Hardcore freedom of speech

So our pal Max Hardcore is looking at 50 years in prison for his brand of entertainment. This came down this week. This is bad news, folks.

I've met the guy. I wouldn't say that I'd be a great character witness. But the song remains the same--he has the freedom to make his art with consenting adults. And his level of intensity did not appeal to me in person or in art form but his decisions should not be dictated by my taste. It's much more appalling that he is facing serious charges. I can always turn his stuff off . . . or not watch it at all. I can't think of an argument that would make sense to incarcerate this guy based on his films.

Believe me, if he goes down, the entire First Amendment (freedom of speech) goes down with him. All they need is a first step . . .

Fight them to the floor.

2:29 AM - 0 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

Are there better lyrics than these . . . ?
Current mood: inspired
Category: and squishy Music

The shrieking of nothing is killing
Just pictures of jap girls in synthesis and i
Aint got no money and I aint got no hair
But Im hoping to kick but the planet its glowing

Ashes to ashes, funk to funky
We know major toms a junkie
Strung out in heavens high
Hitting an all-time low

Time and again I tell myself
Ill stay clean tonight
BUT THE LITTLE GREEN WHEELS ARE FOLLOWING ME
Oh no, not again
Im stuck with a valuable friend
Im happy, hope youre happy too
One flash of light but no smoking pistol

Damn you David Bowie. I put a pox upon thee that renders you useless to write something better than this. Oops. Too late.

1:08 AM - 1 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

The finest band to ever come from the Pacific NW

OK. I'm gonna get a lot of heat here. And it really came down to two bands.

Quarterflash and Nu Shoes didn't make my list.

Mine didn't either. Which is pretty pathetic-I should at least vote for myself.

I'm down to Poison Idea and Sweaty Nipples.

I can't decide. You tell me. You can see live shows on You Tube.

1:30 AM - 5 Comments - 1 Kudos - Add Comment

It's about time.

Well we found a drummer. We're working out the bugs but will be up and running in no time. Look for upcoming shows soon!

In other news, I finished mixing Chesterfield's new CD "Death Grip" and also G.G. Elvis's CD so look for those at the Mental Records site soon!

It feels good to work out the kinks again . . .

3:14 PM - 4 Comments - 4 Kudos - Add Comment

. . . but what I REALLY want to do is direct.
Current mood: drained

Fat, exhausted, and depressed--not a huge stretch for me but I play it true to form in the documentary 800 CDs. If you want to learn some cool stuff about selling CDs or if you're just interested in the music grind in general, buy this film here.. You can see some previews and learn a little more about Chris Vallenti and Tim Sweeney at 800cdsthemovie.com. Or if you're simply obsessed with everything Doug, pick up your copy here and see my insight into the song "Preen" which was the catalyst for me starting Nothing Error.


Oh yeah, I was an extra in Bruce Campbell's new movie (yeah, yeah, so was all of Medford, I know) "My Name Is Bruce." My role: "drunk business-man at a strip bar." Nice. nice.

Currently watching : Freddy Got Fingered Release date: 23 October, 2001

8:34 PM - 1 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

Dallas, TX video--"A Night At The Filthy Pirate"

The countdown can begin. The video is in its final cutting right now and is to be released this Saturday. I'll be posting the 30 minute version "A Night At The Filthy Pirate" and the 3 minute version "Dallas, TX" sometime next week.

7:59 PM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

Bass Player Magazine

Well, well, well. I was reading an article about Mastodon in the latest issue of Bass Player Magazine tonight and Troy (the bass player of Mastodon, duh!) said he was currently listening to Blood & Time's "At The Foot Of The Garden". I recorded and mixed that CD! I think that record flew way too far under the radar--it's some very mellow yet intense music. Anyway, it was exciting to see it mentioned!

Currently listening : At the Foot of the Garden By Blood & Time Release date: 10 February, 2004

7:54 PM - 1 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

Help wanted
Current mood: melancholy
Category: Music

Life's a funny thing. Life tends to hand you dreams. Dreams and ambitions. So you find the dream or goal that fits for you and you work toward it. Most of the time, it doesn't pay the bills. So you work a 9 to 5 to support your dream (i.e. habit). You do what you gotta do to survive and hopefully work toward your passion. And then, it seems like when you're finally at a place in life that affords you the opportunity to do the things you love--the things you REALLY want to do--new obstacles arise and deter you once again.

I've gone through that cycle many times in my life: I moved away to go to college, I moved again to find a new home, I went to another college (synopsys in "Dallas, TX"), I had a child, I started a new career, I got married, I (recently) had another child, etc. etc. And when your life's path changes so significantly, it's hard to "keep your eyes on the prize" so to speak. And, in many of those instances, I've faltered and let my music, my dream, come second. And every time, I've regretted it. Not that I should have abandoned my new life for my dreams, but, I should have at least worked on them a little. Not quit completely. Because when you quit, it's very difficult to start again. That's why people who don't go to college right after high school never make it back to college--they're now on to the new thing--life, the job, the family, whatever. Their dream becomes "the thing I USED to do." But every time I pick up the guitar I think, "You should have played it more. You should have practiced more. You should have written more songs . . . " And that's a weird thing to think as young (ha!) as I am.

We started writing a new song tonight. I could see on Justin's face something wasn't right. After practice, he told me that he's leaving the band on Dec. 2. He's leaving on good terms. He's got a lot of major things happening in his life and, right now, being in this band isn't going to work for him. I completely understand. I've been there and I don't envy his position at all. He had a tough decision to make and I respect the one he made.

I wish Justin the best in his future and I hope that he reaches all of his goals and aspirations--he deserves a happy and fullfilled life.

But now, we are a band without a drummer. Any takers?

9:49 PM - 5 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

My first major label credit!
Category: Music

Today, September 12, 2006, was the release date for Mastodon's "Blood Mountain".  Besides the obvious fact that this record fucking rocks (it was called "Record of the Decade" by one magazine) another cool thing is that I'm in the credits!  I recorded Scott Kelly's guest vocal in my studio (like I did for their "Leviathan" CD) and actually got credited this time.  So, please go buy this CD--I want that gold record for the wall of the studio!

Currently listening : Blood Mountain By Mastodon Release date: 12 September, 2006

3:10 PM - 5 Comments - 10 Kudos - Add Comment

Virus Nine
Current mood: accomplished

I've been recording the new Virus Nine record entitled "We Are Here To Wreck Everything" for the past 2 weeks. Man, just looking at that amount of time is shocking because SO much has happened that it feels like a month or two has gone by. We just finished all the raw tracks tonight. Now it's on to mixing. So far, so good. Everyone (including me) is happy with what we have so far. I'm sure the mixes will be even better. As tired, no, exhausted as I am, I'm really thrilled to be part of this project and am putting 100% (come on, that's as much as a person can give) into it.

It breaks down to: Beer. Pizza. Cigarettes. Beer. Pinball. Playboy. Sunlight? Pizza. Beer. Hollywood. Beer. Cigarettes. (no)Pillow. Beer. Pinball (broken). What? Beer. Sandwich. Beer. Hollywood.
and so on. . .

It's an inside joke without a punchline. You had to be there. Oh . . . who has a cigarette for Jamal?

The best part is, once this gets mixed . . it's on to finish the Chesterfield record. And then I go into hibernation for the winter. Wax plug and all (look it up on Google). Then it's the next big project in January (not NE).

So, thank god for dirty dishes . . .

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