exclusive poster as well! I'm gonna have to do more research on this one because the original pressing of the LP had 3 bonus tracks already but I'm not sure about the downloads.

-Probably the most exciting release comes from The Beach Boys. This year we will get a double 78 single in celebration of their 50th anniversary. Record A will feature studio versions of "Good Vibrations" and "Heroes & Villains." The B record will feature alternate takes on the same songs. More than likely if you have the Pet Sounds box set you've already heard these alt takes but I guess there is a chance they are new versions from the archives. Also on the rumor mill for the Beach Boys is an offical release of their lost classic Smile. Don't hold your breath though.

-Something a bit odd from the Franz Ferdinand boys is coming for RSD. They are producing an album of bands covering songs from their last effort, Tonight. Artists contributing to this include LCD Soundsystem, Peaches, Deborah Harry and Stephin Merritt. Sounds interesting.

-Medical masked indie rockers Clinic have a covers EP coming our way. We'll have their take on The Seeds, Cilla Black, Audrey Hepburn and Man Parrish.

-Covering the Misfits is something I find a bit expected live but you don't see many bands actually record their efforts. Superchunk and Coliseum are going to prove me wrong as they take on "Horror Business" and "Bullet," respectively.

Well, so far that's all I've heard. I'm sure there will be more to come (not to mention the stuff I didn't speak of) so keep your eyes peeled and your wallets full.

***This just in!!!
Looks like The Black Angels are going to be releasing Another Nice Pair. This will be a collection consisting of their first two EPs on red vinyl with a download card. Also, 100 inserts will be signed by the band. Sounds good!

Tony! Toni! Tone! member and recent R&B/Soul revivalist Raphael Saadiq will issue a 10'' single for his song "Radio." This single will also feature a b-side entitled "Perfect Storm"

Hugely influential post-hardcore group Quicksand will bring us a reissue of their debut 7'' on blue vinyl.

This one may be a England only release but LA's Touché Amoré have a limited pressing of their full length debut To the Beat of a Dead Horse on sexy 180 gram white vinyl with a letterpress cover.

Another emo fan fav is getting reissued! Elliott's US Songs is getting a grey vinyl repress!

it just keeps getting better!

my favorite 2010

2011-01-15T21:24:00.000-08:00

This past week I filled my iPod with albums from 2010 in attempt to relive this past year. Also because there were quite a few albums that I never got around to hearing. After much deliberation, listening and re-listening, arm wrestling and a few scoffs, I have decided on my favorite albums from 2010. I've decided to avoid doing a top 10 list. It just takes to long. Instead I'm just going to go over my favorites and then I'll have a few at the end that I think deserve a mention.

LCD Soundsystem - This Is Happening

Some of the best dance music that will even graze your ear drums. This album is my #1 of 2010 for sure.

Ted Leo & The Pharmacists - The Brutalist Bricks

Ted Leo comes in at a close second with his newest effort with The Pharmacists. These Jam-esque tunes will get stuck in your head and leave you begging for more.

The Shipping News - One Less Heartless To Fear

Some of the best all around songwriting this past year came from The Shipping News. One Less Heartless To Fear is a powerful indie rock album for fans of the 90s.

Jenny & Johnny - I'm Having Fun Now

Jenny Lewis and her boyfriend Johnathan Rice gave their all on the album of insanely catchy pop tunes. This record was a pleasant surprise in 2010.

Grinderman - Grinderman 2

Nick Cave gave us a second helping of dirty, filthy, screeching blues tunes in 2010. I don't think I need to say anything else other than if you don't own this album I feel very sorry for you.

Blunt Mechanic - World Record

The new band from my indie rock hero, Ben Barnett. Much more rock and a lot less emo than back in those Kind of Like Spitting days but Ben still rocked my world in 2010.

THE 2010 JAMIE STEWART EXPLOSION

In 2010 avant garde indie rock crazy man Jamie Stewart was very busy. His main project, Xiu Xiu, released another experimental mind fuck on Kill Rock Stars. Dear God, I Hate Myself has to be Xiu Xiu's best album yet. A little while later it was announced that Jamie was starting a project with Jonathan Meiburg of Shearwater called Blue Water White Death. Their self-titled debut was produced by the amazing John Congleton and has won a special, creepy place in my heart. Finally we have the new effort by Former Ghosts, a side project for Jamie Stewart. Former Ghosts brings us more Ian Curtis heavy, experimental mope tunes on their album New Love.

Los Campesinos! - Romance Is Boring

Here is an album I sadly forgot about in 2010. Los Campesinos! have grown up a lot since they first started and this album really shows it. Romance Is Boring whet from forgotten to the top of my Campesinos list.

Other albums worth mentioning:

Best metal album: Agalloch - Marrow of the Spirit

Best punk album: (tie) RVIVR - S/T and Snowing - I Could Do What Ever I Wanted If I Wanted

Best hardcore album: Ceremony - Rohnert Park

Best indie rock album (tie): Arcade Fire - The Suburbs and Medications - CompletelyRemoved

Best comeback album: Gil Scott-Heron - I'm New Here

There are a bunch more albums that I really loved from 2010 but I'm going to end things here. I'll bring other stuff up in future blogs, so stay tuned.

things are looking up

2011-01-15T12:17:00.000-08:00

Man, 2011 is starting pretty strong with some sweet releases from some of your old favorites. Here's a few that are already in my tuner...

The Decemberists have a new record coming out this Tuesday called The King Is Dead and I must say this album is quite impressive. After the grandness of The Hazards of Love, The Decemberists decided to tone things down just a bit for their new record. The album is much simpler but Colin Meloy's songwriting is still superb. Below I have the first track from The King is Dead "Don't Carry It All."

From Torrance, CA we have the band Joyce Manor who released their self-titled debut album last week. Joyce Manor play pretty straight forward punk/pop music similar to Hot Water Music or Jawbreaker. Please feel free to check out this link to Punk News for a stream of the whole album: Joyce Manor at punknews.org

Looks like Bridge 9 is trying to branch out from it's hardcore label stereotype by signing pop-punk act, Lemuria. Pebble is the latest installment from Buffalo, New York's Lemuria. This band has grown up a lot since I first saw them touring with Kind of Like Spitting in 2006. Lemuria brings forward some of the most heartfelt boy/girl 90's pop tunes not to be found at Lilith Fair.

Finally we have The Dismemberment Plan who, while this isn't really new, re-issued their 1999 album Emergency and I. This album is by far their best and one of my favorites of all time. The good folks over at Barsuk Records have re-issued this album for the first time on vinyl. It comes in a gorgeous gatefold sleeve with a lyric insert and a oral/pictorial history of the band insert. Also the 'D' side of the album has 4 b-sides that you may have never heard before. This album comes highly recommended so please give it a go. Here's a clip of my favorite song "A Life of Possibilities."

(sorry for the stupid picture)

That Analog Sound

2011-01-08T07:13:00.000-08:00

I recently found out that a friend of mine, who shall go unnamed (you know who you are), does not like synthesizers in music. In fact this person won't like a particular piece of music solely based on the use of any type of synthesizer. Well, I find this distaste appalling, to say the least. The synthesizer is an instrument that, when used correctly, can be so essential to any piece of music. In response to your opinion sir, I offer you this:

MY TOP TEN REASONS I LOVE SYNTHESIZERS

10: Eleven Years Old and A "G Thang"

In the early 90s I listened to primarily rap and r&b, mostly because I didn't know better and I had no idea what they were talking about. There is nothing I remember more about this time in my life than the synth licks in came out of Dr. Dre's 1992 album, The Chronic. Dre and Co. came up with some of the most catchy hooks coming from my Walkman's headphones. Mainly, I think of " Nuthin' But A "G" Thang." Just listen:

9: Live Dance Punk

Sorry to all you Daft Punk fans out there, while I do appreciate what they do, I found the music of LCD Soundsystem much more interesting than the daft repetition of Daft Punk. LCD is a live dance band. They do not use anything that is prerecorded. Everything you hear is being played live, by a human. Much of their live music comes straight from an array of different and mainly analog synthesizers. This is something that gives the band so much more cred in my book than any other dance band using prerecorded sounds -- *cough* Daft Punk. Please watch below as LCD preforms "I Can Change" from their 2010 album, This Is Happening. I count 6 live synthesizers (2 of which are modular).

8: Removing the Head or Destroying The Brain

Italian horror genius Dario Argento brought to the silver screen not only some of the most genre-defining horror flicks of the 1970s but also some of the most captivating horror soundtracks ever heard thanks to the Italian progressive rock band Goblin. These synthesizer based scores raised the bar for all horror soundtracks for years to come. The eerie vibrato and abrupt percussion makes you shiver, jump, and finally come to realize that this is FAR superior to any heavy metal soundtrack that we hear in today's horror films.

Zombi a modern band heavily influenced by Goblin:

7: What A Lucky Man

There is nothing more impressive in this world than a synthesizer that is taller than it's user.
Here we have none other than Keith Emerson, a man famous for playing the shit out of a modular synthesizer. Modular synths are not for the amateur performer. Even small versions still involve multiple patch cables to tweak and alter every nuance of sound. For those of you who find this technology outdated, may I bring your attention to a more modern band who incorporates modular synths (even live): Radiohead.

Rock that shit Jonny Greenwood!

6: Eerie Good Vibrations

While what I'm referencing the Beach Boys for is not technically a synthesizer, the instrument is still equally as important due to the nature of it's existence and the sound it creates. Playing a theremin is not an easy task by any means (trust me, I've tried). So the invention of the electro-theremin, an instrument that mimics the sound of a theremin, was brought to the world in the late 1950s. A theremin is a musical instrument played without contact to the actual instrument. One hand controls the volume while the other controls the frequency. The electro-theremin is played by pulling a string that is attached to a sine wave generator. Pulling the string moves a knob on the generator thus controlling the pitch. Electro-theremin technology is a precursor of the synthesizers developed in the 60s and 70s because it mimics the sound of a true theremin. The sound of an electro-theremin was brought to the pop world in 1966 when the Beach Boys released their single "Good Vibrations."

5: Getting In Touch With My EMOtions

This is where my interest and obsession with synthesizers all originated. In the late 90s and early 00s a then little known label called Vagrant Records brought a slew of bands into my life that played not just any synth, but Moog synthesizers. Here was something I hadn't heard before in my punk rock youth. Mono-tones fluidly jumping from low to high. Spacey sweeps moving across the speakers. All of this sound layered into punk influenced indie-rock defined my early adulthood. The Get Up Kid's Something To Write Home About, The Anniversary's Designing A Nervous Breakdown and Koufax's It Had To Do With Love were in constant rotation and gave me the inspiration to dig deeper into the synth world.

4: Style Over Substance

There is nothing more pleasing to the eye than the wood-grain simplicity of a vintage, late 70s Moog synthesizer. This time I'm going to let the images do the talking:

3: MOOG

After the style caught my eye I discovered what Moog is. Moog made synthesizer use easy. Moog technology moved away from the modular synths--that were taller than most humans--and simplified the way we can alter sound with an easy to use board of knobs and compact keyboard. The Minimoog, pictured above, was the start of it all. Instead of reaching high up to move patch cables, you simply turn a knob or flip a switch. This made the molding of sound simple and even more popular. Early versions were played by our friend Keith Emerson and experimental jazz crazy man, Sun Ra. Soon it seemed everyone used a Moog of some sort, or a knock off. Here is the man himself, Bob Moog, telling us a bit about his, dare I say, beautiful invention.

2: The Genius of Mr. Bob Moog (May 23, 1934 – August 21, 2005)

I exchanged short e-mail correspondence with Mr. Moog in 2000 when doing a research paper in my first year of college. I found his contact information via Big Briar, the company he founded after leaving Moog Music in 1977. I asked him for any information he could give me on the history of vintage synthesizers or at least a good place to look. He directed me to the book Vintage Synthesizers that includes some of his essays, which I promptly purchased. Bob Moog was the man who brought electronic music to the world. He was a very humble man who believed in analog sound made simple. Without Bob Moog none of my previous 8 reasons for loving synthesizers would exist.

NUMBER ONE

The reason I felt the need to dig deeper into the history of this instrument, the reason I found myself with an obsession, the reason I love what I hear is as simple as this: SOUND. If the synthesizer didn't sound the way it does (although you can bend it to sound like almost anything, especially with modern synthesizers) I would not be writing this. There is nothing like the warmth of a mono-tone synth percolating in your ears. When you hear a synthesizer used in a song you are hearing sculpted electricity. Without the synthesizer horror music would just be heavy, dance music would just be dull as dishwater, rap would just be a beat, and outer space would just be earth. We have so much to be thankful for in the world of music but the sound of a synthesizer is something that we all should never take for granted *cough* Vinnie.

heavy rocks.

2010-12-15T21:27:00.000-08:00

As I'm sitting here trying to come up with ideas of how to start a blog about a band as diverse as Boris I continue to raise the volume on my computer speakers. As always, I am listening to the band as I type. Where do you start with Boris? For the past five minutes I have been listening to their first full length album, 1996's Absolutego, and the sound of sludge soaked guitar chords come slopping out at me. No bass. No drums. Only a few muffled groans from Takeshi, now 6 minutes into the one hour, five minute and thirty-five second long track.

Now please don't be fooled. Boris is not solely a drone band. Yes, they have albums like Feedbacker, which is just one long recording of...yep, feedback. Boris also shreds out Mortorhead influenced, 3 minute brain bashers. Or take 2008's Smile for example, an album that has songs that sound like a guitar heavy version of TV On The Radio. The best way I can describe Boris is by calling them the most diverse band in existence. Or simply by saying, "Boris? Boris is fucked up."

Smile was my first real taste of Boris, meaning I was aware of it when it came out. I had heard their album Pink and been pretty taken with that. However, what I didn't realize at the time was Boris didn't stand by one sound. When I dug deeper into their catalog I found drone, and well, I just wasn't ready for that. Then Smile came out in Japan. Dubbed by the band their "sell out album," Smile is definitely their most accessible album to most of the public. Though the longest song on the album is over 19 minutes long, this album has more songs that stay under the 6 minute mark. This made the album easy to hear. No drone. Less Motorhead. This album is more of an experiment than anything.

Aside from their 14 full-length albums, 10 eps and various live bootlegs, Boris is also known for doing split and collaborations with other artists. Their most recent, BXI, was a collaboration between Boris and Ian Astbury (The Cult, The Doors). I guess this one was just another mark on the chalkboard for Boris, this time under radio-rock. Too bad. If you want amazing collaboration please refer to Altar, Boris with SunnO))). This is a drone record by far but there are some vocals mixed in on a few cuts. Jim Jarmusch even chose a couple of these songs, along with other Boris songs and some other amazing heavy bands, for the soundtrack to his latest film, Limits Of Control. Not only does Altar have the heavy drone of Boris, here we also get the synthesizer ambiance of SunnO))). This album is dark, heavy and just a tad bit frightening if heard in the correct setting.

Well, why don't I let Boris take it from here. I'll begin with the leading track from the Japanese version of Smile, Messeeji (known as Statement on the US version...a much different song):
01 Messeeji by dannysphoto

Now from a song from the beautiful collaboration with SunnO))):
04 Akuma No Kuma by dannysphoto

Well, I'm sure you like what you are hearing so please visit the fine people over at Southern Lord so that you may purchase your first Boris record.

let your children sleep tonight.

2010-01-14T21:37:00.000-08:00

2010 so far has been strange for me. Many changes are happening or might happen. Some good, some bad. Mainly I'm trying to work on myself. To add to this strangeness happening, yesterday I received some awful news. These Arms Are Snakes have called it quits.

The amount of bands that began after the turn of the new millennium that I actually like is a pretty small number; especially compared to the amount of bands I like before said turn. These Arms Are Snakes have been a staple in my record collection and car stereo since their inception in 2002, shortly after the demise of hardcore legends Botch, nineironspitfire and KillSadie. I first saw them by chance, being the opening act for The Blood Brothers in 2002. At this time the band was pretty timid (especially vocalist, Steve Snere) and had a live keyboard player. Following in the footsteps of Botch, they also had a small light show.

As the years went by all the members of These Arms Are Snakes got more comfortable with themselves as a band. By their most recent record, Tail Swallower and Dove, they really grasped their already original style and took it to new levels. Their riff-heavy guitar became tighter, their dirty bass lines became fuller and most importantly, Snere moved away from constantly using vocal effects.

In their years of existence, These Arms Are Snakes released three full length LPs, an EP and a whole slew of split releases. I was lucky enough to catch them four times live, most recently at Bottom of the Hill along with Narrows and Trap Them. These Arms Are Snakes will always be one of my favorite and most recommended bands. I would highly suggest that you check them out now if you haven't already.

what a difference a little difference would make.

2009-12-02T17:13:00.000-08:00

On Monday Chunklet posted something called "Having Fun With Fugazi On Stage." This article included a 40 minute mp3 of Fugazi on stage banter that has collected over the years. Listening to this was a pleasant reminder of how fucking amazing Fugazi was. A band that ran their own label, put out their own CDs/LPs, charged only $10 for them, only $5 for every show, refused to play non-all-ages venues, sold no merch (aside form their music) and survived, as one of the most influential bands to date, from 1987 to 2002. How did this not turn into a trend? Why aren't more bands doing things like this? These things are strange to me. Please enjoy, and learn...

Places I Miss: Manic Music

2009-11-28T00:12:00.000-08:00

I spend a lot of money on music, there is no question about that. It is sort of an addiction so it's probably a bad idea for me to work in a record store, but I do. There is nothing I love more than spending hours digging through records in search of that one perfect find that has been waiting there to be found. Whether it's a giant like Amoeba or a tiny hole in the wall like Esoteric, am in love the minute I step through the door.

Once I became more comfortable leaving the suburbs for the mecca that was midtown I came across a record store known as Manic Music. Manic was tiny and felt so exclusive. They had a very limited selection of music but it was the stuff I wanted. I didn't go to record stores much in that day (most of my shopping was done through mail-order) so it was nice to find something different than Tower, Dimple or The Beat. They had specific sections for punk, indie and hardcore which is something I wasn't used to. This made my shopping experience much simpler, especially since the vinyl was right next to all these genres. Manic had a wide selection of used cds, home-made looking shirts, a nice "don't bother me" staff and always played excellent music overhead.

At Manic Music you could listen to anything they had in store. They would always have one copy of each new CD open so that you could listen to it before purchase. Behind they counter they had boxes where they had all the CDs (used & new) while the cases were out on the floor. I only took advantage of this a couple times though. I didn't like to bother the employees. I did buy something every time I went there though.

Manic Music went under quite a few years ago. The hair salon next door expanded after the space was vacated. The experience of a small, musician run record store is one that is hard to come by. So few of these businesses survive in our corporation run society. Even at Dimple we have a hard time competing with Best Buy or Target because they can usually offer things for a dollar cheaper. I'd say the next chance you get, head out to a tiny record store. Show them some appreciation while you still can, even if you don't buy anything.

Oh, Tonevendor was also awesome.

Nothing's Changed.

2009-09-22T01:02:00.000-07:00

Finally, yes FINALLY, I have my Pocket For Corduroy pictures ready for the public eye. Not having any of the Adobe programs on my computer is a bit on the lame side but this computer is a piece of junk. She just can't handle it. Anyway, here we go...

Back in the early 2000s Pocket For Corduroy was all over northern California. Hailing from Nevada City, PFC made a big impact here in Sacramento. Their sound was something different but not strange. Their live performance was heartfelt and honest. Their albums were, well, hard to find. For me they were anyway. I picked up a copy of As Soon As Impossible at a show but didn't make it out to their shows enough to pick up their other two shorter lived CDs. As quickly as I discovered PFC, they were gone.

Seven years later, the members of Pocket For Corduroy are all doing different things but find themselves living in the same city again. A friend asked them to play at her birthday party, they agreed, and we get a reunion show. September 10th, 2009 Pocket For Corduroy once again blessed Sacramento with their beautiful musical stylings.

I didn't take any pictures of the opening bands since I only brought along one roll of film so I will mention them briefly. Up first was Silian Rail out of Oakland; a two piece instrumental prog-metal similar to Pelican. The second act was Bright Light Fever and this was their final show. Finally, By Sunlight (formerly Bridges and formerly from Sac) played a set of epic indie tunes. We now only had 20 minutes before PFC took the stage.

Pocket For Corduroy were a blur. They were more than I could have ever asked for. Nothing of what we all witnessed that night could be recreated because it was perfect. It was as if the band had never put down their instruments. As if they had all waited for this night with the full intention of pleasing every person who stepped in front of the stage. Dan Elkan couldn't help but smile, along with everyone else, each time the crowd would explode to rhythmic praise and cheers after the last note of each song. He smiled honestly and thanked us all for being there.

Places I Miss: The Capitol Garage

2009-09-17T12:01:00.000-07:00

Here in Sacramento we see venues come and go. There seems to be a large portion of the city that doesn't appreciate local music or traveling bands that decide to come through here. Kids that go to shows are also a rowdy bunch that usually don't really do well with authority, thus places get shut down do to drinking laws or security issues.

The Capitol Garage is one venue that I spent a good portion of my late teens and early 20s hanging around. I'm sure many of you remember the old Capitol Garage, now a yuppie Chinese restaurant, and may have been to the new one, located only a block away. The original was small and cramped when large crowds showed up but had an awesome balcony to get away from everyone, if you could find a place to sit. When I first started attending shows here the stage was makeshift. Pieced together and held up by milk crates, it would often move and shift if the band rocked a bit too hard. This caused a monitor to fall on my friend Holly's foot at one point. Eventually they had a real stage put in that made for nice raised seating during the day when they were a cafe/bar.

For such a small venue, The Capitol Garage brought some big names through Sacramento, many before they made it big. Bands like The Faint, Taking Back Sunday, Of Montreal, Botch, The (International) Noise Conspiracy, Minus The Bear, Pedro The Lion, The Juliana Theory, Maroon 5, Hot Hot Heat and many more graced the tiny quarters of Capitol Garage. I also saw a vast array of local bands play together and open for out of towners on a regular basis.

Sadly The Capitol Garage as we knew it shut it's doors a few years ago (I'm not exactly sure what year 2002 or 2003 maybe) and relocated to the corner of K and 16th streets, merely a block away from it's original location. I have been to the new location once but just didn't feel the same anymore. They have been supporting Sacramento just in a different way. Their shows consist of hip-hop, jazz, poetry and open-mic nights. Capitol Garage is more of a restaurant now and I think the owners concentrate more on that aspect of their business now. Having punk and hardcore shows isn't really a great way to keep your restaurant looking nice, so I understand. I am just glad they are still in business and keeping local a restaurant/cafe/bar alive.

Here's Your Future

2009-09-15T22:43:00.000-07:00

On September 3, 2009 The Thermals blessed the city of Sacramento with a performance at The Beatnik Gallery on Broadway. I had never been inside of this galley but heard about it from different people here and there. I'd have to say this could be my favorite venue in Sacramento. Not only is The Beatnik Gallery spacious with two large rooms (a sort of lobby area and a separated space where bands play) but also has some of the best sound quality I've heard from a Sacramento venue.

This night was special for two reasons: the first, which I mentioned before, The Thermals came to Sac, and second because it was my first real attempt at photography again. As many of you know, I haven't been much of a photographer since leaving Brooks and coming back to Sacramento, but after seeing two old pics of Pocket For Corduroy in a recent issue of Submerge I got all inspired. I decided to start completely over to refine my rusty photo skills. This means using my completely manual Nikon FM with a 50mm lens and no flash; not to mention no light meter since it hasn't worked for years. To be honest, this was tough.

Anyway, The Thermals were absolutely great. They burned through their set of "indie-pop-punk" tunes one after another, without saying much to the audience. Hutch's microphone was cutting in and out for the first couple of songs (this led to some mic sharing!) but the problem was soon fixed and we could hear him loud and clear.

One thing about The Thermals that I really love is the fact that four albums into their career and they still play songs from each one. They even played "It's Trivia" from More Parts Per Million, the first song off their first record. It's always such a bummer when you go to see a band and they only play songs from their newest album. I also haven't seen these guys do an encore (though I've only seen them play twice) which is also nice. Encore's just seem so expected these days.

Well, these are my photos scattered through this blog. They are blurry, out of focus and poorly photo-shopped but I kinda love them. I had the film processed at Ritz Camera over on J street and they did a really crappy job printing them. This made for an uneasy walk home, beating myself up for sucking. Upon examining the negatives however, I found that they just don't know how to print film anymore. Fucking digital cameras. Using my negative scanner was interesting but they turned out just fine, a little small, but fine. I'll end this blog with my favorite picture I took that night. It was taken during the song "How We Know" from their album entitled Fuckin' A. There is a pretty long rhythm intro where Hutch is only singing so I took the opportunity to capture this image.

That's about it. Thanks for reading if you still are. Later this week I will have photos from the Pocket For Corduroy reunion show at Harlow's. See ya!

embrace

2008-12-24T21:37:00.000-08:00

In recent years I have been looking into the past more and more to discover new music. I'm constantly thinking to myself, I wish I were born about ten years earlier. That way I could have seen all the bands that I really love these days live, or at least been there to experience such changes happening in music.

The band that really started this constant time machine search for me was a short lived "emo-core" band from DC called Embrace. For those of you who know me personally, you'll probably know that I am in love with everything Ian MacKaye touches. Embrace was the band he was in after Minor Threat broke up but before Fugazi began. They realeased one album, Embrace, and were only around for about a year, if I remember correctly. Embrace was also one of the bands to start what was known as the "Revolution Summer" in the late 80's (along with Rites of Spring, Dag Nasty, Rain, Etc). This was a movment to try and stop the elscalating violence in the DC punk scene. These bands began playing less agressive music that was still punk at it's roots but focused more on self-worth and community. At one point or another someone somewhere dubbed this style "emo" or "emo-core" and yes, that is where it all began.

Embrace, although short lived, have become very influential in the hardcore and punk scene. Death Is Not Glamorous, an edge-core band from Norway, got their name from the embrace song "No More Pain." Dance of Days, a book on the 80's hardcore scene in DC, took it's title from an Embrace song of the same title. 93 Million Miles From The Sun quotes "End of a Year" in one of their songs. MacKaye's lyrics during this time period were extremely positive and inspiring. You can see that he wanted kids to get out and start changing things again. I think that we need a lot of that these days.

best and worst of 2008

2008-12-21T22:16:00.000-08:00

This year was a much better year for music than last year, as far as I'm concerned. 2008 brought us some really great debut albums, interesting new offerings from some old favorites and some decent reissues. Instead of doing the basic top ten like I normally do, this year I'm going to have some categories. That way some of the bands out there that might not have the best albums will still get recognition for their efforts. But lets start with my top ten anyway:

Danny's Top Ten Favorite Albums of 2008

Los Campesinos! - Hold On Now, Youngster & We Are Beautiful, We Are Doomed
These Arms Are Snakes - Tail Swallower and Dove
Death Cab for Cutie - Narrow Stairs
Boris - Smile
United Nations - United Nations
Dillinger Four - Civil War
Black Mountain - In the Future
Portishead - Third
Beach House - Devotion
Someone Still Loves You, Boris Yeltsin - Pershing

...and the runners up...
Beck - Modern Guilt, The Duchess & The Duke - S/T, Make Believe - Going To the Bone Church, Russian Circles - Station, Whitsundays - S/T, Why - Alopecia, Xiu Xiu - Women As Lovers

Those are all the albums I listened to the most this year. I disqualified Knock Knock's Girls On The Run and Radiohead's In Rainbows since their were both available before the turn of 2008. I know there is a lot more great music out there that I didn't hear, but these 10 records (i guess 11 thanks to Los Campesinos!) are the ones I'll be listening to for years to come. Now for some other stuff:

Danny's Top Eight Disappointing/Over-rated Albums of 2008

MIA...i don't remember the title but I also don't give a fuck. That shit sucks.
Weezer - Weezer (Red)...what a steaming piece of poo that was
Coldplay - Viva La Vida...wake me when it's over.
Vampire Weekend - S/T...completely uninteresting
TV On the Radio - Dear Science...Not all bad, but they need to keep it mellow.
The Kills - Midnight Boom
Jaguar Love - Take Me To the Sea...I'm so sick of that voice
Fear Before - Fear Before...I guess you should've kept your full name.

Danny's Top Ten Albums I Still Haven't Listened to of 2008

She & Him - Volume One...Sorry Zooey
Spirtualized - Songs In A&E
Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks - Real Emotional Trash
Jenny Lewis - Acid Tounge
Raphael Saadiq - The Way I See It
Deerhunter - Microcastle
Okkervil River - The Stand Ins
Islands - Arms Way
Fucked Up - The Chemestry of Common Life
Destroyer - Trouble In Dreams

Danny's Top Five Metal Albums of 2008

Boris - Smile
Wolves In The Throne Room - Two Hunters
Helms Alee - Night Terror
Made Out of Babies - The Ruiner
Russian Circles - Station

Danny's Top Ten EPs of 2008

You Can Do It, Old Boy - Pat Tandy EP
Narrows - Narrows EP
Kane Hodder - Through The Bloody Channels, We Raise Our Sails
These Arms Are Snakes - (split EP's with Pelican, Tropics & Russian Circles)
Antony & The Johnsons - Another World EP
Envy/Thursday - Split EP
Past Lives - Strange Symmetry EP
One Day As A Lion - One Day As A Lion EP
Boyfriendz - Liverpool/Mass Avengers
Ben Steinert Assult - In the Event of my Death Please Submit to Mainframe

Danny's Top Four Punk Albums of 2008

United Nations - United Nations
Dillinger Four - Civil War
The Bronx - III
Baader Brains - The Complete Unfinished Works of the Young Tigers

Danny's Top Five Reissues of 2008

Jimmy Eat World - Bleed American
Anniversary - Devil On Our Side (B-sides & Rarities)
Alkaline Trio - Goddamnit
Dillinger Four - (discography on vinyl)
Hot Water Music - Til the Wheels Fall Off/Forever and Counting

and finally...

The Bands Who Should Have Released Albums in 2008

The Boyfriendz
Kane Hodder
Narrows
One Day As A Lion
Ben Barnett (Fun With Friends/Kind of Like Spitting)

the murder city devils.

2008-12-11T00:49:00.000-08:00

Tonight at 11:09pm I felt a buzzing in my pocket which I found pretty strange, I'm not one to get many phone calls, especially after 10 (yes, because I'm that old). On the phone was my good friend Cody to give me some of the most exciting news since that last time I received some exciting news, The Murder City Devils are going on tour and coming to The Great American Music Hall in San Francisco. I have been convinced that I would never see The Murder City Devils since I didn't get into them until around the same time of their break up in 2001. So I thought that this called for a blog about the great Murder City Devils. I'll start with this...

I was first introduced to the Murder City Devils by Cody in high school and to be honest, I hated them. This was at a point in my life when I was still pretty close minded about music. I was listening to mostly "emo" bands and 90's punk rock so Murder City was pretty different that was I was used to. I just heard rock 'n roll with crappy vocals. I even passed up an opportunity to see them open for none other that At the Drive-In. Yes, At the Drive-In. That's the second regret to come up on here after only a few entries. (moral: if you have the opportunity to go see some bands play, then go)

It wasn't until a few years later that I really grew to appricate Murder City for the greatness that they were. When I started to sit down and actually listen to them, the album was In Name and Blood that got me hooked. The haunting organ tones of Press Gang open the record and set the tone, even through the upbeat songs. Lemuria Rising contains one of my favorite lines in song ever: "I would've slit my wrist if it wasn't for rock 'n roll..." Spencer Moody's lyrics, although simple, are poetic and littered with rebelion. I Want A Lot Now (So Come On) from the album Empty Bottles, Broken Hearts, is one you can't help to yell at the top of your lungs out of your rolled down car window. The Murder City Devils give me a feeling of youth. A time in my life when I didn't care about anything and I recived phone calls, often after 10pm.

2001 brought Murder City Devil's final release, Thelema. I remember on the day it came out driving downtown to Pugz (who remembers Pugz? hell yeah!) with Cody to pick it up. This was the first taste of what could have become for the Murder City Devils. This final EP brought a more mature side of the Devils. Musically they had evolved far beyond their punk roots. The songs of Thelema have more layering and much more structure than their previous efforts. Not only that, Moody's lyrics had moved from immature and rebelious to poetic stories.

Although The Murder City Devils have a very large underground following, I feel that they are one of the more under-rated bands from the Seattle area. Since their break up the members have scattered into other bands that many of you probably have heard. This is not their first reunion, but it is their first tour since their break up. I would highly suggest you check out the Murder City Devils and join me in seeing them play this February.

here's what the devils have been up to (some projects might be missing and some of them are no longer active)...

Spencer Moody (vocals)
Triumph of Lethargy Skinned Alive To Death, Dead Low Tide, Smoke & Smoke, Rabbit Ears, A Gun Called Tension

Derek Fudesco (Bass)
Pretty Girls Make Graves, Cave Singers

Dann Gallucci (Guitar)
A Gun Called Tension, Triumph of Lethargy Skinned Alive To Death, Modest Mouse

Nate Manny (Guitar)
Halftone Design

Coady Willis (Drums)
Big Business, The Melvins, Broadcast Oblivion

SeeqPod - Playable Search

owls.

2008-12-09T12:04:00.000-08:00

With a discography of only 10 songs (including one album Owls and one compilation track) Owls have become one of my all time favorite bands and by far my favorite from Chicago legend, Tim Kinsella. Taking a break from his longest standing band, Joan of Arc, Tim Kinsella got back together with the original members of Cap'n Jazz; Tim Kinsella (Vocals), Mike Kinsella (drums), Victor Villareal (guitar) and Sam Zurick (bass) to form Owls. They were only around for about a year (2001-2002) but had a big impact on me and the way I attempt to play the guitar.

Cap'n Jazz was very entergetic and experimental, taking a lot more influence from punk rock. Although Owls had the same members you would never know hearing them one after the other (aside from Kinsella's unique vocal style). Owls feel, to me, like indie jazz. Victor Villareal's guitar work is non-stop and jaw-dropping but never over the top or "showy". Tim Kinsella just seems to sing over music being played, not singing to music being played...if that makes sense. What really keeps everything together is the rhythm section. Sam Zurick is just as good on the bass as he is on the guitar (Ghosts & Vodka, Make Believe) keeping everyone in time and on cue.

There are two songs that really stand out for me on their self-titled full length album, "Everyone Is My Friend" and "Holy Fucking Ghost." The first is the one that really seems to stand out whenever people hear this band. It is the most accessable song on the album and almost has a ring of pop to it. I think what really cathes people is Kinsella's lyrics. This is the one song that has standout lines like "may we all make it home safely" and "i know what i have to do and do it." "Everyone..." also as the most repetitive guitar work on the album. Overall this song seems more like a song and less of an improvisation (which i'm sure the others are not at all improv they just kinda sound that way).

Second is "Holy Fucking Ghost," the last song on their Owls album. This was the first song I heard from them back in 2001. What I really enjoy about this cut is I find it to be the most interesting and varried on the album. It starts as a pretty moderate tempo song with the occational pause and, as always, amazing guitar work. Then, about two minutes in, things change. First everything seems to hold back, feeling more bass and lower, lighter guitar. Then a pause, the line "can't let the devil recognise me," and a complete shift into a much more dark, involved and long exit to the song. After about 30 seconds everything starts to fall apart, drums run rampid with rolls and fills, guitar keeps on ignoring all else, clapping comes in along with a chant of "oh's." Finally everything sooths leaving only guitar and a shaker fading out. This is one of the greatest album endings that I have ever heard.

The year that the Owls were around they did come to Sacramento's Capitol Garage, but I stupidly didn't go. That's something I regret but I do know someone who did go, although I'm pretty sure she was pretty indifferent. Although they were only around for a year, Owls has made a huge impact on my life. Their CD is one that doesn't leave my car and is something I can always come back to that won't let me down in any way. I hope that atleast a few of you will hear them and have the same feelings. Owls are worth it.

myspace

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deimos.

2008-12-03T21:10:00.000-08:00

Today I found myself listening to Deimos all day. I got frustrated because I thought I had lost my copy of the Blood EP but don't worry, i found it. This entry will be a bit more personal for me since I know Ben Steinert, the man behind Deimos and have been listening to them for many years.

Deimos was (yes, sadly they broke up) Sacramento's premier electro-indie-rock band from (i could be wrong here) 1999-2008. The main element of this group is Ben Steinert who I met though going to his shows and meeting friends with his sister, Erin, in photography class. In what I consider to be the most eventful/worst summer of my life, I saw Deimos perfrom at the infamous Capitol Garage quite often. First as a two peice and later, with the addition of Sam, a three peice. The most memorable show of this era was when, on a cold October night, Deimos opened for The Faint at the Capitol Garage. I was, as always, extremly impressed by their proformance and Ben's flawless guitar work.

Deimos went on hiatus for a while after releasing their Blood EP. Ben already had one solo album out under the moniker The Ben Steinert Assult, and continued (to this day) to make music for this project. Then, in 2007, the band got back together, this time as a four piece. This, their final lineup, consisted of Ben (guitar/vocals), Ryan Garcia (bass/vocals/keys), Sam (keys/laptop) and Jonah (drums); by far the perfect lineup for Deimos.

In April? 2007 Deimos had their first show with the new lineup at The Underground in Roseville, CA. They opened for some bands that i didn't stick around to see. I was, for lack of a better term, blown away. Everything the band did was flawless. Perfect guitar tone, perfect vocal mix and harmony, perfect rock moves by Ryan and Ben (first time I ever saw him really get into the music he was playing). I couldn't help but rock out along with them.

For those of you lucky enough to have caught Deimos live in the few years that they were around, they will know why I have so much love for this band and their music. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for some sort of reunion, but I'm not holding my breath. Last time I spoke to Ben about the band he said that he was enjoying life as is. That sounds good to me. So please, give Deimos a listen and, if you feel so inclined, buy their music over at Tonevendor.

myspace

ps can't find any mp3s online so just head over to their myspace page...ok.

don caballero.

2008-12-02T20:35:00.000-08:00

Well, since I titled my introduction with the title of a Don Caballero album, I guess that is a good place to start. Don Caballero is an instrumental rock group (labeled as math rock) from Pittsburgh, PA. They have been around since the early 90's, releasing 5 albums on Touch & Go Records and their latest (Punkgasm) on Relapse. Although the band has shown distaste for the term, Don Cab are often referred to as math rock due to their highly technical, jazz like guitar and drum techniques.

My love for Don Caballero really falls with their second-fourth albums: Don Caballero 2, What Burns Never Returns and American Don. These albums really offer what I feel like Don Cab is all about. Their first album, For Respect, didn't have as much of the "math" vibe as their later work. This album definitely works for the time period (1993) with the thick tone on the guitars. For Respect almost sounds like a Helmet album...without vocals.

American Don is, in my opinion, the Don Cab album to own. Ian Williams' guitar technique on this record is astounding, even more-so when you realize that Ian is the only guitarist in the band. There are few guitarists who really have finger tapping down to an art-form. Ian Williams is one of them. (You may also know him from Battles) American Don's songs also have more definite separation, which I don't find on their other albums. Each new song feels like it's own. This may be due to the producing genius of Steve Albini (Nirvana, Pixies, Slint, Owls) his second and last time working with the band.

This year bought us a new album from Don Caballero, Punkgasm. Upon my first and still only listen, I heard the usual Don Cab sound, but a bit on the heavyer side. Their drummer, Damon Che, is the only original member these days and the just don't have the same catch as they used to, for me. Then came the part of the album where I really started to lose interest. Singing. That's right, five songs in and for the first time ever on a Don Cab album there are vocals. I'm not against bands trying new things in any way. When Hella bought a singer in I was ok with that. The thing I have against Don Cab vocals is they take away from the music. It's bad enough that they don't have Ian Williams playing with them anymore but now they hold back to focus on the singing. It ends up just sounding a bit bland. The instrumental songs however do hold up pretty well. Challenge Jets is a great example of classic Don Cab technique.

The thing I really enjoy about Don Caballero is listening to them is like listening to jazz but still having the heavy feeling of metal or punk rock. We had some Don Cab on at work one day and one of my co-workers came up to me, probably because he could tell that I was enjoying the song, and said "What is this, it sounds like someone learning to play guitar?" I found this halarious, because, in a way, it's true. You have to listen closer to fully appreciate Don Caballero. These guys are epic.

myspace
wiki

world class listening problem.

2008-12-02T20:26:00.001-08:00

This is all going to start out pretty rough. Hopefully I can stay on top of things and update this every day. What I intend to do with this blog from now on is discuss music and nothing else. I want this to be a place where people can discover new bands or re-discover forgotten ones. I will discuss one band per post and if I'm cool enough I will have examples of songs for you to stream and/or links to websites where you can find out even more about that particular band. So that is my short introduction. This is all pretty straight forward. I hope you enjoy this, please never stop searching.

I LOVE NINTENDO

2008-07-17T17:44:00.000-07:00

There is currently a video game conference (E3) taking place in LA, so the past few days I have been doing a lot of read and video watching all having to do with Nintendo. Between sites like Go Nintendo, IGN and Gametrailers my life has been surrounded by news of what will be coming out in the near and not so near future for the Nintendo Wii and DS.

IGN had a live stream of the Nintendo briefing on Tuesday morning which I watched and was left feeling pretty excited about one main thing: Animal Crossing: City Folk. Right away I starting reading posts about how people were disappointed with Nintendo and claims that Nintendo had "sold out." This had me livid, saying to myself, out loud, "What the fuck is wrong with you people?!"

For a few weeks now I have been meaning to post a blog all about how much I love Nintendo and how I feel that their competitors have little (X360) to nothing (PS3) on them. Now I have a reason and now I’m pissed.

I will admit the Nintendo conference was a bit on the lame side. The woman to began the conference was hard to deal with, not to mention Carrot-Top Jr., Shaun White. Also, most of the conference was Nintendo bragging about how good they are doing and how revolutionary they are (which are both very true statements). I feel that what Nintendo did announce were some pretty exciting things coming soon enough.

After reading a good deal of responses to Nintendo’s conference, I went back to IGN and started watching the Microsoft conference. Microsoft did announce some pretty big deal games (Resident Evil: 5, Gears of War 2, Fall Out 3 and Fable 2) and made claims that their system is not just for hardcore games, but also casual gamers. Sorry guys, I work in a store that sells video games and I have never had anyone ask for Scene-It or Uno (I’m sure people buy those, it’s just not much to brag about).

In comparison, yes, the Nintendo conference felt a bit bland after seeing the first 5 minutes of the Microsoft conference, but I’m not a guy who asks for much. I’m also not really into the idea of any of those games. They don’t make me want to go out and buy a 360 or anything. Plus, three out of the four big announcement games, like most "hardcore" games, are purely violent. Nintendo has their share of violent games, but they have better things to offer than just that. Anyway, my point is that the announcement of Animal Crossing alone had me rolling on the floor with excitement.

The second thing that had me sold was the Wii Motion Plus accessory. This is something that I read about the night before on Go Nintendo, but seeing it in action was a treat. Being able to have the Wii-mote move in time with the game is exactly what I want from this system. I just wish it was going to be out in time for The Force Unleashed, but oh well. ***does anyone know if it will work all all games or just ones made specifically for it??*** Wii Sports Resort, which the Motion Plus accessory comes packaged with, looks like it might be fun, but I don’t think it will compare to the original game.

Wii Music was also demonstrated and is supposed to be out sometime before Christmas. This "game" looks like it could be very fun but could also be easily passed over (especially after seeing the videos of Guitar Hero 4) but does have some cool features. The incorporation of the Wii Fit balance board is very rad and not having to own more giant drum sets is awesome. Not being able to play "real songs" or make your own music is going to hurt the sales of Wii Music, in my opinion.

Now, here is where I respond to a couple of claims:

First off, the way off base statement that Nintendo has "sold out." Nintendo is a corporation that makes millions of dollars every year. They are a profit making, entertainment machine. They are not some small town family business that only you know of. If Nintendo or Mr. Miyamoto ever "sold out" it was a very long time ago. You should be happy that there is some strange connection that we all have to Miyamoto (or maybe that’s just me).

The claim that Nintendo has forgotten about the hardcore gamer is insane. First, what do you call Conduit? It’s an epic first person shooter with graphics that are up there with 360. Not to mention everything I’ve read from people who have played Conduit has been very positive. What about The Force Unleashed? Not only does it look great, I have read over and over that the Wii version is superior to the 360 and PS3. No, they didn’t officially announce anything new from the Mario or Zelda teams, but there was mention of both teams working. Miyamoto later announced that there will be a new Pikmin, although there is no time frame yet. I say we will have a sequel to Super Mario Galaxy, a new Zelda game and the new Pikmin by the end of 2009. There are plenty of titles coming out that will hold me over until then. Now if they would just release a hard drive.

Basically, what I’m saying is calm down and wait it out. I would rather wait a while and have these new games be better than we expect them to be. Nintendo is always coming up with amazing new ideas and learning from their mistakes. Look at the online changes from Brawl to Mario Kart. Huge improvements. New games are coming out every week on Virtual Console and WiiWare. You have plenty of games coming out before the end of the year that are going to take up all of your time. At least the Wii has a wide range of games (not to mention that it is completely GameCube compatible) and isn’t going to overheat and break down like some other systems.

Every River A Road, Every Tree A Home.

2006-11-16T20:38:00.000-08:00

I recently took a couple of trips to the mountains. I love Sacramento to death but sometimes I just need to get away from this place to see some new things. I saw some of the most beautiful sights i have ever seen in the Tahoe area. These are a few of the shots from the first couple rolls of film. Oh, i sorta forgot how to shoot the film i was shooting and that's why the highlights are WAY blown out. I think they look rad anyway though.

This picture was taken in Oakland the day before i went to the mountains the first time. I was in Oakland to see Kind of Like Spitting play. This woman was walking across the street.

This is my cousin, Tuesday. We got to the show pretty early, so we were sitting around outside watching Ben walking around and being cute.

Now I'm in the mountains. This is up highway 50 at the campgrounds where my dad and I used to camp. The sun was peering through the trees all around and it was amazing.

Standing by the lake, I was not alone.

This picture hardly does the actual scene justice, plus the color is off. What i saw with my own two eyes was the most beautiful sight I have ever witnessed.

That's all for now. Go listen to while We Carry Thy Banner I develop the rest of the pictures!

after we're over.

2006-04-25T18:23:00.009-07:00

Well, it's been way too long since i've updated this blog. The main reason being, i haven't been shooting for the past few months. I hate it, but it's happening. So, last week i went to the best show ever and I took a few pictures. They turned out better than i thought they would...even though they're not that great. The venue was really dark, so that made it hard to focus. Anyway...

We Carry Thy Banner

We Carry Thy Banner is one of the most creative bands i have ever seen...and i've watched a lot of bands play. This picture doesn't really capture an 1/8 of what they are as a band, but i think it's a good place to start, since it's were i started with them.

This picture doesn't stray to far from the previous one. These are the only two members in the band, but they manage to pull off the sound of a full band. They started off with just drums, keys and sounds from a tape deck hooked up to their own pa system. Now, they've added a bass and a second tape deck.

Here the members change instruments as well as their sound. I was really impressed with their use of "primative" equipment to get such a modern and big sound. Their style went from Refused to Braid to Horse the Band and back again. I was, to say the least, impressed.

These last two images capture the pure emotion expressed by the band and their music. The songs they played that night were real and heartfelt, raw and truthful. It was a time i could live in forever.

KIND OF LIKE SPITTING

This is kind of how I expected Kind of Like Spitting to be. A man and a big guitar playing beautiful folk-rock songs. Instead, i was floored by powerful guitar, riviting drums and booming bass playing the songs that were once quiet and calming. These songs were now rock songs, pure and simple.

This is more how the music felt that night. Sweat and rock. I was so amazed by how different the songs were live but i loved it. Ben is an amazing guitar player, singer and song writer. His music is completely underrated. You just can't say enough to describe the songs he and whomever is in his band plays.

That was the show in Livermore. There were two other bands that played, Family Tree and Lemuria, but I didn't really shoot anything of them. I really loved all of the bands that played that night. It was hands down the best show I have ever attended.

wedding

2005-11-14T18:56:00.000-08:00

This past weekend I flew home, to Sacramento, for my sister's wedding. It was very hectic but a lot of fun at the same time. Friday i went to Mens Warehouse with Angela to pick up my tux. the coat was a little small but i left it alone. Then Angela took me to get my hair cut and beard trimmed. It was weird having someone else shave my beard, but he did a really good job, it has probably never looked so clean. :-) We got back home and had about an hour and a half before we had to leave for the rehearsal. I didn't really do anything interesting. Rehearsal was kinda weird, but it was fun. It didn't take all that long. I saw Lisa Brown, the photographer and a Ritz camera customer. It was cool to catch up with her again. After the rehearsal we all went to dinner at Fat City in Old Sacramento. My food was really good. I sat with my parents, my Uncle Marc and Ed, and Roberts mom. It was a good time. That night i got to hang out with Dafe and Josh. We played Resident Evil 4 and watched Top Secret. I think i might buy RE4. it's a pretty rad game.

Saturday morning I went with my sister to get her hair and make-up done. While she was doing that i went to the Virizon store to get a car charger for my phone and Borders to get a book to read on the plane home. I picked up the Plague by Albert Camus. After that i killed time by going into Target and Best Buy but i didn't buy anything. When we got back home Angela finished getting ready and left with my mom and Roxie in the limo. Then my dad and i got ready to go. Being in a tux is weird, especially when the coat is a little small. heh.

when we got to the church, they were taking pictures already. i got my camera out to snap a few shots too, when i wasn't in the picture. once people started showing up i had to play usher. it was awkward most of the time. Especially when the evil family showed up. but i had to get over that. still, it was nice to see both sides of the family again. Around 5pm the wedding started. First i had to walk my mom down the aisle after Robert walked his. they both lit candles and i walked her to her seat and then back to the lobby for me. I then walked Rene, Roberts sister, down to the front where we took our places. Next was Roxie, Anglea's Maid of Honor, and Geoff, Roberts Best Man and then Angela and our Dad. It was really beautiful. I almost lost it a couple of times. Angela was crying the whole way down the aisle. she looked so beautiful in her dress though. the rest of the ceremony went smoothly.

After the ceremony and after everyone was in the lobby, the bridal party and family went back into the chapel to take photos. that took a while, but whatever, it needed to be done. i shot a lot of pictures too. i hope they come out. we took the limo over to the reception hall. we had to stand in the elevator for a while until we could go in, two at a time. they were playing Tonight, Tonight by the Smashing Pumpkins while they came in. the rest of the night was awkward talking to people whom i couldn't remember names of and family fun. i danced a couple times, but nothing to speak of really. Anglea and Roberts first dance was nice, to 33 by SP as well. it was a really fun night. i'm really really happy for them both. i'm sure they'll be together for a long, long time. i mean, they've already lasted 10 years.

Kane Hodder

2005-11-06T17:33:00.000-08:00

new pic's

2005-11-06T17:05:00.000-08:00

well, i finally got back the film i shot with my Lomo LCA over the past month or so. i'll post my favorite shots when i'm done talking. I got another record player in Ventura the other day. it's a really nice Technics one but i don't have an amplifier to play it though. lame. i guess that will be my next thing to look for at thrift stores. i've also been downloading a lot of music lately. i found this new program that works ok. it's starting to get pretty cold here. that's good though. i get to pull out all my winter clothes. that's fun. We rented Saw the other night. it's not very good. well, it could have been a lot better. the acting was horrible. well, anyway, here's some photos.

here we are at my Birthday party. you can't really tell but that is an ice cream cake everyone is all huddled around. we dug right in an attacked it. No plates! it was really good.

Heh, it looks like everyone is going to stick a fork in me, but really we're gonna eat that cake.

Here is the winning team at Cranium. Josh, Tom (headless) and Cody. They did great, mostly cuz of Tom though. I like this pic.

Josh and I at Target wearing matching sweaters. we look better than Twins!

Derrik looking spooky.

Josh wearing one of my hats. i think he's putting drugs inside of it. heh, i'm kidding.

that's me. i kinda look like Tom Waits in this pic; Tom Waits eating fries.

the pretty chandelier at the Ventura Theater. this is where we saw Coheed and Mewithoutyou and blood brothers the day after my b-day. it's pretty.

Some lady reading the newspaper at the Habit in Goleta, CA. turned out better than i thought it would.

old pictures.

2005-11-01T20:08:00.000-08:00

dispite what Brooks says, i think i'm a good photographer. I don't have much to speak of lately, but looking into the past is always a good idea. Have fun, and please, comment.

This is the singer of Bear Vs. Shark. They played at the Loft in Ventura a few months ago. They were awesome, but i only ended up with a few good shots. the film was very over exposed for some reason. I think it gives good representation of how they are as a live band.

This is one of the singers of the Seattle band, the Blood Brothers. I shot this the second time i saw them at the Boardwalk in Sacramento, CA. This is my favorite image i got out of that show. In fact, i have it framed on my wall. The color looks better in the framed on than this scan. whatever.

Jonah Matranga, AKA Onelinedrawing, the ex-frontman of Far. This shot is pretty old but i love to look at it.

the Faint when i saw them at Capitol Garage, 2001. Totally awesome show even though i hardly knew who they were. I started off right in front and ended up in the way back, but oh well. I got a few good shots out of it. If you look close enough, the guy in the grey sweatshit has a PowerPuff Girl keychain.

My friend Patrica Le designs clothes. This is one of the dresses she made. I shot some photos for her at her school in SF. I ended up with some nice ones but this has to be my favorite.

I used to play with fake blood a lot. This is Carli with a bloody eye. The only good shot out of the entire ordeal.

speaking of inspiration...

2005-10-18T18:54:00.000-07:00

one of the first band photos i remember . it stuck with me over all these years and i finally found it again the other night. i love it. it's frodus.

ack, how boring.

2005-10-18T18:43:00.000-07:00

most of the day was spent being bored. i drove around a lot and continued to be cranky. i don't know what's going on with my moods. i really want to create but i don't have the time lately. it sucks. i gave up on school this session cuz all my pictures i took in San Diego turned out like shit but i don't have any more time on my hands to do what i want. i want to start making songs for the lyrics cody writes and the ones i write (if i do) but it's hard on my acoustic guitar. the songs always come out sounding too poppy. i got home a while ago and the internet wasn't working. i watched some of the special features on my Punch Drunk Love dvd and then fell asleep. Jessica is at the lab working on her final project. some one send me some inspiration.

Currently Listening To:
the Blood Brothers
March on Electric Children

Introductions.

2005-10-18T10:45:00.000-07:00

This is me, for those of you who don't know what i look like. Jessica took this picture outside of amoeba Records in San Francisco. I had some dumb rash on my arm so i was scratching it. it's gone now.

On the right is my good friend Cody. He came to visit me for my birthday along with my pals, Louie and Josh. Cody and I are sorta in a band together. It's currently a lot of talk and not much action, but we're working on it.

This is a picture i took of Jessica and Louie. You can also see Cody and Josh in the mirror but it's mostly the other two. Jessica got a Polaroid camera that can take long exposures. that's what i took this shot with. Jessica has my lights and medium format all set up cuz she was taking pic's for her final project. they turned out rad, well the negs did atleast.

this is the last one for now. I took this one too and it's kinda funny. Josh looking sick outside Crepe to Go! in LA. i tried to take the picture a few seconds before when he wasn't paying attention but the camera was too slow. So it ended up being silly. Crepe to Go! is a great place to eat. this is my false advertisement.

Currently Listening to:
Alkaline Trio
Maybe I'll Catch Fire