Christophe "The Life Of An Outlaw" Censored Version Video
Category: Music

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B5UL4oLuolk

We met up with Christophe down in Eugene last tour.

Check out the end of this video. Jason, Corey and I are singing. Well, they are, I am sort of trying to read the lyrics. Pretty cool! I also love the song. Thanks Christophe!

www.myspace.com/mockingbirdlane

1:47 AM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

TOUR 2 - POTBELLY 2008
Category: Music

POTBELLY BOMB reporting:

4 days until mayhem is unleashed when POTBELLY goes on a 10 day road trip which hits Oregon, Idaho and Washington states. 

For info look on our myspace site - POTBELLY

DATE ONE - Friday 22nd of August - Portland.




DATE TWO - Saturday 23rd of August - Boise.



DATE THREE - MT. HOOD HOUSE PARTY - Wednesday the 27th of AUGUST - no flyer (Sorry)

MINI TOUR DATES (AUGUST 28th through the 31st) with PISTOL WHIPPED PROPHETS (Eugene, OR)



See you on the road.  Come out if you can. 

H-Bomb

1:45 AM - 1 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

the record industry is EMO

Therefore it should kill itself!

http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2008/jul/29/internet.digitalmusic

10:12 PM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

GOLDEN SHOWER CHILD - SHOWS THIS WEEK!

9:39 AM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

Proof - the Drug War has Failed
Category: News and Politics

Interesting study just came out noting:<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />....

.. ..

"{C}ountries with more stringent policies toward illegal drug use did not have lower levels of such drug use than countries with more liberal policies."....

.. ..

This whole article wipes out the typical bullshit argument – If drugs where legal, more people would use them.....

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The study claimed that in the <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />....U.S..... – 16% of the sample population used Cocaine.  In the ....Netherlands.... (where the drug warriors say it is so much worse) there are only 2% of the population who could make such a claim.  ....

.. ..

Prohibiting drugs from being used does not stop their use.  If you want to stop drug abuse – then legalize drugs.  Simply stated – if all drugs were legal, most people will tend to use SAFE drugs in the COMFORT of their own home or where it is provided in a shop. 

.. ..

The lunacy of the present policy is kept in place because there are two groups of people who profit from their legal status. The first is a vast network of cops, jail guards, drug counselors, bureaucrats and other unionized civil servants who are dependent on the drug war for grants, tax money, fines and so forth.  On the other side of the equation is that it supports the worst sorts of criminals and terrorists as they are left with the drugs manufacturing and distribution.

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If you are looking to stop murder, theft, rape and other horrible crimes – then our prison population problems could be fixed and we could actually leave these horrible criminals locked up (at a FRACTION of the PRESENT price).  The problem is that we are not blaming individuals for their actions.  Instead we blame the drug for the behavior.  Therefore most abusers are treated like children rather than adults.   

.. ..

For more on the study – see:

http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=080701160706.4pl3ba3e&show_article=1....

1:32 PM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

Hans’ Notes on Rap Music
Category: Music

I am no fan of Rap or Hip Hop music.  But I disagree with those who say that it shouldn't be labeled as music.  To those who argue about what is or isn't an instrument, an instrument is just a device to help you create music.  It could be a guitar, a harp, a piece of paper, your vocal chords, a tin can, etc.  In artist language that is what is referred to as a medium. 

<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />.. ..

I think the most IRITATING aspect of rap and hip hop is the industry which surrounds it.  At one time (as others have noted in this thread) rap artist were creatively taking Rock as a genre in a new direction.  Now, like some punk (NOFX for example), it has become a cookie cutter material for dropping lyrics.  For most people – this is EXACTLY what they want.  Americans have very unrefined and unsophisticated ways of thinking about what makes a good song.  In fact, the only common element that I can find is the lyrics.

.. ..

So of course, sad as it may be, we have to listen to the same drum line over and over again with different lyrics.  The reality is that most Americans are so dumb that it is what sells records.  This is especially true for those with the disposable income to purchase it and the want to spend it on music (it is marketed typically to 14-18 year old females - no offense). 

.. ..

So instead of yelling and screaming about a genre of music, take your dollars and try to find some local, underground bands.  Do that instead of always buying the same Led Zeppelin record over and over again.  If you are going to do that - go to your friends' house and steal it from his collection.  Lord knows he doesn't listen to it anyways.  In fact, if you want to listen to the Beatles – then turn on the FM dial and scroll.  It may take about an hour but you will find it.

.. ..

Oh and I would RATHER listen to rap than country music.  Talk about COOKIE CUTTER classic rock redressed with annoying fake twang southern accents.  I think that reiterates my point about lyrics being the most important thing (in music) to Americans. 

7:14 PM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

Review I never posted - Last 1 Out
Category: Music

I found this review in my to do pile.  It was virtually complete... But I forgot to post it. 

Cheers

Hans

**********************

Last 1 Out

Quiet and Respectful

This is yet another stellar record released by Beer Metal – which will surely be ignored by most of the mainstream publications.  The Stranger seems to be caught trying to predict and declare the next big thing based upon their love affair with the flavor of the week.  Homegrown bands who have paid their dues are almost always looked over for youth, fashion and unwarranted praise.  After all, ignorance and inexperience are always more fun to twist to a labels desires.

That being said, the latest CD by Last 1 Out is the proverbial 700 pound Gorilla in Seattle's living room.   It's big, boisterous and filled with jaded buffoonery. 

The cancerous rumbling of the music drives the raw emotion as much as Barry Bond's on steroids.  The album twists and turns like a roller coaster on a spectacle of despair and hope.  In fact, the long awaited follow up to 'So Emo, it'll make your pussy hurt' is a thoroughgoing and intense retort to the neo-con war in Iraq, Christian rock, the real meaning of terrorism and the emptiness of rock stardom. 

I remember the first time I was allowed to listen to it.  I was invited over by Shawn and Jeff from Beer Metal Records.  Seated in the control booth of the studio, I was invited to preview this shattered reality. 

You can hear the sound of a tape hitting a deck and then the music quickly snapped on.  A guitar lurks from the dark recess of the background noise along with a radio voice which features our beloved president.  The cacophony of sounds is smashed by a power chord with the ensuing album starting and startling the engaged listener.

Needless to say, I was simply blown away.  As I listened to song after song, as I heard the familiar fusion of punk, pop, crunk, hardcore, ska and metal pierce my ears.  I found it brash, invasive, unsettling and funny.  Lyrically, there are sections of low brow rationalism, dialectics, police belittlement and a full scale critique of Rock music. 

Songs like Independence Day, Dangerous and Dear Mal are the backbone of this intense masterpiece.  

The closest feeling I could describe it as is being at a Stalinist show trial in clown suits.  Ah yes, I can see it now, Uncle Joe with a painted nose in the background, small children with flamethrowers and ice picks for the whole family.  It is like Patch Adams surrounded by orphans with an ice pick in Mexico.  Trotsky would be proud.

Definitely the type of CD that Beer Metal Records would heartily endorse. 

Unfortunately, MTV, looks and idiocy run music today.  They believe that the dollar is some sort of measurement of how great your art is.  People in the world today have a message for those who have an interest in making this sort of art.  Stop!  They frame the debate in terms of thinking artist of this sort are all washed up, shallow and meaningless.  Bands like Last 1 Out should give up art if it doesn't represent our empty kitsch ridden culture.  Yet, I feel, as Last 1 Out, does or as Goethe wrote in Prometheus:

"Do you fancy that I should hate life? 

Should flee to the wilderness,

Because not all my budding dreams have blossomed?"

Obviously, the answer is a stern NO!

There seems to be the enduring idea that somehow, someday this small movement in Seattle will shrivel up and wither away.  In fact, this wets the appetites of the unimaginative fashionistas, record label cronies and the nostalgic.

Those who want to have more big names attached to big labels.  Those who believe they know what is best for Seattle. 

On the other side, Last 1 Out is at the fore front of this movement. 

This album proves it.

It is hard to believe that they will be quiet and respectful doing it. 

Ironic – isn't it.

***********************************

Sadly, after I wrote this review, I was informed that Last 1 Out disbanded.  They played their last show with my former band, Potty Mouth Society (who is also played its last show) at a house party on New Year's Eve.  Sadly, I will miss Last 1 Out.  They were one of my favorites to watch and listen to.  Hopefully someone else will fill their shoes and continue where they left off. 

You can buy their CD at www.beermetalrecords.com.

4:28 PM - 1 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

The SURGE is working?
Current mood: amused
Category: News and Politics

Have you ever wondered WHY and HOW the Bush administration could claim that the TROOP SURGE is working?..:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

You can read this SLATE article here (http://www.slate.com/id/2184890/); or if you don't have time – here is the bottom line;

"The proper comparison isn't to the situation a year ago. It's to the situation before we got there. Imagine that you had been told in 2003 that when George W. Bush finished his second term, dozens of American soldiers and hundreds of Iraqis would be dying violently every month; that a major American goal would be getting the Iraqi government to temper its "de-Baathification" campaign so that Saddam Hussein's former henchmen could start running things again (because they know how); and "only" 100,000 American troops would be needed to sustain this equilibrium. You might have several words to describe this situation, but success would not be one of them."

It's high time we pulled the troops out!

12:03 PM - 3 Comments - 4 Kudos - Add Comment

American Freedom 2008

11:35 AM - 1 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

A modest proposal

I have tried, with due diligence, to read a little Stephen King.  Frankly, I am not a huge fan.  Yet, I find his some of his comments in Time Magazine to be spot on.  ..:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

My favorite relates to Waterboarding or torture that isn't torture.  

"So I said something to the Nightline guy about waterboarding, and if the Bush administration didn't think it was torture, they ought to do some personal investigation. Someone in the Bush family should actually be waterboarded so they could report on it to George. I said, I didn't think he would do it, but I suggested Jenna be waterboarded and then she could talk about whether or not she thought it was torture."

He also had a few other great barbs about the media in the piece. 

To read the whole thing – head here;  http://www.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1687229,00.html

3:29 PM - 1 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment