Today I rediscovered why I like hardcore so much...it drowns out the bullshit that surrounds me at the office and lets me get down to business. I'm a corporate junkie working in a washed out environment of plague ridden robot serial killers. Sometimes...all you need is a little bit of angry music to set things straight.
I'm re-posting a portion of an older blog below. Why? Because its the most worthwhile thing of note in my life right now, that is, until I throw some hapless fool down the ski slope this weekend.
01/18/09
...my website has launched. Check it out- FUSIONFACE.COM I still have some work to do to it, some new material to add, updates, etc.. But, it's there and it was a long time in the making, so check it out and lemme' know what you think! Make sure to bookmark it...new art will be added as well as a link to buy prints of the artwork. And, once my new album drops, the music page will be uploaded. Which brings me to my next topic....
I finished mastering my first full length album today- The Great and Final Illusion. Its done bitches! FINALLY... All that's left now is for me to finish up the supporting artwork and photos, schedule it to be pressed, and put the shit out for everyone to hear. This thing has been a massive undertaking for me...its hard to explain how stoked I will be when it's finally released. I'm aiming to do an official release come spring (fingers crossed).
I'm re-posting a portion of an older blog below. Why? Because its the most worthwhile thing of note in my life right now, that is, until I throw some hapless fool down the ski slope this weekend.
01/18/09
...my website has launched. Check it out- FUSIONFACE.COM I still have some work to do to it, some new material to add, updates, etc.. But, it's there and it was a long time in the making, so check it out and lemme' know what you think! Make sure to bookmark it...new art will be added as well as a link to buy prints of the artwork. And, once my new album drops, the music page will be uploaded. Which brings me to my next topic....
I finished mastering my first full length album today- The Great and Final Illusion. Its done bitches! FINALLY... All that's left now is for me to finish up the supporting artwork and photos, schedule it to be pressed, and put the shit out for everyone to hear. This thing has been a massive undertaking for me...its hard to explain how stoked I will be when it's finally released. I'm aiming to do an official release come spring (fingers crossed).
Alright...so a minor update...mainly cause' I actually filled out some fun new facts in my profile. So check out how awesome I am! Damn I love these things..."I am cool because I like these ten movies. Wow! You do too! Geez...that's CRAZY....Who would've thunk it" You can just see the enthusiasm bubbling forth...However, I will say...I do like having something listed versus a blank page. Now...maybe I'll post some pics...
Anyways...laid low this weekend. Nice...cause' I think I am battling off the plague. Leave it to the sick motherfuckers I work with NOT to go to the doctor when they're contaminated. Thanks....yeah. I think my office building is some type of government experiment for seeing what individuals could build up resistances to a biological attack...Hopefully...I win.
So I met someone who was cool this week and she asked me if I was into the Beatles or the Rolling Stones. When I said the Rolling Stones she noted that it spoke volumes about my personality. I have to agree. Now I like the Beatles a lot...but you can't beat the raw swagger, groove, and style of the Stones when they're on...Plus, they're not dead yet. They're like cockroaches... We might just land on Mars and the Stones will be the first band to play on another planet. Ha ha!
And of course...check out my website if you haven't done so already-
FUSIONFACE.COM .
It took a couple years before it was posted, sos if you really want to see back into my history, look through the art. I've got stuff posted that I drew in high school. Hopefully, in the next month or so I will get a link up to purchase prints and some more links will be added to other artists websites (I'm telling you man...sometimes I feel like I gotta' grind to get my shit together, but it always seems worth it in the end.)
Finally, I gots to say, I feel like I am getting to back to just being me. Today when I woke up my head was clear, and I don't feel like my soul was crumpled into a ball. Good thing...I was getting tired of feeling like a bitter sot. I can't say exactly what it is that is making me slip out of the funk I was in...maybe its just my inner resilience finally coming through...
Out.
Anyways...laid low this weekend. Nice...cause' I think I am battling off the plague. Leave it to the sick motherfuckers I work with NOT to go to the doctor when they're contaminated. Thanks....yeah. I think my office building is some type of government experiment for seeing what individuals could build up resistances to a biological attack...Hopefully...I win.
So I met someone who was cool this week and she asked me if I was into the Beatles or the Rolling Stones. When I said the Rolling Stones she noted that it spoke volumes about my personality. I have to agree. Now I like the Beatles a lot...but you can't beat the raw swagger, groove, and style of the Stones when they're on...Plus, they're not dead yet. They're like cockroaches... We might just land on Mars and the Stones will be the first band to play on another planet. Ha ha!
And of course...check out my website if you haven't done so already-
FUSIONFACE.COM .
It took a couple years before it was posted, sos if you really want to see back into my history, look through the art. I've got stuff posted that I drew in high school. Hopefully, in the next month or so I will get a link up to purchase prints and some more links will be added to other artists websites (I'm telling you man...sometimes I feel like I gotta' grind to get my shit together, but it always seems worth it in the end.)
Finally, I gots to say, I feel like I am getting to back to just being me. Today when I woke up my head was clear, and I don't feel like my soul was crumpled into a ball. Good thing...I was getting tired of feeling like a bitter sot. I can't say exactly what it is that is making me slip out of the funk I was in...maybe its just my inner resilience finally coming through...
Out.
All right...moving on...another happy update time for the kids out there. Not much in the way of news other than I'm in a better mood today than when I posted my last blog. If you're noticing a lack of profile information or pics....its cause I removed all that shit when I posted last. Mostly cause' it was time for a little housecleaning and I didn't have anything clever to put in its place. So until some new ideas fill my brain for stupid profile info, you get NOTHING. Pictures are another thing- I am in no rush to post any until I get some more recent pics to post. However, seeing as how I have made progress in a number of important projects, shit will be loaded in time.
Most importantly, my website has launched. Check it out- FUSIONFACE.COM I still have some work to do to it, some new material to add, updates, etc.. But, it's there and it was a long time in the making, so check it out and lemme' know what you think! Make sure to bookmark it...new art will be added as well as a link to buy prints of the artwork. And, once my new album drops, the music page will be uploaded. Which brings me to my next topic....
I finished mastering my first full length album today- The Great and Final Illusion. Its done bitches! FINALLY... All that's left now is for me to finish up the supporting artwork and photos, schedule it to be pressed, and put the shit out for everyone to hear. This thing has been a massive undertaking for me...its hard to explain how stoked I will be when it's finally released. I'm aiming to do an official release come spring (fingers crossed).
That's all for now motherfuckers!
Most importantly, my website has launched. Check it out- FUSIONFACE.COM I still have some work to do to it, some new material to add, updates, etc.. But, it's there and it was a long time in the making, so check it out and lemme' know what you think! Make sure to bookmark it...new art will be added as well as a link to buy prints of the artwork. And, once my new album drops, the music page will be uploaded. Which brings me to my next topic....
I finished mastering my first full length album today- The Great and Final Illusion. Its done bitches! FINALLY... All that's left now is for me to finish up the supporting artwork and photos, schedule it to be pressed, and put the shit out for everyone to hear. This thing has been a massive undertaking for me...its hard to explain how stoked I will be when it's finally released. I'm aiming to do an official release come spring (fingers crossed).
That's all for now motherfuckers!
Alright. About high time that I updated. I've consciously avoided doing any blogging or maintaining any kind of online social presence for a number of reasons- I'm not sure I would like what I have to say, that certain people would appreciate what I have to say, or that I needed to waste my time droning on about bullshit. I've been laying low and consolidating my resources, physically, mentally, and spiritually, which is a good thing. No need to burden myself with extraneous thought that's only going to lead to depression and anger. However, now that there's nothing but bitter cold outside, I'm trapped inside with my mind. Thus, here I sit typing out a new blog.
First and foremost, Vectrexxx is fucking dead. A part of me died last year and I left it cold and buried in the ashes of 2008. I've come to the realization that I have changed in quite a few ways- I've emerged into this new year a different person. I may look quite the same on the outside, possibly have something of the same demeanor, but let me tell you now that the scar tissue surrounding my soul has grown thick. In a lot of ways, I have a whole new confidence. I've rediscovered the fuel for fire that pain can provide, the insane glimmer that sits in the bottom of one's eye hinting at the inferno below. I also realize that for all the bullshit in the world, I still have me, my friends, and my family, which is more than some people have. Basically, I'm moving forward, it's just now I have a take-no-prisoners attitude. Live and let live. Fuck. Live and let die. By all means I am my own man now...not that I ever was really anything but. However, sometimes you lose sight of things until life changes your perception.
This is the first year that's come where I didn't accidentally put last year's date when writing or typing it out within the first few weeks of the new year. Let me tell you, boy have I ever been conscious that last year was over with, among other things. Now that we’ve arrived into the new year, I’m bringing with it some changes, moreover, some accomplishments, to fill the void that someone so lovingly gave to me. In a lot of ways, I’ve started up the gears of a machine that was slowly dying. I’d like to say that I’ve become synthetic, but that would be too easy. By all means, I still feel truly alive- now let’s just hope that the spark inside of me doesn’t grow to consume me.
-brief edit-
SG is slow as hell these days...and not very user friendly. Let me tell you, forward progress is supposed to make improvements. No wonder I haven't been inspired to keep this shit updated...
First and foremost, Vectrexxx is fucking dead. A part of me died last year and I left it cold and buried in the ashes of 2008. I've come to the realization that I have changed in quite a few ways- I've emerged into this new year a different person. I may look quite the same on the outside, possibly have something of the same demeanor, but let me tell you now that the scar tissue surrounding my soul has grown thick. In a lot of ways, I have a whole new confidence. I've rediscovered the fuel for fire that pain can provide, the insane glimmer that sits in the bottom of one's eye hinting at the inferno below. I also realize that for all the bullshit in the world, I still have me, my friends, and my family, which is more than some people have. Basically, I'm moving forward, it's just now I have a take-no-prisoners attitude. Live and let live. Fuck. Live and let die. By all means I am my own man now...not that I ever was really anything but. However, sometimes you lose sight of things until life changes your perception.
This is the first year that's come where I didn't accidentally put last year's date when writing or typing it out within the first few weeks of the new year. Let me tell you, boy have I ever been conscious that last year was over with, among other things. Now that we’ve arrived into the new year, I’m bringing with it some changes, moreover, some accomplishments, to fill the void that someone so lovingly gave to me. In a lot of ways, I’ve started up the gears of a machine that was slowly dying. I’d like to say that I’ve become synthetic, but that would be too easy. By all means, I still feel truly alive- now let’s just hope that the spark inside of me doesn’t grow to consume me.
-brief edit-
SG is slow as hell these days...and not very user friendly. Let me tell you, forward progress is supposed to make improvements. No wonder I haven't been inspired to keep this shit updated...
Life, to me over the past few years, has been like the ebb and flow of the ocean tide. Unfortunately, this has been the year of the tide's recession....I've got to say, so far as interesting is concerned, this year tops the bill. That's the only way I can look at it, because to look at it as a shitty year would be unfairly discounting my past experiences earlier in life. Death, insanity, physical altercation, environmental disaster, the sudden end to a beautiful and important relationship, betrayal, tragedy, depression, anger, anxiety, pressure, frustration, stagnation....fuck it man...I've already written this year off. Not that there haven't been high points this past year, but its definitely been a lesson in learning how to roll with the punches. I venture to say that had I not been through so many important life experiences already, I would have been ill-prepared for the journey that this year has presented. Even then, I have to wonder exactly how well I have stumbled through the year, how well I contained my composure. I have changed my viewpoint from acting as one of fire, consuming all and constantly growing, spontaneously and wherever fuel takes it, to that of water, taking the path of least resistance while pressure constantly builds to eventually wither away or overcome any barrier. That said, if this is the year of the receding tide, then I can only hope that it is building the basis for a tidal wave to crash into the future.
Regardless of anything else going on, one thing I am happy about is I found the time to catch up on my reading this summer. Aside from the numerous Star Wars books that a buddy had lent to me, and the comic book sagas I've managed to brush up on, I have managed to get my hands on a number of interesting books. Here's the list:
Zombie Survival Guide, Max Brooks
Duh, this book provides insight and tips to surviving a zombie invasion of virtually any scale. A must read for anyone concerned with their well-being.
World War Z, Max Brooks
The novel written from various individuals perspectives recalling a world-wide zombie apocalypse. Probably one of the most entertaining reads in quite some time. I wish they'd make a movie (and do the book justice, too)
Stranger than Fiction, Chuck Palahnuik
Fight Club's notorious author...a collection of true stories both introspective and shocking. I enjoyed it.
A Million Little Pieces, some jerk-off author
I found the beginning slightly entertaining to read, but ultimately, I didn't buy into the story of the narrator, whose story was "factual" (quotations because a later Oprah interview apparently proved otherwise). I couldn't finish this book...I found it to be boring, and the type of book that would appeal to someone living in a different, biased, realm of existence than I (someone that watches Oprah)...Also, the author needs a lesson in how to write...(I only read this book on the recommendation of a friend).
Killing Pablo, Mark Bowden, author of Blackhawk Down
I really enjoyed this book and the gritty detail it provided of the Colombian cocaine cartels war with the Colombian and United States government. A real eye opener...I can't watch the movie Blow now without realizing how Johnny Depp's character (George Jung) was just one of many connections for Pablo's massive drug empire.
How to Make Love Like a Porn-Star, Jenna Jameson & Neil Strauss
This book surprised me...I didn't expect anything intelligent or really worthwhile to be written other than weird acronyms about DVDA and such...but this book was less about sex and more about the shitty realities involved in the sex trade and the people associated with it. Plus, it served as a roadmap detailing exactly how Jenna became one of the celebrities of our time (for good or ill). I definitely have more respect for her after reading the book, though I do have to say that it looks like she's had some work done and isn't nearly as attractive as she used to be.
Hell's Angels, Hunter S. Thompson
I've read this book before, as well as most of Hunter's collection, but thought that it would be a fun one to read again. Just finished it today and enjoyed every page of detail about the Angels' rise to infamy in the mid-60's.
Acid Dreams, Martin A. Lee & Bruce Shlain
An interesting study of the CIA's intricate role of the 60's acid explosion, starting with their introduction to acid in the 40's, secretive research and testing in the 50's, and the attempt to quell the black-market production in the 60's. Very informative. This book also touches along the lines of the New Left, Hippie revolution, and delves into the counterculture gurus such as Timothy Leary, Allen Ginsburgh, Ken Kesey, and a host of others. I hope to finish this book soon.
Lizard King: The Essential Jim Morrison, Jerry Hopkins
Now that I finished Hell's Angels, I'm looking forward to reading this book. No One Here Gets Out Alive literally changed my life at a crucial time, but after reading through it again in later years, seems a little fantastical and exaggerated at times. This book, written by the co-author of NOHGOA Jerry Hopkins, seems like it will be more factual and down to earth, providing a more realistic insight into the life and later years of the rock enigma (damn maybe I should write book captions or reviews, WTF).
Yup, even with all this reading, I'm still committed to my art and music. Never a dull day.
Regardless of anything else going on, one thing I am happy about is I found the time to catch up on my reading this summer. Aside from the numerous Star Wars books that a buddy had lent to me, and the comic book sagas I've managed to brush up on, I have managed to get my hands on a number of interesting books. Here's the list:
Zombie Survival Guide, Max Brooks
Duh, this book provides insight and tips to surviving a zombie invasion of virtually any scale. A must read for anyone concerned with their well-being.
World War Z, Max Brooks
The novel written from various individuals perspectives recalling a world-wide zombie apocalypse. Probably one of the most entertaining reads in quite some time. I wish they'd make a movie (and do the book justice, too)
Stranger than Fiction, Chuck Palahnuik
Fight Club's notorious author...a collection of true stories both introspective and shocking. I enjoyed it.
A Million Little Pieces, some jerk-off author
I found the beginning slightly entertaining to read, but ultimately, I didn't buy into the story of the narrator, whose story was "factual" (quotations because a later Oprah interview apparently proved otherwise). I couldn't finish this book...I found it to be boring, and the type of book that would appeal to someone living in a different, biased, realm of existence than I (someone that watches Oprah)...Also, the author needs a lesson in how to write...(I only read this book on the recommendation of a friend).
Killing Pablo, Mark Bowden, author of Blackhawk Down
I really enjoyed this book and the gritty detail it provided of the Colombian cocaine cartels war with the Colombian and United States government. A real eye opener...I can't watch the movie Blow now without realizing how Johnny Depp's character (George Jung) was just one of many connections for Pablo's massive drug empire.
How to Make Love Like a Porn-Star, Jenna Jameson & Neil Strauss
This book surprised me...I didn't expect anything intelligent or really worthwhile to be written other than weird acronyms about DVDA and such...but this book was less about sex and more about the shitty realities involved in the sex trade and the people associated with it. Plus, it served as a roadmap detailing exactly how Jenna became one of the celebrities of our time (for good or ill). I definitely have more respect for her after reading the book, though I do have to say that it looks like she's had some work done and isn't nearly as attractive as she used to be.
Hell's Angels, Hunter S. Thompson
I've read this book before, as well as most of Hunter's collection, but thought that it would be a fun one to read again. Just finished it today and enjoyed every page of detail about the Angels' rise to infamy in the mid-60's.
Acid Dreams, Martin A. Lee & Bruce Shlain
An interesting study of the CIA's intricate role of the 60's acid explosion, starting with their introduction to acid in the 40's, secretive research and testing in the 50's, and the attempt to quell the black-market production in the 60's. Very informative. This book also touches along the lines of the New Left, Hippie revolution, and delves into the counterculture gurus such as Timothy Leary, Allen Ginsburgh, Ken Kesey, and a host of others. I hope to finish this book soon.
Lizard King: The Essential Jim Morrison, Jerry Hopkins
Now that I finished Hell's Angels, I'm looking forward to reading this book. No One Here Gets Out Alive literally changed my life at a crucial time, but after reading through it again in later years, seems a little fantastical and exaggerated at times. This book, written by the co-author of NOHGOA Jerry Hopkins, seems like it will be more factual and down to earth, providing a more realistic insight into the life and later years of the rock enigma (damn maybe I should write book captions or reviews, WTF).
Yup, even with all this reading, I'm still committed to my art and music. Never a dull day.
Quick update....A friend of mine at work confided to me that I was in a very vivid dream of hers. In this dream zombies had overrun the nation and a group of people that she knows were not infected. Whats funny about the fact that I was in this dream is that apparently, when I showed up, I was taking zombies out left and right, holding a double-barreled shotgun in each hand. Apparently I had a crazy look in my eye and was chomping down on a cigar while yelling "Now this is a fucking party!". I have to imagine that if zombies ever did start to overrun the earth, that this is exactly how I would act (however, in all seriousness, I would trade the shotguns for an accurate rifle and a good machete or sword). Definitely one of the more interesting dreams that someone has had that I was somehow involved in... I suppose starting the trend of getting my co-workers to read books about zombies has provided some strange consequences....
Alright, so life's been sort of a crusty, rotten cunt as of late. I've been depressed as fuck, but dealing with it as best as I can. The only thing I can do is be a man about it and not let it hold me back. So here's to a new start. I'm hoping the projects I've been working on the past two years will finally bear some fruit and get completed. I need to get back in the swing of things...I've felt like I've spent too damn long fucking around with people that don't come through and not enough time in the saddle getting things dealt with, not that this has been entirely my fault. Just when you think you've got it together is when life happens. A year ago things looked so positive and this year has shut that shit down at every pass. But I know that I'm not a sucker and I'm not a chump. So bear with me as I make a few adjustments...This has probably been the least social year I've had in a long time, and its all about getting my head straight and my life on track. I'm hoping that six months from now, I'll be singing a different tune, with all my ducks back in a row. Nuff' said about that...that's what whiskey is for.
Anyways, aside from being depressed, I have been able to get some cool shit together and help take my mind off things:
- I rediscovered some bands I really like and hadn't listened to in a while. Music has been my savior in the past and it never fails to keep me going.
-I just finished an awesome Halloween poster for a buddy of mine, which I was incredibly happy with. Needless to say, its August so it was a little weird getting into the Halloween spirit, but that means its one less thing to worry about. Its due to go to print so I'm stoked. Plus, I decided on my Halloween costume this past weekend so I think I'm set.
-I also have had an original piece up at Stained Skin tattoo on High St. here in C-Bus for the past month, which was something of an experiment. The piece turned out different than I had wanted, but still worked nonetheless.
-Also, I'm set to get my chestpiece finished up by Durb, which I'm looking forward to (but not to the pain involved. The chest fucking smarts man!) Plus, my neck tat turned out great and has continued to make me happy, despite some of the weird comments and questions it has generated. I tell you, people definitely look at you different with snakes crawling around your neck.
-Working some more shows. I guess this year I'm set to be working personally with Buckcherry and Avenged Sevenfold again. Worked with both groups in the past, so I sort of know what to expect (This has me a little worried. These guys like to party, and I've closed down some bars with them in the past...hoping to stay safe and away from the law).
-And of course, I have great friends. Despite any situation of mine, my friends always come through and remind me that I'm an alright guy, and that its always possible to have a good time.
Yup. That's about it for now. I'm done blabberin.
Anyways, aside from being depressed, I have been able to get some cool shit together and help take my mind off things:
- I rediscovered some bands I really like and hadn't listened to in a while. Music has been my savior in the past and it never fails to keep me going.
-I just finished an awesome Halloween poster for a buddy of mine, which I was incredibly happy with. Needless to say, its August so it was a little weird getting into the Halloween spirit, but that means its one less thing to worry about. Its due to go to print so I'm stoked. Plus, I decided on my Halloween costume this past weekend so I think I'm set.
-I also have had an original piece up at Stained Skin tattoo on High St. here in C-Bus for the past month, which was something of an experiment. The piece turned out different than I had wanted, but still worked nonetheless.
-Also, I'm set to get my chestpiece finished up by Durb, which I'm looking forward to (but not to the pain involved. The chest fucking smarts man!) Plus, my neck tat turned out great and has continued to make me happy, despite some of the weird comments and questions it has generated. I tell you, people definitely look at you different with snakes crawling around your neck.
-Working some more shows. I guess this year I'm set to be working personally with Buckcherry and Avenged Sevenfold again. Worked with both groups in the past, so I sort of know what to expect (This has me a little worried. These guys like to party, and I've closed down some bars with them in the past...hoping to stay safe and away from the law).
-And of course, I have great friends. Despite any situation of mine, my friends always come through and remind me that I'm an alright guy, and that its always possible to have a good time.
Yup. That's about it for now. I'm done blabberin.
So there are 3 albums playing a large part in my life right now, and all for their own specific reason:
Raw Power (Iggy Pop and The Stooges)- My driving music, my mood music. Putting me back in the rock n' roll frame of mind. It's been a strange year to say the least, especially the last few months and weeks. I was beginning to feel like something of a hollow shell, but this album has really helped to get the blood pumping again and drive the spirit in my bones. I only recently discovered this album after having listened to the first two Stooges albums for several years. I have to say its now my favorite of the three.
13 Songs (Fugazi)- I had a memorable experience just over a week ago (leading up to a somewhat painful experience a few days later) when I somewhat spontaneously scheduled a tattoo appointment with Carter at Immortal Canvas (blatent plug) as I was gonna be down by his part of town. I only met Carter a little over a year ago, but it turns out Carter has known a mutual friend of mine for almost 20 years. I only found this out a few days before the appointment (pointless side note), but interesting how small the world can be with over 6 billion some people. Regardless, this appointment was originally supposed to be at 10:00pm, got pushed to midnight the day before the session, got moved to 1:00am about an hour before I was supposed to be there, and then when I arrived, still waited until about 2:00am before we actually got started.
I had drawn up a design of a two-headed Aztec snake that was to go on my neck and it took all of 3 hours to get done. Needless to say, after 3 hours of getting tatted up, it was after 5:00am and I was 2 hours away from home. After being up all day, driving several hours to Cincinnati to see Dark Night with friends, eating at ghetto-ass Ponderosa, driving some more to another friend's house further south into Kentucky, drinking strong wine and watching more movies (shitty ones this time), driving almost an hour back north, and finally being tattooed all night, I had gotten my fill for the day. With my adrenaline still kicking, I wound up driving about half the distance back home to stop at a friends house and crash on the couch with my bloody neck. This album plays a part in all this as it was my only music during the course of my driving during the entire excersion. It kept me going and was an excellent choice of music to keep my spirits up. The tattoo turned out great and has healed wonderfully.
Prick (Self Titled)- This album has been a mainstay of mine and a short list of close friends for several years now. One of my all time favorite industrial albums as well as one that brings back many memories of debauchery and chaos. It recently made an important and unexpected resurgence into my life and I've been making sure to listen to it frequently while bearing down the pressures of work.
In other news, I put aside everything else going in my life, good and bad, to finish a picture for an art show this weekend at Stained Skin tattoo on High St. The show is called 6 Ft. Deep and I did an original piece specifically for it. Its a group show featuring several artists including Durb Morrison, his wife Alissa Brunelli, and the show's organizer, Cyrus Fire. Check out Stained Skin for the specifics on location and address. Its this Saturday at 8:00pm.
Unfortunately, I won't be able to go to the show and enjoy all the work- I'll be down in Cincinnati yet again for a family reunion with my dad's side of the family. One of these hasn't happened in at least 15 years, so I want to make sure I don't miss it. Besides, always another excuse for a drink!
Raw Power (Iggy Pop and The Stooges)- My driving music, my mood music. Putting me back in the rock n' roll frame of mind. It's been a strange year to say the least, especially the last few months and weeks. I was beginning to feel like something of a hollow shell, but this album has really helped to get the blood pumping again and drive the spirit in my bones. I only recently discovered this album after having listened to the first two Stooges albums for several years. I have to say its now my favorite of the three.
13 Songs (Fugazi)- I had a memorable experience just over a week ago (leading up to a somewhat painful experience a few days later) when I somewhat spontaneously scheduled a tattoo appointment with Carter at Immortal Canvas (blatent plug) as I was gonna be down by his part of town. I only met Carter a little over a year ago, but it turns out Carter has known a mutual friend of mine for almost 20 years. I only found this out a few days before the appointment (pointless side note), but interesting how small the world can be with over 6 billion some people. Regardless, this appointment was originally supposed to be at 10:00pm, got pushed to midnight the day before the session, got moved to 1:00am about an hour before I was supposed to be there, and then when I arrived, still waited until about 2:00am before we actually got started.
I had drawn up a design of a two-headed Aztec snake that was to go on my neck and it took all of 3 hours to get done. Needless to say, after 3 hours of getting tatted up, it was after 5:00am and I was 2 hours away from home. After being up all day, driving several hours to Cincinnati to see Dark Night with friends, eating at ghetto-ass Ponderosa, driving some more to another friend's house further south into Kentucky, drinking strong wine and watching more movies (shitty ones this time), driving almost an hour back north, and finally being tattooed all night, I had gotten my fill for the day. With my adrenaline still kicking, I wound up driving about half the distance back home to stop at a friends house and crash on the couch with my bloody neck. This album plays a part in all this as it was my only music during the course of my driving during the entire excersion. It kept me going and was an excellent choice of music to keep my spirits up. The tattoo turned out great and has healed wonderfully.
Prick (Self Titled)- This album has been a mainstay of mine and a short list of close friends for several years now. One of my all time favorite industrial albums as well as one that brings back many memories of debauchery and chaos. It recently made an important and unexpected resurgence into my life and I've been making sure to listen to it frequently while bearing down the pressures of work.
In other news, I put aside everything else going in my life, good and bad, to finish a picture for an art show this weekend at Stained Skin tattoo on High St. The show is called 6 Ft. Deep and I did an original piece specifically for it. Its a group show featuring several artists including Durb Morrison, his wife Alissa Brunelli, and the show's organizer, Cyrus Fire. Check out Stained Skin for the specifics on location and address. Its this Saturday at 8:00pm.
Unfortunately, I won't be able to go to the show and enjoy all the work- I'll be down in Cincinnati yet again for a family reunion with my dad's side of the family. One of these hasn't happened in at least 15 years, so I want to make sure I don't miss it. Besides, always another excuse for a drink!
Yup. My apologies for not giving a good and proper update for the past few months...too damn busy for my own good. Hopefully everything that I've been working on will get finished by the end of summer as planned and I can get on with my life. Sometimes things sound like a great idea until you realize how much fucking work is involved. But hopefully, the results will be worth it.
Until then, go and listen to Search & Destroy off of Raw Power. Do it now! I command you!
Until then, go and listen to Search & Destroy off of Raw Power. Do it now! I command you!
Damn...I logged on and realized its been a while since my last post. What the fuck has happened between then and now? Well.....let's see....quite a bit, actually. Its funny how a month where I've got just a few things going on turns into me being busy as hell. But whatever....its been good, for the most part (aside from the bullshit I'm dealing with on my ride). I won a Wii at work last week...which fucking rocks! Of course I kept it and have finally joined the next generation of gaming. That and I've been going to a bunch of shows again.....its crazy how there isn't that many shows going on...and then its like BAM....concerts all over the place. I'm going to see Ministry again tomorrow evening. It's their last tour (supposedly) and its my sixth time seeing them, but I'm still excited. I'm pissed that bassist Paul Raven (also of Killing Joke) passed away recently, because he helped make the last few times I saw them such a great show, but those are the breaks. I'm really counting on seeing Meshuggah open up, because I've never seen them live. It's one of the few shows where I'm wanting to see the opening band more than the main act. If they can pull off the shit live like they do on their albums, then I'm sure we'll be in for a good evening.
I've got to say that I'm actually still sore from seeing In Flames last Friday. Tells me I need to be more active..or at least, more violent more often. I held my own very nicely in the pit, thanks to the wonders of weight lifting. But I gots to say, my shoulders are nice and sore....maybe I just need to be hitting the heavy bag more often.
These heavy concerts are a nice antithesis to the concert Meow and I went to last night. We went and saw the Police at Nationwide. It was a good show and I'm glad we went. Plus it was nice to kick back and watch a show from my seat for a change. Though, when they played Roxanne I couldn't help but wish I had a large quantity of alcohol in which to guzzle each time they said "Roxanne" (I have a fond memory of seeing a friend of mine fall face first over the side of a deck from puking too hard while playing the Roxanne drinking game).
In other news, I'm still working on my website. I had wanted to launch it last year, but its been a huge endeavor. Hopefully, it will all come together in the next few months. It's time to start seeing results....
I've got to say that I'm actually still sore from seeing In Flames last Friday. Tells me I need to be more active..or at least, more violent more often. I held my own very nicely in the pit, thanks to the wonders of weight lifting. But I gots to say, my shoulders are nice and sore....maybe I just need to be hitting the heavy bag more often.
These heavy concerts are a nice antithesis to the concert Meow and I went to last night. We went and saw the Police at Nationwide. It was a good show and I'm glad we went. Plus it was nice to kick back and watch a show from my seat for a change. Though, when they played Roxanne I couldn't help but wish I had a large quantity of alcohol in which to guzzle each time they said "Roxanne" (I have a fond memory of seeing a friend of mine fall face first over the side of a deck from puking too hard while playing the Roxanne drinking game).
In other news, I'm still working on my website. I had wanted to launch it last year, but its been a huge endeavor. Hopefully, it will all come together in the next few months. It's time to start seeing results....
