More Black Flag

Flag playing American Waste in 1982. Look at these guys. Do they look like punks? Hardcore originators? or homeless Vietnam Vets? Say what you will about later era Flag, but nothing comes close to it. 1982. What a year for the Flag. The 1982 demos are arguably the best thing they recorded, straddling the line of previous and future sounds for the band. While nothing could have prepared the world for the My War lp, some of the songs were on the demo. Dez leaves the band soon after this to form DC3, Chuck quits to manage soon after, Kira comes in, drummers change. After the 5 piece lineup, it pretty much becomes the Greg Ginn show with Henry (although Kira could clearly hold her own, as seen in the previous post.)



and if you have never seen it, the history of Black flag through their haircuts.

Try to stop us, it's no use

I've been on Black Flag overload for the past few weeks, which was kicked off by reading Rollins' book Broken Summers.

early flag. I love the 5 piece lineup. 2 Guitars. Skinny Henry. Chuck the Duke. Short "fast" songs.



(bonus footage of Dez Black Flag. Dez is my least favorite of the vocalists, but they're still better than just about anything else.)

Later Flag. Kira. Hippy Greg. Cro-Magnon Rollins wearing doinks. Long songs. Bummed out fans.

Eleven- Eleven

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.



here's the Pogues playing "The Band Played Waltzing Matilda" about the Battle of Galipoli

The President

of hittin that ass...



All kidding aside, I am glad that this campaign is over, and it ended painlessly. since the winner was called at about 11pm last night, there were no all night talking heads with dry erase boards going over scenarios. There were no lawyers, injunctions or recounts. There was not a Katherine Harris or a Kenneth Blackwell. McCain bowed out gracefully, and his concession speech took the high road in a campaign full of smear ads. Too bad the Nuremburg rally that was present for the speech booed McCain every time he tried to congratulate the President elect.

One point Obama made that must be held to is that we are not red states and blue states but the UNITED STATES. I hope the House and the Senate takes those words to heart when tackling the major issues that need to be answered ASAP.

Something to think about before Tuesday

It's the new morality
Programmed media is all we see
Refuse to question
We believe the lie
Worship the only thing that currency buys
For god and government
For the rich and the affluent
The church and state support the upper class
With greed deceit and prejudice
Who set that standard
Who made the call
For so many to have nothing
And so few to have it all
And how can you resign to say
Everything is fine when a man is only seen as a dollar sign
Eradicate the deviant
Deviate the education educate with
Ignorance for the protection of our nation
Illegalize diversity
Remove it so no one can see
Out of sight and out of mind
Making sure the public eye is blind
Refuse to see we can only be
A casualty of the major immorality
If they talk should we listen
Haven't I asked this before
And in reality none of us are free
And they'll be no end to this war
Leave it all up to fate
And we'll spend our lives on our knees
Fight back
Those who don't remember the past are only forced to repeat it again and again
We've all seen this before
And those who remain will end up mopping up the blood off the killing floor

All my heroes are dead.

It seems I only update this when a public figure that was important to me dies. George Carlin probably helped shape my sense of humor more than any other comedian. Always on top of his game and always bringing the laughs, whether he was being nonsensical or dead serious. George blended fart jokes with political humor and daily observations seamlessly, and made you think while he made you laugh. The world became a little worse today. Godspeed, George.

My Favorite Carlin special, Carlin on Campus. (if you are at work, you probably don't want the sound up too high)

Everything was beautiful, and nothing hurt.

Kurt Vonnegut passed away yesterday at the age of 84. He has probably seen and experienced more than most people ever will, and fortunately he relayed these experiences through his writing. In 1995 I was lucky enough to see a lecture he gave in Boston. I can't really remember much of what he said. I know he talked about war, and children and adulthood. whatever he said made a lot of sense, and I think that's what most people liked about Kurt- he could be writing about the most nonsensical topics, but in the end it all made sense. And for that, we should all be thankful that Kurt Vonnegut wrote books for us to read. We have lost a national treasure.

Go, little record go...

my favorite song from my least favorite Pixies record as played by the band and Letterman's house band, including Nick the Lounge Singer's
keyboard player (who gets way into it.) I was really bummed on this when it came out, but it has grown on me over the years. This track and Alec Eiffel are good jams. Still, I'll listen to
Doolittle when I need a Pixies fix. I love that Nirvana was worried that everyone would think Nevermind was a blatant Pixies ripoff. Fifteen years later and Nirvana are remembered as the band that changed the music industry and the Pixies are that band at the end of Fight Club.

Note: how crazy does the longbox look when Dave holds it up?

last.fm top ten survey

Name your top 10 most played bands on Last.fm:

1 Elliott Smith
2 Belle and Sebastian
3 The Beatles
4 Misfits
5 Descendents
6 Morrissey
7 Leatherface
8 Hot Snakes
9 Naked Raygun
10 Lucero


Now answer the questions according to the numbers:


What was the first song you ever heard by 6?
Suedehead


What is your favourite album of 2?
Probably If You're Feeling Sinister, although I listen to the 1998 Black Session the most


What is your favourite lyric that 4 has sung?
"Texas is the reason that the presidents dead"


How many times have you seen 5 live?
Twice. I'm still kicking myself for not going to NJ to see them in Asbury Park with Dave Murphy.


What is your favorite song by 7?
Andy


What is a good memory you have involving the music of 10?
watching them play requests live, and acting like they were having a good time doing it.


Is there a song of 3 that makes you sad?
not really, although I'm sure I'm forgetting something


What is your favorite lyric that 2 has sung?
"There's a lot to be done while your head is still young"


What is your favorite song by 9?
Vanilla Blue


How did you get in to 3?
The Beatles are probably testament to the fact that at one time, our parents had good taste in music.


What was the first song you heard by 1?
Probably Miss Misery.


What is your favorite song by 4?
Bullet


How many times have you seen 9 live?
Just once.


What is a good memory you have involving 2?
Listening to Black Session driving through the park with the windows down.


Is there a song of 8 that makes you sad?
nope


What is your favorite album of 5?
Milo Goes to College


What is your favorite lyric that 3 has sung?
"And curse Sir Walter Raleigh, for he was such a stupid get"


What is your favorite song of 1?
Christian Brothers


What is your favorite song of 10?
Raising Hell


How many times have you seen 8 live?
zero. I suck.


What is your favorite album of 1?
either/ or


What is a great memory you have considering 9?
Finally getting to see them at Riot Fest last year


What was the first song you heard by 8?
If Credit's What Matters, I'll Take Credit


What is your favorite cover by 2?
Poupée de Cire, Poupée de Son (Serge Gainsbourg)

Naked Raygun

After playing a few shows in late 2006, Naked Raygun has announced that they are back as a full time band.

Well, we think it’s about time to stop all the rumors that have been flying around since our show at Riot Fest 2006. So, we can now officially say it: Naked Raygun is back for good! More shows, releases and of course some unexpected surprises! We’re all really excited about this and cannot wait to connect with new fans and reconnect with the fans who have never let us down.

I went to the Riot Fest show, and although it was in a huge room, not usually condisive to punk or hardcore, they were awesome. I really wish I had gone to the "unannounced" show on the night before Riot Fest. Hopefully I wont have to go to Chicago to see them again.

As an added bonus, here's a live set from Cleveland in 1990. Coincidentally, this was the day after my 18th birthday, and I didn't go to the show. I think False Hope played too. What was I thinking? The sound quality is great, the set was broadcast over the local college airwaves. (link removed)