Just listening to the new cd by Strung Out. They are sounding as raw and melodic as ever. The new disc is called Prototypes and Painkillers. There is a track called Lost Motel, a free mp3, which can be found here: http://www.fatwreck.com/record/detail/736.
The new disc is a follow up to their 2007 standout recording Blackhawks over Los Angeles. Hoping they make it to the midwest soon.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Friday, March 20, 2009
Vote the Green Wedge!
"The Green Party has never been as relevant as it is today. Millions of Americans face job loss, eviction, and lack of healthcare because of corporate greed and government negligence. Instead of offering solutions to create jobs and build a sustainable future, Democrat and Republican politicians from both parties continue with business as usual, spending our tax dollars to line the pockets of corporate CEOs.
Last fall, Congress gave insurance giant AIG $85 billion as part of the three trillion-dollar taxpayer funded corporate bailout. This week, it was revealed that AIG used some of that money for bonuses for its top executives.
Why are our tax dollars going to the corporate criminals who got us into this mess in the first place? Maybe it has something to do with the fact that AIG is a top campaign contributor to the elected officials who gave them the bailout.
According to the Center for Responsive Politics, AIG has donated over $9 million to both Republican and Democrat campaigns over the last 20 years. AIG is a top contributor to Senate Finance Committee chair Max Baucus (D-MT) and the fourth largest contributor to Christopher Dodd (D-CT) chair of the Senate Banking Committee. As for the 2008 presidential campaign, AIG hedged their bets as usual and donated to both the Obama and McCain campaigns. In fact, Obama accepted $23,000 after AIG federal bailout funds.
In case you were wondering, Green Party presidential candidate Cynthia McKinney did not accept any money from AIG; nor did any of our other candidates and officeholders. Green officeholders will never put corporate interest above people because we will never be beholden to corporations for campaign contributions. We need a strong Green Party today, now more than ever." Amen! From an email I received from the Green Party. Until we get politicians in Washington that aren't in the pocket of Wall Street, we will see no reform.
Last fall, Congress gave insurance giant AIG $85 billion as part of the three trillion-dollar taxpayer funded corporate bailout. This week, it was revealed that AIG used some of that money for bonuses for its top executives.
Why are our tax dollars going to the corporate criminals who got us into this mess in the first place? Maybe it has something to do with the fact that AIG is a top campaign contributor to the elected officials who gave them the bailout.
According to the Center for Responsive Politics, AIG has donated over $9 million to both Republican and Democrat campaigns over the last 20 years. AIG is a top contributor to Senate Finance Committee chair Max Baucus (D-MT) and the fourth largest contributor to Christopher Dodd (D-CT) chair of the Senate Banking Committee. As for the 2008 presidential campaign, AIG hedged their bets as usual and donated to both the Obama and McCain campaigns. In fact, Obama accepted $23,000 after AIG federal bailout funds.
In case you were wondering, Green Party presidential candidate Cynthia McKinney did not accept any money from AIG; nor did any of our other candidates and officeholders. Green officeholders will never put corporate interest above people because we will never be beholden to corporations for campaign contributions. We need a strong Green Party today, now more than ever." Amen! From an email I received from the Green Party. Until we get politicians in Washington that aren't in the pocket of Wall Street, we will see no reform.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
AIG Exec to Explain Bonus Payouts
Only in America. When the auto companies were asking for help, they were told they needed to gain concessions from their workers, UAW members, before they would be given a bailout. At the same time, AIG got their bailout. Did the workers take a pay cut? No. It appears the inept leaders who led AIG into the abyss got HUGE BONUSES. Ain't that the Wall Street way... In the words of Paul Westerberg, "The rich are getting richer and the poor are getting drunk." If you work the line at GM or Ford, you have to give up what you have earned through years of hard work and negotiation. I think we working class should be rightly angered at the greed and arrogance.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Rusted Root is sounding great as ever!
Just listening to some tracks from the upcoming Rusted Root cd "Stereo Rodeo", set for release on 3/17. they are sounding as organic, vibrant and lively as ever! If you are not aware of Rusted Root, you need to check them out. Theirs is a sound of americana meets jam band. With a diversity of instrumentation they bridge a gap between folk, rock, funk and jam that makes for a great sound. They have toured with Robert Plant back in the 90's, so they have been around for a while, but they are still churning out great tunage.
Here are some dates coming up:
Mar 14 2009 8:00P Kent Stage Kent, Ohio
Mar 20 2009 9:00P Spring Jam Core Party Aspen, Colorado
Mar 27 2009 8:30P Hard Rock Cafe - Niagara Falls Niagara Falls
Apr 4 2009 8:00P The State Theatre State College, Pennsylvania
Apr 10 2009 10:00P Cubby Bear Lounge Chicago, Illinois
May 1 2009 9:00P Hard Rock Hotel & Casino - Las Vegas, Nevada Jun 26 2009 8:30PDavid Ulrich City Courtyard Lockport, New York
Jul 5 2009 8:00P Great Blue Heron FestivalJamestown, New York
Jul 23 2009 9:00P Riverside Park Oshkosh, Wisconsin
Sep 6 2009 7:30PHartwood Acres Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Check 'em out and buy their new cd!
Here are some dates coming up:
Mar 14 2009 8:00P Kent Stage Kent, Ohio
Mar 20 2009 9:00P Spring Jam Core Party Aspen, Colorado
Mar 27 2009 8:30P Hard Rock Cafe - Niagara Falls Niagara Falls
Apr 4 2009 8:00P The State Theatre State College, Pennsylvania
Apr 10 2009 10:00P Cubby Bear Lounge Chicago, Illinois
May 1 2009 9:00P Hard Rock Hotel & Casino - Las Vegas, Nevada Jun 26 2009 8:30PDavid Ulrich City Courtyard Lockport, New York
Jul 5 2009 8:00P Great Blue Heron FestivalJamestown, New York
Jul 23 2009 9:00P Riverside Park Oshkosh, Wisconsin
Sep 6 2009 7:30PHartwood Acres Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Check 'em out and buy their new cd!
Monday, March 9, 2009
Bush-whacked Times Two!
IT is pretty much a given that George W. is the worst president anyone can remember. And I am an old fart, at 45 years young. I was thinking this the other day. I have been Bush - whacked TWICE! Turn back the clock to the early 90's. Durning the reign of King George I, the company I worked for went bankrupt and my job was eliminated. Times were tough. I had to relocate to Milwaukee to get a job. Send out a hundred resumes, get 2 responses...
Now, fast- forward to the regime of King George II. Last week amid the dismal economic situation created by said bad president, my job was eliminated again. Back to sending out resumes. I was employed continuously since 1993. Blame the presidents? Why not. The two Bushes are like bookends on either side of prosperity. If any other Bushes come along, let's pass.
Now, fast- forward to the regime of King George II. Last week amid the dismal economic situation created by said bad president, my job was eliminated again. Back to sending out resumes. I was employed continuously since 1993. Blame the presidents? Why not. The two Bushes are like bookends on either side of prosperity. If any other Bushes come along, let's pass.
Ten Essential Uplifting Punk Songs for these Hard Times!
Times are tough. Here is a batch of punk songs that will make it easier. In no apparent order, here are some of my favorites:
Rise Above - Black Flag
The be all end all of great punk tunes! "Try to stop us, it's no use!!!" Henry Rollins screaming into the mic, and he means business...
I'm Not Down - The Clash
A very personal and thoughtful account of personal trials and mustering up the strength and courage to overcome them.
"I've been beat up, I've been thrown Out
But I'm not down, Oh I'm not down
I've been shown up, but I've grown up
And I'm not down, Oh I'm not down"
Somewhere Over the Rainbow - Me First and the Gimme Gimmes
If this classic song done up SoCal punk style doesn't bring a smile to your face, then, as Louis Jordan would say, "Jack, you dead!"
I'm OK You're OK - MXPX
In a comforting way, MXPX is like your old pal, reminding you of better times, and that things are gonna be alright...
Do or Die - Dropkick Murphys
Leave it to the Murphs to give you the wakeup call against complacency. Don't let the bastards get you down!
"Your dreams are in danger, and We Must Rise
Our time has come we are under the gun It's Do or Die"
Living - The Circle Jerks
"Everyday is such a test, When this world's such a mess
But I'll try hard- I'll do my best, Won't get bogged down- like all the rest
Got no hamsters in my head- No monkeys on my back
No chains and shackles- to hold me down I wanna fly- I wanna fly"
That was my theme song back in the early 90's. I better find that cd and give it a spin!
New Day Rising - Husker Du
The whole lyric is like, Bob Mould shouting and screaming over and over "New Day Rising", but for some reason I get comfort from this...
Somewhere - Husker Du
Once again, in bittersweet verse, Bob Mould promises us that:
"Somewhere the dirt is washed down with the rain
Somewhere there's happiness instead of pain
Somewhere satisfaction has no name Somewhere I can
be the same". Hopeful lyrics.
I Believe in Miracles - The Ramones
I used to be on an endless run. Believe in miracles cause Im one.
A have been blessed with the power to survive. After all these years Im still alive.
I believe in miracles.
I believe in a better world for me and you.
I have been blessed with the power to survive.
After all these years Im still alive.
The futures here today. Its not too late.
Its not too late, yeah! I believe in miracles.
I believe in a better world for me and you.
Oh, I believe in miracles. I believe in a better world for me and you
Very deep stuff in a Ramones sort of way.
Rise Up - Pennywise
"Well it's up to you what you really want to do - take time - to find a way
Focus on your vision you're on a secret mission
Ignore what the masses say
Well it's up to me what I really want to be
And I'm still searching for the day
We got to fight we got to feel we got to know that this is real
If we're going to win this race
We gotta rise up open our eyes up."
Put these tracks on a playlist and you might find yourself feeling better about the world, the economy, the situation we are currently in. I know you folks out there have some favorite tunes, so PLEASE comment below!
Rise Above!!!
Rise Above - Black Flag
The be all end all of great punk tunes! "Try to stop us, it's no use!!!" Henry Rollins screaming into the mic, and he means business...
I'm Not Down - The Clash
A very personal and thoughtful account of personal trials and mustering up the strength and courage to overcome them.
"I've been beat up, I've been thrown Out
But I'm not down, Oh I'm not down
I've been shown up, but I've grown up
And I'm not down, Oh I'm not down"
Somewhere Over the Rainbow - Me First and the Gimme Gimmes
If this classic song done up SoCal punk style doesn't bring a smile to your face, then, as Louis Jordan would say, "Jack, you dead!"
I'm OK You're OK - MXPX
In a comforting way, MXPX is like your old pal, reminding you of better times, and that things are gonna be alright...
Do or Die - Dropkick Murphys
Leave it to the Murphs to give you the wakeup call against complacency. Don't let the bastards get you down!
"Your dreams are in danger, and We Must Rise
Our time has come we are under the gun It's Do or Die"
Living - The Circle Jerks
"Everyday is such a test, When this world's such a mess
But I'll try hard- I'll do my best, Won't get bogged down- like all the rest
Got no hamsters in my head- No monkeys on my back
No chains and shackles- to hold me down I wanna fly- I wanna fly"
That was my theme song back in the early 90's. I better find that cd and give it a spin!
New Day Rising - Husker Du
The whole lyric is like, Bob Mould shouting and screaming over and over "New Day Rising", but for some reason I get comfort from this...
Somewhere - Husker Du
Once again, in bittersweet verse, Bob Mould promises us that:
"Somewhere the dirt is washed down with the rain
Somewhere there's happiness instead of pain
Somewhere satisfaction has no name Somewhere I can
be the same". Hopeful lyrics.
I Believe in Miracles - The Ramones
I used to be on an endless run. Believe in miracles cause Im one.
A have been blessed with the power to survive. After all these years Im still alive.
I believe in miracles.
I believe in a better world for me and you.
I have been blessed with the power to survive.
After all these years Im still alive.
The futures here today. Its not too late.
Its not too late, yeah! I believe in miracles.
I believe in a better world for me and you.
Oh, I believe in miracles. I believe in a better world for me and you
Very deep stuff in a Ramones sort of way.
Rise Up - Pennywise
"Well it's up to you what you really want to do - take time - to find a way
Focus on your vision you're on a secret mission
Ignore what the masses say
Well it's up to me what I really want to be
And I'm still searching for the day
We got to fight we got to feel we got to know that this is real
If we're going to win this race
We gotta rise up open our eyes up."
Put these tracks on a playlist and you might find yourself feeling better about the world, the economy, the situation we are currently in. I know you folks out there have some favorite tunes, so PLEASE comment below!
Rise Above!!!
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
It is Now SIR Edward Kennedy, Thank You!
Gordon Brown announced today in his address to congress, that the Queen has made Ted Kennedy a knight. Not sure what goes along with that knighthood, but Senator Ted deserves it, as he has fought tirelessly for the progressive cause all these years! Go Ted!
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Hello from the Land of Unemployment
If the content on this site has suffered as of late, please note that I was laid off last Friday. Most of my creative energy is used to send out resume and type up cover letters. I would rather use my spare time to comment on cool punk and indie music, politics and the like, but for now I have a new full time job - finding a job! Until then, enjoy the past content and I will keep up as best I can.
RT
RT
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