90's, Hip Hop, Music, Music Video, Punk, Rap, Rock, Times Of Yore

Times Of Yore: DINK

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So I am slacking on updating here with good quality reading material. My apologies. It was Thanksgiving weekend you know…. I know not a good enough excuse…

Anyways, let’s talk about the gem I came across recently, rather…a few weeks ago.  Well actually let’s clear that up by saying my friend John hooked me up with a CD I loved from the past (read on for an explanation) so I guess I was handed the gem.

Where was I?  Oh yeah…

It all started when I tried to buy a CD from the Ex-(we’d never fire you after xmas)-change in Kent last month.  I was looking for something I have not listened to in a while, something completely random.  As I was shopping in Kent I could not help but to think of a certain alt-industrial act from Kent that had a small taste of success.  The band was Dink.

As soon as I came to the decision that I would leave that music shop with a Dink CD in hand I went searching for it and found nothing.  The CD that comes through the store a lot according to a certain pal who works there just ao happened to be out of stock at the time.  I managed to find the Blame It On Tito EP that Dink released but after getting home I realized the wrong CD was in it…

Fail.

My buddy John who hung out with me later in the week confessed that he had an extra copy of the CD and gave it to me after finding out I was having a hard time finding it.

Score.

Dink
Dink

Dink was not around for a very long time but they sure are not a band many have forgotten about.  Hailing from Kent, OH the band formed in 1992 and stood out from may of the bands at that time combining elements of industrial metal, hip hop style (mainly excessive samples), and alt punk sounds.

The first time I heard them I was an instant fan.  In 1994 the band released their debut self-titled CD under Capitol Records.  To me it was a fine mix of bands like Ministry with the industrial feel and Faith No More with the rock jam.  At times the lead singer even sang like Mike Patton.

Included on that CD was a song called “Green Mind” that was the band’s big commercial hit.  I to this day still listen to the track once in a while.  The song, produced by Skinny Puppy‘s Dave Ogilvie, was really the only success the band tasted.  The video for “Green Mind”, which I need to mention my good friend Kevin can be seen in it for a brief moment, debuted on MTV’s 120 Minutes.  The band was actually discovered by Capitol Records as the track was played contently on a Cleveland radio station program, 107.9 The End’s Inner Sanctum (recently resurrected on Cleveland’s 92.3).

After Dink was released the band recorded some more songs for a follow up CD that would never be released as Capitol Records dropped the band due to a change in the music scene (some of the tracks can be found on the Blame It On Tito EP).  Industrial apparently was not “in” anymore and the record label said bye bye to the talented band.  With no record deal the band called it quits.

Sucks to see such a talented band just stop because they were let go.  I would be very interested in hearing some of the unreleased material that may still be out there.  Rumor has it there are 3 cassettes worth of demos floating around out there that the band sold at their local shows before they made it big.  I wonder if any of the original band members continued with a musical career or if they just all called it quits and ended their short stint of fame?

Hopefully I will find out one day.

Until then, enjoy the “Green Mind” video:

The voice at the beginning of the video is none other than Ohio’s most overheard rightwing car salesman Bob Serpentini.

Here is an interview I found while surfing the net with an unamed member of Dink.  Pretty interesting read.

The Dumb

DHL – Doesn’t Honor Literacy

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I’m not one to complain a lot. Complaining can be annoying if performed constantly so I try to avoid it at all costs.  Well, not today…I have to complain about this because honestly I am peeved about what I am dealing with right now.

J-Day is less than a month away. I take full advantage of the internet during this time of the year and stay out of the stores for fear that someone might annoy me to the point where I might try and knock them out with a animated reindeer display at the local Wal-Mart… That would actually be pretty awesome.

Anyways so I ordered some product from a website for gifts for my loved ones. The company took my money and shipped the package via DHL. I tracked the package daily just to make sure it would get to my house safe and sound.

On Monday I saw that it was en-route. Tuesday it was in Pennsylvania. Wednesday it was delivered to my front door at 11:15am, so I thought.

I came home and there was nothing there. First thing I thought was that some punk kid saw the box and grabbed it. I then thought maybe it was not delivered so I tracked the package online and looked for any indication on how it was left at my house.

I saw that it was delivered at 11:15am and there was a signature. I clicked on the link for the signature and noticed that it said LD FD ABAB (ABAB is actually an address but for the sake of privacy I have changed it to letters). LD FD looks like it meant “Left At Front Door” but the thing that got me was my address was not ABAB, it is ABBA (ha, abba…just read on…).

I called DHL and asked them if they would tell me the address the package was delivered to.

Not to copy Matt at his USPS extravaganza (hey Matt, check out my category for the post), here is my conversation with the nice DHL lady:

DHL: Sir, the package was left by the carrier at ABAB at the front door.

ME: Can you tell me the address that was on the package please?

DHL:  Sure…  The street address is ABBA.

ME:  You said it was left at ABAB right?

DHL:  Yes Sir.  Oh….

ME:  Yeah…  Now what?

DHL:  Well on Friday we can have the carrier attempt to reclaim the package and they can deliver it to your house.

ME:  What if they can not retrieve the package?

DHL:  In the event the package can not be retrieved a claim may be opened through DHL.

ME:  Great.

DHL:  I apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused you.  We will call you on Friday once the carrier has tried to retrieve the package.  If the package is retrieved it will be delivered to your home.

ME:  Fantastic.

So I waited.  As promised DHL called me today to let me know that they were unsuccessful in retrieving the package.  I was not surprised at all.  I was almost tempted to ask them if they even sent someone.  They instructed me to contact the company that shipped the package to me and to file a claim.  I emailed the company this morning and hope to heard back from them soon.

I could have gone to ABAB and knocked on the door but I did not.  First, I have no idea who lives at ABAB and second I really should not have to do such a thing.  The only way I will go to ABAB and knock on their door is if the claim can not be filed and I am threatened to lose the money I paid for the gifts I bought.

Since they were sweet gifts I would not be shocked if the people who live behind the door at ABAB would have a case of amnesia if I asked them if they received a box on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving.

Let’s hope this gets taken care of correctly.  I would have to have to complain again.

I hope everyone had a great holiday.  Family, friends, food, fun…  The things that make those memories so special….especially the food……

90's, Electronic, Indie, Music, Punk, Random, Rock

Sitting Here While Everyone Eats Pie…

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I don’t want you to feel sorry for me at all because I am working today.  It comes with the territory I suppose and in the end I will actually gain something after sitting in my cubicle for 8 hours…2 days off in December.  I am ok with that.

The one thing about today that differs from the other days I am here is that it is not that busy.  People are being safe today or just waiting until tomorrow to call in for assistance.  Anyways, slow days mean I get to use the iPod.  That keeps me entertained.

A couple of songs popped up that reminded me of my past throughout my shift.  I guess you could say they are jems from my past.  Has anyone heard of any of these?  If so what do you think?

“Just Another Victim” – Helmet & House Of Pain (Judgement Night Soundtrack)
I loved this soundtrack when I was a teenager.  The movie was ok but the soundtrack was just awesome mixing up rock with rap.  Who would have thought this CD could have started such a trend?  House of Pain AND Helmet?  Awesome.

“Not The Same” – Dinosaur Jr.
I was always a huge fan of Dinosaur Jr. except the time I saw them live.  Worst show ever.

“You Make It Easy” – Air
I remember I picked up Moon Safari at World Music in Columbus when I was CD shopping alone.  I was looking for something new and different from all the metal and punk I was involved in.  I sampled this French band called Air and have been a fan of their work ever since.

“Where It’s At” – Beck
Whoever does not like this song in some way or sort has issues.  I only wish Beck would record material like this again. 

“(I’m Not Your) Steppin’ Stone” – Minor Threat
In my opinion they are one of the best punk bands out there to this day.  Even if I was not stright edge  when I listened to them in the past I respected them and wished I could have seen them live just once.

“Tonight, Tonight” – Smashing Pumpkins
Still one of my fav Smashing Pumpkins tracks ever.  The video alone blew me away when it was over played on MTV.  I guess I liked the classic style that was portayed.  I also liked Billy’s top hat.

Well that is all I have for now.  I should get back to work…as if there is any…

I hope everyone enjoys their holiday today!

DIY, Hip Hop, Live Shows, Music, Music Video

MC Chris Putting On The Brakes???

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I saw this yesterday on one of MC Chris‘s daily bulletins on MySpace (click the picture to go to his MySpace profile):

Time for a break MC Chris???
Time for a break MC Chris???

 Looks like the one man show is going to be taking a break.  Rightfully so, the guy has been touring mad crazy ever since I have first heard about him.  In the last 3 years I have seen him 3 times and was supposed to see him just a few weeks ago but could not get off of work. 

MC Chris
MC Chris

Are you wondering who I am talking about?  The best way to describe MC Chris is nerdcore even though the artist tries his hardest to stay away from that scene.  Nerdcore is hip hop beats with nerdy lyrics.  Imagine a sweet beat layed with rhymes about Star Wars or robot dogs and you have a hint of nerdcore.  Mind you not all of MC Chris’ songs are in fact nerdcore, but still many associate him with it.  Aside from songs MC Chris also likes to throw in a few little comedy skits and trust me some of it is hilarious.  It’s hit or miss, you love it or hate it, and of course I love it.

The one thing I admire about the man is that he has done it all by himself.  He used to work on the Adult Swim show Sealab 2021 as well as on Aqua Teen Hunger Force and opted to leave to persue his own passion, music.  He tours with just a merch guy and handles everything himself.  One man show indeed.

He has released 6 CDs since 2001 and not one has been on a record label.  He is an internet addict posting blogs daily and is very personal with his fans.  I love reading his blogs as he just talks about random things from dates he went on to the newest Xbox 360 game he got sucked in to.  He is real and does not act like a rock star at all.  Yet another reason why I like this guy so much.

Hearing he is taking a break is good and bad at the same time.  It’s good because I know he was at one time was trying to have his own show of sorts on Adult Swim.  Details about his project are unclear but I know it will be entertaining as his music.

Also if you are wondering what Black Friday 2 is, it is MC Chris’ sale of the year for his merch on his very own website.  Head over to www.mcchris.com if you want to buy some gear at pretty good prices.

Here’s a bad quality video I took at him at one of the shows I was at (WARNING: Cussing Will Happen):

To clarify what was going on in the video:  There was a drunk kid who was being drunk and dumb and MC Chris asked the kid to come up on stage and stand in the corner.  When said drunk kid kept dancing and mocking the main act, MC Chris helped the kid exit the building.  The quality of the video was crap, but it should give you a small taste of the sold out show that night…