Monday, December 24, 2012

TOUCHDOWN! (Short Story)




In Touchdown! Suburban Vandals Mike and Calvin launch an ill-planned retaliatory strike and verbal-assault, against the city’s premier H.S. football team with a backdrop of punk-rock music.

In this unrelated follow-up to THE LAST AMERICAN you’re delivered another true story with burnt fictional edges recounting aging High School memories from the early 1990's before both Gulf Wars. Before Columbine - a time when cassettes ruled station wagon tape decks nationwide.

Free Download of TOUCHDOWN! HERE






Friday, December 21, 2012

OLD CITY "Hot Horse" EP-DL



Old City is a band in constant flux. Originally it started off as a side-project by Sammy Mckee and bit by bit, each bandcamp release by release Old City has grown to become a full-on working three piece unit involving Dave Cupp on drums and now Gabe "Lion Cub" Molnar wielding on bass. Old City has really found the sweet spot too. Moving a bit farther away from the electronic-ness of past EP's, on Hot Horse ya got a band that appears to be settling in for the long haul. Each member of Old City have been in constant bands for the past 10 years plus... On Hot House you can tell. From one rocking jam to another you can hear the redone version of the minimal mantric anthem "Simple Solution" and see for yourself where the band is going... Leaping forward! I said leaping. I foresee this line up getting solid and really staking their spot in the Cincinnati Underground music scene as leaders. Sammy has refine his methods and while working Dave and Gabe into the band piece by piece... It’s just special and exciting to watch Old City grow. With a sound that seems rooted in bands like THE POSTER CHILDREN and DINOSAUR JR. with maybe a tinge of Dirty era SONIC YOUTH. I also hear a sprinkling of WUSSY and GUIDED BY VOICES in there which is not a big surprise... WUSSY have become 'quite the shit' and GUIDED BY VOICES is just one of those bands that have defined a reason to believe. Hot Horse is well produced. It sounds thick and the songs represent perfect refreshingly structure. Easy to listen from start to finish and will leave you hitting the repeat button a few times in a row in an attempt to get an ear full. "Romantic Comedy Transcends Genre" is 'my fucking jam dude',


Visit Old Citys bandcamp age HERE

"...At Least I Tried"

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

ART-EYE: CT Rasmuss: War On Idleness (Interview)


As December began Artist CT "Chad" Rasmuss began his War On Idleness where he plan to do 30 paintings or art works in 30 Days. This project sounded interesting eniugh so I asked him a few questions about his meaning of art.

Questions by Shawn Abnoxious ...THWART!

Answers by CT Rasmuss

CT can you tell me and ...Thwart! readers about your WAR ON IDLENESS and your VINCENT VAN GOGH 30 day experiment? Are they 'connected'?

Yes! I believe so, just came up with WAR ON IDLENESS today, while blogging about my experience so far in 100 PAINTINGS IN 30 DAYS experience to date (2 days to be exact, so far, haha). To be a little more specific, "War on Idleness" is a direct result of this experience, I can't help but wonder if it's similar to his reasoning, 'you are your worst enemy (critic)' dilemma; what will ever be 'good enough' sort of thing. “WAR' because sometimes you just have to let go, and charge into the face of the enemy, without looking back/giving into your fears: The first rule of Fear in my book is-"Don't be afraid!" I feel it relates to Vincent in the way he always faced his fears (others who ridiculed him) and got through his fits of self-destruction, to get what was in him, OUT! And now the same people who would have pointed at him and smirked, now can't "look away" from all he did in his short life... He's a light still to this day, now more than ever for the so-called 'rejects' of society, with big hearts as he was in his time; A perfect soul who created imperfect masterpieces!!!

So the war and experiment ARE intertwined. How is it going now? Are you on track to succeed?


Good question, "Am I on track to succeed?” part of our daily struggle, in the long wrong (30) days I believe so; as it stands now: It's Day 6 & I have 17 finished with 83 to go...like in a marathon you must pace yourself. I’ve never run a marathon, but if I were to run 26 miles and meet my goal (time-wise), I'd form have a plan in mind, like I did in this scenario. At 1st it was: Start out with 5 a day to get ahead, which I did (w/o compromising quality, main goal to finish line). But since then I've been inconsistent, never getting back to original 5, just 1 yesterday and zero so far today, lol! No matter the outcome, the experience is compact in things to take away, many layers and too many for this moment to reflect on properly; I do believe "The War on Idleness" is being won for now, one day at a time! 


So even if you don’t make your ultimate goal then it’s a true nod to Van Gogh’s ability huh? 

Yes I believe so, the attempt is a "true Nod", I'd agree in saying; He’d (Vincent) or You/the Public would be the one's to truly decide. But I'm in it for the day to day, the end result is another entirety in of itself, I'll cross that road when I get there.

Is all art a 'threat', specific kinds of 'art' or is it just bullshit?

Art a threat? Hmm, I suppose today as of now it's mostly aimed at the commercial side (appealing to masses/mass produced/copied) than it was say at the time of The European Renaissance when art started to challenge the Dogmas of the Catholic church. Today it's mostly water-down in my opinion, "Gatorade" as opposed to "Red Wine"; I aim to be a threat to violence and oppression, which the great artists such as Van Gogh, and Da Vinci were, as Picasso's Guernica was to the Spanish Civil war of his day, etc. At a time of warring states/nations/religions, artists have the ability to make "Peace" by way of a "War of Art"! Paint is non-toxic, it can however be used for evil, such as the Nazi's and their mastery of propaganda. For this reason I believe in promoting its antithesis: "Anti= propaganda" by way of telling people like it is (idealism, romanticism, etc. also) one artwork at a time, rather than manipulation of the masses, which eventually happens if no one is on guard

Are you currently winning the War on Idleness? Could acknowledging idleness itself a winning blow?

Not at this very moment, but I've prepared and I'm ready for today's battle, it looks promising; and yes acknowledging Idleness itself is a nice blow to the 'enemy'! But I'm determined to free my conscious from this 'enemy', not just my physical state, I believe a cleared conscience is the harder Win here.


Would you say the formation of SON_ART_A is part of your personal theatre of operations in your WAR ON IDLENESS?

Well last night at Creativa, acting on behalf (T_Paine) of Son_Art_A along with fellow founders, Pop.Calypse and Red Rodney, I was able to finish 27 post it note paintings during the event, I also did numerous drawings on post its, but they aren't technically paintings (so they don't count toward the 100) If it weren't for the group, I would have just done my normal 1 painting during my live performance; instead I was able to complete numerous drawings and paintings, mostly studies categorically speaking; but impact-full in the grand scheme eventually. For me as an artist. Not to mention that I was able to view the other performances by way of capturing them in memory through rendering what I saw, by way of gesturing, as well as symbolically, or good ole fashioned expressionism. An inner circle of WAR ON IDLENESS was discovered, thanks to being part of a group Son_Art_A within a group CREATIVA, by far much more was accomplished, opposed to than just being on my own as, C.T. Rasmuss. Proof together we can create more/far better than alone/isolation. Over 50 studies compared to 1 finished work. May the public decide for themselves on this one, I am comfortable in my decision of adding these 27 pieces to the 100; as they took over 4 hours in duration & are by the least, 'finished' studies at that. Art is art and I am content with the outcome, much more than expected going into last night. Matter of fact: the dancer and drummer we (you and I) rendered in over 15 gestural drawings, want the originals to frame and hang up in there dance studio as soon as I can photocopy to send to California artist. That's another story ey?...lol!


What would you like ...THWART! readers and Art lovers to know about you, your philosophy on art and your immediate artistic future?

What I would like them to know about me; that I have faults like everyone else, and at times I may sound mushy or cliché, but it's all about the cognitive for me, most of the time. If you say it enough you just might live it, and I personally wish for comfort, but realize you have the 'get' there first; I'm thinkin the nest I make for myself isn't fit for livin unless the nest around me are too...a good balance of give/take is a requirement to rest assure. My philosophy on art is like Art, always changing, just about everyday in fact, many theories/possibilities, my personal moral code, is my torch which hopefully gets stronger in time, as opposed to weaker the further I venture into this world. "Art is what you make it" as far as immediate artistic future, not sure, never sure, like life, Art is hard to plan out; sort of a torturous parallel that I believe makes the best Art so real. Thanks again Man!!!

Thank you CT. A-R-T-o-r-D-I-E

Art or Die!!! haha! I choose Art!


CT Rasmuss Blog
SON_ART-A on FaceBook














Sunday, December 16, 2012

RAILINGS


From Youngstown, Lions Care Recording's newest reason to wash your hands...

RAILINGS

Watch.
Learn.
Misbehave.


Wednesday, December 12, 2012

KNIFE THE SYMPHONY & SWEAR JAR split 12"/CD/DL


KNIFE THE SYMPHONY / SWEAR JAR Split LP Release Show
I have a lot to say and not much time so hold on... The Consciousness Revolution is coming for us faster than the speed of reality. Their world is ending ours is just beginning. I almost feel sorry for them but that’s the crumbling cookie for ya... Really, we have won the whole time. The world has always been ours... This effort from Cincinnati's own premier label PHRATRY RECORDS is the icing on the cake. It’s a death nail in the Newer New World Order. Control was never theirs... It’s always been ours.

Their world is over ours is beginning.

PHRATRY RECORDS, as I was saying before the second level of Consciousness Revolution talk, is premier... Exploding onto the Cincinnati music scene just a mere handful of years ago it has solidified itself as a leader among its peers documenting not only local but also other acts from beyond any geographic or genre defining boundaries. Phratry has a mission and that mission continues with this effort.

Both these bands are from Cincinnati. One KNIFE THE SYMPHONY (KTS) even serves as Phratry’s principle force. Included behind the drums for KTS is Jerry Dirr, Phratry's leader, founder and director. Some would view Phratry as the vehicle for KTS but that’s just not so. Your not getting it right with this label if that’s how it seems. KTS are the vehicle for Phratry! Just as DISCHORD RECORDS, every band on Phratry is a vehicle for the label... Cincinnati has NEVER had a label like Phratry Records... It’s not just a record label this shit is philosophy.

The KTS side of the 12" features three jams representing this new 'Consciousness Revolution' thing that I’m trying real hard NOT to slip back into and ramble on about... Its not 'spazz-core' it goes beyond 'screamo' but the music is frantic in its delivery. Intense, fast, loud... Hard driving tunes that make you feel invincible. Complicated, deep subject matter delivered cryptically and with precision. There’s a war out there and the KTS side clearly draws the lines between this and that. You (you know who YOU are) are not fooling anybody that doesn’t want to be fooled. KTS are not fools. They are revolutionaries. They are prophets. The bullet in each if their heads (hand delivered) from the neon Armageddon stormish troopers will not be lonely, they will be welcomed as the last ditch effort from a dying effort... KTS will be honored to warm that bullet in their hand heating it up to proper body temperature before its 'party time'.

Yeah, it was a damn shame when AT THE DRIVE IN broke up after that great album (you know which one, don’t even make me tell you) just before, it felt, something better was just peering over the horizon... Well, KTS fill that yearning. Fans of DEFTONES, FUGAZI and DISCHORD RECORDS (in general) take note.

Despite "Take Care" being 'my new fucking jam dude' I must ask you at this time to proceed to approximately 3:38 into the jam "Cotton Gin" by SWEAR JAR and you hear what this band is all about... It’s moment of pure genius that as of the variety that SWEAR JAR could only create. Listen...

Hear that 'gasp' or is it more of a sigh... An exhale... “Huff-Huff”…Whatever you wanna call it. Genius. Absolutely genius.

Just like any band out there, SWEAR JAR has had high moments and low moments.
Good times and bad times but the thing about SWEAR JAR is you can’t tell when those bad time and low moments are prevalent. SWEAR JAR brings 'it' to every live show or plastic record that you buy with their sounds imbedded.

If KTS is the main attack of a campaign the invasion, then SWEAR JAR are the guerilla warfare harassment of the occupying force. Abrasive punk like a mix of THE MINUTEMEN with equal parts BIGBOUS and GANG OF FOUR except meaner. Yeah, I said meaner!  Dual vocals wailing vocals, screamed vocals... Either way, dissonant. The music is fast, frantic... Like amore disjointed chaotic KTS sound. Ripping from part to part in every expertly crafted song. SWEAR JAR songs are a multi-layered Tsunami of sound. It’s ‘art-punk’ to me. Sonic Art. Sonic terrorism. SWEAR JAR are violent without being violent. Musical personification of anger without being angry. SWEAR JAR sonically resemble a surprise wound, like a accidental cut from a kitchen knife when you’re dicing up onions... Your cut and your bleeding badly and your doing all the tricks by applying pressure and cleaning the wound out well but just as you check to see if the bleeding has stopped, you view the wound and it appears bloodless. Has the bleeding stopped? Is it band-aid time? Then, the blood instantaneously resurfaces in the cut and you reapply the bandage. You will check again and repeat this procedure until that time comes where you can apply the band-aid...

That cut will hurt more tomorrow. It will throb and irritate you until it’s fully healed. The cut will aggravate you and keep reminding you all weekend that its still there when you accidentally bump it into whatever you are bound to bump it against...

SWEAR JAR's offering on this split... 5 bitterly toxic attacks on the infrastructure of the occupying force go beyond a requirement. The are the 'it', more of the 'it' that SWEAR JAR has delivered so well in the past. I have never heard a SWEAR JAR that I didn’t like. Some are better than others but all of them rail. Its punk without being typical. Its hardcore without being chugga-chugga atypical. SWEAR JAR play as is a new psycho-blues by guitars that spit lightning bolts.

I would go so gar to say that SWEAR JAR are Cincinnati's best kept secret that’s not trying to be a secret. If you like fast and aggressive music and you haven’t seen SWEAR JAR yet... Then correct that shit. The debut LP "Cuss" from SWEAR JAR is still available and the 5 songs from this split add nicely to their array of material.

This split 12" is essential listening for punk hardcore and music fans everywhere especially here in Cincinnati.

“Take care...Thanks man… for getting me there…”

SWEAR JAR on Bandcamp

KNIFE THE SYMPHONY on facebook

PHRATRY RECORDS Website

Go Here to read a ...Thwart! interview with Shane Chaney from SWEAR JAR



Shane Chaney from SWEAR JAR (Interview)


Swear Jar are on the cusp of a new release, a split record with fellow Cincinnati Noise terrorist KNIFE THE SYMPHONY from PHRATRY RECORDS...

Questions by Shawn Abnoxious for ...Thwart!

Answers by Shane Chaney of SWEAR JAR.



Read a Review of The Knife The Symphony /Swear Jar split 12" on ...Thwart! HERE


Shane, why should anyone care that Swear Jar has anything new out?

On the most basic level, because it's way past due. We are constantly writing new songs and trying to find new ideas and new ways to express them, but our first record came out in 2010, and we haven't put anything out since then, so the songs have been piling up, and still are. It's been a while since we've let a few slip out, so you know there's been plenty of time for good stuff to build up. I think this record is an obvious next step in the right direction for us. People seemed to like "Cuss" a lot, and this record is clearly a progression from it. It comes from a lot of the same places, but expands and improves on it all, while introducing new elements also. If "Cuss" was Star Wars, then this new one would be Empire Strikes Back, and I can't think of a better way than that to express why anyone should care than that.

With all the available outlets, and I’m specifically thinking of BANDCAMP or SOUNDCLOUD why has it taken so long? Bands can proliferate any corner of Facebook with their sounds? Why even do a record? Is it a waste of resources?

Hell no. It's a gloriously awesome use of resources. Look at it this way: if we hadn't done it, someone else would have come along and used that same vinyl and shiny non-microwavable CD material to make some other record that might really suck. Now THAT would be a real waste of resources, so we were kind of obligated from a risk-management standpoint. Seriously, though, I'm not really sure why it took us so long. Our level of pickiness and our tendency to self-edit and let the songs mature and develop naturally were probably strong contributing factors. It's a wonder Cuss ever got finished. It was recorded as a demo, but we just kept slaving over it and it became the record. This time around, we just eventually realized we had a nicely matured batch of songs and set about putting them on tape in a flattering manner. We very strongly wanted the next thing people heard from us to be a step up to the next level, so we were far more afraid of rushing things than we were of taking too long. As far as Bandcamp and Soundcloud are concerned, we think they are awesome and we use them, but we kind of see them as less of a record and more of a flier. The web stuff is a convenient way for people to check music out. Hopefully, it entices them to pick up the actual record we worked so hard on, or come out to a show. Both, ideally. In that sense, I see Facebook, Bandcamp, and all that stuff more as a flier and less as a substitute for a record. Besides, we love the physical/visual art/packaging aspects, and we put a lot of thought and effort into that stuff to make the records special. I feel like James and Rob would probably agree with me.

It was said that your side of the record was done in houses while people were gone on vacation. Is this ethically moral? A betrayal of trust?

Well, we pretty much waited for James's parents to go on vacation, and then packed up the van and converted their house into a surprisingly nice studio while they were gone, being careful not to track dirt on the rugs or scuff the floors in the process. I think we left no trace. Later, we were looking for a place to track vocals, and James's sister was about to leave town for a week also. Since her basement had some cool acoustical properties, we pulled the same trick down there to lay down all the rants and chants. James's folks live out in the country so the noise was no issue, but I'm sure his sister's neighbors wondered what was up with all the screaming coming from her basement late at night.

Didn’t know such 'occupy' aspects were so prevalent in the band... Shane, you come off to some as 'opinionated' to others just plain 'asshole' ((not really tome man, but lets get 'real)) is it YOU or THEM?

Them, but that's just my firmly held asshole-ish opinion.

What’s WRONG with the current scene Shane? Where did it all go wrong? Are you optimistic about the scenes future? What the fuck is this 'the scene' business anyway?

Did it all go wrong? As with most things, I think you could make the case that a lot of it did somewhere along the way. I think the kind of problems you're eluding to are typically the results of people doing things for the wrong reasons, whether it's selfishness, whorish self-promotion, payola for reviews and mentions, vanity, pretentious posturing, or whatever. When I think back on my younger days, I seem to remember a lot more connection from the younger musicians to the older musicians, and sometimes when I feel like I'm not hearing many original sounds and I'm just seeing people getting onstage and mimicking David Yow or rehashing clichés, or sounding like Green Day for Christ's sakes, it's got to be partially due to that disconnect and the gap in cultural and artistic evolution it inherently brings with it. Then again, it's quite possible my perspective is way off and I'm far too much of a recluse to comment on this type of thing. I really am optimistic about it all, though. I feel like things are on a nice upswing at the moment, and they'll continue that way. The loss of the old Southgate House was a pretty big blow to the community as a whole, but things are coming back now. It's like recovering from a house fire or a DUI. I'm probably not the right guy to comment on a "scene," other than the fact that it's usually more about being "seen". The only thing I know with much confidence about scenes is, shots are made up of frames, sequences are made up shots, and scenes are made up of sequences.

What’s the one thing you want people to know about Swear Jar? Don’t go on vacation?

I think the music has to speak for itself when it comes down to it. That's what I want people to know about Swear Jar, the music. Does that count as one thing? If I could have simply had us start playing, pressed play, or dropped the needle as an answer to that question, that's what I would have done. I think the music really tells people whatever they need to know about us, as little or as much as that may be. Everything else is just extraneous background noise, even if someone finds it interesting, which seems unlikely.

What’s some of the long-term goals for SWEAR JAR?

I think musically, all of our goals are long-term. If your musical goals aren't geared towards the long-term, that most likely means you're just following trends or pandering for immediate popularity.
As a band, though, we'd probably all three agree that we need to get out on the road a lot more. There are various reasons why we haven't toured much in the past, but we step it up a little every year. 2013 is likely to see us in a lot more cities. Personally, apart from touring more, I'd like for Swear Jar to continue doing what we're doing. We make the music that we make because it's something that we want to hear, but doesn't yet exist, and I think it's hard to find anything much more gratifying than that. If we keep writing the way we are, and stepping it up as we have, and keep recording the way we are, and stepping it up as we have, and hit the road more, that would keep me happy. According to the factors that I value personally, this band is a great success, and will be even more of one in the long term if we keep moving in the current direction.

It’s interesting how you value and define success... Even admirable. How did such an 'asshole' come to have such a humble opinion? What up wit ‘dat? Also... What is SWEAR JAR's weakness? What could destroy this band?

I guess, in order to find that answer, you'd have to look at those making the asshole-ism accusations and evaluate how they define "asshole". I'll bet there's an equal amount of variance from their definition of "asshole" to mine as there is from my definition of "success" to theirs. If someone is accused of being an asshole because they have principles and convictions, I'd say it probably says more about the accuser than the accused.

Our weakness? Hmmmm... Give me a minute to think on that one...

I'm not falling for your trick question, Shawn, if that IS your real name*. Assuming we had a weakness (which we clearly don't), and I admitted to it and revealed it (which I won't) that would only empower those who would use such knowledge against us. That would be a major breech of Swear Jar security. I could tell you, but then I'd have to kill you and anyone who reads this.

You talk as if your confident your shoes ARENT going into the river... Can you remember the last time you were excited by a new local band?

Yes. It's rare and hard to remember, though. That's me taking your question to mean excited, like "Hey everyone, you gotta hear this!" excited.

How much does a cuss word get in the SWEAR JAR these days in this 'new economy'? Wow, I just now drew the comparison of CUSS and its ramifications as being titled as a SWEAR JAR release. Just now.

The going rate varies depending on the cusser and the quality of the execution of the cuss.

What’s your favorite cuss word?

John Mayer.

Haha... Shane, what inspires SWEAR JAR songs, the ones you write, which I also assume you sing on... What propels your lyrics?

Well, generally, the way we write is a big three-way musical collaboration, and then someone starts spouting a rant or a chant along to a section, and that usually develops into the vocals for that part, if there are any. So, there's pretty much never a song written by an individual, but we almost always write whatever lyrics we're personally spitting out. The actual words are usually the last thing I think about. There are always exceptions, of course, and there's never really one common approach for me. I try to keep it minimal, usually. For me to try and write songs with long, descriptive, symbolic prose would pretty much be a joke. Sometimes it's a specific topic, but typically my lyrics focus on broader notions or basic, simple statements. The most important thing to me, lyrically, is just that the emotion behind the words matches the emotion of the music. As long as that's the case, I know I can't phone it in. The inspiration could be something from a nightmare or a dream, a basic ideological rant, an observation about myself or my life, anything as long as it makes me want to shout. The new record has a song about blatant cuckoldry. There's a rare instance of lyrical specificity for you

Would you like to write a couple sentences on each of your songs from the split with KNIFE THE SYMPHONY to give ...Thwart! readers a little bit of insight behind the songs or maybe a 'fun fact' or two?

I took your question to Swear Jar practice tonight and passed it around. Here are the democratically elected answers. FIGHT SONG: It's not about Mike Tyson. Down the road, not across the street. SWEAT STINGS: A song that started off as one song, morphed into another, but kept its title. James got art-thritis, I'm trying to keep my particles charged, and Rob sicka-sicka-bop. 
TAKE CARE: A song about an extra-confusing adventure into Canada and back, getting lost in Detroit amid the giant crowd of camped-out American Idol hopefuls. All we wanted was to get home, and our friend Kube finally got us there. Picture LOCKET: Fuck this, titty that. Pure Kodak gold. COTTON GIN: I wanna cuckold your hand.

"Sweat Stings" is a fucking rager man but "Take Care" is my jam.

Glad you like "Sweat Stings." That's the one you said had to grow on you, right?

Yeah, Initially I told you at the Northside Record Fair that I didn’t like that guitar frenzy part but I quickly got over it. You won me over quickly.

"Take Care" is a super jam and so much fun to play. James had been carrying that guitar riff around for ten years or more by the time we pieced that one together.

Shane, I threatened you with the possibilities of throwing your shoes in the Ohio River if your next release wasn’t up to par... Do YOU think your shoes are going into the river with this offering or will you bring some back up shoes so you don’t walk home barefooted? What’s your confidence level?

My shoes are safe. It's a good record. If I'm wrong, well, I tend to wear cheap shoes, so...

Keeping Wal-Mart 'Silver Series' Velcro wonders in business?

Ha. They wish! Unfortunately for them, I finally learned how to tie my laces.

The slave labor of the third, maybe fourth world, depends on your purchases and ability to wear-down footwear. Why are so hard on your shoes? Kicking trendsters in the ass at Northside tavern all night or what?

You said "hard-on". Honestly, I wouldn't grant them the amount of attention required for a kick.

Where does Shane "Pussy-Bush" Chaney hang out? Where can your fans find you?

I hang out at home. I'm old. All my stuff's there. I get to pick what's on the stereo.

Stereo? What the fuck is that?

A stereo is this thing with big speakers in boxes. It's like a big iPod.

Who do you want …THWART! to interview next? Your choice...

I think you should interview those boys from MALA IN SE. They're stand-up fellas, pretty funny nerds, and a killer band. I'd like to read an interview with them.

Now you get to ask me an offensive question and/or call me a name. The tide turns, Shane Chaney attacks. Go.

Shawn, you have a huge bucket of putrid, festering elephant vomit in your hands, and your life depends upon emptying that bucket NOW! You're blocked in on all four sides by John Mayer, that guy from Maroon 5, Rush Limbaugh, and the entire Dave Matthews Band. Who's getting the pachyderm puke? Please give some explanation of your choice.

John Mayer is safe... he was funny in that Dave Chapelle skit about music. That made me laugh... Maroon 5 guy might share his dope so no puke for him... Same with all those Dave Matthew fucks. Rush would definitely get the vomit. That man is one of the biggest sacks of shit I have ever heard talk. A greedy man that believes in nothing except his own pleasures. Hands down, that guy gets the fucking bucket for sure... Writing that felt therapeutic. Thanks...

I'm here to serve. I probably would have made the same decision in the end, but I would've been a lot more torn about it.


*My real name is 'Pussy-Bush'

Monday, December 10, 2012

[Past-Blast] [Blank Generation-Dec. 2000]

Reviews from Blank Generation December 2000
Note: Images added to certain reviews for cosmetic purposes in 2012
Clone Defects "Lizard Boy" 7" EP
The boys are at it again. I like that sentence; it sounds like the beginning of a Disney movie! Who let the dogs out? Who? Who Who? Who? What’s this, like the Clone Defects 3rd 7" or something? Being some of their best work yet, the Clone Defects’ sound is really maturing to something I REALLY like. Part Stooges, part Iggy Pop (you know, the lead singer of The Stooges who had a lustrous solo career that many actually prefer over his work with the Stooges), part Germs, ripping guitars... my only complaint is that the songs tend to be a lil' bit longer than the stuff I’m accustomed to and trust me, I really had to reach to see that problem. In reality, Clone Defects’ song length is definitely something I can learn to live with and hell, maybe even come to prefer. The first song on "side a" I remember from the only time I’ve seen the Clone Defects live (in the dank hole known as The Legendary Mantis Gallery in Kent, Ohio). It’s called "Rouge River Rebel" and it is the scorcher of the whole EP if you ask me. Not a weak track on this one though. This EP is a turning point for this band. They are soon to be legends as I see it. LEGENDS! So, does that mean that its time for the Clone Defects to breakup and branch out that 90's Michigan Punk root even more? I hope not. I want the Clone Defects to be around for a LONG while. Please! I’m fucking begging here!! I’m fucking pathetic. So fucking pathetic... Walt-Disney presents The Clone Defects LIZARD BOY! Stay dirty boys. Stay dirty. (SAB)
(Italy Records 4530 Avery Detroit, MI. 45208/ Superior Sounds 512 S. Washington PMB 279 Royal Oak, MI 48067)



Contenders/Backstabbers "Live in the Big Sleazy" LP
Think The Embarassment. Think The Testors. Think The Eat. Think The (Detroit) Dogs! Apparently these two bands, The Contenders and Backstabbers that is, are linked somehow. I read the liner notes twice, that means two times, and I still don’t fucking get it. Here, just today, I took a Screw Machine down at work that was making a particular screw... Well, I came back from first break and received the order to stop production on that machine's order. So as commanded, I began to re-tool the machine to make a different screw. This is something not everyone can do! I mean fuck I held my own against an Underwriters Laboratories guy when asked some pretty tense questions about my job. So, I changed the tooling, cut-off, form-tool. Re-set dimensions. I ground it to shoulder height on one tool with a surface grinder. I even fabricated a new pick-off using a lathe.... Not easy shit. I know I’m not stupid. I mean here I am doing all this shit to a fucking machine...I found out my trainee; someone I’m training who cant even sharpen a cut-off yet (I sharpened five today) BUT was a Lieutenant in The Special Forces in Vietnam. Shit, maybe I could have been a fucking major or something! I don’t mean to belittle the guy. I like him even more now since I found something interesting to talk with him about besides his need for eye-glasses... but what I’m getting at is that it really bothers me that I have read these liner notes twice AND STILL DONT GET THE BANDS STORY! Yeah, I could go for a third time but that would really be trying. I could read them out loud and use a sheet of paper to reveal one line at a time, but fuck it. THAT’S TRYING! Who cares!?! Both these bands are linked via the singer, I think.

This LP hit me like the Unnatural Axe CD did. Did you see that picture of the Axe in that re-issue CD? Their fucking hair was feathered!!! Parted in the middle!!!! Well, the Contenders and Backstabbers don’t fare much better. Bet they were some real rock and roll lookers back in the 70s and 80's. Thank god they had Dolls and Stooges records to mimic. Fucking 'classic' dudes! A hat? Fucking 'slick' cat! SLICK! Both bands absolutely rage though! Especially The Contenders (latter of the two I suppose). They bring to mind The Testors more and more each time I hear "Junkyard". Song structures remind me of earlier Embarassment tracks and the songs basic melodies bring to mind The Eat. The first two tracks are fucking knifes, "Drug City" and "Little Murders"! The Backstabbers are more Heartbreakers than the Contenders, but it's still all-good. They cover "Pirate Love" and do it pretty well. They remind me of The Dogs too. They aren’t as rocking but have a certain Detroit gritty-ness to them. I suppose that grit is what bands like The Stooges and MC5 do, or should I say did? Does it even still happen? Fucking liner notes. I can hear some Testors in The Backstabbers too, which I’m not complaining about. All in all, I will declare this volume of The Lost American Punk Nuggets a worthwhile purchase. It’s no Los Reactors, Dogs or Testors but then again it definitely kicks the fuck out of The Village Pistols. I’m listening to what Susie Says... (SAB)
(RaveUp@tiscal.net)

Donnas "Definitely a Classy Record from..." 7" EP
I’m not the biggest Donnas fan, and this isn’t the first record I own by the Donnas either. This is a live EP featuring five songs. The recording is lo-fi and really captures that realish feeling of being there. Let’s face it, in the majority of any clubs any punk band may play in, the sound system sucks. Let’s enjoy a record that embraces such uncontrollable, yet constant, hurdles that face us. This record embraces things I rant on and on about when I’m drinking Whiskey mixed with Sunny Delight. This record isn’t going to make any new fans for the Donnas but is one that already fans of the Donnas will love. Do the Donnas really need any bigger fan base anyway? I mean do they REALLY want to be on MTV's TRL? (SAB)
(Kryptonite Records 827 Lincoln Blvd. Manitowoc, WI. 54220)

Le Shok/Ink and Dagger split 7" EP
Ink and Dagger. Whatever. Reminds me of second rate Circus Lupus or a third rate Nation of Ulysses or a twice-removed Cupid Car Club. Each of those bands I mentioned I like, but still, I just didn’t connect with Ink and Dagger. The drummer of The Socials did though and that is saying something. His name is Jerry. He actually liked them a lot and asked me who was playing several times in an attempt to concrete the band’s name in his head. "In and Dagger" I told him. You see, Jerry and his self-proclaimed Millenium Falcon (his van) is the pilot of The Socials. That means he drives us to the shows and hence, controls what we listen to. From his days in a band called Croatan he makes us (meaning me, and the Ms. Communication who rounds out our line-up) listen to what we call REALLY BAD MUSIC before each show because he sez that its supposed to inspire us to rock out. Well, that’s what it did with Croatan and the weird thing is, it actually works with the Misses and me too. I can see Jerry hunting down a CD by Ink and Dagger and playing it for us so I suppose I better listen to their track on this split AND LEARN TO LIKE IT! Then when he puts it on I can say how much I like Ink and Dagger so he will be inspired to put on some really bad shit, like the best of Motley Crue AND WE WILL ROCK OUT (but why cant the really bad music be Foreigner?). Making the North Koreans proud with my own self-styled psychological war! Le Shok once again kick some ass. Their song on this split is probably one of their best. "Electrical Digits". Le Shok are fucking gods. They are the most impressive thing on their side of the Mississippi. HANDS DOWN! Playing a Le Shok record is like launching a five-megaton rock and roll tipped Nuke at that one point in California where you hit it with enough powerful explosives and Desert property turns into ocean front real estate! Lex Luthor remembered! (SAB)

Penetrators "Kings of Basement Rock" LP (American Lost Punk Rock Nuggets Volume 12)
1960 Gibson Melody Maker (sold with accompanying amp) played CLEAN. Devilishly clean. I like it. I don’t think that the Penetrators ax man, Elliot "spike" Kagan is REALLY playing a Melody Maker but that’s just about the exhaustion of my vintage guitar knowledge and that’s just because that’s the same kind of guitar my fiancée plays (except she runs out of a Marshall, and not as clean of a sound as Spike has). Hell, I’m not even too sure it is 1960 even! I don’t know too much about 60's garage punk but I do know enough to know this fulfills the criteria. I like allot of what I hear on this LP, except the "#1 Band In Town Song"... songs like that remind me too much of rap music’s boasting and self-glorification and since I see rap as the NEW disco (therefore we must smash it) the song just didn’t do it for me. Side one has "Stop Action" as a standout. I like all of Side B though. That’s the side that basically has Spike and Mr. Curtis Seals doing the bit-nits (business) and taking care of bit-nits they do! Well, they do have help here and there but they kick some ass! "Rock and Roll Face", "Shopping Bag", "Baby Dont'cha Tell Me"... that shit just does it for me! I see Spikes name pop up on The Killed By Message Board from time to time and I know he will get ahold of this review to read it sometime... Spike, my message to you is to find Curtis, get a bass player, get a set together and get out there AGAIN! There’s definitely a place for the Penetrators in today’s punk rock scene, well that’s what I think anyway. Its Sunday night as I write this. I have to wake up at 4:30 AM tomorrow morning and make screws. I listen to The Penetrators and I want to find some sunglasses and drink all night. Dangerous. I can’t do shit like that. I wasn’t sure when I first started listening to this LP if it really fit into the criteria Rave Up has established for their 'American Lost Punk Rock Nuggets' series but now, after several listens, I say with confidence that it DEFINITLY does! Terrible, TERRIBLE cover art though. There’s no working around it. Next time the sunglasses band members would be adequate. (SAB)
(RaveUp@tiscal.net)
(Rave Up Records Via Montecuccoli 13 00176, Roma. Italy
(www.initialrecords.com)
(Initial Records POB 17131 Louisville, KY 40217)
(Rave Up Records Via Montecuccoli 13 00176, Roma. Italy)

Sylvain Sylvain & The Criminals "Bowery Butterflies (78 Vintage NYC Rock & Roll Gems)" LP
Its war against the digital terrorist who just led to the deletion of a rather negative review that I was almost finished writing about this LP. I refrain from saying it outright sucked but not now. Not after the deletion of a scathing piece of criticism. I'm saying it! THIS LP SUCKS! It’s not worth the money I spent. There’s not one song on this LP I would say rocks or even comes close to rocking. The piano sucks. The guitars are too soft. Fucking Butterflies. Fucking Pussies. Sharks, Polar Bears, Vipers... Strong, vicious creatures. Butterflies? Pussies.

Every record fits into one of three categories as far as I’m concerned. The first is for those truly great pieces of music that you feel privileged in hearing and do everything in your power to further promote. An example of this would be my Le Shock review. My Le Shock review in Blank Generation was my second time writing a review for the record. Both were excellent reviews. I did all I could for a record I totally believe in!

The second category is the so-so category. These are the records that a reviewer like myself may or may not write a review on just because he has the gumption to, more like he has a obligation to. Its something not of a stark reverence, middle of the road. The Catheters LP I mentioned in the review for The Valentine Killers record I did a while back, that’s an example. I wrote a review for it because I was eager to enter Blank Generation with a bang, not because it was fucking groundbreaking.

The third category is the one where you just hate a fucking record to the point where you, as a reviewer, feel some sort of obligation to WARN others from wasting their money. This review is an example of that! The liner notes speaks of this band as a rebuilding effort after a near fatal accident involving a van and Sylvain. Aw, boo hoo!!! Hope that van is long since out of commission because I was actually thinking about playing a show in NYC with the band I am in. I won't with knowledge that such a accident might happen to me, and I will be dammed I'm going to make very shitty music upon my recovery. I want written proof that the van no longer functions before I plan my big take over of New Amsterdam... You can take Kenny Rock-Action for instance. This guy has been in a near fatal accident two times in the past year, once with a van and once with a motorcycle. It's fueled Kenny though, not softened him. If you have a past like Sylvain, a person comes to expect certain things. Just think, he was once asked to join the Sex Pistols! HA! No wonder I haven’t heard about this record before this. $12.99 down the fucking drain. DOWN THE FUCKING DRAIN. DOWN...THE FUCKING... DRAIN! RIGHT DOWN THE FUCKING DRAIN!!!! You want to spend $12.99 on something? Take your pick; anything but this. The Testors now there’s some REAL New York City Rock 'N' Roll gems! Find some of their records. I’m pissed off that I bought this LP. I can’t hide it either. If my first, even longer review, wasn’t deleted somewhere by the digital terrorist, that must ultimately love this record enough to fuck with me, I might not have been AS mad but STILL mad enough to be so, UPSET. They’re out to get me... they have infiltrated my computer.... They are fucking with me. FUCKING WITH ME. They are out to get me. Me and my views on what rock and roll is, what rock and roll should be. Dead bodies in water towers. Boil-advisories posted. Excavating for bodies at a Taco-Bell construction site. Shark hunters! (SAB)
(www.munster-records.com)
(Munster Records PO Box 18107, 28080 Madrid, Spain)

X "Home Is Where The Floor Is" 7" EP
Fucking excellent! This record brought up a question that I never took directly to Mark Murrmann (Blitzkrieg general) but one that I assumed and found to be correct, that the answers would come to me like a wolf-hybrid dog came looking for a piece of Tortilla in my coat pocket. All of a sudden, as it would end up, I would have to show the outstretched palms of both my hands before they would face the facts; no treats for them, just me. Me and my turntable. I didn’t bug Mark as to why he did a vinyl re-issue of this material. I let life be life and sort itself out.
So why would The Blitzkrieg bring us a 7" of music already available on CD? Easy one. When I put on side two (first mind you, a tragic reviewing habit of mine) and heard the magic vinyl accomplished with "Good On Ya Baby" I realized why. Warm! It’s a fucking kick to the jaw, a punch to the ribs. You loose your breath and await the loud and abrasive guitar. It lurches behind the bass like an eye-mask tied in the back (ala The McDonalds' Hamburgeler ©), striped shirt wearing thug with a store bought billy-club just around the corner in a dark alley hidden by shadows. Ready... Ready.... Ready..... BAM! It’s better than a mugging.

I returned from my canine visitation with a high adrenaline level. The adrenaline would eventually manifest itself with the dry-heaves. Walking thru the house. X playing loud, even before the record press stuff told me to play it loud. X playing loud. Me? Dry-heaving. Drinking generic Kool Aid (cherry flavor, "Drink Aid" made and distributed by the infamous "Inter-American Foods Company out of Cincinnati Ohio; which has now graced two of my Blank Generation reviews). Dry-heaving. The Generic Cherry Drink Aid looks like blood when it is regurgitated. I navigated the 7" several times... with an upset stomach. Side A. Side B. Side B. Side A. Side B. "Hate City"... "Home is where the Floor is"... I see the error in my ways.

Last winter when those joggers almost ran over me and some of my friends as we got out of a car and told us to get out of the way by saying, "Heads up!" Well, I yelled at them, "Hey why don’t you just tell us to get out of your fucking way next time assholes!" And believe it or not, the man of the couple (they were dressed alike too so its not like he was really a "man", just a sort of male servant to his so-called "better half," I say 'so-called' because they were jogging. Joggings for pussies. Pussies and Chip Slob. But Chip is a pretty cool guy so I hope he takes that like a grain of salt because I already have too much fucking blood on my hands). Anyway, the fucking dork came trotting back to us and asked us what OUR problem was... I mean me and my fiancée were entertaining guest who was in town after being in the Alaskan Wilderness. Their town is something like TWO hours from a fucking Burger King. You just don’t yell at someone "Heads Up!" no matter what fucking neighborhood your in. Much less if you have Alaskan Wilderness freaks with you that wake up every morning with black bears and fucking moose shit in your yard. That ‘TOUGH AS NAILS’ kinda shit goes on there! You know what I should have done? I should have just screamed the lyrics to X’s "Good On Ya Baby" and got my switchblade out and waved it around. THAT’S what I should have done, but I just laughed at him. He said I should watch who I mess with. Actually, that’s the other way around I think. I’m the motherfucker carrying hooks because he gets death threats. Who’s he? A fucking jogging lawyer? HE'S A FUCKING PUSSY! No wait, he’s a fucking PUSSIE! That spelling even looks weaker!

So fuck, like, get this record. TOUGH AS NAILS! Everyone should have this 7". Bands. Bad bands that I can hand-pick as requested, should break up, be forced to listen to this 7" for about 3 months straight then be allowed to once again form a band. If they still form that god-awful pop punk shit, THEN we will write them off. Until then, let the X re-issues by Rock and Roll Blitzkrieg hereby usher in a NEW era of art-punk. X: Neoteric before Neoteric. Hey, I got thru this review without badmouthing Los Angeles’ X. Bloody red eyes... (SAB)
(Rock N Roll Blitzkrieg Records POB 11906 Berkeley, CA. 94712)

Victims "All Loud on the Western Front" LP
I conquered X last time, now maybe the band that holds the position of Second most prolific Oz punk band, the Victims surface.... AND MY VENGENCE IS JUSTIFIED! Remember that Sylvain Sylvain review I wrote? Yeah, I was a mad motherfucker about that one. Even though I’m not the kind of guy who really trades in vinyl (I will keep a LP if it has just one good song on it; furthering my testament that that Sylvain Sylvain LP SUCKED!), I took that shitty ass Sylvain record down and was granted a even trade for this record in its place. JUSTIFICATION! I have all the songs on this LP already from other sources except one that I don’t rightly recognize but its not like I am getting up from here to glance over The Abbarant 2xCD, the Murder Punk CDs, or the Birdmen re-issues for the answers. If it really mattered the info would have been retained in memory. I mean, fuck! I must conserve myself. I only have one soda left and it’s a major brand! I am sitting here on Sunday morning without Generic Cola. Without Generic Kool-Aid... Without my fuels that sustain me! I have buzzed through three reviews so far and I’m waiting for the 'crash'. Generic products required...

Anyway, that one song I haven’t heard before (I think, but yet unsure of) is "Perth is A Culture Shock" and is up to par with the other Victims HITS also appearing on this LP, "Television Addict" the modern lovers-esque, "High School Girls", "Flipped Out Over You" and what I would deem one of the best punk songs ever, "Disco Junkies". By the way, the only songs I failed to mention which include "I Understand", "Open Your Eyes" and "TV Freak" rounds out the rest of the LP. I will be honest with you, the humble Blank Generation reader; I am not here to just FUCK YOU. You're getting the real scoop of the scoop scoops so you better appreciate this. You better put this in your pocket for a rainy day. You better nurture this thought. Nurture my honestly and be proud that I didn’t accept that job at Spin magazine because that would have been an end to my stint here as a Blank Generation reviewer IF I SIGNED THAT DAM CONTRACT (fuck it though, who wants 25K a year, apartment paid AND have to live in NY where that one van is the one that really fucks you up? Not me!). RESPECT what I am about to share with you as if you are a smack junkie getting tha shakes outside the methadone clinic. Respect my honestly like those in 'Nam learned to respect the men in the black pajamas. Respect motherfuckers! I expected a different feel from buying and listening to these songs on this LP. I wanted similar results, like I had with Rock N Roll Blitzkrieg’s X "Home Is Where The Floor Is" 7", but it didn’t happen. This LP is good though, but I guess I will just leave the whole purchasing question up to you. I mean I bought this (or rather exchanged for this) and I have no regrets. It’s all up to you. Generic drink products requested please... (SAB)
(No Address)

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Interview with Sammy Mckee from OLD CITY


Old City image
OLD CITY is a band of progress. Formed initially by Sammy Mckee the band is being built piece by piece... Join the in-process experiment as yet OLD CITYS ranks grow again... Dig the minimalist 'Dork moon' dark-wave of OLD CITY often and frequently.

Questions by Shawn Abnoxious. Answers by Sammy Mckee


Sammy, tell the readers about OLD CITY...

OLD CITY started off as a solo outlet with more electronic leanings. It was basically an outlet for my weirder, non Bitter Airplane songs. I added Dave Cupp to the mix to help with the live side of things and now it has taken on a life of its own. We are adding a bassist too here in the near future. I'll be sure to give THWART! the exclusive on that when we announce it. Basically, Old City is fucked up pop songs written from a very spontaneous and dark place.

'Pop' like Brittney Spears 'Pop'? Could you define the term in relation to you and Dave and OLD CITY?

Pop like having melody. Hehe. And NOT pop like pop punk. I hate that shit. Hehe. Dave recorded the VIEW-FINDER album and 7" and we have been looking to collaborate for a long time. He had been wanting to drum on something, so it worked out perfectly. He's a permanent member and has brought so much to the project. He [Dave Cupp] got involved because after playing a few solo shows, I really wanted to add drums. I asked him because we have been long time friends and I knew that he was looking to drum for a band.

So the whole band is just you and Dave then?

Yep… for now… until December when we add Gabe from 1000 ARMS and SOMETIMES on bass… Gabe's going to join and we're playing a bunch of shows… It'll be great to have his influence on the low-end side of the house. We're also recording 4 songs with Steve Wethington at New Fidelity. We hope to split them up over a couple of split 7"s

Really good fit with him… Has Gabe’s involvement with KASPAROV and his take on the commercialization of the music industry something that has inspired you and modified your perception or has Gabe’s inclusion into OLD CITY seen as a unifying if like-minded individuals? Could you address Gabe's efforts and philosophy in KASPAROV (‘everything free, decentralization of industry ethics') in relation to OLD CITY's stance?

There is no worries at all about the vision being lost. This project is basically a growing beast and I’m having a blast with what it has evolved to…. With Gabe in the fold, our sound is really expanding and I'm excited about the possibilities. It's really a meeting of like minds. I've always wanted to be in a project with him; Love his songs and his style. It's completely fucked up and different and I feel like my shit is fucked up and different in a similar, yet completely different way. We have already written a song together that will be on our next EP coming out this month.

How will this new EP be 'different'? Is Gabe's inclusion into OLD CITY changing anything on a drastic level?

The EP will be recorded the same way (all songs recorded, mixed, and mastered in one day). We're recording it again with Steve Wethington of HUMANS BOW DOWN at New Fidelity studios. The song ideas on all of the EP's are different as I'm not concerned with having a certain sound. We're focused more on song quality than genre. Because of that, every EP will be different. I do think that his addition is going to change the sound dramatically because Gabe is a dramatic player. He does things every time we play together that blow my mind. So if anything, the sound is growing. The aesthetic, however, will forever be the same. DIY. Fuck the machine.

In 1000 ARMS I remember Gabe singing songs changing lyrics of the song to 'fit' the night... He would awkwardly smile from time to time. I think he would be a good fit in ANY band, just as well in OLD CITY... What’s the mission of the band? What do you hope to achieve?

We're very happy and fortunate that he is with us. The mission is to play music and have FUN. Hopefully the end user gets that part.

Name something that is better about the Cincinnati scene now compared to 10 years ago and something that still needs work... in your opinion.

I like the declining number of garage rock rip off bands. Haha. I love garage rock, but DAMN! I think that organization is something that needs even more work than 10 years ago. Networking and what not should be easier than ever with all of this fancy technology, but it's nowhere near wear it was when you just networked at shows and used a telephone to book shows.

Looking back from the next 10 years what do you think your answer could sound like then?

That's a hard question. Hehe. I hate to speculate, but I do hope that Cincinnati continues to send bands out of town to gain bigger audiences. We have a few that are ready now in my eyes.

What’s some of the bands you have eyes on? Which band is 'the next big thing'?

Locally, HOMEMADE DRUGS… They have a TON of energy and I think that if they get out of town, they can really do something.

What is 'success' to you?

The ability to have a shit ton of people hear your art… To share with the world… And it helps if they like it. Ha ha

What do you want the readers of ...Thwart! to know about OLD CITY? Can you sell 'it' in exactly 24 words?

Cincinnati DIY'ers that do not conform to any genre crafting loud ass songs with the intention of them sticking in your head fucking permanently.

(…Thwart! Note: EXACTLY 24 words)

What’s behind the band name Sam? Is there a deeper, cryptic meaning?

I wish! Ha ha. Seriously though, to me it means to do this while you have a chance. None of us are going to live forever. Did you catch the bitter airplane reference there? Hehe

No. You are a sly one. I have been oh *high* alert this whole time. You wanna take a minute to tell everyone about BITTER AIRPLANE and explain how that ties in with OLD CITY?

OLD CITY is kind of the dark side of Sammy. THE BITTER AIRPLANE generally comes from a more deep and thought out place. In February or March there will be n announcement about BITTER AIRPLANE plans.

Which one song do you feel captures what OLD CITY is doing? Which one song is a must listen for interested parties? Why?

I would say that “Simple Solution” sums it up best. The idea of OLD CITY is to write what comes out. Don't overthink it. Just make it happen.

Tell those interested where to find your music and anything else anyone reading this you feel they need to know... Thanks for participating Sammy. I got eyes on you.
12/12/12 :: Old City :: Little Lights :: MOTR :: WEDS
Send them to our band camp page (link below-Shawn)... And at our shows of course… We're at MOTR on 12/12 with Little Lights, at Rake's End with XMAS CAR CRASH (Shane from CATERPILLAR TRACKS), UMIN, and R RING at Northside Tavern on 12/22 with HOMEMADE DRUGS.

Shane Johnson? What a commie bastard huh? 

I hear that he has converted to libertarianism these days.

Libertarians... 'Pot smoking Republicans'... Its gonna take some smooth talking to the comrades to not let him hang for that when the class war hits.

fin

Stay tuned for continuing coverage of OLD CITY with …Thwart! and further developments concerning THE BITTER AIRPLANE. In the meantime, eat the meal handed to you. Dine on OLD CITY’s dark moods.

Visit the OLD CITY Bandcamp page HERE
Like them on Facebook HERE
Listen to “Simple Solution” HERE

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Agglomeration of Outliers Outsweepings Volume One

OUTSWEEPINGS

Agglomeration of Outliers Outsweepings is a collection of belles-lettres writings from various source, types and authors. Song lyrics, poetry, prose, e-mails, short-fiction, fictional tales... There's no rules or standards, just words to read. Featuring writings from Francis Pospisil, Pat Pending, The HouseWolf, Billy Sheppard, John Burris, Shawn Abnoxious, Randy Bell, Polly Watson, Tim Combs, Fred Tarr, Andy Breighton, Juice By Jerry, Taylor Morgan, Peter Graves Roberts
Randy America, Brian Mosher and Raul Kennedy.

Agglomeration of Outliers Outsweepings-Volume One is available for absolutely FREE as a pdf download

Here: http://db.tt/Mb54MXNj (Go ahead and download it now)

Or Send and e-mail to ShawnAbnoxious[at]aol.com (with Send AOO#1 in subject line) to get a copy.

Share openly with any interested parties... Volume 2 is already in the works. Get in touch today.

ShawnAbnoxious[at]aol.com

Thanks.