Category Archives: Punk

90's, Hip Hop, Music, Music Video, Punk, Rap, Rock, Times Of Yore

Times Of Yore: DINK

30 November, 2008 Brian Mc 1 Comment

So I am slacking on updating here with good quality reading material. My apologies. It was Thanksgiving weekend you know…. I know not a good enough excuse…

Anyways, let’s talk about the gem I came across recently, rather…a few weeks ago. Well actually let’s clear that up by saying my friend John hooked me up with a CD I loved from the past (read on for an explanation) so I guess I was handed the gem.

Where was I? Oh yeah…

It all started when I tried to buy a CD from the Ex-(we’d never fire you after xmas)-change in Kent last month. I was looking for something I have not listened to in a while, something completely random. As I was shopping in Kent I could not help but to think of a certain alt-industrial act from Kent that had a small taste of success. The band was Dink.

As soon as I came to the decision that I would leave that music shop with a Dink CD in hand I went searching for it and found nothing. The CD that comes through the store a lot according to a certain pal who works there just ao happened to be out of stock at the time. I managed to find the Blame It On Tito EP that Dink released but after getting home I realized the wrong CD was in it…

Fail.

My buddy John who hung out with me later in the week confessed that he had an extra copy of the CD and gave it to me after finding out I was having a hard time finding it.

Score.

Dink was not around for a very long time but they sure are not a band many have forgotten about. Hailing from Kent, OH the band formed in 1992 and stood out from may of the bands at that time combining elements of industrial metal, hip hop style (mainly excessive samples), and alt punk sounds.

The first time I heard them I was an instant fan. In 1994 the band released their debut self-titled CD under Capitol Records. To me it was a fine mix of bands like Ministry with the industrial feel and Faith No More with the rock jam. At times the lead singer even sang like Mike Patton.

Included on that CD was a song called “Green Mind” that was the band’s big commercial hit. I to this day still listen to the track once in a while. The song, produced by Skinny Puppy‘s Dave Ogilvie, was really the only success the band tasted. The video for “Green Mind”, which I need to mention my good friend Kevin can be seen in it for a brief moment, debuted on MTV’s 120 Minutes. The band was actually discovered by Capitol Records as the track was played contently on a Cleveland radio station program, 107.9 The End’s Inner Sanctum (recently resurrected on Cleveland’s 92.3).

After Dink was released the band recorded some more songs for a follow up CD that would never be released as Capitol Records dropped the band due to a change in the music scene (some of the tracks can be found on the Blame It On Tito EP). Industrial apparently was not “in” anymore and the record label said bye bye to the talented band. With no record deal the band called it quits.

Sucks to see such a talented band just stop because they were let go. I would be very interested in hearing some of the unreleased material that may still be out there. Rumor has it there are 3 cassettes worth of demos floating around out there that the band sold at their local shows before they made it big. I wonder if any of the original band members continued with a musical career or if they just all called it quits and ended their short stint of fame?

Hopefully I will find out one day.

Until then, enjoy the “Green Mind” video:

The voice at the beginning of the video is none other than Ohio’s most overheard rightwing car salesman Bob Serpentini.

Here is an interview I found while surfing the net with an unamed member of Dink. Pretty interesting read.

90's, Electronic, Indie, Music, Punk, Random, Rock

Sitting Here While Everyone Eats Pie…

27 November, 2008 Brian Mc Leave a comment

I don’t want you to feel sorry for me at all because I am working today. It comes with the territory I suppose and in the end I will actually gain something after sitting in my cubicle for 8 hours…2 days off in December. I am ok with that.

The one thing about today that differs from the other days I am here is that it is not that busy. People are being safe today or just waiting until tomorrow to call in for assistance. Anyways, slow days mean I get to use the iPod. That keeps me entertained.

A couple of songs popped up that reminded me of my past throughout my shift. I guess you could say they are jems from my past. Has anyone heard of any of these? If so what do you think?

“Just Another Victim” – Helmet & House Of Pain (Judgement Night Soundtrack)
I loved this soundtrack when I was a teenager. The movie was ok but the soundtrack was just awesome mixing up rock with rap. Who would have thought this CD could have started such a trend? House of Pain AND Helmet? Awesome.

“Not The Same” – Dinosaur Jr.
I was always a huge fan of Dinosaur Jr. except the time I saw them live. Worst show ever.

“You Make It Easy” – Air
I remember I picked up Moon Safari at World Music in Columbus when I was CD shopping alone. I was looking for something new and different from all the metal and punk I was involved in. I sampled this French band called Air and have been a fan of their work ever since.

“Where It’s At” – Beck
Whoever does not like this song in some way or sort has issues. I only wish Beck would record material like this again.

“(I’m Not Your) Steppin’ Stone” – Minor Threat
In my opinion they are one of the best punk bands out there to this day. Even if I was not stright edge when I listened to them in the past I respected them and wished I could have seen them live just once.

“Tonight, Tonight” – Smashing Pumpkins
Still one of my fav Smashing Pumpkins tracks ever. The video alone blew me away when it was over played on MTV. I guess I liked the classic style that was portayed. I also liked Billy’s top hat.

Well that is all I have for now. I should get back to work…as if there is any…

I hope everyone enjoys their holiday today!

Music, Music Video, Pop, Punk, Reunion

Blink 182 Might Be Back

20 November, 2008 Brian Mc Leave a comment

This morning during my morning ritual of reading random blogs and just catching on on current events I found myself checking out +44‘s lead/bassist Mark Hoppus’ blog site. The former Blink 182 member had updated it for the first time in months. He explained where he has been, what he has been doing, and most of all reconnecting with friends from the past, more specifically Blink 182:

in the midst of everything else that has happened lately, tom, travis, and i have all spoken together. first through a number of phone calls, and then a couple of weeks ago we all hung out for a few hours. they’ve all been great, very positive conversations. we’re just reconnecting as friends after four years of not talking. it’s a good thing. obviously the first question for a lot of people will be “does this mean a blink-182 reunion?” the answer is none of us know. we haven’t talked about it at all. right now it’s just good for the three of us to see one another, reconnect, and let the past be the past. the events of the past two months supersede everything that happened before. life is too short.

Two months ago Travis Barker was involved in a terrible plane crash that left four dead. I posted a blog about it the day after it happened as I as a fan felt terrible about what happened. He luckily survived along with pal DJ-AM but it was still a horrific event and a real eye-opener for many. Seeing Mark Hoppus’ blog just proved more how the crash started to make people think about life and values of friendship.

It’s great to hear that the three members of the once power pop punk rock act are speaking. Blink 182’s break up was just dumb in my opinion. The guys had a good thing going and tossed it to the side for the sake of what seemed personal stardom. Each side had their story but once Blink 182 broke up it was clear that the three were not what they used to be. I would love to see Blink 182 reunite not for the music aspect but just to see the three together again. The band was a group of close friends and I myself liked them more because of that.

Whether they actually start up Blink 182 is still to be determined but at least they are hanging out again as friends.

Artist, Claudio Sanchez, Emo, I Want., Music, Punk, Rock, Toys

I Want. – Kill Audio Vinyl Toy

6 November, 2008 Brian Mc 1 Comment

I am a huge fan of Coheed & Cambria. I am also a huge fan of vinyl toys.

Kill Audio Vinyl Action Figure — Kill Audio (bloody) Vinyl Action Figure

Recently, rather a couple months back, I came across Kill Audio. Kill Audio is a comic/vinyl action figure created by Coheed & Cambria frontman Claudio Sanchez and artist Sheldon Vella. The comic is more of a project between the two with the comics being featured on the Kill Audio Myspace page, as well as featuring in Popgun from Image Comics. An actual hard copy should be available in 2009. Accompanying the comics are limited edition Kill Audio vinyl action figures, basicly a mini Claudio Sanchez who is the focus of the comics. The comic is just about as interesting as everything else that has been thought up by Claudio Sanchez.

I want.

So far the vinyl figures are available to fans through Comic Cons and other special events such as random signings at pop culture toy stores. A limited edition version gunmetal gray Kill Audio figure will be sold at the Neverender shows that Coheed & Cambria is playing in select cities. The Neverender show is the show of all Coheed & Cambria shows with the band playing through all four of their albums in four nights… What I would give to be a part of that.

Kill Audio (non-bloody) Vinyl Action Figure

For more info about Kill Audio, check out the following links:

Kill Audio on www.juxtapoz.com

Kill Audio on MySpace

Kill Audio on Facebook

To buy me the action figure (it’s only $50, that’s nothing!!!) check out:

Rotofugi

Art, Experimental, Indie, Live Shows, Music, Music Video, New Release, Punk, Review

Japanther – Tut Tut Now Shake Ya Butt – CD Review

6 November, 2008 Brian Mc Leave a comment

I didn't know Shaun White was in a band... — I didn't know Shaun White liked ice cream...

Japanther, an amusing, Brooklyn, experimental, trash punk rock act has recently released Tut Tut Now Shake Ya Butt on Wantage Records. This twosome do-it-yourself band has been going strong for over seven years thanks to their inimitable style and rareness. If you are artsy or into performing arts, chances are you may have already heard of this duo. Far from being in the spotlight, they hold their own having played shows in famous NYC museums and venues but have caught a taste of mainstream recently opening for Against Me!

I heard their band name before I ever actually heard their music and I must say after checking out Tut Tut Now Shake Ya Butt I have to say this is a weird yet interesting band reminding me of Negativeland meets the Dead Milkmen. It’s good though in the sense that the duo, art school heroes, do things all by themselves with limited assistance.

Opening tracks “Um, Like Your Smile Is Totally Ruining Me” sounding like a high school basement project and the unusual “Bloated Corpse” made it clear that these guys are in their own little world. Their sound is not what I thought at all but I found myself enjoying it.

“Bumpin’ Rap Tapes” was a cute friendless love track with lyrics that reminded me of something I might have written back in the days of high school hell. The cover of New Bad Things “The Dirge” entertained with under processed rock, but just wasn’t enough for me.

I was impressed to see that legendary Crass drummer Penny Rimbaud was not only the executive producer of their album but also contributed some of his poems for use in “Africa Seems So Far Away” and “I Thee Indigene”. Both tracks were spoken words of sorts with strange beats accompanying Penny Rimbaud reciting his works. Perhaps boring to some but when you are a fan of William S. Burroughs or spoken word in general, like I am, you tend to like stuff like this.

MC Spank Rock from Baltimore added his style to “Radical Businessman” an indie sounding track inspired from actual events of MC Spank Rock getting arrested. “Before The Sun Goes Down” closed out the CD with a track I favored over the rest. The song was a little more punked out over the previous.

The CD may not seem too exciting at first listen but then again this band is more of a DIY performing arts band and probably could care less what anyone thinks. They are known to take their music to the next level with interesting live shows that have featured synchronized swimmers at one show and puppets fighting at another. Not knowing this in advance may really stray you away from their material but once you see a clip of a live performance you can start to understand what the hell is going on…maybe.

The following videos are from previous releases. After viewing them I really see that Tut Tut Now Shake Ya Butt really strays in a different direction and I am thinking it was a result of Penny Rimbaud working with the duo. From what I have seen I think it would be best if I checked out Japanther’s catalog.