Oklahoma Lefty

Mental Health Breath

2012-01-30T14:31:00.001-06:00

Thanks to The World in a Satin Bag for the find.

Video of the Day

2012-01-30T12:00:00.000-06:00

"High Pressure Low" by Against Me!

Blast from the Past: To Sell the Truth

2012-01-30T10:02:00.000-06:00

Title: To Sell the Truth (Amazon,iTunes,Interpunk, AllMusic, Wikipedia)

Artist: Youth Brigade (Facebook, MySpace, Last.fm, BYO Records,AllMusic, Wikipedia)

There were two bands in the early 1980's punk scene thatwent by the moniker Youth Brigade. One hailed from Washington, DC and was part of the same scene thebirthed Minor Threat and Dischord Records. The other hailed from Los Angeles, CA and started thelabel BYO Records which released classic records by the likes of 7 Seconds,SNFU, and The Bouncing Souls. In the early '80s, the CA Youth Brigadereleased the classic album Sound and Fury (technically released twice, theoriginal version is now available as the Out of Print CD and the version thatmost know is available as the Sink with Kalifornija CD) but after that theirreleases became sporadic. The band (and label) was started by the Sternbrothers Mark, Adam, and Shawn. In 1984,Adam left the band for art school while Mark and Shawn continued as The Brigade,recording one record (which I’ve never heard sadly). The band reformed asYouth Brigade in 1991, recorded the Come Again EP in 1992 and the Happy Houralbum in 1994.

In 1996 Youth Brigade released the brilliant To Sell theTruth. The record was a perfect mix of pop punk hooks with hardcoreenergy and biting lyrics. The recordopens with “It’s Not My Fault,” anincredibly catchy rant on personal responsibility. “It’s Not My Fault” perfectly sets the tonefor the record with its biting and ironic lyrics. Next up is “Spies for Life” which continues with thebiting and ironic lyricswhile “Sick” is nothing short of a brilliant rant. “We’reIn!” is a scathingrebuke of the punk scene of the mid-‘90s. The rest of the record follows suit with songs that are as catchy asthey are bitingly intelligent. Therecord’s standout moment is the phenomenal “Believe in Something.”

Not only is this song filled with hooks galore, it alsocontains some of the most spot-on lyricsI’ve ever heard.

I went out walking just had to think
all day spent talking really need a drink
we have the luxury of fighting in our seats
a price for any justice the whole notion stinks

What the hell are we doing with our lives
screaming for freedom
while fighting with all sides

Say there's a reason justify the lies
but I think we're empty inside
I know a girl a girl so smart
she can talk endlessly of why we're so apart
I know a boy a boy so tough
stand up to anything but he'll never say enough

What the hell are we doing with our lives
screaming for freedom
while fighting with all sides
say there's a reason justify the lies
but I think we're empty inside...

Should I believe in you, believe in me, believe in god, country and the family
believe in greed the corporate state
believe that power and money means strength
believe in love and the birds and the bees
believe in peace honour and harmony
believe that we should live and let live
it's up to you just believe in something.

I want to think you believe in you
I believe in me, will it set you free
someone's always telling you what to believe in
and I don't think you should have to fear, pay any money or sacrifice years
to find some peace of mind, to find a way to believe in something

The rant of “We’re In!” aside, the ‘90s was a great time formusic and some stellar punk rock records were released in those years. Sadly most have been lost or forgotten or justgreatly under-appreciated. In many waysthat has been Youth Brigade’s fate. Throughout their entire career they have been overshadowed by theircontemporaries (Social Distortion, Minor Threat) or the bands on their label (7Seconds, The Bouncing Souls) but thanks to many loyal fans (many of whom playin very popular bands), Youth Brigade has had the kind of long run that mostbands would kill for.

To Sell the Truth to-date has been the band’s lastfull-length release. In 1999 they werepart of the BYO Split Series, Vol. 2 release with Swingin’ Utters and there hasbeen talk of a new full-length in the works. While I eagerly await that new record, if it were never to come to pass,To Sell the Truth is one hell of a way for the band to go out.

Video of the Day

2012-01-29T12:00:00.001-06:00

"Can't Stop The World" by The Go-Go's

Currently Listening

2012-01-29T10:01:00.001-06:00

1. “Harnessed inSlums” by Archers of Loaf (from Vee Vee)

2. “Rooftops” byAlkaline Trio (from Alkaline Trio/Hot Water Music [SplitCD])

3. “Atlantic Sea” by Broadcaster (from Joyride)

4. “Silence [Demo]”by Descendents (from Rareage!)

5. “Together Crossthe Happy River” by Chris Wollard & The Ship Thieves (from Drag the River /Chris Wollard & The Ship Thieves Split 7”)

6. “Work for Food” byDramarama (from The Best of Dramarama: 18 Big Ones)

7. “Thatcher Fuckedthe Kids” by Frank Turner (from Campfire Punkrock)

8. “Low” by JohnMoreland & The Dust Bowl Souls (from Everything the Hard Way)

9. “Over 50 Club” byThe Loved Ones (from Keep Your Heart)

10. “Ba Ba Ba Ba Ba”by The Mr. T Experience (from Love Is Dead)

Video of the Day

2012-01-28T12:00:00.002-06:00

"Precision Auto" by Superchunk

Currently Listening

2012-01-28T09:34:00.002-06:00

1. “All the GoodTimes” by Fifteen (from There’s No Place Like Home (Good Night))

2. “Crazy Arms” by TheLazy Cowgirls (from How It Looks--How It Is)

3. “Hey Darlin’ DoYou Gamble” by Lucero (from 1372 Overton Park)

4. “Slow Down” by TheMethadones (from Ill At Ease)

5. “I’ll Get By” byMike Williams (from Landlocked EP)

6. “Seventeen” by Red Forty (fromDiscography)

7. “Dog Dumped” byTim Barry (from Rivanna Junction)

8. “Believe inSomething” by Youth Brigade (from To Sell the Truth)

9. “Head Trip” bySamiam (from Jawbreaker/Samiam split 7”)

10. “Wooderson” byThe Gaslight Anthem (from Sink or Swim)

Video of the Day

2012-01-27T12:00:00.002-06:00

"Suspicious Minds" by Dwight Yoakam

Video of the Day

2012-01-26T12:00:00.001-06:00

"Easy" by Faith No More

Video of the Day

2012-01-25T12:00:00.001-06:00

"Fate at Fourteen" by One Man Army

Video of the Day

2012-01-24T12:00:00.000-06:00

"Blue Above the Rooftops" by Eugenius

Image of the Day

2012-01-24T10:24:00.001-06:00

Thanks to Blastr for the find.

Video of the Day

2012-01-21T12:00:00.001-06:00

"I Love Rock N Roll" by The Jesus & Mary Chain

Video of the Day

2012-01-20T12:00:00.001-06:00

"Mother '93" by Danzig

Video of the Day

2012-01-19T12:00:00.000-06:00

"Screen Door" by Uncle Tupelo

Currently Reading: Rebel Buddha: On the Road to Freedom

2012-01-19T09:22:00.002-06:00

Title: Rebel Buddha:On the Road to Freedom (Official, Facebook,Twitter, YouTube, Amazon,GoogleBooks)

Author: DzogchenPonlop (Official, Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Wikipedia)

My mother sent me this book after she read it and spokeglowingly of it. Here’s the descriptionof the book from its official website –

There’s a rebel within you. It’s the part of you thatalready knows how to break free of fear and unhappiness. This rebel is thevoice of your own awakened mind. It’s your rebel buddha—the sharp, clearintelligence that resists the status quo. It wakes you up from the sleepyacceptance of your day-to-day reality and shows you the power of yourenlightened nature. It’s the vibrant, insightful energy that compels you toseek the truth.

Dzogchen Ponlop guides you throughthe inner revolution that comes from unleashing your rebel buddha. He explainshow, by training your mind and understanding your true nature, you can freeyourself from needless suffering. He presents a thorough introduction to theessence of the Buddha’s teachings and argues that, if we are to bring theseteachings fully into our personal experience, we must go beyond the culturaltrappings of traditional Asian Buddhism. “We all want to find some meaningfultruth about who we are,” he says, “but we can only find it guided by our ownwisdom—by our own rebel buddha within.”

In all reality, I am practically a Buddhist (mixed with somedeism and universalism). By the time I’mdone with this book, I am be a full blown Buddhist.

Stop SOPA & PIPA

2012-01-18T08:00:00.000-06:00

I have no idea how to blackout this site, but agree 100% that SOPA and PIPA must be stopped. For more information check out http://sopastrike.com/, https://www.google.com/landing/takeaction/, and for those in the Sooner State--SOPA: Congressional Contacts for Oklahoma Blogggers.

Quote of the Day

2012-01-17T16:19:00.000-06:00

At first I was all wide eyed and amazed at everything I wasseeing. But the longer I was in the punk “scene” in a big city, the more Istarted seeing the internal drama happening. Punks not liking other punksbecause they weren’t “real” enough. Bands hating other bands because they weretoo popular. Punks hating the poseurs who just got into the punk“scene.” This always confused me, even as a 17 year old. I knew that when Ifirst learned about punk, I dressed as a typical 90’s skater. I went to thesesmall back yard shows in PA and was treated as an equal, everyone was there tosee the bands. No one was judging me because of how I dressed or because I wasjust learning about punk rock. This whole internal battles killed the punk rock“scene” to me. Don’t get me wrong, I am not saying Punk Rock is dead. I justmean that it changed, when people stopped enjoying the music and decided tofight about it, they were slowly killing it. Every time I go to watch some oldpunk rock videos on youtube the comment section is always a battlefield ofnegative comments. People are still fighting over what is cool and what isn’t .It really makes me sad. Why not just enjoy the music, if you don’t like a banddon’t listen to them. It doesn’t mean you have to go and tell everyone theysuck or start an argument with everyone that likes that band.

Flash to the present… Here I am 15 years later, all grown upwith a wife and kids. I still listen to a lot of punk but mostly I listen towhat I call Underground Country or Americana.There are lots of names for it Alt-Country, Cow Punk, Po Dunk, the list goes onand on. It is, just as punk rock was, a small “scene.” But it is growing, thatmakes me happy. I would like to see bands be able to make some actual moneyfrom the music. But I guess is is making a lot of people angry, like reallyfucking angry. I am seeing fans, bands, and labels talking shit about eachother. People calling others poseurs for just getting into the music.People getting mad about new labels that are going to support the underground“scene.” People pissed off at bloggers and podcasters for not writing orplaying the right stuff. This all sounds so familiar… Oh yeah, I justwrote about all thing happening to the punk rock scene. See, a good many of usthat are listening to this style of music are old punk rockers and if youaren’t you got a short description in the above paragraph. We should knowbetter, it was us that killed the punk rock “scene” by fighting with each otherinstead of just enjoying the music. We really should know better. Hell I evenhear people saying that the new people, bands and labels getting into the“scene” are going to destroy it because it is going to get too big like punkrock. Getting big isn’t what killed punk rock, look back and think. Therealways needs to be new fans, bands and labels to keep a music “scene” movingforward, if not it will die. When you write music, you want people to hearit. So why do people think they have to hate a band that has too many fans.“That band is a sellout” is what I hear all the time. They didn’t change tobecome more popular. Fans came to them to hear their sound. Which is exactlywhat you want when you start making music. Not every band is going to fit yourtaste and and that is ok. Instead of taking time out of your life to bash aband you don’t like why not post a video of a band you do like. Help good bandsget more fans. That is what I want to do.

-- Hobohiatus from the post Underground Country/Americana

I really identified with this on a few levels. First, I was someone that got into thepunk/underground scene in high school in a small town where the scene was very acceptingof people and was then turned off by the in-fighting that I witnessed in thescene throughout the years. Second, asan older adult I have also really gotten alt country/Americana music, but Ihave yet to experience this same type of in-fighting. In fact I have felt more welcomed and at homewith these bands than I have in a very long time. But for me, I don’t really see distinct linesbetween punk and alt country and college rock. Sure I use these terms to describe different bands and their music butthat is more to help give folks a frame of reference because honestly at theend of the day, it’s all rock ‘n’ roll music.

Hopefully the alt country scene won’t devolve like the punkscene has, but I’m sure that will depend on the success of alt countryartists. If at some point an alt countryband (or a band with alt country tendencies/leanings) becomes huge then I’msure things will change in the scene but I’m hoping that this scene will neverget to that point. Not that I don’t wantthe artists to do well, because lord knows that I do. I just hope that there isn’t an alt country equivalentto Green Day in the foreseeable future. Tome this kind of music isn’t as geared for mainstream success as pop punkwas/is. Yes these songs are catchy andfun but they are also gritty and, for lack of a better term, dirty and thoseare characteristics that play well with top 40 or mainstream rock radio. (Side note that all having been said, I could totally see The Gaslight Anthem becomehuge in the near future. Not that theyare an alt country band but they do appeal to the same types of fans as bandslike Lucero and Drag the River.)

Video of the Day

2012-01-17T12:00:00.000-06:00

"Greenback Dollar" by Tom Gabel & Chuck Ragan

10 Questions with Drunken Prayer

2012-01-17T06:56:00.001-06:00

Americana act DrunkenPrayer is the brainchild of Portland, OR’sMorgan Christopher Geer. His sophomorealbum, Into the Missionfield, will be released in February on Fluff & GravyRecords (read my review here).

This interview was conducted via email with MorganChristopher Geer January 7-16.

For more information on Drunken Prayer check out their official website, Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, LinkedIn, ReverbNation, Last.fm, YouTube, SonicBids, BandCamp, CD Baby, Yahoo Music, Rhapsody, and iTunespages.

Dave: Drunken Prayerseems to essentially be a solo project. Why do you play under that moniker instead of your name?

Morgan Christopher Geer: It’swhat the project is called. I’m more comfortable working behind the curtain.

Dave: When did youfirst start playing and writing music?

Morgan: I come from amusical family so there were always instruments around and records playing. Thefirst instrument I took up seriously was the drums; I was I guess 6 or so. ThenI got excited about the bass which inevitably led to the guitar.

Dave: Your sophomorealbum, Into the Missionfield, is coming out next month on Fluff and GravyRecords. What’s the story behind therecord?

Morgan: This recordwas born from the ashes of some rough relationships. There’s a lot of movement,a lot of questions and uncertainty. It’s a nervous work.

Dave: How did you gethooked up with Fluff and Gravy Records?

Morgan: John, Chad, the whole gang aregreat friends. They believe in what I do and my commitment to the process. Thisis all I’ve ever wanted to do and they get that. They’re evangelists spreadingthe word.

Dave: For those whohave never heard Drunken Prayer, how do you describe your music?

Morgan: That’s liketrying to describe your crazy child. It’s big and brassy in themes and changes;schizophrenic and dreamy making tenuous connections in real and imaginedtruths.

Dave: Do you have anyspecific type of songwriting process? What are the types of things that influence your songs?

Morgan: You can findthe seeds of a song in nearly every instant of everyday; to take advantage ofthat I can only write effectively when my antennae are up and paying attention.Deadlines are a huge motivator.

Dave: How is themusic scene in Portland, OR?

Morgan: It’s prettyrich. There’s at least one of everything and the bar is set pretty high, soit’s a great place to learn. Their musical history isn’t as deep or entrenchedas where I’m from: Appalachia and the Gulf Coast. The NW perspective onpopular and folk music is more innocent and open and a little less intense.

Dave: This is a HighFidelity inspired question. What are your top 5 favorite bands/artists,albums, movies, television shows, books/authors?

Morgan: I can’t dothe music questions properly or this interview would never end. What I’ve beenlisting to lately: Phosphorescent, Eels, the new Tom Waits, Negativland, GeorgeJones, Mugison.

Movies: Raising Arizona,The Wrecking Crew, Devil’s Rejects, Monty Python’s Holy Grail, The BluesBrothers

Teevee: Carnival, Deadwood, Sons of Anarchy, Breaking Bad,Battle Star Galactica (the new one)

Authors: Nick Tosches, W. SomersetMaugham, Dr. Hunter S. Thompson

Books: “The Strange Life of Ivan Osokin” by P.D.Ouspensky, “Things the Grandchildren Should Know” by Mark Oliver Everett

Dave: What’s next foryou?

Morgan: I’ll betouring all over for the next year and trying to find the time to write andrecord the next record.

Dave: Any finalthoughts?

Morgan: Tune in, turnon, drop out. Thanks for listening.

Quote of the Day

2012-01-16T13:42:00.000-06:00

‎"In one of the Upanishads it says, when the glow of a sunset holds you and you say 'Aha,' that is the recognition of the divinity. And when you say 'Aha' to an art object, that is a recognition of divinity. And what divinity is it? It is your divinity, which is the only divinity there is. We are all phenomenal manifestations of a divine will to live, and that will and the consciousness of life is one in all of us, and that is what artwork expresses."

- Joseph Campbell, "Creativity," The Mythic Dimension, p. 154

Video of the Day

2012-01-16T12:00:00.001-06:00

"Falling to Pieces" by Faith No More

Geek or Nerd: Which are You?

2012-01-16T09:36:00.000-06:00

Apparently I am yet again stuck in the middle…at least thatis my conclusion after looking at this.

Thanks to Blastr for thefind.

Currently Listening

2012-01-16T08:05:00.001-06:00

1. “Empty YourBottles” by Banner Pilot (from Resignation Day)

2. “Foxy Society” byThe Cute Lepers (from Adventure Time)

3. “The Trials ofOscar Wilde” by Dead To Me (from MoscowPenny Ante)

4. “Phatty Boom Batty”by Electric Frankenstein (from How to Make a Monster)

5. “Let It Ride” byThe Gateway District (from Perfect’s Gonna Fail)

6. “Up To Nothing” byHot Water Music (from The Fire, The Steel, The Tread / Up To Nothing EP)

7. “Turn It Around”by Joyride (from Johnny Bravo)

8. “Bop City” by The Loved Ones (from SW19)

9. “And If We BothFail” by Mixtapes (from Maps & Companions)

10. “Track 13” by Red City Radio (from The Dangers ofStanding Still)

Video of the Day

2012-01-15T12:00:00.000-06:00

"La La Love You" by Pixies

Video of the Day

2012-01-14T12:00:00.000-06:00

"The Hand With Inherited Rings" by Dead To Me

Thanks to Forthe Love of Punk for the find.

Eating My Words: My Apology to The Spy

2012-01-14T09:44:00.000-06:00

Since Ferris O'Brien re-launched The Spy a few years ago, Ihave been fairly critical of station's playlist. I've always applauded O'Brien and co. forwhat they were doing with The Spy and his tremendous support of local music,but that was often overshadowed by my criticism of the artists and songs thestation played.

While online yesterday, I was looking around on The Spy'swebsite for some contact information for a band that I had recently interviewedand noticed that they were playing John Moreland's "Small Town Boy,"so I clicked the Listen Now button thingy and proceeded to listen for the restof the time that I was on the computer. During that time, not once did I hear a song that I thought was terrible. Yes they played a lot of stuff that I didn'tknow, but they also played some cult classics from The Cult and The SoupDragons that I loved. While listening Iwas really impressed with how good the song selection was and how I had nodesire to turn it off and listen to the stuff I have on my computer. Needless to say, I will be listening a lotmore often. And while I would probablyfall on the floor if I heard them play some ALL, Drag the River, or The GC5,I'm not going to base my entire opinion of the station based on if or how oftenthey play my favorite bands.

So Ferris and co., I'd like to apologize for my criticismover the years. You have grown into agreat station and I will be listening a lot more often. Now if I could only get The Spy in my car...

Video of the Day

2012-01-13T12:00:00.000-06:00

"Surrender" by Pegboy

Quote of the Day

2012-01-13T09:27:00.000-06:00

Now, I don't want to sound like a partisan here, becausethat's boring.

-- Bill O’Reilly from the column The PresidentWants My Money

10 Questions with Kill the Reflection

2012-01-13T09:14:00.000-06:00

Kill the Reflection is a three-piece post-punk band from Oklahoma City. They willbe headlining the CLASHevent at The Conservatory on January 14^th.

This interview was conducted via email January 3rd – 13th.

For more information on Kill the Reflection check out theband’s official website, Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, ReverbNation, Last.fm, SoundCloud, iTunes,and CD Baby pages.

Dave: How did theband get together? What’s the storybehind the name Kill the Reflection?

Morgan Routt: I'veknown Chris since i was 17 and met Mark through Chris, early 2011, it was justthe right place and the right time. I came up with the name in a rough time inmy life in 1999.

Dave: For those whohave never heard the band, how would you describe your music?

Mark Martinez: Dark,haunting sprinkled with a pinch of "realness."

Chris Stevens: Iwould describe it as dark and melodic. Heavy but not "heavy," yaknow?

Morgan: Music forbroken people, another way to listen to screams.

Dave: Many of thereviews on your website compare your music to that of Joy Division. Do you think that is a fair and/or accuratecomparison? Was Joy Division aninfluence on your music?

Mark: Fair in asense, they are dark and heavy. To say that we sound alike, no.

Chris: I think itsfair... Yes, they're an influence, but i don't think we necessarily sound likethem. But that vibe they put out absolutely influences us.

Morgan: Its very mucha crossword puzzle for anyone, its wherever it puts you. I have always been aravenous fan of Ian Curtis and all his work.

Dave: To date youhave released one full-length album, one EP, and one demo collectionindependently. Why did you decide to gowith the self-release option? Have youreceived interest from any record labels?

Mark: Not at themoment, but we hope to change all of that real soon.

Chris: Yeah, we'veworked with people, but it was short lived, so it still feels like we're doingwhat we've always done.

Morgan: We put outour releases independently because we had the means to do it, and waiting forsomeone else to find interest in doing it, takes too long. We've had severalnibbles on our line but no viable bites worthy of pulling the line.

Dave: Has the bandtoured much outside of Oklahoma? If so, how’s the reaction been?

Mark: No out of towndates as of now. We're currently working on a few marketing projects. We wantto make sure the "wow" factor is turned up to "11" beforewe hit the road.

Chris: We haven'tyet, but that's definitely a goal for this year. It'll happen. We have someplans to get out there.

Morgan: Not yet, butlock up your daughters, we are headed to a town near you!

Dave: What are yourfavorite places to play (locally or otherwise) and favorite bands to play with?

Morgan: The Bluenote,The Hilo and Route 66 Roadhouse.

Dave: What are yourthoughts on the music scene in Oklahoma?

Mark: There's somereally good things happening, musically speaking. A lot of talented localartists are making waves, which is a good thing for everyone.

Chris: There's somereally good things going on musically, around the city. There's no doubt aboutthat. I just feel, personally, that it could be more united. You've got thepeople who are down from the start, then you've got the people who can't returnan email, even to tell you to fuck off, haha...but i love it all the same.

Morgan: Its on therise, especially with independent bands, everythings changing and bands arenetworking.

Dave: This is a HighFidelity inspired question. What are your top 5 favorite bands/artists,albums, movies, television shows, books/authors?

Mark: Bands: JeffBuckley, Zepellin, Pink Floyd, The Cure, Depeche Mode. Movies: The Outsiders, Mystic River, Snatch, Goodfellas, TheDeparted. TV: Weed Wars, First 48, Ancient Aliens, Austin City Limits, Family Guy. Books: Whohas time to read?

Chris: I think myhead will explode if i try to answer this question. Seriously. Boom. All overthe place.

Morgan: Bands: ChrisCorner (Sneaker Pimps, IAMX), Otis Redding, Karen Dreijer Anderson (The Knife,Fever Ray), Paul Banks, Placebo. Albums: Depeche Mode - Violator, Placebo -Without You Im Nothing, ELO - Strange Magic, Portishead - Dummy, The Black Keys- Brothers. Books: Famous Last Words, The Giving Tree, Von Cosel, The Entity,anything by Harry Price. Movies: Imprint (anything by Takashi Miike),Amityville Horror, Rosemarys Baby, Metropolis (anything by Fritz Lang),Eraserhead (anything by David Lynch). T.V.: Forensic Files, Curb YourEnthusiasm, Arrested Development, Mr. Show, Saturday Night Live

Dave: What’s next forthe band?

Mark: Hopefully wecan create some out of state buzz and open some new doors. We would love toplay the Norman Music Festival and who knows maybe Austin.Basically take over the world.

Chris: We have avideo coming up, shows, recording an EP, and just keep moving and growing.

Morgan: Music videoand surrounding tours.

Dave: Any finalthoughts?

Mark: Stay tuned toKill the Reflection in 2012. We'll continue to evolve as a band and moreimportantly, a sound.

Chris: Just a bigthank you to everyone for their support.

Morgan: Always tipyour bartender, and if you like a band, spread it like a virus!

Video of the Day

2012-01-12T12:00:00.002-06:00

"No Need" by Big Drill Car

They Stay Dead Interviewed in AMP Magazine

2012-01-12T11:01:00.001-06:00

AMP Magazine recently interviewed They Stay Dead’s Matt Owsley. Check it out here.

Also make sure to vote for They Stay Dead in AMP’s UnsignedBand Contest here.

Video of the Day

2012-01-11T12:00:00.001-06:00

"No Eager Men" by Swingin' Utters

Quote of the Day

2012-01-11T09:02:00.002-06:00

No matter how much it may seem like futile efforts, we willnever abandon our quest for a better tomorrow. We will never surrender to thehopelessness that politics in Americahas seem to have become.

-- Steve from the post TheLament of a Political Blogger

Two Suns Releasing One Song a Week from Upcoming Album

2012-01-11T06:46:00.000-06:00

Norman’s Two Suns (BandCamp, Facebook, MySpace, SoundCloud, ReverbNation, Last.fm) is releasing one song aweek from their upcoming album Dream Familiar (BandCamp).

From the press release –

Dream Familiar will be self-released via Two Suns'BandCamp in the following way:
One song a week for 10 weeks (check track listing and datesbelow). Each song will be available for a “name your pricedownload,” unless something crazy happens and it blows up into money to send mykids to college, in which case I reserve the right to charge something.

Dream Familiar tracklist & release dates
1. Not the End (2/1/12)
2. Nostalgic (1/18/12)
3. Dirty Industry (1/25/12)
4. Eyes to Hope (01/04/12)
5. Time Again (2/15/12)
6. Losing, Lost (2/08/12)
7. Not the End pt. 2 (2/22/12)
8. Ran Wild (1/11/12)
9. Feelin’ Today (2/29/12)
10. dream familiar (3/7/12)

Check out the album’s first two released songs “Eyes to Hope”(BandCamp, MP3 link,SoundCloud) and “RanWild” (BandCamp, MP3link, SoundCloud).

Eyes to Hope by twosunsmusic
Ran Wild by twosunsmusic

Looking for Some Reading Suggestions

2012-01-10T22:59:00.001-06:00

I’m about to finish reading AllThat Lives Must Die by Eric Nylund and am having a hard time deciding whatto read next. I’m thinking about tryingmy hand at Good Omens again but am not sure if the third time’s the charm. What I’d like to read is another myth-basedfantasy in the same vein as All That Lives Must Die, the Nicholas Flamelseries, and the Calliope Reaper-Jones series. I've thought about checking out Mark Chadbourn’s The Age of Misruleseries but haven’t gotten around to it yet.

So with all of that in mind, anyone have any ideas?

Video of the Day

2012-01-10T12:00:00.000-06:00

"The Sweetest Girl" by The Ducky Boys

10 Questions with Doug McKean (formerly of The GC5)

2012-01-10T07:18:00.000-06:00

Doug McKean started out as the unbelievably energetic bassplayer and co-vocalist of Cleveland, OH’sThe GC5 in the late 1990’s. That bandreleased two stellar full-length records, a slew of singles/EPs/splits, and asingles collection before calling it a day. Since that time, McKean has released four solo records that mix elementsof soul, folk, and college rock (among others). His latest effort, the excellent Esperanto Sessions (read my review here),was released in December and is one of the records that everyone should getthis year!

What makes McKean stand out, besides the fact that he writesincredible music, is that he is a great guy.

This interview was conducted via email 12/27/11 – 1/9/2012.

For more information on Doug McKean check out his official website, MySpace, Facebook,Last.fm, Last.fm(with the Stuntmen), CD Baby,Yahoo Music, and AllMusic pages.

Dave: You recentlyreleased your fourth solo album, Esperanto Session, digitally. What's thestory behind the new record? Will there be a physical release?

Doug McKean: I may press lps at some point. It depends.I've had a rough time keeping a band together the last couple years, so I'vegot to decide what I can do.

The story with the record is that it's a bunch of songs Iwrote as I decided to move away from Cleveland,moved to Austin for about 6 months,and then came back and got married. I wrote a ton of stuff in Texas,had a lot written beforehand, and just decided to compile it in a way thatmade sense. Bill Fox helped me with the demos and Ryan Foltz helped mewith the final record. Really, except for a couple parts here and there, it'sjust me making a record with two ridiculously talented people helping theprocess along. The record deals with a lot of things. It's not thematic likerecords I've done before. I think it feels comfortable that way.

Dave: From what I can tell at least, none ofyour three of your previous releases (Heels Up, Unquiet, and Concerto forSecond Fiddle) were released by a record label (and if they were I can't findany label info on the CDs or in the liner notes). Were all of theserecords independently/self-released? Was Esperanto Sessions released thissame way? What made you decide to go this route for releasing yourrecords?

Doug: Yeah, businessrelationships are not my best thing. People with the resources to put outa record seem to fall into two categories. 1) People I don't trust. 2) People Ilove, which would make me feel guilty about not touring like the GC5 did if Iasked any of them for money.

Dave: Your solo material is a fairly bigdeparture musically from your previous band The GC5. How do youdescribe your music for those who have never heard it? Did yoursongwriting change over time naturally or was it a conscious decision?

Doug: It was anevolution. Really, working on the last, unreleased GC5 record in 2003 was thebeginning of it. I was trying to stretch us out and not everyone was on thesame page. Everyone was game, but we just didn't know what was going on. It ledto the breakup of the band and Dave and I starting a new band called MotelBlonde. We were an artwork file error away from releasing that record, and thenDave and I joined another band that would become the Magpies, which was a rootsrock band. Roger Hoover, the leader of that band, has written some stunninglygood songs. It was a really fun band to be in.

As far as how any of this has influenced my style... I guessI got sick of people only relating to the most superficial aspects of what wewere doing in The GC5, so all of this started with a conscious decision to dosomething that I enjoyed rather than fall into the trap of playing to ouraudience's expectations. Doing that might have been fun if we were the RollingStones or something, but I thought a lot of the people who came to see us couldalso get exactly what they wanted from someone who'd be happier giving it tothem. I've always liked a lot of different stuff and I've always been curiousas a musician, so I've grown into my interests a bit. The sound of it? I guessI'd say that it's a sound that makes sense given what I've done. I've just beenbouncing around so much that it seems jarring at first. I've played a lot offolky gigs with some great pickers here in Ohio, done a Pogues cover band, TheGC5 of course, The Magpies, played with some great Texas songwriters downthere, so all of that just gets thrown into the pot.

Dave: Speaking of The GC5, there was a short reunion afew years ago. Is there a chance that we could get another reunion (and ashow in OKC if a reunion does happen)? Also, how have fans of The GC5reacted to your solo material? (Note: As a HUGE GC5 fan I must saythat I love the solo records. Yes it is completely different but thesongs are superb.)

Doug: That did, Iguess, meet all the literal definitions of reunion, but itwas very informal. I did a gig in Little Rocka few years back with Dave playing drums. Paul came along to see old friendsand hang with us. Pete was living there. Everyone kept asking us to play a fewsongs and none of us were opposed to it, so we did. It was fun. We'd have benefitedfrom rehearsing, but I think it made the people there happy. Sounded prettygood too, all things considered. It would be worth trying again. I'd just wantto do it right at this point if we decided to do it. We've always been reallygood friends, and I think those guys will always be close to me in a way thatno one else will ever be able to be. Short of literally fighting a wartogether, I don't know what could bring people closer than doing what we did.

As far as the reaction to the records... it's a mixed bag.The music industry is so different than it was even when The GC5 was together.I haven't worked with labels so the records haven't made it beyond the people thatare interested enough to follow me. Most of those people are into what I'mdoing and get it, and the response from them has been very good. Some peopledon't get it and wish I was still doing really fast punk rock, which Iunderstand. I assure them and you that I haven't "sold out" oranything. Based on the sales of my solo records vs. sales of GC5 records, I'dhave reassessed that strategy by now if that was my objective!

Dave: Your latest record has elements of folk,soul, college rock (ala The Replacements and Paul Westerberg), and Celticmusic (ala The Pogues). What went into writing this record and thecreation of these songs? Was there anything that you were listening to orexperiencing during the writing of the record that shaped the music?

Doug: I love all thestuff you just mentioned, so it's no surprise. Elvis Costello's shadow isalways looming. I'm always listening to something different. My iPod hasactually kept me from obsessing about specific things as much as I used to, soit's hard to say there are one or two main influences. I think foreverything through Heels Up, that was probably the case. There are noticeablehomages going on throughout everything I do, but I think it's hard topin the last couple records to too specific an influence.

Dave: Many of your lyrics deal with politicalissues. What are thoughts on the current political climate and theupcoming presidential election?

Doug: Well, itdoesn't take a long memory for a sensible person to be afraid of the Republicanstaking the White House. Beyond that... I don't know. Do any of us little peoplereally understand that game? The one thing that really scares me is that theveil of politics being about how society decides how to distribute power,wealth, what have you, is being lifted, and the ugly tribalism beneath isshowing. Probably not that unusual, but it does seem like an exceptionally uglytime right now. It makes me wonder if we're capable of dealing with theproblems we have.

There is a much sharper political edge to this record thananything I've done in a long time. I've been touching on those themes sort ofobliquely on the last couple records, but I brought it to the fore on a few ofthese songs. It's easier when a Democrat is in the White House. The countrygoes crazy in a way that doesn't happen when it has its daddy figure for aPresident. Those times are just disheartening.

Dave: Are there any specific songwriters that haveinfluenced you, your music, and how you write?

Doug: Sure... Besidesthe ones you and I have mentioned already, Townes Van Zandt, Nick Lowe, RobynHitchcock... I guess this is a name dropping sort of answer... I was luckyenough to play with Owen Temple and Colin Gilmore in Texas.Met Adam Carroll and saw him play several times too. I learned a lot from allthree of those guys.

Dave: This is a High Fidelity inspired question. What are your top 5 favorite bands/artists, albums, movies, television shows,books/authors?

Doug: Bands: Faces,Sly and the Family Stone, Replacements, Elvis Costello and the Attractions, Parliament

TV Shows: (probably a pretty stock liston this one...) The Wire, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Sanfordand Son, The Sopranos, Get a Life

Books: East of Eden, Cat's Cradle, TheBrothers Karamazov, Wise Blood, Libra

Dave: What's next for you?

Doug: I'm layingpretty low at the moment. I want to get out and do some shows behind thisrecord, but like I said, the band thing is always a challenge. I've got a lotof bits of tunes sitting around that seem like they want to get together on areally rocking power pop record. No frills. That may be next.

Dave: Any final thoughts?

Doug: Thanks fortaking the time to talk to me. Anyone reading this who hasn't heard of thepeople I mentioned at some point in this interview, they're all worth at leastlooking up. More than anything, I'm glad to have had so many talented peoplecome through my life. I hope to see everyone soon.

Album Review: Esperanto Sessions

2012-01-10T07:05:00.000-06:00

Title: EsperantoSessions (Amazon,CD Baby, Last.fm)

Artist: Doug McKean (Official, MySpace, Last.fm, CD Baby, Yahoo Music, AllMusic)

Doug McKean’s fourth solo record is nothing short ofexceptional. Esperanto Sessions is arecord created by someone who obviously loves music (in a variety of styles)and has a passion for playing honestly and without pretense. From top to bottom this is an album thatmixes folk, college rock, and soul (with a pinch of dance) and does so easilyand seamlessly.

The record opens with the very Pogues-esque “By the Time I Getto Chong Nonsi” before busting into “There’s a Party in the USA,” an extremelyfun and danceable number that is not to be confused with the Miley Cyrushit. “Silk Scarecrow” is a soft balladdriven by acoustic guitar. “Almost Everywhere”starts of soft before building up to a crescendo that rides out the rest of thetune. “Civil Twilight” is a rockin’number wile “Winston Salem” drips of southern country. Next is one of the album’s best moments, thefolky/college rock number “Aggressive Passion” which is filled with some greatguitar hooks. “Julian” is another balladfollowed by the heart wrenching and passionate “Believe” (another one of thealbum’s best moments). “Night Basketball”is a folk rock tune followed by the haunting ballad “Mars & Detroit.” Esperanto Sessions closes out with “You Don’tHave to Stay Here (But You Can’t Go Home)” another genre-crossing tune thatdoes a great job in tying up the record.

There are some records and artists that take no effort bythe listener to enjoy or understand. That’s not the case with the work of Doug McKean or with EsperantoSessions. This is a record thatchallenges the listener; it almost dares you to try to squeeze it into a simplecategory. And one thing for certain is thatthis record cannot be easily squeezed into one category or genre. McKean’s talents as a songwriter are wide andvaried and in may ways defy categorization. That’s what makes this record so good. These songs are passionate and heartfelt played with nothing but loveand heart and soul. And besides, noteverything in life should be easy. So ifyou are someone who needs your music to be easy, then this is not the recordfor you, but instead if you like music that challenges you to think then IHIGHLY recommend giving Esperanto Sessions a listen.

Currently Listening

2012-01-10T05:48:00.003-06:00

1. “There’s a Partyin the USA” byDoug McKean (from Esperanto Sessions)

2. “Down to Nothing”by Doug McKean (from Unquiet)

3. “Until the NextCliffhanger” by Doug McKean (from Concerto for Second Fiddle)

4. “Out of Ideas” byThe Copyrights (from Learn the Hard Way)

5. “Flat” by The Copyrights(from Make Sound)

6. “Worn Out Passport”by The Copyrights (from North Sentinel Island)

7. “Satan, YourKingdom Must Come Down” by Uncle Tupelo (from March 16-20, 1992 [Bonus Tracks])

8. “Life Worth Livin’”by Uncle Tupelo (from No Depression [Bonus Tracks])

9. “D. Boon” by UncleTupelo (from Still Feel Gone [Bonus Tracks])

10. “Wild &Lethal” by Paul Westerberg (from Come Feel Me Tremble)

11. “Love Untold” byPaul Westerberg (from Eventually)

12. “Let the BadTimes Roll” by Paul Westerberg (from Stereo)

13. “Last Night inTown” by Lucero (from Nobody’s Darlings)

14. “The Weight ofGuilt” by Lucero (from Rebels, Rogues & Sworn Brothers)

15. “The Only One” byLucero (from That Much Further West)

Video of the Day

2012-01-09T12:00:00.003-06:00

"No Surrender" by Hot Water Music

The 5 Most Annoying Things About Sports (To Non Sports Fans)

2012-01-09T09:19:00.001-06:00

Cracked.com does it again…

The5 Most Annoying Things About Sports (To Non Sports Fans)

About the only thing missing from this list is the use of the word "we" by fans when talking about their favorite teams.

Currently Listening

2012-01-09T09:05:00.002-06:00

1. “Little Mascara”by The Replacements (from Tim [Expanded Edition])

2. “Election Day” byThe Replacements (from Pleased to Meet Me [Expanded Edition])

3. “Favorite Thing”by The Replacements (from Let It Me [Deluxe Edition])

4. “Epitah” by TwoCow Garage (from III)

5. “Alphabet City” by Two Cow Garage (from TheWall Against Our Back)

6. “Closer to Me” byTwo Cow Garage (from Sweet Saint Me)

7. “Talk Me To Sleep”by Red CityRadio (from The Dangers of Standing Still)

8. “Little Fighter”by Red CityRadio (from Red CityRadio / The Gamits Split)

9. “Where We’re GoingWe Don’t Need Roads” by Red City Radio (from To the Son’s and Daughter’s ofWoody Guthrie)

10. “Mutiny on the ElectronicBay” by Against Me! (from As the Eternal Cowboy)

11. “Because You’reYoung” by Against Me! (from Daytrotter Session-6/1/2010)

12. “RapidDecompression” by Against Me! (from White Crosses)

13. “Wishing Well” byALL (from Allroy for Prez)

14. “Nothin’” by ALL(from Percolater)

15. “All’s Fair” byALL (from Guilty)

Video of the Day

2012-01-08T12:00:00.000-06:00

"Jerry was a Race Car Driver" by Primus

Album Review: Everything the Hard Way

2012-01-08T11:07:00.000-06:00

Title: Everything theHard Way (BandCamp,Amazon,iTunes,CD Baby)

Artist: John Moreland& The Dust Bowl Souls (Official,BandCamp, Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, Last.fm [solo], Last.fm[with The Dust Bowl Souls])

I can’t believe that I missed this when it was released in November. John Moreland’s fourth full-length album (andfirst with his new band The Dust Bowl Souls) is nothing short of brilliant andwould have easily made the number two position on my Top20 Albums of 2011 had I not missed it at the time. In fact, next to Things I Can’t Control, I’dsay that this is his best record to date.

What makes Everything the Hard Wayso great? It’s pure simplicity. This is a straightforward, no b.s., honest toGod rock ‘n’ roll record. The songs areextremely catchy, the lyrics are deep, and the playing is full of passion and soul. This is the kind of record that could (andshould) appeal to an extremely wide range of people (fans of everything fromalt country to punk to alternative rock to classic rock can easily findsomething to love here). With bands likeThe Gaslight Anthem poised to become huge stars in 2012, there is no reason whyJohn Moreland shouldn’t enjoy some of that same success.

One of the great things about John Moreland, is that thereis always new music right around the corner just waiting to be heard. This man is on the verge of becoming RobertPollard prolific (Moreland released two full-length albums and two EPs in 2011)but unlike the Guided By Voices front-man, Moreland’s music is consistently great.

Great for fans of Drag the River, The Gaslight Anthem, andTom Petty (among others); or pretty much for anyone who love top notch rock ‘n’roll music.

Thanks to NineBullets.net for the find.

Currently Listening

2012-01-08T10:14:00.002-06:00

1. “Fall from Grace”by Mike Williams (from Landlocked EP)

2. “Break Me” by The DuckyBoys (from Three Chords and the Truth)

3. “Going Nowhere” byFalse Positive (from Demo)

4. “Red in theMorning” by The Gaslight Anthem (from Sink or Swim)

5. “The Things That NeverNeed” by Guided By Voices (from Let’s Go Eat the Factory)

6. “Christmas Lights”by John Moreland & The Dust Bowl Souls (from Everything the Hard Way)

7. “Orange Yellow” byMixtapes (from Maps & Companions)

8. “Teen Competition”by Redd Kross (from Show World)

9. “If That’s Alright”by Uncle Tupelo (from Still Feel Gone [Bonus Tracks])

10. “Bastards ofYoung” by Against Me! (from We’ll Inherit the Earth: A Tribute to The Replacements)

Video of the Day

2012-01-07T12:00:00.000-06:00

"Sonata # 3" by Scatterbrain

They Stay Dead Featured in AMP Magazine’s Unsigned Band Contest

2012-01-07T09:35:00.002-06:00

Edmund’s They Stay Dead is taking part in AMPMagazine’s sixth annual Unsigned Band Contest. Voting will go on through Friday February 3^rd.

Make sure to support our local boys and vote for They StayDead!!!

Album Review: Into the Missionfield

2012-01-07T09:16:00.003-06:00

Title: Into theMissionfield (Fluff and Gravy Records)

Artist: DrunkenPrayer (Official, Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, LinkedIn, ReverbNation, Last.fm, YouTube, SonicBids, BandCamp, CD Baby, Yahoo Music, Rhapsody, iTunes)

Drunken Prayer is the brainchild of Portland, OR’s Morgan Christopher Geer. His sophomore full-length album, Into theMissionfield, is an 11 song collection that mixes elements of folk, country,and rock (and just about everything in-between). The mood of the record is dark, chuck full withimagery of death, longing, and loss. Thesongs are well executed with the right amount of arrangements andinstrumentation (at times including organ, electric and acoustic guitars, and violin—amongothers). What I really like about Intothe Missionfield is the total lack of pretense. Geer’s songwriting and performance is just a guy playing the music heloves and that is something that I think is all-too-often missing from modernmusic. But if I had to describe thesound of Drunken Prayer’s music, I’d have to say that it reminds me of somedrunken cross between Randy Newman and Cracker.

Video of the Day

2012-01-06T12:00:00.001-06:00

"On Your Own" by We Are The In Crowd

Currently Listening

2012-01-06T10:04:00.002-06:00

1. “Who Invented theSun?” by Guided By Voices (from Let’s Go Eat the Factory)

2. “Yours to Keep” byGuided By Voices (from Bee Thousand)

3. “Good Enough” byJohn Moreland & The Dust Bowl Souls (from Everything the Hard Way)

4. “Things I Can’tControl” by John Moreland & The Black Gold Band (from Things I Can’tControl)

5. “Never Felt LikeThis Before” by Paul Westerberg (from Come Feel Me Tremble)

6. “As Far As I Know”by Paul Westerberg (from Folker)

7. “Chesterfield King”by Jawbreaker (from Bivouac)

8. “With or WithoutYou” by Jawbreaker (from Jawbreaker/Jawbox split)

9. “Mom” by Lucero(from 1372 Overton Park)

10. “The Only One” byLucero (from That Much Further West)

Video of the Day

2012-01-05T12:00:00.000-06:00

"Raise Your Glass" by Pink

Video of the Day

2012-01-04T12:00:00.001-06:00

"Everything About You" by Ugly Kid Joe

Album Review: The Darndest Thing

2012-01-04T07:08:00.003-06:00

Title: The DarndestThing (Amazon,CD Baby)

Artist: Sassparilla (Official, Facebook, MySpace, ReverbNation, CD Baby, Yahoo Music)

Hailing from Portland, OR,Sassparilla has been described as “indie-roots, punk-Americana, and punk-root”but what really comes to my mind when listening to their latest album TheDarndest Thing is Emmet Otter’sJug Band Christmas. Now I make thiscomparison not because Sassparilla sound like Muppets, but because they havethat traditional down-by-the-river feeling to their music (and the fact thatthey have a washtub bass in the band doesn’t hurt either).

The Darndest Thing is an eight song record that is dark andmoves with a steady purpose. The musicis content to just be with a totally lack of urgency that adds a spark of river-soakedauthenticity to it (I can’t help but visualize this band playing on a porch ofa wilderness cabin). The record’s leadsingle “My First Lover”is a pretty good indication of the entire album. In fact for a band that has been described asone that hopes genres, this is a very focused album.

Currently Listening

2012-01-04T06:20:00.000-06:00

1. “Hounds of Youth”by John Moreland & The Dust Bowl Souls (from Everything the Hard Way)

2. “Home” by Joyride(from Johnny Bravo)

3. “Halfway Wrong” byLucero (from 1372 Overton Park)

4. “If I Only Had You”by The Odd Numbers (from About Time)

5. “Never Felt Like ThisBefore” by Paul Westerberg (from Come Feel Me Tremble)

6. “I’m Alright” byRedd Kross (from Born Innocent)

7. “Forward” by The Thermals(from Fuckin A)

8. “Dog Bumped” byTim Barry (from Rivanna Junction)

9. “Watch Me Fall” byUncle Tupelo (from Still Feel Gone [Bonus Tracks])

10. “Another Versionof Pop Song” by Rose Elinor Dougall (from Without Why)

Video of the Day

2012-01-03T12:00:00.002-06:00

"Makes No Difference" by The Odd Numbers

Currently Listening

2012-01-03T08:54:00.001-06:00

1. “Harnessed inSlums” by Archers of Loaf (from Vee Vee)

2. “Pointless Beauty”by Ben Lee (from Deeper Into Dream)

3. “Aggressive Passion”by Doug McKean (from Esperanto Sessions)

4. “And We All Fell”by Lucero (from Nobody’s Darlings)

5. “Good Thing” byThe Outlets (from The Outlets)

6. “Weighing In” byScorpios (from Scorpios)

7. “Nothing FeelsGood” by The Promise Ring (from Nothing Feels Good)

8. “Sweet Thing” byThe Lazy Cowgirls (from A Little Sex and Death)

9. “Good Enough” byJohn Moreland & The Dust Bowl Souls (from Everything the Hard Way)

10. “Up to Nothing”by Hot Water Music (from The Fire, The Steel, The Tread / Up to Nothing EP)

Video of the Day

2012-01-02T12:00:00.000-06:00

"Mean" by Taylor Swift

Currently Reading: All That Lives Must Die

2012-01-02T09:43:00.001-06:00

Title: All That LivesMust Die (Official, Macmillan, Amazon,

Author: Eric Nylund (Official, Macmillan, Facebook, Wikipedia)

One of my favoritereads of 2011 was Eric Nylund’s Mortal Coils. The book tracked the lives of 15 year-oldtwins Fiona and Eliot Post and their adventures learning the truth behind theirfamily. All That Lives Must Dieessentially picks up right where Mortal Coils leaves off.

Here’s the Book Description from Amazon –

Eliot and Fiona Post are twins caught up in an epiccustody battle between their mother's and father's families. Their motheris the immortal goddess Atropos, the eldest Fate, and their father isLucifer, Lord of the infernals, a diabolical fallen angel. The familieshave put them through rigorous, life-threatening challenges, and togetherthey've risen to combat them in amazing ways. But now they are facing thegreatest trial of all—high school.

Paxington Unviersity is no normal high school—it's aplace where gods and goddesses, warriors and sorcerers learn to harness theirpower, where a debate in class can end in a duel, and your classmates aren'tsimply friends or enemies, but allies in battle or threats to yourlife. To flunk is to die--only the toughest graduate. As Fionaand Eliot struggle to keep up their grades by surviving the rigorous training,both families are watching.

So far this book is just as good, if not better, than its predecessorfilled with fast paced action and a deepening mythology that gets better andmore complex with the turn of each page. One of the things that I am enjoying most about All That Lives… is theinternal struggle of many of the core characters. Nylund does a great job of taking those whoshould be set in their ways and making them struggle with their emotions andthe morality of situations.

If you are a fan of urban, myth-based fantasy then I highlyrecommend this book (heck get both and then continue to follow the series as itunfolds). At the moment, Nylund isworking on the third book in the series titled What Fools These Mortals, thoughaccording to Wikipedia and his official website the entire series has not yetbeen picked up by Tor Books. I hope thatthey pick it up because it would be a shame to not see this finished out.

On a side note, I have to admit that I’m a bit surprisedthat these books haven’t been bigger hits. With the success of the Percy Jackson (and its off-shoots) and the NicolasFlamel series, there is no reason why these books shouldn’t be just ashuge. They appeal to the same type ofaudience but have been marketed through the traditional fantasy channelsinstead of the young adult channels. That may have something to do with the fact that these books are a bitmore brutal but its nothing that a teenage audience couldn’t handle.

Currently Listening

2012-01-02T09:04:00.002-06:00

1. “Mars Motors” byDrag the River (from Hobo’s Demo’s)

2. “Drive” by The GaslightAnthem (from Sink or Swim)

3. “This is LikeFight Club” by Luther (from Siblings and Sevens)

4. “Christmas Lights”by John Moreland & The Dust Bowl Souls)

5. “And if We BothFail” by Mixtapes (from Maps & Companions)

6. “Gunshots” by TheTwilight Singers (from Dynamite Steps)

7. “Just Getting By”by The Weaklings (from Just the Way We Like It)

8. “I Don’t Wanna Bethe One” by Lucero (from Rebels, Rogues & Sworn Brothers)

9. “Insolent Youth”by Two Cow Garage (from Sweet Saint Me)

10. “Wild &Lethal” by Paul Westerberg (from Come Feel Me Tremble)

Video of the Day

2012-01-01T12:00:00.001-06:00

"Forgotten Years" by Midnight Oil

Video of the Day

2011-12-31T12:00:00.000-06:00

"TKO" by Le Tigre

Currently Listening

2011-12-31T09:11:00.001-06:00

1. “Defy the Moon” byDrag the River (from You Can’t Live This Way)

2. “Baba O’Riley” byThe Gaslight Anthem (from iTunes Session)

3. “Tonight Ain’t GonnaBe Good” by Lucero (from Dreaming In America)

4. “Finding My Way”by The Pipettes (from Earth vs. The Pipettes)

5. “Pretty Please Me”by Redd Kross (from Show World)

6. “Oise”by Scorpios (from Scorpios)

7. “Make It Out Alive”by Two Cow Garage (from The Wall Against Our Back)

8. “For the Underdogs”by The Ducky Boys (from Three Chords and the Truth)

9. “Good Enough” byJohn Moreland & The Dust Bowl Souls (from Everything The Hard Way)

10. “Goodbye to You”by Scandal (from Greatest Hits-Featuring Scandal)

Video of the Day

2011-12-30T12:00:00.000-06:00

"Freddy Mercury" by De Cylinders

Thanks to Dr. Frank for the find.

Broncho Featured in NPR’s The Year In Garage Rock: 5 Favorites For 2011

2011-12-30T10:02:00.001-06:00

Norman’s Broncho’sdebut album Can't Get Past the Lips was featured in NPR’s TheYear In Garage Rock: 5 Favorites For 2011. Here’s what they had to say about the record –

Perhaps the best debut album of 2011 came by way of BRONCHO,a garage-punk quartet from Norman, Okla. Frontman Ryan Lindsey is better knownas the keyboardist for the StarlightMints, but this side project has been touring the Midwest since early 2010. Can'tGet Past the Lips hit stores this August, and "Try Me OutSometime" was an instant standout. It's not a complex song, by any means,and the simplicity is fantastic because the execution is so strong. Threechords are plenty enough backdrop for Lindsey to yelp out the hooks. Watch theexcellent music video, in which the band barges into unsuspecting, unlikelyvenues — stores, major intersections, a college classroom — and performsincreasingly disastrous versions of the song before darting out. BRONCHO hasnever played a show outside a narrow corridor from Austinto Chicago, so coast-dwellers willhave to cross their fingers for that to change soon.

Congrats to Broncho! I shall be picking this CD up at my next trip to Guestroom Records, thatis for sure (I’m actually ashamed that I haven’t gotten it yet).

Currently Listening

2011-12-30T09:51:00.002-06:00

1. “Scars” by TheDucky Boys (from Three Chords and the Truth)

2. “Here’s to theLosers” by Drag the River (from 2010 Demons)

3. “Halfway Wrong” byLucero (from 1372 Overton Park)

4. “Sunsets” byMixtapes (from Maps & Companions)

5. “Moonshiner” byScorpios (from Scorpios)

6. “Sam Old Blues” bySassparilla (from The Darnedest Thing)

7. “One Simple Word”by Material Issue (from Freak CitySoundtrack)

8. “Two Anglers” byLuther (from Siblings and Sevens)

9. “Christian Rock”by John Moreland & The Dust Bowl Souls (from Everything the Hard Way)

10. “Punk Rock is BigBusiness” by Wretch Like Me (from New Waysto Fail)

Frank Turner & Jon Snodgrass Release “Happy New Year”

2011-12-29T16:12:00.000-06:00

Frank Turner and Jon Snodgrass have released a new track incelebration of the upcoming New Year. Check it out on SoundCloud. As one would expect coming from the combined geniusof Turner and Snodgrass, the song is freaking brilliant!!!

Happy New Year (Frank Turner & Jon Snodgrass) by fthc

Video of the Day

2011-12-29T12:00:00.004-06:00

"Step Down" by Sick Of It All

Video fo the Day

2011-12-28T12:00:00.002-06:00

"Do Me Like You Do" by Old Man Markley

Video of the Day

2011-12-27T12:00:00.005-06:00

"Choices Made" by CIV

2012 Releases I'm Excited About

2011-12-27T11:10:00.000-06:00

With 2011 closing out, it’s time to look to see what 2012has to offer. Musically it looks likenext year is going to be a doozy with releases by everyone from Hot Water Musicto The All-American Rejects. Here arethe eight albums that I am most looking forward to in 2012.

1. Esperanto Sessions by Doug McKean

The former GC5 bassist sent me an advance copy of his fourthsolo album earlier this year and I have been eagerly awaiting its releasesince. McKean has always been an outstanding songwriter and this album isanother testament to his great talent. Now technically the record was released digitally earlier this month(get it here)but since it was so late in the year and McKean told me that he won’t bepromoting it until 2012, hence its inclusion here.

2. One Man Army

The recently reformed One Man Army started writing songs fortheir new album. The record will bereleased by Adeline Records sometime next year. This is the first new material from the band since 2004’s split withAlkaline Trio. The band will also bereissuing their first two records in 2012.

3. Teenage Bottlerocket

TBR will be headingto The Blasting Room in February to record their fifth full-lengthrecord. The album will be released byFat Wreck Chords later in 2012.

4. Hot Water Music

HWM has nearlycompleted their next record which will be released on Rise Records in2012. This is the first new full-lengthfrom the band since 2004’s The New What Next.

5. The Bouncing Souls

The Bouncing Souls recently finishedwriting their latest album (which will be their ninth). The album will be released on ChunksaahRecords next year.

6. 40 Miler by Tim Barry

Tim Barry’s next album 40 Miler will be released in 2012 onChunksaah Records. Barry released a video for the song “Amen”earlier this year and if the rest of the record is as good as that song then weare in for a treat and an outstanding album.

7. Chasing the Ghost by The Ducky Boys

Boston’s The DuckyBoys return next month withtheir first new record since 2006’s The War Back Home.

8. The GaslightAnthem

The Gaslight Anthem recently finished writing thematerial for their upcoming major label debut. The album is slated for a summer release andI suspect that it will be huge.

Currently Listening

2011-12-27T10:05:00.003-06:00

1. “GreatExpectations” by The Gaslight Anthem (from The ’59 Sound)

2. “The Spirit ofJazz” by The Gaslight Anthem (from American Slang)

3. “Hooidge” by ALL(from Allroy Sez)

4. “Can’t Say” by ALL(from Dot [EP])

5. “Aggressive Passion”by Doug McKean (from Esperanto Sessions)

6. “Down to Nothing”by Doug McKean (from Unquiey)

7. “Jingle” by PaulWesterberg (from Folker)

8. “Let the Bad TimesRoll” by Paul Westerberg (from Stereo)

9. “Dirty Lips” byDrag the River (from Bad at Breaking Up)

10. “Modern Drunkard”by Drag the River (from Hey Buddies…)

Video of the Day

2011-12-26T12:00:00.000-06:00

"Catch My Disease" by Ben Lee

Video of the Day

2011-12-25T12:00:00.000-06:00

"It's Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)" by U2

Video of the Day

2011-12-24T12:00:00.000-06:00

"A Fairytale Of New York" by The Pogues & Kirsty McColl

My Favorite Reads 2011

2011-12-24T09:52:00.000-06:00

I love to read, but unlike with music, I don’t even try tokeep up with new releases in the literary world. That having been said, I always have a bookgoing (sometimes more than one, but that is usually an unsuccessfulendeavor). Here are my favorite booksthat I read this year.

Title: Geek Girls Unite: How Fangirls, Bookworms,Indie Chicks, and Other Misfits are Taking over the World (Official, Amazon, Indie Bound)

Author: Leslie Simon (Official, Twitter, HarperCollins)

Leslie Simon’s third book is as witty and intelligent as herprevious work. This time around, shedelves into the complex world of female geekdom in many of itsincarnations. The book is a ton of funto read and chuck full of great information. This is a must for geeks everywhere!

Title: Vampire A Go-Go (Official, Amazon)

Author: Victor Gischler (Blogpocalypse, Facebook, Twitter, Google +, MySpace, LinkedIn, GoodReads, Wikipedia)

I picked this up at the going-out-of-business sale at theBorders in Norman. I knew nothing about the book or the authorbut within a few pages I was hooked. This satirical horror novel is a blast to read, but what makes it sogood is that while poking fun at the genre it also masters it. This is one of the best vampire novels that I’veever read.

Title: Our Band Could Be Your Life: Scenes fromthe American Indie Underground 1981-1991 (Amazon,Facebook, Wikipedia)

Author: Michael Azerrad (Official Blog, MySpace, Facebook, Wikipedia)

This book is simply a must for any fan of undergroundmusic. Covering the extremely importantyears of 1981-1991, Azerrad chronicles the adventure of 13 of the mostimportant bands in the American underground through in-depth research, personalexperience, and countless hours of interviews.

Title: Mortal Coils (Official, Amazon)

Author: Eric Nylund (Official, Facebook, Wikipedia)

Mortal Coils is a myth-based, urban fantasy that centers on15-year-old twins Fiona and Eliot Post. Unknown to the twins, they are the offspring of a goddess and the deviland their entire life to this point has been a lie. But that all changes as they come into theirown, discover the truth about their heritage, and the extent of their ownpowers. This is a great book that is amust for fans of series like Percy Jackson and The Secrets of the ImmortalNicholas Flamel.

Title: Serpent’s Storm (Amazon, GoogleBooks)
Author: Amber Benson (OfficialBlog, Facebook, Twitter, IMDB, Wikipedia)

Another myth-based, urban fantasy, Serpent’s Storm is thethird book in the Calliope Reaper-Jones series and chronicles theadventures of the daughter of Death. This is a series that each year I look forward to getting the next bookin the series.

Title: The Hunger Games (Official, SuzanneCollinsBooks.com,Facebook, Scholastic, Amazon, Wikipedia)

Author: Suzanne Collins (Official, GoodReads, Scholastic, Amazon, Wikipedia)

Every once in a while the hype is right. It was right with Harry Potter and it iscertainly right with The Hunger Games. This science fiction novel is a fast paced, non-stop thrill ride thatleft me dying to know more. Luckily therest of the series is readily available. Unfortunately though not in paperback (I like to keep my books all inthe same format). And in 2012 there is afeature film adaptation of the book that, based on the trailer, looks fantastic.

Title: The Warlock:The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel (Official,Amazon,Wikipedia)

Author: Michael Scott(Official, Facebook, Twitter, GoodReads, Wikipedia)

Yet another myth-based, urban fantasy (can you tell that Ilike these?). This is the fifth book inthe excellent Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel series. What’s great about this series is the amountof myth, folklore, and historical knowledge that Scott brings to the series (heis an expert in folklore).

Title: Legends of Shannara:The Measure of the Magic (Amazon,Wikipedia)

Author: Terry Brooks(Official, Facebook,Twitter, GoodReads, Wikipedia)

The latest in the ever-expanding Shannara series is anotherbridge from the Word & Void trilogy. While this isn’t the best thing that Brooks’ has ever written, it isstill fun and definitely a must for any fan that wants to keep up with theShannara universe.

Currently Listening

2011-12-24T08:25:00.000-06:00

1. “Cleaning House”by Grandpaboy (from Dead Man Shake)

2. “Ain’t No Talkin’”by The Pipettes (from Earth vs. The Pipettes)

3. “No Culture Icons”by The Thermals (from More Parts Per Million)

4. “Carry On” by RoseElinor Dougall (from Without Why)

5. “Tired & Fired”by Drag the River (from It’s Crazy)

6. “Everything” byDoughboys (from Crush)

7. “Ballad of aLonely Man” by Material Issue (from Destination Universe)

8. “Heart of a BrokenStory” by The Promise Ring (from 30 Degrees Everywhere)

9. “Sinner Inside” byPegboy (from Earwig)

10. “Believe” by DougMcKean (from Esperanto Sessions)

My Favorite Records of the Year That Were Not Released in 2011

2011-12-23T18:26:00.001-06:00

2011 was another year of great musical discovery forme. In some cases it was discovering new(to me at least) artists and in some cases it was discovering the depths ofcertain artists catalogs. Either way itwas a year filled with lots of amazing music and here are my favorites that I discoveredthis year that weren’t released this year.

Title: Life's a Riot with Spy vs. Spy (Amazon, iTunes,AllMusic, Wikipedia)

Artist: Billy Bragg (Official, Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, iLike, Last.fm, AllMusic, Wikipedia)

I first heard Billy Bragg in 1991 when his song “Sexuality” got regular airplay in 120Minutes. I really liked the song but forwhatever reason never got the record. Fast-forward to 2001. Rancid’sLars Frederiksen released the first album for his side-project theBastards. The record included anexcellent cover of Bragg’s “To Have andto Have Not.” Again I loved the songbut never got around to checking out the original. Then earlier this year I found a video ofYouTube of Frank Turner and Brian Fallon covering Bragg’s “A New England.” This time I decided I really needed to checkout this Billy Bragg chap so I downloaded Life’s a Riot with Spy vs. Spy andfell in love. I will spend a lot of timein 2012 getting to know Mr. Bragg and his work much more closely. Check out “A New England” and “To Have and to Have Not.”

Title: Gold Country (Amazon, AllMusic, Wikipedia)

Artist: Chuck Ragan (Official, Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, Last.fm, AllMusic, Wikipedia)

Chuck Ragan’s Gold Country is nothing short of brilliant. Like I said in my CDSpotlight: Gold Country post, “This CD has had more of an affect on me thanany other I’ve heard in 2011.” Gold Country has made such an impact on me that it has become one of my10 favorite records of all-time. Check out “Ole Diesel,” “10 West,” “Done and Done,” and “For Goodness Sake.”

Title: Hobo's Demo's (SuburbanHome Records, Amazon, iTunes, Interpunk, AllMusic)

Artist: Drag the River (Official, Facebook, MySpace, Last.fm, BandCamp, YouTube, SuburbanHome Records, AllMusic, Wikipedia)

I spent a lot of 2011 trying to track down as many of Dragthe River’s releases as possible. Thiswas actually not an easy feat and I still have a few to procure but each onethat I’ve gotten is precious. The factthat Drag the River isn’t huge is a crying shame. Not only are they one of the best bands inthe world, they are super nice and humble guys. Hobo’s Demo’s was the band’s debut album and one of the first that I wasable to get my hands on. Check out “Disbelieve” and “Back to God.”

Title: StrongReaction (Amazon,iTunes,Interpunk, Touch and Go Records, AllMusic)

Artist: Pegboy (Facebook, MySpace, Last.fm, AllMusic, Touch and Go Records, Wikipedia)

I remember seeing at least one video from this record whenit was released in 1991 on 120 Minutes. Kind of like with Bill Bragg, I really liked the song but never gotaround to really checking out the band. Well I finally got around to doing just that this year and boy am I gladthat I did. Pegboy mix post hardcorewith power pop sensibilities (imagine Naked Raygun and Cheap Trick having akid) with powerful results. Check out “Strong Reaction,” “Through My Fingers,” and “Superstar.”

Title: LaurelStreet Demo 2005 (Amazon,iTunes, Interpunk,AllMusic,Wikipedia)

Artist: Tim Barry (Official, Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, Last.fm, AllMusic, Wikipedia)

Like Chuck Ragan and Frank Turner, Tim Barry is an artistthat went from playing in a hardcore/post hardcore/melodic hardcore band toslinging an acoustic guitar. LaurelStreet Demo 2005 is Barry’s solo debut and is brilliant. Barry has always had a way with words,penning poignant lyrics while in Avail, but there is something about the simplicityof this music that makes his talent standout even more. Check out “Idle Idylist” (which has become one ofmy favorite songs of all-time), “SorrowFloats,” and “No News from North”(live).

Title: Ripped Up Jeans and Silly Dreams (BandCamp, IfYou Make It)

Artist: Candy Hearts (Official, Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, Tumblr, Last.fm, BandCamp)

Candy Hearts’ debut album is an exceptionally fun rompthrough ‘90s nostalgia indie rock and pop punk. I think I put it best in my post Newto Me: Ripped Up Jeans and Silly Dreams post when I said –

Ripped Up Jeans and Silly Dreams truly sounds likesomething that could have come out in the glory days of the ‘90s indie scenealong side the likes of The Blake Babies, The Lemonheads, and The Muffs. Infact it is The Muffs that Candy Hearts really remind me of, which could be doto the vocal similarities but I think it has more to do with the fact thatthese are bands that know how to write great pop songs. I think thatis also why I keep thinking of The Thermals as well. In fact if TheMuffs and The Thermals had a kid, it would probably be the Candy Hearts.

Check out “You and Me,”“Punk Songs” (acoustic), and “Blocking the Sunshine.”

Title: Smile SweetFace (SuburbanHome Records, Amazon,iTunes,Interpunk)

Artist: ChadPrice (MySpace, Last.fm, SuburbanHume Records, AllMusic,Wikipedia)

Chad Price has one of the most amazing voices in all of rock‘n’ roll (in fact his is myall-time favorite) and it is that voice that drives the haunting and majesticrecord. Smile Sweet Face is simply abeautiful record. The songs arepassionate and simple and enough to make you want to cry. Check out “This Cross” (live), “With Broken Hearts” (live), and “Cursed” (live).

Title: The Outlets (Amazon,AllMusic, Last.fm)

Artist: The Outlets (Official, Last.fm, AllMusic, Wikipedia)

I first heard of The Outlets when the Dropkick Murphyscovered their classic “Knock Me Down”for the Mob Mentality split with The Business. Then I heard Down By Law’s cover of “Best Friends” but tracking down anythingby The Outlets themselves seemed to be a daunting task. Earlier this year I stumbled on a download ofthe band’s self-titled record and boy-o-boy what a record it is! This is great, stripped down power poppingrock ‘n’ roll music. Check out “Best Friends,” “Someday,” and “Knock Me Down.”

Title: Love Ire &Song (Amazon,iTunes,Interpunk, AllMusic, Wikipedia)

Artist: Frank Turner (Official, Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, YouTube, Last.fm, AllMusic, Wikipedia)

Frank Turner, along with Drag the River, Tim Barry, andChuck Ragan, was one of my musical obsessions of 2011. Hislatest album is my favorite of the year but it just scratches the surfaceof the musical genius of this man’s catalog. 2008’s Love Ire & Song is a record chuck full of songs that are asuplifting and powerful as they are catchy and fun. Seriously, go and check this out. And on a somewhat related note, I found this liveconcert on NPR while gathering the links above. The show is just Mr. Turner and his guitarand is fantastic. Back to Love Ire &Song, check out “Photosynthesis,” “I Knew Prufrock Before He Got Famous,” “Try This at Home,” and “Long Live the Queen.”

Video of the Day

2011-12-23T12:00:00.000-06:00

"Hipster Kids/Sexy Beards" by Dr. Pants

Thanks to OklahomaRock.com News Blog for the find.

Currently Listening

2011-12-23T10:08:00.002-06:00

1. “Dizz Knee Land”by Dada (from Puzzle)

2. “A Stare LikeYours” by The Thermals (from Fuckin A)

3. “Little Mascara” byThe Draft (from We’ll Inherit the Earth: A Tribute to The Replacements)

4. “If Ever YouShould Fall” by Material Issue (from Destination Universe)

5. “Fast & Hard”by Bash & Pop (from Friday Night is Killing Me)

6. “Settle” byBroadcaster (from Welcome to the Wetlands)

7. “The Cause and theCure” by Drag the River (from It’s Crazy)

8. “Hi-Pro Glow” byDillinger Four (from This Shit is Genius)

9. “Thatcher Fuckedthe Kids” by Frank Turner (from Campfire Punkrock)

10. “Pack It Up” byJawbreaker (from Bivouac)

Video of the Day

2011-12-22T12:00:00.001-06:00

"Elvis is Everywhere" by Mojo Nixon and Skid Roper

Video of the Day

2011-12-21T12:00:00.001-06:00

"Sugar Kane" by Sonic Youth

Video of the Day

2011-12-20T12:00:00.002-06:00

"Lucky" by Descendents

Video of the Day

2011-12-19T12:00:00.002-06:00

"Dizz Knee Land" by Dada

They Stay Dead’s Cursed EP Streaming on PunkNews.org

2011-12-19T11:30:00.002-06:00

Edmond’s TheyStay Dead’s latest EP Cursed is streamingover on PunkNews.org. You can listento the stream here. Also according to the story, the band hassigned to Death To False Hope Records.

Check out my reviewof Cursed and see where it landed on my Top20 Albums of 2011.

Currently Listening

2011-12-19T09:17:00.001-06:00

1. “Divine Intervention” by Matthew Sweet (from Girlfriend)

2. “Sick of Myself” by Matthew Sweet (from 100% Fun)

3. “Clearing House” by Grandpaboy (from Dead Man Shake)

4. “Lush and Green” by Grandpaboy (from Grandpaboy EP)

5. “Take Me Anywhere” by School of Fish (from Human Cannonball)

6. “Roses Colored Glasses” by School of Fish (from School of Fish)

7. “Write It Down” by Banner Pilot (from Collapser)

8. “Calling Station” by Banner Pilot (from Heart Beats Pacific)

9. “Leaner Days” by Sinkhole (from Groping for Trout)

10. “Deep End” by Sinkhole (from Space Freak)

Video of the Day

2011-12-18T12:00:00.002-06:00

"Unseen Power of The Picket Fence" by Pavement

Currently Listening

2011-12-18T09:47:00.002-06:00

1. “A New England” by Billy Bragg (from Life’s a Riot with Spy vs. Spy)

2. “The Trench” by Chuck Ragan (from Gold Country)

3. “All-N-All” by Drag the River (from Hobo’s Demo’s)

4. “Through My Fingers” by Pegboy (from Strong Reaction)

5. “Idle Idylist” by Tim Barry (from Laurel Street Demo 2005)

6. “Blocking the Sunshine” by Candy Hearts (from Ripped Up Jeans and Silly Dreams)

7. “John Hardy” by Uncle Tupelo (from No Depression [Bonus Tracks])

8. “With Broken Hearts” by Chad Price (from Smile Sweet Face)

9. “Knock Me Down” by The Outlets (from The Outlets)

10. “Love Ire and Song” by Frank Turner (from Love Ire & Song)

Video of the Day

2011-12-17T12:00:00.002-06:00

"Tangerine" by Buffalo Tom

Video of the Day

2011-12-16T12:00:00.004-06:00

"Down with Disease" by Phish

Currently Reading: The Hunger Games

2011-12-16T10:40:00.000-06:00

Title: The Hunger Games (Official, SuzanneCollinsBooks.com, Facebook, Scholastic, Amazon, Wikipedia)

Author: Suzanne Collins (Official, GoodReads, Scholastic, Amazon, Wikipedia)

The Hunger Games is the first book in a trilogy of the same name by Suzanne Collins. The story takes place in a future where the United States in no more and the lands that had been North America have been broken up into 12 districts. As a punishment for an uprising in the past, each district must offer up one boy and one girl between the ages of 12 and 18 to compete in a fight to the death in which only one can survive—The Hunger Games.

I started reading this book about a week ago or so and I have already plowed through three-fourths of it. It’s one of those books that I have a really hard time putting down because I’m dying to know what happens next. My son is a huge fan of Suzanne Collins’ The Underland Chronicles and if those books are half as good as what I’ve read of The Hunger Games so far, then I can see why.

The book has also been adapted into a film that will be released in May 2012 (check out the trailer here). Based on the trailer, the film looks fantastic. Heck, if it is anywhere near as good as the book, then it will be great.

Currently Listening

2011-12-16T09:18:00.001-06:00

1. “Take Me Anywhere” by School of Fish (from Human Cannonball)

2. “Goin’ Through Your Purse” by Material Issue (from Freak City Soundtrack)

3. “Never Relief” by Dead To Me (from Moscow Penny Ante)

4. “Crazy” by The Bombpops (from Stole The TV)

5. “Work for Food” by Dramarama (from The Best of Dramarama: 18 Big Ones)

6. “Screen” by Broadcaster (from Welcome to the Wetlands)

7. “Liberace Hat Trick” by Pegboy (from Cha Cha Damore)

8. “My Tribute to the Misfits [AKA Your Sister is a Werewolf Tonight]” by Sicko (from You’re Not the Boss of Me)

9. “Running Wild” by Wagers (from New Guilt)

10. “Bad Scene, Everyone’s Fault” by Jawbreaker (from Dear You)

Video of the Day

2011-12-15T12:00:00.004-06:00

"If You Only Knew" by ALL

Video of the Day

2011-12-14T12:00:00.002-06:00

"In Your Eyes" by Peter Gabriel

Video of the Day

2011-12-13T12:00:00.002-06:00

"Candy Everybody Wants" by 10,000 Maniacs

Video of the Day

2011-12-12T12:00:00.003-06:00

"Give Up" by Sebadoh

Top 20 Albums of 2011

2011-12-12T10:00:00.118-06:00

2011 was the first year in a long, long time that I really tried to keep up with new releases. Because of that, I got to hear a lot of great new music and thus have a fairly lengthy end-of-year list. My tastes in music this year seemed to coalesce around the styles of pop punk, alt country, indie rock, and melodic post hardcore (in fact, I suspect that this is a very orgcore friendly list).

What’s been interesting about the best of 2011 lists that I’ve seen so far is how wildly different they are. Most have included Adele’s 21 (she made # 1 on Rolling Stones’ list) somewhere and a few have put PJ Harvey’s Let England Shake at the top spot, but beyond that there is no pattern or consensus. My list is probably going to add to that lack of consensus (not that anyone really cares what I think).

So without any further ado, here are my 20 favorite albums of 2011.

20. Guts n' Teeth by Old Man Markley

Old Man Markley's Guts n' Teeth is an extremely fun bluegrass record. Who knew punk rockers could play bluegrass so well. Read my review here. Check out "For Better, For Worse" and “Guts n’ Teeth.”

19. Perfect's Gonna Fail by The Gateway District

The Gateway District’s Perfect’s Gonna Fail is great female-fronted Midwestern punk record. My only complaint is that I just discovered this band. Read my review here. Check out “Run Away.”

18. North Sentinel Island by The Copyrights

The Copyrights latest is another blast of pop punk perfection. Read my review here. Check out “Scars,” “Trustees of Modern Chemistry,” and “Bow Down.”

17. Don't Need Much by Great Cynics

Great Cynics' Don't Need Much is an excellent indie rock/power pop record that really reminds me of Sugar. Read my review here. Check out “Dave & Angela,” “Twenty Five,” and “Cider for Breakfast.”

16. Here, Under Protest by Swingin' Utters

Of all the records that I was looking forward to this year, the Utters' was on the top of my list. I was anticipating this record for a couple of reasons: 1) it's the first Swingin' Utters record in eight years and 2) it's their first record with Jack Dalrymple on guitar and vocals. While Here, Under Protest isn't the best album in the Utters' catalogue, it's still a great listen that shows how this band has evolved over the years. Read my review here. Check out “Effortless Amnesiac,” “Good Things,” and “Taking the Long Way.”

15. Resolutions by Dave Hause

I'm new to Dave Hause's work but was extremely impressed with his solo full-length debut record Resolutions. Imagine and American Frank Turner. Read my review here. Check out “C'mon Kid,” “Years from Now,” and “Time Will Tell.”

14. Wasting Light by Foo Fighters

The Foo Fighters latest is quite possibly their best album to date. The record is filled with melodic post hardcore-y rock 'n' roll anthems that have some of the biggest hooks that I've ever heard. Read my original review here. Check out "Walk," "Back & Forth," and "These Days."

13. Everything's Amazing & Nobody's Happy by Candy Hearts

One of my favorite records that I heard this year that wasn't released in 2011 was Candy Hearts' fantastic Ripped Up Jeans & Silly Dreams. The record dripped with '90s nostalgia and included quite a few power pop gems. The band's follow up, Everything's Amazing & Nobody's Happy, is just as good. Read my review here.

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12. Heart Beats Pacific by Banner Pilot

This album gets better each and every time I listen to it. Simply put, it’s really fantastic Midwestern punk. Read my review here. Check out "Alchemy,” “Division Street,” and “Spanish Reds.”

11. Moscow Penny Ante by Dead To Me

Dead To Me's third full-length album includes yet another lineup change but in clear DTM fashion, the band produced a kick bippy melodic punk rock record. Read my review here. Check out “Monarch Hotel,” “The Trials of Oscar Wilde,” and “The Hand with Inherited Rings.”

10. New Guilt by Wagers

This album has spent a lot of time on my MP3 player this year and nearly every time I heard a song that I didn't immediately recognize and thought to myself "who is this, this is great" it was Wagers. This band is just a crazy good indie rock/power pop/pop punk band. Read my review here.

9. They Stay Dead and Cursed by They Stay Dead

Rising out of the ashes of Euclid Crash, Edmond's They Stay Dead released two stellar EPs this year. They Stay Dead mixes melodic hardcore, post hardcore, and pop punk elements with some tremendous musicianship by the entire band making them a band to be reckoned with. Read my reviews here and here.

&lt;p&gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://theystaydead.bandcamp.com/album/cursed"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Cursed by They Stay Dead&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://theystaydead.bandcamp.com/album/ep"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;EP by They Stay Dead&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&lt;/p&gt;

8. The Dangers of Standing Still by Red City Radio

OKC's Red City Radio blasted out a stellar full-length debut in The Dangers of Standing Still. The band, equal parts Hot Water Music and The Bouncing Souls, plays high energy, Oklahoma loving, melodic hardcore/post hardcore/pop punk with gravelly dual vocals. Read my review here. Check out "50^th & Western,” “Drinking Ourselves Into the Future,” “Spinning in Circles is a Gateway Drug.”

7. Dancing Underneath the Moonlight by Hudson Falcons

New Jersey's working class warriors returned this year with their fifth full-length album of pure rock 'n' roll excellence. The Falcons have really grown into a truly great rock band, maturing out of their oi/street punk beginnings to carry Bruce Springsteen's torch. If you're a fan of The Gaslight Anthem, then I highly suggest you check out Dancing Underneath the Moonlight. Read my review here. Check out "Don’t Let the Bastards Bring You Down” and “South Dakota Nights” (live).

6. Covering Ground by Chuck Ragan

Chuck Ragan's third solo album is yet another batch of Americana brilliance. While not quite as good as 2009's phenomenal Gold Country, Covering Ground is a starkly dark album that draws from life on the road and speaks to the constant moving of life. Read my review here. Check out "Nothing Left to Prove,” “Lost and Found,” “Nomad By Fate.”

5. Over Leavitt by Noise By Numbers

Dan Schafer (aka Dan Vapid) is a freaking genius. Everything this man touches is pop punk gold and Noise By Numbers is no exception to this rule. Read my review here. Check out "Lost My Way,” “Disappointed,” and “A Song for Emily.”

4. Tri-State Record by Jon Snodgrass & Friends

So what happens when Drag the River's Jon Snodgrass gets together and records some songs with his friends who happen to be from the likes of ALL, Descendents, Teenage Bottlerocket, and Hot Water Music? An outstanding EP that's what. Tri-State Record showcases Snodgrass' excellent songwriting ability and versatility. At times this EP sounds like Drag the River, at times it sounds like Armchair Martian, and at times like Snodgrass' solo material. There was a full length version recently released called Five-State Record but I have as yet been able to procure a copy of it to review. Read my review here. Check out "Hey Dennis” (this is a live version and the only song from the EP that I could find on YouTube).

3. Joyride by Broadcaster

Joyride is a release that I just happened upon after reading a glowing review; a review so glowing that I had to hear the EP for myself. Broadcaster, like Great Cynics and Candy Hearts, is a band that is steeped in '90s nostalgia but beyond that, Joyride is a fantastic collection of power pop/indie rock/pop punk songs. Read my review here.

&lt;p&gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://broadcasterny.bandcamp.com/album/joyride"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Joyride by Broadcaster&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&lt;/p&gt;

2. Trips by Samiam

Samiam is an excellent melodic hardcore/post hardcore/pop punk band that had been very active during the 1990s. Trips is their triumphant return and an absolutely brilliant record. For those who missed this band the first time around but are fans of Dead To Me, Banner Pilot, The Copyrights, Noise By Numbers, Smoking Popes, Dillinger Four, and/or Jawbreaker, I highly, HIGHLY recommend checking out Samiam's Trips. Read my review here. Check out "80 West,” “Clean Up the Mess,” and “Free Time.”

1. England Keep My Bones by Frank Turner

Frank Turner's fourth full length album is nothing short of absolute brilliance. Turner's mix of folk, country, pop, and punk creates an atmosphere that is as familiar as it is unique. And on top of that, the lyrics are uplifting and filled with earnestness and honesty. Read my review here and my interview with Mr. Turner here. Check out "Eulogy," "I Still Believe," "Glory Hallelujah," and "Peggy Sang the Blues."

Video of the Day

2011-12-11T12:00:00.002-06:00

"Just Like Them" by ALL

Video of the Day

2011-12-10T12:00:00.002-06:00

"(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" by The Rolling Stones