Okay, so not only is this my first blog post for SG,but it's my first blog ever. Normally I wouldn't feel compelled to post stuff espousing my opinions or detailing adventures, but membership fees make a person do strange things.
I figured April Fool's Day was the perfect opportunity for a couple of reasons. Got a new Street Dogs record (actual vinyl record) this week, it's Wrestlemania weekend (I'll get into that for all of those scoffing right now) and if it's a total disaster I can always say it was an elaborate April Fool's Day joke.
So, reason one. I purchased a record this week, which is either a thing of the past or the wave of the future depending on who you ask. I'm not going to get into a whole "you dern kids and yer digital downloads, in my day we had CDs and we liked it that way" thing because it would really be a waste of all of our time, Also, to be fair, I do a LOT of digital downloading. However in the case when a band or an album strikes me as something a little more than something to listen to while I enter data at work, I like to go the extra mile and have an actual physical copy of the album. I know I could burn the digital download onto a CD, but there really is something to be said about having a professionally made copy that comes with artwork, liner notes and all the extras not associated with MP3s.
"Savin Hill", the debut album by Street Dogs is one of those albums. The album was released in 2003, so some folks may have heard it long before they saw this blog, but for those who haven't, it's a great place to start if you've never listened to them. Fronted by the first singer for Dropkick Mutphys, Mike McColgan, it is an excellent display of what Boston street punk can be. The album ranges in sound, style and tone. From the reminiscent themed title track to more blue collar political tunes ("Don't Preach To Me" and "Modern Day Labor Anthem) the album explores a range of emotion and topics. The style differences between tracks were not lost on me as well. There are songs on this record that make you want to slam in the pit, others that make you want to sway back and forth and sing along with a beer in hand and tunes that make you want to raise your fists and join a union. I recommend this album to anyone who is a Dropkick Murphys fan, especially if "Do Or Die" is your favorite Dropkicks album. You can hear that sound on this record, however Street Dogs are heavier on the punk and a bit lighter on the Celtic.
REASON 2: Wrestlemania weekend. I can hear the eyes rolling right now. Well, stop it. I know it's scripted, I know it's predetermined and I know no one REALLY wins or loses. How is that different from any other television show, movie or play "respectable" folk take in? It may seem hooky to some, downright foolish to others but I've been a fan my whole life. So much that when given the opportunity to help write for a local promotion, I jumped at the chance. I've taken a lot of flack over the years for being a fan of pro wrestling, but I've never been ashamed of it. It was one of those things that helped me early in life to like the things I like and damn the consequences. I liked comics, I liked action movies (especially old kung fu flicks) so it seemed like a natural fit to be a wrestling fan. I could type here till my fingers fall off and some folks would still think I'm in a trailer with a mullet and trucker cap typing this. So rather than continue in this vein, I'll talk a bit about today's event.
Wreslemania 28, taking place in Miami FL. The big draw (or at least that's how WWE is promoting it) is John Cena vs The Rock. Cena is going to get booed out of the building due to Miami being The Rock's hometown. One of two outcomes will be booked for this. If they have The Rock win, Cena will continue on his babyface path selling tons of merch for the WWE. If Cena is given the win, it will most likely signal him turning heel. I'd rather see that happen as it would freshen up the main event scene in the company.
All that aside, the real draw (as myself and several of the wrestlers on our roster see it) is going to be the two title match-ups. Daniel Bryan vs Sheamus will be a good match with some really nice spots. Both of these guys were put in a dark match at Wrestlemania last year and now they're poised to be the dark horse match on the card. I hope that Daniel Bryan is given the nod to keep the title as I'm crushing heavy on his valet/girlfriend AJ.
The other title match is CM Punk vs Chris Jericho, This is the match I'm most looking forward to. Both of these guys have crazy mic skills and I think they're going to steal the show from the Rock/Cena main event. Both of these guys have had some of the most impressive looking matches I've ever seen and I have no doubt that they are going to put on possibly the best match in their respective careers. I'd like to see them keep the belt on Punk after tonight just to have him continue to be cocky, smarmy and brilliant on the mic each week on RAW.
Well, that's it for my first blog post. Feel free to comment. If you liked it, great, I'll try and keep future ones eclectic. If you didn't like it... APRIL FOOLS! :0)
I figured April Fool's Day was the perfect opportunity for a couple of reasons. Got a new Street Dogs record (actual vinyl record) this week, it's Wrestlemania weekend (I'll get into that for all of those scoffing right now) and if it's a total disaster I can always say it was an elaborate April Fool's Day joke.
So, reason one. I purchased a record this week, which is either a thing of the past or the wave of the future depending on who you ask. I'm not going to get into a whole "you dern kids and yer digital downloads, in my day we had CDs and we liked it that way" thing because it would really be a waste of all of our time, Also, to be fair, I do a LOT of digital downloading. However in the case when a band or an album strikes me as something a little more than something to listen to while I enter data at work, I like to go the extra mile and have an actual physical copy of the album. I know I could burn the digital download onto a CD, but there really is something to be said about having a professionally made copy that comes with artwork, liner notes and all the extras not associated with MP3s.
"Savin Hill", the debut album by Street Dogs is one of those albums. The album was released in 2003, so some folks may have heard it long before they saw this blog, but for those who haven't, it's a great place to start if you've never listened to them. Fronted by the first singer for Dropkick Mutphys, Mike McColgan, it is an excellent display of what Boston street punk can be. The album ranges in sound, style and tone. From the reminiscent themed title track to more blue collar political tunes ("Don't Preach To Me" and "Modern Day Labor Anthem) the album explores a range of emotion and topics. The style differences between tracks were not lost on me as well. There are songs on this record that make you want to slam in the pit, others that make you want to sway back and forth and sing along with a beer in hand and tunes that make you want to raise your fists and join a union. I recommend this album to anyone who is a Dropkick Murphys fan, especially if "Do Or Die" is your favorite Dropkicks album. You can hear that sound on this record, however Street Dogs are heavier on the punk and a bit lighter on the Celtic.
REASON 2: Wrestlemania weekend. I can hear the eyes rolling right now. Well, stop it. I know it's scripted, I know it's predetermined and I know no one REALLY wins or loses. How is that different from any other television show, movie or play "respectable" folk take in? It may seem hooky to some, downright foolish to others but I've been a fan my whole life. So much that when given the opportunity to help write for a local promotion, I jumped at the chance. I've taken a lot of flack over the years for being a fan of pro wrestling, but I've never been ashamed of it. It was one of those things that helped me early in life to like the things I like and damn the consequences. I liked comics, I liked action movies (especially old kung fu flicks) so it seemed like a natural fit to be a wrestling fan. I could type here till my fingers fall off and some folks would still think I'm in a trailer with a mullet and trucker cap typing this. So rather than continue in this vein, I'll talk a bit about today's event.
Wreslemania 28, taking place in Miami FL. The big draw (or at least that's how WWE is promoting it) is John Cena vs The Rock. Cena is going to get booed out of the building due to Miami being The Rock's hometown. One of two outcomes will be booked for this. If they have The Rock win, Cena will continue on his babyface path selling tons of merch for the WWE. If Cena is given the win, it will most likely signal him turning heel. I'd rather see that happen as it would freshen up the main event scene in the company.
All that aside, the real draw (as myself and several of the wrestlers on our roster see it) is going to be the two title match-ups. Daniel Bryan vs Sheamus will be a good match with some really nice spots. Both of these guys were put in a dark match at Wrestlemania last year and now they're poised to be the dark horse match on the card. I hope that Daniel Bryan is given the nod to keep the title as I'm crushing heavy on his valet/girlfriend AJ.
The other title match is CM Punk vs Chris Jericho, This is the match I'm most looking forward to. Both of these guys have crazy mic skills and I think they're going to steal the show from the Rock/Cena main event. Both of these guys have had some of the most impressive looking matches I've ever seen and I have no doubt that they are going to put on possibly the best match in their respective careers. I'd like to see them keep the belt on Punk after tonight just to have him continue to be cocky, smarmy and brilliant on the mic each week on RAW.
Well, that's it for my first blog post. Feel free to comment. If you liked it, great, I'll try and keep future ones eclectic. If you didn't like it... APRIL FOOLS! :0)