New Jersey’s Thursday has a new album Common Existence coming out. Here is one of the new tracks for your listening pleasure called “Resuscitation of a Dead Man”:
I was going to review the album early but since some a$$ hat out there leaked the feed I was given, it was removed and now I have to wait. I am ok with that wait though because I am very excited to hear this release.
I also found this video of Thursday performing “Friends in the Armed Forces” live last month that was featured on AP Magazine’s website. This song as well will be released on Common Existance which is scheduled to drop on Feb. 17th. The CD will be released through Epitaph Records.
So the holidays are over, the presents were unwrapped, and even though I was happily satisfied with all the J-Day gifts I received I felt as if I lacked items for entertainment purposes.
I was a good boy, I done no wrong, in fact this was the first New Years since I was 12 I was completely sober so I think that means presents for me from me. I am just looking for some excuses to buy crap…
Now it is show and tell time. Lookie what I got/have/own…
First up is something I hesitated to buy because it was not something that I needed at all. Hell, none of the items I recently purchased were things I needed… Anyways, I am currently the proud owner of a MC Chris action figure. The thing is poorly made, can’t stand up on it’s own, does not move, and was not designed to do anything. It just lays there motionless, with no desire to entertain; but here is the kicker… it is awesome. It is so awesome that it now is one of my favorite non-animate objects that I own.
The only thing this thing could do is hurt someone if you chucked it at their head.It came packaged with styrofoam in a brown box.
Why would I dare say something so poorly made is awesome? Well it reminds me of a toy you would find from the early 1900’s at your grandparent’s house, something you would look at and scratch your head at. I really think I have a piece of treasure here and to prove it I bought it for $25 from the MC Chris website and now it is on the very same site for $75 (they are claiming to have 3 left). Why the price increase? Well it seems as if there are only 50 in existence as the 450 others were lost in the order according to a bulletin that MC Chris had posted on MySpace.
Noose Halo
Next up is a Derek Hess print I have had my eyes on for a while. Last year I interviewed the Cleveland rock artist and remember questioning his affordable prices. He wanted to make sure he sold his work at prices that people without a lot of money could afford. Well I am without a lot of money and I love his work. I was actually buying a print for my good friend for a belated J-Day gift and could not help myself in getting one for my own house.
This is my third Derek Hess print I now own and I know I have many more to acquire in the future. I have already framed it and will place it accordingly in my dwelling so that all can see. One day I hope to have an original piece in my collection…baby steps for now.
If you would like a print for yourself you might want to act fast as this offset print is limited to 300 and I scored numbers 204 and 205 for myself and said friend. Once 300 is reached it will be sold out and very difficult to find.
For my media pleasure I picked up a copy of the hilarious DVD Pineapple Express. If you have not seen the movie yet I promise you some foul mouthed stupid humor plus a little bit of action. The duo of Seth Rogen and James Franco are perfect for this derranged adventure involving two stoners.
Watching the movie last night had me rolling. I enjoyed it a lot more than originally when I saw the movie in the theaters seeing how it was ruined by two jackasses in front of me who clearly pregamed before the movie. The other benefit of DVD over going to the movies are having extra content. The deleted scenes were not too entertaining but the gag reel was hilarious.
Today I ventured to the Borders book store I used to work at a few years back. I went there looking for a vegan cupcake book. I know, what the hell was I thinking right? Well have you ever had a vegan cupcake? Exactly. Once you have you will want to know how it was made.
Let’s get back to why I went to Borders. Well that vegan cupcake book was nowhere to be found so I kept looking around and found something that I have been wanting for a while, a copy of Anthony Bourdain‘s A Cook’s Tour: Global Adventures in Extreme Cuisines. The book captures Anthony Bourdain and his travels for food. I can not wait to find some free time to sink my eyes into it.
My wife also found a book she knew I would have interest in called Punk: The Whole Story that usually retails for about $25. It was sitting there in the budget section with the attractive price of $4.99 so I grabbed it seeing how I never pass on a good punk rock deal. Full color hardbound book full of punk rock history, a great find if you ask me.
As I finish up this bragging of a blog I keep telling myself there was one more thing that I purchased…something very recent.
Oh yeah. I bought an album on iTunes today. Dirty south punk meets crunk act Whole Wheat Bread recently released their third CD on iTunes before it hits shelves and I could not wait. The Afro Punk rockers have been favorites of mine since they first released their material in 2005. The album Hearts of Hoodlums will be released in stores on January 20th. Inauguration coincidence? Perhaps. That also happens to be the day back in 1977 that I started kicking ass and taking names or however you say that (hint, hint).
Well I guess my show and tell time is over and I should go sit back down on the magic carpet and see what the next little kid out there had…until next time.
Here’s a Whole Wheat Bread video just for the heck of it:
Whole Wheat Bread covering Rancid‘s “Roots Radicals” featuring Chris from Stretch Armstrong at Peabody’s in tropical Cleveland, Ohio
Neverender was the landmark event where for the first time ever, Coheed and Cambria performed all four of their concept albums in entirety over four nights. Now for the first time, you can re-witness this incredible journey through an amazing box set containing not only a DVD and audio CD of each night’s performance, but also a must-have photo book and documentary DVD that captures the journey leading to this spectacular event. In addition, the limited edition deluxe NEVERENDER: CHILDREN OF THE FENCE EDITION box set also contains a collectible dragonfly.
Set includes:
– 4 Live DVDS
– 4 Live CDs
– 1 Documentary DVD
– 10 x 10 hardcover photo book
– Custom metal dragonfly keepsake piece 7.5 x 5.5
Plus if you pre-order before 12-16-2008 your name will be printed in the special “Children Of The Fence” section of the book. If that is not enough, the first 3000 pre-ordered box sets will be signed by the band.
The box set is scheduled to be released on 03-03-2009.
I may have or may not have pre-ordered one… I am a pretty big fan of them you know…
…and for the record this is one performace I wished came a little closer to my home so I could have see it live in the flesh. I kick myself for not making arrangements to travel to see it. It is one of those one in a life time things I missed out on, but with good reason. I am a working man you know. I am just glad they are releasing the DVD so I can at least say I saw it, even it I was not there.
What do you do when you wake up one day and find yourself a little older, a little wiser, and still broke, even after you spend most of your life fronting a punk rock band? Chances are, if you are like Tim Barry, you keep doing what you do when you can just so you can get by and love every minute of it. The Avail front man recently has released his third solo project titled Manchester
again on Suburban Home Records and I must say it is outstanding.
Tim Barry - Photo: Travis Conner
Tim Barry rubs off more as a folk singer on Manchester,even though he is mostly known for being part of one of the more important punk rock acts from the 1990s. Still touring with Avail but not as a fulltime gig, Tim Barry also performs on his own with family members and close friends. I still have yet to witness a live show and after listening to Manchester I really hope he comes to my neighborhood again.
Currently residing in Richmond, Virginia, the carefree musician has his day job, loves his beer, and continues his passion with music. With help from friends and family Tim Barry has recorded a personal album that displays his thoughts as well as encourages you to think for yourself.
Not knowing Tim Barry had a previous solo album this was the first time I heard him minus Avail and I had no idea what to expect. Opening track “Texas Cops” immediately perked my ears with a more personal track about the law, not missing home, and admitting that having a “bad time is better than no time any day”. This track really reminded me of Hank III with the tough lyrics and fun country twang.
“On And On” is not as fast paced as the first track, but more a slowed down folk hymn. I really could feel the emotion in this track. The backing music was just amazing as well complimenting Tim Barry’s gruff voice. “South Hill” was one of the few songs that I have heard where I actually got angry while listening. The track tells the tale of a young soldier thinking he is fighting the good fight, only to return home not knowing right from wrong. I seriously was angry with the outcome of this story turned song and it was not because Tim Barry sung his beliefs, he left that up to me.
The cover of Avail’s “This November” was just awesome and sounded just as good slowed down a tad with the same message, take a breath and deal. “Sagagity Gone” was fun jam about not caring what one more drink will do to you.
The album has its ups and downs midway through but Tim Barry really keeps up with his personal lyricism on all. In “Tile Work” Time Barry declares “consider where I been” possibly letting everyone know why he is the way he is. Slow jam “222” was very sad, yet passionate about not feeling alone, and was one of my preferred tracks on the disc.
For a guy who has been in the punk rock scene for years, it is great to see him continue even if it is a tad slowed down. Where I am a fan of Avail, I can say I am even a bigger fan of Tim Barry’s solo material. It strikes me stronger with his approach at life and personal battles.
With so many artists recording material on their own, some may say that this is a trend. For Tim Barry that is not the case at all as you can almost hear in each song that he is doing it for the sake of recording music, something you can tell he truly loves. His mix of punk and folk throughout really is appealing and begs to be played over and over again. The CD is genuine, honest, and a must have for any aging punker out there who is finally coming to terms with themselves that maybe it’s time to slow things down a little.
. If you have not seen the movie yet I promise you some foul mouthed stupid humor plus a little bit of action. The duo of 
. The book captures Anthony Bourdain and his travels for food. I can not wait to find some free time to sink my eyes into it.
that usually retails for about $25. It was sitting there in the budget section with the attractive price of $4.99 so I grabbed it seeing how I never pass on a good punk rock deal. Full color hardbound book full of punk rock history, a great find if you ask me.
will be released in stores on January 20th. Inauguration coincidence? Perhaps. That also happens to be the day back in 1977 that I started kicking ass and taking names or however you say that (hint, hint).
